KIA Sorento Electrical System Problems
Owners have filed 1,395 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the KIA Sorento across 23 model years. The 2011 model year has the most (246).
- 1,395electrical system complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 27mention a crash
- 24mention an injury
- 7related recalls
- $700typical repair cost reported by owners
- 44%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical electrical system repair on the KIA Sorento at $700, and half of them between $400 and $1,850.
Based on 21 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2009–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?
Based on 730 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 1,395 complaints, 27 mention a crash, 118 a fire, 24 an injury.
KIA Sorento electrical system complaints by model year
| Model year | Electrical System complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sorento | 1 | 17% | — |
| 2025 Sorento | 22 | 29% | 15,000 |
| 2024 Sorento | 11 | 26% | — |
| 2023 Sorento | 37 | 30% | 2,000 |
| 2022 Sorento | 30 | 16% | 32,500 |
| 2021 Sorento | 47 | 19% | 34,256 |
| 2020 Sorento | 20 | 15% | 60,594 |
| 2019 Sorento | 68 | 16% | 18,000 |
| 2018 Sorento | 30 | 12% | 33,000 |
| 2017 Sorento | 96 | 12% | 59,000 |
| 2016 Sorento | 107 | 9% | 51,747 |
| 2015 Sorento | 58 | 8% | 69,027 |
| 2014 Sorento | 153 | 15% | 66,000 |
| 2013 Sorento | 116 | 12% | 74,500 |
| 2012 Sorento | 127 | 14% | 71,329 |
| 2011 Sorento | 246 | 16% | 88,000 |
| 2009 Sorento | 14 | 25% | 66,000 |
| 2008 Sorento | 32 | 15% | 63,000 |
| 2007 Sorento | 21 | 14% | 115,167 |
| 2006 Sorento | 53 | 22% | 78,050 |
| 2005 Sorento | 49 | 16% | 67,625 |
| 2004 Sorento | 28 | 13% | 96,200 |
| 2003 Sorento | 29 | 10% | 67,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (7)
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Model years: 2025, 2026
Problem: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Controls and Displays" and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System."
Risk: 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.
Fix: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 26, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC361. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 9, 2026.
Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:fan/motor; electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers
Model years: 2021, 2022, 2023
Problem: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Sorento vehicles. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) blower motor wiring harness may be inadequate, which can result in a fire.
Risk: 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.
Electrical system:body control module:software; exterior lighting:tail lights; exterior lighting:headlights
Model years: 2024, 2025
Problem: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Sorento, 2025 Sorento Hybrid, and 2025 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. A software error in the Body Domain Control Unit (BDC) may cause a loss of low beam headlights and taillights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: A loss of headlights and taillights can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the BDC software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 21, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC331.
Electrical system:wiring
Model years: 2024
Problem: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024 Sorento vehicles. The motor driven power steering (MDPS) wiring harness may be incorrectly assembled, which can result in a loss of power steering assist.
Risk: A loss of power steering assist increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the MDPS wiring harness as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 7, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC309.
Electrical system; service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Model years: 2007, 2008, 2009
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
Risk: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the vehicle is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the main junction box to prevent power from being directed to the HECU when the vehicle's ignition switch is turned off, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC186.
Trailer hitches; electrical system
Model years: 2016, 2017
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to August 25, 2016, and 2017 Sportage vehicles manufactured December 10, 2015, to August 26, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer tow hitch harness, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC142.
Electrical system:wiring
Model years: 2011
Problem: Kia is recalling certain model year 2010 soul and model year 2011 sorento vehicles manufactured from september 7, 2009 through july 30, 2010. A limited number of wiring harnesses supplied by jci and used for the lighting in the kia soul vehicle's advanced lighting speakers, located in the front door trim panels, and the kia sorento vehicle's interior accent illumination, located in the front and rear door trim panels, may have been improperly soldered.
Risk: When the lights are illuminated under certain conditions, an electrical short may occur that can result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the wiring harnesses for the lights in the kia soul vehicle's advanced lighting speakers, and the wiring harness for the kia sorento vehicle's interior accent illumination. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on september 13, 2010. Owners may contact kia consumer assistance center at 1-800-333-4542.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Bought my 2025 Kia Sorento brand new in November of 2025. Summer of 2026 with 30,000 miles on it, all of the dash lights kept flashing at me, including the red brake light, and messages saying CHECK ESC, CHECK ABS, CHECK DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEM/ Happened several times but the car would still…
Passenger door failed to open three times since purchase. Tried locking/unlocking door from inside, outside and with key fob. Dealership looked at it in May 2026 and I reported it again because it happened two more times since. They couldn't duplicate it the first time and said it was to…
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped and idling, the engine oil warning light illuminated, and the Apple CarPlay, radio, and HVAC system became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the oil pressure switch was replaced under…
Driving at highway speed, the vehicle began to make a loud rattling noise that came from under the vehicle. A passerby pulled even with my car and began frantically gesturing. After a few seconds of confusion, me daughter said the she thought the man was saying "it's on fire." We pulled over to the…
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle had started independently. While the vehicle was in the driveway, the contact became aware that the vehicle had been running for a while. While driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle shut off but restarted independently. While driving…
Frequently asked questions
Do all KIA Sorentos have electrical system problems?
No. NHTSA has 1,395 owner complaints about electrical system for the KIA Sorento. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the KIA Sorento electrical system?
Yes: 7 safety recalls list electrical system. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix electrical system problems on the KIA Sorento?
Owners report a typical cost of $700 (half paid between $400 and $1,850), from 21 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
Other KIA Sorento problems
- Engine problems (3,846)
- Power Train problems (1,186)
- Structure problems (936)
- Exterior Lighting problems (845)
- Air Bags problems (717)
- Steering problems (542)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (409)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (398)
See all KIA Sorento problems.