2015 Kia Sorento

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Engine is the leading concern among 750 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 23 Sorento model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 750

Of the 2015 reports, 20 involved a crash and 14 involved a fire. 24 people were injured.

Primary concernEngine360 reports · 48% of complaints
Owner complaints750Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship3 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Engine360
  2. Other or unspecified113
  3. Structure100
  4. Exterior lighting91
  5. Electrical system58
  6. Power train42
  7. Service brakes37
  8. Steering33

Recalls and investigations

  1. Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideMay 10, 2021

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.

    An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving.

    Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will install a new multi-fuse, and inspect the HECU for leaks, replacing the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 2, 2021. This recall supersedes previous NHTSA recall number 20V-519. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC212.

    Campaign 21V331000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideAug 27, 2020

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.

    If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.

    Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HECU for leaking brake fluid and replace the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. The recall began October 20, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC197.

    Campaign 20V519000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsDec 19, 2018

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.

    A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

    Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.

    Campaign 18V907000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: electrical system

58 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 27, 2018

    MY KIA SORENTO HAVE PROBLEMS. I TOOK IT IN FOR A RECALL TWO WEEKS AGO. THEN THE NEXT DAY AFTER THAT I HAVE 2 MORE LIGHT COME ON. THE ABS LIGHT AND SOME OTHER LIGHT UNDER THAT. DON'T KNOW WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH THAT. THEN MY SENSOR FOR MY TIRE IS ONE . I HAVE BRAND NEW TIRE. ALSO MY HEAD LIGHTS GO OUT EVERY TWO WEEKS THIS HAVE BEEN GOING ON NOW FOR WELL OVER A YEAR. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR.

  2. Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jun 11, 2018

    WENT TO TURN ON THE CAR THE CAR HAD ACCELERATED WHILE IN PARK. FROM THERE THE SAME THAT THE ELECTRICAL PART IN THE CAR STOP WORKING. THE TIRE SENSOR WAS ALSO ON THE ENGINE SENSOR WAS ALSO ON MAJOR ISSUES

  3. Electrical system, Dec 11, 2017

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER AND ALL THE INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KIA OF STAMFORD (263 SELLECK ST IN STAMFORD, CT), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

  4. Electrical system, Sep 30, 2017

    I HAVE PURCHASED MULTIPLE LIGHTS FOR MY FRONT AND REAR LIGHTS INCLUDING BLINKERS AND BRAKE LIGHTS. I RECENTLY PURCHASED A SET OF LIGHTS FOR $80, TOP TO THE LINE, AND THE FRONT RIGHT LIGHT IS OUT AGAIN. I HAVE REPLACED THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT AND IT IS OUT AGAIN. REPLACED AT THE SAME TIME AROUND JULY 4TH.

  5. Electrical system, Apr 12, 2017

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE KEY FAILED TO REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

  6. Electrical system, Aug 22, 2016, fire

    RETURNING FROM A TRIP TO CALIFORNIA, THE KIA HAD JUST TURNED OVER 30000 MILES ON THE KS TURNPIKE WHEN THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. WE STOPPED AND CHECKED THE OIL, IT WAS FINE. WE HAD HAD THE OIL CHANGED BEFORE THE TRIP SO IT HAD LESS THAN 3000 MILES. AFTER CHECKING THE OIL, WE RESUMED THE TRIP. WITHIN A MILE WE HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND, THE CAR DIED, WE PULLED OVER AND THE CAR ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. CALLED 911, WITHIN 15 MINUTES THE FIREMEN ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. ONE OF THE FIREMEN SAID IT LOOKED ELECTRICAL AND SEEMED TO BE CENTERED IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE, THE FAN BLADES WERE MELTED AND ALL WIRES AND ALL RUBBER HOSING MELTED. KIA REFUSED TO COVER THE WARRANTY AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY SAID THE CAR WAS TOTALED. I'VE ENCLOSED PICTURE OF THE FIRE AND THE DAMAGE.

  7. Electrical system, Tires, Apr 2, 2015

    TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR DID NOT LIGHT UP AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING ON 95 IN RUSH HOUR MORNING TRAFFIC FOREWARNING ME OF ANY PROBLEM WITH MY FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WHICH TIRE SOMEHOW IMMEDIATELY COMPLETELY DEFLATED WHILE DRIVING. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF ROAD AND CALLED FOR ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE. THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR DID NIGHT LIGHT UP UNTIL THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER REMOVED THE FLAT TIRE FROM MY VEHICLE. WHEN VEHICLE WAS TAKE TO MCCAFFERTY IN LANGHORNE, SERVICE MANAGER ADVISED ME THAT I SHOULD HAVE HAD THE TIRE CHECKED OUT AS SOON AS THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR LIT UP AND IT WOULD HAVE AVOIDED COMPLETE DEFLATION. THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR DID NOT ILLUMINATE AT ANY TIME UNTIL THE FLAT TIRE WAS REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. A REPLACEMENT TIRE WILL NOW COST ME $ 159.00. *TR

  8. Electrical system, Nov 28, 2014

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED AN ALTERNATOR AND IT WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,980.