2015 KIA SORENTO

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    engine internal

    31 stranded, 113 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    145
    incidents
    Typical range: 65,000–110,500 mi

    Median 81,500 mi, based on 96 reports (51% had no usable mileage)

    • "I HAVE 2 CONCERNS, 1 MAINLY I HAVE A NEWER 2015 KIA SORRENTO WITH UNDER 25K MILES, OWNED IT ABOUT 2 YEARS EVER SINCE I OWNED IT THERE HAS BEEN A TICKING IN THE ENGINE AND WHITE SMOKE BLOWING OUT THE EXHAUST. WHICH SHOULD NOT BE THECASE WITH A NEWER CAR, AFTER…"~5,000 mi, complaint #1484266
    • "The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal knocking sound emanating from the engine compartment. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was una…"~68,000 mi, complaint #1978801
    • "WENT GOT MY OIL CHANGED.THE TECH SAID YOU HAVE A ROD KNOCK THE SORENTO ONLY 80.000 MILES ON IT."~80,000 mi, complaint #1727914
    • "I WAS DRIVING TO WORK YESTERDAY MORNING (7/10/18) ON ROUTE 15 IN SUSSEX COUNTY. MY SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 65-70 MILES PER HOUR. I HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND, WHICH ALARMED ME. IT WENT AWAY, AND CAME BACK, OFF AND ON, WHILE DRIVING, A SOUND THAT I HAVE NEVER HE…"~102,000 mi, complaint #1482105
    • "LEASED A 2015 KIA SORRENTO, IN MY THIRD YEAR OF LEASE, REGULAR OIL CHANGES EVERY 3 MONTHS, HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND IN ENGINE AT APPROX. 35,[REDACTED ADDRESS] HOME FROM MY SON'S HOCKEY GAME ON THE HIGHWAY WHICH GOT LOUDER AND LOUDER. TOOK IT TO THE KIA DEALER A…"~350,000 mi, complaint #1344295
  2. #2

    engine stall or no start

    49 stranded, 67 unsafe

    116
    incidents
    Typical range: 58,500–110,000 mi

    Median 73,000 mi, based on 88 reports (47% had no usable mileage)

    • "(AMENDMENTS TO ODI#S: 10668775 & 10663356 - UPDATE) ON 12/01/2014, I WAS IN A 2015 KIA SORENTO LX (ENTERPRISE INSURANCE RENTAL) TRAVELING ON CRABB RIVER ROAD, (A CITY STREET) SUGARLAND, TEXAS. I FULLY STOPPED AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS BECAUSE IT WAS RED. ONCE L…"~19,000 mi, complaint #1386980
    • "ENGINE STOP AT RHE LIGTH ALMOST CAUSING AND ACCIDENT. THE ENGINE OF 2015 KIA SORENTO STOP GETTING CLOSED TO LIGTH FOR NO REASON. THE ENGINE IS LOCK AT 61,000 DEALERSHIP WATING TIME ON A DIAGNOSIS IS 4 TO 6 WEEKS"~61,000 mi, complaint #1653657
    • "2015 KIA SORENTO AWD ENGINE SEIZED. I WAS DRIVING AND WITHOUT AND WARNING THE CAR SHUT DOWN AND WONT START. I FOUND OUT THIS IS NOT NEW. NOW I HAVE TO FIND OUT HOW TO CONTINUE TO TAKE CARE OF MY WIFE AND KIDS WITHOUT A CAR. I'VE SEEN SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT T…"~87,162 mi, complaint #1624668
    • "THE VEHICLES ENGINE JUST STALLS OUT AND SHUTS COMPLETELY DOWN. KIA KEEPS SAYING CAMSHAFT SENSOR BUT YET THEY HAVE REPLACED IT THREE TIMES IN THE PAST 2 MONTHS. IT'S THE ENGINE AND IT'S NOT SAFE!! I'VE READ MANY REPORTS ON THIS HAPPENING TO OTHERS. I WAS DRIVI…"~112,000 mi, complaint #1560530
    • "I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY ENGINE STOP RUNNING, IM TOLD BY KIA THE ENGINE SEIZE UP AND IT IS NOT COVERED"~990,000 mi, complaint #1502325
  3. #3

    paint and clearcoat

    48 unsafe, 61 annoyance

    109
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=22, median 71,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "THE KIA PAINT ON MY WHITE PEARL KIA SORENTO HAS BEEN PEELING AND RUSTING. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE 2017 AND BEGINNING AT ABOUT 40K MILES. I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW MANY OTHER WHITE KIAS ARE DOING THE SAME THING. THE PATCHES ARE GETTING WORSE AND PEELING IN BIG C…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1715802
    • "THE PAINT ON MY 2015 KIA SORENTO COMING OFF IN NUMEROUS SPOTS THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. THE WORST SPOT IS JUST ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I'M AFRAID THIS WILL LEAD TO THE BARE METAL RUSTING, CAUSING LEAKAGE AROUND THE WINDSHIELD OR EVEN WORSE, W…"~55,000 mi, complaint #1730769
    • "I NOTICED MY 2015 KIA SORENTO WITH WHITE PEARL PAINT IS CHIPPING AND COMING OFF IN SEVERAL PLACES. I HAVE FIXED A FEW WITH YHE KIA WHITE PEARL TOUCH UP PAINT. I NOTICED TODAY THREE MORE AREAS THAT ARE CHIPPING. TWO ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD AND ONE LARGE CHIPPING A…"~71,112 mi, complaint #1735295
    • "THE PEARL WHITE PAINT IS CHIPPING OFF OF MY KIA SORENTO ON THE WINDSHIELD PILLARS, ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD AND THE HOOD AND VARIOUS OTHER LOCATIONS.... THE PAINT FINISH IS FAULTY AND WAS NOT PROPERLY APPLIED"~95,000 mi, complaint #1696553
    • "MY PAINT BEGAN TO PEAL AROUND THE FRAME OF THE WINDSHIELD. WHEN I INQUIRED AT KIA, THEY CLAIMED THAT BECAUSE IT WAS A PRE-OWNED CAR AND I HAD PAST MY WARRANTY OF MILEAGE (BECAUSE IT WAS A PRE-OWNED CAR) THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME. I INQUIRED AT A LOCA…"~156,000 mi, complaint #1732278
  4. #4

