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2022 Kia Sorento Engine Problems

20 owner-reported engine complaints from NHTSA data

20
Complaints
1
Recalls
1
Crashes
Mar 2025Dec 2023
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Engine Recalls (1)

RECALLCampaign #22V202000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

Kia Motor America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Sorento vehicles. The oil supply pipe to the turbocharger may crack, which could result in an oil leak in the engine compartment.

Fix: Dealers will replace the turbocharger oil supply pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC233.

Owner Complaints (20)

mediumENGINE
Filed: Dec 2025

Kia refuses to perform a U.S. safety recall due to my being active duty U.S. military stationed overseas. The affected vehicle is U.S.-spec and registered to a U.S. address. The recall (SC250) involves sudden loss of drive power and is a major safety defect. Kia has refused to authorize parts or repair overseas, putting me and my family at risk.

NHTSA #: 11702757
mediumENGINE
Filed: Oct 2025

2022 Kia Sorento X-line SX Premier model (89435 miles) 2.5 l Turbo GDI is going into limp mode when trying to accelerate. The (A) Auto Stop indicator illuminates. Pulled car over, placed in park, turned off, restarted after waiting about a minute, no warning lights, car drives and acceleration is normal. About one year ago, car experienced the same problem, took to dealer for diagnostic troubleshooting, the battery was suspected and replaced, issue persisted, the codes indicated either low pressure or high pressure fuel pumps, the low pressure pump was replaced, after further drive testing by the dealer issue was still present, the high pressure pump was replaced and the issue was resolved. Fuel pumps were replaced under warranty. Kia dealer said that Kia engineering believes the issue is possibly heat related, I live in Phoenix, Az. Summertime temperatures exceed 100 degrees in summer some days exceeding 110 to120 degrees. A month ago September 2025, the car experienced limp mode again this time with check engine light, problem was identified with faulty low pressure fuel pumps gasket which was replaced. The limp mode has been experienced again 5 times in last month, twice today. Ambient Temperature in 80s. This is a significant problem that could lead to a possible accident if the car fails to accelerate properly. My wife is afraid to drive the car until the failure mechanism is identified and is properly repaired.

NHTSA #: 11695354
mediumENGINE
Filed: Oct 2025

The design of the grill on this vehicle is poorly constructed and leads to safety issues. I purchased the vehicle in October 2024 and early January 2025, my husband was driving on the highway when the vehicle stopped. No lights, no warnings, just stopped providing power-while driving at a high speed on the highway. He was able to make it to the side of the road and get home that evening only to find out the radiator was punctured and needing replacement. Just 4 months later the exact same thing happened. The grill has no protection for an essential part of the vehicle. Minor road debris can completely shut down the vehicle, without warning, leading me to believe it is not intended to be on the road with its current design. The dealership has replaced the radiator both times and I’ve reached out to Kia directly. This is not an uncommon issue for this model. Many accounts of this exact same problem on social media and other public forums. Kia is aware this design flaw puts their customers at risk and are doing nothing to prevent it.

NHTSA #: 11694590
mediumENGINE
Filed: Sep 2025

At start up, vehicle’s engine will sometimes have abnormally strong vibrations/shaking, loud noises, and will only produce reduced power (vehicle struggles to accelerate). The check engine light is illuminated when this happens. I am typically able to clear it by shutting off the vehicle one to two times. I have attempted to repair this defect at least 4 times but Kia has been unable to resolve.

NHTSA #: 11685472
mediumENGINE
Filed: Aug 2025

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while at a stop light, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle lost motive power, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that there was a misfire in cylinder #4. The vehicle was not repaired, and the mechanic referred the contact to the dealer for additional assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with a fuel injector failure. The contact was informed that the fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the parts need to be ordered to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,880.

