2022 Kia Sorento Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2022 Sorento most often describe sudden loss of power or acceleration — the vehicle drops to a crawl, the gas pedal stops responding, or a "Check Transmission" message appears, often requiring a restart to move again. Many complaints involve the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission and its electric oil pump, and a smaller but consistent group describes engine misfires, fuel injector faults and oil leaks. Several owners also raise windshield and sunroof glass cracking or shattering, and recall-related parts availability.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Loss of power / no acceleration (transmission-related)

   • 73 complaints (38%)
   • median 28,660 mi at 2.4 yrs old (15 state mileage)
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners describe the vehicle suddenly losing motive power while driving or pulling away from a stop: the accelerator goes dead, the car slows to 10-30 mph, or it will not move in drive or reverse until it is shut off and restarted. Some report a "Check Transmission" or "Transmission System Error" message, jerking or slipping between gears, and warning lights on the dash. According to the complaints, dealers sometimes found the electric oil pump circuit board or transmission pump at fault, and in other cases could not duplicate the failure or reset codes without a lasting fix. Reported from very low mileage up to roughly 116,000 miles, with many between 15,000 and 60,000 miles; often at highway speeds or when accelerating from a stop.

   Recall 22V7600004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the electric oil pump/transmission logic service bulletin and campaign 22V760000 were applied, and request any transmission-related repair records. During a test drive, note any hesitation, jerking or delayed engagement when shifting into drive and reverse.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While parked on a residential street. I started car and put it in reverse. Car would not reverse when I applied gas. I shifted to drive. Car would not go forward when I applied gas. Repeated attempt to reverse. No movement. Shifted into drive and after applying more pedal , almost to floor, car lurched forward. In just about 30 minutes later car again would not move when reversing. It did go forward in drive the second time. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11615997, filed 2024-09

   “Vehicle lost power on the highway without warning. I would hit the gas but nothing would happen. Turned the car off and on a few times and after a few minutes it worked but every light on the dashboard came on. Took it to dealership who said the transmission lost contact with power steering and hybrid system. They reset the code but then 4 days after I got it back, every light on the dash lit up again and it was very jerky as I drove it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11538874, filed 2023-08
2. 2
   Engine

   Engine stalling, misfire and injector faults

   • 69 complaints (36%)
   • median 44,500 mi at 2.8 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners describe the engine dying or dropping into limp mode, sometimes with a solid check engine light, vibration and a feeling the car will stall; restarting sometimes helps and sometimes does not. Complaints mention misfires traced to fuel injectors, damaged fuel tanks, low or high pressure fuel pump codes, and in some cases an engine replacement being quoted. A few owners also report oil leaks around the pan or turbocharger supply pipe area. Mostly reported between roughly 18,000 and 90,000 miles, often during acceleration, at stop lights, or shortly after startup.

   Recall 22V2020001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check for stored or pending engine codes and ask for fuel injector and fuel pump service history. Confirm whether the turbocharger oil supply pipe recall 22V202000 applies to the vehicle and was completed, and check for oil residue around the engine and under the car.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The vehicle has less than 75k miles, and I am the second owner. I was driving, and the vehicle lost power. Creating a traumatic experience that could have been fatal. After Kia had inspected the vehicle, I was informed that I needed a new engine and it would cost 8k or more, and my extended warranty would not cover it. Kia has current recalls for similar issues.”

   NHTSA complaint #11719170, filed 2026-02

   “I was driving on a busy road when the computer system completely stopped the engine from running and gave a message/notice appear, accompanied with an alarm stating engine failure. I had to put the car in neutral and try to pull over to safety. This is the third time this has happened. The second time, the dealer repair shop ran a diagnostic test and told me that they reset the computer, and nothing was wrong mechanically. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11623632, filed 2024-11
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Electrical glitches, battery sensor and dash warnings

   • 72 complaints (37%)
   • median 23,533 mi at 1.7 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners describe multiple warning lights coming on together, blank instrument cluster displays, and the vehicle refusing to respond or shutting down, with dealers pointing to a failed battery or battery sensor in some cases. Several complaints also mention infotainment and horn issues, and one describes the horn assembly warranty extension. Others focus on recall work that was performed but not recorded, or not yet available. Spread across the sample from a few thousand to about 70,000 miles, often without a clear pattern in weather or driving conditions.

   Recall 25V649000Recall 23V610000Recall 22V7030003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for a battery and charging system test and check whether open recalls (including 25V649000, 23V610000 and 22V703000) have been completed and recorded against the VIN. Verify the infotainment and horn-related service actions were performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Jenkins kia of Ocala Florida sold me this car as a certified used car on July 4 2025 without fixing or disclosing the fact this vehicle has 2 recalls! I want to file a formal complaint with you against this company. This car should never have been sold as a certified used vehicle with these 2 safety recalls not being addressed, fixed or mentioned!”

   NHTSA complaint #11680518, filed 2025-08

   “My vehicle has an active fire-risk safety recall, but Kia states the remedy is not available yet. The recall notice explains that the wiring harness for the HVAC blower motor may be inadequate and can cause a vehicle fire. I am concerned for my safety and my family’s safety because I have small children who ride in this vehicle daily. I contacted my Kia dealership, but they will not provide a rental or alternative transportation and will not confirm whether the vehicle is safe to drive while waiting for the remedy. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11701337, filed 2025-11
4. 4
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield and sunroof glass cracking or shattering

   • 15 complaints (8%)
   • median 86,296 mi at 4.4 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners report windshields cracking from a small chip or with no visible impact at all, sometimes overnight in a garage, with the crack spreading across the driver's line of sight. Others describe the sunroof glass shattering or blowing outward at highway speed with no object nearby. Complaints say dealers often declined to cover the glass, and one owner reported being advised to clean the windshield with an abrasive product. Reported from within the first month of ownership through roughly 86,000 miles; often at highway speeds for the sunroof, and in varying weather for windshields.

   What to check: Inspect the windshield closely for chips, sand-blasted pitting, repairs or stress cracks along the edges, and check the sunroof glass and its seals for cracks or prior replacement.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #11485423, filed 2022-09

   “Windshield cracked by a tiny pebble. The main windhsield of my 2022 Hybrid cracked while driving in the freeway. Its been less than a month since I bought the car and windshield cracked. I wasnt around any car at the time, It was late night and I saw the chip it made to my windshield.. a couple minutes later the crack spread out to 4 inches long. The windshield is not strong enougha nd causes a danger.”

   NHTSA complaint #11459944, filed 2022-04
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brake judder and shudder when stopping

   • 33 complaints (17%)
   • median 24,838 mi at 1.5 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2022–2026

   A smaller group of owners describes vibration or judder felt through the steering wheel and pedal when braking, which complaints attribute to the front brake discs. Service bulletins describe inspection and replacement of the front brake discs along with a burnishing procedure. Separate complaints mention brake-related warning lights appearing with other electrical faults. Reported from moderate mileage up to about 70,000 miles, typically during steady braking from highway speeds.

   Recall 22V5090003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Brake firmly from highway speed during a test drive and feel for steering wheel or pedal shake, and ask whether the front discs were replaced under the brake judder bulletin. Also confirm the spare tire matches the vehicle, per recall 22V509000.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I recently got this vehicle and only has 26k miles on it. I have always been a good driver and have taken care of this vehicle, but this vehicle has brought too much stress in my life recently. Keeps breaking down, and i have to repeatedly go to the service center. My value for time is gone. The service team are not welcoming and they never give you a replacement car. Not everyone has a replacement car for when it will break down. It messed up with all of my schedule, my family's schedule, kid not being able to go to school. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11567821, filed 2024-01

   “The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the forward camera was obstructed. The steering over corrected while turned off. The vehicle was accelerating and decelerating independently. The Forward Collision Avoidance system engaged without an object being nearby. Additionally, the driver’s side seat belt randomly unlatched. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11621882, filed 2024-10, 28,660 miles

Buying note. Ask for a full service history and confirm which recalls and transmission/engine service bulletins were completed, since several owners report repeat visits for the same power-loss symptom. A thorough test drive that includes highway acceleration, stop-and-go traffic and hard braking helps reveal hesitation, transmission slipping or brake vibration before purchase.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.