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
750 reports, newest first.
Structure, Dec 6, 2021
Always noticed little chips on my hood then at about 65000 miles my paint just started peeling right off. So bad that I can’t wash my car or the paint will keep peeling. My auto insurance called it delamanation and said it wasn’t painted properly therefore they won’t cover it. Kia will not acknowledge to me that there is a problem, said my warranty on paint has expired. My color is pearl white and I see other white Kias all over doing the same thing. Also Hyundai’s. If you look online you will see LOTS of stories and complaints regarding this problem. Kia should be held accountable and recall this!
Air bags, Nov 26, 2021
waning lamps on
Engine, Nov 24, 2021
Car is at 124,000 miles and well-maintained with all services done to date. However the Engine failed and will not run. No warning lights and suddenly stopped with loss of power and then will not start. Dealer says new engine will have to be put in and current engine is dead.
Power train, Engine, Nov 4, 2021
UNKNOWN. Excessive shaking, engine light started to blink and car shut off.
Engine, Nov 3, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart however, the vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired. The contact mentioned that a few years later there was an abnormal pinging sound coming from the engine. The contact mentioned after reaching the residence the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the rod bearing was damaged, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000.
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!!!
Engine, Nov 2, 2021
Teenage son was driving kia late on highway the engine failed completely and stopped, going about 65mph, he was able to coast to side of road. He called me, we arrived 45 minutes later and engine was still burning hot to touch and consumed every drop of oil only 2000 miles after oil change, smoking. Took too mechanic said no oil leaks, and he was very lucky vehicle didnt create an engine fire.
Exterior lighting, Nov 1, 2021
The headlights are very dim and only project approximately 20 feet in front of the vehicle. This creates unsafe night driving. At 65 mph on a highway, there is practically no time to react to an animal or object on the road. I have emails from the manufacturer but I am unable to copy and paste them here. In my discussion with a representative from Kia, I was told I would have to contact the dealer and pay a $160 diagnostic fees s then pay for new headlights, that would be the same as are on the car now. Makes no sense.
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.
Exterior lighting, Oct 26, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the headlight bulbs burned out frequently and had to be replaced numerous times by the dealer and several independent mechanics. The vehicle remained at the dealer for the recurring failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Exterior lighting, Oct 22, 2021
My low beam lives are so .com at nite. It is very hard to see.I replaced with others. But they are dim and kept blowing out. Took to Kia dealer for problem. They said I needed to purchase there factory bulbs. I had them replace both. And still they are to dim to drive at night. It is a very bad safety issue. Especially if it is raining out.
Engine, Oct 21, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 55-60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. While at an independent mechanic the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.
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
Structure, Oct 9, 2021
Paint peeling off of the hood
Fuel system, Gasoline, Sep 28, 2021
hello my name is [XXX] owner of 2015 kia Sorrento on Sept 19 2021 my father in law and my wife and kids were pulling up on the drive way when they called me and said they smell gas odor from the car i said send me a pic since i was at work .I informed them turn the car off and get every body away be prepared to call fire dept. .when they sent me a video of the car I saw something leaking .so I rushed home to check the problem well it was definite fuel so I opened the hood and removed the plastic cover and started to look around everything looked in place but I noticed a clip was not in it's place the fuel line was out of place I reinserted the fuel line and pushed down on the clip. I wrapped some tape around the clip so it wouldn't come off again .I took it to the dealer on Tuesday for an explanation I was told that I needed a fuel line but they had no explanation on why this happened I ask when you guy's replaced the motor did you guy's break something ? .still waiting on that answer .the whole motor was taken out and replaced with a new one .this happened about a year and a half ago. I called kia to complain and make them aware of this issue .they called the dealer and told me they would get back to me between 24 and 48 hours today is the 28 of sept and still waiting I have called several times but they keep telling me that the dist manager hasn't replied to there emails .I told them this was a serious situation not just for me but others family's as well . I remember a while back ago kias were catching fire while driving this is a safety issue for all Americans . I have attached a news clipping to the pictures. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Service brakes, Engine, Sep 28, 2021
vehicles lost due to certain engine fires. In some instances, the Settlement also provides a cash rebate if you lost faith in the vehicle after experiencing engine troubles related to the defect and you purchased another Kia vehicle within a specified timeframe. To qualify you must have bought or leased a “Class Vehicle,” which are 2011–2018 and certain 2019 Kia Optima, 2012–2018 and certain 2019 Kia Sorento, and 2011–2018 and certain 2019 Kia Sportage vehicles equipped with or replaced with a genuine Theta II 2.0 liter or 2.4 liter gasoline direct injection engine within OEM specifications. For 2019 model year vehicles, the Class shall include those vehicles that were manufactured before the Knock Sensor Detection System technology was incorporated into their production.
Engine, Sep 21, 2021
The cars engine started knocking while we were in a family vacation. Before we started driving I checked the oil and it was at the acceptable level. We turned around and began to drive home. When we reached the town next to home the engine started knocking horribly and stalled and stopped running. We had the car towed to a repair shop. They told us that the engine is dead and we will need a new one. The car has 116000 miles on it. The warranty goes to 100000 miles. There is also a class action lawsuit against Kia for these defective engines. Apparently the cut off date to file a claim was august 1st Please help
Structure, Sep 20, 2021
The body of the car is undergoing paint delamination. This begun at 70k miles on the roof and now rust is beginning. Then the hood. Then one side around windshield. Then the other side around the windshield. There was not any incident that triggered the paint delamination.
Structure, Sep 18, 2021
The paint is peeling away on the hood, around windshield. Also the luggage racks paint is peeling off. The hood started as a simple little paint chip then exploded will paint bubbling up then peeling off. Around the windshield started with a crack in the paint them just explored in full paint peeling. I can no longer use a drivethru car wash . I must hand wash or the Jetta just peel more off. It’s so frustrating cause I strive to take exceptional care of my vehicle.
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.
Power train, Aug 31, 2021
Car jerks into 1st gear when stopping at a light and accelerating. Car gets stuck in 4th gear and will not accelerate until it reaches 4th gear speeds. Very dangerous to be trying to get up to highway speeds and car not wanting to accelerate beyond 10-20mph. Car is not safe to drive. Took to a Kia dealership and they said they couldn't replicate. I told them to drive the car more and they were able to replicate, however no check engine light has appeared so Kia dealership is telling me they can't do anything. They told me to keep driving it and bring it in if it gets worse. I do not feel safe driving this vehicle anywhere. Car has 67,000 miles on it and I am the second owner since 10,000 miles. I have done all maintenance that is required/needed all at the dealership.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 30, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Service brakes, Air, Aug 30, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the ABS, parking brake, and check engine warning lights illuminated, and the instrument cluster gauges were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that a sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. No further information was available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 60,000.