TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced, and the transmission oil cooler is transferred to the new transmission.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2022 Kia Sorento powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2022 Kia Sorento have filed 60 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
60
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2018 Sorento | 8 |
| 2019 Sorento | 47 |
| 2020 Sorento | 17 |
| 2022 Sorento (this page) | 60 |
| 2023 Sorento | 18 |
| 2024 Sorento | 3 |
| 2025 Sorento | 18 |
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 60 powertrain complaints filed for the 2022 Kia Sorento, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Powertrain accounts for 33% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 7 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 60 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain 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: 8-SPEED DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION EOP SENSORLESS LOGIC IMPROVEMENT - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to improve the Electric Oil Pump ‘EOP’ operation logic of the automatic transmission ‘A/T’ on some 2021-2023MY Sorento (MQ4a) vehicles produced from September 9, 2020 through December 29, 2023 and 2021-2023MY K5 (DL3a) vehicles produced from March 24, 2020 to December 18, 2023, equipped with a 2.5L T-GDI Theta III engines and 8-Speed Dual Clutch Transmissions (DCT). The affected vehicles may exhibit abnormal/hars
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: 8-SPEED DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION EOP SENSORLESS LOGIC IMPROVEMENT - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to improve the Electric Oil Pump ‘EOP’ operation logic of the automatic transmission 'A/T’ on some 2021-2023MY Sorento (MQ4a) vehicles produced from September 9, 2020 through December 29, 2023 and 2021-2023MY K5 (DL3a) vehicles produced from March 24, 2020 to December 18, 2023, equipped with a 2.5L T-GDI Theta III engines and 8-Speed Dual Clutch Transmissions (DCT). The affected vehicles may exhibit abnormal/hars
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: 8-SPEED DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION EOP SENSORLESS LOGIC IMPROVEMENT - This bulletin provides information to improve the Electric Oil Pump ‘EOP’ operation logic of the automatic transmission ‘A/T’ on some 2021-2023MY Sorento (MQ4a) vehicles produced from September 9, 2020 through December 29, 2023 and 2021-2023MY K5 (DL3a) vehicles produced from March 24, 2020 to December 18, 2023, equipped with a 2.5L T-GDI Theta III engines and 8-Speed Dual Clutch Transmissions (DCT).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2022 Kia Sorento powertrain demonstrates critical and recurring failures across transmission, engine, and electrical systems. The most severe issue is sudden complete loss of engine power at highway speeds—vehicles stall without warning in middle lanes or on bridges, creating immediate collision risk. Owners report this happening as early as 13,882 miles, with vehicles unable to restart immediately.
Transmission failures dominate complaints. Code P1C2D03 appears repeatedly and is linked to dual-clutch transmission electric oil pump faults. Owners report the transmission disengages while driving, leaving vehicles unable to accelerate or shift gears—some limit movement to under 20 mph (limp mode). The problem strikes early: the earliest documented failure occurred at 1,561 miles. One owner had three transmissions fail within two months. Hard shifting, lurching, and grinding noises are common, especially during Park-to-Drive transitions.
Many failures lack diagnostic codes or check engine lights, preventing dealer diagnosis. Kia's recall 22V760000 for powertrain issues covers only certain VINs; owners with identical symptoms report being excluded and denied warranty coverage due to expired warranties or being second owners. Software updates and transmission resets—standard dealership responses—fail to resolve problems. One owner was denied a $5,000 transmission replacement under recall because Kia refused to reopen the claim.
Engine misfiring, oil intrusion into the EGR unit, and sudden acceleration loss also occur. In the hybrid model, the gasoline engine disengages from the drivetrain, leaving only the electric motor. Brake system failures and erratic electronic behavior (false collision avoidance activation, unintended gear shifts, independent system activation) add to the safety picture. Dealers frequently cannot replicate issues, then blame owners for "normal" vehicle behavior.
Same Kia Sorento powertrain reports on nearby years: 2019 · 2020 · 2023 · 2025
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission power loss and limp mode
Transmission disengages or enters limp mode while driving, causing sudden loss of acceleration or inability to shift gears. Vehicle may not move in Drive or Reverse, or only moves at very low speeds (under 20 mph). Occurs at various mileages, often under 25,000 miles, sometimes at highway speeds creating immediate collision risk.
When: Under 25,000 miles; earliest reports at 1,561 miles; some recurring throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of motive power while accelerating or driving; Vehicle stuck in limp mode, limited to speeds under 20 mph; Failure to shift out of low gear; Vehicle will not move in Drive or Reverse after shifting from Park; Engine revs but vehicle does not accelerate (RPMs 4,000-5,800 without corresponding speed increase); Transmission disengages with engine still running
Codes mentioned: P1C2D03, P0653
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report transmission replacement by dealer or factory unit shipped in; some vehicles on third transmission in 2 months; dealer software updates and transmission resets attempted but often unsuccessful
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 22V760000 (Powertrain); Kia issued recall but some owners report VINs not included in recall despite having identical symptoms; Kia refusing to reopen recall for second owners or expired warranty holders
Sudden complete loss of engine power on highway
Engine stalls completely while driving at highway speeds with no warning. Vehicle loses all power and rolls to a stop, creating immediate risk of rear-end collision. Typically occurs in middle lanes or on bridges with no shoulder to pull over safely. Check engine light may illuminate after or simultaneously with power loss.
