Question 1

How do I spot a fake locksmith before I get ripped off?

Accepted Answer

A few things to watch for specifically when you need Kia key work done.

If they won't give you a real estimate for your specific vehicle and year over the phone, that's a problem. Anyone who knows this work can quote a range before they arrive. A $29 service-call quote with "we'll figure it out when we get there" is a classic bait-and-switch. Kia owners on forums describe showing up to exactly that situation and walking away with a bill several times what they expected.

Also, 2020-and-newer Kia smart key work is genuinely specialized. Ask them what equipment they use on Kia. A tech who does this regularly will answer without hesitating. If they hedge or pivot, that tells you something.

Check their business name against real reviews with dates and photos. A generic "24/7 locksmith" listing with no local address and a call center phone number is a red flag regardless of what they claim on the phone.

Question 2

What exactly is a smart key and why can't I just copy it somewhere?

Accepted Answer

Your 2022 Sorento uses a smart key fob, not a traditional metal key. It contains an encrypted transponder chip that has to be registered to your specific vehicle's immobilizer before the car will start. The fob also handles your remote functions through the buttons on the case.

A hardware store key machine cuts metal. It has no way to touch the transponder side. Even if the blade looks identical, the car won't start without the chip enrollment. That's true whether you buy a blank online or grab one off a shelf. The cut and the programming are two separate steps, and the programming requires professional diagnostic equipment connected to your vehicle.

Question 3

What equipment do you actually use to program a 2022 Sorento key?

Accepted Answer

Professional-grade scan tools capable of accessing the immobilizer on 2020-and-newer Kia vehicles. These aren't generic code readers. The tools have to speak the right protocol for the security system in this generation of Sorento, read the current key count, and enroll the new fob correctly.

Locksmiths on the trade forums are clear that this generation of Kia is not a beginner job. The wrong tool or a mismatched fob can leave you with a ghost registration in the module that eats a key slot. I carry equipment specifically validated for this platform and use OEM-spec fobs to avoid the compatibility headaches that trip up less-prepared setups.

Question 4

I lost both keys to my 2022 Sorento. Is all-keys-lost actually doable without going to the dealer?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and it's a documented job for mobile locksmiths who have the right tools for this generation. All-keys-lost is more involved than add-a-key because the immobilizer has to be reset before new fobs can enroll. On the 2022 Sorento that process includes a timed sequence, so the job takes longer than a simple spare-key call. Plan for roughly 45 minutes to an hour on site.

One thing that matters: bring your VIN and proof of ownership. For an all-keys-lost job I need to verify you're the owner before I touch the security system. That's not bureaucracy, it's how this is supposed to work.

The dealer can do it too, but you're looking at a tow, a scheduling delay, and a longer wait. I come to where the car is.

Question 5

My 2022 Sorento shows a key warning on the dash but the fob is fine. What's going on?

Accepted Answer

A few things can trigger a key-not-detected type warning without the fob actually failing.

First check the obvious: CR2032 battery. A low cell can cause intermittent detection issues that look like a bigger problem, especially in a parking structure or near other RF interference.

Beyond that, the 2022 Sorento's vehicle security system communicates with the fob through antennas positioned around the cabin. If one of those antenna circuits has a wiring issue, the car may see the key inconsistently depending on where the fob is sitting. Owners on forums have described the car recognizing the fob through the door handle but then throwing a warning once they're seated. That points to the interior antenna side, not the fob.

If a fresh battery doesn't clear it and the behavior is position-dependent, that's worth a diagnostic scan to see what the module is actually reporting before assuming you need a new fob.

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