132 of the 1,382 complaints about the Kia Sorento (9.6%) concern Transmission / powertrain, making it the model's #4 problem area. That share is 0.8× the Transmission / powertrain share across all tracked vehicles.
132Complaints · Transmission / powertrain
9.6%Share of complaints
0.82×vs. all vehicles
46Last 12 months
3.0%Share involving a crash or fire
1Related recalls
Analysis
By model year, Transmission / powertrain complaints peak with the 2022 model (51, 23% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2018 model (3). 46 Transmission / powertrain complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 19 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
Owners most often describe: “transmission”, “shifting”, “gears”, “power” and “loss”. 4 of these reports (3.0%) describe a crash or fire, with 0 injuries and 0 deaths mentioned.
1 recall campaign relates to this area, most recently campaign 22V760000 (2022-10-11, model years 2021 and 2022).
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
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the gear shifter was shifted into drive, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended.
Transmission / powertrain · 2025-11-13 · ODI 11699126 · Crash
While braking in a left hand turn lane waiting for the vehicles in front to turn left through an intersection, the vehicle stalled, shut off, and forced a manual restart in the turn lane.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-08-31 · ODI 11761179
Vehicle: 2021 Kia SorentoCurrent Mileage: Over 100,000 miles (Original Owner) Description of Safety Defect & Failed Recall Remedy: Background: This vehicle is equipped with the 8-speed Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) and has suffered from severe slipping…
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-08-25 · ODI 11759535
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
The transmission pump on my transmission just went out randomly last week. The power in my car went into limp mode and the car won't drive properly now.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-08-19 · ODI 11757876
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.
How common are Transmission / powertrain problems on the Kia Sorento?
132 of the 1,382 complaints about the Kia Sorento (9.6%) concern Transmission / powertrain, making it the model's #4 problem area. That share is 0.8× the Transmission / powertrain share across all tracked vehicles.
Which Kia Sorento model years have the most Transmission / powertrain complaints?
By model year, Transmission / powertrain complaints peak with the 2022 model (51, 23% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2018 model (3).
Is there a recall for Kia Sorento Transmission / powertrain problems?
1 recall campaign relates to this area, most recently campaign 22V760000 (2022-10-11, model years 2021 and 2022).