Owners have reported 3 crashes, 2 fires and 7 injuries to NHTSA for the 2023 KIA Sorento. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints33
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2023 Kia Sorento frequently report issues related to the vehicle's electrical system, with common failures involving sudden loss of power and unresponsive acceleration. Complaints often describe symptoms such as flashing warning lights, malfunctioning safety features, and the vehicle unexpectedly stalling or shutting down while driving. Several reports indicate these issues occurring at various mileage points, with some as early as 1,200 miles. Safety implications are notable, with instances of engine fires, loss of vehicle control, and one reported crash. Prospective buyers should be aware of these recurring electrical malfunctions, which may pose significant safety risks.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints21
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2023 Kia Sorento frequently report powertrain issues, with common symptoms including sudden loss of power, failure to accelerate, and the vehicle stalling unexpectedly. Complaints often describe these issues occurring at various mileages, with some as early as 3,000 miles and others around 22,000 miles. Typical symptoms include the vehicle not exceeding low speeds, erratic shifting, and dashboard warning lights for the transmission or engine. Safety implications are significant, as reports include a crash due to unintended vehicle movement and several instances where the vehicle suddenly loses power in traffic, posing a risk of accidents. Buyers should be aware of the potential for unresolved transmission problems, even after dealer visits and repairs.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints17
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners report several issues with the 2023 Kia Sorento, with a notable pattern involving the sunroof unexpectedly shattering, often described as exploding without any apparent external cause. Complaints frequently mention the sunroof glass breaking while driving, causing glass to fall into the cabin, which poses a risk to vehicle occupants. Another significant issue involves a fire incident originating from the rear AC vent, leading to a total vehicle loss and raising safety concerns. Additionally, there are reports of the vehicle experiencing sudden deceleration and loss of power, which some owners describe as leaving them in dangerous situations on highways. These issues are reported across various mileage ranges and timelines, indicating potential safety implications for prospective buyers.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints12
ENGINE
Owners of the 2023 Kia Sorento report several engine-related issues, with a notable pattern of excessive oil consumption and engine warning lights activating. Complaints frequently mention sudden engine power loss, with some vehicles losing motive power entirely, often accompanied by illuminated warning lights. These issues are reported at various mileage points, with some occurring as early as 2,600 miles. Additionally, multiple owners describe dangerous situations involving delayed acceleration from a stop, which presents safety risks when merging into traffic. Some reports also involve engine surging and the engine shutting off while driving, leading to safety concerns. These issues are compounded by mixed responses from dealerships regarding diagnostics and warranty coverage.
Owner complaints7
STEERING
Owners of the 2023 Kia Sorento frequently report issues with the steering system, particularly abnormal squeaking sounds and difficulty turning the steering wheel. These symptoms often occur while driving at speeds between 35-45 MPH, with some complaints noting the presence of multiple warning lights on the dashboard. The reported issues appear at varying mileages, from as low as 50 to 50,000 miles, suggesting they can occur early in the vehicle's life. Some complaints mention that the steering problems can lead to a potential safety risk, as the steering wheel may become stiff, impacting vehicle control. Buyers should be aware that these issues may not always be easily replicated during service visits, which can complicate diagnosis and repair.
Owner complaints4
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owners report issues with the fuel and propulsion system of the 2023 Kia Sorento, primarily involving the fuel pump, relay assembly, and smart junction box. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle losing power or failing to accelerate, with one instance occurring around 35,000 miles. Symptoms include the vehicle entering limp mode, requiring excessive pressure on the gas pedal, and generating error codes such as P0171 and P0191. These issues result in significant safety concerns, as drivers describe situations where the vehicle cannot maintain speed, potentially leading to collisions. The recurring nature of these problems, even after repairs, suggests potential challenges for used car buyers considering this model.
Owner complaints4
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners report several issues with the brakes on the 2023 Kia Sorento. Complaints frequently mention premature wear, with brakes and rotors needing replacement as early as 23,930 miles. Multiple owners describe abnormal vibrations and brake seizing at speeds of 55 MPH or higher, often accompanied by unusual sounds. Some owners report the vehicle rolling while in park, particularly on inclines, despite engaging the parking brake. Additionally, there are instances of brakes spontaneously engaging without nearby vehicles, with one owner noting this occurred at approximately 35,000 miles. These issues could pose safety risks, such as loss of control or potential rollaway incidents.
Owner complaints4
VISIBILITY
Owners report issues with the panoramic sunroof and windshield of the 2023 Kia Sorento. Multiple complaints describe the front panel of the panoramic sunroof shattering spontaneously while driving at highway speeds, with no external cause cited. This issue occurs under clear weather conditions and has resulted in glass entering the cabin in some cases, posing a potential safety risk. Additionally, owners mention windshield cracking, both while parked and while driving, with one owner experiencing repeated incidents when traveling at high speeds. These issues are reported at relatively low mileages, around 900 miles in one instance.
Owner complaints3
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners of the 2023 Kia Sorento report issues with the forward collision avoidance system, with complaints frequently mentioning unexpected activation of automatic emergency braking (AEB) without obstacles present, causing the vehicle to stop abruptly. Symptoms described include sudden, unprovoked braking at speeds of 35 to 50 mph and persistent dashboard warning lights and alarms related to collision warning systems. These issues occur within months of ownership, as seen in reports of both new vehicles and those with ongoing problems over several months. Safety implications are noted, as unexpected braking and continuous alarms can be highly distracting and potentially increase the risk of an accident. Buyers should be aware that repeated service visits may be required to address these issues, with some owners expressing concerns about the vehicle's reliability and safety.
Owner complaints2
LANE DEPARTURE
Owners report issues with the 2023 Kia Sorento's lane departure systems, including false activations of the blind spot and forward collision warnings. Complaints frequently mention these warnings going off without any vehicles present, with one owner noting that the systems engaged emergency braking and maneuvers despite no obstacles. These incidents occur while driving, though specific mileage is not detailed. Safety implications include unexpected vehicle behavior, such as unnecessary braking or steering adjustments, which could startle drivers or lead to potential safety risks. This information is pertinent for used car buyers considering the impact of these systems on driving experience and safety.
