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.
Engine, Nov 5, 2020
IN MARCH OF 2019, THE ENGINE IN THIS CAR BLEW WITHOUT BEING OUT OF OIL OR HAVING ANY WARNING LIGHTS ON (NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT). IT INITIALLY STARTED WITH WHAT SOUNDED LIKE MAYBE A FAN ISSUE OR SOMETHING- WHILE DRIVING. AT THAT TIME WE CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS OIL IN THE CAR AND WITHOUT A LIGHT OR SYSTEM INDICATION, WE HAD NO REASON TO SUSPECT SOMETHING MAJOR AND MADE PLANS TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. BUT THE NOISE VERY QUICKLY PROGRESSED AND MY MECHANIC BROTHER CONFIRMED THAT THE NOISE SOUNDED LIKE THE MOTOR WAS BLOWN (LOW END ROD KNOCK). I CONTACTED THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP (WALLINGFORD/MERIDEN, CT) FOR A SERVICE APPOINTMENT AND WAS TOLD FLAT OUT THAT BECAUSE I HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM MY FATHER IN LAW- THE WARRANTEE WOULD NOT TRANSFER AND WE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST. THIS WAS NOT POSSIBLE AND WE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO PARK IT UNTIL HOPEFULLY ONE DAY KIA WOULD RECALL IT OR I COULD GET MY HANDS ON A DESCENT ENGINE THAT MAY NOT HAVE THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. IN THE INTERIM I PLACED ANOTHER CALL AND WAS TOLD THAT THE INFORMATION I FIRST RECEIVED ABOUT THE WARRANTEE NOT TRANSFERRING WAS INCORRECT BUT NOW IT HAD EXPIRED. MY FATHER IN LAW WOULD ROLL IN HIS GRAVE KNOWING HOW MUCH HE ADVOCATED FOR KIA AND THEIR WARRANTEES AND THAT THIS CAR SITS UNUSABLE.
Structure, Nov 3, 2020
THE PAINT ON THE TOP OF MY CAR STARTED CHIPPING STARTED AS A SPOT THEN SPREAD IT SEEMED TO BUBBLE UP AND BLOW OFF IN THE WIND HAD IT FIXED - NOW THE PAIN ON MY HOOD IS DOING THE SAME
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 27, 2020
2015 KIA SORENTO 2.4 HAS HAD LIGHT BULB REPLACED TWICE IN THE YEAR
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Oct 24, 2020
THE CAR SEIZES, AND JERKS, LIKE A MISSFIRE. IT SCARES ME.
Exterior lighting, Oct 21, 2020
VERY DIM LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS. CANNOT SEE ROAD.
Structure, Oct 20, 2020
AROUND 46,000 MILES PAINT STARTING PEELING OFF ROOF JUST ABOVE WINDSHIELD AND A FEW SPOTS ON FRONT FENDER AND ELSEWHERE. KIA WON'T COVER REPAIR SAYS IT IS PAST 3 YEARS OR 36,000 MILES. I COMPLAINED ITS BAD PAINT JOB TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN SO SOON.
Engine, Oct 20, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STATIONARY AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL CHANGE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE TO HER RESIDENCE, CHECK THE OIL LEVEL AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER KIA OF LAGRANGE LOCATED AT 1217 LAFAYETTE PKWY, LAGRANGE, GA 30241, (706) 298-5024, WHERE THE DIAGNOSIS WAS CONFIRMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 154,000.
Other or unspecified, Oct 16, 2020
THE PAINT ON MY PEARL WHITE KIA SORENTO IS FALLING OFF. I CONTACTED THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN MOBILE, AL WHERE I PURCHASED IT FROM THE SERVICE MANAGER CAME OUTSIDE TOOK PICTURES AND NEVER CONTACTED ME. I CALLED AND CALLED AND HE NEVER RETURNED MY CALLS. I ALSO CONTACTED KIA CORPORATE AND WAS GIVEN A CASE# 13187397. NOONE EVER RETURNED MY CALLS. I PAID OVER $700 TO HAVE MY CAR PAINTED MYSELF AND THE PAINT STARTED TO PEEL OFF AGAIN IN LESS THAN 90 DAYS. THE STORE REPAINTED TO FAULTY AREAS AT NO CHARGE. THIS IS RIDICULOUS.
