NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
68 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jul 16, 2024
Electrical SystemStructureUnknown Or Other
While parked in a parking lot I attempted to lower the volume of the radio and the buttons were not responding. Attemped to turn off infotainment center and it would not respond. A call came in and my phone was connected and car would not allow me to answer call. Attempted to disconnect phone from car and it would not work. At…
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While parked in a parking lot I attempted to lower the volume of the radio and the buttons were not responding. Attemped to turn off infotainment center and it would not respond. A call came in and my phone was connected and car would not allow me to answer call. Attempted to disconnect phone from car and it would not work. Attempted to resolve with KIA after ongoing issues but they do not feel that this is a safety concern or feel it needs to be investigated appropriately. This occurs when driving typically on the highway because most of my travel is highway. When this occurs it is a distraction for the driver. It interferes with the ability to use hands free/calls/gps. Timestamped photos and video available
NHTSA ODI #11602629
Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2024
Electrical SystemStructureUnknown Or Other
Infotainment center glicthing while driving, Restarting as if the car was just started. Attempted to resolve with KIA after ongoing issues but they do not feel that this is a safety concern or feel it needs to be investigated appropriately. This occurs when driving typically on the highway because most of my travel is highway…
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Infotainment center glicthing while driving, Restarting as if the car was just started. Attempted to resolve with KIA after ongoing issues but they do not feel that this is a safety concern or feel it needs to be investigated appropriately. This occurs when driving typically on the highway because most of my travel is highway. When this occurs it is a distraction for the driver. It interferes with the ability to use hands free/calls/gps. Timestamped photos and video available There is no warning before failure. Due to Covid, Parts shortatages and loaner/rental shortages this was not addressed in a timely manner by KIA however they state its my fault.
NHTSA ODI #11602626
Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2024
Electrical SystemStructureUnknown Or Other
infotainment center glitching Attemped to resolve with KIA but they do not feel that this is a safety concern or feel it needs to be investigated appropriately. This occurs when driving typically on the highway because most of my travel is highway. When this occurs it is a distraction for the driver. It interferes with the a…
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infotainment center glitching Attemped to resolve with KIA but they do not feel that this is a safety concern or feel it needs to be investigated appropriately. This occurs when driving typically on the highway because most of my travel is highway. When this occurs it is a distraction for the driver. It interferes with the ability to use hands free/calls/gps. There is no warning before failure.
NHTSA ODI #11601018
Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2024
Electrical SystemStructureUnknown Or Other
infotainment center glitching and restarting while driving at random times. would restart to kia logo and then freeze on the saftey message. this interferes with navigation and is a distraction while driving. Attemped to resolve with KIA but they do not feel that this is a safety concern or feel it needs to be investigated app…
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infotainment center glitching and restarting while driving at random times. would restart to kia logo and then freeze on the saftey message. this interferes with navigation and is a distraction while driving. Attemped to resolve with KIA but they do not feel that this is a safety concern or feel it needs to be investigated appropriately. This occurs when driving typically on the highway because most of my travel is highway. When this occurs it is a distraction for the driver. It interferes with the ability to use hands free/calls/gps. There is no warning before failure.
NHTSA ODI #11601014
Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2024
Electrical SystemStructureUnknown Or Other
infotainment center glitching. restart as if the car was just turned on and freeze. It also went black then back to the start with KIA logo. I was driving on roads in the country that I was not familiar with, I did record this to the best of our ability with the assitance of my child. Attemped to resolve with KIA but they do n…
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infotainment center glitching. restart as if the car was just turned on and freeze. It also went black then back to the start with KIA logo. I was driving on roads in the country that I was not familiar with, I did record this to the best of our ability with the assitance of my child. Attemped to resolve with KIA but they do not feel that this is a safety concern or feel it needs to be investigated appropriately. This occurs when driving typically on the highway because most of my travel is highway. When this occurs it is a distraction for the driver. It interferes with the ability to use hands free/calls/gps. There is no warning before failure.
NHTSA ODI #11601012
Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2024
Electrical SystemStructureUnknown Or Other
Infotainment center failure/glitching. It would restart as if the car was just turned on and freeze. It also went black then back to the start with KIA logo. Attemped to resolve with KIA but they do not feel that this is a safety concern or feel it needs to be investigated appropriately. This occurs when driving typically o…
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Infotainment center failure/glitching. It would restart as if the car was just turned on and freeze. It also went black then back to the start with KIA logo. Attemped to resolve with KIA but they do not feel that this is a safety concern or feel it needs to be investigated appropriately. This occurs when driving typically on the highway because most of my travel is highway. When this occurs it is a distraction for the driver. It interferes with the ability to use hands free/calls/gps. There is no warning before failure.
NHTSA ODI #11601008
Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2024
Electrical SystemStructureUnknown Or Other
About an hour after getting a car wash I noticed that the infotainment center was having issues. It would restart as if the car was just turned on and freeze. It also went black then back to the start with KIA logo. Attemped to resolve with KIA but they do not feel that this is a safety concern or feel it needs to be investiga…
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About an hour after getting a car wash I noticed that the infotainment center was having issues. It would restart as if the car was just turned on and freeze. It also went black then back to the start with KIA logo. Attemped to resolve with KIA but they do not feel that this is a safety concern or feel it needs to be investigated appropriately. This occurs when driving typically on the highway because most of my travel is highway. When this occurs it is a distraction for the driver. It interferes with the ability to use hands free/calls/gps. There is no warning before failure.
NHTSA ODI #11601007
Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2024
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
Infotainment center no longer has option for date/time. Option is grayed out. Dealership had vehicle for 89 days and returned it not fixed after claiming they resolved everything.
NHTSA ODI #11600105
Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2024
Electrical SystemLane DepartureUnknown Or Other
Infotainment/back up camera failure when reversing and while driving today. Kia corporate has been aware of issue since April 2021 and has yet to resolve to attempt to fully diagnose. Dealership claimed they checked "every" wiring harness for water exposure due to ongoing water issues from dash. Kia claimed they would work …
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Infotainment/back up camera failure when reversing and while driving today. Kia corporate has been aware of issue since April 2021 and has yet to resolve to attempt to fully diagnose. Dealership claimed they checked "every" wiring harness for water exposure due to ongoing water issues from dash. Kia claimed they would work with me during our BBB arbitration and have had zero contact since. Car was manufacturered weeks before current back up camera recall on other 2019 sorentos. Camera in car shows no work was done. Car sat on Dealership lot on 2 different occasions for 27 days in 2022 and then over 87 days. Per Kia "they can't throw parts at it" This has caused an accident and is concerning regarding backing up with children. "Safety features" do not actually work for safety purposes. Kia states they are not meant for safety during recorded arbitration
NHTSA ODI #11600104
Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2024
Electrical SystemLane DepartureUnknown Or Other
blind spot collision system failure ongoing off and on since 2021 alarms are a distraction while driving 70 on highway roads when it is icy kia aware of issue due to multiple cases opened
NHTSA ODI #11598742
Official recalls
2Sep 15, 2023
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Sorento vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, water may leak into the rearview camera, which can cause the rearview camera image not to appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and add additional water proofing to the camera harness, or replace the camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 8, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC282.
Sep 19, 2022
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power
Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
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