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2023 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid
Solid pick. The public record on this car is clean for its age. Inspect it, then negotiate with confidence.
107 owner complaints · 3 recalls · data verified July 19, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Electrical system problems dominate (32% of complaints, typically reported near 30k miles).
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →#231 of 378Among the 2023 models with a matured record, the 2023 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid ranks #231, scoring higher than 38% of them. See the 2023 ranking →
Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
4/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2023 Kia Sorento SUV AWD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 16%
No open NHTSA defect investigations on file.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2023 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Driver assistance (12) · Speed control (11)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Electrical system
32%34 complaints · typically near 30k mi · 24 in the last 2 years
“Since fall of 2025, my 2023 KIA Sorento has repeatedly been in the shop for multiple issues. Most notably, a completely wrecked steering column. This issue was fixed a…”
Engine
24%26 complaints · typically near 7k mi · 15 in the last 2 years
“Engine- car turn off - lights were still on, car restarted - no icons on dashboard”
Transmission & drivetrain
16%17 complaints · typically near 7k mi · 10 in the last 2 years
“Transmission went out while driving on highway. Dealership said they need to replace the entire transmission.”
Driver assistance
11%12 complaints · 7 in the last 2 years
“Check engine light on. Rear defrost doesn't work. Auto stop/start not working. Cruise control not working. Vehicle shuts off sometimes at stand still and have to put i…”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
We can place 4 of this model's commonly reported problem areas against a mileage. Nothing is stored.
Read all 107 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 6 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (3)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Electrical System · 25V649000
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Sorento vehicles. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) blower motor wiring harness may be inadequate, which can result in a fire.
Risk: A fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the wiring harness and blower motor resistor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC351. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 9, 2025.
Back Over Prevention · 23V610000
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.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera housing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC280.
Equipment · 23V579000
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sorento vehicles. The air bag warning labels on the driver and front passenger sun visors may detach. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: A detached air bag warning label will not warn occupants about the risks of air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver and front passenger sun visors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 10, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC277.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Kia before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2023 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"?
- Owners of this model report electrical system problems more than anything else (owners tend to report it near 30k miles). Has this car shown any electrical system symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Owners of this model report engine problems more than anything else (owners tend to report it near 7k miles). Has this car shown any engine symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2023 Kia SORENTO PLUG-IN HYBRID beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2023? See how every Sorento Plug-in Hybrid model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2023 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.