2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 39%of 46 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 16,386miles
- Trend
- Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid, 39% of the 46 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 16,386 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“1. I'm not sure what component or system malfunctioned. The dealership has said something different every time it's had to be taken in. The first time they said it could have been the dip stick. The second time they said they didn't know but did an update to the car's system. Last week, was the third time we've had to take it in and they said they are doing an oil change and replacing the air intake hose assy, GDI fuel pump, High pressure fuel pump, valve cover assy, oil filter and oil but didn't say if this would fix the issue. 2. …”
NHTSA complaint #11717334, filed 2026-02“While driving, have had the engine of my 25 Sorento Hybrid stop working. An emergency notice comes on the screen (see photo) stating to pull over safely. The hybrid system error message has come on 4-5 times in the last month. The vehicle will not drive more than 15-20 miles per hour and has virtually no acceleration making it very dangerous to drive in or around high speed/traffic areas. Took it to a local Kia dealership where I was told nothing was wrong and their only guess was that it was related to the battery and cold weather. …”
NHTSA complaint #11712750, filed 2026-01“While driving in a 55mph highway, I lost all accelerative power in my KIA Sorento Hybrid, driving my speed down to 25mph with vehicles behind me and no shoulder to pull onto. When I put my foot on the accelerator, the rmps on the dash would go all the way up 3000-4000 rpms, but there wasn't even a revving sound, and the car would not accelerate. Luckily I had just left my house was able to turn around and drive slowly home with my hazard lights on, the two miles back home. The first moment it happened the car behind me had to break, and luckily did so in time. …”
NHTSA complaint #11763631, filed 2026-09“I pulled out of my subdivision and immediately received an error check engine light warning and initially didn't think much of it. As I pressed the accelerator I noticed there was no engine power at all just electric (this is a Sorento Hybrid SX Prestige) so I immediately pulled over and turned the car off for two minutes. Upon turning it back on the engine did rengage so i decided to proceed. 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 proceed back to my house. …”
NHTSA complaint #11668693, filed 2025-06“On June 5, 2025, I was driving my 2025 Kia Sorento. I proceeded to get onto the highway from an on ramp. At that moment, the engine stalled. The car would not accelerate. I could not go faster than 20-25 mph. This was a huge safety risk to me, to my passengers, and to others on the highway. Eventually I exited the highway and drove home very slowly, since the car would not accelerate beyond 20-25 mph. I was pressing the gas pedal as far down as it would go. I even tried turning off the car and restarting it. The check engine light was on. The car was towed to a Kia dealer. …”
NHTSA complaint #11671685, filed 2025-07Related service bulletins
- 11017172Apr 17, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are…
- 11000787May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid
24 complaintsFuel system
16 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsLane departure
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology