2022 Kia Sorento Common Problems & Defect Telemetry
Authoritative defect intelligence synthesized from 185 verified NHTSA owner complaints, 6 federal safety recalls, and interquartile failure mileage telemetry.
The 2022 Kia Sorento receives a 4.8/10 MazicBay Reliability Index based on 185 verified NHTSA federal complaints and 6 safety recalls. The primary reported failure mode is Engine Stalling, Oil Consumption & Cooling Defect Reports with a median failure point at 6,835 miles (IQR: 2,754 – 32,000 mi). Out-of-warranty repairs benchmark at $950 – $3,200 .
21.8 complaints / 10k sold
Verified US federal records
Crash, fire & stall audit
6 Active / Free Remedies
Top Reported Problem Clusters (7)
Engine Stalling, Oil Consumption & Cooling Defect Reports
- Engine sudden stall / hesitation while driving
- Abnormal oil burning / consumption
- Check Engine Light (MIL) flashing
- Engine overheating / coolant loss
“Vehicle flashes Auto Start Stop icon on the dashboard, which is not commonplace. When this occurs, the vehicle can not accelerate when the accelerator is actuated. The vehicle can not accelerate past 40mph and the RPM is sporadic. This happens randomly and can not be diagnosed...”
“The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Auto Hold feature activated, and the check engine warning light and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and D...”
“The electric oil pump circuit board for the transmission failed, causing motive power loss. The vehicle is currently located at Ourisman Chantilly Kia and is available for inspection. Safety was compromised due to sudden loss of drive power while operating on public roads, cre...”
Transmission Hesitation, Hard Shifting & Slipping Reports
- Hard gear shifts / delayed engagement into Drive/Reverse
- Transmission shudder / jerking under acceleration
- Transmission slipping between gears
“Vehicle flashes Auto Start Stop icon on the dashboard, which is not commonplace. When this occurs, the vehicle can not accelerate when the accelerator is actuated. The vehicle can not accelerate past 40mph and the RPM is sporadic. This happens randomly and can not be diagnosed...”
“The electric oil pump circuit board for the transmission failed, causing motive power loss. The vehicle is currently located at Ourisman Chantilly Kia and is available for inspection. Safety was compromised due to sudden loss of drive power while operating on public roads, cre...”
“The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the gear shifter was shifted to drive; however, the transmission failed to engage as intended. The accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle unexpectedly rolled backwards...”
Electrical Parasitic Drain, Infotainment & Harness Reports
- Unexplained battery drain after sitting overnight
- Infotainment display / instrument cluster blackouts
- Accessory malfunction / alternator fault warnings
“The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Auto Hold feature activated, and the check engine warning light and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and D...”
“The electric oil pump circuit board for the transmission failed, causing motive power loss. The vehicle is currently located at Ourisman Chantilly Kia and is available for inspection. Safety was compromised due to sudden loss of drive power while operating on public roads, cre...”
“2022 Kia Sorento failed to increase speed when accelerator was depressed , engine RPMs increased, but no subsequent speed increase. The Amber ISG light was flashing, with no other warning lights. The car was driven to a safe pull out, placed in park, turned off and restarted, ...”
Electric Power Steering Assist & Suspension Noise Reports
- Sudden loss of electric power steering assist
- Steering wheel pull or highway wander
- Clunking / knocking noise over bumps
“The vehicle began making a clicking/popping sound when turning the steering wheel left or right, especially at lower speeds and while turning into parking spaces or driveways. The exact component causing the issue has not yet been fully identified, but it may involve the steer...”
“on my way home Friday evening from work. After exiting the expressway , I made a right turn on the street going towards my house. My steering wheel locked to the right and almost caused me to run into another car. If I had not be driving slow than the speed limit or still on t...”
“The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the contact experienced the death wobble. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated. There was no warning light illuminated. The ve...”
Service Brakes, ABS Actuator & Master Cylinder Reports
- Spongy or hard brake pedal travel
- ABS / Brake warning light illuminated
- Extended stopping distance / pedal vibration
“The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Auto Hold feature activated, and the check engine warning light and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and D...”
“Everytime i put my car in cruise control for 1-2 minutes after i take the cruise control off the breakers are gone and them come back”
“A coin slid underneath parking brake lever while driving on the freeway. The car came to sudden stop and would not move until i removed coin from under the lever. It could have caused a major accident”
Fuel Pump Pressure Loss & Fuel Delivery Defect Reports
- Sudden loss of propulsion power at highway speeds
- Extended engine cranking / failure to restart
- Fuel odor near fuel tank / engine bay
“2022 Kia Sorento failed to increase speed when accelerator was depressed , engine RPMs increased, but no subsequent speed increase. The Amber ISG light was flashing, with no other warning lights. The car was driven to a safe pull out, placed in park, turned off and restarted, ...”
“The fuel door actuator failed. The gas door would not open due to the actuator being seized shut, preventing access to the fuel tank. This vehicle does not have a manual release mechanism, so there was no alternative way to open the fuel door. The dealership confirmed the actu...”
“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...”
Airbag Occupant Detection & Inflator Defect Reports
- SRS Airbag warning lamp illuminated
- Passenger occupant classification sensor failure
- Seat belt retractor lockup
“Vehicle: 2022 Kia Sorento EX VIN: ... Date Defects Discovered:[XXX} A Kia dealership confirmed multiple instances of airbag tampering in this vehicle: • Driver knee airbag missing • Driver A‑pillar airbag missing • Wiring harnesses cut • Electrical resistors spliced into the c...”
“The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the forward camera was obstructed. The steering over corrected while turned off. The vehicle was accelerating and decelerating independently. The Forward Collision Avoidance system engaged without an...”
“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 inj...”
Official NHTSA Safety Recalls (6)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
Summary: 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.
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
Summary: 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."
TRAILER HITCHES
Summary: 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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Summary: 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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Summary: 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."
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
Summary: 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.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist for 2022 Kia Sorento
Before purchasing a used 2022 Kia Sorento, perform the following targeted inspections based on reported federal defect patterns:
Scan the OBD-II port under the dash for pending freeze-frame codes (e.g. P0300 misfires, P0087 fuel rail pressure, P0420 catalytic efficiency).
Test vehicle at low-speed stop-and-go and highway merges. Check for delayed reverse engagement or gear shift shudder between 2nd and 3rd gears.
Verify that all 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns have been performed by an authorized dealership using the VIN.
Ensure the instrument cluster, center screen, and auxiliary charging ports operate with stable 12.0V–14.4V alternator voltage.
Defect & Reliability Q&A: 2022 Kia Sorento
Is the 2022 Kia Sorento a reliable used car?
The 2022 Kia Sorento earns a 4.8/10 MazicBay Reliability Index based on 185 federal owner reports. Vehicles maintained under factory service schedules exhibit strong longevity past 150,000 miles.
What is the most frequent defect reported on the 2022 Kia Sorento?
The leading complaint category is Engine Stalling, Oil Consumption & Cooling Defect Reports, with a median failure point around 6,835 miles (IQR: 2,754 – 32,000 mi).
Are there free recall repairs available for the 2022 Kia Sorento?
Yes, the NHTSA records 6 safety recall campaign(s) for this model year. All safety recalls are performed 100% free of charge by authorized franchise dealerships regardless of vehicle warranty status.