2022 Kia Sorento Problems & Complaints

Use caution1.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the Sorento at the same age

Owners have filed 193 complaints about the 2022 Kia Sorento with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 1.5× as many as a typical Sorento model year at the same age — above average, so look closely at the problem areas below before you buy. The most reported problem area is the transmission & drivetrain (67 complaints, typically around 29,000 miles). 6 recalls cover this model year, including one with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning.

193complaints
6recalls
4crashes
1fires
4injuries
0deaths

Most common 2022 Kia Sorento problems

  • 6735%
  • Engine & cooling~50,000 miles
    5327%
  • Other / not specified
    3820%
  • Electrical system~39,000 miles
    3116%
  • Brakes~70,000 miles
    189%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~86,000 miles
    168%
  • Speed control & acceleration~29,000 miles
    168%
  • Fuel & propulsion system
    147%
  • Driver assistance
    116%
  • Steering
    105%
  • Equipment & accessories~21,000 miles
    63%
  • Suspension~78,000 miles
    32%
  • Seat belts~29,000 miles
    21%
  • Seats
    21%
  • Lights
    21%
  • A/C & heater
    11%
  • Wheels & tires
    11%
  • Body & structure
    11%
  • Air bags
    11%

Share of the 193 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Kia Sorento complaints by model year

’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26305220307242154217551.5k8809829887541.3k80725543113825419312443766
Owner complaints per model year, Kia Sorento. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Sorento years: 2020, 2018, 2024. Years to avoid: 2011, 2016, 2017, 2013, 2014. Compare all years →

2022 Kia Sorento recalls (6)

Visibility › Defroster/defogger/HVAC system › Fan/motor

NHTSA recall 25V-649 · Sep 25, 2025 · 39,536 vehicles

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.

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.

Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera

NHTSA recall 23V-610 · Aug 31, 2023 · 144,979 vehicles

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.

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.

Power train › Automatic transmission

NHTSA recall 22V-760 · Oct 11, 2022 · 69,038 vehicles

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.

Trailer hitches

NHTSA recall 22V-703 · Sep 19, 2022 · 70,887 vehiclesPark outside

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.

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.

Tires › Temporary/emergency spare tire

NHTSA recall 22V-509 · Jul 19, 2022 · 8 vehicles

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Sorento and Telluride vehicles. The vehicles may be equipped with an incorrect spare tire which, when installed, can impair the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and the traction control system (TCS).

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the spare tire, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542.

Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Oil/lubrication › Pipes, hoses, and fittings

NHTSA recall 22V-202 · Mar 29, 2022 · 26 vehicles

Kia Motor America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Sorento vehicles. The oil supply pipe to the turbocharger may crack, which could result in an oil leak in the engine compartment.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the turbocharger oil supply pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542.

What 2022 Kia Sorento owners say

Transmission & drivetrain all 67 →

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was jerking and was losing motive power while at a stop light. The vehicle was able to restart, and no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where an unknown software update was completed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that the failure recurred and the gauges on the instrument panel were failing to display and that the auto START/STOP function and the downhill brake control were activating and deactivating independently while driving on flat surfaces. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the failure could not be duplicated. The contact then stated that when she was shifting the gear into drive(D) the vehicle started reversing, and while shifting into park(P), the vehicle moved forward. …

14,000 miles · Sep 2022

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the engine revved without the vehicle responding as needed. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned off, and restarted the vehicle, and was able to drive the vehicle to the local dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that a cylinder was clogged, and the engine needed to be serviced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that later while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated that the "Service Transmission" warning light was illuminated. …

57,000 miles · Oct 2024

Engine & cooling all 53 →

The contact owned a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while approaching a stop light, she lost consciousness. The contact crashed into another vehicle as the air bags deployed and the front driver side tire had separated from the vehicle. The other driver sustained injuries; however, their whereabouts were unknown. An employee from a nearby dental office removed the contact from the vehicle and placed her inside the office. When the contact regained consciousness, the dental employee informed her that a strong unknown odor had emitted from the vehicle which prompted her to remove the contact from the vehicle. The contact believed that this odor caused her to lose consciousness which resulted in the accident. The contact sustained an injured left eye and bruises to her forehead. The contact later sought medical attention at a hospital where she was treated for her injuries. …

Exhaust system · 3,000 miles · Jul 2023 · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the engine revved without the vehicle responding as needed. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned off, and restarted the vehicle, and was able to drive the vehicle to the local dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that a cylinder was clogged, and the engine needed to be serviced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that later while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated that the "Service Transmission" warning light was illuminated. …

57,000 miles · Oct 2024

Electrical system all 31 →

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was jerking and was losing motive power while at a stop light. The vehicle was able to restart, and no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where an unknown software update was completed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that the failure recurred and the gauges on the instrument panel were failing to display and that the auto START/STOP function and the downhill brake control were activating and deactivating independently while driving on flat surfaces. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the failure could not be duplicated. The contact then stated that when she was shifting the gear into drive(D) the vehicle started reversing, and while shifting into park(P), the vehicle moved forward. …

14,000 miles · Sep 2022

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Auto Hold feature activated, and the check engine warning light and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and DTCs U0164, U0123, U01B0, and U1131 were retrieved. The independent mechanic stated that the battery needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic also informed the contact of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was repaired; however, the warning lights illuminated, and the failure persisted. Additionally, the parking brake warning light was illuminated. In addition, the air conditioning system was leaking refrigerant and intermittently was blowing out hot air. The A/C started blowing colder air minutes later. …

70,000 miles · Aug 2020

2022 Kia Sorento engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
1.6L 4-cyl turbo hybrid6-speed dual-clutchFWD39 / 35 / 37
1.6L 4-cyl turbo hybrid6-speed dual-clutchAWD36 / 33 / 35
1.6L 4-cyl turbo plug-in hybrid6-speed dual-clutchAWD35 / 33 / 34
2.5L 4-cyl8-speed automaticFWD24 / 29 / 26
2.5L 4-cyl turbo8-speed dual-clutchFWD22 / 29 / 25
2.5L 4-cyl8-speed automaticAWD23 / 25 / 24
2.5L 4-cyl turbo8-speed dual-clutchAWD22 / 27 / 24

EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2022 Kia Sorento a good car?

Based on 193 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2022 Sorento rates use caution: 1.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the Sorento at the same age. It is one of the Sorento years we suggest avoiding. 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 2022 Kia Sorento?

The transmission & drivetrain — 67 complaints, 35% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (53) and electrical system (31).

How many recalls does the 2022 Kia Sorento have?

There are 6 recalls for the 2022 Kia Sorento, the most recent from September 25, 2025 (fan/motor). 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?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2020, 2018 and 2024. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2011, 2016, 2017, 2013 and 2014. See the full Kia Sorento years comparison.

At what mileage do 2022 Kia Sorento problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 29,000 miles; 57% 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.