NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2026 Kia Sorento PHEV Safety Record
The 2026 Kia Sorento PHEV has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its federal safety record shows 1 recall and 4 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
The 2026 Kia Sorento PHEV has not undergone federal crash testing, leaving it without an official NHTSA star rating or a computed Safety Index score. The available data reflects a light burden of one recall campaign and four owner complaints. Shoppers should interpret this narrow record, particularly the absence of crash-test data, with appropriate caution.
The 2026 Kia Sorento PHEV has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, carries one recall campaign, and holds a Light recall and complaint burden band according to NHTSA federal safety data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
- shoppers who want the full federal safety picture in one place
| NHTSA crash test | Not crash-tested |
|---|---|
| Recall and complaint burden | Light |
| Recalls on file | 1 |
| Owner complaints | 4 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2026 Kia Sorento PHEV?
The 2026 Kia Sorento PHEV has entered the federal safety record, showing a "Light" burden band for its recall and complaint volume. This places the model at the lower end of NHTSA data for comparable vehicles. A single recall has been issued; it is a multi-model campaign concerning the instrument cluster, not a powertrain or structural defect specific to this Sorento variant. Of the four owner complaints filed, two allege crash involvement and one claims injury. These remain unverified consumer reports. However, a reported issue with the Forward Collision Avoidance system bears scrutiny, as this system is critical for active safety. No crash-test data for sibling model years are available in the NHTSA record to establish a performance baseline for this generation.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2026 Kia Sorento PHEV have any recalls?
The single recall on record for this model year targets the electrical system, specifically the instrument cluster and panel. Kia's campaign covers certain 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, and Sorento PHEV vehicles alongside the 2025 Kia K4. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive is noted in the available data for this campaign.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL26V046000
Risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
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.
Reported 2026-01-27
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2026 Kia Sorento PHEV?
Four owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2026 Sorento PHEV. The most frequently reported components are Service Brakes (2 allegations) and Engine and Engine Cooling (1 allegation), with additional reports touching the Engine, Hydraulic system, and Forward Collision Avoidance system. All are unverified consumer allegations, not established facts.
4 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2026 Kia Sorento PHEV?
The 2026 Sorento PHEV has been subject to an instrument cluster recall. Any prospective buyer should verify the recall's completion for a specific vehicle by checking its VIN on nhtsa.gov.
- NHTSA has not crash-tested the 2026 Kia Sorento PHEV, so no federal star ratings or Safety Index score exists for this model year.
- One recall is on record for this model year, covering the instrument cluster and panel as part of a multi-model Kia campaign that also includes the 2025-2026 Sorento Hybrid and 2025 K4.
- Four unverified complaints have been reported to NHTSA, with Service Brakes accounting for two of those allegations and Forward Collision Avoidance appearing as a reported concern.
- Shoppers should use the VIN-specific recall lookup at nhtsa.gov to verify whether the instrument cluster recall has been remedied on any specific 2026 Sorento PHEV unit.
FAQ2026 Kia Sorento PHEV safety questions
Was the 2026 Kia Sorento PHEV crash-tested by NHTSA?
No. NHTSA has not run a New Car Assessment Program crash test on this configuration, so it carries no Safety Index. Its safety record here is built from 1 recall and 4 owner complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2026 Kia Sorento PHEV have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 1 vehicle recall is on file for the 2026 Kia Sorento PHEV. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2026 Kia Sorento PHEV?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 4 owner complaints are on file for the 2026 Kia Sorento PHEV. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Kia Sorento PHEV 2026.
- SCORE This configuration was not crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. We report its recall and complaint record only.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.