VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC298) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to apply additional body seam sealer to prevent potential water intrusion into the blower motor in certain 2023-2024 MY Sorento vehicles. Kia dealers will also inspect and, if necessary, replace the blower motor.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2023 Kia Sorento visibility problems
moderate Owners of the 2023 Kia Sorento have filed 4 NHTSA complaints about the visibility at roughly $350 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See visibility across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
| Model year | visibility complaints |
|---|---|
| 2019 Sorento | 8 |
| 2020 Sorento | 4 |
| 2022 Sorento | 14 |
| 2023 Sorento (this page) | 4 |
| 2024 Sorento | 3 |
| 2025 Sorento | 3 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering visibility 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: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: COWL WATER INTRUSION REPAIR (SC298) - This bulletin provides information to apply additional body seam sealer and also to inspect and, if necessary, replace the blower motor on certain 2023-2024MY Sorento (MQ4a) vehicles produced at Kia Georgia (KaGA)from October 25, 2023 through February 11, 2024. The HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system uses cooling and heating to help maintain a pleasant environment inside the vehicle. The blower motor controls the airflow for the HVAC system. Due to improper body seam sealer application at the HVAC fresh air intake, water may enter through the HVAC fresh air intake and onto the b
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC298) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign on certain 2023-2024 Sorento vehicles manufactured from October 25, 2023 through February 11, 2024 to apply additional body seam sealer to prevent potential water intrusion into the blower motor. Kia dealers will also inspect and, if necessary, replace the blower motor.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (SC298) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service Managers that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign on certain 2023-2024 Sorento vehicles manufactured from October 25, 2023 through February 11, 2024 to apply additional body seam sealer to prevent potential water intrusion into the blower motor. Kia dealers will also inspect and, if necessary, replace the blower motor.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (SC298) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Voluntary Service Campaign SC298.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had visibility trouble with your 2023 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 visibility problem on the 2023 Kia Sorento?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 4 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Based on the 4 complaints filed, visibility issues most often appear around 39,000 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 $350 for visibility 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 visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility 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/2023/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.