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.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Sep 3, 2020
WHEEL SPEED SENSOR, ABS SENSOR, AND TPMS SENSOR GAVE OUT AT 56K. GOT IN ONE DAY AND IT SAID I WAS DOING 140 WHILE PARKED. BEFORE I GOT TO MY DESTINATION, THE ABS, TCS, AND TPMS LIGHTS WERE ON. CAR WAS USED AND WELL TAKEN CARE OF. IF EVERYTHING WASN'T BUILT INTO THE WHEEL HUB, IT WOULD BE A RELATIVELY EASY FIX. INSTEAD I NOW HAVE TO DRIVE MY SORENTO WITH NO TCS, ABS, OR KNOW IF A TIRE IS LOW/FLAT BECAUSE A QUOTED COST OF REPAIR WAS CLOSE TO 1200 DOLLARS. NOBODY HAS 1200 TO GET IT FIXED. AFTER LOOKING AT ONLINE FORUMS, IT SEEMS TO BE COMMON WITH 2013-2015 SORENTO TO HAVE ANYTHING ABS/TCS RELATED GO SOUTH. CAR DRIVES LIKE A DREAM, ONLY WISH IT DIDN'T TAKE 2 MONTHS RENT TO FEEL SAFE.
Exterior lighting, Sep 3, 2020
POOR VISIBILITY FROM THE HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT, PASSENGERS CONSTANTLY ASKING ID HEADLIGHTS ARE ON. IN ADDITION HAVE TO REGULARLY REPLACE HEADLIGHT BULBS EVERY SIX MONTHS.
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Sep 1, 2020
MY STEERING COLUMN IS OFF CENTER WHICH MAKES MY CAR OR TIRES SHAKE UNLESS I GO A CERTAIN SPEED. MY REAR VIEW CAMERA NEVER WORKS, SCREEN GOES BLACK, BUT OUTLINE SHOWS. THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH MY HEADLIGHTS, REAR, BRAKE AND REVERSE LIGHTS ARE ALWAYS GOING OUT. I HAVE TO REPLACE THEM CONSTANTLY. I HATE GOING TO THE CARWASH BECAUSE I FEAR THAT MY LIGHTS WILL GO OUT AND I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE BULBS AGAIN & AGAIN.
Engine, Sep 1, 2020
MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND FELT IT NEEDED OIL DUE TO HOW IT WAS SOUNDING WHILE DRIVING IT. HE CHECKED MY OIL AND MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY OUT OF OIL. NO OIL WARNING LIGHT WENT ON. HE ADDED OIL AND SHORTLY AFTER THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING A TICKING NOISE WHEN HE EXCELERATED. HE WAS DRIVING HOME, APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES, AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING IT, LOST HORSE POWER WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE 100160+ MILES ON MY CAR, JUST HAD AN OIL CHANGE AT LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP 3000 MILES AGO. ALWAYS KEPT UP ON MAINTENANCE OIL CHANGES.
Air bags, Sep 1, 2020
AIRBAG SYMBOL LIGHT STAYS ON
Structure, Aug 20, 2020
PAINT IS DELAMINATING AND PEELING AT THE TOP AND SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. SO BADLY THAT I'M AFRAID TO WASH IT! IT'S STARTING TO RUST NOW FROM IT. IT IS CONSISTENTLY GETTING WORSE WITHOUT ME EVEN TOUCHING IT.
Engine, Aug 19, 2020
WITH THE VEHICLE MOVING AT 60 MILES PER HOUR THE ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATES AND THEN TURNS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY, I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP NEXT TO THE HIGHWAY, I TURNED ON THE ENGINE LIGHT BUT DID NOT SHOW ANY CODE AND THE ENGINE DID NOT IT TURNED ON AND IT TURNS OUT THAT THE ENGINE IS BLOCKED, MY MECHANIC REPORTED THAT IT DAMAGED THE CRANKSHAFT AND CONNECTING ROD
Structure, Aug 13, 2020
THE PEARL WHITE PAINT ON MY 2015 KIA SORRENTO IS PEELING OFF. SMALL AREAS AROUND THE WINDSHIELD STARTED AT FIRST AND NOW THE SIDES OF THE WINDSHIELD ARE COMING OFF IN LARGER SECTIONS. ALL OF THESE AREAS ARE STARTING TO SHOW SIGNS OF RUST AS WELL. ADDITIONALLY, THERE ARE SEVERAL SMALL SPOTS ON THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WHICH ARE SHOWING SIGNS OF RUST AS WELL. THIS IS PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE OVER TIME AND I AM NOT DOING ANYTHING TO THE VEHICLE (NOT EVEN WASHING IN FEAR OF MORE COMING OFF) AT THIS POINT.
Engine, Aug 6, 2020
WHILE DRIVING A KNOCKING SOUND OCCURRED AND THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE BEGAN TO RISE. EVENTUALLY THE SUV BEGINS TO STALL AND STARTS TO LOSE POWER. ONCE STOPPED (PULLED OVER SAFELY) I NOTICED THAT THE COOLANT IS OVERFLOWING AND GUSHES OUT ALONG THE SIDE OF THE HOOD. WHEN ADDING MORE COOLANT, IT CONTINUES TO OVERFLOW ONCE DRIVING AND THE ENGINE TEMP RISES AGAIN AND BEGINS TO STALL. SEEMS TO NOT BE ABLE TO HOLD COOLANT.
Engine, Aug 5, 2020
UPON A COLD STAR, ENGINE RATTLES LOUDLY. THIS WAS DETERMINED TO BE A TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM I KIA'S ACROSS MANY MODELS. SOMEHOW THE SORENTO WAS EXCLUDED. OF COURSE OUR VEHICLE IS AT 101,000 MILES AND KIA NOT ONLY REFUSES TO COVER IT, THE WANT $3100 TO MAKE THE REPAIRS. I CONTACTED KIA CORPORATE, THE LED ME ON AND CHANGED THEIR STORY 3 TIMES OVER 2 WEEKS AND ULTIMATELY DECLINED TO HELP. THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM AND THERE ARE OTHER ADVISORIES WITH OTHER MODELS. IT'S THE SAME TENSIONER, I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY CAN PICK AND CHOOSE.
Exterior lighting, Aug 2, 2020
KEEPS BLOWING OUT LOW BEAM HEAD LITES. REPLACED FOUR TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. TOOK IN TO DEALER TO LOOK AT. WAS TOLD NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. I FOUND OUT BY ONLINE RESEARCH THAT THIS IS NOT JUST A COUPLE REPORTS. IT IS DANGEROUS AT NITE WE HAVE TO DRIVE WITH DAYLITES. NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH FOR DRIVING. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. KIA WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO FIX PROBLEM THAT IS A SAFETY ISSUE.NEEDS GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATION BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.
Exterior lighting, Jul 29, 2020
I HAD TO REPLACE MY DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT UNIT ON MY 2015 KIA SORENTO AT 62,000 MILES. COULD NOT REPLACE JUST THE LAMP.
Engine, Jul 28, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE LOCAL DEALER KIA OF DAYTON LOCATED AT 8560 TROY PIKE, HUBER HEIGHTS, OH 45424 WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,100.
Exterior lighting, Jul 28, 2020
I HAVE CHANGED THE HEADLIGHTS IN MY 2015 KIA SORENTA OVER 6 TIMES. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND SELDOM DRIVE AT NIGHT BECAUSE I AM ELDERLY. HOW CAN I GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED. LAST NIGHT WE DROVE FROM OHIO TO VIRGINIA WITH DIM AND NO HEADLIGHTS. AGAIN. TIME AFTER TIME, NO HEAD LIGHTS. AND YES I BUY THE HIGHER PRICED HIGH QUALITY RECOMMENDED LIGHT BULBS. THIS IS UNSAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 22, 2020
WHEN IPHONE CONNECTED THE STEREO RANDOMLY SKIPS. AND WHEN MY WIFE GOT OUT OF THE CAR THE STEREO WOULDN'T SHUT OFF. ALSO TOOK CAR IN TO DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES DUE TO LEAKING RADIATOR FLUID. FIXED GASKET BUT STILL SMELL RADIATOR FLUID WHEN YOU HAVE CAR RUNNING AWHILE. ALSO ENGINE MAKES TERRIBLE KNOCKING NOISE LIKE A LITTER ISSUE WHEN YOU START THE CAR UP. IT LASTS ABOUT 10-15 SECONDS.
