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.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine, Feb 19, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER MOTHER WAS DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AN AUDIBLE ENGINE FAILURE WARNING AND A NO SERVICE MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO SUNTRUP KIA SOUTH (6263 S LINDBERGH BLVD, ST. LOUIS, MO 63123) FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V519000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL COULD NOT BE SERVICED SINCE THE COMPUTER SYSTEMS WERE DOWN. THE CONTACT THEN CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE COMPUTER SYSTEMS WERE DOWN. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO STOP DRIVING THE VEHICLE AS THERE WAS POTENTIAL FOR THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,405. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Engine, Feb 18, 2021
WENT GOT MY OIL CHANGED.THE TECH SAID YOU HAVE A ROD KNOCK THE SORENTO ONLY 80.000 MILES ON IT.
Structure, Feb 16, 2021
STARTING A YEAR AGO, THE PAINT ON MY 2015 VEHICLE (LESS THAN 60K MILES) BEGAN TO FLAKE OFF. I HAVE THE KIA PEARL WHITE COLOR AND MY STORY IS CONSISTENT WITH THE HUNDREDS OF OTHER CASES ONLINE. THE PAINT FLAKES OFF WITH PRESSURE FROM A GARDEN HOSE. I KEEP MY CAR CLEAN AND DETAILED (TWICE A YEAR). THERE ARE NO DENTS OR MARKS AT ANY OF THE LOCATIONS VALIDATING THAT THIS ISN'T DAMAGE FROM A ROCK OR ROAD DEBRI. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO SEVERAL PAINT AND BODY SHOPS AND THEY ALL RECOMMEND THE PAINT BE REMOVED COMPLETELY AS MY ONLY OPTION OF REPAIR BECAUSE THE ORGINAL PAINT IS NOT BONDED PROPERLY TO THE BODY. KIA REFUSES TO ADMIT THAT THIS IS A DEFECT.
Exterior lighting, Feb 7, 2021
CAR WAS DRIVEN A NIGHT AND HEADLIGHT WERE TERRIBLE. VAGUELY LIGHTS A A ROAD SIGN ON A DARK STREET AT 100 YARDS. BOTH BULBS HAVE BEEN RECENTLY REPLACED. SEEMS TO BE VERY COMMON WITH THESE CARS. CONTACTED KIA AND GOT NO HELP OTHER THAN TAKE TO DEALER AND PAY SERVICE FEE. OTHERS HAVE RECEIVED NO HELP. USUAL ARE TOLD IT IS JUST THE WAY THESE LIGHTS ARE. THESE LIGHT WILL NOT LIGHT A CLOSED GARAGE AT NIGHT.
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, Jan 28, 2021
GOT HOME AFTER DRIVING 20 MINUTES FROM WORK AND I NOTICE A GOOD PORTION OF THE WHITE PAINT HAS PEELED OFF ON THE PASSENGER SIDE A-PILLAR BY THE WINDSHIELD. UPON CLOSE INSPECTION, THE PAINT LOOKS LIKE IT'S CHIPPING OFF AND EVENTUALLY GETTING PEELED FROM THE BODY BY THE WIND WHILE DRIVING. NOTHING APPEARS TO HAVE HIT THE AREA AND IT WAS A CLEAN PEEL OF THE PAINT
Exterior lighting, Jan 27, 2021
LOW BEAM LIGHTS GO OFF/ON RANDOMLY. SOMETIMES WILL WORK FOR A WHILE AND THEN ONE OR BOTH LIGHTS WILL GO OUT. WHEN THE DUST COVER IS REMOVED AND THE LIGHT SOCKET ASSEMBLY IS TOUCHED, THEN LIGHT WILL COME ON. HOWEVER, MOVING THE WIRES OR SOCKET ASSEMBLY DOES NOT CAUSE LIGHT TO GO OUT. THEN THE LIGHT LATER RANDOMLY GOES OFF. ALSO, I HAVE REPLACED MANY LOW BEAM BULBS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM.
