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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2023 Kia Sorento Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
22about this part
Share
17%of 126 total for the year
Median mileage
21,700miles
Trend
Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.

NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2023 Kia Sorento, 17% of the 126 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 21,700 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

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

“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

“CURRENT MILEAGE 6,776 miles -Purchased the vehicle and on two occasions the AEB Emergency brake system came on twice without any cars around- Also, twice the engine shutdown light came on and acceleration has stopped on me and the vehicle stalled, which is dangerous if Im on the parkway or road where I cant pull over like a bridge. NICE LOOKING CAR BUT DONT BE FOOLED- A 🔴RECALL NEEDS TO BE SENT TO PROTECT OTHERS FROM A CRASH IMMEDIATELY.”

NHTSA complaint #11590775, filed 2024-05

“Transmission problem arised on/about 9/15/23 and 3,000 miles. There is a distinct shudder when shifting through lower gears, more recently, on/around 4,000 miles l, shudder is growing worse, and there is intermittent problems at highway speeds. This is very dangerous, and could cause an accident/injury at any time. I have been to my local Kia dealership 3 times now, who have flight recorded and concurred with me that its the transmission failing, but have been sent home every time with we don't know exactly what it is, so keep driving it . …”

NHTSA complaint #11547541, filed 2023-09

“I had just entered the highway and reached highway speed of 70 mph. Without any warning, the engine died, all of the dashboard lights came on, and I was unable to accelerate. Thankfully I was in the right-hand lane and there was an exit ramp a short distance ahead. The car decelerated as it had no power, and cars behind me were honking. I was able to exit the highway and coast into a parking lot just off the frontage road. Had I not been able to get off the highway, the vehicle would have been stalled in fast-moving traffic, and a pile-up could have easily occurred. …”

NHTSA complaint #11615113, filed 2024-09

“When I start driving, there’s a lot of hesitation like it’s going to stall and it also does this going up hills or mountains? I was on the interstate and there was a line of cars behind me and my car started to hesitate and almost stall, causing all cars behind me to break to not cause a domino effect accident I have reported this to the Kia dealer and knowing that there’s a lot of DCT problems that are posted all over the Internet they are saying there is no problem with the car upon doing research again there is a lot of DCT reporting of Kia’s not just my Sorrento please do some research…”

NHTSA complaint #11629564, filed 2024-12

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20251925%
2024511%
20232217%
20226835%
202114456%
20201813%
20195112%
201894%
2017375%
201612610%
2015426%
2014727%
2013697%
2012556%
201126517%
2009916%
20082311%
20072013%
20063514%
20053812%
20044018%
2003227%

Other parts of the 2023 Kia Sorento

Other or unknown
40 complaintsElectrical system
38 complaintsEngine
32 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 31, 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