Structure, Oct 16, 2020
THE PEARL WHITE PAINT IS PEELING OFF AROUND THE WINDSHIELD FRONT PILLARS AND HOOD WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY
Structure, Oct 12, 2020
WHITE PEARL PAINT PEELING
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 7, 2020
OUR KIA SORRENTO HAS THE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL PASSAGE WHICH HAS CAUSED THE ENTIRE ENGINE TO FAIL AT $50K MILES. THERE IS A KIA RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE; HOWEVER, KIA IS REFUSING TO COVER THE COST BECAUSE OUR VEHICLE VIN IS NOT PART OF THE SPECIFIC RECALL. THE ESTIMATED COST FOR REPAIR IS $8K, PLUS OUR OUT OF POCKET COSTS FOR RENTING A CALL. WE ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH THE CAR THAT REQUIRED AIR CONDITIONER REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE CENTER CONSOLE, BUT ARE NOT SURE IF THEY ARE RELATED TO THE MANUFACTURING DEFECT AT ISSUE CURRENTLY. IN ADDITION, WE RECEIVED A LETTER SAYING OUR AIRBAG INDICATOR IS FAULTY BUT A RECALL IS NOT COMING UP FOR THIS ITEM.
Exterior lighting, Sep 30, 2020
THE HEADLIGHTS HI AND LOW ARE NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH TO PROVIDE FOR A MORE SAFE VISIBLE DRIVE.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Sep 30, 2020
THE PEARL WHITE PAINT IS CHIPPING OFF OF MY KIA SORENTO ON THE WINDSHIELD PILLARS, ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD AND THE HOOD AND VARIOUS OTHER LOCATIONS.... THE PAINT FINISH IS FAULTY AND WAS NOT PROPERLY APPLIED
Power train, Sep 30, 2020
CAR LOST ACCELERATION POWER HEARD LOUD SOUND AND CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY TRANSMISSION WAS CHANGED DUE TO A FAULTY TRANSMISSION AT DEALERSHIP COST, AND NOW TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED WHILE MERGING ONTO THE I-210 WAS ABLE TO SAFELY EXIT HIGHWAY AND PARK IT. WILL HAVE IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP ASAP HOPING THEY WILL REPAIR DRIVETRAIN OR REPLACE VEHICLE.
Structure, Sep 25, 2020
MY PAINT HAS CONSISTENTLY BEEN PEELING OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, MAINLY ON THE FRONT OF MY SORENTO & ITS BEGINNING TO RUST WHERE SOME OF THE PAINT HAS COME OFF. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN DECEMBER OF 2015.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Sep 23, 2020
RADIO CAME ON BY ITSELF, PASSENGER DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WENT DOWN BY ITSELF, SOMETIMES MY CRUISE CONTROL WILL WORK OTHER TIMES I HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING IT TO SET. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY. ENGINE OIL WAS BLACK EVEN THOUGH I JUST HAD AN OIL CHANGE
Engine, Sep 23, 2020
HEADING TO A FAMILY EVENT, WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE KIA SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN WITH NO WARNING. WE HAD TO GET OVER TWO LANES GOING 60 MPH, TRAFFIC WAS MOVING AND WE HAD TO MAKE A SUDDEN EXIT OFF THE ROAD AND WERE ALMOST REAR ENDED IN THE PROCESS. ONCE WE GOT OVER WE COASTED OFF AND PARKED IN THE NEAREST PARKING LOT. WE DISCOVERED THERE WAS LITTLE TO NO OIL ON THE DIPSTICK, THERE WAS NO OIL LIGHT WARNING, NO ENGINE LIGHT OR ANY OTHER SIGNS IT WAS LOW ON OIL. THE OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED REGULARLY. WE BROUGHT IT INTO THE SHOP AND WAS TOLD IT NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. NOW MY 2015 KIA SORENTO NEEDS AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT THAT I CANNOT AFFORD AND SINCE I PURCHASED IT USED IT IS NO LONGER UNDER THE KIA WARRANTY. I'M MAKING PAYMENTS ON A VEHICLE THAT I CAN'T DRIVE AND I SEE NO REASON THAT THE OIL SHOULD HAVE BEEN LOW, ESPECIALLY WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHT. AS OF TODAY THE VEHICLE STARTS WITH KNOCKING, BUT DIES FREQUENTLY WITH NO WARNING. THERE IS STILL NO ENGINE LIGHT ON.
Electrical system, Sep 22, 2020
I HAD JUST PURCHASED MY SORENTO ON JULY 18, 2020. ON AUGUST 25,2020, I PUT IT IN THE KIA SHOP FOR THE CLIMATE CONTROL BLOWER(AC/HEATER BLOWER). I HADN'T MADE THE 1ST PAYMENT YET. THE WIRING HARNESS HAD MELTED. THE WARRANTY COMPANY REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS DO TO IT WAS A RECURRING PROBLEM. THAT TELLS ME THAT THIS HAS HAPPEN BEFORE I PURCHASED THE CAR. NOW, ETHER THE PARTS ARE DEFECTED OR THE SHOP DOES NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING. ONE THING IS FOR SURE, SOMETHING IS MAKING THE WIRING OVER HEAT.
