Owners have reported 4 crashes and 4 injuries to NHTSA for the 2025 KIA Sorento. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints26
POWER TRAIN
Owners 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.
Owner complaints12
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners 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.
Owner complaints11
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners 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.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners 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.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints5
ENGINE
Owners 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.
Owner complaints2
LANE DEPARTURE
Owners 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.
Owner complaints2
AIR BAGS
Owners 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.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 3 injury reports
Owner complaints2
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Owners 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.
Owner complaints2
STEERING
Owners 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.
