Kia Sorento owners filed 4,270 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for model years 2015–2025 (see the Car Problem Index for all 60 models), and NHTSA lists 25 recall campaigns for the same years. The 2016 Kia Sorento drew the most complaints (1,249); across all years, owners complain most about engine (45% of complaints).
Key findings
- Worst model year: 2016, with 1,249 complaints, led by engine (694) and 8 recalls.
- Complaints vs recalls: Engine drew 1,935 complaints and 3 recalls.
- Stop-driving recalls: 3 recalls told owners to park outside until repaired (22V703000, 21V331000, 20V519000).
- Spike years, compared with a typical model year: 2015 (3.0 times as many complaints), 2016 (5.1 times as many complaints), 2017 (3.3 times as many complaints), 2019 (1.7 times as many complaints).
- Earliest-failing area: steering complaints came at a median 30k mi.
- Fire and crash reports: 141 complaints mention a fire and 112 a crash, with 122 injuries and 2 deaths reported.
Kia Sorento complaints and recalls by model year
| Model year | Complaints | Top problem areas |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 3 recalls | 738 | Engine (359), Body structure (99), Exterior lights (91) median 76k mi · 19 crashes · 14 fires |
| 2016 8 recalls | 1,249 | Engine (694), Transmission / powertrain (124), Body structure (110) median 66k mi · 29 crashes · 49 fires |
| 2017 4 recalls | 803 | Engine (385), Exterior lights (125), Steering (97) median 46k mi · 13 crashes · 32 fires |
| 2018 3 recalls | 254 | Engine (106), Exterior lights (41), Electrical system (30) median 49k mi · 12 crashes · 11 fires |
| 2019 2 recalls | 426 | Engine (155), Electrical system (68), Body structure (54) median 22k mi · 10 crashes · 19 fires |
| 2020 1 recall | 134 | Engine (64), Electrical system (19), Transmission / powertrain (18) median 19k mi · 9 crashes · 11 fires |
| 2021 4 recalls | 244 | Transmission / powertrain (134), Engine (66), Electrical system (47) median 40k mi · 4 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2022 6 recalls | 189 | Transmission / powertrain (64), Engine (52), Electrical system (30) median 29k mi · 4 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2023 3 recalls | 119 | Electrical system (37), Engine (30), Transmission / powertrain (20) median 22k mi · 3 crashes · 2 fires |
| 2024 2 recalls | 41 | Electrical system (11), Body structure (7), Engine (5) median 25k mi · 4 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2025 3 recalls | 73 | Electrical system (21), Transmission / powertrain (19), Engine (19) median 4k mi · 5 crashes |
One recall campaign often covers several model years, so the recall column adds up to 39, more than the 25 separate campaigns. Newer years have had less time to collect reports.
Most-reported Kia Sorento problems, and what they cost to fix
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Recalls | Median mileage | Estimate the repair |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1,935 | 45% | 3 | 75k mi | Engine overhaul cost |
| Electrical system | 522 | 12% | 4 | 48k mi | Alternator / electrical repair cost |
| Transmission / powertrain | 522 | 12% | 2 | 55k mi | Transmission repair cost |
| Exterior lights | 362 | 8% | 0 | 47k mi | Headlight replacement cost |
| Body structure | 305 | 7% | 0 | 55k mi | — |
| Steering | 274 | 6% | 1 | 30k mi | Power steering repair cost |
| Fuel system | 213 | 5% | 2 | 62k mi | Fuel pump repair cost |
| Speed control / acceleration | 170 | 4% | 1 | 31k mi | — |
Top problem areas only; one complaint can count twice.
What Kia Sorento owners report
Owners’ own words; dollar figures are what they reported.
Engine
Brought in for oil change, tech found a coolant leak, replace thermostat housing unit for $700, left dealer and next day coolant was pouring out as I drove. Retuned to shop and Kia said there was a manufacturing issue with some heads and at the present time they are in the machine shop. Still don't know if it is covered by warranty on a car with only 57000 miles.
2015 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11376940
My 2016 Kia Sorento stopped as I pulled in my driveway. Engine was seized up and I had no oil light indication, or any light of any kind before this happened. Took it to dealer and they said I had to replace motor. They wanted $10,000 to replace it. It only had 70,220 miles on the motor. I’ve driven a couple dozen cars over my life time and have never had an engine fail. This was is january 2022.
2016 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11458441
Related recalls: 25V548000 (2025): A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. 22V202000 (2022): An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire. 17V586000 (2017): If the crankshaft fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A failed crankshaft also increases the risk of a fire.
1,935 owners reported engine problems; the engine overhaul cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Electrical system
The low beam bulbs keep burning out in the front headlights. I've replaced them four times in the last year. I took the vehicle to a dealership to see if they could diagnose what was wrong with it. The looked at it and they told me that they found a burnt harness in the lamp assembly and that the whole headlamp assembly would need replaced at an estimated $1100.
2015 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11297816
Electrical issue all dash lights came on and couldn’t shift into gear, had to replace my main computer as it was fried at 72,000 miles, also had to get the steering column replaced total of $6,000 fixes
2021 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11676557
Related recalls: 25V649000 (2021–2023): A fire increases the risk of injury. 26V046000 (2025): 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. 25V006000 (2024–2025): A loss of headlights and taillights can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
522 owners reported electrical system problems; the alternator / electrical repair cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Transmission / powertrain
Would not shift out of park dealership repair cost $1000 - told “not part of transmission so not under the warranty “ - now reading online and on recall site lever and linkage column shift issue but now dealership says “not the same” but reading lots of Kia owners reporting same problem? Should be a recall!!
2016 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11507785
The transmission failed for the fourth time. The transmission (power train) is the component that failed and is available for inspection at the dealership. The vehicle became unsafe and unreliable to drive due to the repeated transmission failures, creating a risk of sudden loss of power or control. The problem has been confirmed by the dealer on multiple occasions, most recently on august 24, 2026.
2023 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11759602
Related recalls: 22V612000 (2016): A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash and injury. 22V760000 (2021–2022): Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
522 owners reported transmission / powertrain problems; the transmission repair cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Kia Sorento recalls
Check these first: 22V703000 (2016–2022, trailer hitches: park outside); 21V331000 (2015, service brakes, hydraulic: park outside); 20V519000 (2015, service brakes, hydraulic: park outside).
Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for your car’s open recalls.
| Campaign | Announced | Model years | System | Risk (NHTSA's wording) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26V046000 | 2026-01-27 | 2025 | Electrical system | 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. |
| 25V649000 | 2025-09-25 | 2021–2023 | Electrical system | A fire increases the risk of injury. |
| 25V548000 | 2025-08-25 | 2025 | Engine and cooling | A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. |
| 25V006000 | 2025-01-13 | 2024–2025 | Electrical system | A loss of headlights and taillights can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 24V287000 | 2024-04-23 | 2024 | Electrical system | A loss of power steering assist increases the risk of a crash. |
| 23V639000 | 2023-09-15 | 2019 | Backup camera / rear sensors | A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 23V610000 | 2023-08-31 | 2022–2023 | Backup camera / rear sensors | A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 23V579000 | 2023-08-15 | 2023 | Equipment / accessories | A detached air bag warning label will not warn occupants about the risks of air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. |
| 22V760000 | 2022-10-11 | 2021–2022 | Transmission / powertrain | Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. |
| 22V703000 | 2022-09-19 | 2016–2022 | Trailer Hitches | A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. |
| 22V612000 | 2022-08-10 | 2016 | Transmission / powertrain | A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash and injury. |
| 22V509000 | 2022-07-19 | 2022 | Tires | Impaired anti-lock braking or traction control systems can increase the risk of a crash. |
| 22V202000 | 2022-03-29 | 2022 | Engine and cooling | An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire. |
| 21V519000 | 2021-07-08 | 2021 | Fuel System, Gasoline | A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire. |
| 21V331000 | 2021-05-10 | 2015 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving. |
| 20V519000 | 2020-08-27 | 2015 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire. |
| 18V907000 | 2018-12-19 | 2015–2017 | Fuel System, Gasoline | A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. |
| 18V656000 | 2018-09-21 | 2018 | Steering | If the steering column separates, it can cause a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 17V784000 | 2017-12-08 | 2018 | Air bags | If the component detaches during deployment, it may enter the passenger compartment and be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury. |
| 17V586000 | 2017-09-21 | 2017 | Engine and cooling | If the crankshaft fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A failed crankshaft also increases the risk of a fire. |
| 16V862000 | 2016-11-30 | 2016–2017 | Trailer Hitches | If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 16V770000 | 2016-10-24 | 2016 | Seats | In the event of a crash, the driver seatback frame could break and fail to restrain a seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury. |
| 16V480000 | 2016-06-29 | 2016 | Suspension | The improper weld may break, affecting the rear suspension alignment, thereby increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 15V446000 | 2015-07-14 | 2016 | Seat belts | If the front passenger seat belt cannot be latched, an occupant sitting in the front passenger seat has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash. |
| 15V089000 | 2015-02-13 | 2016 | Speed control / acceleration | If the vehicle is unable to be accelerated, there is an increased risk of a crash. |
What this data can and can't tell you
4,270 unverified owner reports, not adjusted for sales. Method.
Other Kia models in the index
- Kia Soul (3,124)
- Kia Optima (2,598)
- Kia Telluride (1,977)
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation consumer complaint files (nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-25; NHTSA recalls database (nhtsa.gov/recalls), retrieved 2026-09-23. Model years 2015–2025. Free to cite with a link to this page.