2018 Kia Sorento Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 10%of 255 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 22,100miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the steering of the 2018 Kia Sorento, 10% of the 255 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 22,100 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Steering felt sticking while driveling on the highway took it in been told it's the steering column.. This is the second issues I have had with my steering 6mths apart. Last time I was told it was something in the drive train an was covered by warranty an the part was going to be replaced but when I took my car in for the sec issue I was told they only did a soft wear update but its also calling for another software update”
NHTSA complaint #11296732, filed 2020-01, 61,000 miles“When driving 40+ MPH, when the wind is blowing, the steering becomes sticky, notchy or jerky, call it what ever you please. When trying to adjust steering slightly to drive in a straight direction, my steering becomes jerky and dangerous. Kia refuses to look into this seriously. They want me spending hundreds of dollars to get it diagnosed. But how will it be diagnosed when it only happens when it is windy? Please help me with this.”
NHTSA complaint #11323128, filed 2020-05, 49,000 miles“Over the last 6 months my Kia has started to act like it is going to die or stall while driving and/or idling. This has happened at various different speeds. I took my Kia into the service department and explained what was happening. They ran some diagnostic tests and stated that they could not replicate it. The check engine light never comes on. In december, I received a recall notice for the engine control unit. This recall was completed and now less than a month later the shaking like my car is going to stall is still happening intermittently. Recently, the steering wheel started sticking. …”
NHTSA complaint #11180896, filed 2019-02, 18,000 miles“While driving down the road the steering wheel sticks. While you keep turning a little to keep the vehicle straight it will suddenly break loose, causing the vehicle to jerk left or right depending on the direction you were turning the wheel at the time. It is most dangerous while the roads are either snow or ice covered and slippery. Hard to keep the vehicle on the road.”
NHTSA complaint #11180911, filed 2019-02, 25,000 miles“The problem is a sticky feeling in the steering while driving on the highway. When making very small corrections feels like the power steering is turned off. Gentle pressure does not turn the wheel at all. As more and more pressure is applied, it feels like the power steering turns on. This causes the vehicle to swerve due to over correction. The vehicle is incredibly hard to control and unpredictable. Occurs at high speeds. Extremely dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #11206200, filed 2019-05, 16,000 milesRelated recalls
- 18V656000Sep 21, 2018Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The cowl crossbar that connects to the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) steering…Covers: Kia Sorento 2018
Related service bulletins
- 10242913Sep 25, 2023PITSTOP: AWD SYSTEM CONCERN DUE TO TIRE CIRCUMFERENCE - This Pitstop provides information regarding potential concerns with the All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) system due to tire sizes of…
- 10202227Oct 6, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: REPLACEMENT OF MOBIS C-MDPS SMALL BEARING - This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the small bearing of the Column Motor Driven Power…
- 10202226Oct 5, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information…
- 10200422Aug 13, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF THE DUAL PINION MOTOR DRIVER POWER STEERING SYSTEM - This bulletin provides information regarding the availability of partial repair…
- 10189545Mar 25, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information…
- 10183333Nov 25, 2020TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information…
- 10183332Nov 4, 2020TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information…
- 10174693Apr 24, 2020TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: STEERING GEAR YOKE PLUG AND ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides the…
- 10170773Jan 10, 2020TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: STEERING GEAR YOKE PLUG AND ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides the…
- 10168850Nov 26, 2019TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information.This bulletin…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 3% |
| 2024 | 2 | 5% |
| 2023 | 7 | 6% |
| 2022 | 10 | 5% |
| 2021 | 6 | 2% |
| 2020 | 4 | 3% |
| 2019 | 11 | 3% |
| 2018 | 26 | 10% |
| 2017 | 97 | 12% |
| 2016 | 81 | 6% |
| 2015 | 33 | 4% |
| 2014 | 35 | 4% |
| 2013 | 22 | 2% |
| 2012 | 20 | 2% |
| 2011 | 53 | 3% |
| 2008 | 5 | 2% |
| 2007 | 3 | 2% |
| 2006 | 33 | 14% |
| 2005 | 39 | 13% |
| 2004 | 24 | 11% |
| 2003 | 31 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2018 Kia Sorento
107 complaintsOther or unknown
45 complaintsExterior lighting
41 complaintsElectrical system
30 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 29, 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