    lighting exterior

    61 unsafe, 2 broken, 11 annoyance

    74
    incidents
    Typical range: 45,000–103,000 mi

    Median 77,000 mi, based on 41 reports (53% had no usable mileage)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS ON/OFF SENSOR FAILED TO ILLUMINATE DURING NIGHT HOURS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT SENSOR FAILED TO POWER OFF THE HEADLIGHTS OFF DURING THE DAY. THE CONTACT HAD TO P…"~800 mi, complaint #1252162
    • "NIGHT TIME DRIVING IS DIFFICULT WITH THE HEAD LIGHTS. BRIGHTS ARE VERY BRIGHT AND WILL LIGHT UP 300+ FEET. NORMAL LIGHTS WILL LIGHT UP MAYBE 20FT. IT IS MAINLY CHALLENGING TO SEE WHEN THERE ARE NO STREET LIGHTS OR OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD."~50,000 mi, complaint #1558236
    • "WHEN MY WIFE GOT THIS VEHICLE SHE TOLD ME SHE COULDN'T SEE THE ROAD AT NIGHT I DROVE THE VEHICLE AND I COULDN'T SEE THE ROAD EITHER SO I WENT TO KIA AND THEY PLACED NEW BULBS IN THERE AT FIRST WE THOUGHT EVERYTHING WAS GREAT BUT AFTER A MONTH IT WAS BACK TO BE…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1649281
    • "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 HARN…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1635319
    • "POOR VISIBILITY FROM THE HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT, PASSENGERS CONSTANTLY ASKING ID HEADLIGHTS ARE ON. IN ADDITION HAVE TO REGULARLY REPLACE HEADLIGHT BULBS EVERY SIX MONTHS."~130,000 mi, complaint #1689597
  5. #5

    engine oil consumption

    30 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    31
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=22, median 82,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "WE HAD A 2015 KIA SORENTO THAT WAS BURNING THROUGH VERY HIGH AMOUNTS OF OIL WHEN DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM BUT ASKED US TO SUPPLY ALL OIL CHANGE RECORDS WHICH WE DID NOT HAVE AVAILABLE, THE CAR WAS UNDER LEASE. WHEN WE BR…"~20,000 mi, complaint #1536979
    • "BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR FOR OVER 8 MONTHS. EATS OIL LIKE NO ONES BUSINESS. WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST. EVERY TIME I RUN THE ON BOARD DIAGNOSTIC, IT HAS ALWAYS SAID NO PROBLEMS EXIST. TODAY, MY HUSBAND COMES HOME FROM AN APPOINTMENT, AND T…"~53,500 mi, complaint #1463071
    • "TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE A 2015 KIA SORENTO. AT ABOUT 76,000 MILES, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO BURN OIL. I HAD IT CHECKED FOR A LEAK, BUT THE MECHANICS COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING. WHEN I START THE ENGINE, BLUE SMOKE EMITS FROM THE TAIL PIPE. I AM LOOSING ABOUT A QUART OF OI…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1524549
    • "BOUGHT MY KIA SORENTO ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. IT HAD ABOUT 64,000 MILES ON IT. IT NOW HAS 87,000. WE NOTICED HEAVY OIL CONSUMPTION WITHIN A FEW MONTHS OF OWNING IT. NO OIL LEAKS EXIST. AT FIRST IT WOULD NEED ABOUT A QUART OR SO BETWEEN OIL CHANGES, BUT CO…"~87,780 mi, complaint #1621433
    • "I NOTICED MY 2015 KIA SORRENTO WAS IDLING VERY HARD. THIS STOPPED MOMENTARILY AND THEN BEGAN AGAIN AND THE ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. THE VEHICLE STRUGGLES TO ACCELERATE AND I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. UPON INSPECTING THERE WAS NO OIL LEAK BUT LITTLE TO NO OI…"~127,000 mi, complaint #1733994
  6. #6

    engine head gasket

    2 stranded, 18 unsafe

    20
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 70,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I JUST RECENTLY MADE A POST HERE YESTERDAY ... AND AFTER READING COMMENTS, I THOUGHT I'D ADD ON. MY COMMENTS HAVE TO DO WITH A 2015 KIA SORENTO WHICH NEEDS A NEW MOTOR BECAUSE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE HEAD TO THE BLOCK ARE STRIPPED (I SMELLED ANTIFREEZE). OBVIOUSLY…"~27,000 mi, complaint #1657237
    • "I WAS DRIVING MY 2015 SORENTO TO WORK, AND LOOKED DOWN TO NOTICE THAT THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE WAS RUNNING HOT. THEY DAY BEFORE MY AC HAD STOPPED WORKING, AND I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE FAN WAS RUNNING LONGER THAN USUAL WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR. AS SOON AS I NOTI…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1664025
    • "VEHICLE HAS 85,940 MILES ON IT AND HAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. I BOUGHT IT IN APRIL AND IT HAS RUN FINE. TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK BY THE CONNECTION POINT WITH THE HEAD GASKET COV…"~84,940 mi, complaint #1622998
    • "BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND CRACKED ENGINE BLOCK. WE NOTICED A SMELL OF BURNING ANTIFREEZE WHEN WE PARKED AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN AND THE ENGINE BLOCK WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED."~86,000 mi, complaint #1619108
    • "March of 2022 the engine stalled out and found out due to coolant leaking from head gasget area. Put new engine in and July 2024 the new engine started stalling and knocking. No warning lights. In middle of busy traffic and died. Rod bearings failed and metal…"~162,645 mi, complaint #2040121
  7. #7

