2022 Kia Sorento Problems and Complaints

The Kia Sorento competes in an ever-expanding segment and faces tough competition from the Volkswagen Tiguan, the Ford Explorer, and the Hyundai Santa Fe. It offers a classy interior, a rugged design, and a very comfortable driving experience. There’s a third row on offer as well but is best suited for kids. It makes a perfect combination for people who want an affordable three-row mid-size SUV without the extra heft of the Telluride.

The Sorento recently went a generational upgrade in 2021 and is currently in its second year. The new generation brought in bolder styling, an all-new platform, and hybrid engines. The reliability of the mid-size SUV has been fabulous in the previous generation, with the last two model years being recall-free. Let’s see if the Sorento builds upon that trust and what are some of the niggles people have faced in the current generation.

Kia Sorento Complaints

The Kia Sorento had entered its latest generation in 2021 and has seen good sales since then. The numbers are increasing by the month but as with everything, the complaints are as well. People have found many niggles and issues in the Sorento because of the newness of the vehicle. Some of the most common issues in the Sorento are:

Electrical system:

1. Soy-based wiring harness issues: The wiring harness in the Sorento has a soy-based outer coating that is prone to rodent attacks. People have brought this issue up to the manufacturer and Kia is yet to give a resolution on this issue. The rodent attack leaves the wiring exposed and increases the risk of an electrical short. This also poses a threat to the occupants of the vehicle.
2. Power failure: A handful of 2021 Sorento owners have faced complete power failures in their cars. This issue shut down everything, including the cabin lights. All the complainants faced the issue when the vehicle was not moving. The vehicle started fine after a restart and never displayed this issue again. 
3. Malfunctioning steering wheel controls: Some owners have reported the media controls on the steering wheel to malfunction. This caused the drivers to operate the infotainment system, causing a distraction while driving.
4. Grounding cable issues: People have reported the grounding cable in the 2021 Sorento to cause issues. This has caused the vehicle to shut down on many occasions. Some complainants have reported sudden stalling of the SUV while some have reported sparks coming out of the cable. A couple of complainants have reported electrical fires due to this.

Mechanical issues:

1. Transmission failures: Many people have reported the 2021 Sorento’s 8-speed dual-clutch transmission to fail at very low mileage. Complainants say that the transmission “falls out of gear” and loses all motive power. This causes the engine to stall in the process. They have expressed dissatisfaction because of the random occurrence in a new vehicle. This issue also increases the chance of a collision at higher speeds. 
2. Transmission fluid leak: People have reported transmission fluid leaks. This can ignite the vehicle if it comes in contact with an ignition source. This leakage has also caused issues in the transmission and has, subsequently, led to transmission failure.
3. Fuel leakage: People have reported the 2021 Sorento to leak fuel and give out smoke. There is no visual warning of this issue in the instrument cluster. The Korean carmaker has issued a recall regarding this issue (NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V519000). 
4. Brakes locking up: People have reported the brakes on the 2021 Sorento to lock up and cause the vehicle to slide and lose control. Although no collisions have been reported, this issue can lead to fatal mishaps on highway speeds. The issue has been communicated to the manufacturer.

Exterior issues:

1. Windshield cracking: People have reported the windshield of the Kia Sorento cracking without any impact. This issue is reported by many Telluride owners as well and is communicated to the manufacturer. The complainants state the issue happening at very low mileage.
2. Sunroof shattering: People have reported the sunroof in the new Sorento to shatter with no impact. The complainants state that there was nothing in proximity when they heard a loud explosion and saw the sunroof cracked. 

Safety features issues:

1. Traction Control System (TCS) issues: The TCS on the new Sorento has been reported to cut down power as soon as the car goes over some gravel or loose surfaces. The system cuts all the power and renders the vehicle motionless, increasing the risk of a collision. 
2. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) malfunction: The ABS on the new Sorento is reported to give issues and malfunction. This causes the brakes on the vehicle to lock up, potentially increasing the chances of a crash. 
3. Vehicle Speed Control (VSC) issues: People have complained the VSC to kick in and cause the vehicle’s acceleration to big down. Complainants have faced issues while driving on the highway and while overtaking. They claim the RPMs get stuck at just 2,000 RPM which severely affects overtaking ability. 

Kia Sorento Recalls

The Kia Sorento is all-new for the 2021 model year and has seen a ground-up change. The SUV is bound to have some underlying issues and niggles that’ll only come to the surface once the car is launched and used by the public. The Sorento has had just one recall in the current generation. The latest recall was issued on July 8, 2021 with NHTSA Recall Number 21V519000. 

Kia Motors America recalled 21,575 units of the 2021 Sorento and 2021 K5 that are equipped with the turbocharged 2.5L unit. Fuel leakage in the connection between the fuel rail and the high-pressure fuel pump increases the risk of a fire. The dealers inspected the fuel system and replaced/tighten the connection free of charge.

What model year of the Kia Sorento should you avoid?

The Kia Sorento has had a good reception in its current generation. But, it also has a lot of issues with its 8-speed DCT gearbox. The issue has been communicated to the manufacturer but no action has been taken yet. The transmission failure is a very serious problem for a new SUV and should not be dealt with by a customer whatsoever. We shall avoid the new Sorento completely unless there has been a resolution from the manufacturer’s side. 

Should you buy the 2022 Kia Sorento?

The 2022 Kia Sorento offers a very good mix of everything the segment has to offer. It also combines a lucrative warranty coverage for more peace of mind. The three-row SUV fulfills the demand of an average American family and ushers them with luxury and refinement. There has been quite a lot of issues with the transmission which makes the car unsafe to drive. We’d recommend going for a used Sorento, preferably a 2019 or a 2020 model year. This should be your choice if you want the practicality and reliability but are ready to settle for the older technology. 

More on Kia

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