Most common 2025 Kia Sorento problems
Share of the 76 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Kia Sorento complaints by model year
Best Sorento years: 2020, 2018, 2024. Years to avoid: 2011, 2016, 2017, 2013, 2014. Compare all years →
2025 Kia Sorento 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.
Engine and engine cooling › Critical fasteners
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 K4 and Sorento vehicles. The connecting rod bolts in the engine may have been improperly tightened, which can cause a loss of drive power.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the sub engine assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 12, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542.
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.
What 2025 Kia Sorento owners say
Electrical system all 22 →
The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, the rear windshield wiper was moving with the switch turned off. The contact turned the rear windshield wiper to high, then low, and the wiper finally turned off. The contact continued driving and the vehicle suddenly stalled, and the message Press Button to Start Engine message was displayed. The vehicle continued to coast in neutral, and then decelerated to approximately 65 MPH. The contact pressed the start button and the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle failed to move immediately. The contact stated that after several attempts, the engine revved as needed. The contact stated that while continuing to drive, the steering wheel was hot, the radio screen was blacked out, and the horn failed to sound. …
The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that an unknown, sticky fluid had spilled through the slits of the mode selector which was a dial that can be selected for driving during different road conditions. Upon start of the vehicle, the 4WD mode selector would intermittently flash on the instrument panel. In addition, the contact stated the mode selector would remain stuck in eco drive and that the contact could not switch out of the mode selector. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where upon a diagnostic, it was discovered that an unknown, sticky substance had entered the mode selector through the slits in the mode selector. The contact agreed to have the part replaced; however, the part for the repair was on backorder. The manufacturer was notified of the failure where they refused to offer any assistance with the vehicle's repair. …
Transmission & drivetrain
The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sorento. Upon starting the vehicle and shifting into reverse(R); the vehicle failed to respond with the message "Service In" displayed on the instrument panel. The contact repeatedly depressed the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact placed the gear shifter back into park(P) and then shifted back into reverse(R) and the vehicle started to accelerate slightly before coming to a complete stop with the accelerator pedal depressed. After repeatedly depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle jolted backwards. The contact decided to park(P) the vehicle and scheduled an appointment with the dealer for service. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 4,850.
The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 50 MPH, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the contact's husband coasted the vehicle off to the shoulder of the highway. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure persisted. The contact called the dealer and made an appointment to have the vehicle serviced. The contact drove the vehicle without failure. The dealer performed a diagnostic test, but no fault was found with vehicle. The contact was instructed to pick up the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the dealer. The failure mileage was 213.
Engine & cooling
The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, the rear windshield wiper was moving with the switch turned off. The contact turned the rear windshield wiper to high, then low, and the wiper finally turned off. The contact continued driving and the vehicle suddenly stalled, and the message Press Button to Start Engine message was displayed. The vehicle continued to coast in neutral, and then decelerated to approximately 65 MPH. The contact pressed the start button and the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle failed to move immediately. The contact stated that after several attempts, the engine revved as needed. The contact stated that while continuing to drive, the steering wheel was hot, the radio screen was blacked out, and the horn failed to sound. …
The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 50 MPH, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the contact's husband coasted the vehicle off to the shoulder of the highway. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure persisted. The contact called the dealer and made an appointment to have the vehicle serviced. The contact drove the vehicle without failure. The dealer performed a diagnostic test, but no fault was found with vehicle. The contact was instructed to pick up the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the dealer. The failure mileage was 213.
2025 Kia Sorento engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl turbo hybrid | 6-speed dual-clutch | FWD | 36 / 36 / 36 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl turbo hybrid | 6-speed dual-clutch | AWD | 34 / 34 / 34 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl turbo plug-in hybrid | 6-speed dual-clutch | AWD | 33 / 34 / 33 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 8-speed automatic | FWD | 23 / 31 / 26 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 23 / 28 / 25 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 8-speed dual-clutch | FWD | 20 / 29 / 23 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 8-speed dual-clutch | AWD | 20 / 27 / 23 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2025 Kia Sorento a good car?
Based on 76 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2025 Sorento rates use caution: 1.8× 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 2025 Kia Sorento?
The electrical system — 22 complaints, 29% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (19) and engine & cooling (19).
How many recalls does the 2025 Kia Sorento have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2025 Kia Sorento, 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?
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 2025 Kia Sorento problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 4,000 miles; 89% 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.