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.
Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Jul 13, 2021
Vehicle has low visibility on low beam, even with aftermarket LEDS there is still low visibility with the low beams, car need to be driven on high beam and it is illegal to drive with high beams as you blind cars driving on opposite direction, and a fine could be impose as well.
Engine, Jul 2, 2021
On May 10th 2021 the engine ceased on my 2015 Kia Sorento. The car was towed by AAA to Grand Prairie, Texas. Note, the cadillac converter was stolen at this location and Christian Brothers did replace it. They notified us that the engine needed to be replaced. I then had it towed on May 19, 2021 to my local mechanic at in Richardson, Texas. I have used this mechanic for several years. It was confirmed that the engine needed to be replaced. I then had the car towed on May 20, 2021 to Kia in Plano, Texas. On May 27, 2021 Kia called me and said the motor needed to be replaced and they are contacting Kia to see how this will be taken care of. I did not receive a return call for several day and I was assuming the vehicle was being taken care of. On June 8, 2021 I called for an update. I received a return call from the Kia service man who then informed me that the computer engine was not updated in 2019 and Kia was not going to uphold their recall on the engine because of this. There is no notification given on the vehicle that this was coming due or even past due. Kia has now refused to replace the motor that is in a current recall due to the motor ceasing. On June 9, 2021 I contacted my finance company and insurance for advice. June 10, 2021 I called to talk to service department at 9:45am was told they would return my call. At 3:50 I called again since service mailbox is full and I can’t leave a message. I called again at 5:00pm and was told the service manager will call me June 11th Friday morning. I did not receive a call from her in the morning. I called at 1:10pm June 11, 2021. I was directed to two mailboxes that were full. I called a third time and was told they will have the service manager call me. Emely returned my call and said I need to talk to Kia Consumer Affairs. Consumer Affairs at Kia again said the letter was enough notification. I went to Kia on June 12, 2021 and they wanted me to trade it in.
Steering, Jul 1, 2021, crash
car re-experienced power loss and steering failure as previously reported to NHTSA ID: 11244200. this time we narrowly missed a tree and only the right passenger tire made an impact on side of the road/mountain. side curtain airbags deployed I have been in contact with Kia about the ongoing issues repairs were made previously under warranty. car was returned with engine power loss/ intermittent loss of power and unresponsive steering. my son required 2 stitches. and my military injuries have been aggravated. Car insurance claim started after the incident. the symptoms have been intermittent and dealership refused the car yesterday stating an open case with kia pending a buyback. car has been towed to a geico authorized repair facility for inspection and repair.
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 30, 2021
On June 23rd my 2015 Kia Sorento with a 3.3 l engine V6 started making noises and I called a dealership and they asked if it sounded like knocking noises and I said no it sounded more like exhaust noise within an hour my car was losing power it was idling very rough and I took it into the dealership and they said that I need ed an entire new engine. However I had been in there on June 14th and they told me that my oil level was good and there were no leaks but on June 23rd suddenly I had 0 oil in my engine and they were claiming that it was my issue however it is The exact issue that Kia has had with this model and make but different engine. My car has 91000 miles on it I use full synthetic oil I had it changed 6000 miles ago it was fine then I have had the maintenance done on my car and there were 0 warning lights on my - for either oil or engine that is why I checked electrical I was told by the dealer that there Oil lights and engine lights often don't come on when they have a problem with the car. This is a huge safety issue and if it's starting to happen on the 3.3 engine this needs to be looked at immediately I know someone who owns the exact same year exact same engine and they have been dealing with this type of thing as well
Engine, Jun 29, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The vehicle loss motive power without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the oil level was inspected. The contact was informed that there was too much oil in the engine. The vehicle was then towed to Nucar Kia of Tilton (40 Tilton Rd lot a, Tilton, NH 03276) and diagnosed that the failure was related to a manufacturer's recall for the Occupant Detection System (ODS). The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The contact stated that the manufacturer declined to provide the recall repair since the contact had not gotten the manufacturer's recall for the ODS software update. The contact stated that the manufacturer’s recall letter stated that if the air bags functioned properly, there was no need to contact a Kia dealer for the recall repair. The failure mileage was 53,000. Consumer stated knock sensor recall was not received although dealer states otherwise. Lawsuit states without knock sensor Kia is not responsible for warranty coverage.