    airbag system

    18 unsafe

    18
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=13, median 69,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT T…"~12,000 mi, complaint #1267122
    • "WE WERE TRAVELING 64 MPH ON INTERSTATE 75 SOUTH (IT WAS RAINING HARD), WHEN WE WERE HIT FROM BEHIND AT 75-78 MILES PER HOUR BY AN F150 TRUCK. OUR AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH CAUSED US TO HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND DASHBOARD. AT THE RATE OF SPEED WE WERE HI…"~22,000 mi, complaint #1385154
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN. ANOTHER VEHICLE MADE A VERY WIDE TURN AND CRASHED AT 60 MPH INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE BETWEEN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITH THE CO…"~69,000 mi, complaint #1714008
    • "MY CAR SHOWS AIRBAG SIGNAL HOWEVER I NEVER INVOLVE IN ANY KIND OF ACCIDENT AND ALSO WHEN I TURN ON AC IT BLOW HOT AIR AND MY BACKUP CAMERA NOT WORKING"~88,000 mi, complaint #1723757
    • "I PURCHASED THE 2015 KIA SORENTO NEW IN THE YEAR OF 2014 FROM THE KIA DEALERSHIP LOCATED IN MERIDIAN, MS. SINCE THE PURCHASED... MY GOODNESS, I'VE HAD AIRBAG SYSTEM ISSUES, ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH MY LIGHTS, THE ELECTRONIC OUTLETS FOR DEVICE INPUT, CONTROL PANE…"~140,000 mi, complaint #1690151
  8. #8

    other

    10 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    11
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "BACK PASSENGER SOOR ONLY OPENS UNDER EXTREME PULLING ON HANDLE OR PUSHING FROM INSIDE HARD...THE INSIDE FRAME COMES LOOSE AND THEN WE BANK IT BACK IN PLACE WITH ONES FIST....NEXT TIME ,,,,IT STICKS AGAIN!! VEHICLE PARKED OF COURSE."~5,000 mi, complaint #1287340
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE STRUCK THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT BUMPER WAS BEING HELD IN PLACE BY WIRE AND HOT GLUE. T…"~7,000 mi, complaint #1170981
    • "ROOF RAIL DETACHED ON HIGHWAY WHILE HAULING KAYAK, SPEED 30 MPH. GUST OF CROSSWIND. RAIL IS PLASTIC AND THE FLANGES ON THE END ARE HELD ON BY TWO SCREWS AT EACH END ON THE OUT SIDE EDGE ONLY.PLASTIC AT THAT POINT IS PAPER THIN. INSIDE EDGE OF FLANGE IS NOT A…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1470431
  9. #9

    transmission automatic

    1 stranded, 8 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    11
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=11, median 84,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I WAS DRIVING MY NEW KIA SORENTO ON A TWO LANE ROAD. WHILE DRIVING IN A PASSING ZONE GOING 50-55 MPH, I ATTEMPTED TO PASS A TRUCK. MY RIGHT HAND BUMPED THE GEAR SHIFT TO THE LEFT (AT THAT TIME I HAD NO IDEA THAT BY SLIGHTLY BUMPING THE GEAR SHIFT THE VEHICLE…"~1,000 mi, complaint #1067549
    • "TRANSMISSION TAKING TIME TO LOAD OR NOT PICKING AT INITIAL MOVE UNTIL YOU PRESS MORE GAS PEDAL."~49,000 mi, complaint #1636302
    • "MY VEHICLE HAD TERMERS, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DEALER TELLS ME IT IS THE TRANSMISSION. WE PAID NOT INCLUDING TAX 16,400,WE BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A KIA DEALER.I AM SURE THEY HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. A TRANSMISSION COMPANY SAID THEY HAVE A PROBLEM. PLEASE HE…"~73,400 mi, complaint #1554398
    • "The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while trying to shift the vehicle out of the park(P), the vehicle failed to shift as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the mechanic stated that an…"~84,209 mi, complaint #1848793
    • "The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and shifted into park(P), the gear shifter failed to shift into the intended gear. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the gear shifter had seized in p…"~109,200 mi, complaint #2141949
  10. #10

    wiring harness

    1 stranded, 9 unsafe

    10
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "RETURNING FROM A TRIP TO CALIFORNIA, THE KIA HAD JUST TURNED OVER 30000 MILES ON THE KS TURNPIKE WHEN THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. WE STOPPED AND CHECKED THE OIL, IT WAS FINE. WE HAD HAD THE OIL CHANGED BEFORE THE TRIP SO IT HAD LESS THAN 3000 MILES. AFTER…"~30,400 mi, complaint #1310665
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, A RANDOM UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED PERSISTENTLY. IN ADDITION, BOTH REAR DOORS FAILED TO OPEN FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DUTCH MILLER KIA OF CHARLOT…"~58,951 mi, complaint #1586007
    • "I HAD JUST PURCHASED MY SORENTO ON JULY 18, 2020. ON AUGUST 25,2020, I PUT IT IN THE KIA SHOP FOR THE CLIMATE CONTROL BLOWER(AC/HEATER BLOWER). I HADN'T MADE THE 1ST PAYMENT YET. THE WIRING HARNESS HAD MELTED. THE WARRANTY COMPANY REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR…"~70,054 mi, complaint #1694515
    • "I HAVE A SERIOUS ELECTRICAL/WIRING PROBLEM. WHENEVER IT RAINS OR I GO TO THE CARWASH, I AM GUARANTEED TO HAVE MY HEADLIGHT, BRAKE LIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL LIGHT TO GO OUT BECAUSE IT GETS WET. ALSO, I HAVE A BAD VIBRATION IN MY FRONT WHEELS WHILE I AM DRIVING. I…"~102,359 mi, complaint #1605863
    • "I was on the highway with my family, when we started to smell smoke,and the car began to slow down I proceeded to get off the highway to pull over to the side the of the road oil light came on and some more signal came on .so my son told me to open the hood it…"~107,999 mi, complaint #1972719
  11. #11

