Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2022 Kia Sorento HybridRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 13 owner complaints for the 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid. Most complaints involve electrical system (4) and engine (2). The EPA rates it 35–37 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
35–37mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Aug 2023
Owner complaints
13
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$1,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Trailer hitches

Park outsideFree remedy

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.

Trailer hitchesReported Sep 19, 2022NHTSA 22V703000

Back over prevention: camera

Free remedy

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, and Sorento Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) vehicles. The mounting clips for the rearview camera may break, which can cause the rearview camera image not to appear properly on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Back over preventionReported Aug 31, 2023NHTSA 23V610000

Seat belts: front

Free remedy

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid and 2022 Sorento Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioner(s) may explode upon deployment.

Seat beltsReported Jun 23, 2022NHTSA 22V447000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 13, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

13 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2022 – Nov 2026
  1. Electrical system4
  2. Engine2
  3. Power train2
  4. Vehicle speed control2
  5. Wheels1
  6. Service brakes1
  7. Air bags1
  8. Seat belts1
  9. Trailer hitches1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Sorento Hybrid model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
202121
202213
202334
20246
202549
20263
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 13, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

4 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the message "Battery Not Fully Charged" was displayed. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine wiring harness was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 12,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 12, 2024Electrical systemODI 11624790

Engine

2 reports
“The vehicle's oil was changed at Transitowne Kia of West Seneca, NY on 10/19/24 with 19,576 on the odometer. During the oil change, a Kia multi-point inspection was performed. No leaks or other concerns were found. On [XXX] with around 19,596 on the odometer while driving on [XXX] the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power accompanied by grinding noises coming from the engine. This was followed by the check engine light flashing and the low oil indicator illuminating. I pulled over and found that a massive amount of oil was rapidly pouring out from beneath the vehicle. Vehicle was towed back to Transitowne Kia who on 10/21/24 diagnosed the issue as a failure to the oil pressure setting unit. Transitowne Kia replaced an oil plug and alleges the issue is unrelated to the oil change. They further allege the vehicle's engine is functioning fine following their complete engine diagnostic testing and the vehicle is ready to be picked up.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 23, 2024EngineODI 11621452

Power train

2 reports
“While attempting to merge into 70mph traffic on the interstate, the vehicle suddenly lost all acceleration capabilities. I could have been in an accident due to the sudden loss of acceleration and eventual power to the engine. When I pressed on the gas pedal, there was no resistance and the pedal went all the way to the floor. The vehicle slowly accelerated on it's own from 20MPH to 55MPH without my pressing the accelerator. There were no warnings on the dash at this time. Once it reached 55MPH, it slowly began to decrease it's speed without my pressing the brake or accelerator. As it started decreasing in speed, a warning popped up "Check Hybrid system, Stop safely". At this time, the battery level showed 0 bars though it showed half full (8 bars before this happened). I got over to the side of the highway and continued coasting until the vehicle slowed itself to a complete stop at which point the car put itself in Park and engaged the Emergency Brake and the dash displayed "Parking brake automatically engaged" and the Engine Oil Pressure Warning light came on. I attempted to put the car back in Drive and the dash displayed "Shifting conditions not met". I…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 6, 2024Power train, Vehicle speed control, Unknown or otherODI 11570398
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 13, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl turbo hybrid
Transmissions
Automatic (AM-S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 13, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Sorento Hybrid FWD
Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
393537$1,600242
Sorento Hybrid AWD
Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
363335$1,700257
  • Sorento Hybrid FWD
    Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo
    39 city · 35 hwy · $1,600/yr
    37
    mpg comb.
  • Sorento Hybrid AWD
    Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo
    36 city · 33 hwy · $1,700/yr
    35
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 13, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Kia Sorento Hybrid SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.9%
Overall
4 / 5
Kia Sorento Hybrid SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 13, 2026Vehicle 17031Vehicle 15948
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2022 Sorento Hybrid questions

How many recalls does the 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 13, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid problems?

Owners filed 13 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (4), engine (2), power train (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid get?

The EPA rates the 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid at 35–37 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 13, 2026