Acceleration complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | 9% | 4,000 miles |
| 2023 | 11 | 9% | 12,000 miles |
| 2022 | 16 | 8% | 29,000 miles |
| 2021 | 13 | 5% | 0 miles |
| 2020 | 4 | 3% | 35,000 miles |
| 2019 | 14 | 3% | 11,000 miles |
| 2018 | 8 | 3% | 2,000 miles |
| 2017 | 21 | 3% | 15,000 miles |
| 2016 | 62 | 5% | 60,000 miles |
| 2015 | 21 | 3% | 32,000 miles |
| 2014 | 31 | 3% | 66,000 miles |
| 2013 | 25 | 3% | 30,000 miles |
| 2012 | 29 | 3% | 14,000 miles |
| 2011 | 63 | 4% | 27,000 miles |
| 2009 | 6 | 11% | 66,000 miles |
| 2008 | 28 | 13% | 59,000 miles |
| 2007 | 10 | 6% | 60,000 miles |
| 2006 | 8 | 3% | 130,000 miles |
| 2005 | 6 | 2% | 75,000 miles |
| 2004 | 7 | 3% | 109,000 miles |
| 2003 | 8 | 3% | 32,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact leased a 2025 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle failed to increase over 20 MPH. The 20 MPH limited message was displayed. The brake pedal was hard to depress. The driver pulled over and called the salesman at the dealer, who discussed red flags. The contact turned the vehicle off and restarted. While driving 45 MPH, turning left, the brake pedal was applied, but the brakes violently pumped upwards for about nine car lengths. The vehicle eventually slowed down. The speed decreased from 40 MPH to 20 MPH, and he crashed into a Toyota Corolla stopped at the light. There was an unknown abnormal warning sound detected. There were no reported injuries, airbags, fire, or police report filed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the bumper was cracked and two unknown sensors were damaged. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving on the highway at 60-65 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly decelerated to 20 MPH and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The contact stated that the message "Vehicle Speed Restricted to 20 MPH" was displayed. The failure had occurred four times while driving. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to identify or duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle independently decelerated with the transmission error warning light illuminated. The contact was able to push the vehicle to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 12,000. The VIN was not available.
I was driving down the highway on cruise control going 67 on a 65. The car started revving up and then proceeded to go faster. I turned off the cruise control but its continued to speed up. I stomped on the brake 4 or 5 times with no effect. I rammed into the back of a bus at 110 mph.
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that their vehicle was parked in their driveway with the vehicle off and unattended, an hour later the vehicle rolled away and crashed into a neighbor's fence. The vehicle came to a stop in the neighbor's ditch. No warning lights were illuminated. There was damage to the neighbor's fence as a result of the crash. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where they rejected to diagnose the vehicle until the cosmetic repairs were completed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact mentioned that in order to prevent another roll away when parking he utilizes rocks under the tires and activates the emergency brakes. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 15,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the forward camera was obstructed. The steering over corrected while turned off. The vehicle was accelerating and decelerating independently. The Forward Collision Avoidance system engaged without an object being nearby. Additionally, the driver's side seat belt randomly unlatched. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, who diagnosed and determined that the transmission and seat belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted, who opened a case but declined to buy back the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 28,660.
While in the process of pulling into marked stall in parking lot car accelerated unexpectedly jumping over a concrete stop and crashing into the wall of a building. Car sustained eleven thousand dollars worth of damage and the wall that was hit was caved in. Cost of wall repair is unknown at this time. After the collision an attempt to dislodge the car was attempted by putting the car in reverse. The engine RPM was still racing and the car jerked backwards uncontrollably requiring the engine to be shut off to stop the car. Nobody was injured only property damage.
Our 2021 Kia SORENTO has been to Elmhurst kia service numerous times . The chief complaint is the Kia Sorrento keeps losing power while in drive reverse middle traffic even on the highway but yeah every time we take it in, they say either it's the battery .you can't use it in the Eco mode .turn off the shut off while in drive mode when at stops ! always a different excuse, but yet no recall and it's not showing up on their computer, but yeah it's happening and Kia does not want to take ownership. The vehicle has been left there for numerous weeks at a time leaving us without a vehicle no loaner . But because cannot duplicate issue release vehicle back with no repairs or maintenance. Kia prefer you taking the car getting into a car accident before they decide to do anything or even a lawsuit because not enough people having same issue with the 2021 kia SORENTO s model ! …
Related recalls (1)
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to January 29, 2015. Due to an improperly soldered component in the accelerator pedal assembly, the driver may not be able to accelerate the vehicle.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the accelerator assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 19, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542.
NHTSA investigations
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003.
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia Sorento years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2011 (63), 2016 (62), 2014 (31), 2012 (29) and 2008 (28) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 4% of all complaints for the 2011.
Is there a recall for Kia Sorento acceleration problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 15V-089 (accelerator pedal, Feb 13, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Kia Sorento acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles; 57% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the accelerator pedal (12 mentions), followed by the cruise control (5).
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.