2023 Kia Sorento electrical problems

Filed Nov 3, 2026 · Electrical · VT

The 12-volt battery system repeatedly collapses while the 2023 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid is parked, leaving the vehicle completely immobilized: the doors will not unlock/open normally and the vehicle cannot be started, even though the high-voltage hybrid battery and fuel are ample. On November 2, 2026, after six days parked, the 12-volt system measured approximately 6 volts, about half of nominal. The vehicle could not be revived by 14+ hours on a battery maintainer; on November 3, 2026, roadside assistance revived it with a jump pack applied for about 1.4 seconds, confirming a system failure rather than an energy shortage. The defect has previously locked the owner out of the vehicle at -12 degrees Fahrenheit in upstate New York, a safety hazard in cold climates. The owner's instrumented findings, reported to Kia America in writing on February 9, 2026 and again November 2, 2026, show persistent parasitic draw during idle states, inconsistent charging of the 12-volt battery by the DC-DC converter, and no logic to re-energize the 12-volt system from the charged high-voltage battery. Kia has provided no substantive technical response. The vehicle/component is available for inspection upon request. No crash, no fire, no injuries. Manufacturer and dealer were notified in writing.

Filed Oct 21, 2026 · Electrical · IN

Subject: Request for Review of Potentially Related Electrical Overheating – Kia Sorento HVAC Harness Recall SC351 / the federal safety agency 25V649 I am requesting that the federal safety agency review an electrical overheating issue involving my Kia Sorento and consider whether it could be related to the existing HVAC blower-motor resistor harness recall, SC351 / the federal safety agency 25V649. My vehicle experienced overheating at a terminal on the main relay in the under-hood fuse box. The overheating spread to and melted part of the fuse box. Kia inspected the vehicle in person and informed me that the overheated relay terminal belongs to a different circuit from the HVAC resistor harness involved in the recall. I understand Kia's position that these are separate circuits. However, I have not received a detailed technical explanation identifying the root cause of the relay terminal overheating or explaining the basis for ruling out any relationship to the recalled wiring defect. Kia has offered approximately $2,200 toward an estimated $3,900 repair through a goodwill program, leaving me responsible for approximately $1,700. I am concerned about both the safety implications of the electrical overheating and whether the problem could be related to a known wiring-harness defect. I am not asserting that the recalled HVAC harness definitively caused the damage. I am asking the federal safety agency to consider whether this incident warrants further review, whether similar failures have been reported by other Kia Sorento owners, and whether the existing recall adequately addresses the relevant safety defect. I can provide the vehicle identification information, recall information, photographs of the damage, Kia's written communications, and the repair estimate. Thank you for reviewing this potential safety concern.

Filed Aug 24, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MA

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 unpredictable and has left the vehicle disabled. The vehicle was taken to a Kia dealership for diagnosis. The dealer initially stated that the battery was not properly secured and was moving around, possibly contacting nearby electrical components. They told me the issue had been repaired. However, when I returned to pick up the vehicle, the exact same failure occurred again in the dealership parking lot before I was able to leave. The warning lights came on and, after the vehicle was turned off, it would not restart. The dealer has therefore been able to directly observe the repeated failure. The exact component causing the malfunction is still unknown. I am concerned that this may be an electrical or grounding issue and that the vehicle could become disabled unexpectedly while in use.

Filed Aug 6, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · LA

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 gears, move the vehicle, or anything until leaving the vehicle alone for a while and coming back to it. I have proof of multiple repairs, call ins to Kia, and even a request for buy back which was denied on the vehicle.

Filed Aug 1, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MA

The vehicle intermittently fails to start in two different situations. First, when the auto Stop/start system shuts the engine off while the vehicle is stopped anywhere, the engine sometimes refuses to restart, leaving the vehicle immobilized. Second, there are occasions when I park the vehicle, turn it off normally, and upon returning, the engine will refuse to start.

