People search "Kia Sorento transmission problems" and "2024 Kia Sorento transmission problems" because their SUV is jerking, hesitating, or refusing to shift right. The safety recalls that NHTSA has on file for the 2024 Sorento are not about the transmission — they cover steering and lighting. But a transmission that won’t shift properly can still make your Sorento a lemon under Texas law, and that path does not depend on a recall existing at all.
Say your Sorento has been to the dealer three times for a hard shift between second and third gear, and the service department can’t make it stop.
That is the kind of repeat problem the Texas Lemon Law was built to address.
What has Kia actually recalled on the 2024 Sorento?
NHTSA’s recall records for the 2024 Kia Sorento list two recalls.
Recall 24V287000 covers the motor driven power steering wiring harness. If it was put together wrong, you can lose power steering assist, which raises the risk of a crash. Kia dealers will inspect and repair or replace the wiring harness at no charge. Owners were notified by mail starting May 7, 2024.
Recall 25V006000 covers a software error in the Body Domain Control Unit on certain 2024-2025 Sorento, 2025 Sorento Hybrid, and 2025 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. The error can cause your low beam headlights and taillights to go out, which reduces visibility and raises crash risk. Kia dealers will update the software for free. Owners were notified by mail starting February 21, 2025.
If your Sorento is covered by either recall, contact your Kia dealer and get the free repair done. But a recall repair is a separate process from a lemon law claim, and transmission trouble is not what either recall addresses.
Can a transmission problem still make my Sorento a lemon?
Yes. A recall isn’t required. Under Texas law, a vehicle can qualify as a lemon if it has a substantial defect covered by the manufacturer’s written warranty, you reported it during the warranty period, and the dealer couldn’t fix it in a reasonable number of attempts, according to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.
A transmission that slips, jerks, hesitates, or won’t shift is the kind of problem that can "substantially impair" a vehicle’s use, which is part of what the law requires.
How do I know if I’ve given the dealer enough chances?
The TxDMV says you’re presumed to have given a reasonable number of repair attempts if you pass one of three tests.
The four-times test. You’ve taken the car in four times for the same defect within the first 24 months or 24,000 miles, and it still isn’t fixed.
The serious safety-hazard test. The defect is a life-threatening malfunction that substantially affects your ability to control the car, or creates a real risk of fire or explosion. You pass this test after two repair attempts in the first 24 months or 24,000 miles.
The 30-day test. Your car has been out of service for repairs on a warranty-covered defect for a total of 30 days or more during the first 24 months or 24,000 miles. Days don’t have to be in a row, but time spent in a comparable loaner doesn’t count toward the 30.
If your Sorento’s transmission trouble fits one of these, you likely meet the repair-attempts requirement.
What do I need to do before I file?
Before the dealer’s last repair attempt counts toward your claim, the TxDMV requires that you give the manufacturer written notice of the defect — certified mail is recommended — and at least one chance to fix it.
Keep every repair order. Write down the dates, the mileage, and exactly what the service department told you. This record is what proves your case later.
How long do I have to file a complaint?
A Lemon Law complaint must be filed within six months of whichever comes first: your warranty expiring, 24 months after you bought the car, or 24,000 miles on the odometer, per the TxDMV. File as soon as you realize the dealer can’t fix the problem — don’t wait for the deadline to get close.
What can I get if I win?
The TxDMV can order the manufacturer to repurchase your Sorento for the purchase price (including taxes, title, and license fees), minus a deduction for the use you got out of the car before the hearing. It can also order a replacement vehicle, or order the manufacturer to repair the defect and reimburse your out-of-pocket repair costs.
Filing costs a $35 fee and starts with the Motor Vehicle Dealer Online Complaint System, according to the TxDMV.
What should I do next?
Pull your repair records together and see which test you pass. You can find a short rundown of the main Sorento complaints, including transmission issues, on the Kia Sorento common problems page.
If you want a quick read on whether your situation fits the Lemon Law, use the do I qualify form to find out. You can also learn more about how Kia claims generally work on the Kia Lemon Lawyer page.
The Lemon Lawyers