2025 Kia Sorento driver assistance problems

Filed Oct 1, 2026 · Driver assistance · CA · 1 injury

While driving on the freeway, I was getting over into the next lane. I was half way over and there was no one in front of, next to or behind me from any direction, I was traveling an open road. The closest vehicle to me was 2 lanes over and 5 to 6 car lengths behind me, my car began to beep rapidly and immediately activated the automatic emergency breaking system. It slammed on the brakes, jolting my 2 daughets and me forward. All 3 active seat belts locked and caused pain in my chest. There was not a car near me at all. It was a hard slam and then immediate release. I have not yet reported this to Kia, I have never had this happen to me, therefore, there has never been an inspection initiated by myseld of the ABS. There are no systems failure lamps or warning lights activated. If someone was behind me, we would have surely been rear ended. I am terrified to drive this vehicle now.

Filed Aug 28, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · NY

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 Backup Camera, navigation, and critical vehicle safety displays are completely lost, posing an immediate collision and safety hazard. EXTENSIVE SERVICE & REPAIR HISTORY (2 FAILED DEALER VISITS): 1. VISIT #1 (XXX - Healey Kia, Newburgh NY): Reported intermittent display flickering and blackout. Dealer claimed unable to duplicate on quick drive and requested video proof. 2. EVIDENCE DOCUMENTATION: Clear video was captured demonstrating screen flickering and total blackout after ~20 minutes of driving, while audio continued playing. 3. VISIT #2 (XXX - Kia of Middletown, NY, Invoice #XXX at 4,951 miles): Dealer performed a 2-hour manual CCNC software update via KGIS and released the vehicle as "operating as designed." 4. FAILURE RECURRENCE (XXX): Less than 24 hours after the software update, the display experienced another complete failure and blackout while driving (captured on secondary video). CURRENT STATUS / REFUSAL TO REPAIR: Despite TWO separate dealership visits and conclusive video evidence proving the software update failed, Kia Customer Care (Case #XXX) refused to authorize a warranty Head Unit / Display Assembly replacement and instead instructed me to repeatedly surrender the vehicle for indefinite dealer visits. This is an unresolved, chronic safety defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 15, 2026 · Driver assistance · FL · 1 injury

I was stopped at a red light. The light turned green, the vehicle in front of me was easily 4 car lengths ahead at this point into the intersection, I then slowly began to accelerate, my car gave me a false collision warning even though there was no car or hazard in front of me, then I brake checked me (initiated my brakes and slammed on them). This could’ve easily caused the car behind me to hit me and fortunately it didn’t. It did however cause me whiplash, very dangerous. I’ve since turned collision warning off all together

Filed May 1, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · IL

I purchased this vehicle from McGrath Kia in [XXX] . The fuel line recall kept me from picking up the car the day of purchase as was indented and stated. This was deception because they knew about the recall even know they waited for me to sign the contract before telling me. This was verified by another sales person at Kia. The current problem is electrical with the 12 volt battery discharging to zero at unusual and times with no particular reason such as lights or anything in the vehicle turned in the on position or running. The service coordinator told me the solution is to un hook the battery terminal when stopped. That is wildly unacceptable to have myself and family risk injury due to Kia's faulty electronics on a newly manufactured vehicle. This added risk of using the kia Sorento makes it unsafe. Multiple visits to the dealership resulted in nothing. They did not want me to bring the car in twice as they don't have a solution. This is becoming more frequent and the McGrath is openly stating I'm over 12 months time for lemon law and ill have to pay to fix my new car. Which has the "lifetime" warranty. Im stuck with a new car that's unsafe to drive. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 12, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · MO · crash

Driving 40 mph coming around a bend. There was a car stopped about to rear off to the left and when coming up around the turn I saw and tried to stop. I was about two car lengths behind the car when I pressed the brake down and I pushed it all the way down and nothing happened. It was grinding and shaky when pressing it down. Not tight or anything. I feel like I normally would have that tension right away to be able to stop. There was no warning or anything and the car always has warnings when something is close.

Filed Feb 12, 2026 · Driver assistance · NY · crash · 1 injury

My wife was slowly pulling into a parking spot at kohls and the car lunged like the gas pedal was pressed all the way down and hit parking pole in spot . I googled to see if this was an issue reports and found information on this not actual recall but reports on this issue . Kia has done nothing with this case

Filed Jan 14, 2026 · Driver assistance · NY

Driver attention warning light coming on frequently for no reason, is distracting for driver and will cause and accident, today we almost hit a horse and buggy

Filed Jan 8, 2026 · Airbags, Driver assistance · AR · crash · 1 injury

Hit a deer going 80, airbags did not deploy and car did not attempt to brake

Filed Oct 15, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · TX

While operating the vehicle and utilizing the cruise control, the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and the Antilock Braking System (ABS) warning lights turn on. These lights will remain on until the vehicle is turned off and a new drive begins. They only activate during the use of cruise control and at times it has caused the brake pedal to become extremely tough to press. This is a concern if maintaining cruise control and an emergency braking situation arises, the brake may not engage it is designed to do and cause a vehicle accident.

Filed Jul 27, 2025 · Driver assistance, Engine · KS

It feels like the engine is starting to cut out and as soon as that happens, the electronics in the car seem to start fighting each other. They adaptive steering and the lane assist it feels like they don’t work together anymore and I’m always fighting it or it won’t stay in the right lane and the car jerks from line to line. If I turned the lane assist off then it drives OK but the engine still is doing something funny.