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: other or unspecified
113 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Jan 31, 2022
I have the Sorrento with the white pearl paint for last couple years I’ve had small flakes come off and I’ve tried to cover them up with the ink pen. But the spots are just getting bigger. So Disappointed. This is my second Kia I did not have a problem on the black when I had before this
Other or unspecified, Jan 19, 2022
Severe paint chipping on the hood of car and roof. Causing rust to build by windshield. Kia refuses to fix the issue
Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 9, 2021
This 2015 KIA Sorrento was purchased new 8/14. It has been regularly serviced/maintained since.In Nov 2018 the AWD would not engage during a snowstorm, I was left stranded and had to be towed to the Dealership. The AWD coupler needed to be replaced. October 1, 2021, the car was inspected and passed with no major issues. November 6, 2021, the car would not start. It was jump started and brought to a local Auto Repair Facility where I was advised it needed a new battery. New battery installed and on November 8, 2021, the car would not start. I returned to the same facility & had them check the battery, alternator and starter. All was fine. They recommended I return to Healy KIA, Newburgh, NY, and have them check the computer board. December 1, 2021, Healy KIA informed me that the head gasket was shot and that I needed an engine rebuild. I questioned this as the car was only 5 years old, I only drive the car locally, and that I have done no extensive travel in over 2 years since Covid-19. Healy KIA never offered to replace the engine, only the rebuild for $11K. I contacted KIA Corporate on December 2, 2021 to file a concern (Case #14515621) and was advised by that Rep I was out of warrantee, admitted there had been engine recalls in the past, but a Manager would review my case and call me w/in 2-3 business days. To date, no return call. I began calling KIA(800)333-4542 for these past 3 days & the automated phone system either dropped the call or transferred me to Road Side Assistance. December 8, 2021, I finally got through to another KIA Rep, who confirmed my case number and stated my case was still under review awaiting verifying information from Healy Kia confirming the damage and the estimate. I advised the KIA Rep that I had a copy of that estimate so he instructed me to upload this information at www.KIA.com. Ironically, the case number KIA provided, my name/email is invalid according to the KIA website. I need your help and guidance. Please advise. Thank you!
Other or unspecified, Nov 2, 2021
I have a 2015 kia sorento my paint has started peeling off for no reason. It is snow pearl white .I've spoken to and have seen others just like mine doing the same thing. This is definitely kias responsibility. Not all of us would have the same issue if not!!!
Other or unspecified, Oct 30, 2021
The paint on my Kia (pearl white) blew off from a portion of my car on a windy day. The car has been seen by the Kia dealership and we were referred to Kia consumer affairs. There were no prior signs of paint peeling in the area where it blew off prior to it blowing off.
Other or unspecified, Oct 26, 2021
Normal low beams are useless for driving. You must use high beams to be able to see, even in town. This has been a problem since I purchased the vehicle in 2015. Also, I have had to replace the bulbs three times, If I don’t buy the brightest/most expensive ones, I’ve wasted my money and it’s like putting a night light in front of your vehicle.
Other or unspecified, Oct 19, 2021
I have a 2015 Pearl White Kia Sorento. My paint has chipped tremendously and I have only had the truck for a year and a half. It first started with a small chip on the side of my windshield which is now huge. I started noticing more chips shortly after and they are now huge as well. There has to be a defect in this paint because EVERY snow white kia that I have seen in my city looks JUST like mine.... PEELING!
Other or unspecified, Oct 11, 2021
Paint is chipping off from the hood and around the windshield Pearl white Kia Sorento Noticed this occurring 2/2021
Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Sep 3, 2021
Lowlight beams are very dim. Poor visibility. NHTSA ratings are poor. I’m concerned as to why Kia will not fix the issue. There was no accident but for years I’ve been afraid to drive at night or avoid it. I’ve looked online and see I’m not the only Kia Sorento owner with these concerns. This does make me regret purchasing Kia and I tell everyone I know don’t buy this car.
Other or unspecified, Aug 18, 2021
2015 Sorento has paint peeling and chipping due to air and weather. The peeling paint started December 2019. The condition has gotten worse. The chipping started this year.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Aug 11, 2021
The paint is blowing off.
Other or unspecified, Jul 26, 2021
I am making a complaint due to the paint chipping above the windshield. The paint started to chip and now in growing larger. Every time it rains the paint chips more and more. I have noticed not only that my car pillars on the siding around the windshield peeled that I have repainted but now it is above the wind shield. There are alot of Kia Sorentos in my area that the top of their vehicle are peeling as well so this has to be a manufacturer problem. I have spoken with a few shops in the area and they stated to inform Kia that is an ongoing issue with all the kia's. I have pictures of the top of my vehicle.
Other or unspecified, Jul 25, 2021
Intermittently and unpredictably, my V6 Sorrento just loses all power when trying to accelerate. This occurs when trying to accelerate from a stop or slow roll, but not when moving along at over, say, 20 mph. Obviously, this can be a very dangerous thing when trying to cross or pull out onto a street when there’s oncoming traffic. The car will move just enough to place it in the path of oncoming traffic and then nothing more until after I’ve released and depressed the accelerator enough times for it to finally decide go. The car has been to the dealer several times for this, and they’ve had no remedy. They said that they couldn’t do anything because they couldn’t duplicate the problem, which is no surprise because it’s totally unpredictable. I’ve had the car into the dealer for this enough times that they finally opened a case with Kia corporate, who also had no answers. My private mechanic found a service bulletin (online, and not from Kia) that said a hose in the fuel system was the issue. After I took the car back to the dealer yet again and told them about the bulletin, they supposedly checked the hose and said that it was okay, but they didn’t try replacing it. After all that I’d been through dealing with this, the dangerous situations it has put me in numerous times, and the fact that they had no answers, it seems to me that they should at least have tried replacing the hose. I’ve been dealing with this for years, and it's disconcerting and dangerous to not be able to trust the car. The car is a 2015 Sorrento SX V6 that I bought in July of 2017 with 31,094 miles on it, and I paid extra to have it “certified.” There is a thread on Kia-Forums.com where others have expressed having the same issue, also with no resolution. Thank you.
Other or unspecified, Jul 19, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while reversing out of a parking space and making a left turn, the contact heard an abnormal popping. The contact felt the vehicle was dragging something underneath the vehicle. The contact was able to pull over and restart the vehicle however, the engine was shaking and the contact saw that there was oil leaking on to the ground. The contact put the vehicle in neutral and had her son push the vehicle to her residence. The dealer was contacted but the service department was unavailable. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 123,050.
Other or unspecified, Jun 22, 2021
In July of 2019 I purchased a 2015 Kia Sorento from Haley Toyota of Richmond. About 7 days after purchasing my Sorento, it was cutting off on me while driving and not starting. It was during the hot summer and I would be in the car with my kids sweating stuck hours away from home until the car decided to start up again. It would cut off on us while we were driving!! One day it was almost a terrible accident. Someone almost slammed into the back of us I had to swerve into the ditch!! And ALL of my children were present and my mother. It would start back up like after 30 minutes sometimes hours!! The first time this happened, when we finally got it to the dealer they had it for a while. They said they replaced a computer system and that that should fix it. It didn’t. We kept taking it back they kept not fixing it. And now the car is just not working whatsoever. And I’m still paying for it. The engine shouldn’t be cutting off while the car is in motion. And I’ve looked and there are so many recalls on this car but why isn’t mine included in any engine recalls? The engine is no good. Toyota should not have sold me that car. The vehicle was inspected by Toyota AND Kia and they both acted as though they didn’t know the issue. Then the car just stopped working. We took out in so many times with no resolution. And not I’m stuck paying for a car that doesn’t even run. $333/month plus car insurance. And it was dangerous to drive. No warning Lights or warning signs popped on it would just cut off in the middle of no where. And then after that the engine light would come on, but never before cutting off I never had any warnings. I’ve been given no resolution, and I really need help.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 21, 2021
This is a continuing problem. I have previously reported this issue to KIA and it has fallen in silent ears. For whatever reason my vehicle has been bone dry of oil. There is no warning that the oil is low. No indicator comes on., nothing! This can happen immediately after an oil change. The oil does not leak on the ground and it is known where the oil goes. The only way I know that there’s is no oil is that the car smells as though something is burning. I have spent hundreds of dollars in oil trying to keep up with when it dry’s out. Also, the rear brake light (right) burns out at least twice a month. At one point the light burned into the housing unit and had to be pulled out with needle nose pliers. I have again spent a lot of money on replacing bulbs. This car is extremely unsafe and I feel at anytime the car will catch on fire.
Other or unspecified, Jun 14, 2021
After engine replacement the car has a major loss of power that occurs intermittently. When accelerating the car will stutter and slow down I live In The mountains and there are a lot of blind corners that are safe to Navigate when the vehicle responds properly. I have almost been tboned by oncoming vehicles traveling at an excessive speed around those corners due to the loss of power the vehicle has suffered due to poor repairs and faulty engine
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jun 11, 2021
I have a pearl white Kia Sorento and the paint is peeling and flaking badly in several areas. It is progressively getting worse and it makes the vehicle look terrible.
