2024 KIA SORENTO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Sorento, 2025 Sorento Hybrid, and 2025 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. A software error in the Body Domain Control Unit (BDC) may cause a loss of low beam headlights and taillights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: A loss of headlights and taillights can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2024 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that during a routine oil change, the mechanic added an unknown oil additive to the vehicle. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle lost motive power and drove sluggishly. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for an oil change, and the mechanic observed metal shavings in the oil. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, but it had not yet been diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 31,000.

SEAT BELTS

On August 6, 2025, I discovered that both the driver and passenger front seat belts in my 2024 Kia Sorento were installed backwards from the factory, with the buckle facing inward instead of outward. This defect has been present since the vehicle was purchased brand new, but it was only discovered and documented on this date. The issue was confirmed by an authorized Kia dealership in an official service report and in a video recorded by the service technician. I also have photos and videos taken before the dealership visit showing the same defect. This is a manufacturing defect and poses a serious safety risk to occupants in the event of a collision, as the seat belts may not function as intended. Supporting documentation is available upon request.

STRUCTURE:BODY

The trim on my vehicle will not stay snapped down.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

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.

POWER TRAIN

Vehicle hesitation, transmission slippage at low speeds for up shifting and hard shifting. Pulled out of a parking lot onto a main road from stop and my vehicle would not upshift and sounded like I was in neutral and would not accelerate. I had a vehicle behind me that almost rear ended me, I pulled over and had to put the vehicle in park. Once restarted, it would shift again.

ENGINE

Vehicle hesitation, transmission slippage at low speeds for up shifting and hard shifting. Pulled out of a parking lot onto a main road from stop and my vehicle would not upshift and sounded like I was in neutral and would not accelerate. I had a vehicle behind me that almost rear ended me, I pulled over and had to put the vehicle in park. Once restarted, it would shift again.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Horn has stopped working. Appears it happens often with the 24 sorento. Almost had a car collision due to the inability to warn the driver of the other car that I was in my lane. I do have an appointment to have it looked at, but not for almost 2 weeks.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Both Horn units need to be replaced . It's been confirmed by Safford Brown Kia in Manassas ,Virginia. The dealership did not have the parts and I have to wait 3 to 4 days for the parts to come in. In the meantime I have been driving the vehicle without an active horn because I was not given a loaner vehicle . I did call Kia Customer service whom stated that they are not aware of an open recall for my issue .

ENGINE

On March 19 I completed my 8,000 mile oil change and then drove to Florida. I had a warning light to change my oil since the company did not reset it. Unsure of the other warning lights. As I was driving in Florida on the interstate the car started having issues. It was making a noise, then started smoking and by the time I got off the exit and got out the front right of the car was in flames. I was transported to the ER with smoke inhalation. The car in still in Clermont, FL with no resolution. The car has been inspected by the insurance and a third party inspector. The last I was told the inspection report is with the Kia engineers. I am unaware at this point what the failure was that led to the fire. No response from Kia for over a month.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

On March 19 I completed my 8,000 mile oil change and then drove to Florida. I had a warning light to change my oil since the company did not reset it. Unsure of the other warning lights. As I was driving in Florida on the interstate the car started having issues. It was making a noise, then started smoking and by the time I got off the exit and got out the front right of the car was in flames. I was transported to the ER with smoke inhalation. The car in still in Clermont, FL with no resolution. The car has been inspected by the insurance and a third party inspector. The last I was told the inspection report is with the Kia engineers. I am unaware at this point what the failure was that led to the fire. No response from Kia for over a month.

STRUCTURE:BODY

On March 19 I completed my 8,000 mile oil change and then drove to Florida. I had a warning light to change my oil since the company did not reset it. Unsure of the other warning lights. As I was driving in Florida on the interstate the car started having issues. It was making a noise, then started smoking and by the time I got off the exit and got out the front right of the car was in flames. I was transported to the ER with smoke inhalation. The car in still in Clermont, FL with no resolution. The car has been inspected by the insurance and a third party inspector. The last I was told the inspection report is with the Kia engineers. I am unaware at this point what the failure was that led to the fire. No response from Kia for over a month.

STRUCTURE:BODY

Driving on interstate during a partly cloudy day at 53 degrees going 65 mph. There were vehicles approximately half a mile away in the front of us and approximately 2 car lengths behind us with no noticeable debris on the road. Moon roof was fully extended and the moon roof exploded without warning (not due to rocks). It sounded like a gun shot went off and we were covered in glass.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

On two separate occasions, my 2024 Kia Sorento has activated its automatic emergency braking system, as if anticipating a potential forward collision on an empty Florida highway. The dashboard lights illuminate precisely before the forward collision warning and emergency braking lights activate and commence engaging. Since then, I have noticed a loose sensation in the steering wheel and a diminished braking response. Also screen on dash will randomly shut down and will not allow me to check my vehicle systems or to Kia connect.

SERVICE BRAKES

On two separate occasions, my 2024 Kia Sorento has activated its automatic emergency braking system, as if anticipating a potential forward collision on an empty Florida highway. The dashboard lights illuminate precisely before the forward collision warning and emergency braking lights activate and commence engaging. Since then, I have noticed a loose sensation in the steering wheel and a diminished braking response. Also screen on dash will randomly shut down and will not allow me to check my vehicle systems or to Kia connect.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

On two separate occasions, my 2024 Kia Sorento has activated its automatic emergency braking system, as if anticipating a potential forward collision on an empty Florida highway. The dashboard lights illuminate precisely before the forward collision warning and emergency braking lights activate and commence engaging. Since then, I have noticed a loose sensation in the steering wheel and a diminished braking response. Also screen on dash will randomly shut down and will not allow me to check my vehicle systems or to Kia connect.

ENGINE

Purchased this vehicle last year, and less than a week into ownership developed a coolant leak. KIA determined the hybrid radiator leaking due to damage, such as a rock or related impact. While I didn't receive any warnings on the dash, there was noticeable coolant on the ground when parked and smell. I don't believe the level got low enough to trigger a warning or vehicle disabled by the computer. The front lower grille, which allows air to cool the hybrid radiator, creates a significant exposure of the radiator(s) due to manufacturer design. I have heard from an alarming number of Sorento owners that have experienced this problem, and they are installing their own mesh to reduce the size of holes through the grille. This defect in design should be escalated.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The passengers window will not roll down the sound of clicking you can hear though when switch pushed this is a VERY common ongoing issue via KIA SORENTO COMMUNITY THREAD THAT GOES BACK OVER 7 years it’s never addressed or serious it seems for the services dept of several member’s experience to find the cause leading to ongoing hassle and inconvenience for those with one dealer hours away and the vehicle as NEW BRAND NEW ONLY 3k miles as mine! It’s a safety issue to say the least children on board

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The passengers window will not roll down the sound of clicking you can hear though when switch pushed this is a VERY common ongoing issue via KIA SORENTO COMMUNITY THREAD THAT GOES BACK OVER 7 years it’s never addressed or serious it seems for the services dept of several member’s experience to find the cause leading to ongoing hassle and inconvenience for those with one dealer hours away and the vehicle as NEW BRAND NEW ONLY 3k miles as mine! It’s a safety issue to say the least children on board

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Front headlights are fogging up and blocking headlights. Dealership has looked at the issue and waiting for KIA to approve the replacement. No action yet, but if this is happening to my SUV, I'm sure others are having the same issue.

STRUCTURE:BODY

The rear glass panel on the panoramic sunroof shattered without being bumped or hit, the gar is garage kept and in a treeless parking lot in day. The loud noise as well as damger of glass falling into back seat of car is dangerous. Am taking it to dealership this weekend for them to diagnose a cause but were unable to see us for three days.

SERVICE BRAKES

No less than 6 times in approximately 8000 miles the vehicle has lost all electrical power while driving and then regained power. All interior electric components are lost, power steering, headlights, everything. Twice it has completely stalled out when this has happened. I cannot recreate the issue on-demand. On occasion, the vehicle will not hold a hill. It will drift backwards when taking your foot off the brake. Again, this is not reproducible and is completely random.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

No less than 6 times in approximately 8000 miles the vehicle has lost all electrical power while driving and then regained power. All interior electric components are lost, power steering, headlights, everything. Twice it has completely stalled out when this has happened. I cannot recreate the issue on-demand. On occasion, the vehicle will not hold a hill. It will drift backwards when taking your foot off the brake. Again, this is not reproducible and is completely random.