    abs module

    9 unsafe

    9
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "WHEEL SPEED SENSOR, ABS SENSOR, AND TPMS SENSOR GAVE OUT AT 56K. GOT IN ONE DAY AND IT SAID I WAS DOING 140 WHILE PARKED. BEFORE I GOT TO MY DESTINATION, THE ABS, TCS, AND TPMS LIGHTS WERE ON. CAR WAS USED AND WELL TAKEN CARE OF. IF EVERYTHING WASN'T BUILT INT…"~56,000 mi, complaint #1689632
    • "The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the ABS, parking brake, and check engine warning lights illuminated, and the instrument cluster gauges were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diag…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1765744
    • "ABS LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON AND OFF WHEN TAKING IT TO THE SHOP THE CODE READER IS GIVING NO CODES"~86,870 mi, complaint #1694318
  12. #12

    door latch and hinge

    8 unsafe, 1 broken

    9
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "SOOO MANY COMPLAINTS OF KIA DOORS NOT OPENING FROM THE INSIDE. KIA IS NOT ISSUING A VOLUNTARY RECALL OF THIS. THEY SHOULD ASAP! AS SOON AS SOMEONE'S CAR CATCHES FIRE AND THEY CAN'T GET THE DOORS OPEN, THERE WILL BE SERIOUS LAWSUITS. IF YOU ARE UNDER WARRA…"~20,500 mi, complaint #1278592
    • "AS FOUND WITH MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THE SORENTO, THE PARTS INSIDE THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE AND THE DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOOR. ALL THE PARTS INSIDE, INCLUDING THE DOOR HANDLE ARE PLASTIC AND, APPARENTLY DEFECTIVE. YOU…"~61,000 mi, complaint #1393189
    • "THE EXTERIOR HANDLE CAP FELL OFF OF MY VEHICLE. IT KEEPS THE DOOR HANDLE IN PLACE. IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY BUT WHEN I SEARCHED, HUNDREDS OF OTHER KIA OWNERS HAD THE SAME ISSUE, SOME WERE BRAND NEW. THE PART IS $10 BUT KIA WANTED TO CHARGE 60 PLUS…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1504631
    • "'TAKATA RECALL' MY DRIVERS SIDE BACK DOOR QUIT OPENING!! THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD IF I GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT AND NEEDED TO USE THAT DOOR TO GET OUT I COULDN'T. NOT TO MENTION MY CHILDREN CANNOT USE THAT DOOR TO ENTER OR EXIT MY VEY ANYMORE. I DON'T KNOW WHY THIS…"~78,847 mi, complaint #1602243
  13. #13

    battery and charging

    2 stranded, 5 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=21, median 92,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED AN ALTERNATOR…"~1,980 mi, complaint #1134963
    • "HEADLIGHTS (MAINLY LOW BEAMS) KEEP BURNING OUT AND NEED BE REPLACED ABOUT EVERY 6 MONTHS TO YEAR AND HALF. THIS TIME WHEN I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE LEFT LOW BEAM BULB, I NOTICED THE BULB WAS OUT WHEN I WAS JUMPING THE CAR DUE TO A DEAD BATTERY. A DAY LATER THE B…"~38,000 mi, complaint #1511640
    • "MY 2015 SORENTO (ORIGINAL OWNER) JUST FLAT OUT DIED WHILE DRIVING IN THE LEFT PASSING LANE ON INTERSTATE 85N FROM THE AIRPORT IN ATLANTA (IN THE POURING RAIN 6/8/2019) AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING. NOT ONLY DID IT JUST STOP RUNNING "EVERYTHING DIED" NO LIGHTS, NO…"~50,800 mi, complaint #1575866
    • "WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR, EVERYTHING FLICKERS LIKE THE BATTERY IS DYING, THEN IT WILL CRANK, BUT NOW ALL OF THE LIGHTS ARE ON AND WON'T GO OFF AND IT IS DINGING LIKE THE KEYS ARE STILL IN THE IGNITION, BUT THEY AREN'T."~92,000 mi, complaint #1507844
    • "THIS IS MY 4TH TIME HAVING TO CALL A TOW TRUCK FOR MY VEHICLE. I WAS REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, AND TRIED TO PUT CAR IN DRIVE , CAR WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING. I TRIED AGAIN TO PUT CAR IN DRIVE, WOULD NOT BUDGE. COULD NOT TAKE KEY OUT OF IGNITION, COULD NOT…"~98,000 mi, complaint #1577336
  14. #14

    steering electric assist

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "THIS CAR IS VERY HARD TO STEER! IT WANDERS LEFT AND RIGHT, I CONSTANTLY HAVE TO KEEP MAKING CORRECTIONS. IT WILL NOT GO STRAIGHT. IT IS DANGEROUS! I CAN NOT MAKE IT GO STRAIGHT. DRIVING IT REQUIRES CONTINUOUS CORRECTIONS, WHEN YOU DO TRY TO CORRECT THE STE…"~500 mi, complaint #1114406
    • "THIS KIA WAS RENTED FROM ENTERPRISE DUE TO MY CAR BEING IN THE SHOP. I FOUND STEERING PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AS WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM ALREADY WHICH I FOUND ODD AS THIS IS SUPPOSEDLY A BRAND NEW VEHICLE. NOT ONLY THAT IT RACES INTERMITTENTLY SOMETIMES MORE…"~2,020 mi, complaint #1137951
    • "TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2015 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH OVER RAILROAD TRACKS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS REQUIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE…"~17,000 mi, complaint #1142699
    • "Steering wheel locks up while driving almost causing collisions with other vehicles. This has been a major issue in the sorento, especially since the horn doesn’t work either. Everything in the steering wheel doesn’t function. "~109,824 mi, complaint #1906909
  15. #15

