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ProblemsByVin File / 2023-KIA-SORENTO NHTSA data synced 9 hours ago
2023 · Kia

Kia Sorento problems

103 owner complaints and 3 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.2 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2023 Sorento?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 6 categories with 3+ complaints

electrical
29 reports · fails ~17,067 mi · avg $850
severe
powertrain
17 reports · fails ~16,850 mi · avg $2,500
severe
engine
10 reports · fails ~62,000 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
brakes
5 reports · fails ~23,500 mi · avg $450
moderate
steering
5 reports · fails ~1,864 mi · avg $700
moderate
visibility
3 reports · fails ~39,000 mi · avg $350
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2023 Sorento's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2023 Sorento?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2023 Sorento · steering
While driving there is a loud squeak that is coming from the steering column on the left side. The dealerships cannot reperform because it only happens about 60% of the time when driving. We have brought the vehicle in twice now and both times the dealership could not recreate…
2023 Sorento · electrical
I have been calling the nearest Kia dealership to have this recall fixed since September 2025 and there has been no remedy since. We do not feel safe using the vehicle due to the recall involving a fire hazard due to HVAC wiring. We have a family that needs the vehicle and its…
2023 Sorento · powertrain
When I start driving, there’s a lot of hesitation like it’s going to stall and it also does this going up hills or mountains? I was on the interstate and there was a line of cars behind me and my car started to hesitate and almost stall, causing all cars behind me to break to…
2023 Sorento · electrical
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? I was driving and the car completely shut down- I could not use my brakes or accelerate. I had to pull along the road in ongoing traffic to coast to a stop. I lost all control.…
View all 103 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2023 Kia Sorento? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 3

severe NHTSA 23V610000 August 31, 2023

Kia America, Inc

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. 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.
severe NHTSA 25V649000 September 25, 2025

Kia America, Inc

A fire increases the risk of injury.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 23V579000 August 15, 2023

Kia America, Inc

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.

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2023 Kia Sorento reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 103 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2023 Kia Sorento is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2023 Kia Sorento?

The 2023 Kia Sorento is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 29 complaints, classified severe; Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average; 3 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2023 Kia Sorento?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 29 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 17,067 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 17,067 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Kia Sorento has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2023 Kia Sorento?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 103 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 9 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2023/Kia/Sorento. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Kia. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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