NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 8 owner complaints for the 2023 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid. Most complaints involve electrical system (3) and engine (3). The EPA rates it 34 mpg combined.
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.
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."
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“While driving my 2023 Sorento plug-in hybrid a msg appeared that Charging Stopped Check Cable. When you stop the car and try to drive it will not go into any gear, msg says Shifting Conditions Not Met and Unplug Vehicle to Start and the wheels are locked up (E-brake) and needs a tow truck with dollies in order to load. This happened in the middle of the Highway and it’s happened FOUR times. By the time the dealer looks at it, the problem has cleared and does not show any codes. It’s not easy to reproduce since it just happens sometimes with the warning and sometimes no warning. The dealer tells me nothing is wrong with the car yet someone could get killed by being rear ended. I’ve tried for 4 months to get a Kia Field Tech out to diagnose but just keep getting lip service from Kia Customer “I don’t “ Care. I feel the car is to dangerous to drive and have refused to pick up from dealer until they fix it.”
“When trying to accelerate from a standing stop, there is a one or two second delay, once the accelerator pedal is depressed, before the car moves. Extremely dangerous when pulling out into traffic. I had it back to the dealership to address this problem but they found nothing wrong. I guarantee you , the problem continues to exist.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sorento Plug-in Hybrid Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 35 | 33 | 34 | $1,750 | 105 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
2 safety recalls as of Nov 12, 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.
Owners filed 8 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (3), engine (3), fuel/propulsion system (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2023 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid at 34 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).