NHTSA #: 11681877
mediumENGINE
Filed: Aug 2025

My 2022 Kia Sorento keeps loosing power while I’m driving. Now the check engine light is o w

NHTSA #: 11679752
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jun 2025

My 2022 Kia Sorrento’s engine seized while stopped at a stop light. It is my understanding that this is a common issue with Kia vehicles. Kia is denying this being an issue with their engines despite the documented history of this problem. Since my engine has seized the problem can’t be reproduced on my specific vehicle. It is currently at a local dealership.

NHTSA #: 11667838
mediumENGINE
Filed: May 2025

Loss of power while driving. Oil level severely low, almost two quarts of oil. No oil leakage under vehicle or in engine compartment. All scheduled maintenance was performed. Once brought to the dealership to diagnose, I was stated nothing was wrong and it was over on oil. No reason to be low on oil or recognize the loss of power.

NHTSA #: 11658741
mediumENGINE
Filed: Mar 2025

I received a rock hit that punctured the radiator. The front of this vehicle has large holes in the grill that do not prevent rocks from hitting the radiator. This has required me to replace my radiator at my own cost. Many owners are installing metal mesh behind the front facia to protect the radiator. This vehicle needs to be recalled to install a similar protection and KIA need to reimburse owners for related repairs. A punctured radiator caused loss of coolant to the environment and can lead to catastrophic engine failure if it overheats.

NHTSA #: 11650460
mediumENGINE
Filed: Sep 2024

Check engine light came on after a weird sound clanked on start up. Error code p1c2d03 Was told it was a major transmission problem “Not related to the previous recall” I did trade the car in immediately due to being 3000 miles from home when it happened.

NHTSA #: 11616747
mediumENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2024

6 different times my wife has driven the vehicle and when at a stop and restart the vehicle will not go over 25 mph even when the gas pedal is pushed to the floor. The vehicle while driving would lose power and decelerate and would only go 25-30 mph. I have two videos of it happening with her even after the previous day of the vehicle being at the dealership for the same problem. The A on the dash was not supposed to be blinking while driving according to dealership rep. I have the videos also but can’t upload them because they are bigger than allowed. I am concerned after reading reviews of other owners having the same problem but no resolution has been found. I am concerned for my family that ride in the vehicle to neighboring states for ball tournaments. Please help try to find a resolution to this issue before my family or another is injured or killed.

NHTSA #: 11613328
mediumENGINE
Filed: Dec 2023

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH and approaching a stop light, the contact heard an abnormal clinking sound, the vehicle lost motive power and the vehicle decelerated independently. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 25 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed propeller shaft drive shaft boot. The contact was informed that the propeller shaft drive shaft boot needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 21,016.

NHTSA #: 11559755
mediumENGINE
Filed: Oct 2023

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the oil level was low and added oil to the vehicle; however, the oil leaked onto the engine compartment and onto the ground. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the oil pan was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was determined that oil was leaking from the rear main seal. The contact was informed that the rear main seal needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA #: 11549325
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CrashFiled: Jul 2023

The contact owned a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while approaching a stop light, she lost consciousness. The contact crashed into another vehicle as the air bags deployed and the front driver side tire had separated from the vehicle. The other driver sustained injuries; however, their whereabouts were unknown. An employee from a nearby dental office removed the contact from the vehicle and placed her inside the office. When the contact regained consciousness, the dental employee informed her that a strong unknown odor had emitted from the vehicle which prompted her to remove the contact from the vehicle. The contact believed that this odor caused her to lose consciousness which resulted in the accident. The contact sustained an injured left eye and bruises to her forehead. The contact later sought medical attention at a hospital where she was treated for her injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard. The dealer and the manufacturer were both notified of the failure but neither have offered any assistance. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The failure mileage was approximately 3,200. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA #: 11534332
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jul 2023

Driving along, slow down and signal to make a right hand turn. Start the turn and all dash lights illuminate and engine dies, coasting through the damn intersection. 2nd time this happened. No check engine light, no codes……wtf KIA?