Other or unspecified, Sep 22, 2020
ABS LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON AND OFF WHEN TAKING IT TO THE SHOP THE CODE READER IS GIVING NO CODES
Exterior lighting, Sep 18, 2020
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BULBS FREQUENTLY BLOW OUT. HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY DUST CAPS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, BUT THE ISSUE REMAINS A PROBLEM. WE HAVE HAD TO CHANGE HEADLIGHT BULBS MORE THAN A DOZEN TIMES IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS. THESE ARE THE H7 BULBS THAT FIT THE STANDARD 2015 SORENTO LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT FIXTURE.
Engine, Sep 16, 2020
MY 2015 KIA SORENTO STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING AS I WAS RUNNING ERRANDS. I WAS CLOSE TO HOME AND ABLE TO GET THE CAR HOME. WE HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED TO A KIA DEALER TO GET "KIA DIAGNOSED" IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR ANY RECALL OR WARRANTY. WE ARE SECOND OWNER AND 94K MILES SO THIS TRANSLATES TO OUT OF WARRANTY. REGULAR MAINTENANCE WAS PREFORMED AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE GOT THE VEHICLE. IT'S ONLY 5 YEARS OLD AND 94K MILES, I BELIEVE KIA HAS A BETTER REPUTATION THAN THIS. ULTIMATELY WE HAVE A BIG GARAGE BILL NOW IN ADDITION TO PUTTING MONEY OUT TO BUY A TEMPORARY VEHICLE TO USE WHILE WE ARE STUCK WITH PAUSING FOR THIS KIA WE CANT DRIVE. IN MY RESEARCH I GATHER WE ARE NOT ALONE IN PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE. I EXPECT KIA WILL MAKE THIS RIGHT EVENTUALLY. IN THE MEANTIME WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO?
Engine, Sep 10, 2020
MOTOR IS LOCKED UP. THERE IS 114,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND MY VEHICLE JUST STOPPED PULLING. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. THE MOTOR WAS NOT RUNNING HOT OR ANYTHING. WHEN WE GOT IT BACK TO THE SHOP THE MOTOR HAD LOCKED DOWN. I KEEP REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON MY VEHICLE AND HAVE SINCE I BOUGHT IT NEW. ARE THERE ANY RECALLS ON THE MOTOR? THIS MOTOR SHOULD NOT HAVE LOCKED DOWN LIKE IT DID. ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
Power train, Air bags, Engine, Sep 5, 2020, crash
I PURCHASED THE 2015 KIA SORENTO NEW IN THE YEAR OF 2014 FROM THE KIA DEALERSHIP LOCATED IN MERIDIAN, MS. SINCE THE PURCHASED... MY GOODNESS, I'VE HAD AIRBAG SYSTEM ISSUES, ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH MY LIGHTS, THE ELECTRONIC OUTLETS FOR DEVICE INPUT, CONTROL PANEL ON STEERING TO MAKE ACCESSING THE RADIO AND PHONE; THE BUTTONS ALWAYS JAM WITH THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH!! LAST BUT DEFINITELY NOT LEAST THE MOTOR HAS A RECALL AS OF TODAY'S DATE 09/2020. PLUS THE TRANSMISSION JERKS IN GEAR AND I'M TOLD THAT THAT WAS BECAUSE OF THE OLD MOTOR DEFECTS.., BUT NOW THAT THE MOTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THE TRANSMISSION IS WORSE!! THE FACT I'VE BEEN GOING TO DEALERSHIP EXPRESSING MY ISSUES AND NOTHING IS BEEN DONE OTHER THAN NOW BEING TOLD, MA'AM YOU'RE OUT OF WARRANTY! THAT I NEED TO COME OUT OF POCKET $2,200 FOR THEY'RE NEGLIGENCE. SOUNDS LIKE IT'S TIME FOR ME TO RETAIN AN ATTORNEY!!!
Power train, Engine, Sep 4, 2020
DRIVING HOME END OF WORK DAY EVERY THING WAS NORMAL DRIVING DOWN 66 AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THEN .5 MILES LATER LOST POWER TOWER HOME HAS BEEN MAKING POPCORN LIKE SOUNDS FROM ENGINE BEING TOLD IT'S THE PISTONS
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 3, 2020
A JERKS WHEN YOU TRYING TO PARK WHEN YOU GOING SLOW ON THE PARKING LOT IT HAS A KOOL 2098 FUEL TRIM IT KEEPS IDLING HIGH AND I'M STALLING