KiaModel report

Kia Sorento Problems by Model Year

NHTSA recorded 10,219 consumer complaints across the 23 model years of the Kia Sorento (2003–2026) that have at least 5 complaints. 2011 has the most, with 1,520. Across all years, the part named most often is engine (3,852 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.

Best and worst Sorento years →

All Sorento model years

Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.

Year	Complaints	Median mi	Recalls	TSBs	Score (50 = typical)	Trend
2026	6	3,800	2	8	—	Too new
2025	77	4,000	3	33	Too new to compare	Too new
2024	43	24,308	2	49	Too new to compare	Too new
2023	125	16,850	3	51	30 · Fewer	Too new
2022	193	28,660	6	85	57 · Typical	Rising
2021	254	43,000	4	105	50 · Typical	Stable
2020	140	19,500	1	92	9 · Fewer	Rising
2019	434	21,675	2	118	44 · Typical	Rising
2018	255	49,000	3	196	16 · Fewer	Rising
2017	808	46,500	4	242	63 · Typical	Rising
2016	1,258	66,500	8	275	87 · More	Stable
2015	755	74,990	3	202	39 · Typical	Falling
2014	988	80,000	6	261	63 · Typical	Falling
2013	983	82,392	5	228	68 · More	Falling
2012	880	90,000	5	233	69 · More	Stable
2011	1,520	80,000	7	202	100 · More	Stable
2009	55	43,225	2	16	0 · Fewer	Falling
2008	217	57,026	3	18	3 · Fewer	Falling
2007	154	55,500	4	23	Not compared (before 2008)	Falling
2006	242	81,000	1	19	Not compared (before 2008)	Falling
2005	307	84,400	0	27	Not compared (before 2008)	Falling
2004	220	86,250	0	21	Not compared (before 2008)	Falling
2003	305	74,000	1	21	Not compared (before 2008)	Rising

Parts named most often, all years

Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.

Engine3,852 35%
Electrical system1,398 13%
Other or unknown1,358 12%
Transmission and drivetrain1,187 11%
Body and structure937 8.5%
Exterior lighting845 7.7%
Air bags717 6.5%
Brakes698 6.4%

Example complaints

One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

2015: “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 area on the hood. The chip on the hood looks like it is bubbling up. This is not rock damage.”

NHTSA complaint #11404064, filed 2021-03, 71,112 miles

2020: “I bought a brand new Kia Sorento. After about 7000 miles I noticed chunks of rubber missing from my tires. I called khumo they told me to take it to Kia. I took it to my dealer and they did nothing. Now I have 20000 miles on my vehicle and the same tires are cupping. This is going to end up with someone dying and I do not want to be that person.”

NHTSA complaint #11414351, filed 2021-04, 7,000 miles

2012: “On april 9,2021 I was driving home the engine started making a noise and smoking. I pulled over and called a tow. The mechanic told me on monday 12th the engine needed replacement. I found out about the Kia engine recall last week. I never received a letter or heard from Kia before. I need to know how to handle this and what steps I can take.”

NHTSA complaint #11412848, filed 2021-04, 194,000 miles

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About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology