2023 Kia Sorento: Engine complaints
Owner-reported issue (NHTSA complaints, not a recall)
Symptoms
NHTSA has 49 owner complaints for the 2023 Kia Sorento that list the engine component. Complaints are individual owner reports, not verified defects.
Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11771956 (filed 10/18/2026): “My 2023 kia sorento has experienced continuous mechanical failures, including a serious engine fire in december 2025 while i was driving on the [xxx], which put my life at risk. following that incident, my vehicle remained in the shop for nearly three months while the engine and related components w…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11767249 (filed 09/27/2026): “When traveling up an incline or when gassing the car to accelerate quickly my car registers a spike in heat causing my car to go into limp mode creating a dangerous situation where i can not accelerate at the cars normal rate. when i lift off the gas the temperature normalizes and the car goes back …”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11763054 (filed 09/09/2026): “My 2023 kia sorento has experienced repeated failures involving the engine, transmission/powertrain, and electrical wiring system. the vehicle has been inspected and repaired multiple times by authorized kia dealerships, including kia of round rock and clay cooley kia in irving, and the repair histo…”
Likely causes
These complaints do not establish a single root cause; read the examples above and get a diagnosis.
Fix, in plain English
No single fix is established by these reports. Check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ask a dealer about technical service bulletins (TSBs) or extended warranty coverage, then have the system diagnosed.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Internal engine work (lifters, oil consumption, fuel dilution diagnosis) requires engine teardown or dealer software/tests. (Our assessment.)
Cost
No sourced cost range for this issue. Get a written quote after diagnosis.
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
- NHTSA complaints API: SORENTO 2023
- NHTSA complaints API: SORENTO HEV 2023
- NHTSA complaints API: SORENTO PHEV 2023
Page last updated .