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severe Owners of the 2022 Kia Sorento have filed 19 NHTSA complaints about the electrical at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2018 Sorento | 28 |
| 2019 Sorento | 62 |
| 2020 Sorento | 19 |
| 2022 Sorento (this page) | 19 |
| 2023 Sorento | 30 |
| 2024 Sorento | 10 |
| 2025 Sorento | 14 |
A fire increases the risk of injury.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM - This bulletin provides information and service procedures for updating the infotainment systems on applicable Kia vehicles using the Kia Navigation Updater available at update.kia.com. The software update may improve system performance, enhance existing features, and apply the latest operating software for supported vehicles (2021-2026MY All Models).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SOFTWARE UPDATE PROCEDURE - This bulletin provides information on the process for downloading infotainment software updates and preparing USB for installation on applicable Kia vehicles. The software downloads and USB preparation process is similar across all supported platforms; however, in‑vehicle installation procedures vary by head unit type.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (WTY042) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for repairs related to the horn assembly in certain 2021-2025 MY Sorento, 2021-2025 MY Sorento Hybrid (HEV), and 2022-2025 MY Sorento Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) vehicles from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 10 years / 120,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. This warranty extension is to address a horn sound malfunction condition free of charge at no cost to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (WTY042) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for repairs related to the horn assembly for eligible vehicles, from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 10 years / 120,000 miles, whichever comes first, from the date the vehicle was first put into service. This warranty extension is to address a horn sound malfunction condition on 2021-2025 MY Sorento vehicles manufactured from September 10, 2020, through June 3, 2025, 2021-2025 MY Sorento Hybrid (HEV) vehicles manufactured from September 2, 2020, through January 24, 2025, and 2022-2025 MY
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS & SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (WTY042) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service managers advising that Kia is is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for repairs related to the horn assembly for eligible vehicles, from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 10 years / 120,000 miles, whichever comes first, from the date the vehicle was first put into service. This warranty extension is to address a horn sound malfunction condition on 2021-2025 MY Sorento vehicles manufactured from September 10, 2020, through June 3, 2025, 2021-2025 MY Sorento Hybrid (HEV) vehicles manufactured from September 2, 2020, through Janua
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
Owners of 2022 Kia Sorento report recurring engine power loss during driving—sometimes complete shutdown, other times limp-mode operation—typically preceded or accompanied by dashboard warning lights and engine malfunction codes. These events occur without warning and can happen multiple times on the same vehicle. Dealers have applied SC250 (8-speed electrical oil pump) recalls and reset computers, but repairs have not consistently resolved the issue across the fleet. One owner reported the vehicle lost power while pulling into traffic with a child in the car, creating a dangerous situation.
Several owners describe transmission gear-jumping (jumping from first to fifth at 25 mph), blank instrument panel screens, and battery sensor failures at relatively low mileage (26,000 to 39,000 miles). One owner reports a tow hitch receptacle electrical fire hours after first use with a bicycle rack, confirmed by firefighters as electrical origin.
Additional electrical failures include a fuel door actuator seized shut in cold weather with no manual override, power window and lock switches failing intermittently, and rodent wire damage at under 7,100 miles. One owner had a backup camera bracket break, leaving the camera dangling and unusable. Multiple owners report dealerships unable to identify or permanently fix the problems, with some told no current diagnostic codes exist despite repeated failures.
Same Kia Sorento electrical reports on nearby years: 2019 · 2020 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025
Complete loss of engine power while vehicle is in motion. Engine either dies, goes limp at very low speed, or requires restart. Accompanied by dashboard warning lights flashing or illuminating. Occurs without warning and multiple times on some vehicles.
When: Various mileages: 6,970 miles, 39,000 miles, early weeks of ownership, 26,000 miles, up to 75,000 miles. Multiple occurrences across multiple complaints at different times.