Engine, Jul 21, 2020
I GOT THIS SORENTO WHEN IT HAD 32 THOUSAND MILES I HAVE PUT ALMOST 30 THOUSAND ON IT BUT EVERY SENCE I HAVE OWNED IT IT HAS USED ALMOST 2 QUARTS OF OIL AT ABOUT 25 HUNDRED MILES I CHAGE IT AT 25 HUNDRED MILES BUT DONT NO WHY IT USES OIL LIKE THAT I HAVE HAD IT A LITTLE OVER TWO YEARS I BELEAVE
Engine, Jul 15, 2020
THE ENGINE SEIZED.
Electrical system, Tires, Jul 14, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE INSPECTED FOR THE TPMS (TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM) WARNING LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRES FUNCTIONED AS DESIGNED AND THAT NO DEFECTS WERE FOUND IN THE TIRES. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Other or unspecified, Equipment, Jun 27, 2020
CAR MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM INCLUDES BLUE TOOTH RADIO A GPS STOPPED WORKING AND I CAN NOT USE BLUE TOOTH AND DIRECTION MAPS MY MECHANIC ASKED THE KIA MECHANIIC AND WAS TOLD IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
Engine, Jun 19, 2020
ENGINE VALVE IT'S DETACHED! CAR WAS RUNNING FINE SINCE PURCHASED USED BACK IN OCT 2019 WITH THIRTY ONE THOUSAND MILES. I WAS SOLD THE CAR WITH THE PRETENSE OF CAR FAX AND IT BEING IN GOOD CONDITION WITH ONLY TWO PREVIOUS OWNERS. AS OF THIS PAST MONDAY THE CAR WAS MAKING A TERRIBLE SOUND FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND I HAD IT TOWED TO MY LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP THIS FRIDAY. THE DEALERSHIP I ORIGINALLY PURCHASED FROM HAVE BEEN UNCOOPERATIVE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 10, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE ABOVE 25 MPH WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS RELEASED AND DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 50 MPH UP HILL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL LEVER LIMIT BOLT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF CHATTANOOGA (2136 CHAPMAN RD, CHATTANOOGA, TN 3742, 423 855-1022) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OF RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE DUE TO THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT NOT BEING ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,670.
Air bags, May 30, 2020
THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. I WAS INFORMED IN AN ACCIDENT THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 24, 2020
MY CAR STARTED STUTTERING AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STARTED FLASHING. GOT THE CODE READ AT A KIA DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS DETERMINED THROUGH A DIAGNOSTIC THAT WE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. WE REPLACED THE ENGINE AND THE CAR IS STILL STUTTERING AND HAVING GAS MILEAGE ISSUES. WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES, MY GAS MILEAGE IS AFFECTED AND WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON, MY VEHICLE RUNS NORMAL. MY VEHICLE STARTS STUTTERING AT AROUND 30-35 MPH, WHEN IT'S FIRST STARTED AND DRIVEN, IT STUTTERS. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL ALSO RANDOMLY START BLINKING WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND LOOSE POWER MOMENTARILY, THEN WHEN I ACCELERATE, IT FEELS LIKE IT'S CHOKING OR SPUTTERING AND STRUGGLING TO MAINTAIN SPEED. *TR
Engine, May 22, 2020, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED ON MULTIPLY OCCASIONS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR OF FUEL DETECTED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KIA DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (1945 S FIGUEROA ST, LOS ANGELES, CA 90007 (888) 425-6349) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE AIR FILTER EXCHANGE HOSE AND ENGINE HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS ALSO A COOLANT LEAK THAT COULD HAVE IGNITED A FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER THE FAILURE REOCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,786.
Engine, May 21, 2020
NOTICED KNOCKING IN ENGINE AT START, AND WHEN PRESSED GAS PEDAL. STOPPED DRIVING IT IMMEDIATELY. PER MECHANIC, NEW ENGINE NEEDED. *TR