Too new to judge fully
It has been on the road 4 years, so complaints are still coming in. So far it has fewer than a typical older Sorento year, which is normal for a newer car. The area owners report most so far is the transmission and drivetrain, which half of owners reported by about 25,000 miles.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Sorento years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 194 complaints with NHTSA about the 2022 Kia Sorento. The most reported problem area is the transmission and drivetrain (68, 35% of complaints), followed by the engine and cooling and the electrical system. That ranks 10th of 13 Sorento years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 6 recalls.
1 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2022 Kia Sorento before you buy.
Transmission and drivetrain
68 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 25,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
On [XXX], a 2022 Kia Sorento with 37,971 miles displayed "Transmission system error! Check transmission oil immediately." The vehicle is currently drivable, with no crash and no injury reported, but the driver is concerned about a potential loss of drive power while driving. Pride Kia of Lynn, 793 Lynnway, Lynn, MA 01905, confirmed an…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Car goes into "limp mode" and functions on only partial power. Warning light reads "Transmission system error! Check transmission oil immediately." Dealership says car shows no codes. My 2022 Kia Sorento SX had a recall because this problem is known. Kia recalled all the 2021 and 22's and fixed the programming to allow for limp mode.…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Engine and cooling
53 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 38,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
Kia refuses to perform a U.S. safety recall due to my being active duty U.S. military stationed overseas. The affected vehicle is U.S.-spec and registered to a U.S. address. The recall (SC250) involves sudden loss of drive power and is a major safety defect. Kia has refused to authorize parts or repair overseas, putting me and my family…Owner complaint, filed 2025
2022 Kia Sorento X-line SX Premier model (89435 miles) 2.5 l Turbo GDI is going into limp mode when trying to accelerate. The (A) Auto Stop indicator illuminates. Pulled car over, placed in park, turned off, restarted after waiting about a minute, no warning lights, car drives and acceleration is normal. About one year ago, car…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Electrical system
31 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
The Auto Start-Stop System light came on flashing while driving. Vehicle wouldn’t accelerate while in heavy traffic. Pulled over to the shoulder and turned vehicle off. Attempted to start vehicle again and would not start. Had to get the vehicle towed. Positive battery post is loose and screw is tightened as much as possible.Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument panel displayed a blank screen. In addition, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with battery…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 39,000 miles
Lights, wipers and visibility
19 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
Rear passenger taillight assembly, specifically the turn signal light failed. Currently unable to utilize the right signal light when turning causing a safety issue for others. This taillight assembly is a sealed unit with LED lights that cannot be replaced. To fix you must purchase a new taillight assembly. These are very costly $790…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the sunroof exploded without impact. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,296.Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 86,296 miles
Brakes and stability control
18 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
Everytime i put my car in cruise control for 1-2 minutes after i take the cruise control off the breakers are gone and them come backOwner complaint, filed 2025
A coin slid underneath parking brake lever while driving on the freeway. The car came to sudden stop and would not move until i removed coin from under the lever. It could have caused a major accidentOwner complaint, filed 2025
Cruise control and acceleration
16 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
Idle stop and go system randomly auto disabled on start, unable to enable. Causes vehicle to be unable to accelerate faster than 25mph.Owner complaint, filed 2026
I am filing this complaint regarding a serious transmission defect in my 2022 Kia Sorento. The vehicle frequently hesitates, stalls, and at times fails to accelerate properly, creating a dangerous situation when driving in traffic, merging, or crossing intersections. This poses a direct safety hazard to me, my passengers, and other…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Fuel system
14 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
I saw the KIA Sorento safety recall #24V-220 for the defective high pressure fuel pump. When I look up my VIN on your site, it doesn't show this affecting my vehicle. Although my vehicle does this exact same thing. It will randomly go into limp mode and not accelerate when pulling into traffic. I took it to the Kia dealer and they said…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The fuel injectors, it is available for inspection. The vehicle feels like it is going to stop unexpectedly, or will not accelerate when it is suppose to, which leads me to feel unsafe driving it with my children. This is the same exact issue we had previously and it was confirmed and fixed by the dealership. The component was previously…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Driver assist systems
11 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
The emergency break goes on even when I’m driving straight in the freeway with no cars close to me. It’s terrifying. Has occurred multiple timesOwner complaint, filed 2022
On Saturday, April 9 when breaking at a stop sign my car slammed on my breaks for me and the dash lit up with multiple warning lights, indicating an issue with the "check lane departure warning system." The car seemed to drive okay, no additional strange breaking situations, but the warning lights stayed on for a day. I called my dealer…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Steering
10 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The vehicle began making a clicking/popping sound when turning the steering wheel left or right, especially at lower speeds and while turning into parking spaces or driveways. The exact component causing the issue has not yet been fully identified, but it may involve the steering or suspension system (such as the CV axle, tie rods, or…Owner complaint, filed 2026