NHTSA #: 11534468
mediumENGINE
Filed: Dec 2022

Around 9:45 on December 29 my check engine light came on stating I had a powertrain issue for the engine control system. This car is only 5 1/2 months old since I bought it. I do all my maintenance get it checked. And they always tell me my SUV is in great condition. Well yesterday. December 30 at about 12:40 PM my car did not want to maintain engine power. What I mean by this is when I try to turn my car on it started shaking and you heard the engine dying out. My battery was perfect all the lights radio and Bluetooth connected just fine And at that point my car did not function. I am a very cautious driver. I believe that this is a malfunction. There are many people who have made the same complaint about the powertrain and their engine for a 2022 Kia Sorrento and have had this issue within the first year of purchasing the car . The whole purpose of purchasing a brand new car is not to have these issues within the first five years. This is ridiculous and I don't think he is taking it serious. They are having many of these issues regarding the engine and powertrain of the engine system control. I got my car towed by Kia to the local dealership in Naperville and they have not looked over my car nor have they offered me a loaner. I am a healthcare worker and do not have a time to takeoff of work and do not have an extra car, I want Kia to fix this issue or replace my car because there is no way that my car should be having this issue within the first six months.

NHTSA #: 11495698
mediumENGINE
Filed: Sep 2022

My inverter radiator was punctured by road debris while driving down a highway and caused the coolant to leak out of the radiator. I received a "Refill inverter coolant" service warning then "Service Hybrid System Immediately Stop Safely" service warning and had to pull the car onto the shoulder. I called KIA roadside assistance to have my car towed to the KIA dealership and was informed the following day (9/2/22) of the damage. Unfortunately, this damage was not covered under warranty because it was external damage. However, due to the design of the front grill, debris is easily able to pass through the grill and strike the radiator because the grill has large spaces for debris to pass through and the inverter radiator sits directly behind the grill. THIS IS A DESIGN OF MANUFACTURING ISSUE and should be recalled and covered under warranty.

NHTSA #: 11483518
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jul 2022

On 06/29/2022 brand new vehicle with 775 miles had a transmission failure warning appear on the dashboard. "Transmission system error! Check transmission oil immediately!" vehicle became sluggish and had to turn on hazards to crawl it back home. Brought to local dealership and they could not see any error codes or replicate the problem and gave us back the vehicle. On 07/01/2022 with 865 miles the error message re-appeared with engine performing sluggishly - turned on hazards drove it into dealership so they can see and try to identify problem. After researching online, several Kia Sorrento's are encountering the same error and transmission failures with less than 2,000 miles. Kia is failing to identify and remedy the issue nationally.

NHTSA #: 11471967
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jun 2022

Vehicle at a red light and complete stop would not respond when i tried to accelerate. I turned car off and tried turning back on and it wasn't until a couple minutes later that car then turned back on. Dealership unable to identify problem and it happened again 2 months later with my 1 year old in the car. This time it happened while on the highway that car would not accelerate putting my 1 year old and myself in danger. Dealership again says it sees nothing wrong with the car and is charging me to test the fuel. Sounds like KIA has a problem on their hands that they should address before a terrible accident happens.

NHTSA #: 11470226
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jun 2022

Suddenly, my vehicle Kia Sorento Ex AWD X-LINE lost power while exiting a NY Highway. I and my partner And possibly other drivers on the road could have been seriously injured if there were cars behind us. Possibly, we could have lost our lives if malfunction occured while driving on the Highway. Turned Engine Off, then turned it back on and the care moved ok. Few days later, I drove locally and Lost Power......keeping on pressing the gas pedal finally allowed the care to continue normally. This situation happened Two (2) times. The Vehicle was on the 'Smart' setting'. There was no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms. Dealer drove, checked and scanned car for Codes and reported None was found. I'm very concerned that my car would suddenly loose power while I'm on a highway. Reported incident to Kia Corporate Customer Service today (https://1stbestservice.com/submit-complaint/).

NHTSA #: 11467744

Other 2022 Kia Sorento Issues