2022 Kia Sorento: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 171 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the transmission, engine, and electrical. The 10 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2022- Owner complaints
- 171
- Recalls
- 8
- 1 urgent
- Crashes reported
- 4
- 4 injuries
One recall on this model year told owners to park outside until the repair was done.
Do not buy until you have dealer paperwork or a recall lookup showing it was completed for this VIN.
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/10 checked
2022 Kia Sorento: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/2
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/4
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which Sorento is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2022 Kia Sorento. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cylGas | AWD, FWD | 24–26 mpg |
| 1.6L 4-cylHybrid | AWD, FWD | 35–37 mpg |
| 1.6L 4-cylPlug-in hybrid | AWD | 460 mi range |
- The 2022 Kia Sorento was sold in three versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
- On the hybrid, watch for the car moving off on electric power at low speed and for any hybrid system warning on the dash.
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A Sorento that averages well under the EPA 24 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Early transmission failure
775–2,000 miles
Warped front brake rotors
8,672–10,000 miles
Loss of power, limp mode
25,000–38,000 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2022 Kia Sorento, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Transmission541 crash
Transmissions fail early and often. Reports describe "Check Transmission" or "Transmission System Error" warnings, slipping in even gears, hard shifts that bang back into first, and refusal to engage Drive or Reverse. Several fail under 2,000 miles, and code P1C2D03 comes up repeatedly. Loss of power while merging or crossing intersections is common. Dealers often apply a recall software reset, yet problems return or can't be reproduced. One crash report describes the SUV slipping out of Park and rolling backward with no one inside.
Engine20No crashes
Power drops suddenly, often capping speed at 25 mph until a restart, sometimes with the Auto Stop indicator lit. Misfires, failed fuel injectors and fuel pumps, and rough shaking at startup also appear, with dealers sometimes needing several visits. Rocks get through the open grille and puncture the radiator, causing coolant loss and shutdown on the highway. Some owners report low oil without visible leaks or a leaking rear main seal. Stalling mid-turn with all dash lights on is also described.
Electrical17No crashes
The engine shuts off while driving. All dash lights flash or screens go black, and owners describe near collisions at intersections and on highways. Dealers often find no codes and reset the computer. Two fires are reported. One started near the tow hitch receptacle hours after parking, and the other broke out in a garage and was traced to wiring. Other reports cite battery warnings with hesitation, a faulty hybrid engine wiring harness around 12,000 miles, rodent-chewed wiring, and broken backup camera brackets.
Wipers and visibility14No crashes
Panoramic sunroof glass explodes at highway speed and showers the cabin with glass. One driver was cut. Windshields crack with no impact, sometimes overnight in a garage, and the cracks spread across the driver's line of sight. Wiper complaints include a failed wiper motor with no parts date and wipers stuck in reverse. In winter, ice fills the channel where the wipers park under the hood, so they barely sweep the glass.
Windshields crack with no sign of impact, sometimes within weeks of purchase and at under 2,000 miles. The cracks start at the frameless edge or under a wiper and spread across the driver's view within days. Tiny pebbles cause chips that grow inches long in minutes. Owners are often quoted around 1,300 for a replacement after dealers refuse to help. In one report, the rear glass shattered after a door was closed, at about 19,000 miles.
Steering8No crashes
Most reports here involve braking. Rotors warp under 10,000 miles and cause strong vibration, and dealers mostly resurface them. Power steering cuts out at random, sometimes mid-turn, with the EPS warning light flashing, and it gets worse over time. Other reports describe the ESC light with a shaking pedal, full shutdowns on the highway that take out steering, and a squeak from the steering column. One owner reports low compression in cylinder 3 and a recommended engine replacement.
Brakes6No crashes
The electronic parking brake engages while driving and cuts speed by about half without warning. One report describes this 6-7 times and says it continued after SC252 work. Other reports describe a pedal that sinks to the floor, ABS that fails to activate so the wheels lock, and rotors and pads that need replacing about every 2,000 miles. A coin wedged under the parking brake lever stopped one car on the freeway. Dealers often can't replicate the faults.
Trailer Hitches6No crashes
No hitch failures are reported here. Every complaint involves recall 22V703000 and the same problem: the repair part isn't available. Owners say dealers and the manufacturer confirmed the shortage and that the wait has gone on too long. Hitch-related fire is covered under the electrical complaints, so it's worth checking whether this recall work has been done.
Acceleration and cruise control51 crash
Acceleration fails without warning. The SUV hesitates, stalls, or shuts down completely, including at 70 mph on the highway. Restarting clears the fault for a while, and dealers can't reproduce it on demand. On hybrids, the "Hybrid System Warning" appears and the battery drains quickly. One crash report describes a parked, switched-off SUV rolling away an hour later and hitting a neighbor's fence.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Sorento owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Transmission will not shift or rev to high for next gear then will drop back to correct rpm an shift. Car will stall out or not shift.Problem has been duplicated at dealer. Was at dealership with no correction available at time KIA Engr. advised no call back. Engine light stayed on would not reset at all dealer plus was told transmission replacements is only correction .Car had10K on it less then year.
Filed with NHTSA, November 2022
2022 Kia sorento under 86,000 miles is jerks intermittently but no codes are being shown. Currently at the dealership and tech suspects transmission, which has been reported by numerous consumers of this issue but the recall was only applied to certain Kia sorentos and it should be broader.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2025
Check engine light came on after a weird sound clanked on start up. Error code p1c2d03 Was told it was a major transmission problem “Not related to the previous recall” I did trade the car in immediately due to being 3000 miles from home when it happened.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2024
At start up, vehicle’s engine will sometimes have abnormally strong vibrations/shaking, loud noises, and will only produce reduced power (vehicle struggles to accelerate). The check engine light is illuminated when this happens. I am typically able to clear it by shutting off the vehicle one to two times. I have attempted to repair this defect at least 4 times but Kia has been unable to resolve.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2025
My raise and lower Windows don't work some times including the unlock and loock Windows. I get my house and want closed the car but I can rise the Windows, and try many times after a couple hours and could. I was far for the kia service and I dont have time at the moment to go, went al make the appointment the said that the car need to have the fail in the moment if the not fail at the moment the can do anything.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2023
While driving, all lights on the dash will light up and the gas pedal loses power. The only way to move the car to the side of the road out of danger is by coasting to the shoulder which can be very unsafe on the interstate. The car remains running with no power until it is cut off and turned back on. This has happened four times with the dealership being unable to specifically identify and fix the problem.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2024
We have a new 2022 kia Sorento. the windshield without any impacts at all cracked overnight in our garage. from lower driver corner up across to passenger side right in line of sight of driver. Kia refuses to answer there phones to remedy this problem. there are several complaints and a possibly class action suit.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2022
My Sorento was purchased on 17/01/22. My windshield started cracking on the middle to the passenger’s side from the hood to the sunroof. I am unaware of how it even got there.
Filed with NHTSA, November 2022
How the 2022 compares with other Sorento years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2022 ranks fourth for owner complaints among 8 Sorento years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Transmission5431
- Engine2035
- Electrical1727
- Wipers and visibility142
- Steering86
- Brakes62
Where the 2022 fits in the Sorento's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2022 is the second model year of the Sorento's fourth generation (2021–2023).
Kia updated the Sorento for 2024, so a 2022 does not have those changes.
What changed for 2024 (not on a 2022)
- New exterior design elements
- Updated technology features in interior
Recalls to confirm (8)
Recall repairs are free at any Kia dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
22V703000Trailer HitchesPark outsideSep 2022
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.
Fix: 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.
25V649000ElectricalSep 2025
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.
23V610000Backup cameraAug 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.".
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.
22V760000TransmissionOct 2022
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.
Fix: 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.
22V509000Wheels and tiresJul 2022
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.
Fix: 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.
22V447000Seat beltsJun 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.
Risk: An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.
Fix: 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.
22V202000EngineMar 2022
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.
Fix: 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.
22V127000Seat beltsMar 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.
Risk: An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.
Fix: 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.
Also looking at these instead of a Sorento?
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2022 owner complaints, side by side
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- 2022 Kia Sorento171
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