Other or unspecified, Jun 11, 2021
Head light low beams keep burning out on a frequent basis. have to replace couple times a year. have tried led lamps but no after market led lamps seem to fit correctly. have not found any suitable led lamps to use. Halogens continue to burn out. sometimes one light goes out and then will come back on. but always will eventually burn out before they should.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, May 3, 2021
MONITOR THAT DISPLAYS DEFOGGER & DEFROSTER IS NOT DISPLAYING INFORMATION.......... THIS MONITOR IS PART OF THE VEHICLE'S "MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM"......WHICH DISPLAYS :: GPS, RADIO CHANNELS, HEATING, AIR CONDITIONS, DEFROSTING-DEFOGGER..... I PAID $700.00 & $65. 10/05/2018 TO REPLACE THIS SAME "NAVIGATION/ MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM".....VEHICLE MILEAGE THEN WAS 48,600.... THIS UNIT STOPPED WORKING/ NO LONGER DISPLAYING INFORMATION JANUARY 2021. THEN MILEAGE OF 87,000.. ELK GROVE KIA SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PERSONALLY PAY TO HAVE THE MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM REPLACE. THE NEW SYSTEM ONLY LASTED APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR, 6 MONTHS..... I ASKED THE KIA DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE OR OFFER DISCOUNT TO REPLACE THIS NEEDED SYSTEM.....THE ANSWER WAS NO ! I SAID TO KIA DEALER THAT OBVIOUSLY THE PRODUCT INSTALLED WAS INFERIOR..(LASTING LESS THAN A YEAR....THE REPLY WAS THE DEALER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PRODUCTS INSTALLED IN KIA VEHICLES. I MADE A COMPLAINT TO THE BBB NATIONAL PROGRAMS- AUTO LINE...RE: KIA2115737....BBB SAID MY COMPLAINT DOES NOT QUALIFY PER THEIR GUIDELINES.. I AM STILL WITHOUT VISUAL ASSIST OF THE "MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM".....DEFOGGER/ DEFROSTER.., GPS,
Other or unspecified, Mar 26, 2021
IT STARTED WITH A SMALL SPOTS ON THE FRONT EDGE OF THE HOOD. THAT SPOT GRADUALLY GREW AND MORE SPOTS STARTED PEELING. THE NEXT CAME ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE ON THE FRAME OF THE WINDSHIELD THEN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. PIECES OF PAINT JUST PEELED OFF. THERE'S ABOUT A GOOD 8" LONG PATCH THAT HAS NO PAINT AND IT'S STILL FLAKING. THE PIECE OF PAINT THAT CAME OFF WAS SO THIN AND BRITTLE, I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT. IT JUST SEEMS LIKE THE UNDERCOAT WASN'T GOOD AND DIDN'T FUSE WITH THE PAINT WHEN IT WAS APPLIED. I DON'T KNOW IF I'M GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE THE ENTIRE SUV REPAINTED.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Mar 9, 2021
MY PAINT BEGAN TO PEAL AROUND THE FRAME OF THE WINDSHIELD. WHEN I INQUIRED AT KIA, THEY CLAIMED THAT BECAUSE IT WAS A PRE-OWNED CAR AND I HAD PAST MY WARRANTY OF MILEAGE (BECAUSE IT WAS A PRE-OWNED CAR) THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME. I INQUIRED AT A LOCAL PAINT SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAL FAILED OVER THE PAINT, CAUSING A DE-LAMINATION ISSUE. CLEAR EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN RE-PAINTED AND THIS IS IN FACT A MANUFACTURER MALFUNCTION. HOWEVER, KIA STILL REFUSES TO ASSIST OR TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS DEFECT. MEANWHILE, MY CAR CONTINUES TO PEEL AT A RAPID PACE. EVEN WHEN I TAKE TO GET MY CAR SERVICED, MECHANICS ARE UNABLE TO PERFORM ROUTINE MAINTENANCE DUE TO THE PAINT CHIPPING OFF IN THEIR TAPE AND OTHER SUPPLIES.
Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Feb 21, 2021
I LOGGED INTO CREDIT KARMA LOOKING AT MY CAR DETAILS AND SAW THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TRACTION. IVE NOTICED MY TRACTION LIGHT ON IN THE CAR; HOWEVER, DID NOT THINK ANYTHING OF IT AS THE BUTTON WAS PUSHED IN AS NORMAL. THE LIGHT IS ON CONSISTENTLY.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jan 31, 2021
MY CAR SHOWS AIRBAG SIGNAL HOWEVER I NEVER INVOLVE IN ANY KIND OF ACCIDENT AND ALSO WHEN I TURN ON AC IT BLOW HOT AIR AND MY BACKUP CAMERA NOT WORKING
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jan 11, 2021
MY 2015 KIA SORRENTO HAS PAINT THAT IS CHIPPING OFF IN LARGE CHUNKS AROUND THE WINSHIELD AND THE HOOD. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW. I SPOKE WITH KIA CONSUMER ASSURANCE AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE ONLY MODELS COVERED IS 2011-2014. I PURCHASED MY KIA SORRENTO IN APRIL 2014, ALTHOUGH IT IS A 2015 MODEL. I WANT TO MAKE A FORMAL COMPLAINT REGARDING THIS MODEL. I HAVE SEEN OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE IN THIS AREA.