Kia Sorento 2023: common problems
Owners of the 2023 Kia Sorento filed 128 complaints with NHTSA (3 crashes, 2 fires), and the most reported areas are the electrical system (40), unknown or other (38), engine (32) and power train (23). Owners describe warning lights cycling, no-start and stalling, transmission slipping or failure, and brake vibration. There are 3 official recalls: sun visor air bag labels, rearview camera mounting clips, and a fire risk from the HVAC blower motor wiring harness. These are owner reports, not confirmed defects, and the data is from the United States, so the same model may differ in other countries.
128
NHTSA complaints
3
recalls
3
complaints with a crash
What owners complain about
- Electrical system40 complaints
Owners report the vehicle not starting, the 12-volt battery draining while parked, and many warning lights and driver-assistance alerts coming on together. Several describe a burnt blower motor resistor (the part that sets fan speed) or an overheated fuse box terminal, and one reports random slowing with no brake lights.
An OBD2 scanner sometimes picks this up. Charging and battery faults often set codes, but body, driver-assistance and comfort modules usually need a dealer-level scan tool.
- Unknown or other38 complaints
Complaints in this group cover engine stalling and loss of power, auto start/stop trouble, warning lights cycling, HVAC blowing hot on one side, and a panoramic sunroof that will not close fully. One owner reports blower motor resistor contacts burnt in the dashboard.
An OBD2 scanner sometimes picks this up. Because this group mixes unrelated problems, a generic scanner may show engine-related codes but will likely miss body and driver-assistance issues.
- Engine32 complaints
Owners report an engine fire, a catastrophic failure with smoke and lost acceleration, limp mode (reduced power) on inclines, and no-restart after auto stop/start. One owner says a dealer confirmed a faulty fuel injector causing misfires above 3000 RPM.
An OBD2 scanner usually picks this up. Misfires, fuel injector faults and check engine lights normally set codes a generic scanner can read.
- Power train23 complaints
Owners describe transmission slipping, jerking, shuddering and sudden loss of power, with several reporting transmission failure or replacement, one reporting a fourth failure. Some owners link their problem to the earlier 22V760 transmission recall, though their VINs showed no open recall.
An OBD2 scanner sometimes picks this up. Transmission faults often set codes and the check engine light, but some transmission-control codes need a more advanced scanner.
- Forward collision avoidance14 complaints
Owners report forward collision, lane and other safety warnings cycling on the dashboard, safety features disabled, and the instrument cluster failing. One owner reports brake pulsation that is worse with adaptive cruise control, and dealer reprogramming did not stop the problem for some.
Generic OBD2 barely sees this. Driver-assistance systems sit in separate modules that a generic scanner usually cannot read.
- Service brakes13 complaints
Owners report brake vibration, rotors needing resurfacing or replacement at around 6,000-mile intervals or at 23,930 miles, and one report of spongy brakes before a crash into a wall. One owner says rotors were replaced under a recall and the problem returned about 2 months later.
Generic OBD2 barely sees this. Brake wear and vibration do not set engine codes, and brake control modules are generally outside a generic scanner's reach.
- Vehicle speed control11 complaints
Owners report sudden loss of acceleration with all dashboard lights on, the engine dying at highway speed, and the car not accelerating above 20 mph on hills with the auto-off light flashing. Some say the dealer could not reproduce the problem.
An OBD2 scanner usually picks this up. Throttle and engine power faults commonly set codes, though intermittent problems may not leave one.
- Lane departure10 complaints
Owners report warnings and driver-assistance features failing together, a no-start with every alert lit and a stiff steering wheel, and a squeak in the steering column when lane keep assist is on. One owner reports an engine that seized after a blind spot warning, and another says the seat memory resets.
Generic OBD2 barely sees this. Lane and blind spot systems use their own modules that a generic scanner generally cannot read.
Recalls
23V579000 · 15/08/2023
The air bag warning labels on the driver and front passenger sun visors may come off. Without the label, occupants are not warned about air bag risks, which raises the risk of injury in a crash. Dealers inspect and replace the sun visors as needed, free of charge. Kia's number for this recall is SC277. Check your VIN with Kia or NHTSA.
23V610000 · 31/08/2023
The mounting clips for the rearview camera may break, so the camera image may not display properly. This reduces the driver's view to the rear and raises the risk of a crash. It covers certain 2022-2023 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. Dealers inspect and replace the camera housing as needed, free of charge. Kia's number is SC280. Check your VIN with Kia or NHTSA.
25V649000 · 26/09/2025
The wiring harness for the heating and air conditioning blower motor may be inadequate, which can result in a fire and injury. It covers certain 2021-2023 Sorento vehicles. Dealers replace the wiring harness and the blower motor resistor, free of charge. Kia's number is SC351. Check your VIN with Kia or NHTSA.
What to check if you own one
- Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov or ask a Kia dealer whether recalls 23V579000, 23V610000 and 25V649000 are open on your car.
- If your air conditioning blows hot on one side or the fan stops, ask the dealer about the blower motor wiring harness recall before it gets worse.
- If warning lights cycle or the car stalls, write down the date, mileage and conditions, and record video if you can, since dealers often report they cannot reproduce intermittent faults.
- If you feel brake vibration or the transmission slips or jerks, have it inspected soon and keep the repair orders.
- Ask the dealer about your remaining warranty coverage before paying for a repair.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems on the 2023 Kia Sorento?+
Of 128 NHTSA complaints, the electrical system has 40, unknown or other has 38, engine has 32 and power train has 23. These are owner reports, not confirmed defects.
Does the 2023 Kia Sorento have recalls?+
Yes, the data lists 3: 23V579000 (sun visor air bag labels), 23V610000 (rearview camera mounting clips) and 25V649000 (HVAC blower motor wiring harness, fire risk). Check your VIN with Kia or NHTSA to see if yours is included.
Can an OBD2 scanner find these problems?+
For engine, fuel and some electrical or transmission faults, often yes. Brakes, driver-assistance systems and body issues mostly sit in other modules that a generic scanner usually cannot read.
Data: owner complaints and recalls published by the US NHTSA, retrieved 2026-11-09. Complaints are owner reports, not confirmed defects. Summary written with the help of AI.