KIA Sorento Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 1,186 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the KIA Sorento across 22 model years. The 2011 model year has the most (265).
- 1,186power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 35mention a crash
- 15mention an injury
- 5related recalls
- $2,950typical repair cost reported by owners
- 36%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 power train repair on the KIA Sorento at $2,950, and half of them between $1,000 and $5,750.
Based on 24 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2012–2026), 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 power train problems happen?
Based on 677 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 1,186 complaints, 35 mention a crash, 14 a fire, 15 an injury.
KIA Sorento power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sorento | 19 | 25% | 2,532 |
| 2024 Sorento | 5 | 12% | — |
| 2023 Sorento | 22 | 18% | 21,700 |
| 2022 Sorento | 67 | 35% | 24,864 |
| 2021 Sorento | 142 | 56% | 64,000 |
| 2020 Sorento | 18 | 13% | 5,000 |
| 2019 Sorento | 51 | 12% | 12,600 |
| 2018 Sorento | 9 | 4% | 32,717 |
| 2017 Sorento | 37 | 5% | 56,574 |
| 2016 Sorento | 126 | 10% | 71,000 |
| 2015 Sorento | 42 | 6% | 74,000 |
| 2014 Sorento | 72 | 7% | 70,000 |
| 2013 Sorento | 69 | 7% | 55,768 |
| 2012 Sorento | 55 | 6% | 33,000 |
| 2011 Sorento | 265 | 17% | 34,000 |
| 2009 Sorento | 9 | 16% | 5,200 |
| 2008 Sorento | 23 | 11% | 40,000 |
| 2007 Sorento | 20 | 13% | 11,650 |
| 2006 Sorento | 35 | 14% | 79,000 |
| 2005 Sorento | 38 | 12% | 94,000 |
| 2004 Sorento | 40 | 18% | 84,235 |
| 2003 Sorento | 22 | 7% | 60,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (5)
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2021, 2022
Problem: Kia Motors, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Sorento and 2021-2023 K5 vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.
Risk: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC250.
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift
Model years: 2016
Problem: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016 Sedona and Sorento vehicles. The vehicles may have been manufactured with faulty automatic transmission shift lever assembly components, preventing the shift lever from locking, which can allow the vehicle to rollaway.
Risk: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash and injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the automatic transmission shift lever assembly components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 7, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC246.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2011, 2012, 2013
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured October 19, 2009, to January 31, 2013. In the affected vehicles, if excessive force is applied to the gear shift lever, the brake-shift interlock mechanism may chip or crack allowing the transmission being able to be shifted out of "Park" without the brakes being depressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."
Risk: Without requiring the brake to be pressed, the vehicle may be unintentionally shifted out of Park, allowing it to roll, which may result in a crash.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake-shift interlock mechanism, free of charge. The recall began on November 9, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC124.
Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft
Model years: 2014
Problem: Kia Motors Corp. is recalling certain model year 2014 front wheel drive Sorento vehicles manufactured January 7, 2013, through March 12, 2013; and equipped with 2.4 liter engines. Due to a manufacturing issue, the right front axle shaft may fracture.
Risk: A fractured front axle may result in a loss of power to the wheels. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked without the parking brake applied, it may roll away. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle shaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2013. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542 . Kia's recall number is SC099.
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Model years: 2011
Problem: Kia is recalling certain model year 2011 sorento 2wd vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and 2.4l engines manufactured from the start of production through may 22, 2010. The intermediate shaft may suffer from noise and excessive wear due to a misalignment of the intermediate shaft with the right side output gear. Continuing to drive the vehicle in this condition leads to the development of a whirring/whining noise and can eventually cause damage to the automatic transmission.
Risk: Damage to the transmission may cause loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the right side output gear and intermediate shaft free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during may 2011. Owners may contact kia at 1-800-333-4542.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
2022 Kia Sorento, VIN [XXX], subject to Recall 22V760 (Kia SC250, 8-speed DCT electric oil pump). The recall was performed with a software update only; the transmission and original pump were not replaced. On XXX at 116,273 miles, while driving, the dash displayed âTransmission system error!…
The vehicle experienced a sudden transmission malfunction while operation on public roads. The check engine light illuminated on the dashboard, and a diagnostic scan from the app revealed active error code P1C2D03. This specific component failure looks like it relates directly to Kia Safety Recall…
Car goes into "limp mode" and functions on only partial power. Warning light reads "Transmission system error! Check transmission oil immediately." Dealership says car shows no codes. My 2022 Kia Sorento SX had a recall because this problem is known. Kia recalled all the 2021 and 22's and fixed the…
Transmission has failed and dealership scanner did not read code P1C2D03, the diagnostic has confirmed a severe, structural failure of the transmission: the internal fluid barrier seal has worn through, causing total cross-contamination of the DCT gear oil and control fluid. This physical fluid…
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. While driving approximately 40-50 MPH in fourth gear, the vehicle shuddered and decelerated to 30 MPH, then lost drive power. Additionally, the clutch made a flapping sound while in 1st, 2nd, 6th, and 8th gear. The contact stated that the vehicle rolled while…
Frequently asked questions
Do all KIA Sorentos have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 1,186 owner complaints about power train 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 power train?
Yes: 5 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the KIA Sorento?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,950 (half paid between $1,000 and $5,750), from 24 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
Other KIA Sorento problems
- Engine problems (3,846)
- Electrical System problems (1,395)
- 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.