2025 Kia SORENTO PHEV: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
15,147 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2025 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 11 complaints (36.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 36.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 18.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 9.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 9.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 9.1% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 9.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Communication: Auto Crash Notification | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 1 |
Unknown Or Other: 4; Electrical System: 3; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 2; Power Train: 2; Air Bags: 1; Communication: Auto Crash Notification: 1; Engine: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 9 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 10 |
2025: 1; 2026: 10
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11634887 · 2025-01-08 (January 8, 2025)
Spare tire jack collapsed when jacking up the vehicle. I don’t think the jack is rated for a PHEV Sorento.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11634887 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11726151 · 2026-03-22 (March 22, 2026)
On March 13, 2026, Friday, at about 3:00 pm, was driving XXX on US XXX toward the XXX stop and go traffic backup for several miles. Sun was behind direction of traffic flow. Temperature was low-mid 50s and road was dry and no rain or snow. Winds were 10-15 mph with gusts to 25 mph. Road was 3 lanes in the east direction with one lane closed. Attempting to keep about a 3 foot distance from car in front. My was is a Kia 2025 Sorento PHEV model purchased in July 2024 and has had regular servicing. I was keeping a firm pressure on brake peda…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11726151 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11747203 · 2026-06-29 (June 29, 2026)
The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sorento. The contact stated the messages "Take A Coffee Break" and "Hands on Steering Wheel" consistently illuminated while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who stated that there was no issue with the vehicle. While driving approximately 60 - 70 MPH, the Forward Collision Avoidance system activated, causing the vehicle to swerve towards the right, and the brakes activated. The contact manually turned the steering wheel and depressed the accelerator pedal to continue driving. The vehicle was returned to t…
Owner-reported narrative. 293 miles reported. Look up ODI 11747203 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11748424 · 2026-07-06 (July 6, 2026)
Hybrid Control Unit failure was the fault that came up on the screen. 3rd time within 3 months now. The HCU was just replaced a week ago at the KIA dealership and the vehicle is only 1 year old. This left my wife stranded on the side of a busy highway in 100 degree temps over the 4th of July holiday.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11748424 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11748461 · 2026-07-06 (July 6, 2026)
1st incident: Vehicle was unable to accelerate when attempting to speed up on freeway entrance ramp- high RPMs while continuing to decelerate and eventually vehicle would not move at all anymore. The driver assist system continued to activate the brakes due to high RPMs even though the vehicle could not accelerate. Very unsafe driving conditions on a busy freeway as the car could not go faster than 30 mph, and eventually stalled out completely. Vehicle brought to dealership and replaced fuel pump as they said there was a leak found. 2nd incide…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11748461 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11752370 · 2026-07-23 (July 23, 2026)
On [XXX], at approximately [XXX], I attempted to replace a flat tire on my 2025 Kia Sorento while the vehicle was parked on a flat, firm paved surface. I used the factory-supplied emergency scissor jack, rated at 1,200 kg or 2,645.5 lbs. and placed it at the designated factory pinch-weld jacking point. The plugin hybrid Kia Sorrento has a curb weight of over 4000 lbs which is more than the rated weight of the Kia supplied car jack. This is extremely irresponsible and dangerous. While raising the vehicle only enough to remove and replace the t…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11752370 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11755517 · 2026-08-07 (August 7, 2026)
The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that on two occasions while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power and the message "Hybrid System Failure" was displayed. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road, turned off, and restarted, but the failure persisted, and the vehicle failed to accelerate above 20 MPH. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred a week later. The vehicle was taken to another deal…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11755517 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11755646 · 2026-08-08 (August 8, 2026)
I am writing to report a safety concern with my 2025 Kia Sorento plug-in hybrid. On multiple occasions, after starting the vehicle, the instrument panel appears normal, but the vehicle does not enter the ready state. The ready indicator does not illuminate and the vehicle will not shift into drive or reverse. The vehicle will however, unfortunately, shift into neutral and roll, but with no power. The only way to restore normal operation is to completely turn the vehicle off and restart it. This intermittent condition creates a safety concern…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11755646 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
24V920000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 2024-12-10 (December 10, 2024)
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. During a crash, the steering rack may damage the fuel line, which can result in a fuel leak.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will install a cover around the fuel line, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC328.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V006000 · Electrical System:Body Control Module:Software | Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights | Exterior Lighting:Headlights
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗26V046000 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