Engine, Jan 20, 2021
I WAS RETURNING HOME FROM A TRIP (TRAVELING @~70 MPH) WHEN I SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER AND HAD TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER ON THE SB 5 FWY. I WAS FORTUNATE AS THERE WERE MANY LARGE TRUCKS AND OTHER VEHICLES WHICH I WAS ABLE TO AVOID. AS I CAME TO A STOP THE CAR SHUT OFF AND I WAS UNABLE TO RESTART IT. 12 HOURS LATER AND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS IN TOWING FEES, I HAD MY MECHANIC TAKE A LOOK AND WAS TOLD THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED. WHAT!!! I HAD RECENTLY HAD A SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE AND WAS NOT DUE FOR A COUPLE OF THOUSAND MILES. THIS ALL OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING: NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, LOW PRESSURE OIL INDICATOR, OR EVEN OVERHEATING TEMPERATURE. WAITING TO GET IT BACK FROM MY MECHANIC WHERE I WILL PARK IT AND CONTINUED TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON A VEHICLE THAT COSMETICALLY LOOKS GREAT BUT IS WORTHLESS. QUICK QUOTE FOR NEW ENGINE AND LABOR IS ABOUT 6 TO 7K. I HAVE A FEELING THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF A NIGHTMARE THAT STARTS WITH A K AND END WITH AN IA.
Engine, Jan 18, 2021
MY ENGINE DIED WHILE PASSING A VEHICLE ON MY WAY TO WORK. NO WARNING LIGHT, NO KNOCKING SOUNDS, NOTHING. IT JUST DIED. HAD TO GET IN FRONT OF VEHICLE I WAS PASSING AND COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WOULD NOT RESTART. SAT IN THE COLD FOR 3 HOURS WITHOUT HEAT ON A DESOLATE ROAD WITH NO CELL SERVICE. NO TOWN WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE. MY MECHANIC SAID THE MOTOR IS LOCKED UP AND I'LL NEED A REPLACEMENT. 103,825 MILES ON IT. WARRANTY RAN OUT AT 100,000 MILES. APPARENTLY THIS IS COMMON IN THESE VEHICLES AND KIA IS INVOLVED IN A CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR THIS AND OTHER MALFUNCTIONS. CALLED KIA AND THEY WERE NOT HELPFUL AT ALL. I'M A NURSE CARRYING FOR COVID PATIENTS AND HAVE NO VEHICLE TO GET TO WORK. I STILL OWE $13,000+. I BOUGHT IT IN 2018.
Service brakes, Jan 12, 2021, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE SMOKE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER CORAL SPRINGS KIA LOCATED AT 9330 W ATLANTIC BLVD, CORAL SPRINGS, FL 33071 AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY INSPECTED UNDER THE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 20V519000(SERVICE BRAKES) BUT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 224,000. *JS
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.
