2018 Kia Sorento Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 30about this part
- Share
- 12%of 255 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 33,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the electrical system of the 2018 Kia Sorento, 12% of the 255 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 33,000 miles. 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving on numerous occasions the car has to be forced to go. It's always hesitating to go and I'm forced to press hard on the gas. In october 2020, the engine light came on and the car went into limp mode. I'm very scared while driving with my kids. The dealers have no fix-I will be taking it in for a third time within a year.”
NHTSA complaint #11376422, filed 2020-11, 26,000 miles“I was traveling to florida and saw sparks in the mirrors in the back. I quickly pulled over and went to the back and saw fire, the car was on fire everybody got out, we tried to put it out but it seemed like there was an accelerrent or something cause it was engulfed with fire very fast once we stopped the whole car was burning.+we were on 65 south in kentucky just driving ,no rain roads were dry.”
NHTSA complaint #11378575, filed 2020-12, 36,000 miles“In january 2019 a recall was done on my vehicle. A few days later, I was traveling out of state. I was on the interstate driving 70 miles per hour when the car lost power. Luckily there was no one behind me. I was told that the recall sent the car into limp mode because the engine was bad. My car was in the shop for over 4 months in wisconsin. I live in iowa. Long story short, Kia came up with new diagnostic testing and after 4 months they decided I did not need an engine and it was my wiring harness that was the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #11270532, filed 2019-10, 7,500 miles“Headlights turn off while driving on highway and city streets. Service on 3-23-20 and could duplicate problem. On 9-25-20 driving and dash board indicator switching from flashers on, headlights going from auto set, to off, to running lights, and door locks locking and unlocking. Scheduled service for 10-20-20, but was told if they can not duplicate problem may not be able to repair.”
NHTSA complaint #11363468, filed 2020-10, 30,000 miles“2018 Kia sorrento - lights have shut off for approximately 3 seconds intermittently driving in various driving conditions (interstate/city street/etc.). Can happen multiple times during a single trip (twice yesterday and four times last week all within one trip). Can go days without it happening which is frustrating as dealer needs to see the issue to fix it . Observing it in both night and day. Obviously more dangerous during night. I have videos from others that replaced the light stalk switch with success. …”
NHTSA complaint #11372716, filed 2020-11, 58,000 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 | 19% |
| 2020 | 20 | 14% |
| 2019 | 68 | 16% |
| 2018 | 30 | 12% |
| 2017 | 97 | 12% |
| 2016 | 107 | 9% |
| 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 2018 Kia Sorento
107 complaintsOther or unknown
45 complaintsExterior lighting
41 complaintsSteering
26 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsAir bags
10 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 27, 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