2022 KIA SORENTO PHEV Complaints and Recall Information
The 2022 KIA SORENTO PHEV has 7 complaints and 18 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report unexpected emergency braking events, particularly when vehicles approach from behind on adjacent lanes. Complaints also include rearview camera malfunctions, hybrid system failures causing loss of power and acceleration, and persistent diagnostic trouble codes affecting electric motor performance.
Common Issues- Unexpected emergency braking. The vehicle applies emergency braking when rear-approaching cars are detected in adjacent lanes without driver input, sometimes causing full stops.
- Rearview camera failure. The camera image may not display clearly or the grid lines may misalign, potentially impairing rear visibility and increasing crash risk.
- Hybrid system failure. Alerts for inverter coolant refill or hybrid system failure result in loss of acceleration and power steering, sometimes causing limp mode and delayed restart after cool down.
- Electric motor power loss. A P0C4E code correlates with severely reduced electric power and whine noises from the drivetrain, with repairs requiring costly motor replacement.
- Sensor and software issues. Sensor faults in the electric motor lead to limp mode and limited regenerative braking, degrading vehicle performance without detectable fault codes after resets.
In addition to complaints, 18 recalls affect the 2022 KIA SORENTO PHEV. These recalls address various safety and functional components, including rearview cameras, fuel tanks, seat belts, and trailer hitch assemblies.
Recalls- Rearview camera housing (NHTSA Recall 23V610000, 144,979 vehicles). The rearview camera mounting clips may break causing a poor or non-functional rear view image. This impairs rear visibility and raises crash risk. Dealers will inspect and replace the housing free of charge.
- Fuel tank assembly (NHTSA Recall 23V027000, 34 vehicles). Improperly molded fuel tanks may leak fuel, increasing fire risk if an ignition source is present. Dealers will inspect and replace the tank as needed at no cost.
- Front seat belt pretensioners (NHTSA Recalls 22V127000, 22V447000; 17,199+ vehicles). Pretensioners may explode upon deployment, projecting metal fragments inside the vehicle and causing injury. Dealers will replace or secure pretensioners free of charge. Some vehicles repaired under earlier recalls require updated remedies.
- Trailer hitch harness module (NHTSA Recall 22V703000, 70,887 vehicles). Debris and moisture on the tow hitch PCB may cause electrical shorts leading to fires. Owners are advised to park outside away from structures until repairs. Dealers will inspect and replace the fuse or module as necessary without charge.
Owners facing repeated repairs related to emergency braking malfunctions, hybrid system failures, or unresolved recall issues may have rights under state lemon laws. Consulting with a legal professional can help determine appropriate next steps.
2022 KIA SORENTO PHEV Summary
2022
Model Year
7
Total Complaints
5
Total Recalls
233312
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2022 KIA SORENTO PHEV
144979 vehicles affected
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
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."
Risk: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
2022 KIA SORENTO PHEV
34 vehicles affected
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) vehicles. The fuel tank may have been improperly molded, which can result in a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
2022 KIA SORENTO PHEV
17199 vehicles affected
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
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.
Risk: An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.
2022 KIA SORENTO PHEV
70887 vehicles affected
TRAILER HITCHES
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.
Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
2022 KIA SORENTO PHEV
213 vehicles affected
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Sorento Hybrid and 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.
Risk: An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.
Complaints
2022 KIA SORENTO PHEV
ID: 2116153SERVICE BRAKES
My Sorento PHEV popped a P0c4e code and now the car is gutless on electric power. Kia cleared the code in an attempt to fix it but now the code is gone and it’s still weak. When I let off the brake it rolls when it used to have the power to hold it. I used to be able to get on the freeway and now I can’t get up to speed in town (35mph). It’s running in some sort of limp mode and Kia can’t see any codes. It’s loud, too. Each gear whines. It whines when I hit the brake and it regenerates electricity. It regens so little now that it doesn’t hardly slow me down anymore until I stand on them and use the brake pads. Kia said that it might be a sensor in the electric motor but it’s not replaceable and you have to replace the whole motor. Even though it’s under warranty, it’s 15 hours labor to replace it. I have family with the same car and theirs has done the same thing in the past and had to be replaced. My dealer said that they have seen a bunch of these throw that same code and have to have the motor replaced. She said she is expecting Kia to start replacing them for free or possibly recall them because of how many she has seen all doing the same thing.
