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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

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 2025-07

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20251839%
2024233%
2023618%
2022217%

Other parts of the 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid

Engine
24 complaints
Fuel system
16 complaints
Other or unknown
10 complaints
Electrical system
9 complaints
Vehicle speed control
4 complaints
Air bags
1 complaints
Engine cooling
1 complaints
Lane departure
1 complaints
Visibility (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