Last updated: 2026-03-04

2025 Kia Sorento Reliability Score & Common Problems
The 2025 Kia Sorento scores 75/100 ("Good"). With 8 recalls and 72 owner complaints, reliability is acceptable but not class-leading.
Recalls
8
Complaints
72
Complaint Rate
7.6
per 10k sold
Above avgEst. Annual Cost
$533
About avgMajor Repair Risk
11%
NHTSA Rating
5/5
Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
Acceptable reliability — worth considering with a pre-purchase inspection.
Top Issues
8 recalls on record
Should You Buy the 2025 Kia Sorento?
The 2025 Kia Sorento scores 75/100 ("Good"), placing it in acceptable but not class-leading territory.
Its complaint rate (7.6 per 10k sold) is above the SUV segment average of 4.1. The most common reports involve power train (26).
A pre-purchase inspection is recommended for used examples, with particular attention to power train (26). An extended warranty may provide additional peace of mind.
Compared to the 2026 Kia Sorento. See also the 2024 Kia Sorento for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- Acceptable reliability score
- Infrequent unscheduled repairs
- Low major repair risk (11%)
Cons
- Above-average recall count
- Above-average complaint rate for SUV
- POWER TRAIN: Sudden loss of power and transmission malfunctions (26 complaints)
Compare 2025 Kia Sorento With
2025 Mazda CX-5
Score: 82/100
2025 Toyota RAV4
Score: 84/100
2025 Kia Sportage
Score: 82/100
2025 Nissan Rogue
Score: 84/100
2025 GMC Terrain
Score: 78/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
- 8 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
- POWER TRAIN (26)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (12)
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER (11)
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (5)
- ENGINE (5)
- LANE DEPARTURE (2)
- AIR BAGS (2)
- VISIBILITY/WIPER (2)
- STEERING (2)
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (1)
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (1)
- BACK OVER PREVENTION (1)
- FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1)
- VISIBILITY (1)
Recall Overview
8
recalls on record
The 2025 Kia Sorento has 8 recalls on record, which is above average. A higher recall count can indicate multiple component concerns. However, recalls also demonstrate that the manufacturer is actively addressing known issues. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
7.6
per 10k soldSegment avg: 4.1
Safety Incidents
Crashes
4
Fires
0
Injuries
4
Deaths
0
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2025 Kia Sorento Recall Details
8 recalls have been issued for the 2025 Kia Sorento. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Controls and Displays" and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System."
Consequence
An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
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. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC361. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 9, 2026.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence
A loss of headlights and taillights can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
Consequence
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
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. Kia's number for this recall is SC349.
2025 Kia Sorento NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 15.9%
Safety Technologies
HEV Powertrain
Rollover risk: 15.9%
Safety Technologies
PHEV Powertrain
Rollover risk: 0.0%
Safety Technologies
Kia Sorento Repair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
4Maintenance rating: 4 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$533
vs $521 avg for compact SUVs
vs $652 avg for all vehicles
Repair Frequency
0.3
unscheduled repair visits per year
Severe Repair Probability
11%
chance of a major repair
Annual Cost Comparison
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
When Buying a Used 2025 Kia Sorento
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing, based on the most common reported issues.
- Test for hybrid system power loss during a drive
- Check transmission for hesitation or rough shifting
- Inspect inverter radiator for punctures or leaks
- Verify window and door lock functionality
- Test lane keep assist for erratic behavior
- Ensure key fob recognition is consistent
- Check for unexplained sunroof damage
Check Any 2025 Kia Sorento's History Before You Buy
Reliability scores tell you what to expect from the 2025 Sorento in general — but every car has its own story. Uncover past accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and service records for a specific Kia Sorento with a free VIN lookup.
Powered by VINExposed.com — free vehicle history reports using public title and safety data.
2025 Kia Sorento Common Problems by Component
72 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
POWER TRAIN
26 complaintsOwners report several power train issues with the 2025 Kia Sorento, primarily involving sudden loss of power and transmission malfunctions. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle stalling or failing to accelerate, especially in hybrid models, with some incidents occurring at highway speeds, posing significant safety risks. Symptoms often include the engine revving without corresponding acceleration, hesitation during gear shifts, and the vehicle entering limp mode, limiting speed to 20-30 mph. These issues are reported across various mileage ranges, including some vehicles with less than 1,000 miles, suggesting they can occur early in the vehicle's life. Buyers should be aware of these potential safety concerns, as multiple owners describe situations where these failures could lead to hazardous conditions in traffic.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
12 complaintsOwners of the 2025 Kia Sorento frequently report issues with sudden and complete loss of power, often accompanied by warnings such as "Hybrid Malfunction" or "Check Hybrid System." These incidents typically occur while driving, with some reports indicating speeds as low as 20 mph and others describing the vehicle entering limp mode. Complaints often mention that these issues arise at relatively low mileages, such as around 5,839 miles, and sometimes involve difficulties in diagnosing the problem at dealerships. Additionally, multiple owners describe problems with window operation and battery failures, with some unable to lock or unlock doors due to electrical malfunctions. These issues present significant safety implications, particularly when power loss occurs on highways, potentially leading to dangerous situations.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
11 complaintsSafety-relatedOwners report several issues with the 2025 Kia Sorento, with common problems involving electronic and mechanical systems. Multiple owners describe difficulties with cruise control, where Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Antilock Braking System (ABS) warning lights activate, and the brake pedal becomes hard to press. Another frequent issue is the battery failing to hold a charge, leading to repeated jumpstarts and unresolved dealership visits. Some owners experience engine shutdowns while driving, requiring vehicle restarts, and a few report key fob recognition failures that prevent the car from starting. Safety concerns are noted, including a crash caused by unintended acceleration and a transmission issue where the vehicle rolls forward when placed in reverse. Complaints also mention vulnerabilities to road debris, affecting the radiator and air conditioning, with some owners attributing these to design flaws. These issues appear within the first year of ownership, often leading to safety risks such as crashes or being stranded.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (5 complaints)
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
5 complaintsSafety-relatedOwners of the 2025 Kia Sorento frequently report issues with the vehicle unexpectedly entering "LIMP Mode," which limits speed to 20-30 MPH. Symptoms often include a dashboard message indicating restricted speed and, in some cases, a hard-to-depress brake pedal. These issues have been noted at low mileage, around 4,000 to 5,000 miles, and occur during both normal and cold weather conditions. One complaint involves a crash where the vehicle failed to accelerate and subsequently struck another car, highlighting potential safety concerns. Buyers should be aware of these recurring speed control issues and the difficulty in obtaining a diagnosis or repair from dealers.
ENGINE (5 complaints)
ENGINE
5 complaintsOwners of the 2025 Kia Sorento report multiple engine-related issues, with common complaints involving acceleration problems and limp mode activation. Symptoms often include a lack of acceleration despite increased RPMs, sudden deceleration to lower speeds, and the vehicle entering limp mode, affecting drivability. Several complaints mention these issues occurring at lower speeds or during attempts to merge onto highways, with some reports indicating the problems arise as early as 2,300 miles. Safety implications are noted, with owners expressing concerns over hesitation during merging and the potential for collisions. Additionally, some owners describe intense fumes entering the cabin and issues with the inverter radiator leading to coolant loss, which could pose risks of overheating or fire. These patterns suggest potential reliability concerns for prospective buyers.
LANE DEPARTURE (2 complaints)
LANE DEPARTURE
2 complaintsOwners of the 2025 Kia Sorento report issues with the lane keep assist system, noting that it causes the vehicle to wobble back and forth within the lane, which can lead to dizziness and potential accidents. Additionally, some drivers experience frequent and seemingly unwarranted activations of the driver attention warning light, which they find distracting. These issues are described as occurring without specific mileage details, but the symptoms suggest potential safety implications, such as near-miss incidents with other vehicles or obstacles. This information could be valuable to potential buyers who prioritize safety features in their vehicle selection.
AIR BAGS (2 complaints)
AIR BAGS
2 complaintsSafety-relatedOwners of the 2025 Kia Sorento report issues with airbag non-deployment during collisions. In the documented cases, airbags fail to deploy in both a head-on collision with another vehicle and an incident involving a deer at high speed, resulting in a total of three injuries. These complaints highlight a lack of airbag activation despite significant impact, suggesting potential safety implications. There is no mention of prior warnings or indications of malfunction before these events. Buyers considering a used 2025 Kia Sorento should be aware that these incidents involve crashes and injuries, underscoring the importance of thorough inspection and consideration of vehicle history.
VISIBILITY/WIPER (2 complaints)
VISIBILITY/WIPER
2 complaintsOwners of the 2025 Kia Sorento report issues with the sunroof and side view mirrors. One owner describes the sunroof suddenly exploding while driving at highway speeds, with no apparent external cause, leading to glass scattering and increased cabin noise. Another complaint highlights that at highway speeds and in windy conditions, the side view mirrors partially fold inwards, obstructing visibility for blind spot checks. This issue was noted within a month of purchase. These complaints suggest potential safety implications, particularly concerning visibility and distraction while driving.
STEERING (2 complaints)
STEERING
2 complaintsOwners of the 2025 Kia Sorento report issues with steering functionality, particularly involving the interaction between adaptive steering and lane assist systems. Complaints frequently mention a conflict between these systems, leading to difficulty maintaining lane position and erratic vehicle movement unless the lane assist is turned off. Additionally, some owners describe a severe steering lock-up accompanied by multiple safety warning lights, which in one case was attributed to an improperly secured wiring harness rubbing against the steering shaft. These issues can result in a sudden loss of vehicle control, posing a potential safety risk, especially if they occur on busy roads. No specific mileage range is provided, but the problems appear to manifest soon after the vehicle is in use.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (1 complaints)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1 complaintThe contact owns a 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The message "Check Fluids. Fluids Are Low" was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to restart but failed to respond upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that an inverter coolant component had sustained a hole from a pebble or a bug, causing the coolant leak. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 2,000.
When Do 2025 Kia Sorento Problems Start?
Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.
Best & Worst Kia Sorento Years
Best Kia Sorento Years to Buy
The best Kia Sorento year is 2024 with a reliability score of 79/100, rated good. Other strong picks include 2025 (75/100) and 2020 (71/100).
2024
2 recalls · 35 complaints
2025(this page)
8 recalls · 72 complaints
2020
1 recall · 115 complaints
Kia Sorento Years to Avoid
The worst Kia Sorento year is 2019 with a score of 64/100, primarily due to engine (93) issues.
See full Kia Sorento years-to-avoid analysis →Kia Sorento Reliability Score Trend
Kia Sorento reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 70/100.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 68/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 64/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 66/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 66/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 70/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 79/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 75/100 | Good |
Kia Sorento Reliability Compared to Other Years
2025 Kia Sorento Reliability by Powertrain
The 2025 Kia Sorento is available with 3 powertrain options. Here's how they compare on reliability.
| Powertrain | Complaints | Recalls | Incidents* | Crash Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gas | 49 | 3 | 3 | 5 out of 5 |
| HEV | 22 | 2 | 1 | 5 out of 5 |
| PHEV | 1 | 3 | 0 | N/T |
| Total | 72 | 8 | 4 |
NHTSA tracks complaints separately for each powertrain configuration. Totals reflect the sum across all variants. N/T = Not tested by NHTSA.
* Incidents = crash + fire reports. A single complaint can include multiple incident types.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2025 Kia Sorento reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2025 Kia Sorento?
How many recalls does the 2025 Kia Sorento have?
Is the 2025 Kia Sorento expensive to maintain?
How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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