Kia Sorento years to avoid (and the best years)
8,411 NHTSA owner complaints and 36 recalls across 15 model years, 2011 to 2025. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 8,411complaints
- 36recalls
- 218reported crashes
- 368reported fires
- 265reported injuries
- 3reported deaths
Which Kia Sorento years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Kia Sorento years to avoid are 2011, 2016, 2014, 2013 and 2012. The typical Kia Sorento year has 426 complaints on file.
- 2011: 1,517 complaints, 3.6 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (21% of complaints) and the body and structure (18% of complaints).
- 2016: 1,248 complaints, 2.9 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (57% of complaints) and the transmission and drivetrain (10% of complaints).
- 2014: 986 complaints, 2.3 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (41% of complaints) and the body and structure (16% of complaints).
- 2013: 981 complaints, 2.3 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (52% of complaints) and the electrical system (12% of complaints).
- 2012: 879 complaints, 2.1 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (54% of complaints) and the electrical system (14% of complaints).
What are the best Kia Sorento years?
The Kia Sorento years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2021 (12), 2023 (119) and 2022 (189). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 73 | 0.2× | 3 | 5 | 3 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2024 | 40 | 0.1× | 2 | 4 | 4 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2023 | 119 | 0.3× | 3 | 3 | 3 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2022 | 189 | 0.4× | 6 | 4 | 4 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2021 | 12 | 0.0× | 4 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2020 | 134 | 0.3× | 1 | 9 | 21 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2019 | 426 | 1.0× | 2 | 10 | 16 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2018 | 254 | 0.6× | 3 | 12 | 11 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2017 | 803 | 1.9× | 4 | 13 | 17 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2016 | 1,248 | 2.9× | 8 | 29 | 19 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2015 | 750 | 1.8× | 3 | 20 | 24 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2014 | 986 | 2.3× | 6 | 23 | 24 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2013 | 981 | 2.3× | 5 | 23 | 33 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2012 | 879 | 2.1× | 5 | 21 | 36 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2011 | 1,517 | 3.6× | 8 | 42 | 50 | Approach with caution | Engine |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 2,122 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain816 (38%)
- Structure & body451 (21%)
- Electrical & infotainment310 (15%)
- Airbags & seat belts171 (8%)
- Brakes145 (7%)
Recalls (36)
Electrical system · 26V046000 · Jan 2026 · model year 2025
An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 25V649000 · Sep 2025 · model years 2021, 2022, 2023
A fire increases the risk of injury.
Engine · 25V548000 · Aug 2025 · model year 2025
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 25V006000 · Jan 2025 · model years 2024, 2025
A loss of headlights and taillights can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 24V287000 · Apr 2024 · model year 2024
A loss of power steering assist increases the risk of a crash.
Safety · 23V877000 · Dec 2023 · model year 2011
A fire increases the risk of injury.
Brakes · 23V652000 · Sep 2023 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Safety · 23V639000 · Sep 2023 · model year 2019
A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 23V610000 · Aug 2023 · model years 2022, 2023
A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 23V579000 · Aug 2023 · model year 2023
A detached air bag warning label will not warn occupants about the risks of air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Transmission · 22V760000 · Oct 2022 · model years 2021, 2022
Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Safety · 22V703000 · Sep 2022 · model years 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Transmission · 22V612000 · Aug 2022 · model year 2016
A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash and injury.
Tires · 22V509000 · Jul 2022 · model year 2022
Impaired anti-lock braking or traction control systems can increase the risk of a crash.
Engine · 22V202000 · Mar 2022 · model year 2022
An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Fuel system · 21V519000 · Jul 2021 · model year 2021
A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
Brakes · 21V331000 · May 2021 · model years 2014, 2015
An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving.
Safety · 20V750000 · Dec 2020 · model years 2012, 2013
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Brakes · 20V519000 · Aug 2020 · model years 2014, 2015
If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
Fuel system · 18V907000 · Dec 2018 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Steering · 18V656000 · Sep 2018 · model year 2018
If the steering column separates, it can cause a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 17V784000 · Dec 2017 · model year 2018
If the component detaches during deployment, it may enter the passenger compartment and be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
Engine · 17V586000 · Sep 2017 · model year 2017
If the crankshaft fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A failed crankshaft also increases the risk of a fire.
Engine · 17V224000 · Mar 2017 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014
Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 16V862000 · Nov 2016 · model years 2016, 2017
If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 16V770000 · Oct 2016 · model year 2016
In the event of a crash, the driver seatback frame could break and fail to restrain a seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
Suspension · 16V480000 · Jun 2016 · model year 2016
The improper weld may break, affecting the rear suspension alignment, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 15V626000 · Oct 2015 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013
Without requiring the brake to be pressed, the vehicle may be unintentionally shifted out of Park, allowing it to roll, which may result in a crash.
Seat belts · 15V446000 · Jul 2015 · model year 2016
If the front passenger seat belt cannot be latched, an occupant sitting in the front passenger seat has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Safety · 15V089000 · Feb 2015 · model year 2016
If the vehicle is unable to be accelerated, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Transmission · 13V356000 · Aug 2013 · model year 2014
A fractured front axle may result in a loss of power to the wheels. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked without the parking brake applied, it may roll away. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 13V114000 · Apr 2013 · model year 2011
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 11E041000 · Oct 2011 · model year 2011
WITHOUT THE CIRCUIT PROTECTION, THE MODULE CAN OVERHEAT POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Transmission · 11V258000 · Apr 2011 · model year 2011
DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION MAY CAUSE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Brakes · 10V599000 · Nov 2010 · model year 2011
AS A RESULT, BRAKE FLUID WILL LEAK, FOLLOWED BY ILLUMINATION OF THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT INDICATING THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL IS LOW AND SHOULD BE CHECKED, THEN A SOFT OR SPONGY BRAKE PEDAL FEEL, AND IF NOT SERVICED, REDUCED BRAKING POWER WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Electrical system · 10V388000 · Aug 2010 · model year 2011
WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT MAY OCCUR THAT CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.