2025 Kia SORENTO: complaints, problems and recalls

The contact leased a 2025 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle failed to increase over 20 MPH. The 20 MPH limited message was displayed. The brake pedal was hard to depress. The driver pulled over and called the salesman at the dealer, who discussed red flags. The contact turned the vehicle off and restarted. While driving 45 MPH, turning left, the brake pedal was applied, but the brakes violently pumped upwards for about nine car lengths. The vehicle eventually slowed down. The speed decreased from 40 MPH to 20 MPH, …

Owner-reported narrative. 65 miles reported. Look up ODI 11626826 at NHTSA ↗

The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while his wife was driving approximately 25 MPH in the snow with the windshield wipers activated, the windshield wipers became stuck in the middle of the windshield due to snow accumulation in the area between the windshield and the hood. The contact's wife pulled over to the side of the road and noticed that the accumulated snow had turned into built-up ice, which obstructed the windshield wipers functionality. The contact's wife removed the ice in the area between the windshield and the …

Owner-reported narrative. 1,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11634405 at NHTSA ↗

While driving my 2025 Kia Sorento on the highway, I noticed a coolant leak and an overheating warning. I immediately pulled over, and the vehicle was towed to a Kia dealership for inspection. After diagnosing the issue, the dealership claimed that small pebbles had damaged the radiator, leading to the coolant leak. They stated that this was considered an accident, not a defect, and therefore was not covered under warranty. Why This is a Concern: After researching online, I discovered that many other Kia owners are experiencing the same issue, …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11644828 at NHTSA ↗

Outside temp was 33 degrees F with a slightly lower windchill. I started the car and, when I accelerated to 30 mph, my car began to beep and the dashboard indicated the speed was limited to 30 mph. It went into limp mode and resisted when I tried to go above 30. We were towed to Kia but they could not replicate the issue and said it may have been due to the cold. A Google search showed others with 2025 model Kias also had the issue and they also happened during colder temps. I was glad I was on a 40 mph road and not a highway or it could have …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11646597 at NHTSA ↗

The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that upon purchasing the vehicle brand new from the dealer and driving the vehicle to the residence, the contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V006000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting) after conducting a VIN search the same day. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The mileage on the vehicle was 10. The actual mileage was 530.

Owner-reported narrative. 530 miles reported. Look up ODI 11650575 at NHTSA ↗

Was turning right onto the road when the steering locked up and every safety warning light came on. My car literally stopped moving in the middle of the road. I wasn't literally right down the road from my house so thankfully I was able to get the car back to my house. The steering felt worse than not having power steering. I called and the dealership Matt Blac KIA of Toms River, and they had my car towed to the dealership around 10 am on April 4th. Around 4pm I was told they still had no idea what was wrong with my car, and to come pick up a l…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11656233 at NHTSA ↗

Driver Attn Warning randomly goes off frequently for no reason, this malfunction involves the front camera causing this frequent warning for no reason. This faulty issue gives the driver the sense that it should be ignored as it goes off for no reason, this makes this safety system null and void. It is equivalent to the blind spot warning going off so that the driver ignores it over time leading to them pulling in front of a car in there blind spot. The dealer and manufacturer know about this issue but refuse to do anything to fix it, the …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11659855 at NHTSA ↗

The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 50 MPH, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the contact's husband coasted the vehicle off to the shoulder of the highway. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure persisted. The contact called the dealer and made an appointment to have the vehicle serviced. The contact drove the vehicle without failure. The dealer performed a diagnostic test, but no fault was foun…

Owner-reported narrative. 213 miles reported. Look up ODI 11661904 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: 2025-08-25 (August 25, 2025)

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 K4 and Sorento vehicles. The connecting rod bolts in the engine may have been improperly tightened, which can cause a loss of drive power.

Consequence: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the sub engine assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 12, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC349.

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.