Electrical System Problems of Kia Motor Sorento - part 1

Adding to NHTSA safety issue id # 11685509. The car was taken back to the dealership on 9/8/2025 and the maintenance department was showed were the junction box that controls a lot of safety features could be the issue and why normal diagnostics tools used could not isolated the issue to it. Online research shows that this junction box is a common issue and an undiagnosed issue with major safety issues. Actually the maintenance department had no clue as to were it was even located on a 2019 kia sonata. Please look into this issue. I am having mine replaced but it will take a week to do it. It maybe because of the unavailability because of quality fixing the issue.

See all problems of the 2019 Kia Motor Sorento 🔎.

The red steering wheel with an exclamation point pops up on the dashboard and instantly I lose power steering the wheel gets really hard, it went out as I was making a turn and I almost hit the truck . I had to yank the wheel really hard to control the steering, then had to pull over turn the truck off then back on to reset the problem. This have been going on mildly for a few years now has gotten to its worst.

See all problems of the 2016 Kia Motor Sorento 🔎.

There are eight recalls on my car I do not trust dealerships I do not trust mechanics I work on my own car I have very bad experience with mechanics I would rather return my car to the dealership I want to sell my car do the dealership eight different recalls is too much.

See all problems of the 2011 Kia Motor Sorento 🔎.

My headlights flicker when the left turn signal is used. I have taken this vehicle to the dealership previously for headlight flickering issues. I have owned it since 2019. When the lights flicker at night driving at highway speeds, it is dangerous for me and other drivers around me. The ray skillman kia dealer has confirmed these issues and offered fixes that have not lasted. The most recent flickering did not come with warnings or messages prior to malfunctioning.

August 18, 2025 at 3pm pt; my 2025 kia Sorento x-line was parked in my driveway facing the street. I had the engine on, and in park mode, ac on, back hatch door open. No one was in the vehicle. I was standing behind the vehicle when it then started to go in reverse, then stopped for 2 seconds. It then proceeded to go into reverse again. The garage door was open. The vehicle pushed me into the blades of our lawn mower (it is stored in the garage on its end, so the blades face the garage door), and continued to push me and the lawn mower into our gardening tool supply rack. I did all I could to stop the vehicle with my body and yell for help. I was trapped. The vehicle eventually stopped because the back hatch door was open and caught on the upper part of the garage frame. I got myself unstuck and got out to the right, and went straight to the passenger front door to check out the gear shift. It was still in park mode. All was captured on our ring camera. I called kia corporate customer service and received a case number (25476533) and was told I would hear back in 10 business days. This was after calling the dealership twice directly (elk grove kia) leaving a detailed message with no response.

My car will sometimes completely stall at a light when stopped and not restart with the automatic stop system it has happened about 5 times almost causing a wreck.

See all problems of the 2021 Kia Motor Sorento 🔎.

My 2020 kia Sorento engine light came on and not able to accelerate more than 40 mph. The code when I went to an auto repair shop says knock signal range/ performance. I had it reset by the mechanic and the engine light still on. The engine is also eating through oil very fast. We have to fill the car with oil frequently in between oil changes.

See all problems of the 2020 Kia Motor Sorento 🔎.

Horn has stopped working. Appears it happens often with the 24 Sorento. Almost had a car collision due to the inability to warn the driver of the other car that I was in my lane. I do have an appointment to have it looked at, but not for almost 2 weeks.

See all problems of the 2024 Kia Motor Sorento 🔎.

Both horn units need to be replaced . It's been confirmed by safford brown kia in manassas ,virginia. The dealership did not have the parts and I have to wait 3 to 4 days for the parts to come in. In the meantime I have been driving the vehicle without an active horn because I was not given a loaner vehicle . I did call kia customer service whom stated that they are not aware of an open recall for my issue .

Headlights turn off at night when set in the auto position and turn on when the car is off.

See all problems of the 2017 Kia Motor Sorento 🔎.

The contact owns a 2011 kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving 55–60 mph, the engine overheated and the vehicle stalled while making a turn. The vehicle stalled and failed to restart. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA campaign number: 23v877000 (engine). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was towed to another independent mechanic, but the cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was determined that the battery and bracket needed to be replaced. The dealer also informed the contact that the engine and fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.

My 2021 kia Sorento lx has been having issues everyday where all of my dash lights come on, my power steering goes out and I can’t shift into or out of any gears. I have taken it to a kia dealership (towed) twice already and they can’t find out the issue or unwilling to find it out. I have contacted kia corporate and still no response from them. Kia has also refused to give me a loaner during this issue.

Electrical issue all dash lights came on and couldn’t shift into gear, had to replace my main computer as it was fried at 72,000 miles, also had to get the steering column replaced total of $6,000 fixes.

The car is accelerating without anyone pressing down on the gas, not accelerating when our foot is on the gas, jerking unexplainably and the emergency brake warning is coming on when it has not been employed.

See all problems of the 2023 Kia Motor Sorento 🔎.

Thermal module went out, causing car to not accelerate when pressing on the gas pedal. Mileage at 76,000.

See all problems of the 2022 Kia Motor Sorento 🔎.

Even though the dealership reports that safety recall 23v610 / sc280 for the mounting clip replacement was completed on 2/16/24, my rearview camera has just fell out of its housing, hanging by its wires, with the mounting clips laying broken in my driveway. My rearview camera is currently unusable; its taped up so that it is not just swinging by the wires. When I contacted my dealership, they are pretty sure they can get this work covered under the warranty, but they are not sure. And my VIN# is currently not pulling up any "active recalls". Either the clips they used to replace the previous clips were also bad, or the dealership didnt actually complete the work as reported.

On two separate occasions, my 2024 kia Sorento has activated its automatic emergency braking system, as if anticipating a potential forward collision on an empty florida highway. The dashboard lights illuminate precisely before the forward collision warning and emergency braking lights activate and commence engaging. Since then, I have noticed a loose sensation in the steering wheel and a diminished braking response. Also screen on dash will randomly shut down and will not allow me to check my vehicle systems or to kia connect.

Vehicle stuck in park. Able to use emergency procedure to drive. Repair of fault would have cost 1600. 00 if not covered by my extended warranty. There is a similar recall for not requiring brake to be applied before the shifter can select a gear. This is caused by the bcm body control module. I believe that most of these units are failure prone and they control a number of functions that are related to safety.

My electrical system failed. While on park I was unable to shut of the vehicle using the engine start stop button. After waiting for the vehicle to automatically turn off. The vehicle started trying to restart itself. The negative battery post had to be removed for the vehicle to stop. The entire safety system failed and all warning lights are still displayed on the dash. The backup camera and radio display went completely blank and was unavailable.

I am unsure what component system failed or malfunctioned. The car is in the toe place. It's a total loss burned from front to back my safety was put at risk by no indication of any lights coming on my dashboard. By the time I stopped the whole front into my car was on fire. It burned from from 2 back within 8 minutes. It has not been inspected by insurance. The police were there when the fire was put out along with the fire department. There were no warning lights or lamps of any indication of a problem. I was driving down the road and I seemed small but I had no lights on my dashboard. Indicating anything was wrong? so I drove as soon as I started to slow down at the stoplight. Flames started coming out of the driver's side of the hook. But I turned the corner and stopped the car and the whole front end. By the time I stopped was on fire. I contacted the fire department and within 8 minutes. The car was a total loss.

The contact owned a 2020 kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed smoke coming from the vehicle. The contact stated the fuse box located on the driver's side had caught on fire. The vehicle was extinguished by the fire department. A fire report was filed, and a fire report number was provided; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. A police report was filed and provided to the contact. The dealer was not contacted. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 22v703000(trailer hitches). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

This scenerio happened and fire resulted with total loss. Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings recall date 2018-12-18 recall no. 18v907000 Kia Motors America (kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17v-224, warranty, or the knock sensor detection system (ksds) product improvement campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak. Hide details recall consequence a fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. Recall action kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc172.

