SUV · Hybrid
Kia Sorento 2021–2026 (MQ4)

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- Price
- $29,600–$47,000
- MPG
- 37
- Strength: Excellent safety
- Strength: Strong running costs
- Strength: Strong value retention
- Watch-out: Poor cargo & utility
- Watch-out: Poor reliability
How it scores for you10 scores
A five-star-safe, fuel-efficient three-row SUV whose electrified thrift comes at the cost of tight cargo and a nagging powertrain-complaint record.
Recalled somewhat more often than cars of the same model years (over-the-air software recalls count half); 6 of its 17 recalls were serious. About 6% of its owner complaints describe a crash, fire or injury. Based on recalls and serious defect reports — it doesn't capture everyday repairs or problems fixed by warranty extensions. Adjusted -3 points for its wider reputation.
5-star overall NHTSA crash rating (frontal 4, side 5, rollover 4).
About $1,800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate) — cheaper to run than about 79% of cars we track.
12.6 cu ft of cargo space — more than about 3% of other SUVs we track.
Three-row layout adds versatility, but the third row is tight and cargo behind it (12.6 cu ft) is modest versus larger three-row rivals.
Sorento drives competently with available torquey turbo/hybrid options, but 191 hp figure and family-focused tuning make it pleasant, not sporty. Roughly segment-typical for a midsize SUV.
Modern MQ4 offers dual screens, wireless connectivity, PHEV option and solid driver aids. Above-average infotainment reputation lifts it past segment norm.
Quiet, well-appointed cabin with comfortable ride and good materials in upper trims, slightly above typical for the class.
SUVs and hybrids usually hold their value better than average.
Rated to tow 2,000 lb; all- or four-wheel drive available.
Safety & recalls26 recalls
26 recalls · 7 common complaint areas across 2021–2026
- Powertrain — 73 complaints (2022)
- Recall — Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire (2026)
- Electrical — 40 complaints (2023)
2026
- RecallTires: temporary/emergency spare tire25V745000
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Telluride and 2026 Sorento vehicles. The vehicles are 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 r
- RecallElectrical: instrument cluster/panel26V046000
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As suc
2025
- RecallFuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings24V920000
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. During a crash, the steering rack may damage the fuel line, which can result in a fuel leak.
- RecallElectrical: body control module: software; exterior lighting: headlights; exterior lighting: tail lights25V006000
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Sorento, 2025 Sorento Hybrid, and 2025 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. A software error in the Body Domain Control Unit (BDC) may cause a loss of low beam headlights and taillights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements
- RecallEngine and engine cooling: critical fasteners25V548000
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 K4 and Sorento vehicles. The connecting rod bolts in the engine may have been improperly tightened, which can cause a loss of drive power.
- RecallElectrical: instrument cluster/panel26V046000
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As suc
- Complaint clusterPowertrain39 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
The engine sputters several times in a single trip, and is available upon request. The engine sputtered and the vehicle stopped in the middle of the road as I was trying to cross 2 lanes of traffic. It has sputtered so bad, I almost rear ended the vehicle in front of me. Yes, the dealership conf
- Complaint clusterElectrical27 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 B
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other26 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
During highway trips the info cluster starts chiming and a coffee cup light comes on the dash saying I should consider taking a break! This happens frequently and is distracting as I need to look down from the road to access what the warning is. I'm being told now that it is not able to be disable
- Complaint clusterEngine10 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE
My wife was pulling in spot and car took off at high rate of speed and hit parking pole . Kia corporate after 2 months tells me nothing wrong with vehicle . i found on kia of Manahawkin they have a page on this issue forced acceleration and cause so how they can tell me no it doesn't happen also gog
- Complaint clusterCruise control5 complaintscomplaints:VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Instrument gauge cluster freezes while driving. Cannot view current speed, blinker status, cruise control settings, tachometer information, fuel status, or ADAAS items. Also gear select indicator light freezes and does not show correct gear/park. Can only be reset by disconnecting negative battery c
2024
- RecallElectrical: wiring24V287000
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024 Sorento vehicles. The motor driven power steering (MDPS) wiring harness may be incorrectly assembled, which can result in a loss of power steering assist.
- RecallElectrical: body control module: software; exterior lighting: headlights; exterior lighting: tail lights25V006000
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Sorento, 2025 Sorento Hybrid, and 2025 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. A software error in the Body Domain Control Unit (BDC) may cause a loss of low beam headlights and taillights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements
- Complaint clusterElectrical11 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Car has sensor issues. It ran into pole and median after defective collision assist said sensor was blocked. Has emission leak. Second vehicle i had with that and they wont cover under warranty. Kia refuses to by back a car do not feel safe driving. They refuse to fix things under warranty. The refu
- Complaint clusterPowertrain7 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
While braking in a left hand turn lane waiting for the vehicles in front to turn left through an intersection, the vehicle stalled, shut off, and forced a manual restart in the turn lane. This same sequence happened again at another red light when the brake was engaged. The dealership the car was pu
- Complaint clusterStructure5 complaintscomplaints:STRUCTURE
The front bumper grill to this Sorento model, among others, has a major design flaw that causes the radiator to be highly vulnerable to debris. A rock struck and punctured my radiator causing it to aggressively spray engine coolant, eventually leading to my engine overheating. I found this incident
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other5 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The horn isn’t making any noise at all. There were no warning lamps or messages, I didn’t know until I needed to use my horn.
- Complaint clusterEngine5 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that during a routine oil change, the mechanic added an unknown oil additive to the vehicle. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle lost motive power and drove sluggishly
2023
- RecallTrailer hitches22V703000
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 a
- RecallEquipment: other: labels23V579000
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sorento vehicles. The air bag warning labels on the driver and front passenger sun visors may detach. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- RecallBack over prevention: sensing system: camera23V610000
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
- RecallElectrical: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers; visibility: defroster/defogger/HVAC system: fan/motor25V649000
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.
- Complaint clusterElectrical40 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
On multiple occasions, my 2023 Kia Sorento has experienced an intermittent failure where numerous dashboard warning lights and alerts illuminate and the engine will not start. During the failure, the brake pedal becomes very stiff and the vehicle cannot be shifted out of Park. The problem is unpredi
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other28 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I believe my car should be in the ac recall for faulty ac motor/wire harness due to my ac is only cooling on passenger side. Blowing hot on driver. I’m afraid it may catch fire as I read this can happen.
- Complaint clusterPowertrain26 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
The transmission failed for the fourth time. The transmission (Power Train) is the component that failed and is available for inspection at the dealership. The vehicle became unsafe and unreliable to drive due to the repeated transmission failures, creating a risk of sudden loss of power or control.
- Complaint clusterEngine17 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE
My 2023 Kia Sorento has experienced repeated failures involving the engine, transmission/powertrain, and electrical wiring system. The vehicle has been inspected and repaired multiple times by authorized Kia dealerships, including Kia of Round Rock and Clay Cooley Kia in Irving, and the repair histo
- Complaint clusterSteering9 complaintscomplaints:STEERING
All of the ADAS you have listed stop working on my car. I will be driving my car, stop at a red light, drive through, or just driving down the road and it starts throwing sensors. It won’t even show the MPH I’m driving and some times the steering wheel locks up, as does the car itself. I can’t shift
2022
- RecallSeat belts: front; seat belts: pretensioner22V127000
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.
- RecallEngine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger; engine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubrication: pipes, hoses, and fittings22V202000
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.
- RecallSeat belts: front; seat belts: pretensioner22V447000
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.
- RecallTires: temporary/emergency spare tire22V509000
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 r
- RecallTrailer hitches22V703000
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 a
- RecallPowertrain: automatic transmission22V760000
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.
- RecallFuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly23V027000
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.
- RecallBack over prevention: sensing system: camera23V610000
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
- RecallElectrical: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers; visibility: defroster/defogger/HVAC system: fan/motor25V649000
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.
- Complaint clusterPowertrain73 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost drive power. The vehicle was able to continue driving but at a reduced speed. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle. The vehicl
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other28 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am writing to report a recurring issue with the center navigation and infotainment screen in my 2022 Kia Sorento. The screen periodically goes completely black while I am driving. Occasionally, the display glitches before failing, while at other times, it goes dark without any warning. This is pa
- Complaint clusterElectrical27 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V649000 (Electrical System, Visibility), and the vehicle was taken to the dealer; the recall repair was performed several weeks prior; however, the VIN status was not updated, and the recall remained m
- Complaint clusterEngine20 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE
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 rep
- Complaint clusterSteering10 complaintscomplaints:STEERING
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 steering or suspension syste
2021
- RecallFuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings21V519000
Kia Motor America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Sorento and 2021-2022 K5 vehicles equipped with 2.5L turbocharged engines. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail.
- RecallSeat belts: front; seat belts: pretensioner22V447000
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.
- RecallTrailer hitches22V703000
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 a
- RecallPowertrain: automatic transmission22V760000
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.
- RecallElectrical: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers; visibility: defroster/defogger/HVAC system: fan/motor25V649000
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.
- Complaint clusterElectrical10 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
On [XXX] we were driving the Kia at slow speed due to snow on the road when a warning light came on which we think said hybrid vehicle failure pull over. The car stopped and the traffic lane with the engine off. The car would not start and we were exposed to traffic. Fortunately, we were on a countr
- Complaint clusterPowertrain8 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
I own a 2021 Kia Sorento 2.5L Turbo AWD with approximately 150,000 miles. In the evening, while driving home after dinner with my daughter in the vehicle, I was traveling in the area of [XXX] and [XXX] when the vehicle displayed a “STOP SAFELY IMMEDIATELY” warning. The vehicle unexpectedly slowed do
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other7 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving up a hill and my car stalled. Contacted Kia of Bowie for assistance had a diagnostic asked for a goodwill repair because of this being a safety issue with my car stalling while driving up a hill life threating situation and they have denied the goodwill repair the service tech is sayin
Cost to own$21,300 / 5 yr
MSRP, new
$29,600–$47,000
Estimated used price, by model year
$1,800/yr
EPA estimate, combined fuel cost per year.
Specs
City MPG
39
Highway MPG
35
Combined MPG
37
Electric range
32 mi
Horsepower
191 hp
Doors
4
Length
189.0 in
Width
74.8 in
Height
66.9 in
Wheelbase
110.6 in
Curb weight
3,825 lb
Cargo volume
12.6 cu ft
Cargo (seats folded)
75.5 cu ft
Towing capacity
2,000 lbs
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