Structure, Jan 8, 2021
PAINT IS PEELING OFF WITH NO KNOWN CAUSE, PROGRESSIVELY WORSENING WITH TIME.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 5, 2021
GOSSETT KIA ON MT. MORIAH IN MEMPHIS, TN REPLACED MY ENGINE IN 2019 DUE TO A RECALL BUT AFTER MY ENGINE WAS REPLACE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS CONSTANTLY BEEN COMING ON. I HAVE TAKEN MY KIA SORENTO BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIME ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT I AM NOT PUTTING MY GAS CAP ON RIGHT OR TAT MY GAS CAP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE PURCHASED 3 GAS CAPS FROM THIS DEALER SHIP. I WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL JUST COME ON. THIS ISSUE DID NOT START UNTIL THEY PUT IN THE NEW MOTOR. HOWEVER NO ONE AT THE DEALERSHIP CHECKED THE CENSOR. I HAVE REPLACE NUMEROUS PARTS ON MY CAR AND ALL THE REPLACEMENTS WERE DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE REQUESTED FROM THE DEALERSHIP A PRINT OUT OF ALL THE REPAIRS TO MY KIA AND AS OF TODAY'S DATE I HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT. I HAVE MAD THE REQUEST 3 TIMES. ONCE OVER THE TELEPHONE AND 2 TIMES IN PERSON . I FEEL DEFEATED BUT I AM NOT GIVING UP. THEY NEED TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I AM 71 YEARS OLD AND THEY SEEM TO THINK I DON'T KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT. MY NAME IS [XXX] AND I LIVE AT [XXX] MY PHONE # IS [XXX] I HAVE AN APPOINT TO TAKE MY TRUCK TO KIA AGAIN TO CHECK THE ENGINE LIGHT 01 08 2020. IF THEY HAD CHECKED THE CENSOR WHEN T HIS FIRST HAPPENED IT WOULD PROBABLY STILL BE COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY. NOW I WILL PROBABLY BE OUT OF POCKET TO REPLACE THE CENSOR. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Structure, Dec 28, 2020
THE KIA PAINT ON MY WHITE PEARL KIA SORENTO HAS BEEN PEELING AND RUSTING. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE 2017 AND BEGINNING AT ABOUT 40K MILES. I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW MANY OTHER WHITE KIAS ARE DOING THE SAME THING. THE PATCHES ARE GETTING WORSE AND PEELING IN BIG CHUNKS NOW. MY CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD AND TOLD BY KIA THIS IS NOT COVERED. I AM DISAPPOINTED IN KIA FOR NOT TAKING FAULT ON CLEARLY CHEAP PAINT PLACED ON ALL WHITE PEARL KIAS.
Exterior lighting, Dec 22, 2020
LOW BEAM LIGHTS ARE DANGEROUSLY DIM. CONSTANTLY HAVE TO USE HIGH BEAMS WHEN SAFE TO DO SO. HAVE TO CHANGE THEM EVERY SIX MONTHS OR SO BECAUSE THEY ONE OR THE OTHER STOPS WORKING. HAVE HAD IT CHECKED OUT FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEY CANNOT FIND AN ISSUE. MAY HAVE TO TRADE THIS CAR IN DUE TO THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION. VERY FRUSTRATING!
Other or unspecified, Dec 21, 2020
PEARL WHITE PAINT IS PEELING FROM THE BASE COAT. STARTED PEELING AT 90K MILES. PAINT WARRANTY ENDED AT 40K MILES. THERE IS A CURRENT LAWSUIT IN PROGRESS ON THIS ISSUE. I AM NOT A PART OF THAT YET.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Dec 20, 2020
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE LESS THAN 2 MONTHS GO. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND CAME TO A RED LIGHT. THE CAR JERKED AND DID NOT WANT TO MOVE WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN. I CAME TO A SECOND RED LIGHT AND THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AS I PRESS THE GAS THE CAR SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC. I COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO CRANK AGAIN. I FINALLY GOT HELP FROM SOMEONE WHO HELP PUSH THE CAR TO A NEAR PARKING LOT.
