2022 Kia Sorento problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 191 complaints with NHTSA about the 2022 Kia Sorento, most often about transmission & drivetrain. There are 6 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 191
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes
- 4
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 4
- Median mileage
- 28,660 mi at time of problem
Safety warning: at least one recall for this vehicle tells owners to park outside until it is repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Key facts
- Transmission & Drivetrain is the most-reported problem area, named in 66 of 191 complaints (35%).
- Engine (53) and electrical system (30) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 28,660 mi.
- Owners reported 4 crashes, 1 fire and 4 injuries.
- The 2022 Kia Sorento has 6 recalls on file.
- It ranks 12th of 21 Kia Sorento model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
- That is 25% fewer complaints than the 2021 model year (253).
2022 Kia Sorento problems by category
- Transmission & Drivetrain · 1 crash66 complaints
- Engine · 1 crash53 complaints
- Other / Unknown · 1 crash39 complaints
- 30 complaints
- Brakes18 complaints
- Visibility & Wipers17 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control · 1 crash15 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion14 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech11 complaints
- Steering10 complaints
- Body & Structure6 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts4 complaints
- Suspension3 complaints
- Lighting2 complaints
- Wheels & Tires1 complaints
- Airbags1 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Power train | 66 |
| Engine | 52 |
| Unknown or other | 38 |
| Electrical system | 29 |
| Service brakes | 17 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 14 |
| Vehicle speed control | 14 |
| Steering | 10 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2022 Kia Sorento recalls (6)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS · VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Sorento vehicles. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) blower motor wiring harness may be inadequate, which can result in a fire.
Risk: A fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiring harness and blower motor resistor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC351. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 9, 2025.
- BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, and Sorento Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) vehicles. The mounting clips for the rearview camera may break, which can cause the rearview camera image not to appear properly on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera housing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC280.
- POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Kia Motors, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Sorento and 2021-2023 K5 vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.
Risk: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC250.
- TRAILER HITCHES
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
- TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Sorento and Telluride vehicles. The vehicles may be equipped with an incorrect spare tire which, when installed, can impair the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and the traction control system (TCS). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk: Impaired anti-lock braking or traction control systems can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the spare tire, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC244.
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PIPES, HOSES, AND FITTINGS
Kia Motor America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Sorento vehicles. The oil supply pipe to the turbocharger may crack, which could result in an oil leak in the engine compartment.
Risk: An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the turbocharger oil supply pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC233.
NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Kia Sorento SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2022 Kia Sorento SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Recent 2022 Kia Sorento complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Oct 8, 2026CATransmission & Drivetrain
Car goes into "limp mode" and functions on only partial power. Warning light reads "Transmission system error! Check transmission oil immediately." Dealership says car shows no codes. My 2022 Kia Sorento SX had a recall because this problem is known. Kia recalled all the 2021 and 22's and fixed the programming to allow for limp mode. This "fix" Kia dealership kept the car and drove it but could not replicate. I took the car back and it happened again. It has happened on July…
NHTSA complaint #11769847 · source - Filed Oct 6, 2026ARTransmission & Drivetrain
The vehicle experienced a sudden loss of motive power on the highway due to the failure of the transmission electric oil pump, matching NHTSA Campaign 22V760000. The vehicle previously received only the TCU software update remedy. The software update failed to prevent the underlying physical defect from occurring, and the vehicle is now dangerously disabled. The local dealership is refusing to perform the physical transmission replacement mandated by the recall remedy,…
NHTSA complaint #11769456 · source - Filed Sep 16, 2026116,000 miOKTransmission & Drivetrain
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated after driving 25-30 MPH into a parking lot and parking the vehicle, the message "Transmission System Error Check Transmission" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an auto parts store, where it was determined that the transmission pump was failing, there was low oil pressure, but no debris found inside the transmission. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V760000 (Power Train); however,…
NHTSA complaint #11764664 · source - Filed Sep 9, 2026TXOther / Unknown
Se rompio la bomba de aceite electrica de mi auto. La investigación de Kia reveló que la bomba de aceite eléctrica de la transmisión DCT de 8 velocidades puede sufrir una falla interna debido a un defecto de calidad en el proveedor. Un componente de la placa de circuito de la bomba puede desprenderse por una soldadura deficiente.
NHTSA complaint #11763178 · source - Filed Sep 3, 202621,067 miKSTransmission & Drivetrain
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost drive power. The vehicle was able to continue driving but at a reduced speed. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted and resumed normal operation. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and a second dealer, Shawnee Mission Kia (7951 Shawnee Mission Pkwy, Mission, KS 66202), but the…
NHTSA complaint #11761830 · source - Filed Aug 27, 2026LAElectrical SystemVisibility & Wipers
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V649000 (Electrical System, Visibility), and the vehicle was taken to the dealer; the recall repair was performed several weeks prior; however, the VIN status was not updated, and the recall remained marked as incomplete. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time to update the VIN status to reflect the completed repair. The manufacturer…
NHTSA complaint #11759969 · source - Filed Aug 13, 2026CAEngineAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain
Vehicle flashes Auto Start Stop icon on the dashboard, which is not commonplace. When this occurs, the vehicle can not accelerate when the accelerator is actuated. The vehicle can not accelerate past 40mph and the RPM is sporadic. This happens randomly and can not be diagnosed by the dealership. Multiple dealerships have tried and none can duplicate this issue. This is a severe safety concern and seems to be common all over multiple forums.
NHTSA complaint #11756669 · source - Filed Aug 11, 202669,900 miTXBrakesElectrical SystemEngine
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Auto Hold feature activated, and the check engine warning light and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and DTCs U0164, U0123, U01B0, and U1131 were retrieved. The independent mechanic stated that the battery needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic also informed the contact of an unknown recall;…
NHTSA complaint #11756329 · source
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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology