AI DamageKIA Sorento: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the KIA Sorento across 11 model years: 3,354 owner complaints and 467 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 46% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 13% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 11% of all complaints
- 4 Exterior lighting 8% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 7% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 6% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel/propulsion system 5% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 4% of all complaints
- Engine: 1,531 complaints (46% of all), 10 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 134.
- Electrical system: 426 complaints (13% of all), 9 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 500.
- Powertrain: 374 complaints (11% of all), 11 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 115.
- Exterior lighting: 268 complaints (8% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 56.
- Steering: 240 complaints (7% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 64.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2016–2018named in 3 complaints
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2011–2020named in 28 complaints
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2021–2027named in 3 complaints
- 2.5 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2021–2027named in 3 complaints
- 3.3 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2007–2020named in 48 complaints
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2003–2013
- 3.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2007–2009
- 1.6 L · hybrid · turbo · 4 cyl 2021–2027named in 1 complaints
- 1.6 L · plug-in hybrid · turbo · 4 cyl 2022–2026named in 1 complaints
- automatic, 4-speed 2003–2004
- automatic, 5-speed 2005–2009
- automatic, 6-speed 2011–2020
- automatic, 8-speed 2019–2027
- dual-clutch (DCT), 6-speed 2021–2027named in 14 complaints
- dual-clutch (DCT), 8-speed 2021–2027named in 14 complaints
- manual, 5-speed 2004–2006
- manual, 6-speed 2011–2014
Drive: AWD, FWD, RWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 3,354 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1,531 | 10 | 134 |
| Electrical system | 426 | 9 | 500 |
| Powertrain | 374 | 11 | 115 |
| Exterior lighting | 268 | 2 | 56 |
| Steering | 240 | 3 | 64 |
| Structure | 204 | 7 | 55 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 168 | 4 | 22 |
| Vehicle speed control | 145 | 12 | 8 |
| Service brakes | 114 | 16 | 29 |
| Visibility | 104 | 0 | 31 |
| Engine and cooling | 85 | 1 | 222 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 81 | 10 | 13 |
| Air bags | 56 | 32 | 0 |
| Lane departure | 44 | 1 | 7 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Additionally, the vehicle had experienced auto stop failures and the engine failed to automatically restart when the brake pedal was released. Recently the vehicle was jerking while accelerating and merging into traffic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.
Knee airbags deployed in my car accident and have severe injuries on bilateral legs bruises that damage my nerves and veins.
The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle and shifting into gear with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle unexpectedly jerked back and forth, accelerated unintendedly, and crashed into the corner plaster wall of a friend's garage, causing plaster to fall onto the front of the vehicle.
The brakes failed; they felt spongy, as if my foot were pressing directly against the road. The car accelerated and I headed toward a wall; the sensors didn't stop the vehicle. It came to a halt against the wall after the impact. I was on my way to the repair shop for a scheduled appointment due to electrical problems.
The contact stated that the airbags did not fully deploy and no airbag warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was subsequently towed to a tow yard and the insurance company later declared it a total loss. The contact sustained neck and back injuries and sought medical treatment.
I've never had a problem staying awake driving. I don't have this problem in my vehicles or other vehicles. Every time I drove the car. I could not stay awake. I ve driven the car about 5xs. I would fall asleep and not even realize it. Now fell asleep driving the car two nights ago.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- SC365_STKR
- SC365_POC
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- RELEASE NOTES
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.