2022 Kia Sorento: sudden loss of power

Filed Jul 21, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · VA

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, creating a severe crash hazard. The failure was diagnosed and confirmed by Ourisman Chantilly Kia service department, which retrieved active Diagnostic Trouble Code P1C2D03. The vehicle was inspected by the Kia dealership service department. Prior to failure, check engine/warning lights illuminated and transmission drive symptoms appeared. This vehicle is subject to Recall SC250. A software update was performed under a previous owner, but the physical component failed. Kia is refusing replacement because the recall was marked "closed" after the software patch, leaving a known unaddressed safety defect active on the vehicle.

Filed May 8, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · GA

I am submitting a formal safety complaint regarding my 2022 Kia Sorento, which is experiencing a dangerous and recurring loss of engine power during acceleration. This issue presents a significant safety hazard, particularly during situations requiring immediate acceleration such as highway merging, crossing intersections, and passing traffic.

Filed Feb 19, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TX

The vehicle has less than 75k miles, and I am the second owner. I was driving, and the vehicle lost power. Creating a traumatic experience that could have been fatal. After Kia had inspected the vehicle, I was informed that I needed a new engine and it would cost 8k or more, and my extended warranty would not cover it. Kia has current recalls for similar issues.

Filed Jan 12, 2026 · Steering · TN

In August 2025 my 2022 Kia Sorento S began having the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) Malfunction Indicator light flashing. It comes on, flashes for a while, then goes off again. Shortly after the first time this happened (a week or so), my steering began losing all power steering intermittently at random. I took it to the local Kia dealership, but they did nothing even though I am still under warranty. It has progressively become worse - now the light does not even have to be flashing for me to lose all power steering - I almost wrecked twice this past week with my 3 small children, due to loss of all power steering at random, unpredictable, times during turns - WHILE I am turning the vehicle. I took it to the dealership again today, and they still don't fix anything. I am terrified for the safety of my children and myself. Something must be done. I am paying $30,000 for a car that is trying to end our lives.

Filed Jan 12, 2026 · Transmission · MO

I am reporting a serious safety defect regarding my 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid (Mileage: 91,661). The vehicle was diagnosed with an internal short in the EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) Control Unit (Error codes P0404, P049D). Upon inspection, significant engine oil intrusion was found inside the EGR unit. The EGR system is designed to handle exhaust gases only; the presence of liquid engine oil indicates a critical failure in the powertrain system (likely the PCV system or turbocharger seals) which is forcing oil into the intake/exhaust tract. Safety Risk: This defect causes the EGR system to short-circuit, which can lead to unpredictable engine performance, reduced power, or sudden engine stalling while driving. Any sudden loss of power on a highway poses a severe risk of a rear-end collision. Furthermore, oil intrusion into electrical components increases the risk of thermal incidents or localized fires within the engine bay. Despite the vehicle being within the 10-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Warranty, the dealership (Suntrup Kia South) is refusing coverage, claiming the EGR is not a powertrain component, while ignoring the fact that a powertrain failure (oil bypass) is the root cause of the damage. I request the federal safety agency to investigate this "oil intrusion into EGR" issue as it appears to be a systemic defect in Kia’s hybrid powertrain that compromises vehicle safety.

Filed Dec 15, 2025 · Acceleration, Fuel system · AZ

While driving from Phoenix to Tucson in midday traffic, the vehicle displayed a "Check Transmission" error message. Immediately following this warning, the vehicle experienced a significant loss of motive power while navigating a busy intersection. The car would not shift gears appropriately to maintain speed or move out of the path of traffic, which created an immediate risk of a collision. I was able to avoid an accident, but the vehicle's inability to accelerate or change gears left me stranded in a hazardous location. Component Failed: Transmission/Transmission Control Module. Safety Risk: The sudden loss of power in an intersection put me and other drivers at risk of a high-speed side-impact or rear-end collision. Warning Symptoms: The "Check Transmission" message appeared moments before the failure. Inspection Status: We have had the recall taken care of on January 25 , 2023 with 8810 miles at Peoria KIA initially. The incident happened on December 6, 2025 and the vehicle was taken to Royal KIA on December 6, 2025 for inspection.".

Filed Nov 25, 2025 · Lights · TN

While driving down the road at night, the headlights turn off automatically, by themselves. This caused serious distress for not only myself, but also for my children in the car at the time, as we have had instances where driving around curves at dark, the lights go out, or while on the highway at night during deer season, the lights go out. We live out in the country, so city lights are not abundant. Found on multiple sites once looked up after experiencing it: "100% of the recalled vehicles experience the issue where a software error in the Body Domain Control Unit (BDC) causes the headlights and taillights to momentarily lose power while driving. Kia is now recalling nearly 74,500 Sorento vehicles, including Sorento Hybrid and Sorento Plug-in Hybrid models from the 2024-2025 model years. This issue arises from a logic flaw in the BDC, resulting in the temporary failure of the low-beam headlights and taillights, which poses a significant safety risk for drivers. Kia will provide a free software update to fix the issue" There were no warnings, warning signs, or dashboard lights, so it was very alarming.

Filed Sep 6, 2025 · Engine · CA

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.

Filed Jun 7, 2025 · Transmission · PR

Vehicle lost power and transmission failed. Vehicle only has 36,000 miles. Dealer is denying recall from manufacturer.

Filed May 4, 2025 · Engine · FL

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.

Filed Apr 24, 2025 · IL

Upon normal driving the vehicle suddenly lost power and would only go around 20 to 30 mph. This has happened twice in the past week. Very slow acceleration from a stop and had to actually pull off the road into a parking lot to let traffic pass. Took it to dealer and they said there were no active codes or anything visually presenting and they could do nothing to remedy the problem. My wife uses this vehicle in her work sometimes and has to drive sometimes 30 to 40 miles on her job and if this happened suddenly on an interstate it could be catastrophic. I'm afraid to let her drive it. No check engine or other warning lights come on. The vehicle has 58xxx miles and I hope I'm not being given the run around till the warranty expires. I notice there was a recall on this type of vehicle for this exact thing happening on 2022 models manufactured before August 2022 which ours was, taking delivery on 1/31/2022. It has the 2.5L turbo GDI engine as in the recall but is AWD.

Filed Sep 8, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · NC

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.