2023 Kia Sorento engine problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 27, 2026OHEngine

   When traveling up an incline or when gassing the car to accelerate quickly my car registers a spike in heat causing my car to go into limp mode creating a dangerous situation where I can not accelerate at the cars normal rate. When I lift off the gas the temperature normalizes and the car goes back to normal. I have taken the car to two Kia dealerships and they both charged for an assessment and gaslighted me saying they don’t see the issue even tho there are reports all…

   NHTSA complaint #11767249 · source
2. Filed Sep 9, 2026TXEngine

   My 2023 Kia Sorento has experienced repeated failures involving the engine, transmission/powertrain, and electrical wiring system. The vehicle has been inspected and repaired multiple times by authorized Kia dealerships, including Kia of Round Rock and Clay Cooley Kia in Irving, and the repair history and vehicle are available for inspection upon request. The most serious incident occurred on XXX, while I was driving on the [XXX]. The vehicle suddenly lost acceleration,…

   NHTSA complaint #11763054 · source
3. Filed Aug 24, 2026MAElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown

   On multiple occasions, my 2023 Kia Sorento has experienced an intermittent failure where numerous dashboard warning lights and alerts illuminate and the engine will not start. During the failure, the brake pedal becomes very stiff and the vehicle cannot be shifted out of Park. The problem is unpredictable and has left the vehicle disabled. The vehicle was taken to a Kia dealership for diagnosis. The dealer initially stated that the battery was not properly secured and was…

   NHTSA complaint #11759161 · source
4. Filed Aug 1, 2026MAElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   The vehicle intermittently fails to start in two different situations. First, when the auto Stop/start system shuts the engine off while the vehicle is stopped anywhere, the engine sometimes refuses to restart, leaving the vehicle immobilized. Second, there are occasions when I park the vehicle, turn it off normally, and upon returning, the engine will refuse to start.

   NHTSA complaint #11754178 · source
5. Filed Jul 21, 2026FLEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   I have a 2023 Kia Sorento with approx 60k, purchased new from New Pot Richey Kia. Approx 7 days ago, while driving home from dropping my son at school, my transmission system error warning came on as well as my check engine light. My RPM'S would increased without corresponding acceleration, which meant my transmission, was slipping. I was also experiencing jerking during shifting. In addition to that, my car would hesitate before moving. And I would also experience a slight…

   NHTSA complaint #11751796 · source
6. Filed May 27, 2026MDEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Faulty fuel injectors are causing consistent engine misfires and occasionally causing the check engine light to illuminate and for the vehicle to reduce power greatly. This poses a great safety risk to both myself and other drivers on the road because in the event of a large misfire, my vehicle suddenly slows and I have to navigate to the shoulder of the road. A Kia dealership has confirmed that the cause of these misfires is due to a faulty fuel injector that begins to work…

   NHTSA complaint #11740305 · source
7. Filed May 21, 2026MOEngineVisibility & Wipers

   I am submitting a vehicle safety and certification concern regarding a 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid that was marketed and offered for sale as a Kia Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicle by Shawnee Mission Kia, 7951 Shawnee Mission Pkwy, Mission, KS 66202. On [XXX], during an in-person inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase, I observed conditions inconsistent with expected Certified Pre-Owned inspection and preparation standards, including inverter coolant below the minimum…

   NHTSA complaint #11739280 · source
8. Filed May 13, 2026NCEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   Immediately after a dealership-performed warranty repair, the vehicle experienced a severe safety‑critical failure at highway speed. The vehicle began shaking violently, produced loud knocking and impact noises, and metal pieces fell from the underside. The failure occurred without warning and created an immediate loss of safe drivability. The dealership later documented that an engine mount (‘lower dog bone mount’) had not been torqued to specification, which allowed the…

   NHTSA complaint #11737601 · source
9. Filed Mar 7, 2026FLBrakesEngineOther / Unknown

   UNKNOWN However multiple times the front end of the vehicle starts shaking when I try to break up especially on the highway. The dealership claimed to have repaired it once and shortly after it happened again. When I took it in they first looked and said the parts was ordered but nothing was done then came back and said oh yes it was done then refused to fix it without a charge so I had to pay to repair it since I feared that the brake would give out if I drive it. The other…

   NHTSA complaint #11722647 · source
10. Filed Feb 11, 202662,000 miLATowedEngine

    The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the "Low Oil" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact immediately pulled over and called for assistance. A service technician arrived at the scene and added engine oil, and the vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic to be inspected. The vehicle was inspected, and the contact was informed that the bolts on the oil pan were loose, causing oil to leak from the engine.…

    NHTSA complaint #11717191 · source
11. Filed Jan 2, 2026TXFireElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown

    Was driving on Dallas North Toll way when my vehicle lost acceleration. Had to pull over and engine started smoking and lit a flame under the hood. Car is now at Clay Cooley Kia in Irving, TX. Car has been there for over two weeks and I still have no answers or information regarding the plan to fix it. Major dealership delay and all they keep saying is “Waiting on a Kia Engineer to come out but we don't have a date.”

    NHTSA complaint #11708410 · source
12. Filed Dec 7, 2025TXEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

    Incident #1: [XXX] The vehicle would not accelerate after coming to a stop at an intersection. The vehicle would not exceed 20 MPH with oncoming traffic from both the East and West as I was turning West from a North Bound Road. On coming traffic was traveling between 45 and 50 MPH. I was clearly nearly broadsided. The car displayed flashing lights on the dash as I was attempting to accelerate. Depressing the accelerator did not increase my speed. The car kept at a 20 MPH…

    NHTSA complaint #11703565 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. 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