2018 Kia Sorento Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 4%of 255 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 52,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the air bags of the 2018 Kia Sorento, 4% of the 255 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,000 miles. 8 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving approximately 35 miles per hour on a city street when another vehicle pulled out in front of me. The impact totaled the other vehicle and caused $7,500 in damage to my vehicle, and my air bags did not deploy. While I was not seriously injured, I did suffer significant whip-lash type injuries, and injured my knee when it hit the dash board.”
NHTSA complaint #11375594, filed 2020-11, 49,000 miles“My son was traveling down a highway between 45-55 MPH when he overcorrected and made full impact of the front of the car with a solid snow bank in the middle median. The radiator was slammed backwards, the front end was demolished with around $12,000 in damage to the vehicle. There is no reason we can find that the air bags did not deploy. We bought this vehicle because of the safety rating but now I am concerned that we have issues with our air bags. Will they protect us if this should ever happen again?”
NHTSA complaint #11397573, filed 2021-02, 68,702 miles“Driving on highway, hit deer. Front airbags deployed. Car swerved onto median and front passenger side crashed into guardrail. Side airbag did not deploy. Unclear why side airbag did not deploy. Front passenger hit head on passenger door window and shattered window, sustained concussion.”
NHTSA complaint #11150708, filed 2018-11, 15,000 miles“Frontal impact with a deer on interstate 81 northbound in pa., cruise control set at posted speed limit of 65mph, no airbag deployment at time of impact or after collision chest impacted steering wheel and arm pain from holding steering wheel.”
NHTSA complaint #11363855, filed 2020-10, 104,000 miles“My passenger occupancy sensor needs to be replaced. I Can not afford the $1170 Kia is charging. My car’s warranty expired in March. The passenger air bag light came on in the ending of July 2023. I tried reaching out to Kia but with no help. They said I have to pay out of pocket. I am really concerned for the safety of my family.”
NHTSA complaint #11536191, filed 2023-08Related recalls
- 17V784000Dec 8, 2017Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The side curtain air bags on these vehicles have a component that may detach during…Covers: Kia Sorento 2018
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 5% |
| 2024 | 2 | 5% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 4 | 2% |
| 2020 | 4 | 3% |
| 2019 | 5 | 1% |
| 2018 | 10 | 4% |
| 2017 | 14 | 2% |
| 2016 | 18 | 1% |
| 2015 | 30 | 4% |
| 2014 | 51 | 5% |
| 2013 | 60 | 6% |
| 2012 | 81 | 9% |
| 2011 | 183 | 12% |
| 2009 | 21 | 38% |
| 2008 | 66 | 30% |
| 2007 | 58 | 38% |
| 2006 | 19 | 8% |
| 2005 | 43 | 14% |
| 2004 | 14 | 6% |
| 2003 | 30 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2018 Kia Sorento
107 complaintsOther or unknown
45 complaintsExterior lighting
41 complaintsElectrical system
30 complaintsSteering
26 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsForward collision avoidance
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 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