Upon starting my vehicle after going to the grocery store, the abs, esc, check forward collision-avoidance assist system, and auto hold warning lights illuminated. The cruise control was then inadvertently deactivated. When vehicle is started the check forward collision error comes on. After a few months when entering the freeway and accelerating I received an error regarding unknown engine issue. Took vehicle to kia dealership and was who diagnosed that the hydraulic electronic control unit (hecu) needed to be replaced. Manufacturer being notified, vehicle not repaired at dealer due to cost.

Was turning right onto the road when the steering locked up and every safety warning light came on. My car literally stopped moving in the middle of the road. I wasn't literally right down the road from my house so thankfully I was able to get the car back to my house. The steering felt worse than not having power steering. I called and the dealership matt blac kia of toms river, and they had my car towed to the dealership around 10 am on April 4th. Around 4pm I was told they still had no idea what was wrong with my car, and to come pick up a loaner car. On April 5th at 4:42 pm I received a text stating the wiring harness wasn't secured properly and rubbed the steering shaft, and they had to contact kia to see how to proceed. April 11th was told the part arrived and hopefully sometime next week I would get my vehicle. As of right now I still don't have my vehicle and have no idea of when I will get it back. My main concern is that this was a serious oversight on the assembly of this car, and could have had very different results if I was not in my neighborhood and was on a busier road.

The passengers window will not roll down the sound of clicking you can hear though when switch pushed this is a very common ongoing issue via kia Sorento community thread that goes back over 7 years it’s never addressed or serious it seems for the services dept of several member’s experience to find the cause leading to ongoing hassle and inconvenience for those with one dealer hours away and the vehicle as new brand new only 3k miles as mine! it’s a safety issue to say the least children on board.

The stop go feature is not working correctly, when it does cut off at a light after releasing the brake to move forward it takes 3-5 seconds to start. When the cars behind me see that I release the brake they assume im going to move which doesnt happen at first. Some occasions the stop n go just doesnt work at all.

The panoramic sun roof opens but will not close. It takes 6-12 attempts to get it to close, it will move to where its an inch away from closing then reopen. Kia has recalls for this make and year but says my car is not affected. Attempting to get it to close is very distracting and frustrating taking focus away from driving.

Vehicles instrument cluster goes black at times ( speedometer, tach and all exterior lights and turn signals are inoperative during this time) I took it to the dealership and they said they couldn’t duplicate the problem.

The abs, down hill light, and swaying light came on. As I was pulling into a parking space slowly with my foot on the brakes, the car sped forward knocking over a post and shrubs.

This is the third time I’m having to take my SUV to the kia dealership because my check engine light begins flashing and then my car has a hard time accelerating when it gets to certain speeds. It shakes but will not go over 68 mph although it is covered under a warranty, it is very frustrating. Having to keep take my car to get fixed. There should be a more permanent solution.

On March 19 I completed my 8,000 mile oil change and then drove to florida. I had a warning light to change my oil since the company did not reset it. Unsure of the other warning lights. As I was driving in florida on the interstate the car started having issues. It was making a noise, then started smoking and by the time I got off the exit and got out the front right of the car was in flames. I was transported to the er with smoke inhalation. The car in still in clermont, FL with no resolution. The car has been inspected by the insurance and a third party inspector. The last I was told the inspection report is with the kia engineers. I am unaware at this point what the failure was that led to the fire. No response from kia for over a month.

The contact owns a 2025 kia Sorento. The contact stated that upon purchasing the vehicle brand new from the dealer and driving the vehicle to the residence, the contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 25v006000 (electrical system, exterior lighting) after conducting a VIN search the same day. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The mileage on the vehicle was 10. The actual mileage was 530.

While I am driving it can be jerking anytime and also the slippery light come on the dashboard. Sometimes the engine light come on too.

Car shut off and the radio kept going on and off red light on dash board and steering was hard.

Engine blew. Getting on interstate, vehicle blew when accelerating on interstate and died right before getting on. Could have been very dangerous if it had made it on the interstate itself. No warning lights or indication ther was a problem. It was maintained regularly. It had 125000 miles on it. A/c fan quit working due to electrical issues. Drivers side brake light blew several times. It was life changing and not for the good. There have also been a few other minor problems.