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moderate 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
All 2 active electrical recalls on this vehicle land at critical or severe — none classified moderate.
Electrical accounts for 22% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 5 categories tracked.
A loss of headlights and taillights can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights, 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 ↗RELEASE NOTES: OVER-THE-AIR: SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR DATA CONNECTIVITY (ELE413 Revision 1) - This Over-the-Air (OTA) software update is designed to update the Data Connectivity Unit (DCU) logic of certain 2025 - 2026MY Carnival, 2025 - 2026MY K5 and 2025 - 2026MY Sorento vehicles. This update is designed to improve the vehicle’s network communication performance.
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 ↗RELEASE NOTES: OVER-THE-AIR: SOFWARE UPDATE FOR DATA CONNECTIVITY (ELE413) - This Over-the-Air (OTA) software update is designed to update the Data Connectivity Unit (DCU) logic of certain 2025 K5 and 2025 Sorento vehicles. This update is designed to improve the vehicle’s network communication performance. Additional information: This OTA will be rolled-out to all eligible K5 and Sorento vehicles with an active Kia Connect account.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The 13 complaints describe widespread electrical system failures in 2025 Kia Sorento models, with the most common issue being repeated 12V battery drain requiring jump starts. Owners report dead batteries after just one day of parking—sometimes multiple times within months and under 7,000 miles. One owner discovered the Kia Connect fuse causes parasitic drain but states the dealership removed it because no software fix exists and Kia refuses to recall the vehicle. Another owner's issue began after a December 2024 OTA update.
Beyond battery drain, owners report intermittent stalling without warning lights, loss of braking function, and limp mode (reduced power) while driving. One dramatic failure involved the vehicle unexpectedly reversing in the driveway while in Park, pinning the owner against a lawn mower. On hybrid models, road debris punctured the inverter cooling radiator, triggering cascading failures including driver assist loss and steering difficulty.
Additional complaints include CarPlay dropping audio and navigation unpredictably during driving, and a driver's window/door lock cluster that randomly freezes. Dealership responses have been ineffective—some claim no defect exists, others remove fuses as a band-aid, and one service coordinator suggested unhooking the battery when parked as a "solution."
Same Kia Sorento electrical reports on nearby years: 2022 · 2023 · 2024
12V battery discharges to zero or very low levels when vehicle is parked for short periods (1 day to overnight), requiring jump starts. Owners report the issue is not caused by conventional accessories left on. Multiple owners mention discovering a parasitic draw related to the Kia Connect fuse; one dealership confirmed this draws power continuously and cannot be fixed without removing the fuse. One owner reports the issue began after a December 2024 OTA update.
When: Affects vehicles purchased new starting August 2025; issue began January 2026 or shortly after OTA update in December 2025. One vehicle had 7 dead-battery events before 7,000 miles and less than 1 year of ownership. Another vehicle with 5,839 miles experienced 2 dead-battery events (Dec 2025, Feb 2026).
Symptoms owners cite: 12V battery dead or very low after overnight parking with no accessories visibly on; Requires repeated jump starts; Flickering exterior lights before complete discharge (one report); Key fob may not function when battery depleted; No warning lights or messages prior to failure
Repairs/costs cited: Battery tested at independent shop showed good health and only required recharge, indicating issue is internal electrical drain rather than battery failure. One dealership removed the Kia Connect fuse and stated no software update is available. Owner's manual and dealer technicians offered no solution other than unhooking battery terminal when parked—unacceptable workaround.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner recalled a similar 2019 Kia Sorento EX resolved by dealership-only firmware update. Same owner hopes this is available for 2025 model. No TSB or recall issued as of complaint dates. Kia has refused to issue recall despite multiple owners reporting identical issue in online forums.
Engine stalls unexpectedly while driving or vehicle fails to start after being parked. No warning lights illuminate prior to failure. One vehicle stalled at undisclosed speed and then failed to restart when parked; braking became inoperative at the same time. Another owner experienced stalling early in ownership (~3,000 miles) that progressed to complete failure requiring towing at ~22,000 miles.
When: Early in ownership: one vehicle within ~2 months (~3,000 miles); another vehicle at approximately 22,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls while driving with no warning light; Vehicle fails to restart after stalling; Complete loss of motive power requiring tow; No illuminated warning lights before failure; Vehicle stranded on roadway
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle diagnosed with 'electrical issues' by dealership but key symptoms not documented. Repair attempted but failure recurred. Second dealership stated vehicle was operating normally despite owner's disagreement. Another vehicle's stalling issue was not resolved after multiple dealership visits.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships reported 'electrical issues' but did not identify root cause. No recall or TSB mentioned. Kia denied buyback request twice and offered only a goodwill credit.