Air bags, Dec 17, 2020, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN. ANOTHER VEHICLE MADE A VERY WIDE TURN AND CRASHED AT 60 MPH INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE BETWEEN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITH THE COLLISION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT AND HIS SON WERE TAKEN TO HOSPITAL LATTER ON. THE CONTACT HAD WHIPLASH AND HAD A HEADACHE AND HIS INFANT SON HAD A SWOLLEN FACE FROM HITTING THE SIDE OF HIS CAR SEAT WITH BRUISES. THE CONTACT'S WIFE AND DAUGHTER WERE NOT INJURED. THE CONTACT WENT TO A MILITARY HOSPITAL SINCE HE WAS ON ACTIVE DUTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED WITH DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR PASSENGER DOOR BEING SMASHED IN , THE TIERODE WAS SNAPPED. THE REAR TIRE ON THE PASSENGER'S WAS SMASHED FROM THE TOP INWARD AND THE TIRE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS PUSHED OUTWARD. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT YET NOTIFIED. THE WRECK WAS TOWED FROM THE CRASH SITE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
Electrical system, Seats, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 9, 2020
ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHEN YOU START UP (I.E. DRIVER SEAT HEATING UP, PANEL FLASHING, FUEL IGNITION TAKING OFF SPARADICALLY WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION ON CITY STREET, REAR BRAKES SCREEHING WHEN IN MOTION,(CITY STREET) CAR CONSTANTLY REQUIRING A CHARGE UP OF THE BATTERY AND REPLACEMENT OF BATTERIES WHEN STATIONARY, EXTERIOR LIGHTS REMAINING ON EXCESSIVELY AFTER CAR IS TURNED OFF, HOOD OF CAR EXTREMELY HOT TO TOUCH, LIQUID RESIDUE ON DRIVEWAY FROM REAR BRAKES AFTER THE CAR IS PARKED AFTER USE. WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY FOR 1 DAY OR MORE THE BATTERY SHORTS OUT. WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION ON CITY STREET THE ACCELERATOR HAS A TENDENCY TO IDLE UP AND THEN RESUME BACK TO NORMAL.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 30, 2020
MY KIA SORENTO HAS THE THETA LL ENGINE, THIS ENGINE VIBRATES A LOT AND HAS VERY HIGH GASOLINE CONSUMPTION. THIS CAR IS US MADE AND WAS EXPORTED TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. MY PHONES IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ARE [XXX] OR [XXX]. IN THE USA MY PHONE IS [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Engine, Nov 29, 2020
BROUGHT IN FOR OIL CHANGE, TECH FOUND A COOLANT LEAK, REPLACE THERMOSTAT HOUSING UNIT FOR $700, LEFT DEALER AND NEXT DAY COOLANT WAS POURING OUT AS I DROVE. RETUNED TO SHOP AND KIA SAID THERE WAS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE WITH SOME HEADS AND AT THE PRESENT TIME THEY ARE IN THE MACHINE SHOP. STILL DON'T KNOW IF IT IS COVERED BY WARRANTY ON A CAR WITH ONLY 57000 MILES.
Service brakes, Nov 19, 2020, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL HAD MALFUNCTION AND WOULD NOT TURN CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND CRASH. DURING THE CRASH THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED SPINE, HEAD, NECK AND CHEST INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED AWAY. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE LOCAL DEALER MORRIE MAZDA LOCATED ADDRESS: 2329 S PRAIRIE VIEW RD, CHIPPEWA FALLS, WI 54729 AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE BOTH NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Exterior lighting, Nov 17, 2020
HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM. WE HAVE SWITCHED TO NEW BULBS AND THEN LED AND NEITHER IMPROVE THE DIM HEADLIGHTS. THE GLASS IS NOT FOGGY OR DAMAGED.
Air bags, Nov 14, 2020
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON
Structure, Nov 9, 2020
AT AROUND 59,000 MILE THE PAINT AROUND THE WINDSHIELD STARTED CHIPPING AWAY. IT NOW IS AT ALMOST 83,000 MILES AND THE SPOTS HAVE BEGUN TO RUST. DRIVING PEELS THE PAINT. IF THERE IS A HEAVY THUNDER STORM WITH HIGH WINDS IT PEELS THE PAINT. I HAVE GONE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THEY COULD RESOLVE THE ISSUE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS PEELING AND RUSTING IS BECAUSE I WAS GOING THROUGH CAR WASHES AND THE CHEMICALS THAT ARE USED CAUSED THE ISSUE. I ONLY EVER HAD THE DEALERSHIP WASH MY CAR OR AT HOME. THE UNDERCOAT IS ALSO PEELING WHICH I BELIEVE IS WHY THE CAR IS NOW RUSTING. IT IS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AND SHOULD NOT BE USED ON ANY OTHER VEHICLES.