Verdict
2025 Kia Sorento: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2025 Kia Sorento — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
More reported complaints than most SUV.
Owners filed 108 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 92% of 2025 SUVs. Power Train leads the reports (31%). 3 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2025 SUVs, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
108
Reports to NHTSA, 2025
Safety recalls
3
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
26
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
More complaints than 92% of 2025 SUVs
The bar is this car's percentile among 2025 SUVs by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Power Train issues lead owner complaints (31% of 108 reports), followed by electrical system (20%).
+ 8 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 108 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11726151, ODI 11746457, ODI 11725121, ODI 11722826, ODI 11721493.
Recalls(3)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Electrical System · 25V006000Details +Close −
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."
Risk: 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 · 25V548000Details +Close −
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.
Risk: 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.
Electrical System · 26V046000Details +Close −
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."
Risk: 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.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2025 Kia Sorento SUV FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
2025 Kia Sorento SUV AWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sorento Hybrid FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S6) | 36 | 36 | 36 |
| Sorento Hybrid AWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S6) | 34 | 34 | 34 |
| Sorento Plug-in Hybrid | 1.6L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S6) | 33 | 34 | 33 |
| Sorento FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 23 | 31 | 26 |
| Sorento AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 23 | 28 | 25 |
| Sorento FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S8) | 20 | 29 | 23 |
| Sorento AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S8) | 20 | 27 | 23 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2025 Kia Sorento: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2025 Kia Sorento?
Owners filed 108 NHTSA complaints about the 2025 Kia Sorento — more complaints than 92% of comparable 2025 SUVs, so it sits toward the weaker end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2025 Kia Sorento?
The most-reported problem areas are Power Train (31% of complaints) and electrical system (20%).
How many recalls does the 2025 Kia Sorento have?
3 recalls have been issued that affect the 2025 Kia Sorento, covering components such as electrical system. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2025 Kia Sorento get?
The EPA rates the 2025 Kia Sorento between 23 and 36 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.