Window & Wiper complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 8% | 56,000 miles |
| 2024 | 4 | 9% | 25,000 miles |
| 2023 | 11 | 9% | 48,000 miles |
| 2022 | 16 | 8% | 86,000 miles |
| 2021 | 10 | 4% | 75,000 miles |
| 2020 | 6 | 4% | 5,000 miles |
| 2019 | 21 | 5% | 22,000 miles |
| 2018 | 7 | 3% | 34,000 miles |
| 2017 | 9 | 1% | 61,000 miles |
| 2016 | 23 | 2% | 30,000 miles |
| 2015 | 11 | 1% | 73,000 miles |
| 2014 | 27 | 3% | 18,000 miles |
| 2013 | 31 | 3% | 32,000 miles |
| 2012 | 28 | 3% | 49,000 miles |
| 2011 | 29 | 2% | 44,000 miles |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% | 48,000 miles |
| 2007 | 1 | 1% | 63,000 miles |
| 2006 | 2 | 1% | 58,000 miles |
| 2005 | 1 | 0% | 59,000 miles |
| 2004 | 3 | 1% | 138,000 miles |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% | 71,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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 while his wife was driving approximately 25 MPH in the snow with the windshield wipers activated, the windshield wipers became stuck in the middle of the windshield due to snow accumulation in the area between the windshield and the hood. The contact's wife pulled over to the side of the road and noticed that the accumulated snow had turned into built-up ice, which obstructed the windshield wipers functionality. The contact's wife removed the ice in the area between the windshield and the hood and continued driving. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the windshield wiper gear shaft was damaged and the arm that originated from the windshield wiper motor was bent due to the built-up ice. …
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55-60 MPH, a loud boom suddenly occurred. The contact pulled to the side of the road and exited the vehicle with three passengers, including a nephew in a car seat. The passengers noticed that the panoramic glass fractured into several pieces and completely shattered. After cleaning out the vehicle, the contact put trash bags on the ceiling of the vehicle to avoid glass falling on the passengers. The contact stated concern about driving the vehicle before any repairs or replacements due to pieces of glass being in the fabric above the passenger's ears and the sound of glass fracturing every time a door is closed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed to contact to the manufacturer for further instruction. The failure mileage was 25,199.
The vehicle was driven home from work, parked outside in a secluded spot. When I went to leave like an hour later, there was a huge crack in the windshield on the driver side. The crack seemingly appeared out of nowhere, and there is no chip, indicating that it was hit by something that would've caused the crack.
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while attempting to activate the HVAC system, there was an abnormal burning plastic odor inside the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the blower motor relay had short circuited and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired; however, the contact performed a repair based on guidance from the mechanic. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired, but the failure with the blower motor relay reoccurred. The contact recently received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V649000 (Electrical System, Visibility). The contact related the failures to the recall. The contact called a local dealer and was advised that the remedy was not available. …
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 10 MPH, after making a left turn, the sunroof shattered with the sunroof cover closed. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and inspected, but the contact was unaware that the sunroof had exploded. The vehicle was taken to the residence, where the contact's husband became aware that the sunroof had shattered. The contact had not sustained any injuries. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the sunroof had exploded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the sunroof exploded without impact. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,296.
On January 4, 2023, the windshield cracked without any outside force (no rocks, vandalism, etc.) it began underneath the passenger wiper moved upward and curved toward the drivers side. As I drove the following days, the crack grew and eventually splintered in a third direction, also with no outside forces. The stress of the crack formed a bubble-like crack in the middle of where it splintered. By the time I was able to get it to the dealership, the bubble was more of a hole. It is no longer available for inspection because it is at the dealership to be repaired. It effected my visibility and with how quickly and easily it spread I felt I was in danger of the windshield cracking to the point of breaking out completely at any time which could have caused an accident. …
NHTSA investigations
Panoramic Sunroof Breakage
On October 21, 2013 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE13-035 in order to further examine claims that the sunroof would spontaneously break on 2011-2013 Kia Sorento vehicles.The majority of these claims occurred while the vehicle was in motion.Glass shattering while driving may distract the driver, and the resulting glass particles which enter the passenger compartment may injure occupants.To date,…
Panoramic Glass Sunroof Breakage
The investigation focused on spontaneous breakage (fracture) of the panoramic sunroof (sunroof) on MY 2011-2013 Kia Sorento vehicles. The sunroof is constructed of tempered glass (often referred to as ?safety glass?), which, when broken, crumbles into granular chunks rather than splintering into jagged shards.
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia Sorento years have window & wiper problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2013 (31), 2011 (29), 2012 (28), 2014 (27) and 2016 (23) model years. Window & Wiper complaints make up 3% of all complaints for the 2013.
Is there a recall for Kia Sorento window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for any Kia Sorento model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Kia Sorento window & wiper problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles; 66% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the sun/moon roof assembly (92 mentions), followed by the windshield (7).
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.