2023 Kia Sorento: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2023 Kia Sorento
On the 2023 Kia Sorento, the failure owners report most often is other electrical problem, with 21 reports on file. Across every failure mode on this year, half the dated reports were filed before 35,000 miles. Overall it scores 71 out of 100, high risk for a 2023.
High risk for a 2023 — 159th riskiest of the 227 2023 vehicles we can rate. 205 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.
What breaks on the 2023 Kia Sorento
Owners have reported 46 named failure modes on the 2023 Kia Sorento, and the three most-reported carry 25% of everything filed, which is an unusually even spread for one model year.
Other electrical problem leads with 21 reports and about 0.4 per 1,000 vehicles.
Other engine problem follows with 18 reports, median 1,600 miles.
Other powertrain problem follows with 12 reports, median 10,000 miles.
By system, the reports fall mostly into engine (38), electrical (30) and adas (23).
The mileage the reports cluster at
23 of the reports on the 2023 Kia Sorento came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 35,000 miles.
Cumulatively, 65% by 50,000 miles and 91% by 100,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed.
The busiest stretch is between 0 and 10,000 miles, which alone holds 26% of the dated reports.
52% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles, which is early enough that a fair number of these cars were still under a factory warranty when the owner complained.
Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens
Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 46. The full list is in the table below.
How reports accumulate
Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.
- Line share of reports filed by that mileage
- Dashed the median reported mileage
Severity, and what it costs
Across the named modes, 5 mention a crash, 3 a fire and 6 an injury. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.
The average severity weight across every report on this year is 3.77, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.
What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: other electrical problem at $250–$2,000, other engine problem at $300–$4,000, other powertrain problem at $400–$4,500 and parking brake failure at $250–$1,300. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.
33% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.
Every reported failure mode
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other electrical problem | electrical | 21 | 3 | — | 2k | — | 0.4 | $250–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other engine problem | engine | 18 | 2 | — | 2k | — | 0.4 | $300–$4,000 | High |
| Other powertrain problem | transmission | 12 | 1 | — | 12k | — | 0.2 | $400–$4,500 | High |
| Parking brake failure | brakes | 9 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.2 | $250–$1,300 | Moderate |
| No-start or intermittent start failure | engine | 8 | 2 | — | 65k | — | 0.2 | $200–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Sunroof failure or glass breakage | body | 8 | 3 | — | 35k | — | 0.2 | $700–$4,500 | High |
| Infotainment screen failure | infotainment | 7 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $400–$2,600 | Low |
| Other driver assistance problem | adas | 7 | 1 | — | 60k | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,800 | High |
| Lane keep or steering assist fault | adas | 6 | 1 | — | 2k | — | 0.1 | $200–$1,600 | High |
| Cruise control failure | adas | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $200–$1,400 | High |
| Air conditioning failure | hvac | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $400–$2,800 | Moderate |
| Other speed control problem | adas | 5 | 1 | — | 12k | — | 0.1 | $250–$2,000 | Critical |
| Excessive oil consumption | engine | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $900–$6,500 | High |
| Overheating | cooling | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| Airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault | airbag | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $300–$1,600 | High |
| Other steering problem | steering | 4 | 2 | — | 40k | — | 0.1 | $350–$2,400 | High |
| Complete engine failure or seizure | engine | 3 | 1 | — | 68k | — | 0.1 | $4,500–$12,000 | Critical |
| Misfire or rough idle | engine | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,600 | Moderate |
| Radiator or coolant leak | cooling | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $350–$1,900 | High |
| Differential or transfer case failure | drivetrain | 3 | 1 | — | 47k | — | 0.1 | $900–$4,200 | High |
| Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure | electrical | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $700–$3,000 | High |
| Ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure | electrical | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,500 | High |
| Backup camera failure | infotainment | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Instrument cluster or gauge failure | infotainment | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $350–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Tire blowout or tread separation | wheels | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $200–$1,500 | Critical |
| Tail light, brake light or signal failure | lighting | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $100–$900 | Moderate |
| Other brake problem | brakes | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $300–$1,800 | High |
| Other visibility problem | glass | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $150–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Other body or interior problem | body | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $200–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Oil leak | engine | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $250–$2,200 | Moderate |
| Harsh or jerky shifting | transmission | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $600–$4,000 | Moderate |
| Dual-clutch or clutch-pack failure | transmission | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $1,800–$5,500 | High |
| CV axle or driveshaft failure | drivetrain | 2 | 1 | — | 28k | — | 0.0 | $450–$2,200 | High |
| Fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure | fuel | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Wiring harness or short circuit | electrical | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| Loss of braking | brakes | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $400–$3,000 | Critical |
| Liftgate, tailgate or trunk failure | body | 2 | 1 | — | 111k | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,500 | Moderate |
| Other lighting problem | lighting | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $120–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Complete transmission failure | transmission | 1 | 1 | — | 110k | — | 0.0 | $2,800–$8,000 | Critical |
| CVT failure | transmission | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $3,000–$8,500 | Critical |
| Fuel leak or fuel odor | fuel | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $300–$2,500 | Critical |
| Alternator or charging system failure | electrical | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $450–$1,600 | High |
| Master cylinder or brake booster failure | brakes | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $450–$2,200 | Critical |
| Seat belt or retractor failure | airbag | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $200–$900 | High |
| Blower motor or climate control failure | hvac | 1 | 1 | — | 48k | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Other fuel system problem | fuel | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $300–$2,200 | High |
| Unclassified problem | other | 13 | 1 | — | 44k | — | 0.3 | — | Moderate |
Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.
How often, against how many were built
Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2023 Kia Sorento draws about 4.1 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 84th percentile of complaint rates among 2023 vehicles we can rate.
That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.
The working figure is 50,517 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2023 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.
Recalls on the 2023 model year
NHTSA has issued 3 recall campaigns covering the 2023 Kia Sorento, affecting an estimated 87,858 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.
The campaigns cover electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers, back over prevention: sensing system: camera and equipment:other:labels. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.
Recalls also distort complaint counts. Publicity about a campaign reminds owners that complaining is possible, so reports for a recalled component often spike after the recall rather than before it.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
39,536 vehicles 2025-09-25- Defect
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Sorento vehicles. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) blower motor wiring harness may be inadequate, which can result in a fire.
- Consequence
- A fire increases the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the wiring harness and blower motor resistor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC351. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 9, 2025.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
144,979 vehicles 2023-08-31- Defect
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, and Sorento Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) vehicles. The mounting clips for the rearview camera may break, which can cause the rearview camera image not to appear properly on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Consequence
- A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera housing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC280.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
50,517 vehicles 2023-08-15- Defect
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sorento vehicles. The air bag warning labels on the driver and front passenger sun visors may detach. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Consequence
- A detached air bag warning label will not warn occupants about the risks of air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the driver and front passenger sun visors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 10, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC277.
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.
How it ranks in the 2023 field
The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.
Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.
- Left fewer and less serious reports
- Right more, or worse
- Marker this vehicle
How 2023 compares with the other years
High risk for a 2023 — 159th riskiest of the 227 2023 vehicles we can rate. Every score on this site is a rank inside its own model year, which is what makes a 2004 and a 2019 comparable at all.
Across the 22 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 2024 comes out best at 65 and 2016 worst at 80, with 2023 itself at 71.
If the model year is negotiable, 2024 and 2004 score lower than 2023 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.
Within the 2019–2026 generation specifically, 2024 is the strongest year at 65 and 2020 the weakest at 80.
Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.
Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.
Within the 2019-2026 generation, 2024 Kia Sorento scores best at 65 and 2020 Kia Sorento worst at 80.
What this page cannot tell you
205 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.
Of those 205 reports, 23 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 11% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".
Named failure modes come from matching phrases in the complaint text, so a badly worded complaint can land in the wrong bucket. The effect washes out across hundreds of reports and does not wash out across five.
And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.
Questions this page answers
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Kia Sorento?
The most-reported failures are other electrical problem (21 reports, median 2,000 miles), other engine problem (18 reports, median 1,600 miles) and other powertrain problem (12 reports, median 10,000 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.
Is the 2023 Kia Sorento reliable?
It scores 71 out of 100 on our risk index, which is high — 159th riskiest of the 227 2023 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2023 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.
Which year of the Kia Sorento is best?
Within the 2019–2026 generation, 2024 scores best at 65 out of 100 and 2020 worst at 80. Same body, same engines, different luck.
Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.
What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car
Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed