NHTSA has received 156 owner complaints about the 2023 Kia Sorento, or 42.5 per year on the road — a typical number of complaints for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 1.01, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 92 model-year 2023 vehicles we track, it ranks #62 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Kia models its rate is 20% higher; against other Midsize SUVs it is 20% lower.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2022-11-17 and 2026-09-01. Median delay from incident to filing: 15 days.
156Complaints
42.5Complaints per year on the road
1.01Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
4Recalls · ⚠ 1
3.8%Share involving a crash or fire
59Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2022) drew 46.9 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2024) drew 17.2 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2023 model collected 79 complaints, 5% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Engine (28.8% of complaints), followed by Electrical (17.3%) and Interior & equipment (14.1%). Within Engine reports, owners most often mention “engine”, “accelerate”, “hybrid”, “pull” and “lights dash”. 6 reports (3.8%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 7 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 22 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was the second year (28% of incidents). In the last 12 months 59 new complaints were filed, versus 31 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for this model year, 1 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 33% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles1.01
vs. other Kia models1.2
vs. other 2023 models1.01
vs. other Midsize SUVs0.8
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (79)0.95
The brakes failed; they felt spongy, as if my foot were pressing directly against the road. The car accelerated and I headed toward a wall; the sensors didn't stop the vehicle. It came to a halt against the wall after the impact.
Brakes · 2026-08-19 · ODI 11757893 · Crash
I am reporting a vehicle fire that occurred in June 2025 involving my Kia vehicle. On the day of the incident, I started my car and immediately noticed excessive smoke coming out of the air vents, along with a strong burning smell.
Interior & equipment · 2026-01-09 · ODI 11709869 · Fire
I own two Nuna RAVA car seats, and both have developed unraveling/tearing of the two-point harness buckle/strap between the child’s legs.
Other · 2026-09-01 · ODI 11761341
The transmission failed for the fourth time. The transmission (Power Train) is the component that failed and is available for inspection at the dealership.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-08-25 · ODI 11759602
On multiple occasions, my 2023 Kia Sorento has experienced an intermittent failure where numerous dashboard warning lights and alerts illuminate and the engine will not start.
Engine · 2026-08-24 · ODI 11759161
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS Campaign 25V649000 · 2025-09-25
Summary: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Sorento vehicles. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) blower motor wiring harness may be inadequate, which can result in a fire.
Risk: A fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiring harness and blower motor resistor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC351. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 9, 2025.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA Campaign 23V610000 · 2023-08-31
Summary: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, and Sorento Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) vehicles. The mounting clips for the rearview camera may break, which can cause the rearview camera image not to appear properly on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera housing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC280.
Summary: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sorento vehicles. The air bag warning labels on the driver and front passenger sun visors may detach. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: A detached air bag warning label will not warn occupants about the risks of air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver and front passenger sun visors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 10, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC277.
Summary: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2023 Kia Sorento?
156 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2023 Kia Sorento, or about 42.5 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2023 Kia Sorento?
The most common category is Engine, accounting for 28.8% of complaints.
Does the 2023 Kia Sorento have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 safety recall(s) for this model year.
Is the 2023 Kia Sorento still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 59 new complaints were filed, versus 31 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
How does the 2023 Kia Sorento compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 156 owner complaints about the 2023 Kia Sorento, or 42.5 per year on the road — a typical number of complaints for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 1.01, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 92 model-year 2023 vehicles we track, it ranks #62 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Kia models its rate is 20% higher; against other Midsize SUVs it is 20% lower.