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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2015 Kia Sorento Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
42about this part
Share
6%of 755 total for the year
Median mileage
74,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 42 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2015 Kia Sorento, 6% of the 755 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 74,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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 oil in the engine and no indication of a problem. The vehicle was routinely oil changed and maintained.”

NHTSA complaint #11403146, filed 2021-03, 127,000 miles

“Driving from alamogordo nm to el paso tx which is about 90 miles distance with my two kids the engine made an awful sound and stopped. I was by a pep boys service center and they checked it out. They found that the engine locked up! The SUV only has 71150 miles on it! Now I'm on foot and don't know what else to do! Any help?”

NHTSA complaint #11223176, filed 2019-06, 71,150 miles

“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 third time it has happen in the past three months. The vehicle has 43,237 miles on it and I have owned it for the past five months.”

NHTSA complaint #11266538, filed 2019-10, 43,237 miles

“Was driving down interstate at 65 and felt like hit a wall me and my 2 children's head flew forward car went down to 15 MPH and rpms skyrocketed would not go over 15 pulled over to side of road shut off car and let sit restarted car would not go over 15 MPH or shift no lights ever illuminated on dashboard and still have not will be getting towed monday as this happened on saturday night”

NHTSA complaint #11220374, filed 2019-06, 85,000 miles

“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 help. The dealer was fuccillo Kia of clay ny.”

NHTSA complaint #11193448, filed 2019-04, 73,400 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20251925%
2024511%
20232217%
20226835%
202114456%
20201813%
20195112%
201894%
2017375%
201612610%
2015426%
2014727%
2013697%
2012556%
201126517%
2009916%
20082311%
20072013%
20063514%
20053812%
20044018%
2003227%

Other parts of the 2015 Kia Sorento

Engine
363 complaintsOther or unknown
114 complaintsBody and structure
100 complaintsExterior lighting
91 complaintsElectrical system
58 complaintsBrakes
37 complaintsSteering
33 complaintsFuel system
31 complaintsAir bags
30 complaintsVehicle speed control
22 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsElectronic stability control
8 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2015 Kia Sorento

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology