The 2026 Kia Sorento has zero owner defect complaints and 2 safety recall campaigns on file with NHTSA. EPA testing covers 7 certified vehicle configurations spanning 1.6L 4-Cyl hybrid, 1.6L 4-Cyl plug-in hybrid, and 2.5l 4-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 23 to 37 MPG combined. Plug-in hybrid variants are rated up to 74 MPGe (33 MPG on gasoline) with up to 30 miles of electric driving range.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 0 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 2 campaigns
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 23–37 MPG (7 variants • PHEV up to 74 MPGe)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Sorento Hybrid FWD Hybrid | 1.6L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S6) | 37 MPG | 36 MPG | 37 MPG | — | $1,650 / yr |
| Sorento Hybrid AWD Hybrid | 1.6L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S6) | 32 MPG | 35 MPG | 34 MPG | — | $1,800 / yr |
| Sorento Plug-in Hybrid Plug-in Hybrid | 1.6L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S6) | 77 MPGe (33 MPG) | 71 MPGe (34 MPG) | 74 MPGe (33 MPG) | 30 mi EV (440 mi total) | $1,850 / yr |
| Sorento FWD | 2.5L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 23 MPG | 31 MPG | 26 MPG | — | $2,350 / yr |
| Sorento AWD | 2.5L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 23 MPG | 28 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $2,450 / yr |
| Sorento FWD | 2.5L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S8) | 20 MPG | 29 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $2,650 / yr |
| Sorento AWD | 2.5L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S8) | 20 MPG | 27 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $2,650 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
Electric Range & Charging: The 2026 Kia Sorento provides an official EPA-rated driving range of up to 30 miles on a single battery charge.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| HYBRID SUV HEV FWD | | | | | 15.9% |
| HYBRID SUV HEV AWD | | | | | 15.9% |
| PHEV SUV PHEV AWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Standard & Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Standard in official NHTSA records for tested 2026 Kia Sorento models.
View complete 2026 Kia Sorento crash test & safety breakdown →
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2026 Kia Sorento problems & component breakdown (0 categories) →
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Defect Summary: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Controls and Displays" and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System."
Free Manufacturer Remedy: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 26, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC361. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 9, 2026.
Affected Component: TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
Defect Summary: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Telluride and 2026 Sorento vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with an incorrect spare tire which, when installed, can impair the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and the traction control system (TCS). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will replace the spare wheel and tire assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC355. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 13, 2025.
View all 2026 Kia Sorento recalls & campaign history (2 campaigns) →