2022 Kia Sorento: complete transmission failure

Filed Oct 6, 2026 · Transmission · AR

The vehicle experienced a sudden loss of motive power on the highway due to the failure of the transmission electric oil pump, matching the federal safety agency Campaign 22V760000. The vehicle previously received only the TCU software update remedy. The software update failed to prevent the underlying physical defect from occurring, and the vehicle is now dangerously disabled. The local dealership is refusing to perform the physical transmission replacement mandated by the recall remedy, falsely claiming the recall is permanently closed because of the prior software patch.

Filed Jul 21, 2026 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · IN

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. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The failure was a persistent failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

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 Apr 20, 2026 · Transmission · IN

The vehicle’s transmission failed. While driving on the highway, the transmission began slipping and then would not allow the vehicle to accelerate beyond approximately 10 mph. The vehicle also lost the ability to reverse. My family’s safety was put at significant risk. The incident occurred on a highway with a speed limit of 70 mph and low visibility. Due to the sudden loss of acceleration, our vehicle was unable to keep up with traffic, creating a dangerous situation with a high risk of being struck by other vehicles. The dealer reproduced and confirmed the issue. They documented very hard shifting, lack of reverse, and stated the transmission fluid smelled burnt. No diagnostic codes were present. The dealer advised replacement of the transmission. No warning lights or messages appeared on the dashboard prior to the failure.

Filed Apr 20, 2026 · Transmission · IN

The transmission and related drivetrain components malfunctioned. While driving, the vehicle’s RPMs would surge into the 5,000–6,000 range without corresponding acceleration, and the vehicle would not shift properly into the next gear. The issue caused poor acceleration and inconsistent performance. The dealership later replaced the transmission and updated the ECM after identifying a fault code. My family’s safety and the safety of others were put at risk due to the vehicle’s inability to properly accelerate. The engine would rev excessively without increasing speed, making it difficult to merge, cross traffic, or respond to driving conditions. This created a dangerous situation where the vehicle could not reliably keep up with traffic flow. The issue was initially reported to the dealership, but they were unable to duplicate the concern at that time and noted no active or stored diagnostic codes. However, the problem persisted after the vehicle was returned. During a subsequent visit, a check engine light was present, and the dealership identified a fault code and ultimately replaced the transmission and updated the ECM, confirming a drivetrain-related failure. Initially, there were no warning lights when the issue first occurred. At a later point, the check engine light began intermittently turning on and off when the problem occurred. The primary symptoms were sudden RPM surges, failure to shift properly, and lack of acceleration during normal driving.

Filed Sep 9, 2025 · Transmission · VA

While driving my 2022 Kia sorento on the interstate a sudden check engine light illuminated and the car totally stalled out with a severe decrease in power causing me to almost be rear ended by interstate traffic before I could get off the road safely. After taking the vehicle to the dealership for diagnostics I was informed there was a P1C2D03 trouble code which is associated with the 8 speed dual clutch transmission indicating an internal fault in the electric oil pump of the TCU. Upon further investigation we find out this code was associated with a safety recall that went out for this particular Kia model and transmission. The original owner took this car in to have the recall repaired back in 2023 without the fault code showing or any issue presenting from the vehicle. They were simply taking it in to clear the recall they were sent. While it was at the dealership they flashed the system like they were supposed to do according to the campaign instruction and sent them on their way. Fast forward to now and I am getting this same fault that the recall was sent out for but I have the code which according to the campaign instructions Kia was supposed to replace the transmission due to a mfg defect. Kia is refusing to replace the transmission now saying the recall can not be reopened and since I am the second owner and my warranty is expired I will have to pay over $5,000 for a replacement.

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 Sep 23, 2024 · Transmission · TX

While parked on a residential street. I started car and put it in reverse. Car would not reverse when I applied gas. I shifted to drive. Car would not go forward when I applied gas. Repeated attempt to reverse. No movement. Shifted into drive and after applying more pedal , almost to floor, car lurched forward. In just about 30 minutes later car again would not move when reversing. It did go forward in drive the second time. The kia dealership has been dealing with a complaint regarding the car going into limp mode while merging in traffic ...an on going problem since the car was at 25,000 miles. They have "reset" the transmission according to a recall notice but say they can not replace transmission without a "code" that verifies it is the transmission. This is a new issue but also unable to pull any codes. There is a definite safety concern with driving this car. What can I do.

Filed Jun 26, 2023 · Transmission · NY

Received "Stop Vehicle Immediately" warning on 5/11/23. Notified Destination KIA service department on 5/12/23 and was advised that if the check engine light was not on, that I shouldn't bring vehicle in. Destination KIA scheduled recall service for 07/09/23. On 5/13/23, vehicle lost all power, on highway, and rolled to a stop. Vehicle stopped on a bridge, with no shoulder, and in a travel lane. Myself and three occupants were placed in substantial risk of being struck by other vehicles. Vehicle was diagnosed at Destination KIA and determined this was a result of transmission failure.

Filed Jun 16, 2023 · Driver assistance, Transmission · NH

Failures with power train around 12,000 miles. Code P1C2D03. Engine jumps gears and may require full transmission replacement. Upon research, there are at least nine other separate complaints of the same issue under 12,000 miles. Car was brought in a month earlier to have the front camera replaced due to a latent defect in the sensor causing forward assist to erroneously lock the brakes while driving. As an aerospace/automotive quality engineer, I am appalled that there isn't a major recall on this vehicle for powertrain failures under 12,000 miles. https://www.carcomplaints.com/Kia/Sorento/2022/transmission/transmission_failed.shtml 12/27/22 – At around 12,000 miles the SUV wouldn't accelerate while driving 20mph to 40mph. Also, it wouldn't get out of 1st gear off the line. On its 3rd transmission in 2 months. 8/4/22 - Kia Sorento is 5 months old, with 2017 miles locally driven, and this is the third time the transmission has failed me while driving. 2/21/22 - Transmission failed at 1561 miles. It would accelerate to 3000rpm, do the 1-2 shift then bang back to 1st gear. https://www.kia-forums.com/threads/transmission-recall-updated-information.360349/ 4/2/23 - Waiting to hear whether I’ll need a new transmission on my SX Prestige 2022 Sorento. 8000 miles on the clock and it started struggling to change out of first. 5/4/22 - same with my 2021 Sorento 11,582 miles, been at the dealers since last Thursday night (4/28/22). This is what’s on my Kia app…Code P1C2D03. (1) Powertrain 5/8/22 - Same milage basically here at 10,400mi for my failure. Transmission was not rebuilt for me FYI. It was a brand new transmission from factory shipped in. 5/10/22 - Check engine code was P1C2D03. I have had the car 15months, and not even 25k yet. Mine is 2021 SX 2.5Turbo AWD https://sorentoforums.com/threads/2021-kia-sorento-transmission-light-wont-move.149/ 5/10/22 - Mine is the same code P1C2D03 and they tell me they've never seen this code before. I have 8500 miles on it.

Filed Dec 8, 2022 · Visibility · VA

We purchased a 2022 Kia Sorento in August of this year. Our front windshield from the seal to the middle of the window on the driver side has dots and they are migrating now to the passenger side as well. We took the Kia to the Kia dealership in Princeton, WV and they opened a ticket on the vehicle and a few days later we were called and told Kia recommended us to use Bar Keepers Friend on the windshield, which is a very abrasive cleaner and using it on the inside would scratch it. We then took it down the road to SafeLite for a second opinion to see what they would have to say. The gentleman cleaned the windshield with a magic eraser and cleaner and the window looked great, but not even for 24 hours. We called Battleground Kia to ask them if it was one piece window or a two piece, which they stated there was no such thing as a two piece window which there is. We took the vehicle back down to Battleground Kia in Greensboro, NC where we purchased the vehicle at, and were asked questions such as if we had an air freshener in the vehicle or had sprayed any kind of cleaner in the vents all which to our answers were no. Battleground Kia told us that there was nothing else that they could do for our windshield. If you are driving into any kind of light it is like putting a white sheet up and you can't see anything. Having a child of our own it is dangerous to put our lives in danger or anyone else's driving with the windshield the way it is. They have refused to replace the windshield multiple times and it's brand new. It is currently in the service department for a brand new transmission as well. This makes the third time it has been in service for a transmission issue.

Filed Nov 6, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · MS

Transmission will not shift or rev to high for next gear then will drop back to correct rpm an shift. Car will stall out or not shift.Problem has been duplicated at dealer. Was at dealership with no correction available at time KIA Engr. advised no call back. Engine light stayed on would not reset at all dealer plus was told transmission replacements is only correction .Car had10K on it less then year.