2022 Kia Sorento
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 74 of 221 complaints (33%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 263 in 2021 to 221 in 2022.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | vs. 2022 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,500–3,100 | 1,700–2,600 | 1,700–2,600 | 1,700–2,600 | 1,700–2,700 | |
| Combined MPG | 20–25 | 24–37 | 24–37 | 24–37 | 23–37 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18–22 / 24–29 | 21–39 / 25–35 | 22–39 / 25–35 | 22–39 / 25–35 | 20–39 / 27–35 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 363–436 | 242–375 | 242–377 | 242–377 | 242–389 | |
| Complaints filed | 134 | 263 | 221 | 157 | 47 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 5 | 9 | 4 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 9 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 11 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 21 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 4 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2022 Kia Sorento have?
9 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2022 Kia Sorento?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 74 of 221 NHTSA complaints (33%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2022 Kia Sorento get?
EPA rates it 24–37 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2022 Kia Sorento?
EPA estimates $1,700–$2,600 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (7)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AM-S6) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 39 mpg (high) | 35 mpg (high) | 37 mpg (high) | $1,700 (low) | 242 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 24 mpg | 29 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 342 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (AM-S8) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 22 mpg (low) | 29 mpg | 25 mpg | $2,500 | 360 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 23 mpg | 25 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | $2,600 (high) | 366 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (AM-S8) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 22 mpg (low) | 27 mpg | 24 mpg (low) | $2,600 (high) | 377 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (AM-S6) | 4 | 1.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gas and Electricity | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 35 mpg | 33 mpg | 34 mpg | $1,850 | 105 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (AM-S6) | 4 | 1.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 36 mpg | 33 mpg | 35 mpg | $1,800 | 257 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 60 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 74 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 41 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 32 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 21 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 40 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (9)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS; VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR · Campaign 25V649000 · Sep 26, 2025
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · Campaign 23V610000 · Sep 1, 2023
Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, and Sorento Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) vehicles. The mounting clips for the rearview camera may break, which can cause the rearview camera image not to appear properly on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera housing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC280.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY · Campaign 23V027000 · Jan 25, 2023
Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) vehicles. The fuel tank may have been improperly molded, which can result in a fuel leak.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Deales will inspect and replace the fuel tank, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 22, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC261.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · Campaign 22V760000 · Oct 12, 2022
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
TRAILER HITCHES · Campaign 22V703000 · Sep 20, 2022
Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Consequence: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE · Campaign 22V509000 · Jul 20, 2022
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Sorento and Telluride vehicles. The vehicles may be equipped with an incorrect spare tire which, when installed, can impair the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and the traction control system (TCS). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: Impaired anti-lock braking or traction control systems can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the spare tire, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC244.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT; SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER · Campaign 22V447000 · Jun 24, 2022
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid and 2022 Sorento Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioner(s) may explode upon deployment.
Consequence: An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.
Remedy: Dealers will secure the seat belt pretensioners with a cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 17, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC241. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 22V-127. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PIPES, HOSES, AND FITTINGS; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER · Campaign 22V202000 · Mar 30, 2022
Defect: 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.
Consequence: An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER; SEAT BELTS:FRONT · Campaign 22V127000 · Mar 7, 2022
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Sorento Hybrid and Sorento Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioner(s) may explode upon deployment.
Consequence: An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seatbelt pretensioner(s), free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 3, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC231. This recall is replaced by NHTSA recall number 22V-447. Vehicles already repaired under this recall will need to have the new remedy completed.