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.
Of the 2015 reports, 20 involved a crash and 14 involved a fire. 24 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
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
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: exterior lighting
91 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Sep 3, 2026
The headlights are so dim that I could not see at night. I am forced to drive with the fog lights on for any amount of visibility. I recently replaced the headlights with factory replacements and now the connectors going into the back have failed and power only makes it to the lights when Mercury is in retrograde. This is unacceptable and a severe safety hazard.
Exterior lighting, Mar 14, 2026
I’m tired of replacing my headlight bulbs every month!!! Both high and low beam go out all the time! It’s expensive. Also it is a safety concern. The low beams are dim to begin with and having one go out I have to drive with high beams on due to inability to see. I even upgraded bulbs in hopes of brightening but they also go out all the time.
Exterior lighting, Feb 4, 2026
Formal Complaint on Seized Headlight Sockets and Kia’s Obstruction of Essential Safety Maintenance 1. Incident & Discovery of Defect: I am the owner of a 2015 Kia Sorento. Recently, one of my headlights failed. Upon attempting a routine bulb replacement, I discovered a critical hardware defect: the bulb socket is physically seized. It cannot be rotated or removed by any standard manual force. This is not a simple wear-and-tear issue; it is a mechanical seizure of a component that must remain accessible for safety maintenance. 2. Kia’s Refusal of Technical Guidance: To resolve this without damaging the entire assembly, I contacted Kia America (Case #[XXX]) specifically requesting technical instructions or any written explanations to safely disengage the seized unit. Despite multiple attempts via phone and email, Kia explicitly refused to provide any technical guidance, flatly stating they are "not technically trained" or authorized to share such information. 3. Obstruction of "Right to Repair" & Safety Risk: I firmly believe that a vehicle owner has a fundamental "Right to Repair," especially for essential safety components like headlights. By withholding basic maintenance instructions, Kia is intentionally obstructing my ability to maintain a street-legal, safe vehicle. Driving with a non-functional headlight is a Critical Safety Hazard that severely impairs visibility and creates an immediate risk of fatal accidents—yet Kia has chosen to leave me in this dangerous situation. 4. Exploitative Business Practice & Systemic Failure: This appears to be a deliberate and Exploitative Business Practice. By failing to provide a manual and refusing technical support for a defective, seized part, Kia is effectively forcing consumers into a "forced monopoly" where we must pay for expensive replacements at authorized dealerships for what should be a low-cost, simple bulb change. 5. Request for Investigation: I request that the NHTSA initiate a formal investigation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Exterior lighting, Fuel/propulsion system, Forward collision avoidance, Jan 26, 2026
Yes there was a recall in a module control panel which still is messed up. It’s been replaced a couple x. Also the dim lights since I bought the car have a very low light were you can hardly see at night. And this SUV drinks gas on long/short trips. I’ve taken it in several times but they keep saying nothing’s wrong and I know there is I have driven my boyfriend vehicle which is a V6 and went the same exact distance and didn’t have to get any fuel until I was about half way back. Something has to give. I love my Kia as I have owned 2. But something is really wrong. Please help. Thanks
Exterior lighting, Jan 22, 2026
The low beam headlights do not illuminate the highway sufficiently to drive safely. I lowered the aim of my high beam to be able to drive at night and not blind approaching drivers. This is unacceptable for a modern vehicle to be permitted to be sold in this condition.
Exterior lighting, Sep 8, 2025
Low beam headlights would work and some times not work and then one day they stopped working completely. We've had everything checked out and there is no explanation as to why this is happening. Replaced headlights, relays, and checked wiring.
Exterior lighting, Sep 8, 2025
My problem is with the headlights, in that the condenser lens for the low beam lights has clouded so badly that driving at night has become so dangerous. I have changed the bulbs twice in an effort to correct the problem to no avail. And with the sealed unit not able to be disassembled to clean the lens, my only option is to replace the units at approximately $800 each. This condition in my opinion should not have occurred.
Exterior lighting, Apr 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that on various occasions while driving at night, the front low-beam headlights failed to properly illuminate and was very dim. The headlight bulbs had been replaced approximately four times, but the failure returned after replacing the bulbs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Exterior lighting, Mar 20, 2025
In the last year I have had to replace my headlight bulbs at least 3 times on each side. My yearly mileage is only around 9,000-10,500. The body shop has tried different brands of bulbs, tried not having the automatic light setting on and only turning on when needed, etc. Nothing seems to correct the issue and once I had them both go out within the same week. They go out so frequently that the shop has an extra set on hand now for when I call. I'm worried if I don't notice one out because I don't drive at night every day that I'll be without either headlight until I can get into the body shop yet again to have changed out.
Exterior lighting, Jan 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that on several occasions the front low-beam headlights failed and were no longer illuminated. The headlight bulbs were replaced but the failure eventually reoccurred. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions and the driver’s and passenger’s side headlights failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that on one occasion there was a burning odor inside the vehicle. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the front passenger’s side headlight had failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the passenger’s side headlight assembly had melted. No further information was available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.
Exterior lighting, Dec 23, 2024
The lights dim way too quickly. HID basically is garbage. Major safety issue since most people can’t afford to be constantly replacing their headlight assemblies.
