150 of the 1,446 complaints about the Kia Sorento (10.4%) concern Transmission / powertrain, making it the model's #4 problem area. That share is 0.9× the Transmission / powertrain share across all tracked vehicles.
150Complaints · Transmission / powertrain
10.4%Share of complaints
0.89×vs. all vehicles
58Last 12 months
3.3%Share involving a crash or fire
1Related recalls
Analysis
58 Transmission / powertrain complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 22 in the 12 months before — up 164%.
5 of these reports (3.3%) describe a crash or fire, with 1 injury and 0 deaths mentioned.
1 recall campaign relates to this area, most recently campaign 22V760000 (2022-10-11, model years 2021 and 2022).
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH and exiting the freeway, the vehicle failed to accelerate and decelerated.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-09-29 · ODI 11767672 · Crash
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.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-03-22 · ODI 11726151 · Crash
2022 Kia Sorento, VIN [XXX], subject to Recall 22V760 (Kia SC250, 8-speed DCT electric oil pump). The recall was performed with a software update only; the transmission and original pump were not replaced.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-10-13 · ODI 11770758
The vehicle experienced a sudden transmission malfunction while operation on public roads. The check engine light illuminated on the dashboard, and a diagnostic scan from the app revealed active error code P1C2D03.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-10-09 · ODI 11770257
Car goes into "limp mode" and functions on only partial power. Warning light reads "Transmission system error! Check transmission oil immediately." Dealership says car shows no codes. My 2022 Kia Sorento SX had a recall because this problem is known.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-10-08 · ODI 11769847
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. While driving approximately 40-50 MPH in fourth gear, the vehicle shuddered and decelerated to 30 MPH, then lost drive power. Additionally, the clutch made a flapping sound while in 1st, 2nd, 6th, and 8th gear.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-10-07 · ODI 11769596
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Campaign 22V760000 · 2022-10-11 · Model years: 2021, 2022
Summary: Kia Motors, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Sorento and 2021-2023 K5 vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC250.