Engine, Jun 29, 2021
Low audible knocking in engine compartment that progressively became louder over the next 2 days. Engine stalled, flashing check engine light appeared. Vehicle is now un-drivable because of a P1326 code that is common in these Hyundai/Kia engines. Oil change was last done less than 2 months ago and an oil change plus facility. A campaign suggests this is a defect of the engine. There is a class action suite in favor of the owners of this and other vehicles with Hyundai/Kia engines.
Engine, Jun 27, 2021
Had engine replaced due to recall and now its doing the same thing as it was before the engine replacement by kia. I was going 65mph with cruise control active on the highway and all of a sudden it slowed me down to 20mph, check engine light blinking and went into limp mode. Will not go over 2000rpm and literally shifts like a standard when it is an automatic. This is such bull on having these issues, and doing the same crap as it did before the engine replacement which was done in March/April. I hope I dont have to keep driving it til it throws a rod like before in order to get it replaced and fixed. Kia is not a safe vehicle. I would like a rental.
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.
Exterior lighting, Jun 22, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the headlights were dim and failed to produce adequate lighting. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.
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.
Structure, Jun 20, 2021
There is no incident or cause. The paint from the hood and top is coming off in big flakes.
Structure, Jun 14, 2021
My 2015 Kia Sorento's pearl white paint is now coming off in large chunks. My insurance company did review the claim I filed, however, they noted that this situation has been reported numerous times with the same pearl white paint. They did not cover my claim because they have determined this is a defect in the paint since there are so many other similar complaints. The integrity of my vehicle is compromised once large chunks of paint are coming off on a daily basis under normal sunny skies. If I have to drive through any type of rain or heavy winds even more paint starts to come off. The paint is coming off down to the bare metal and now exposed areas are starting to rust.
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
Engine, Jun 14, 2021
In late Feb. 2021 my check engine light came on, as well as my UVO system telling me there was something wrong with my emission's control systems. I immediately stopped & had the code read. P0447 Evaporative Emission system-Vent Control Circuit Open. My husband researched & found there was a wire broken, it was fixed. The check engine light went out for approximately 2 days & in early March, same thing, check engine light, stopped & check the code reading, yep same exact issue. We completed a full tune up on the vehicle, new wires, plugs, everything, fluids. Check engine light went out again & once again 2 days later yep same exact issue as well as it indicating the timing cam sensor was bad. With this new code, I made an appointment to take it to the dealership. 3/28/21 my appt date. Took the vehicle in, was told they would send a video of the inspection (which they did not)via text & they would complete the software update for the knock sensor. When they were done, they came out stating there was slug in my engine & it needed a new engine. They wanted all my oil change records & said they would try to get Kia to pay for it. They charged me 150 for the diagnosis, of which they never showed us any pictures of slug from the engine, nor did they ever really say what was wrong. Now I am doing research & find there was a recall for 2.4L engines and they want to charge me to put in a new engine, when these are the ones that have issues. By the way, they us if we drive it the engine will blow up, well I don't have a choice but to drive a vehicle I am still paying on as I do work. It hasn't blown up yet! Is it possible they thought they had a dummy in their presence and found metal shavings & just didn't tell me. Also when the check engine light came on, it didn't change the driving, other than the vehicle has used about a Quart of oil a month, I have had no other issues. I just want my vehicle fixed!