2022 KIA SORENTO PHEV
ID: 2116152POWER TRAIN
My Sorento PHEV popped a P0c4e code and now the car is gutless on electric power. Kia cleared the code in an attempt to fix it but now the code is gone and it’s still weak. When I let off the brake it rolls when it used to have the power to hold it. I used to be able to get on the freeway and now I can’t get up to speed in town (35mph). It’s running in some sort of limp mode and Kia can’t see any codes. It’s loud, too. Each gear whines. It whines when I hit the brake and it regenerates electricity. It regens so little now that it doesn’t hardly slow me down anymore until I stand on them and use the brake pads. Kia said that it might be a sensor in the electric motor but it’s not replaceable and you have to replace the whole motor. Even though it’s under warranty, it’s 15 hours labor to replace it. I have family with the same car and theirs has done the same thing in the past and had to be replaced. My dealer said that they have seen a bunch of these throw that same code and have to have the motor replaced. She said she is expecting Kia to start replacing them for free or possibly recall them because of how many she has seen all doing the same thing.
2022 KIA SORENTO PHEV
ID: 2116151ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My Sorento PHEV popped a P0c4e code and now the car is gutless on electric power. Kia cleared the code in an attempt to fix it but now the code is gone and it’s still weak. When I let off the brake it rolls when it used to have the power to hold it. I used to be able to get on the freeway and now I can’t get up to speed in town (35mph). It’s running in some sort of limp mode and Kia can’t see any codes. It’s loud, too. Each gear whines. It whines when I hit the brake and it regenerates electricity. It regens so little now that it doesn’t hardly slow me down anymore until I stand on them and use the brake pads. Kia said that it might be a sensor in the electric motor but it’s not replaceable and you have to replace the whole motor. Even though it’s under warranty, it’s 15 hours labor to replace it. I have family with the same car and theirs has done the same thing in the past and had to be replaced. My dealer said that they have seen a bunch of these throw that same code and have to have the motor replaced. She said she is expecting Kia to start replacing them for free or possibly recall them because of how many she has seen all doing the same thing.
2022 KIA SORENTO PHEV
ID: 2092992POWER TRAIN
I have gotten the notice Refill Inverter Coolant and Hybrid System Failure and lost acceleration and the all power. The first time this happened was in Dec 2024 with about 60,000 miles on the car. Dealer flushed system and it worked fine until April 2025 at about 71000 miles Hybrid system failure alert again, barely able to accelerate from stop light, made to a parking space just as I lost power steering. After about 2 hours to cool off car started and could be driven home. Got Refill inverter coolant alert.
2022 KIA SORENTO PHEV
ID: 2062755BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento PHEV. The contact stated that while reversing the vehicle, the rearview camera failed to display a clear image, and the grid lines were not properly aligned. The contact crashed the vehicle into his mailbox. There were no injuries sustained and no police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V610000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 22,500.
2022 KIA SORENTO PHEV
ID: 2058944FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Several times over the past 12 months, the car has applied emergency braking when a car approaches me from behind in the lane to my left. The dealer was not able to replicate the problem but I have captured it twice on my dash cam. I was only able to intentionally replicate the problem once on my own but it has happened 15-20 times. If I do not press the accelerator, the car will come to a stop without me pushing the brake. When the emergency brake is applied, the warning sound is heard in the car and the dash lights up with the emergency braking icon and emphasizes the left rear of the vehicle. I have been to the dealer twice for this issue. The first time they told me it was due to a faulty camera mount under recall. It was replaced but the issue continued. The second time they told me they decreased the sensitivity of some sensor. The issue continued.
2022 KIA SORENTO PHEV
ID: 2058943SERVICE BRAKES
Several times over the past 12 months, the car has applied emergency braking when a car approaches me from behind in the lane to my left. The dealer was not able to replicate the problem but I have captured it twice on my dash cam. I was only able to intentionally replicate the problem once on my own but it has happened 15-20 times. If I do not press the accelerator, the car will come to a stop without me pushing the brake. When the emergency brake is applied, the warning sound is heard in the car and the dash lights up with the emergency braking icon and emphasizes the left rear of the vehicle. I have been to the dealer twice for this issue. The first time they told me it was due to a faulty camera mount under recall. It was replaced but the issue continued. The second time they told me they decreased the sensitivity of some sensor. The issue continued.