Filed Jul 15, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · CT

Since fall of 2025, my 2023 KIA Sorento has repeatedly been in the shop for multiple issues. Most notably, a completely wrecked steering column. This issue was fixed after being in the shop for 12 days. Then in December, I started noticing the shift would lock while in park. I would need to open the top plate and stick an item down into the shifter to emergency release in order to drive. Then all of the electrical components began to state they were no longer working. No cameras, no lane assistance, no forward collision warning, etc etc. Beyond that, all automatic locks, windows and my trunk stopped working. I was locked out of my vehicle in January in CT with my son. My vehicle has now been at a KIA dealership for 5 months awaiting the part to fix my car. All of these problems have been confirmed by their technicians. I continue to pay my $600 a month vehicle payment, as well as insurance as KIA consumer refuses to assist in any way and does not have any answer as to when my vehicle will be fixed. I do not have a vehicle that will fit my family due to this issue. I have asked them to buy back my vehicle, as it is clearly a lemon, but they state I have waited too long to request the buy back under lemon law in CT. NEVER did I think it would be acceptable to be unable to fix a customers unsafe vehicle and refuse to to do anything to help for 5 months at this time and no end in sight. I also have videos it says are too large to send.

Filed Jul 13, 2026 · Electrical · SC

Vehicle Component Affected: Electrical System / HVAC / Blower Motor Resistor Incident Description: While operating my 2023 Kia Sorento, the HVAC system suddenly suffered a complete failure, causing all airflow to cease instantly. A subsequent professional diagnostic inspection by an authorized Kia dealership revealed that the contacts at the blower motor resistor were severely burnt, causing the blower motor relay to burn out. This failure presents two critical safety and fire hazards: Fire Risk: The physical burning and overheating of electrical components and wiring within the dashboard assembly create an active fire hazard in the passenger cabin. Loss of Visibility: The sudden, complete loss of the climate control system severely compromises passenger safety by preventing the vehicle from defogging or defrosting the windshield during inclement weather, presenting an immediate crash hazard. This exact failure mechanism matches the description of Kia Safety Recall SC351 (the federal safety agency Campaign 25V649) word-for-word. However, Kia has stated that my specific VIN is excluded from the current recall population. Because this identical safety defect is actively manifesting outside of Kia's restricted recall range, I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate an expansion of SC351 to include all affected 2023 Kia Sorento vehicles to mitigate the risk of electrical fires and sudden visibility loss. 06/29/26 Experienced symptoms Inspected and diagnosed on 07/01/26 at JT Kia (Killian Road) Columbia, South Carolina

Filed May 28, 2026 · Electrical · CO

EHICLE: 2023 Kia Sorento, VIN [XXX] , currently 48,000 miles. Vehicle has never been in a collision. DEFECT: MASTER POWER WINDOW SWITCH / WIRING HARNESS — OCCUPANT EGRESS HAZARD The driver's master power window switch fails intermittently, causing simultaneous loss of all window operation and electric door lock function. When this occurs, occupants cannot operate any window or unlock any door electrically until the condition resets, typically by opening and closing the driver's door. The condition was first reported to Arapahoe Kia at 24,859 miles on 11/08/2024 (RO 208018) and again at 25,050 miles on 11/15/2024 (RO 208449). On the 11/15/2024 visit, the dealership confirmed the defect on customer-supplied video and performed a full diagnostic including pin tension testing on connector D01, power, ground, B-CAN continuity testing, and a wiggle test of the harness. The dealership's written conclusion on the repair order: "we've determined that the harness is probably not the issue and it will need a new master switch." The master switch was not ordered or installed, and the vehicle was returned with the defect unresolved. The condition continues to occur intermittently as of the current 48,000-mile reading. SAFETY IMPLICATION: This defect creates an occupant entrapment and egress hazard. In a fire, submersion, or crash event where the mechanical door release is inaccessible, inoperative, or where occupants are incapacitated, simultaneous loss of window operation and electric door lock function eliminates secondary egress options. The defect is intermittent and unpredictable. The vehicle remains within the 5-year / 60,000-mile basic warranty period. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 15, 2026 · Acceleration, Electrical · IL

All lights came on the dashboard including the check engine light and I could not accelerate. I had to pull over and turn car off and on to get it to accelerate. It poses a very serious threat as you can not accelerate at all and can be rearended. Kia has fixed the throttle twice and have told me 2 other times they can not replicate the issue. It clears out by the time I am able to bring it to the dealership. This issues has happened 4 times starting at 9,000 miles and most recently at 21,000 miles.

Filed Apr 30, 2026 · Electrical · IL

2023 Kia sorento rear camera mounting bracket broke. There was are recall SC280 in 2023. Rear camera recently fell out of housing unit and is hanging. Still under warranty, dealership and Kia America refusing to cover and pay for issue. Want a new housing unit and brackets because it is similar to recall noticed.