MODEL
Kia Sorento Plug-In
NHTSA safety across every Kia Sorento Plug-In model year we cover.
Across the 3 model years of the Kia Sorento Plug-In we cover (2022 to 2025), no year has an NHTSA crash-test score on record. 11 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid is a three-row family SUV competing in one of the most crowded segments in the American market. Aimed at eco-conscious families who want electrified efficiency without fully committing to a pure EV, it blends a practical crossover package with a rechargeable powertrain. Shoppers cross-shopping the Sorento PHEV are typically weighing it against rivals like the Ford Explorer Hybrid and Toyota RAV4 Prime.
From a safety standpoint, the 2022-2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In presents a mixed picture that shoppers should examine carefully before signing. NHTSA has not crash-tested the plug-in variant in any of the model years we cover, which means there is no federal star rating to anchor your confidence. That is a meaningful gap. Kia's broader Sorento lineup has received third-party attention, but the PHEV specifically remains unverified by government crash standards. That alone warrants caution for safety-first buyers. The recall count is notable: 11 recalls spanning the 2022-2025 coverage window, including one park-outside or do-not-drive campaign. That type of campaign signals a risk serious enough that NHTSA or the manufacturer determined the vehicle should not be garaged until the issue is resolved, a threshold that goes well beyond routine service bulletins. Shoppers should verify whether any open recalls apply to a specific VIN using NHTSA's free lookup tool before purchase. Owner complaints total 283 across covered years, with 13 reported crashes, 2 fire allegations, and 11 injury claims embedded in that figure. These are unverified allegations, but the fire reports are worth flagging given the vehicle carries a high-voltage battery pack. No deaths have been reported in this dataset. Bottom line: the absence of NHTSA crash-test data, a double-digit recall count, and a park-outside campaign make this a vehicle that demands due diligence before purchase.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally find the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid to be a well-rounded family hauler with a composed ride, a cabin that leans toward premium refinement in its materials and layout, and driving dynamics that feel more polished than the segment average. The electrified powertrain earns praise for its smooth delivery, though some reviewers note the third-row space is tight for adults on longer trips.
- NHTSA has not crash-tested the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid for any model year from 2022 to 2025, so there are no federal star ratings available to evaluate structural or occupant-protection performance for this specific variant.
- The model carries 11 recalls across the 2022-2025 window, including at least one park-outside or do-not-drive campaign - a severity level that indicates a risk serious enough to warrant keeping the vehicle out of enclosed spaces. Always run the VIN through NHTSA's recall database before buying.
- Owner complaint data includes 2 fire-related allegations out of 283 total complaints. While these are unverified, the presence of fire reports on a plug-in hybrid with a high-voltage battery pack is a detail safety-focused shoppers should not dismiss without investigation.
- With 13 reported crashes and 11 injury claims embedded in the complaint data, the Sorento PHEV has a non-trivial incident footprint for a model in this segment. Cross-reference any prospective used example against NHTSA's VIN-level recall and complaint history before finalizing a purchase.
Most-recalled year on record: 2022 Kia Sorento Plug-In with 6 recalls.