2025 Kia SORENTO HYBRID: complaints, problems and recalls

The front and rear passenger side windows of my 2025 Kia Sorento intermittently fail to operate. When attempting to roll them down, all that can be heard is a clicking sound, and the windows do not move. This issue occurs randomly and without warning. The malfunction poses a safety concern, as functioning windows are necessary for proper ventilation, emergency egress, and communication with others outside the vehicle, including law enforcement or toll booth operators. The issue was first reported to Kia of Bowie on December 9, 2024. However, t…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11643265 at NHTSA ↗

Incident #1 ([XXX]) - while driving on [XXX} at 70 MPH in Sarasota I experienced and complete loss of engine power. The car coasted from 70 MPH down to 35 MPH until the EV kicked in. I was very fortunate as were the other driers not be involved in a serious accident. I reported this situation to Kia NA and was assigned this case number [XXX] Kia had the car from [XXX] until [XXX]. They told me the problem was a defective fuel rail pressure sensor . The assured us the car was fixed Incident #2 ([XXX]) [XXX] days later with four passengers …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11645012 at NHTSA ↗

There have been 2 incidents. First, I was going down a steep incline and used my paddles to down shift and up shift. When I entered the flat area the car lost power 25mph to 38 mph. I was unable to go any faster. This continued until I shut off car. Then it went back to normal. A few days later driving on flat streets it lost power again in the same way. I returned home shut off car and it started up as usual again. I took it to dealer and it has been with them 4 days. They were unaware of any other complaints and cannot locate the problem. I h…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11664658 at NHTSA ↗

Battery does not stay charged. I purchased the vehicle on 24AUG24. On 08FEB25, I began having trouble with the 12V battery. The battery died and Kia Roadside was called to jumpstart. The local Kia dealership replaced the 12V and tested the system. Everything checked out ok. I picked up the car on 10FEB25. On 03MAR25, I called Kia Roadside to jumpstart the dead 12V battery, again, and took the vehicle back to the same local Kia dealership. The dealer has been unable to correct the problem even with the help of Kia Corp.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11666162 at NHTSA ↗

I pulled out of my subdivision and immediately received an error check engine light warning and initially didn't think much of it. As I pressed the accelerator I noticed there was no engine power at all just electric (this is a Sorento Hybrid SX Prestige) so I immediately pulled over and turned the car off for two minutes. Upon turning it back on the engine did rengage so i decided to proceed. About a mile further the same check engine error occurred with the engine not responsive at all and only electric power available so I made a u-turn a…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11668693 at NHTSA ↗

On June 5, 2025, I was driving my 2025 Kia Sorento. I proceeded to get onto the highway from an on ramp. At that moment, the engine stalled. The car would not accelerate. I could not go faster than 20-25 mph. This was a huge safety risk to me, to my passengers, and to others on the highway. Eventually I exited the highway and drove home very slowly, since the car would not accelerate beyond 20-25 mph. I was pressing the gas pedal as far down as it would go. I even tried turning off the car and restarting it. The check engine light was on. The c…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11671685 at NHTSA ↗

When accelerating, like when turning from a driveway onto a main road, or from a stop on an incline, there is a significant delay in acceleration, as if the transmission is not moving to a higher gear, or like a turbo lag. This vehicle does not have a turbo but the effect seems similar. This could potentially cause an accident when the driver expects the car to behave as it normally would on a flat straight surface.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11674226 at NHTSA ↗

Upon collision with another vehicle, there was no deployment of any airbags. The vehicle is available for inspection. I was in a head on collision and due to the severity and deployment of the other vehicles airbags, I believe that mine should have as well. The vehicle is currently in the process of being inspected by insurance. A police report was filed for the incident. There was no prior indication of this malfunction.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11674601 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2025-01-13 (January 13, 2025)

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Sorento, 2025 Sorento Hybrid, and 2025 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. A software error in the Body Domain Control Unit (BDC) may cause a loss of low beam headlights and taillights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence: A loss of headlights and taillights can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the BDC software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 21, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC331.

Reported: 2026-01-26 (January 26, 2026)

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Controls and Displays" and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System."

Consequence: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 26, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC361. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 9, 2026.