    brake hydraulics

    1 stranded, 4 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "VEHICLE STOPPED ENGINE RUNNING BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO FLOORBOARD. DEALER STATES THIS HAPPENS AND DEMONSTRATED 3 SIMILAR VEHICLES BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR. MY EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING INDICATES THIS CONDITION IS UNSAFE AND MASTER OR WHEEL CYLINDER OR DISK BRAKE PI…"~48,000 mi, complaint #1574657
    • "The contact owned a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle was driven to a store, and when the vehicle was turned off, the contact saw smoke and fire coming from the hood. The contact went into the store to get a fire extinguisher and bystanders…"~147,000 mi, complaint #1989670
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE SMOKE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE W…"~224,000 mi, complaint #1719225
  16. #16

    engine cooling

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "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…"~57,000 mi, complaint #1709680
    • "WHILE DRIVING A KNOCKING SOUND OCCURRED AND THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE BEGAN TO RISE. EVENTUALLY THE SUV BEGINS TO STALL AND STARTS TO LOSE POWER. ONCE STOPPED (PULLED OVER SAFELY) I NOTICED THAT THE COOLANT IS OVERFLOWING AND GUSHES OUT ALONG THE SIDE OF THE HOOD…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1682683
  17. #17

    steering column

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 50-60 MPH ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE STEERING BECAME LOOSE AND THE VEHICLE DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EVANS KIA (LOCATED AT [REDACTED ADDRESS], EVANS, GA 30809, [REDACTED PHONE])…"~75,800 mi, complaint #1552425
    • "The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed a popping sound coming from the steering column. The contact stated that the failure occurred while making a turn. The contact stated that t…"~88,000 mi, complaint #1987923
    • "MY STEERING COLUMN IS OFF CENTER WHICH MAKES MY CAR OR TIRES SHAKE UNLESS I GO A CERTAIN SPEED. MY REAR VIEW CAMERA NEVER WORKS, SCREEN GOES BLACK, BUT OUTLINE SHOWS. THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH MY HEADLIGHTS, REAR, BRAKE AND REVERSE LIGHTS ARE ALWAYS GOING OUT…"~119,853 mi, complaint #1689214
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PUSH DOWN ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE F…"~137,000 mi, complaint #1550627
    • "Steering column separated while on cruise control at 70mph"~169,862 mi, complaint #1968500
  18. #18

    fuel tank and lines

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE FITTINGS DETERMINED TO BE DEFECTIVE AND NOT FITTING CORRECTLY. LINE(S) BECAME DETACHED CAUSING NEAR CATASTROPHIC FUEL SPILL IN CROWDED PARKING LOT. *TR"~3,730 mi, complaint #1088732
    • "The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she smelled a fuel odor throughout the vehicle. The check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while attempting to start the…"~157,000 mi, complaint #1869378
  19. #19

    glass and windshield

    3 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "DRIVING ON MILD SUMMER DAY (~70). LIGHTLY-PACKED CARTOP CARRIER AFFIXED PROPERLY/SAFELY TO KIA CROSSBARS (INSTALLED BY KIA). DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WITH "PASSING LANE" TRAFFIC (ABOUT 75MPH). RUNNING AC AT ABOUT 70 INSIDE, WITH ALL WINDOWS UP. PANORAMIC…"~12,000 mi, complaint #1193835
    • "I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT IN A GRAIN SILO TOWN IN KANSAS (COMING UP ON OAKLEY FROM COLORADO SPRINGS) AND THERE WERE NO CARS AROUND ME. THE WEATHER WASN'T DRASTICALLY CHANGING AND THERE WAS NO ADVERSE WEATHER. SUDDENLY, IT SOUNDS AS THOUGH THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION O…"~73,000 mi, complaint #1631849
  20. #20

    key fob and immobilizer

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE KEY FAILED TO REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE F…"~18,000 mi, complaint #1370340
    • "MY 2015 KIA SORENTO IGNITION WENT OUT AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND COST ME RIGHT AT $500 FOR A NEW IGNITION. MAKING ME LEAVE WITH TWO KEYS, MY ORIGINAL KEY WILL ONLY OPERATED THE DOOR AND THEN NEW KEY OPERATES ONLY THE IGNITION. MY FACTO…"~88,000 mi, complaint #1638651
  21. #21

    seat mechanism

    3 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP AT A RED LIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND REAR ENDED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CRASH PUSHED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE INTO THE INTERSECTION. THE DRIVER'S SEAT SE…"~72,000 mi, complaint #1499069
  22. #22

    sunroof

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55-60 MPH, THE SUN ROOF SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A STATE BARRACKS TO BE INSPECTED AND WAS INFORMED BY THE STATE TROOPER THAT THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF ROAD DEBR…"~41,000 mi, complaint #1599816
    • "WE WERE HEADED BACK FROM VACATION , JUST GOT INTO THE LITTLE TOWN OF PROVINCE LOUISIANA, AND THE MOON ROOF JUST EXPLODED ! THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS AROUND US NO DEBRIS! WE WERE DRIVING ABOUT [REDACTED ADDRESS] HIGHWAY.THE NOISE WAS SO LOUD IT SOUNDED LIKE A SH…"~48,032 mi, complaint #1597779
    • "I WAS DRIVING ON A RURAL HIGHWAY, ON A SATURDAY MORNING, SUN SHINING AND A BRISK 70 DEGREES, WHEN I HEARD WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A GUNSHOT AND MY EARS RINGING FROM THE SOUND. MY SUNROOF STARTED SHATTERING AND THEN RAINING GLASS DOWN INTO MY CAR. I THOUGHT MAYBE…"~62,553 mi, complaint #1660492
    • "SUNROOF EXPLODED GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY."~77,690 mi, complaint #1608649
  23. #23

