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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2021–2026

Kia Sorento Hybrid recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 112 owner complaints for the Kia Sorento Hybrid, covering model years 2021 to 2026. The 2025 model year drew the most complaints (42), and Engine is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Kia Sorento Hybrid VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 6 recall campaigns on file
  • 112 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 6 model years with data (2021–2026)
  • most complaints: 2025 (42 for that model year)
  • top component: Engine (49 complaints)
  • latest recall 26V046000 (reported Jan 26, 2026)
  • 2 complaints reporting a crash (1.8%)
  • 1 complaint reporting a fire (0.9%)
  • 2 complaints reporting an injury (1.8%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Kia Sorento Hybrid complaints by model year

6 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2025 model year has the most complaints: 42 of 112, or 37.5%. Next come 2023 (30) and 2021 (21). The fewest are for 2026, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Kia Sorento Hybrid owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2021–2026Column chart of 112 complaints across 6 model years. The highest is 2025 with 42. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2021: 21 complaints2120212022: 12 complaints1220222023: 30 complaints3020232024: 6 complaints620242025: 42 complaints4220252026: 1 complaint12026
Kia Sorento Hybrid complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Kia Sorento Hybrid complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
2021210000
2022120100
2023301010
202460000
2025421010
202610000
All model years1122120

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Kia Sorento Hybrid components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Engine is the component named most often, in 49 complaints (43.8% of all 112), followed by Electrical System (31) and Fuel/Propulsion System (28).

Components named most often in Kia Sorento Hybrid complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Kia Sorento Hybrid complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Engine4943.8%
Electrical System3127.7%
Fuel/Propulsion System2825.0%
Power Train2623.2%
Unknown or Other1917.0%
Vehicle Speed Control65.4%
Service Brakes54.5%
Visibility43.6%
Lane Departure32.7%
Structure32.7%
Air Bags21.8%
Seat Belts21.8%
Trailer Hitches21.8%
Visibility/Wiper21.8%
Engine and Engine Cooling10.9%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Kia Sorento Hybrid recalls

6 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Sorento Hybrid, newest first. The 6 campaigns cover model years 2021 to 2026. The 2022 model year appears in the most campaigns (4).

  • 6 recall campaigns
  • 1 “Park Outside” advisory
Kia Sorento Hybrid recall campaigns covering each model year
2021: 2 campaigns2022: 4 campaigns2023: 2 campaigns2024: no campaigns2025: 2 campaigns2026: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 26V046000

    Reported

    Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel

    Model years 2025–2026

    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."

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by Kia America, Inc.

  2. NHTSA campaign 25V006000

    Reported

    Electrical System › Body Control Module › Software; Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights; Exterior Lighting › Headlights

    Model year 2025

    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."

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by Kia America, Inc.

  3. NHTSA campaign 23V610000

    Reported

    Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera

    Model years 2022–2023

    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."

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by Kia America, Inc.

  4. NHTSA campaign 22V703000

    Reported

    Trailer Hitches

    Model years 2021–2023

    NHTSA “Park Outside” advisory: because of the fire risk, park affected vehicles outside and away from buildings until the recall repair is done.

    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.

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by Kia America, Inc.

  5. NHTSA campaign 22V447000

    Reported

    Seat Belts › Pretensioner; Seat Belts › Front

    Model years 2021–2022

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid and 2022 Sorento Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioner(s) may explode upon deployment.

    Consequence:
    An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will secure the seat belt pretensioners with a cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 17, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC241. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 22V-127. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed.

    Filed by Kia America, Inc.

  6. NHTSA campaign 22V127000

    Reported

    Seat Belts › Front; Seat Belts › Pretensioner

    Model year 2022

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Sorento Hybrid and Sorento Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioner(s) may explode upon deployment.

    Consequence:
    An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the seatbelt pretensioner(s), free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 3, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC231. This recall is replaced by NHTSA recall number 22V-447. Vehicles already repaired under this recall will need to have the new remedy completed.

    Filed by Kia America, Inc.

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Kia Sorento Hybrid questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Kia Sorento Hybrid have?

NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recall campaigns for the Kia Sorento Hybrid, covering model years 2021 to 2026. The most recent, 26V046000, was reported on January 26, 2026 and is filed under “Electrical system”. The 2022 model year is covered by the most campaigns (4).

Which Kia Sorento Hybrid model year has the most complaints?

The 2025 model year, with 42 of the 112 complaints in NHTSA’s file (37.5%). The next are 2023 (30) and 2021 (21). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Kia Sorento Hybrid complaint?

Engine is the component named most often: 49 complaints, or 43.8% of all 112. Electrical System (31) and Fuel/Propulsion System (28) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Kia Sorento Hybrid?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Kia dealer.

How many Kia Sorento Hybrid complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 112 complaints, 2 report a crash, 1 a fire, 2 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Kia models

8 models · most complaints first

The Kia models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Kia VIN decoder with every Kia model page, WMI code and VIN note.

  • Kia Sorento 2003–2026 · 40 recalls · 10,159 complaints
  • Kia Optima 2001–2020 · 22 recalls · 7,499 complaints
  • Kia Soul 2010–2025 · 15 recalls · 5,532 complaints
  • Kia Sportage 1995–2026 · 36 recalls · 4,687 complaints
  • Kia Forte 2009–2024 · 18 recalls · 2,539 complaints
  • Kia Sedona 2002–2021 · 23 recalls · 2,406 complaints
  • Kia Telluride 2020–2027 · 19 recalls · 2,009 complaints
  • Kia Sephia 1995–2003 · 7 recalls · 1,687 complaints

All Kia models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.