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Electrical systemPart report

2023 Kia Sorento Electrical system Problems

Complaints
38about this part
Share
30%of 125 total for the year
Median mileage
2,000miles
Trend
Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.

NHTSA recorded 38 complaints about the electrical system of the 2023 Kia Sorento, 30% of the 125 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 2,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Was driving on Dallas North Toll way when my vehicle lost acceleration. Had to pull over and engine started smoking and lit a flame under the hood. Car is now at Clay Cooley Kia in Irving, TX. Car has been there for over two weeks and I still have no answers or information regarding the plan to fix it. Major dealership delay and all they keep saying is “Waiting on a Kia Engineer to come out but we don't have a date.””

NHTSA complaint #11708410, filed 2026-01

“As I was driving the car it suddenly lost power… then all warning and sensor lights came on in the dash. I pulled the car over and restarted and the engine turned on but would not engage to drive. It was stuck. Multiple engine and transmission warning codes appeared on my Kia app for the car. Kia’s response to resolve has been non existent. I am fearful for my safety if this happens again. It’s the second time.”

NHTSA complaint #11586001, filed 2024-04

“I was driving down the highway on cruise control going 67 on a 65. The car started revving up and then proceeded to go faster. I turned off the cruise control but its continued to speed up. I stomped on the brake 4 or 5 times with no effect. I rammed into the back of a bus at 110 mph.”

NHTSA complaint #11540904, filed 2023-08

“Twice while driving on the highway the engine power went off and all the safety lights flash and I could not accelerate. I was able to pull Over in neutral and restart the engine. When taken in for inspection, no problems were found. It happened again in June after the 7500 mile inspection on May 9th. This issue is life threatening as it could easily cause a fatal crash if I was not in the right lane, on flat ground, with a shoulder. There was no warning light.”

NHTSA complaint #11604657, filed 2024-07

“All lights came on the dashboard including the check engine light and I could not accelerate. I had to pull over and turn car off and on to get it to accelerate. It poses a very serious threat as you can not accelerate at all and can be rearended. Kia has fixed the throttle twice and have told me 2 other times they can not replicate the issue. It clears out by the time I am able to bring it to the dealership. This issues has happened 4 times starting at 9,000 miles and most recently at 21,000 miles.”

NHTSA complaint #11738211, filed 2026-05

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026117%
20252229%
20241125%
20233830%
20223116%
20214718%
20202014%
20196816%
20183012%
20179712%
20161078%
2015588%
201415315%
201311612%
201212714%
201124616%
20091425%
20083215%
20072114%
20065322%
20054916%
20042813%
20032910%

Other parts of the 2023 Kia Sorento

Other or unknown
39 complaintsEngine
32 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
22 complaintsForward collision avoidance
14 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsLane departure
10 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2023 Kia Sorento

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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