When: Various mileages; reported at 13,882 miles, 17,000 miles, 56,941 miles, and up to 91,661 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of engine power while driving; Vehicle stalls without warning; Check engine light illuminates at time of failure or after restart; Vehicle can be restarted after pulling over but power loss recurs; Stop Safely Immediately or Stop Vehicle Immediately warning message displayed; Audible chime sound accompanying power loss
Codes mentioned: P1C2D03, P219FF, P030400, P0404, P049D
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to replicate or diagnose issue; vehicles held for diagnostics 3-4 months or longer with no resolution; transmission replacement performed in some cases; one owner reports clogged cylinder requiring engine service, later transmission failure; Lo-Jack removal attempted
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 22V760000 referenced but dealers claim recall is not cause of failure; case opened with manufacturer in some instances; manufacturer case declined buyback; one owner reports over $5,000 transmission replacement cost when manufacturer refused to honor recall
Intermittent acceleration loss without warning codes
Vehicle suddenly loses ability to accelerate despite depressed throttle pedal, with no check engine light or warning messages. Occurs during normal driving or merging; engine may rev to 4,000-6,000 RPM without corresponding vehicle movement. Problem recurs multiple times per week or month and cannot be replicated by dealers.
When: Reported from February 2024 onward; 18,000 miles to 86,000 miles at time of reports
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of acceleration despite floor throttle; Engine revs without vehicle responding; @ symbol flashing on dashboard (in one instance) but no check engine light; Pedal to floor produces no movement or barely moves vehicle; Vehicle remains operational but won't accelerate; Issue recurs 3+ times per week in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealer visits unable to replicate issue; no repairs performed; owners kept vehicle for extended diagnostics without resolution
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented in these narratives; case opened with Kia America in some instances but no resolution provided
Hard shifting and transmission lurching
Transmission shifts harshly or lurches between gears, especially during Park-to-Drive, Park-to-Reverse, or 1st-to-2nd gear transitions. Some owners report grinding or clicking sounds when shifting. Vehicle may shudder or jerk when braking or shifting, and occasionally shift inappropriately while accelerating.
When: Early in ownership; reports at 1,500 miles to 25,000 miles; some recurring throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Hard or harsh shifting between gears; Lurching or shuddering during gear changes; Loud clicking or grinding sound when shifting; Jerking when coming to a stop or shifting into Reverse; Transmission shifts improperly while accelerating; Intermittent nature—difficult to reproduce
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer transmission resets performed; software updates applied multiple times; dealers unable to reproduce issue; no lasting repairs documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 22V760000 mentions software updates; owners report multiple update attempts without resolution
Transmission control and electrical faults causing erratic behavior
Transmission control unit or electrical system malfunctions cause unpredictable vehicle behavior including inadvertent shifting, false brake engagement, instrument panel failures, and independent activation of vehicle systems. Vehicle may shift into unintended gears, move without driver input, or activate brakes and stability control without cause.
When: 2,017 miles to 91,661 miles; early reports predominate under 30,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shifts into unintended gears (shifts to Reverse when Park selected, moves forward when Park intended); Vehicle moves without driver input or accelerator depression; Walnut or debris lodged in shifter column preventing proper gear selection; Forward Collision Avoidance system activates without objects nearby; Electronic Stability Control activates and deactivates independently on flat surfaces; Auto Start/Stop function activates/deactivates without driver action; Gauges on instrument panel fail to display; All dashboard lights and warnings display simultaneously; Unknown warning lights illuminate intermittently
Codes mentioned: P1C2D03
Repairs/costs cited: Walnut debris removal from shifter; multiple software updates; transmission retraining performed; Lo-Jack removal attempted; transmission replacement; owners report issues recur after repairs
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Software updates and transmission retraining per recall 22V760000; case opened with manufacturer; one owner reports Kia opening case but declining vehicle buyback
Engine misfiring and performance loss
Engine misfires while driving, causing vehicle to shake violently and lose power. Check engine light illuminates with misfire codes. Issue persists or recurs after spark plug and ignition coil replacement. Engine may struggle to start cold and continue misfiring.
When: Reported at 38,000 miles and 91,661 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine misfires while driving; Vehicle shakes violently when accelerating; Loss of power and inability to accelerate; Difficulty starting engine, especially cold starts; Engine stalls or nearly stalls; Check engine light illuminates
Codes mentioned: P0301 (Misfire Cylinder 1), P0304 (Misfire Cylinder 4), P219FF, P030400
Repairs/costs cited: Spark plugs and ignition coils replaced by dealer; fuel injector replacement ($950); fuel tank drain and replacement ($900); spark plug replacement ($350); issues persist after all repairs; gas tank reportedly damaged; diagnosis remains unclear
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer charged $200 for diagnosis; no manufacturer involvement documented; owner notes multiple similar complaints in online forums
Oil intrusion into EGR system causing electrical short
Engine oil backs up into EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) Control Unit causing internal short circuit. Indicates failure in PCV system or turbocharger seals allowing liquid oil into intake/exhaust tract. EGR unit is designed for exhaust gases only. Failure creates fire risk and unpredictable engine performance.
When: At 91,661 miles (within powertrain warranty coverage)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine oil intrusion into EGR unit; Loss of engine power; Reduced acceleration or sudden engine stalling; Potential thermal incident or localized fire risk in engine bay
Codes mentioned: P0404, P049D
Repairs/costs cited: EGR unit requires replacement; issue indicates systemic PCV or turbocharger seal failure requiring engine service
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer (Suntrup Kia South) refused warranty coverage claiming EGR is not a powertrain component despite root cause being powertrain failure; owner requested NHTSA investigation of oil intrusion as systemic defect
Hybrid powertrain engine disengagement in ECO mode
In 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid, gasoline engine fails to engage with drivetrain while in ECO mode, leaving only electric motor to drive vehicle. Occurs while vehicle idling with engine running. Some incidents include warnings of depleted hybrid battery. Resolution requires pulling over and restarting vehicle.
When: Reported in 2022 Sorento Hybrid; incidents occurred while stationary with engine running
Symptoms owners cite: Gas engine does not engage with drivetrain; Only electric motor providing power; Hybrid battery depletion warning in some instances; Vehicle must be restarted to resume normal operation
Repairs/costs cited: No dealer involvement documented; owner reports other owners stating Kia does not know cause of this issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented
Brake system failure with fluid loss and loss of braking power
Brake pedal goes to floor with no pressure during emergency braking situations. One owner reports brake pedal loss of pressure during highway power loss emergency. Another reports vehicle surges forward at every stop despite brake application, indicating transmission-brake coordination failure.
When: During highway power loss emergency and recurring at every stop in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal travels to floor with no resistance; Loss of braking pressure; Vehicle surges forward when coming to a stop despite brake application; ABS may engage with jerky stop (in one instance)
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented; issue occurred during highway power loss emergency
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented
Transmission control module failure with recurring electrical codes
Transmission control unit fails repeatedly despite multiple repair attempts and component replacements. Vehicle displays recurring transmission system error messages, limp mode, and loss of power. High voltage codes and multiple electrical faults suggest TCU or related electrical system corruption or internal failure.
When: Recurring from December 2024 through April 2026; 7 incidents in under one year of ownership by second owner
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission system error messages; Loss of acceleration and throttle power; RPM fluctuation while in Park; Vehicle enters limp mode repeatedly; All dashboard lights and warnings display; Issues occur without warning; Code clears before reaching dealership (preventing diagnosis)
Codes mentioned: P0653 (High Voltage), Various codes that clear before reaching dealership
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple parts replaced while working with Kia America tech support; issues persist despite multiple repair attempts; escalated case opened with Kia America
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia America escalated case specialist assigned; case opened November 2025; multiple repair attempts coordinated via computer with Kia America tech; no resolution achieved as of April 2026
Synthesized from 60 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
There was a complete loss of motive power. Myself and my passenger were on a busy 5 lane road approaching a busy intersection when the check engine light came on as well as a "stop safely immediately" message and an audible chime sound. Then the car lost power. I was in the middle lane and had no way nor time to pull over safely. Thank goodness I was slowing down for a stop light. This was the…
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where an unknown software update was completed; however, the failure reoccurred while…
While driving from Phoenix to Tucson in midday traffic, the vehicle displayed a "Check Transmission" error message. Immediately following this warning, the vehicle experienced a significant loss of motive power while navigating a busy intersection. The car would not shift gears appropriately to maintain speed or move out of the path of traffic, which created an immediate risk of a collision. I…
Engine light came on while driving . Solid light. Car started to vibrate and felt like it would stall. Engine has only 38,000 miles. Kia Greenway Certified Technicians at Hickory. They charged me $200 for the diagnosis. They later said the check engine code was due to bad fuel injectors, I paid $950 for that service. That day I took the car out and after 5 minutes of driving it I had to go back…
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The contact called a mobile mechanic to the residence, and the mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with a defect in the transmission.…
I have had this happen 4 times now with my Sorento hybrid where the gas engine does engage with the drivetrain, leaving only the electric motor providing power. All incidents have occurred where I was sitting idle with the vehicle on. All incidents occurred when I had the vehicle in ECO mode. 2 of the 4 incidents have warnings about pulling over immediately because the hybrid battery was nearly…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2022 Kia Sorento?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2022 Kia Sorento?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 60 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 60 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 32,783 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.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2022/Kia/Sorento.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.