KiaSorento2023Overview/kia/sorento/2023/base/

2023 Kia Sorento

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2023 Sorento.

Transmission Automatic (AM-S8)

The 2023 Kia Sorento is equipped with an Automatic (AM‑S8) transmission and achieves an EPA‑rated 22/27/24 mpg. Its reliability profile for this year includes 105 total owner complaints, with the top complaint area listed as Unknown Or Other, and it has been subject to three recalls. Compared with the full Sorento complaint history from 2003‑2026, the 2023 total is far below the 2011 peak of 1,516 complaints and well above the 2010 low of just three complaints, suggesting a modest but improved reliability standing for this model year.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque79.0-94.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy22/27/24 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

Tail / brake / turnTAILOEM · verified
Tire size235/60R18 103HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AM-S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length189 in
Overall width74.8 in
Overall height66.9 in
Wheelbase110.6 in
Curb weight3825 lb
Track (front / rear)65 / 65.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined22 / 27 / 24 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Sorento of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.40 sec — 2023 PHEV SX Prestige
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2023PHEV SX Prestige 1.6L Turbo I-4 + Elec7.40 sec15.50 sec261 hpAWD
2022SX 2.5L Turbo I-46.00 sec14.60 sec281 hpAWD
2022Hybrid EX 1.6L Turbo I-4 + Elec7.30 sec15.50 sec227 hpFWD
2022Eco Plug-In Hybrid SX Prestige 1.6L Turbo I-4 + Elec 11.8-kWh7.40 sec15.60 sec261 hpAWD
2022Eco Plug-In Hybrid SX Prestige 1.6L Turbo I-4 + Elec 11.8-kWh7.60 sec15.80 sec261 hpAWD
2024X-Line SX Prestige 2.5L Turbo I-46.70 sec15.10 sec281 hpAWD
2024X-Pro SX Prestige 2.5L Turbo I-46.90 sec15.30 sec281 hpAWD
2021SX Prestige X-Line 2.5L Turbo I-46.30 sec14.80 sec281 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 79.0-94.0 ft-lbs.

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts79.0-94.0 ft-lbs

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)70.0-75.0 psi

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 48,000 mi; coolant every 24,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 24,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 8,000 miAir Intake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect) · Intercooler (inspect)
Every 8,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect)
Every 16,000 miAir Intake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect)
Every 24,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Hybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)
Every 32,000 miHybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 40,000 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 48,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 48,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 64,000 miDrive Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2023 Kia Sorento recorded 106 federal complaints, 3 recalls and 51 technical service bulletins, placing its complaint volume between the 2022 level of 181 complaints and the 2024 level of 36 complaints. Recalls in 2023 (3) are lower than the 6 reported for 2022 but higher than the 2 recorded for 2024, indicating a modest decline in safety actions after a peak in 2022. The primary complaint categories for 2023 were “Unknown Or Other” (18), “Power Train” (8), “Engine” (6) and “Electrical System” (6), reflecting a spread across vehicle systems rather than a single dominant defect. Crash‑related and fire‑related complaints each numbered two, which are consistent with the low‑frequency pattern seen in surrounding years. Because the 2023 figures are comparable to recent years without a clear upward trend, the model can be considered a reasonable purchase, though buyers should monitor future recall updates.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
51
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
105
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 105 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other18
Power Train8
Engine6
Electrical System6
Electrical System,Engine5
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other3
Service Brakes3
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other,Engine3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

23V579000Equipment:Other:LabelsReported 15/08/2023

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… Remedy: 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…

23V610000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: CameraReported 31/08/2023

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 51 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB_ELE4222026-05-27Electrical SystemTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM…
TSB_CHA126_R22026-05-06Service BrakesTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: FRONT BRAKE DISC REPLACEMENT & BURNISHING - This bulletin has…
TSB_ELE4172026-04-14Electrical SystemTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SOFTWARE UPDATE PROCEDURE - This bulletin…
WTY042_OWNR2026-03-26Electrical SystemWARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (WTY042) - This document is the owner…
WTY042_TSB2026-03-24Electrical SystemWARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HORN ASSEMBLY INSPECTION AND…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sorento. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2023 Sorento have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Sorento get?

EPA figures are 22 city / 27 highway / 24 combined mpg.