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severe Owners of the 2024 Kia Sorento have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the electrical at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2020 Sorento | 19 |
| 2022 Sorento | 19 |
| 2023 Sorento | 30 |
| 2024 Sorento (this page) | 10 |
| 2025 Sorento | 14 |
Electrical accounts for 28% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 5 categories tracked.
A loss of power steering assist increases the risk of a crash.
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 report a wide range of electrical and safety system failures in the 2024 Kia Sorento. Camera system errors appear immediately on some vehicles, with the infotainment display showing "No Camera Signal Received" when in reverse, accompanied by instrument panel malfunctions that cycle through colors and lose critical information. One owner experienced a catastrophic engine fire after an oil change service, resulting in hospitalization. Driver-side door controls and passenger windows fail intermittently, leaving owners unable to operate basic functions. The infotainment system drops out during driving, and the collision avoidance system activates falsely on empty highways or fails entirely to prevent collisions. Most concerning, several owners report complete electrical power loss while driving—losing power steering, headlights, and all interior systems simultaneously, with two instances causing complete engine stall. One vehicle pulled hard to the right without warning, striking a guard rail. Horn units fail on multiple vehicles with no recall currently acknowledged by Kia. Throughout these complaints, owners cite long repair waits, unavailable parts, dealerships unable to duplicate issues, and unresponsive manufacturer support.
Same Kia Sorento electrical reports on nearby years: 2022 · 2023 · 2025
Front/rear camera displays 'No Camera Signal Received' error intermittently, often when vehicle is in reverse. Diagnostic code FRCMR C2A2397 reported. Instrument panel also malfunctions during these events, cycling through red, green, and black screens, losing speed display and warning information.
When: Day 1 after purchase; occurs approximately 50% of the time in reverse
Symptoms owners cite: No Camera Signal Received message on infotainment display; Instrument panel malfunctions with color cycling (red to green to black); Loss of speed display and warning information on instrument panel; Diagnostic warning via Kia Connect app
Codes mentioned: FRCMR C2A2397
Repairs/costs cited: Part ordered and received; installation planned at dealership (vehicle in shop 12+ days at time of complaint)
Vehicle experienced engine fire on interstate after oil change service. Owner reported noise and smoking from front right of vehicle, culminating in flames. Resulted in owner hospitalization with smoke inhalation. Vehicle inspected by insurance and third-party inspector; report forwarded to Kia engineers with no resolution communicated.
When: After 8,000 mile oil change service
Symptoms owners cite: Noise from engine compartment; Smoking from front right of vehicle; Fire in front right engine compartment
Driver-side door controls lose power intermittently, preventing window operation and door lock/unlock functions. No warning lights illuminate when this occurs.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Inability to roll windows down or up from driver door controls; Inability to lock/unlock doors from driver controls; No warning lights present during failure
Infotainment screen cuts out during driving, accompanied by engine rev. Vehicle remained drivable but caused confusion about system status.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Infotainment screen cuts out while driving; Engine rev coinciding with screen dropout
Automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning systems activate on empty highway with no obstacle present. Dashboard lights illuminate before warning lights activate. May indicate sensor malfunction.
When: Two separate occasions reported
Symptoms owners cite: Automatic emergency braking engages on empty highway; Forward collision warning lights activate without obstacle; Dashboard lights illuminate before warning activation
Vehicle struck pole and median after collision avoidance sensor reported as blocked. Vehicle warranty does not cover sensor defects. Kia refuses to address safety feature issues, stating they cannot remove safety features.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Collision avoidance system failed to prevent impact with pole; Collision avoidance system failed to prevent impact with median; Emission leak present
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia refuses buyback; offered $19,000 as settlement; refuses to address sensor issues under warranty
Passenger window will not roll down despite functioning switch, with clicking sound audible. Owner notes this is reported as common issue in Kia Sorento owner community forums spanning 7 years with no resolution from service departments.
When: At 3,000 miles on brand-new vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger window will not roll down; Clicking sound audible when switch activated
Vehicle loses all electrical power while driving at least 6 times in 8,000 miles, causing loss of power steering, headlights, and all interior electrical components. Power is then regained. Two incidents resulted in complete engine stall. Issue is random and cannot be reproduced on demand.
When: Multiple incidents within 8,000 miles; instances not reproducible
Symptoms owners cite: Total loss of electrical power while driving; Loss of power steering; Loss of headlights; Loss of all interior electrical components; Engine stall in two instances; Difficulty holding hill; vehicle drifts backward when foot lifted from brake
Vehicle suddenly pulled to the right while driving on clear, sunny day at normal speed with no warning lights, causing owner to strike guard rail. Incident reported to police. Vehicle in body shop since July with no parts availability timeline from Kia.
When: Incident in July; vehicle in body shop at time of complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden steering pull to the right; No warning lights before incident; Vehicle struck guard rail
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No timeline provided for parts availability
Horn units fail completely on multiple vehicles. Two units requiring replacement on one vehicle per dealership diagnosis. Parts backlog delays repair.
When: Not specified; one complaint mentions vehicle is being driven without active horn
Symptoms owners cite: Horn stops working; Both horn units non-functional on reported vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Both horn units require replacement; dealership reports 3-4 day wait for parts
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia Customer Service states no open recall exists for horn issue
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
Reason is unknown, was driving down road and car yanked to the right cause family to wreck in to a guard rail, no lights appeared before wreck, it was not raining and was not speeding. Clear sunny day. Police report has been made and has made several attempts to contact KIA, car has been in body shop since July. Wreck has happened in July. Car is still at body shop KIA told body shop there was no…
I've had a couple of issues with the electrical components. One time the drivers side door controls wouldn't roll down any of the windows or lock/unlock the doors. This is a safety issue if you needed to roll the windows down/up or lock the doors for the security of your vehicle. I've also had it where the infotainment system has cut out while driving. As far as I can tell, the vehicle could…
Horn has stopped working. Appears it happens often with the 24 sorento. Almost had a car collision due to the inability to warn the driver of the other car that I was in my lane. I do have an appointment to have it looked at, but not for almost 2 weeks.
Both Horn units need to be replaced . It's been confirmed by Safford Brown Kia in Manassas ,Virginia. The dealership did not have the parts and I have to wait 3 to 4 days for the parts to come in. In the meantime I have been driving the vehicle without an active horn because I was not given a loaner vehicle . I did call Kia Customer service whom stated that they are not aware of an open recall…
On March 19 I completed my 8,000 mile oil change and then drove to Florida. I had a warning light to change my oil since the company did not reset it. Unsure of the other warning lights. As I was driving in Florida on the interstate the car started having issues. It was making a noise, then started smoking and by the time I got off the exit and got out the front right of the car was in…
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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.