Engine, Jun 13, 2021, crash, fire
As soon as I pulled it off the lot within a few months I had some stalling where it would only go 30 mph I was pushing down on the gas full blown and then all of a sudden it would jerk and then it would go again I took it to the dealership the first time in 2016 and I told him that and they said they couldn't help me there was nothing wrong with it so I said okay second time and did it I took it back there and said there's something wrong do some testing they did some testing nothing. I was doing 70 mph and it jerked on me it slowed all the way down to 30mph by it self a semi I just passed I ended up hitting the milepost marker went through four lanes of traffic that semi almost hit me and killed me $10,000 worth of damage to my car I told guys need to figure this out. Kia they said nothing was wrong with it I got the body damage fixed I had full coverage. I went in again and told them there's something wrong with this vehicle they said it was fine so then I drove it for about a year it kept stalling but then it caught on fire smoke started coming out of the engine compartment as I was driving and my gauges went crazy went all the way to hot so I pulled over . I jumped out another person pulled over that was coming the opposite way and yelled get away from the car just in case it blow up it was white smoke at first and then it started turning into black smoke it was burning something had to sit there for hours we called Kia told him to come get it engine had caught on fire. Kia then said theyre replacing engine they did the inspection at no time did they tell me there were any recalls. It took all that for them to finally help me. I bought a new car for a reason I spent over $32,000 for this reliable car I wouldn't take it on a trip it's unsafe my headlights go out all the time I'm sick of buying bulbs so I don't drive at night. I need a new vehicle I got one of the bad seeds kia had yet to say there in the wrong. I am still waiting for them to help 4 years now
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.
Structure, Jun 7, 2021
The White Pearl paint on our 2015 KIA Sorento has been chipping and delaminating. It's occurring all over the car's body but mainly on the hood, roof, and passenger side of the windshield. The damage started occurring in 2019.
Engine, May 31, 2021
Engine failure due to bad rod bearing. Kia will not fix the engine due to a software update not fixed previously. This vehicle was just purchased. A software update will not fix a premature engine failure. The update only turns on the check engine light if the knock sensor detects a knock.
Service brakes, May 14, 2021
THE BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. I HAD TO PRESS DOWN EXTREMELY HARD TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP.0507
Engine, May 13, 2021
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR DID NOT SEEM TO BE HANDLING ANY DIFFERENT THEN NORMAL, ASIDE FROM A RECENT RATTLING SOUND ON START UP THAT WOULD LESSEN AFTER IDLING/RUNNING FOR A FEW MINUTES. I TOOK IT IN TO GET THE CODE READ, AND WAS GIVEN A CODE INDICATING THE TIMING CAM WAS OFF. ONCE I GETS TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS DETERMINED I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE DUE TO METAL SHAVINGS FOUND IN MY OIL FILTER AND PAN. THE OIL WAS ALSO NOTED TO BE VERY LOW, DESPITE ME HAVING PERFORMED THE OIL CHANGES AT PROPER INTERVALS. I SINCE HAVE LEARNED ABOUT THE ENGINE RECALLS FOR THE SAME YEAR, BUT IN THE SMALLER 4 CYLINDER 2.0 AND 2.4L ENGINES. UPON LEARNING ABOUT THIS AND LOOKING FURTHER INTO IT, I HAD READ THAT ON SEVERAL CONSUMER WEBSITES THAT OTHERS WITH THE SAME YEAR AND LARGER 3.3L V6 ENGINE AS MINE WERE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE OF ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO METAL SHAVINGS FOUND DESPITE ALSO PERFORMING PROPER MAINTENANCE OF THE VEHICLE. SO MY ISSUE IS NOW I NEED A MEW ENGINE AS HAVE OTHERS, BUT IT IS NOT RECOGNIZED AS PART OF THE ISSUE WITH THE SMALLER ENGINE 2015 SORENTO'S.
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,
Engine, Apr 30, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH AND APPROACHING A HIGHWAY EXIT, THE CONTACT SLOWED DOWN. AFTER ENTERING THE EXIT RAMP, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SLOWLY DRIFTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY AND THEN HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO MYRTLE BEACH KIA (4811 US-501, MYRTLE BEACH, SC 29579, (843) 444-8000) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
Exterior lighting, Apr 30, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ADEQUATELY ILLUMINATE THE ROADWAY, CAUSING A VISIBILITY HAZARD FOR THE DRIVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WALLACE KIA LOCATED AT 3131 SE FEDERAL HWY, STUART, FL 34994 WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS BE UPGRADE TO LED LIGHTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
Structure, Apr 29, 2021
THE PAINT ON THE VEHICLE IS PEELING RAPIDLY. IT ORIGINALLY APPEARED TO POSSIBLY BE A CHIP BUT IT IS HAPPENING ALL OVER THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUES TO SPREAD. THE VEHICLE IS WASHED REGULARLY AND THERE IS NO REASON THE PAINT SHOULD BE PEELING LIKE THIS.