Braking system becomes inoperative or unresponsive during driving. Reported simultaneously with stalling events and electrical failure. One owner reports loss of braking pressure when switching from gas engine to electrical system on hybrid model; steering also became difficult.
When: Occurred at ~22,000 miles in one case; another vehicle at ~3,000 miles during early operational issues.
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes fail to function properly while driving; Loss of braking responsiveness when hybrid system switches from gas to electric; Difficulty steering when hybrid system malfunctions; Safety hazard requiring immediate parking
Repairs/costs cited: No specific repair information provided. Issues noted but not fully documented by dealerships.
Vehicle unexpectedly shifted into reverse and moved backward while parked in driveway with engine running, AC on, and hatch door open—with no one inside the vehicle and gear shift remaining in Park mode. Vehicle continued to reverse until hatch caught on garage frame, causing it to push owner into lawn mower and gardening tools.
When: August 18, 2025, at 3:00 PM PT
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle reversed while gear shift was in Park; No input from driver (no one in vehicle); Vehicle moved twice—reversed, stopped briefly, then reversed again; Resulted in physical injury to owner
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia corporate customer service provided case number 25476533 and stated response would come in 10 business days. No follow-up documented. Dealership (Elk Grove Kia) did not return multiple calls.
Vehicle enters limp mode without warning, drastically reducing power and acceleration capability. One owner reports this has occurred four times. Event triggered by activation of cruise control follow function. Vehicle cannot accelerate to highway speeds and feels unresponsive.
When: Fourth occurrence by time of complaint; no specific mileage provided but vehicle was actively being driven.
Symptoms owners cite: Unexpected entry into limp mode while driving at highway speeds; Severely reduced acceleration capability; Unable to reach highway speeds; capped at lower speeds; Poor and unpredictable acceleration responsiveness; No warning messages or dash alerts prior to failure; Triggered by cruise control follow function activation
Inverter radiator punctured by road debris causing total loss of coolant. Hybrid system cooling failure led to cascading electrical and drivability problems including loss of hybrid functionality, failed driver assist functions, and steering issues.
When: At undisclosed mileage; error first appeared during highway driving in ~40°F outside temperature.
Symptoms owners cite: Error message on driver screen: 'Check drive motor cooling system' (not documented in owner's manual); Total coolant loss from inverter and battery system; Vehicle struggled to accelerate or brake when switching to electrical system; Multiple driver assist functions became unavailable; Difficulty steering; Vehicle became unsafe to operate on residential streets after highway driving
Codes mentioned: Check drive motor cooling system
Repairs/costs cited: Error message not mentioned in owner's manual; owner found similar issues in online forums. Kia dealer inspection confirmed punctured inverter radiator.
Apple CarPlay integration stops functioning correctly. Audio intermittently stops playing, navigation voice guidance cuts out without user input, and system experiences repeated connectivity or response issues. Occurs while driving, creating distraction and safety hazard.
When: Several months into ownership of 2025 model
Symptoms owners cite: CarPlay stops working correctly; Audio playback intermittently stops without user action; Navigation voice guidance stops without user action; Occurs while driving; Distracts driver from road
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner requests Apple issue recall; no manufacturer response documented.
Driver's side door window/lock button cluster randomly becomes unresponsive. All buttons in cluster cease functioning, preventing windows from rolling down and doors from locking or unlocking.
When: No specific mileage or timing provided
Symptoms owners cite: Driver's side window buttons stop responding; Door lock/unlock buttons stop responding; All buttons in door panel cluster fail simultaneously; Only remedy is to power-cycle vehicle by turning engine off and restarting
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
Road debris under normal driving conditions caused a puncture of the inverter radiator resulting in a total loss of coolant in the inverter and battery system. Inspection of the system at a Kia dealer confirmed the problem. The first sign of concern was an error displayed on the driver screen stating, "Check drive motor cooling system". There is no mention of this error in the owner's manual for…
Fourth time we've had the car go into limp mode. Now at the dealer for third time. Driver was driving and the car went into limp mode after activating the cruise control follow function. Husband was behind in our Toyota Tacoma truck and was able to pick her up with California Highway Patrol to get off the highway into a parking lot to tow her. No warnings, no messages on the dash. She was unable…
The driver’s door windows/lock button cluster on my 2025 Kia Sorrento LX will randomly not work. None of the buttons will work so I am unable to roll any of the windows down or lock or unlock the doors. The only way to fix this is to turn off the car and restart it.
While driving this warning alert will show up on the screen of my vehicle. It is important to note that this happens WHILE driving and when NO ONE is using their phone or using the touchscreen of the car. No one is ever searching something on their phone OR on the car’s touchscreen system.
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 14 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
Based on the 14 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 15,000 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.
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 — 2 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.