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of engine power while driving; All warning lights flashing or illuminating; Engine running irregularly (1000-1500 RPM in neutral); Vehicle limping at 5 mph with no throttle response; Engine stalling during turns or acceleration; Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) staying on; Check Engine light illumination; Dashboard buzzing sounds; Vehicle requiring restart to regain power
Codes mentioned: P065312 (engine), C1161386 (Brake), C136081, C174181, C161381 (Front Radar), C161386, C164286 (Front View camera), C169381 (Rear corner radar)
Repairs/costs cited: SC250 update (8-speed electrical oil pump) was reapplied after initial recall. Multiple dealers unable to identify root cause or provide lasting repairs. Some vehicles remain unrepaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: SC250 recall (8-speed electrical oil pump); SC252 B HECU inspection. Kia file number 15300218 filed by owner. Dealers reset computer with no mechanical fix identified.
Transmission shifts erratically to wrong gears at low speeds without driver input. Vehicle feels like it is misfiring or bucking during these events.
When: Occurs prior to complete engine power loss episodes; vehicle at 50,000 miles when reported.
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission jumps from 1st to 5th gear while going 25 mph without acceleration; Vehicle feels like it is misfiring; Erratic gear behavior
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer reset computer; no mechanical issue identified.
Instrument panel display goes completely blank or black, sometimes accompanied by check engine light illumination. Multiple occurrences.
When: Occurred at 39,000 miles and at various other times.
Symptoms owners cite: Instrument panel blank/black screen; Check Engine light illuminated; Screens went black like vehicle shut off
Repairs/costs cited: Battery sensor failure was diagnosed as cause; battery sensor replacement was recommended but not completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No assistance provided by manufacturer despite being made aware of failure.
Battery Failure warning lights illuminate in red. Battery sensor diagnosed as failed or needing replacement. Occurs at low mileage.
When: Approximately 26,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Battery Failure warning light illuminated in red; Check Engine light illuminated; Vehicle failing to respond immediately when attempting to accelerate after complete stop
Repairs/costs cited: Battery sensor replacement needed; not yet diagnosed or repaired.
Fuel door will not open due to actuator being seized shut. Vehicle has no manual release mechanism, making it impossible to refuel. No warning lights preceded the failure.
When: During extremely cold weather with windchill of approximately -8°F.
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel door will not open; Actuator seized shut; No warning lights or messages prior to failure
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel door actuator malfunction confirmed by dealership.
Fire started in vehicle near tow hitch receptacle hours after bicycle rack with lights was plugged into hitch. Fire crew determined fire was electrical in nature. Vehicle total loss.
When: Hours after plugging bicycle rack into tow hitch receptacle.
Symptoms owners cite: Flames engulfing rear of vehicle; Fire starting near tow hitch receptacle area
Repairs/costs cited: OEM tow hitch installed by Kia dealer; receptacle used for first time with bicycle rack before fire occurred.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Tow hitch installed by Kia dealer as OEM equipment.
Rodent chewed through wires in vehicle. Multiple warning lights illuminated (Check ESC, Check Engine, Emergency Brake). At very low mileage.
When: At 6,700-7,092 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Check ESC light; Check Engine light; Emergency Brake light illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Rodent chewed through wires. Kia warranty does not cover such damage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty denial. Owner reports soy-based wire shielding used in Kia vehicles may contribute to rodent chewing.
Raise and lower window switches and lock/unlock functions do not work intermittently. Functions may work after several hours or multiple attempts.
When: Unspecified timing.
Symptoms owners cite: Windows will not raise or lower; Door locks and unlocks will not function; Functions may eventually work after delay or multiple attempts
Repairs/costs cited: Owner unable to get service performed because failure does not occur during dealer inspection.
Reverse camera bracket broke, causing camera to dangle from license plate area and become unusable for rear backup safety function.
When: Less than 75,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Camera bracket broke; Camera dangling on license plate; Backup camera unusable
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
It's a meaningful issue. 19 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
Based on the 19 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 32,500 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover electrical issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.