KIA Sorento Visibility/wiper Problems
Owners have filed 120 complaints with NHTSA about visibility/wiper problems on the KIA Sorento across 18 model years. The 2016 model year has the most (16). The words owners use most often: “sunroof exploded” (11% of reports).
- 120visibility/wiper complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 0mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- 69%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Sunroof exploded: mentioned in 13 of 120 complaints (11%)
- Safety concern: mentioned in 12 of 120 complaints (10%)
- Backup camera: mentioned in 9 of 120 complaints (8%)
- Hands free: mentioned in 7 of 120 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do visibility/wiper problems happen?
Based on 53 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 120 complaints, 3 a fire, 3 an injury.
KIA Sorento visibility/wiper complaints by model year
| Model year | Visibility/wiper complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sorento | 5 | 7% | 56,000 |
| 2024 Sorento | 3 | 7% | — |
| 2023 Sorento | 7 | 6% | — |
| 2022 Sorento | 9 | 5% | — |
| 2021 Sorento | 4 | 2% | — |
| 2020 Sorento | 2 | 1% | 5,073 |
| 2019 Sorento | 16 | 4% | 200 |
| 2018 Sorento | 5 | 2% | 19,500 |
| 2017 Sorento | 4 | 0% | 69,000 |
| 2016 Sorento | 16 | 1% | 30,000 |
| 2015 Sorento | 8 | 1% | 73,000 |
| 2014 Sorento | 11 | 1% | 50,700 |
| 2013 Sorento | 9 | 1% | 40,500 |
| 2012 Sorento | 13 | 1% | 52,000 |
| 2011 Sorento | 5 | 0% | 75,100 |
| 2008 Sorento | 1 | 0% | 48,000 |
| 2004 Sorento | 1 | 0% | 138,057 |
| 2003 Sorento | 1 | 0% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists visibility/wiper for the KIA Sorento. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The headlights are so dim that I could not see at night. I am forced to drive with the fog lights on for any amount of visibility. I recently replaced the headlights with factory replacements and now the connectors going into the back have failed and power only makes it to the lights when Mercury…
VEHICLE: 2025 Kia Sorento (VIN: [XXX]) KIA CORPORATE CASE #: XXX SAFETY DEFECT DESCRIPTION: The central ccNC infotainment display screen suffers from recurring, thermal-induced flickering and complete blackouts while driving and parking. When the screen blackouts, the FMVSS 111 federally mandated…
The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, the rear windshield wiper was moving with the switch turned off. The contact turned the rear windshield wiper to high, then low, and the wiper finally turned off. The contact continued driving and the…
The panoramic sunroof on my 2023 Kia Sorento intermittently fails to close. When commanded to close, the glass travels most of the way, then stops or reverses before reaching the fully closed position. It frequently takes many repeated attempts. In some cases the panel will not seat at all until…
While traveling on a freeway, the front sliding portion of our sunroof exploded outward and upward. Sunroof was closed at the time with no impact present to cause the event. A very expensive repair for something that is clearly a defect of some sort. KIA was contacted and not willing to warranty or…
Frequently asked questions
Do all KIA Sorentos have visibility/wiper problems?
No. NHTSA has 120 owner complaints about visibility/wiper 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 visibility/wiper?
No recall currently lists visibility/wiper for this vehicle.
What do owners say about visibility/wiper problems on the KIA Sorento?
The most frequent phrase is “sunroof exploded”, in 13 of 120 complaints, followed by “safety concern” (12).
Other KIA Sorento problems
- Engine problems (3,847)
- Electrical System problems (1,396)
- Power Train problems (1,187)
- Structure problems (936)
- Exterior Lighting problems (845)
- Air Bags problems (717)
- Steering problems (542)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (409)
See all KIA Sorento problems.