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "WHILE DRIVING AROUND TOWN TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH I WENT TO ACCELERATE AND THE RPMS WENT UP BUT THERE WAS NO INCREASE ACCELERATION. I MOMENTARILY LIFTED MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND THEN ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AGAIN AND THE CAR ACCELERATED. THIS IS THE THI…"~43,237 mi, complaint #1609525
    • "WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY GOING SPEED LIMIT OF 75 THE KIA STARTED TO SLOW DOWN ON ITS OWN. IT WOULD NOT GO PAST 40MPH IN A 75. ONCE'S IN TOWN THE CAR WAS OK BECAUSE THE SPEED LIMIT WAS BELOW 40."~68,000 mi, complaint #1470081
  24. #24

    backup camera

    3 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BACK UP CAMERA FAILED TO FUNCTION AND THE RADIO SHORTED OUT. FUCCILLO KIA OF PORT CHARLOTTE (202 TAMIAMI TRAIL, PORT CHARLOTTE, FL 33953, [REDACTED PHONE]) INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED TH…"~51,503 mi, complaint #1587849
    • "MY VEHICLES REAR FACING CAMERA HAS A BLACK SCREEN. THE LINES ARE STILL THERE AND IT SEEMS LIKE THE SENSOR IS WORKING BUT THE SCREEN IS COMPLETELY BLACK. AT FIRST THIS SEEMED TO BE AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM ONLY HAPPENING ONE OR TWO TIMES A WEEK. NOW IT WILL NO…"~61,217 mi, complaint #1656928
    • "TAKATA RECALL,BACKUP CAMERA NOT WORKING,"~69,000 mi, complaint #1448809
  25. #25

    evap system

    2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "GOSSETT KIA ON MT. MORIAH IN MEMPHIS, TN REPLACED MY ENGINE IN 2019 DUE TO A RECALL BUT AFTER MY ENGINE WAS REPLACE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS CONSTANTLY BEEN COMING ON. I HAVE TAKEN MY KIA SORENTO BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIME ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT I AM…"complaint #1717787
    • "In late Feb. 2021 my check engine light came on, as well as my UVO system telling me there was something wrong with my emission's control systems. I immediately stopped & had the code read. P0447 Evaporative Emission system-Vent Control Circuit Open. My hu…"complaint #1752222
    • "I engine light keeps coming on after taking my car in to have a diagnostic to pin point the issue with Southern Kia in Chesapeake, Va, [REDACTED ADDRESS] Chesapeake, VA 23320 [REDACTED PHONE]. The report came back with a code for engine tube that was preventi…"complaint #1793714
  26. #26

    fuel pump

    1 stranded, 2 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WENT INTO "SAFE MODE" AND DECELERATED TO 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…"~1,000 mi, complaint #1102960
    • "TL ' THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS FLAGGED BY ANOTHER MOTORIST AND NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK AT THE…"~2,744 mi, complaint #1078438
    • "MY FRIEND WAS ON THE HIGHWAY,TRAVELLING ALONG AND HEARD A NOISE. THEN SHE SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR ALONG SIDE DRIVERS DOOR. THE CAR THEN LOST ACCELERATION AND STOPPED. WITHIN FIVE MINUTES THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE AND IS TOTALLED OUT. AN OFF DUTY LAWMAN…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1410888
  27. #27

    throttle and pedal

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS D…"~1,000 mi, complaint #1108056
    • "I PURCHASED A NEW 2015 KIA SORENTO MAY 17, 2014. AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD LAST NIGHT AT APPROXIMATELY 45MPH, SUDDENLY THE CAR JERKED AROUND, SOUNDED LIKE I DOWNSHIFTED (ALTHOUGH IT'S AN AUTOMATIC) AND I GOT THE DIAGNOSTIC MESSAGE OF THE "ENGINE CONTROL…"~14,000 mi, complaint #1123259
  28. #28

    timing belt or chain

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "I WAS DRIVING MY CAR HOME FROM WORK AND IT SHUT OFF ON ME AS I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY CITY STREET. I TRIED TO START IT AND IT JUST KEPT SHUTTING OFF. I HAD SOMEONE HOOK UP A COMPUTER ON IT AND IT SAID SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH MY CAMSHAFT TIMING.I HAD NO WARNING…"~80,100 mi, complaint #1520727
    • "UPON A COLD STAR, ENGINE RATTLES LOUDLY. THIS WAS DETERMINED TO BE A TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM I KIA'S ACROSS MANY MODELS. SOMEHOW THE SORENTO WAS EXCLUDED. OF COURSE OUR VEHICLE IS AT 101,000 MILES AND KIA NOT ONLY REFUSES TO COVER…"~96,000 mi, complaint #1682428
  29. #29

    tpms

    2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR DID NOT LIGHT UP AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING ON 95 IN RUSH HOUR MORNING TRAFFIC FOREWARNING ME OF ANY PROBLEM WITH MY FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WHICH TIRE SOMEHOW IMMEDIATELY COMPLETELY DEFLATED WHILE DRIVING. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OV…"~4,000 mi, complaint #1171260
    • "A FEW MONTHS BACK, MAYBE OSEPT/OCT MY ABS LIGHT, TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON (YELLOW) AND I HAD IT CHECKED AND THEY SAID IT WAS A WHEEL SENSIOR AND ITS VERY COSTLY SO AS OF YET IT HASNT BEEN FIXED. NOW YESTERDAY MY BRAKE LIGHT AT THE BOTTOM OF MY DASH CAME ON…"~110,000 mi, complaint #1736631
  30. #30

    unintended acceleration

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING GARAGE WITH MY FOOT JUST BARLEY ON THE BRAKE WHENTHE CAR ACCELERATED VERY FAST AND CAUSE ME TO HIT A CONCRET WALL. I TRIED TO STOP IT BUT IT DIDN'T STOP UNTIL IT HIT THE WALL KNOCKING ME ALMOST OUT OF THE PARKING…"~2,235 mi, complaint #1183308
    • "The contact owned a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while depressing the accelerator pedal to drive inside the garage, the vehicle accelerated to the highest speed unintendedly. The contact depressed the brake pedal continuously, but the vehicle failed to…"~32,042 mi, complaint #1998221
  31. #31

    ac compressor and refrigerant

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "HORRID SMELL COMING FROM AC. LAST SUMMER IT SMELLED LIKE VINEGAR, THIS SPRING, CAT URINE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE SYSTEM CLEANED/DEODORIZED FOR $65. SADLY DIDNT HELP. THEY ARE TAKING IT BACK TO DELVE INTO CLEANING THE EVAPORATOR? I HOPE IT DOESN…"complaint #1465516
    • "The vehicle is leaking water inside the car cabin. The front passenger and driver side are soaked with water. If the air conditioner comes on, it sounds like I’m boiling water. It also fogs the windows from the inside. "complaint #1834510
  32. #32

    brake pads and rotors

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "OUR VEHICLE HAS 32K MILES ON IT AND THE ROTARS ARE ALREADY WORN DOWN. THE VEHICLE STARTS SHAKING WHEN MOVIN AND BRAKING. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW FROM A DEALERSHIP. DID WE BUY A CAR WITH DEFECTIVE ROTARS. WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE MOVING ON A CITY ST…"~32,000 mi, complaint #1396124
  33. #33

    driveshaft axle cv

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "SUV started making a strange noise and the rear started dragging before 70K miles. Needed a new axle and a rear differential. Total cost was $3800.00 and not covered under warranty. The rear differential oil wasn't even due to be changed yet. "complaint #1824499
    • "Rear Coupler parts. Yes it is available for inspection on request. My safety was put at risk, #1 the rear wheels lock when turning, and makes a horrendous noise whilst turning. I live in a snowy state so this is very dangerous to have wheels lock up and have…"complaint #1956056
  34. #34

    fuel injector

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "MY MOM HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUE AFTER ISSUE.. FIRST THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT AND BATTERY AFTER POWER STEERING MAKING NOICES ..BRAKES NOT RESPONDING AND NOW FUEL INJECTION PROBLEMS."complaint #1405286
    • "hello my name is [XXX] owner of 2015 kia Sorrento on Sept 19 2021 my father in law and my wife and kids were pulling up on the drive way when they called me and said they smell gas odor from the car i said send me a pic since i was at work .I informed them tur…"complaint #1770816
  35. #35

    infotainment head unit

    2 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "MONITOR THAT DISPLAYS DEFOGGER & DEFROSTER IS NOT DISPLAYING INFORMATION.......... THIS MONITOR IS PART OF THE VEHICLE'S "MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM"......WHICH DISPLAYS :: GPS, RADIO CHANNELS, HEATING, AIR CONDITIONS, DEFROSTING-DEFOGGER..... I PAID $700.00 & $65.…"~87,000 mi, complaint #1745136
  36. #36

    steering rack mechanical

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "CLUNKING WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL, LARGE VIBRATION, AUTO REPAIR SHOP SAYS STEERING SECTOR SHAFT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED"~35,000 mi, complaint #1740260
    • "The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 2- 4 MPH on a bumpy driveway, the front end of the vehicle and the steering started shuddering violently. Additionally, the contact had noticed that the steering wheel was abnormally loose,…"~65,000 mi, complaint #2035432
  37. #37

    tire failure

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I HAVE THE KUMHO CRUGEN PREMIUM KL33 235 60 R18 TIRES. THEY CAME WITH THE KIA SORENTO. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND THE CAR STARTED SHAKING AND I PULLED OVER TO SEE THE TIRE WITH ONLY 16 THOUSAND MILES ON THEM WITH THE SIDEWALL CUT THROUGH AROUND THE WHO…"~16,000 mi, complaint #1271438
  38. #38

    transfer case awd

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "DRIVING DOWN ROAD CAR WOULD RATTLE WHEN TURNING AND IT BECAME HARD TO TURN WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT THEN I WAS DRIVING GOING UP HILL WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR FRONT WHEEL STARTED SPINNING AND A RATTLING SOUND BECAME LOUDER FROM THE BOTTOM THE AWD COM…"~70,230 mi, complaint #1594524
  39. #39

    wheel bearing

    1 stranded, 1 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "BEARINGS, SUSPENSION AND STEERING ISSUE: TOOK CAR TO GET TIRE CHANGED AND EVER SINCE THE BEARINS AND STEERING IS OFF. STEERING WHEEL SHAKES ONCE I TRY TO GO FASTER THAN 55 MPH."~62,800 mi, complaint #1590051
  40. #40

    wheel or rim

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "KIA DEALERSHIP ROTATED TIRES. REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE FLEW OFF VEHICLE WITHIN 2 BLOCKS OF DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT. ALL LUGS MISSING. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO REAR END DEALERSHIP CLAIMS ALL LUG NUTS WERE PROPERLY ATTACHED AND THE ATTACHMENT WAS WITNESSED BY 2 TE…"~55,000 mi, complaint #1399324
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL HAD MALFUNCTION AND WOULD NOT TURN CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND CRASH. DURING THE CRASH THE VEHICLE ROLL…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1707558
  41. #41

    adas adaptive cruise

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Yes there was a recall in a module control panel which still is messed up. It’s been replaced a couple x. Also the dim lights since I bought the car have a very low light were you can hardly see at night. And this SUV drinks gas on long/short trips. I’ve taken…"complaint #2170038
  42. #42

