2018 Kia Sorento Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 3%of 255 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 34,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the visibility of the 2018 Kia Sorento, 3% of the 255 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 34,000 miles.
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 am requesting that DOT NHTSA investigate the issue of Kia Sorento's sunroofs exploding. We were driving our company leased 2018 Kia Sorento heading westbound on I-90 going approximately 30 MPH to due rush hour traffic during sunny weather, with optimal road conditions, and we were approximately 16 feet from the car in front of us when all of a sudden we heard a bomb blast sound coming from above us. We carefully felt the sunroof shield and determined the sunroof exploded into many pieces. Nothing from the outside or inside fell on the sunroof to cause it to shatter. …”
NHTSA complaint #11079133, filed 2018-03, 5,000 miles“Sunroof exploded while traveling down highway at approx. 65 MPH. Did not see anything strike the vehicle prior to the explosion. Vehicle is equipped with a panoramic sunroof. Failure occurred in the front section which opens and closes.”
NHTSA complaint #11375886, filed 2020-11, 34,000 miles“While driving, heard a LOUD noise like a large rock hit the top of my 2018 kia sorento SXL, which I just purchased four days ago with 44,441 miles on it~ when I stopped to inspect the panorama sunroof, front panel was shattered could see no impact point of a rock or anything hitting it- researching online seems this happens a lot to Kia vehicles with a panorama sunroof. …”
NHTSA complaint #11571009, filed 2024-02“I have less than 100,000 miles on my 2018 Kia sorento. When I reached probably 50,000 miles this car went DOWN HILL. I feel like I’ve replaced everything on this car. Now every oil change was saying no oil on the dip stick, so I take it to the Kia dealership. They tell me that I need an ENTIRE engine. My car is less than 100,000 miles. I saw something that said if it was under that threshold, it could be covered but they said they couldn’t find anything. This car has been failing me. I still owe HALF of the car, what it’s not even worth on carfax anymore. …”
NHTSA complaint #11720947, filed 2026-02“Lighting and/ or electrical. When using the auto headlight switch, all lights will come on randomly and periodically and stay on until you notice them or they ware down your battery. This is something that could be checked out by dealer and I will ask about it. So, for now, I do not use the auto headlight switch. My other problem is a glass issue. For no apparent reason, when I shut my driver side door a few weeks ago. My entire rear window shattered into pieces. There were no signs of damage to the rear window. Happened in my drive way. But, it could have happened anywhere. …”
NHTSA complaint #11688792, filed 2025-09Related service bulletins
- 11033996Jun 16, 2026TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH REPAIR (WTY031) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised…
- 10160612May 16, 2019PITSTOP: OUTSIDE MIRROR GLASS CONTROL INOPERATIVE - This Pitstop provides information on the repair procedure for an inoperative mirror glass on the outside door mirrors for…
- 10154661Feb 15, 2019PITSTOP: BLOCKED WINDSHIELD WASHER NOZZLES ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH WASHER HEATERS - This Pitstop provides information regarding blocked windshield wiper nozzles on some 2016MY~…
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 8% |
| 2024 | 4 | 9% |
| 2023 | 11 | 9% |
| 2022 | 17 | 9% |
| 2021 | 11 | 4% |
| 2020 | 6 | 4% |
| 2019 | 21 | 5% |
| 2018 | 7 | 3% |
| 2017 | 9 | 1% |
| 2016 | 23 | 2% |
| 2015 | 11 | 1% |
| 2014 | 27 | 3% |
| 2013 | 31 | 3% |
| 2012 | 28 | 3% |
| 2011 | 29 | 2% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 2 | 1% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2004 | 3 | 1% |
| 2003 | 5 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2018 Kia Sorento
107 complaintsOther or unknown
45 complaintsExterior lighting
41 complaintsElectrical system
30 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 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