Exterior lighting, Jul 18, 2024
Overtime the low beam headlights have become very dim. The bulbs have always blown a lot but I have recently replaced both bulbs and they are still very dim. I ordered high powered LED bulbs and still the low beams are very dim. So dim you can barely see 10 feet in front of you when driving at night. I have to drive with the high beams on to see where I am going. Research online shows this is an issues with the projector type headlights on these vehicle but no recall is there. The headlight are over $600 to replace for an off brand set. Not something that should be going bad on a 2015 car.
Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Feb 5, 2024
Low beams have completely gone out and will not work. High beams and all other lights work fine. Car Burns oil regularly. 2 quarts every 2 weeks is required now ro operate the car. I have only had the car since 2020.
Exterior lighting, Oct 30, 2023
The low beam headlights are very dim even after replacing bulbs. Have replaced 2 sets in less than a year. Not sure if issues are related but I have seen multiple people have posted about dim headlights on this model
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 14, 2023
Driving at night on an unlit rural road with the high beam lights engaged, a car was coming in the opposite direction, at which point the headlights were switched to low-beams to not impact the visibility of that driver. The headlights and lighting of the cluster turned completely off for a few moments before the low-beam headlights re-engaged and remained on for the remainder of the trip. The headlights throughout the trip were turned on by having the auto function engaged. This has happened a few times before, but the possibility of having reduced/no vision while driving prompted taking it to a mechanic to be checked out. The issue has not been replicated by a mechanic, and to date has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. No warning signs had been present before this and other instances where the lights cut out as headlights are switched from high to low beams or vice versa. The vehicle has also been experiencing a battery drain that has yet to be identified. This has occurred within the last month, and two batteries have been drained within a month.
Exterior lighting, Apr 12, 2023
Hi my vehicle is very dangerous and unsafe when driving at night. I can't see at all when I drive at night. The factory headlight bulbs has not burn out but they was so dim. I replaced them with new ones and still could not see. I WANT AND GOT THE BRIGHTESS headlight bulb for my car and still are dim. I clean the headlight and still did not fix the problem. I drive at night with my high beams on and i still can barley see I and thousands of others have the same problem with a kia sorento and ask the dealership for help and nothing hibings nothing was done I'm afraid to drive my car when the sun goes down I cannot see at all I can't even see when I have my bright lights on I looked online and I see there's thousands of people complaining about this issue and nothing has been done. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR at night I am a single parent kia is putting my life my family and others in danger because they don't want to fix the problem but they know they have one but don't care please help me and others kia sorento is a very popular car and the more on the road with dim headlights the more people or at risk
Exterior lighting, Mar 2, 2023
I bought this car used and never thought to check any problems associated with headlights. The first time I drove it at night, I stopped to see if the lights were even working. I took it to my local garage who has taken care of all my vehicles from Chevrolet S10 to BMW X5. They changed out the bulbs and made no difference. He then contacted various auto parts companies to order the housing for both headlights. The part is priced approximately $600 to $700 each plus his labor. I don’t take this car on the road at night unless absolute necessity. I planned to drive this car for a short period and then give to my grandson. Now, not a chance. He would be safer on the road with a skateboard and a flashlight and he lives in the city of Atlanta. Never have I driven a vehicle that felt more unsafe than this car. In the past, I had a commercial drivers license so I am capable of driving day, night, rain, and shine. Not in this car! This is a problem identified and reported for many years and appears no action has been taken to require Kia to make the cars safe for drivers of their cars as well as the risk to other vehicles and drivers on the road.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Feb 26, 2023
Engine seized while I was driving
Exterior lighting, Feb 18, 2023
The headlights on this vehicle you can’t even tell they are on after dark even after kia of Cape Coral florida tried adjusting them it’s so bad I ended up installing a light bar on there just to be able to drive this after dark if I get in a accident because of this who is liable I just think there should be a repair they should have to do
Exterior lighting, Feb 10, 2023
The low beam headlights on the 2015 Kia Sorento has made it very difficult in viewing the road at night. It is hard to visualize objects within short distance. The socket to install the headlight bulbs point more to the ground instead of outwards. Your assistance in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Exterior lighting, Jan 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at night at various speeds, the headlights were very dim. The contact stated that the viewing distance was short. The contact used the high-beam headlights to see the road clearly. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the headlight bulbs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The contact called the local dealer and was informed the chrome reflectors might not be aligned. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 77,553.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 23, 2022
Lights are very dim, had to put in a brighter lightbulb. All of the sudden today the radio FM/AM Satellite and blue tooth stopped working. 12/22/22 - Driving home the lights stopped working and I was driving in the dark with no lights.
Exterior lighting, Nov 23, 2022
The low beam headlights are VERY dim when driving at night. Very hard to see unless high beams are activated. Even replaced bulbs with LED's. Helped some, but not much.
Exterior lighting, Engine, Sep 28, 2022
Two things- 1) Headlights replaced in March and dim again, cannot see 50’ in front of the car. 2) Driving on interstate the car sputtered and skipped and missed beats, would not go 55 mph. I left the interstate because it was night and cats were flying up on me. I was 140 miles from home and had to take a regular road at 10pm until 2am.
Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Sep 5, 2022
Low beam headlights are so dim, Si don't allow my wife to drive at night. Had dealer look at them and change bulbs with a small improvement, but after a while they have gotten so dim that even I don't like driving at night.