    alignment and pull

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "ABOUT A WEEK AFTER I PURCHASED MY SORENTO I NOTICE THAT MY VEHICLE WOULD STRAY TO THE LEFT ON THE FREEWAY. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE STEERING THE VEHICLE WOULD OVER CORRECT AND ALMOST GO INTO THE RIGHT LANE. IT FELT LIKE THE CAR HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN AN…"complaint #1471301
  43. #43

    climate control module

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "OCCASIONALLY THE AIR CONDITIONING BLOWS ON THE FLOOR, EVEN THOUGH THE CONTROLS ARE SET FOR UPPER VENTS. SEEMS TO HAPPEN ON TRIPS MORE THAN 2 HOURS. ONCE YOU TURN OFF VEHICLE FOR ABOUT A HALF HOUR AND THEN RESTART IT, IT SEEMS TO CORRECT ITSELF."~57,000 mi, complaint #1609744
  44. #44

    control module

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Without warning, engine stalled while in motion. Electrical system was still functioning and on. Loss of power steering and power brakes. This continued to happen at random times during driving, putting all passengers at risk. Kia dealership looked in to the p…"complaint #1922467
  45. #45

    emissions aftertreatment

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR SUDDENLY FLASHED ON AND OFF AND THE VEHICLE'S SPEED WOULD NOT INCREASE PAST 20 MPH. THE MESSAGE "LIMP HOME MODE" WAS ALSO DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ANTIO…"~62,000 mi, complaint #1521896
  46. #46

    exhaust system

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "My 2015 Kia Sorento is experiencing a catastrophic structural failure of the exhaust system where the front manifold catalytic converter has internally collapsed and broken apart. This is a severe safety hazard because the physical blockage of the exhaust flow…"complaint #2219644
  47. #47

    fluid leak unspecified

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "KIA SORENTO LESS THEN 5000 MILES WATER AROUND VIN NUMBER ON DASH ALSO LEAKING INTO THE FLOOR. DEALER TRIED TO SAY BUILD OF LEAVES AROUND WINDSHIELD IS THE CAUSE. IF THAT IS THE CAUSE THEN THERE IS A DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. I BELIEVE THEY ARE SAYING THA…"~4,884 mi, complaint #1170676
  48. #48

    heater core and blower

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER OR HEATER WAS ACTIVATED, AN ABNORMAL ODOR EMITTED FROM THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A DEODORIZER W…"~24,000 mi, complaint #1299854
  49. #49

    hv system fault reduced power

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "This car goes into "limp mode" with no warning. You will be driving along and all of a sudden, you lose power. So, you can go from 55mph down to 28mph with no warning that this is going to happen. It just does. The engine in this vehicle was junk when it came…"complaint #1818173
  50. #50

    instrument cluster

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was an auction sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage wa…"~20,735 mi, complaint #2084188
  51. #51

    interior trim

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WHEN USING THE COOLING SEAT OPTION IT DOES NOT WORK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN WE TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE WE WERE INFORMED ' THAT IS AS GOOD AS IT GETS'. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR BLOCKS OVER 50% OF THE HOLES IN THE SEAT. THEY ONLY WAY TO FIX WOUL…"~1,800 mi, complaint #1170419
  52. #52

    power windows and locks

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "CAR WAS PARKED,I LOCKED THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK,ON BACK DOOR NOW IT WILL NOT OPEN,THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE"complaint #1390457
  53. #53

    software or update

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WHILE DRIVING MY CAR TO WORK AFTER A SOFTWARE UPDATE AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP IT BECAME SLUGGISH AND DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. I WAS JUST COMING OFF A LOCAL HIGHWAY ONTO A SURFACE STREET WHEN THIS OCCURRED. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THE ICON ON MY DASHBOARD IN MY CAR'S…"~45,000 mi, complaint #1503875
  54. #54

    stability and traction control

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I LOGGED INTO CREDIT KARMA LOOKING AT MY CAR DETAILS AND SAW THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TRACTION. IVE NOTICED MY TRACTION LIGHT ON IN THE CAR; HOWEVER, DID NOT THINK ANYTHING OF IT AS THE BUTTON WAS PUSHED IN AS NORMAL. THE LIGHT IS ON CONSISTENTLY."complaint #1728422
  55. #55

    starter

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, A REVVING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PROPERLY ACCELERATE WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. ALSO AFTER USING THE REMOTE ST…"~118,000 mi, complaint #1728660
  56. #56

    suspension arms and bushings

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Engine, it is currently available How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Absolutely Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer o…"complaint #1802190
  57. #57

    transmission manual clutch

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Shift arm gear stuck- unable to shift from park to drive to neutral, reverse, etc. "complaint #2193690
  58. #58

    trunk or liftgate

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "OUR 2015 KIA SORENTO LX WITH TOURING PACKAGE WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY WHEN THE TAILGATE WINDOW EXPLODED AND SHATTERED ALL OVER THE DRIVEWAY. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS IN OR NEXT TO IT AT THE TIME. VEHICLE IS BACK AT FUCILLA KIA DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. IT IS O…"complaint #1072740
  59. #59

    unknown

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I PURCHASED MY KIA IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR. A FEW WEEKS AFTER THE PURCHASE I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. I PULLED OVER TO INVESTIGATE BUT COULD NOT FIND WHERE THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM. I CONTINUED TO NOTICE THE SMELL AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT AND THERE WAS NO PATTE…"~35,000 mi, complaint #1506179
  60. #60

    wiper and washer

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "THE WIPERS AND HEADLIGHTS WOULD RANDOMLY COME IN AND OUT OF WORKING CONDITIONS. YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN WIPERS ARE WORKING UNTIL IT STARTS RAINING SO IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS. WE HAD TO PULL OVER AND EITHER WAIT FOR THE RAIN TO STOP OR WAIT UNTIL THE WIPERS STARTED W…"~73,000 mi, complaint #1391467

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for KIA SORENTO directly.