2017 Kia Sorento Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 97about this part
- Share
- 12%of 808 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 59,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 97 complaints about the electrical system of the 2017 Kia Sorento, 12% of the 808 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 59,000 miles. 5 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While dying on highway at 65 miles per hour, the vehicle jerked violently and without warning I saw everything on the dashboard begin to shut down. I was able to get over to the shoulder. Everything checked out and I began to drive again as if nothing were wrong. A week later it happened again. This time I barely limped home. Vehicle has 62k miles.”
NHTSA complaint #11361392, filed 2020-09, 62,000 miles“I was driving my 2017 Kia Sorento on the interstate in stop and go traffic. While stopped, the engine started shaking and car lost power. I was able to pull over to the shoulder. I had the vehicle towed to the repair shop. I was told that my wiring harness had melted together and needed to be replaced. This may have lead to a fire if not caught in time.”
NHTSA complaint #11316801, filed 2020-03, 63,000 miles“When vehicle is in motion the headlights will randomly turn off when on the auto setting. This has happen multiple times since we purchased this vehicle and is a serious accident waiting to happen. I have viewed multiple reports of this issue online from other owners. This has happen on the highway and city streets where the roads have no lighting.”
NHTSA complaint #11181452, filed 2019-02, 30,000 miles“My 2017 Kia Sorento headlights when operating in auto mode will unexpectedly and without warning turn off. I have to turn the switch manually to make them come back on. This creates an extreme safety hazard. It has happened both on the highway / interstate as well as back roads. This needs to be addressed by Kia asap.”
NHTSA complaint #11278093, filed 2019-11, 35,000 miles“The car will be off and locked and all the lights will periodically come on. This has happened about 15times in the 2yrs we have owned it. The dealership has been informed. We were told the Kia's on the lot do the same thing and they don't know why????”
NHTSA complaint #11162142, filed 2018-12, 500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11037563Sep 25, 2026VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (SC330 Flight 301) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to…
- 11033996Jun 16, 2026TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH REPAIR (WTY031) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised…
- 11029979Mar 6, 2026TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSION SECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340 REV 4) - This bulletin has been revised to include…
- 11024469Oct 23, 2025Sc340_stkr: voluntary emissions service campaign completion label/sticker
- 11024468Oct 23, 2025VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (SC340) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the…
- 11024467Oct 23, 2025Voluntary emissions service campaign: sc340_poc: proof of correction card
- 11024462Oct 23, 2025VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (SC340) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service managers advising that Kia…
- 11024445Oct 23, 2025VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC340) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary…
- 11023265Sep 15, 2025VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (SC330) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to replace the…
- 11013247Feb 1, 2025VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC330) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to replace the…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 17% |
| 2025 | 22 | 29% |
| 2024 | 11 | 26% |
| 2023 | 38 | 30% |
| 2022 | 31 | 16% |
| 2021 | 47 | 18% |
| 2020 | 20 | 14% |
| 2019 | 68 | 16% |
| 2018 | 30 | 12% |
| 2017 | 97 | 12% |
| 2016 | 107 | 8% |
| 2015 | 58 | 8% |
| 2014 | 153 | 15% |
| 2013 | 116 | 12% |
| 2012 | 127 | 14% |
| 2011 | 246 | 16% |
| 2009 | 14 | 25% |
| 2008 | 32 | 15% |
| 2007 | 21 | 14% |
| 2006 | 53 | 22% |
| 2005 | 49 | 16% |
| 2004 | 28 | 13% |
| 2003 | 29 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2017 Kia Sorento
387 complaintsExterior lighting
125 complaintsOther or unknown
110 complaintsSteering
97 complaintsFuel system
49 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
37 complaintsEngine cooling
27 complaintsBrakes
23 complaintsVehicle speed control
21 complaintsBody and structure
17 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsForward collision avoidance
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2017 Kia Sorento
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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