According to the automaker, the 2025 Kia Sorento “offers a powerful experience on and off the road.” However, for some owners, the lack of engine power is a major problem. Other owners complain that the large, seven-seater SUV hesitates when accelerating, sometimes ending up in limp mode, or that the battery doesn’t stay charged.
The most common complaints about the 2025 Kia Sorento from consumers to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) relate to the engine and powertrain, with acceleration and loss of power problems also reported as fuel/propulsion, vehicle speed control, and unknown or other issues. Additionally, there are reports of problems with the electrical system, brakes, backover prevention, exterior lighting, forward collision avoidance, steering, and visibility (in the form of windshield wiper gear shaft failure).
There is also a recall identified as an electrical system and exterior lighting problem. Dated January 13, 2025, the recall warns that 74,469 Kia Sorento vehicles have a software error in the Body Domain Control Unit (BDC) that may cause a loss of low beam headlights and taillights. If this happens, it can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. As of July 2025, the most recent recall report shows that by April 23, 2025, less than half of these vehicles (33,376) had been remedied.
One complaint worth mentioning here was lodged by an owner in Ohio. While driving his brand new 2025 Sorento home from the dealer on March 16, he became aware that the new car’s VIN was included in the recall. This was two months after the recall was issued, and the vehicle had only 10 miles on the clock!
2025 Kia Sorento Complaint Summary
Complaint Category
Number of Complaints
Power Train
7
7
Engine
6
6
Vehicle Speed Control
4
4
Electrical System
3
3
Fuel/propulsion System
3
3
Unknown Or Other
3
3
Back Over Prevention: Warnings
2
2
Air Bags
1
1
Exterior Lighting
1
1
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
1
1
Lack of Engine Power
An owner from Indiana experienced a complete lack of engine power. “The car coasted from 70 mph down to 35 mph until the EV kicked in. I was very fortunate, as were the other drivers, not to be involved in a serious accident.” The dealer identified the problem as a defective fuel rail pressure sensor and assured the owner they had fixed the car. However, only a few days later, with the owner and four passengers in the SUV, it happened again — “a complete loss of engine power.” At the time of the complaint, the Sorento was with the dealer again.
An owner from California experienced two loss of power incidents. The first time, he was traveling down a steep incline. “I used my paddles to downshift and upshift. When I entered the flat area, the car lost power (going from) 25 mph to 38 mph. I was unable to go any faster. This continued until I shut off (the) car. Then it went back to normal. A few days later driving on flat streets it lost power again in the same way. I returned home, shut off (the) car and it started up as usual again.” After four days with the dealer, they said they couldn’t locate a problem and weren’t aware of any other complaints. “I have to take (my) grandkids to school and activities a few times a week. This is very dangerous, especially on the freeway.”
Acceleration Failure
An owner from Wisconsin reports receiving an “error check engine light warning.” When he pressed the accelerator, there was no power, only electrical (power) for his 2025 Sorento Hybrid SX Prestige. After turning off the engine, it re-engaged and he continued driving. “About a mile further the same check engine error occurred with the engine not responsive at all and only electric power available, so I made a U-turn and proceeded back to my house.” There was also a battery warning, which made him believe it was a Hybrid System error. Even though the engine re-engaged, he had the vehicle towed to the dealer. After three weeks, they had been unable to reproduce the error.
“That is unacceptable to me since Kia programmed the car in the first place. They should be very aware. I have had two cases open with Kia where they are refusing a solution and my request to buy back the vehicle.” Additionally, he states, “My safety and that of others is being put at major risk here as if this error occurs in situations such as pulling into heavy free-flowing traffic or on a busy freeway where the engine doesn’t engage many lives are at risk. There was no attempt to fix the vehicle at all. Just reset the error and told me to come get it.”
In a complaint filed as a vehicle speed control problem, an owner from Texas describes how, when he accelerated to 30 mph, the car began to “beep and the dashboard indicated the speed was limited to 30 mph. It went into limp mode and resisted when I tried to go above 30.” Again, Kia said they could not replicate the issue.
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Acceleration Hesitation
An owner from Massachusetts was driving on a highway when the Sorento hesitated when he depressed the accelerator pedal. At the time, the vehicle mileage was only 213. He managed to coast off to the shoulder of the highway and restart. However, the failure persisted. Later, he drove the SUV to the dealer without failure, where they performed a diagnostic test. They couldn’t find any fault and wanted the owner to fetch the SUV — which he didn’t do. There was no resolution at the time of the complaint.
Another owner who experienced hesitation states that it had happened multiple times — sometimes from a complete stop and other times when accelerating to merge on the highway.
“I pulled out of a driveway onto a very busy road and upon increasing pressure on the gas, the vehicle shook (similar to the behavior of a manual when letting up off the clutch and not applying even pressure to the gas. Due to the vehicle’s hesitation, I was almost hit by a large truck traveling on my exact path. This was the sole instance that warranted a call to Kia Corporate, as I feel the issue is a significant safety concern.”
The dealer was unable to replicate the problem. However, once back with the owner about a week later, the SUV was “still exhibiting the same issue intermittently, along with the brake pedal popping when ascending or descending on a hill/ramp.”
Battery Problems
An owner from Texas complains that the 12V battery does not stay charged. The problems started on February 8, 2025, about five months after purchasing the vehicle.
“The battery died and Kia Roadside was called to jumpstart. The local Kia dealership replaced the 12V and tested the system. Everything checked out ok.” He collected the Sorento two days later, but on March 3, 2025, the battery was dead again.
“The dealer has been unable to correct the problem even with the help of Kia Corp.”
Problems with the Electrical System
There are 4 complaints listed as electrical system problems. The most serious is from an owner in Texas whose tow hitch appears to have been responsible for the SUV catching on fire. This was little more than a month before Kia issued an urgent recall for 70,887 vehicles with tow hitch harnesses in danger of an electrical short that can result in a fire.
The complaint states that the car alarm went off about 2 hours after the owner had parked in his driveway. “I looked out (the) window and saw flames engulfing (the) rear of (the) vehicle. Called 911. Firefighters extinguished (the) flames.”
The fire crew said the fire was probably electrical and had started near the tow hitch receptacle. The tow hitch was installed by a Kia dealer a few weeks after he had bought the car.
“I’d never used the hitch until the day of the fire. That afternoon I bought a Kuuat bicycle rack with lights. The bike store installed the rack and plugged it into the hitch receptacle. I did errands for several hours with nothing appearing amiss.” Then, after parking, the fire started. “No injuries and no other damage. Looks like total loss.”
Recurring Problems? What Can You Do
If your 2025 Kia Sorento has ongoing issues or has been out of service for 30 days or more, it may qualify as a lemon. Each year, automakers like Kia buy back, replace, or offer cash settlements to thousands of consumers facing similar problems.
Under lemon law, the manufacturer, not you, is responsible for covering legal fees. So, pursuing a claim with the help of a lemon lawyer won’t cost you anything.
Lemberg Law has successfully helped many vehicle owners obtain settlements from major vehicle manufacturers. If you’d like a free review of your 2025 Kia Sorento problems, call our Helpline or complete our online contact form. We’ll respond promptly to discuss your options and guide you through the next steps.
About the Author:
Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."
