Most common 2025 Kia Sorento Phev problems
Share of the 13 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Kia Sorento Phev complaints by model year
Best Sorento Phev years: 2025. Compare all years →
2025 Kia Sorento Phev recalls (3)
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
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.
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.
Electrical system › Body control module › Software
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.
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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. During a crash, the steering rack may damage the fuel line, which can result in a fuel leak.
Remedy: Dealers will install a cover around the fuel line, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542.
What 2025 Kia Sorento Phev owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
On March 13, 2026, Friday, at about 3:00 pm, was driving [redacted] on US [redacted] toward the [redacted] 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. Winds were 10-15 mph with gusts to 25 mph. Road was 3 lanes in the east direction with one lane closed. Attempting to keep about a 3 foot distance from car in front. My was is a Kia 2025 Sorento PHEV model purchased in July 2024 and has had regular servicing. I was keeping a firm pressure on brake pedal to not allow car to roll into the car in front. Suddenly, the car surged forward into the other car. Keep both feet on the brake pedal to attempt to stop the car. Hit the other car and pushed it forward a foot or 2. The advertized FCA feature of the car appeared to have failed. It has stopped me in one prior situation. …
The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle lost drive power. The vehicle decelerated and was coasted over to the side of the road. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights flashed on the instrument panel while the vehicle was decelerating. While on the side of the road, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. Additionally, the message "Hybrid Power Control Unit" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed because the dealer was unable to reproduce the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that while the dealer was attempting to duplicate the failure, the vehicle was not being driven at highway speeds like when the failure had occurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
Driver assistance
On March 13, 2026, Friday, at about 3:00 pm, was driving [redacted] on US [redacted] toward the [redacted] 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. Winds were 10-15 mph with gusts to 25 mph. Road was 3 lanes in the east direction with one lane closed. Attempting to keep about a 3 foot distance from car in front. My was is a Kia 2025 Sorento PHEV model purchased in July 2024 and has had regular servicing. I was keeping a firm pressure on brake pedal to not allow car to roll into the car in front. Suddenly, the car surged forward into the other car. Keep both feet on the brake pedal to attempt to stop the car. Hit the other car and pushed it forward a foot or 2. The advertized FCA feature of the car appeared to have failed. It has stopped me in one prior situation. …
traveling on 6 lane divided highway at highway speed no traffic ahead for approximately 10 car lengths collision warnings fcs activated steered/swerved and braked. 2. Returned from KIA Dealership assured it should not happen again, 289 miles later driving 6 lane divided highway clear ahead warnings cuts power. Crash at highway speed. KIA Dealer states "NO problems found" "Functioning as designed". Yes Collision red and orange flashing lights, beeping alerts.
Electrical system
The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sorento. The contact stated the messages "Take A Coffee Break" and "Hands on Steering Wheel" consistently illuminated while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who stated that there was no issue with the vehicle. While driving approximately 60 - 70 MPH, the Forward Collision Avoidance system activated, causing the vehicle to swerve towards the right, and the brakes activated. The contact manually turned the steering wheel and depressed the accelerator pedal to continue driving. The vehicle was returned to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure because there was no data on the EDR. The dealer rebooted the software; however, 23 days later, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the software was updated. …
I am writing to report a safety concern with my 2025 Kia Sorento plug-in hybrid. On multiple occasions, after starting the vehicle, the instrument panel appears normal, but the vehicle does not enter the ready state. The ready indicator does not illuminate and the vehicle will not shift into drive or reverse. The vehicle will however, unfortunately, shift into neutral and roll, but with no power. The only way to restore normal operation is to completely turn the vehicle off and restart it. This intermittent condition creates a safety concern because it can leave the vehicle unexpectedly immobilized, with no power, and allow the vehicle to move/roll with no control. I respectfully request that Kia investigate this issue for a possible software or hybrid control defect. Please document my report and inform me of any software updates, improvements or service recalls.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2025 Kia Sorento Phev a good car?
Based on 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2025 Sorento Phev rates better than average: 50% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Sorento Phev at the same age. It is one of the best Sorento Phev years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2025 Kia Sorento Phev?
The transmission & drivetrain — 3 complaints, 23% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the driver assistance (3) and electrical system (3).
How many recalls does the 2025 Kia Sorento Phev have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2025 Kia Sorento Phev, the most recent from January 26, 2026 (instrument cluster/panel). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Kia Sorento Phev?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2025. See the full Kia Sorento Phev years comparison.
At what mileage do 2025 Kia Sorento Phev problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 30,000 miles; 100% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.