In August 2025 my 2022 Kia Sorento S began having the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) Malfunction Indicator light flashing. It comes on, flashes for a while, then goes off again. Shortly after the first time this happened (a week or so), my steering began losing all power steering intermittently at random. I took it to the local Kia…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Body, doors and structure
6 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that he contacted the dealer who stated that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the…Owner complaint, filed 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Seats and seat belts
4 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
The driver’s seat frame and adjustment mechanism failed. The seat broke off from the frame, resulting in the seat only being able to move left and right, with no ability to adjust forward/backward or recline. The dealership confirmed a seat frame malfunction and addressed the issue. My safety was put at risk because I was unable to…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Drivers seat is moving all the way forward & inclining all the way towards steering wheel while operating vehicle and I am unable to stop stop it or move it back. This has happened to me 4 times now, 2 of them at high speeds & there is no rhyme or rhythm to when or if you can adjust the seat back. It stayed all the way up after parking &…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Suspension
3 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the contact experienced the death wobble. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 78,000 miles
Bought the vehicle brand new in late 2021, and began noticing some vibration when braking at any speed. The vehicle at this point has less than 10,000 miles and the brakes are vibrating really bad. The manufacturer has not issued a recall and their best fix is turning the brake rotors and calling it a day. Never had I had such a poor…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Air bags
1 complaintAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
Vehicle: 2022 Kia Sorento EX VIN: [XXX] Date Defects Discovered:[XXX} A Kia dealership confirmed multiple instances of airbag tampering in this vehicle: • Driver knee airbag missing • Driver A‑pillar airbag missing • Wiring harnesses cut • Electrical resistors spliced into the circuits to bypass SRS fault detection • Technician warned…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Wheels and tires
1 complaintTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
I went for my regular wheel alignment last week and was told my tires need to be replaced - the tread was down to 3/32. I only have 30000 miles on the vehicle. I called Continental and was told the tires are considered a "performance" tire and therefore have no tread warranty. I bought a new set o Michelin Defender tires today. When I…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Kia Sorento complaints by year
Compare the 2022 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2022 midsize SUVs
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Kia Sorento | Too new to judge | 6 |
| 2022 Toyota Highlander | Too new to judge | 5 |
| 2022 Honda Pilot | Too new to judge | 5 |
| 2022 Kia Telluride | Too new to judge | 7 |
2022 Kia Sorento recalls
Electrical system Fuses and circuit breakers
- Risk
- A fire increases the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the wiring harness and blower motor resistor, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Backup camera
- Risk
- A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera housing, as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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."
Transmission and drivetrain
- Risk
- Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary.
Full recall summary
Kia Motors, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Sorento and 2021-2023 K5 vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.
Trailer hitchPark outside until fixed
- Risk
- A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete.
Full recall summary
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Tires Temporary / emergency spare tire
- Risk
- Impaired anti-lock braking or traction control systems can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the spare tire, as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Sorento and Telluride vehicles. The vehicles may be equipped with an incorrect spare tire which, when installed, can impair the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and the traction control system (TCS). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Engine and cooling Turbo / supercharger
- Risk
- An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the turbocharger oil supply pipe, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Kia Motor America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Sorento vehicles. The oil supply pipe to the turbocharger may crack, which could result in an oil leak in the engine compartment.
2022 Kia Sorento questions
What are the most common problems with the 2022 Kia Sorento?
The most reported problem areas on the 2022 Kia Sorento are the transmission and drivetrain (68 complaints), the engine and cooling (53 complaints) and the electrical system (31 complaints).
Is the 2022 Kia Sorento a good year to buy?
Too new to judge fully. It has been on the road 4 years, so complaints are still coming in. So far it has fewer than a typical older Sorento year, which is normal for a newer car. The area owners report most so far is the transmission and drivetrain, which half of owners reported by about 25,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Sorento years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2022 Kia Sorento have?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2022 Kia Sorento. The most recent, from Sep 2025, covers the fuses and circuit breakers. One of them tells owners to park outside or not drive the car until it is fixed. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2022 Kia Sorento problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the transmission and drivetrain gave a mileage of about 25,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 38,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Kia Sorento years should I avoid?
The Sorento years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2016. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2018, 2020 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2022 Kia Sorento?
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