2023 Kia Sorento Safety Report

The 2023 Kia Sorento presents a mixed safety picture based on NHTSA data. While it achieved strong crash test ratings with an Overall 4-star rating, including 5 stars for side impact and 4 stars for frontal and rollover, the vehicle has accumulated 90 complaints, 2 crashes, 2 fires, and 3 injuries. A significant concern is the recall related to the HVAC blower motor wiring harness, which can result in a fire, directly correlating with the 2 reported fires and multiple complaints about burning smells and electrical issues. The 'UNKNOWN OR OTHER' category leads complaints with 14 instances, often describing issues like panoramic sunroof explosions (multiple reports) and unexplained vehicle shutdowns. Common complaint patterns extend beyond the fire risk. The POWER TRAIN component has 8 complaints, including reports of transmission failure while driving on the highway. ENGINE-related issues account for 5 complaints, with instances of sudden shutdowns and loss of acceleration. Electrical system problems are also prevalent, with 5 complaints specifically for 'ELECTRICAL SYSTEM' and another 5 for 'ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE', indicating a broader electrical vulnerability that could impact various vehicle functions. The recall for rearview camera mounting clips breaking also points to potential issues with safety-critical electronic components. Three recalls have been issued for the 2023 Sorento. The most critical is the HVAC blower motor wiring harness recall due to fire risk. Another recall addresses rearview camera mounting clips, which can cause the camera to not display an image, increasing crash risk. The third recall concerns air bag warning labels on sun visors detaching, which could lead to occupants not being properly warned about air bag deployment risks. These recalls, combined with the complaint data, suggest that while the Sorento performs well in controlled crash tests, there are notable reliability and component integrity issues that could compromise real-world safety.

Our recommendation: While the 2023 Kia Sorento has good crash test ratings, potential buyers should be aware of the fire recall, panoramic sunroof issues, and powertrain concerns; ensure all recalls are addressed before purchase and consider an extended warranty.