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Kia SorentoModel year report

2026 Kia Sorento Problems

Compared with other Kia Sorento years

Too new to compare

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2023

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
6filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
3,800miles, 2 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
26 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl FWD · 23 city / 31 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2026 Kia Sorento (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2026 Kia Sorento. The part named most often is brakes, with 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by other or unknown (2) and back-over prevention (1). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 3,800 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 8 technical service bulletins for this model year.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Brakes: “I am reporting a suspected brake system malfunction. About one block before my destination, I stopped at a traffic light and applied light pressure to the brake pedal. The vehicle slammed and jerked to a stop unexpectedly. Moments later, while turning into a parking space, I pressed the brake pedal again and the vehicle did not stop as expected. The SUV went over the cement parking post and struck a tall sign about 10 to 12 feet ahead. A large bush around the sign slowed the vehicle before it could continue into a tree. …”

NHTSA complaint #11731023, filed 2026-04

Other or unknown: “My 2026 Sorento developed a fault after just two weeks of use. It had to be towed three times because the engine shuts down and won't restart. I tried to resolve the issue with the dealership, but they claim there is nothing wrong with the car. I reported the situation to Kia America; after a 19-day wait, they replied that there is nothing they can do and that I must pick up the vehicle from the Kia East Orlando dealership, or else I will have to pay parking fees. …”

NHTSA complaint #11761556, filed 2026-09

Mileage when problems were reported

100% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 600 and 7,000 miles.

100%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (2 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 3,800 miles.

Complaints by year filed

This model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.

20266
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2026 Kia Sorento. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Sorento · SUV AWD★★★★★4 / 4554 · 15.9% risk
Sorento · SUV FWD★★★★★4 / 4554 · 15.9% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2026 model year: forward collision warning standard on some versions, lane departure warning standard, automatic emergency braking standard on some versions.

Neighbouring years: 2025: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2026 Kia Sorento version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving); plug-in hybrid figures are for gasoline-only (hybrid mode) driving, so no annual cost is shown.

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Sorento AWD2.5L 4-cyl8-speed automatic232825$2,700
Sorento AWD2.5L 4-cyl8-speed automatic202723$2,900
Sorento FWD2.5L 4-cyl8-speed automatic233126$2,600
Sorento FWD2.5L 4-cyl8-speed automatic202923$2,900
Sorento Plug-in Hybrid AWD1.6L 4-cyl · plug-in hybrid6-speed automatic333433 gas only—

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2026 Kia Sorento → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 8 on record; the latest 8 are shown.

Other model years of the Kia Sorento

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202663,8002526—Too new
2025774,0003526Too new to compareToo new
20244324,3082526Too new to compareToo new
202312516,850342630 · FewerToo new
202219328,660642657 · TypicalRising
202125443,000442650 · TypicalStable
202014019,50015259 · FewerRising
201943421,675252544 · TypicalRising
201825549,000352316 · FewerRising
201780846,500452363 · TypicalRising
20161,25866,500852387 · MoreStable
201575574,990352339 · TypicalFalling
201498880,000652163 · TypicalFalling
201398382,392542468 · MoreFalling
201288090,000542469 · MoreStable
20111,52080,0007422100 · MoreStable
20095543,2252—180 · FewerFalling
200821757,0263—183 · FewerFalling
200715455,5004—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200624281,0001—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200530784,4000—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200422086,2500—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200330574,0001—15Not compared (before 2008)Rising

All Kia Sorento model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2026 Kia Sorento have?

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2026 Kia Sorento as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2026 Kia Sorento is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 2.

Has the 2026 Kia Sorento been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2026 Kia Sorento do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2026 Kia Sorento 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2026 Kia Sorento get?

The EPA rates the 2026 Kia Sorento (Sorento FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl) at 26 mpg combined, 23 city and 31 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,600 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2026 Kia Sorento reported?

Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 3,800 miles and the middle half falls between 600 and 7,000 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.