2023 Kia Sorento Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2023 Kia Sorento carries 3 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering labels and camera. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “ADAS warning light cascade and sensor malfunction.” Kia uses Hyundai Motor Group's powertrains, so service intervals mirror Hyundai's. Kia Promise covers the first 3 years / 36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance. Kia owners with the Theta II 2.0L/2.4L (Optima, Sorento, Sportage 2011-2019) should adhere strictly to oil intervals due to known oil-consumption issues in Kia TSBs.

3 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Campaign #23V579000 · Aug 15, 2023

Issue: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sorento vehicles. The air bag warning labels on the driver and front passenger sun visors may detach. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk: A detached air bag warning label will not warn occupants about the risks of air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver and front passenger sun visors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 10, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC277.

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Campaign #23V610000 · Aug 31, 2023

Issue: 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.

Fix: 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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

Campaign #25V649000 · Sep 25, 2025

Issue: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2023 Kia Sorento.

Reported to NHTSA

ADAS warning light cascade and sensor malfunction

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

14 NHTSA complaints · 2022-11 → 2026-08

While driving, the dashboard lit up with warnings about forward collision, lane departure, lane keeping assistance, breaks, speed etc. that keep cycling through with alarm sounds on the dashboard. I have brought my car to the dealership few times and they reprogram the car but…
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11756297
While driving normally, one of the collision warning indicators came on while switching lanes and then nearly every alarm in the car cycled continuously. These audible and visual alarms were highly distracting to drive with and it is surprising the software allows this to happen
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11504300
6/22/24-Initial start of dashboard light "miscommunication"-Codes could not be duplicated at Evans Kia dealership 7/11/24-Miscommunication occurs again-Codes pulled for diagnostics 7/22/24-Car brought in for scheduled appointment to dealership to "fix" communication errors
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11673946

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine and powertrain sudden power loss while driving

POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

18 NHTSA complaints · 2023-01 → 2026-08

On Jan 14th, with less than 300 miles on it, had 1st incident. All lights on dash came on said Engine control system, lost all ability to accelerate. Had to get out of traffic, as safely as I could. Turned car off and waited 5 min. Turn car back on, check engine light stayed…
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11572884
Without any warning, the engine died, all of the dashboard lights came on, and I was unable to accelerate. Thankfully I was in the right-hand lane and there was an exit ramp a short distance ahead. The car decelerated as it had no power, and cars behind me were honking
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11615113
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
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11703565

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission shudder, slipping, and failure

POWER TRAIN

12 NHTSA complaints · 2023-03 → 2026-07

Transmission problem arised on/about 9/15/23 and 3,000 miles. There is a distinct shudder when shifting through lower gears, more recently, on/around 4,000 miles l, shudder is growing worse, and there is intermittent problems at highway speeds. This is very dangerous, and could…
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11547541
Car is a huge safety issue. Seems to be DCT transmission issue. Car gets stuck in first or second gear and revs all the way up. Happened multiple times getting on highway or at intersections. This has almost caused multiple accidents for me
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11615236
Transmission went out while driving on highway. Dealership said they need to replace the entire transmission
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11726760

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Panoramic sunroof spontaneous glass shattering

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

11 NHTSA complaints · 2023-06 → 2026-03

While I was driving on an interstate road(with no vehicles around) the sun roof of my 2023 Kia Sorento exploded and the glass completely shattered and caused pieces of the broken glass to fly off. Thankfully I had the visor up so none of the glass fell onto me, otherwise myself…
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11689500
Front panel of panoramic sunroof shattered while driving on Interstate 90 at approx 65mpg. Sunroof was fully closed. Exploded on its own with no outside influence. Conditions were clear and dry. Sounded like a gun shot and glass was flying everywhere
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11675809
Moonroof unexpectedly shattered, like a bomb had gone off, sending thousands of pieces of glass into the interior and on the vehicle occupants (including 3 children
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11690559

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

HVAC blower motor wiring harness burnout and fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER

7 NHTSA complaints · 2024-08 → 2026-01

We do not feel safe using the vehicle due to the recall involving a fire hazard due to HVAC wiring. We have a family that needs the vehicle and its been 3 months with no remedy and no estimated date of when remedy will be available, so remedy for recall is indefinite
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11704792
While operating my 2023 Kia Sorento, the HVAC system suddenly suffered a complete failure, causing all airflow to cease instantly. A subsequent professional diagnostic inspection by an authorized Kia dealership revealed that the contacts at the blower motor resistor were…
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11749974
While stopped, my children in the back seat alerted me that there was a fire coming from the rear AC vent area. I known it was fire because I saw flames inside the AC vent located in the back seat area of the vehicle. I immediately got my children out of the car and ran inside…
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11709869

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake rotor pulsation and premature wear

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

6 NHTSA complaints · 2023-07 → 2026-05

The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH or higher, the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the brakes seized with an abnormal sound coming from the brakes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was…
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11683411
I purchased this car with approximately 22,000 miles on it. I have had to have OEM rotor resurface / replacement at the dealership approximately almost every oil change or about every 6,000 miles for about 30k miles (2 replacements, 3 resurface in an 18 month period)
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11730368
Vehicle exhibits repeated brake pulsation and vibration under normal braking conditions, affecting braking performance consistency. The issue began at approximately 10,000 miles and has progressively worsened. The vehicle currently has approximately 30,000 miles
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11740604

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rearview camera mounting bracket failure

BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY/WIPER

5 NHTSA complaints · 2023-09 → 2026-05

Even though the dealership reports that safety recall 23V610 / SC280 for the mounting clip replacement was completed on 2/16/24, my rearview camera has just fell out of its housing, hanging by its wires, with the mounting clips laying broken in my driveway
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11665716
Mounting bracket for the backup camera failed and caused the camera to dangle from the car. This caused me to not be able to use the camera to view objects and surroundings directly behind the vehicle. A dealer said they fixed the part back when it was originally recalled, but…
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11619258
2023 Kia sorento rear camera mounting bracket broke. There was are recall SC280 in 2023. Rear camera recently fell out of housing unit and is hanging. Still under warranty, dealership and Kia America refusing to cover and pay for issue
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11734755

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Radiator damage from road debris through front grille

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

4 NHTSA complaints · 2025-06 → 2026-05

The issue is the front grill design. Kia left the radiator completely exposed behind the grill with no protective barrier. Over time, dust, debris, and rocks collect and pass right through, causing serious damage to the radiator. Based on my experience and the experiences of…
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11735802
The car overheated while driving and my wife and daughter had to pull over to side of road. Engine Coolant was spilling everywhere. Car was towed to Raceway Kia in Freehold NJ. The dealer advised my wife that the radiator needs to be replaced and it was NOT covered under…
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11667093
I have had to replace my radiator twice in under 2 years because the open spaces in the grill are too large and rocks are able to go through them and puncture the radiator
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11737498

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 3,750 mi

Severe service: every 3,750 miles. Normal: 7,500 miles. Theta II 2.0L/2.4L on Optima, Sorento, Sportage (2011-2019): full synthetic only, never extend.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Telluride and Sorento AWD owners benefit from rotation every 5,000 miles to prevent uneven wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads and rotors every 7,500 miles. Forte and Soul front pads typically last 40,000-55,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 24 months. Required for ABS and ESC pump longevity.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Severe or dusty conditions: 15,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Severe service: every 30,000 miles. Normal: 60,000 miles. Use Kia SP-IV — same as Hyundai.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium-tipped plugs rated 105,000 miles on most Kia engines. 1.6T (Forte GT, Soul Turbo): 60,000 miles. 3.5L Lambda II V6 (Telluride, Sorento): 105,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 30,000 mi

Kia Long-Life Coolant (pink, same as Hyundai): first change at 60,000 miles, then every 30,000. Do not mix with green or orange coolant.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD)

Every 60,000 mi

Sportage AWD, Sorento AWD, Telluride AWD: replace transfer case fluid and rear diff fluid every 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on Optima, Forte, and Sportage; behind the dashboard panel on Telluride.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

10 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

3

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2023 Kia Sorento reflects Kia's published service intervals and the Service Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.