My windshield randomly cracked from driver side top edge and down in a diagonal direction. There is no visible impact from an object hitting my windshield, which might be a manufacturer defect. This is my daily drive vehicle but the crack is in my line of sight while driving and is not safe. This crack happened yesterday while driving and I contacted KIA service department and left a message since it was on a Saturday afternoon.
Kia Sorento windshield crack problems
16 of the 10,244 owner complaints about the Kia Sorento describe windshield cracks, most of them for the 2022 model year.
- owner complaints
- 16
- worst model year
- 2022
- typical mileage
- 300
By model year
- 20241
- 20225
- 20214
- 20193
- 20151
- 20071
- 20031
Often reported together
What owners say
The vehicle was driven home from work, parked outside in a secluded spot. When I went to leave like an hour later, there was a huge crack in the windshield on the driver side. The crack seemingly appeared out of nowhere, and there is no chip, indicating that it was hit by something that would’ve caused the crack.
After a particular strong rainstorm I found 4 areas on the driver hood right above the headlight and 6 spots above the windshield that were cracked, bubbled and pealed off all the way down to the metal frame. The areas on the hood remain small. They bubble and chip off a little at a time. The areas above the windshield is completely stripped 75% across the top and 4-6 inches deep. The paint continues to sheer off in large chunks all the way down to the metal. I purchased my Sorento in January 2019 brand new. Color is pearl white.
On January 4, 2023, the windshield cracked without any outside force (no rocks, vandalism, etc.) it began underneath the passenger wiper moved upward and curved toward the drivers side. As I drove the following days, the crack grew and eventually splintered in a third direction, also with no outside forces. The stress of the crack formed a bubble-like crack in the middle of where it splintered. By the time I was able to get it to the dealership, the bubble was more of a hole. It is no longer available for inspection because it is at the dealership to be repaired. It effected my visibility and with how quickly and easily it spread I felt I was in danger of the windshield cracking to the point of breaking out completely at any time which could have caused an accident. The dealership denied the defect claiming the hole that was produced where the crack splintered was the origin and was caused by a rock. I explained and provided an earlier photo showing the stress bubble, but they still denied the claim. It was inspected at the dealership but pictures are forwarded to an outside source who makes the decision whether it is a defect of damage. There were no warning signs this would happen, no objects hit my windshield, I saw it happen as I was driving. It has been raining steadily and I believe the defect is near the installation point of the wipers which caused the crack.
My Sorento was purchased on 17/01/22. My windshield started cracking on the middle to the passenger’s side from the hood to the sunroof. I am unaware of how it even got there.
My vehicle was in my garage and I noticed a crack in my windshield. Nothing hit my windshield and there are no knicks in the glass. The crack starts all the way at the top of the windshield and the crack is spreading very quickly. I bought this vehicle used on 7/12/22 and I only put 789 miles on it since purchasing it.
I purchased my 2022 Sorento brand new in Dec 2021 and by end of January 2022 a small crack appeared near the top left corner (driver side) of the windshield near the edge; note the windshield is frameless/no cover or border on the glass. There is no indication that anything caused the crack; there is no indention as if anything hit it. I park in a private temperature controlled garage at my home. The crack has grown diagonally across the front of my entire windshield at this point since the dealership refused to help and I was quoted 1,300 to replace which is unfair. I am driving a 2022 which is visibly unsafe and who has an extra $1,000 to fix a defective windshield on top of paying a car note. This is a inconvenience and a safety issue because of my increased risk of crash or injury. I have seen numerous posts about this problem which indicates this is not just a me problem. I believe my windshield cracking is a defect caused by the manufacturer and I should not be responsible for the repair.
Windshield cracked by a tiny pebble. The main windhsield of my 2022 Hybrid cracked while driving in the freeway. Its been less than a month since I bought the car and windshield cracked. I wasnt around any car at the time, It was late night and I saw the chip it made to my windshield.. a couple minutes later the crack spread out to 4 inches long. The windshield is not strong enougha nd causes a danger.
My vehicle (2022 kia sorento) was purchased 11/08/21. It only has 1777 miles at this exact time. My windshield started cracking on my drivers side from the sunroof down. This is ridiculous for a vehicle so new. I've read this is a chronic issue with the tellurides. Kia refuses to do anything about it
Within a 2 month period after purchasing this vehicle, the windshield has cracked twice. First time was more understandable as a larger sized rock hit the windshield right next to the pillar on the passenger side creating a roughly 4” starburst crack. That one was replaced and 2 weeks later a tiny pebble kicked up and created a small chip on the upper corner driver side. Within about 30 seconds the chip spread halfway across the windshield. These new windshield seems to be extremely weak and falling in line with the issues the Telluride had as well with the Kia acoustic glass.
Related recalls
Visibility: defroster/defogger/HVAC system: fan/motor
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- A fire increases the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the wiring harness and blower motor resistor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC351. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on beginning October 9, 2025.
Recall number 25V649000 · Recall details
Questions about the Kia Sorento windshield crack
Which Kia Sorento years have windshield cracks problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2022 (5 complaints), 2021 (4 complaints) and 2019 (3 complaints).
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