2018 Kia Sorento
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 254 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 23 Sorento model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 12 involved a crash and 11 involved a fire. 11 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Trailer hitchesPark outsideSep 19, 2022
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
Campaign 22V703000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, electric power assist systemSep 21, 2018
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The cowl crossbar that connects to the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) steering column may be improperly welded, allowing the steering column to separate.
If the steering column separates, it can cause a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cowl crossbar, free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC167.
Campaign 18V656000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/windowDec 8, 2017
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The side curtain air bags on these vehicles have a component that may detach during deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag.
If the component detaches during deployment, it may enter the passenger compartment and be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC159.
Campaign 17V784000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
30 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 2, 2020
2018 KIA SORRENTO - LIGHTS HAVE SHUT OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 SECONDS INTERMITTENTLY DRIVING IN VARIOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS (INTERSTATE/CITY STREET/ETC.). CAN HAPPEN MULTIPLE TIMES DURING A SINGLE TRIP (TWICE YESTERDAY AND FOUR TIMES LAST WEEK ALL WITHIN ONE TRIP). CAN GO DAYS WITHOUT IT HAPPENING WHICH IS FRUSTRATING AS DEALER "NEEDS TO SEE THE ISSUE TO FIX IT". OBSERVING IT IN BOTH NIGHT AND DAY. OBVIOUSLY MORE DANGEROUS DURING NIGHT. I HAVE VIDEOS FROM OTHERS THAT REPLACED THE LIGHT STALK SWITCH WITH SUCCESS. DEALER REFUSES TO DO THIS WHILE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AS THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPRODUCE CONCERN. THEY RECOMMEND THAT I CONTINUE DRIVING AND BRING IT IN "IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN". THEY CHARGE ME 150 DOLLARS EACH TIME I BRING IT IN TO TELL ME "THEY CAN'T REPRODUCE IT". I AM SEEING MULTIPLE PEOPLE ON FORUMS FOR THIS ISSUE. VIDEO FROM ANOTHER CUSTOMER (START AT 56 SECONDS): HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=TXG9CJ076HA
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 8, 2020
HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND CITY STREETS. SERVICE ON 3-23-20 AND COULD DUPLICATE PROBLEM. ON 9-25-20 DRIVING AND DASH BOARD INDICATOR SWITCHING FROM FLASHERS ON, HEADLIGHTS GOING FROM AUTO SET, TO OFF, TO RUNNING LIGHTS, AND DOOR LOCKS LOCKING AND UNLOCKING. SCHEDULED SERVICE FOR 10-20-20, BUT WAS TOLD IF THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM MAY NOT BE ABLE TO REPAIR.
Electrical system, Engine, May 12, 2020, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND LOST ALL POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SON CALLED HER AND INFORMED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SMOKING. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE HE SAW FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE OPENED THE HOOD AND THE FLAMES IMMEDIATELY ENGULFED THE WHOLE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS MADE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE DEALER SUNTRUP KIA SOUTH (6263 S LINDBERGH BLVD, ST. LOUIS, MO 63123 PHONE: (314) 254-8955) WHO STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT LIABLE AND TO CONTACT KIA CONSUMER LINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE A CASE WAS OPENED AS WELL AS AN INVESTIGATION WAS CONDUCTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 23, 2019
IN JANUARY 2019 A RECALL WAS DONE ON MY VEHICLE. A FEW DAYS LATER, I WAS TRAVELING OUT OF STATE. I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE DRIVING 70 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE CAR LOST POWER. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ONE BEHIND ME. I WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL SENT THE CAR INTO LIMP MODE BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS BAD. MY CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR OVER 4 MONTHS IN WISCONSIN. I LIVE IN IOWA. LONG STORY SHORT, KIA CAME UP WITH NEW DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND AFTER 4 MONTHS THEY DECIDED I DID NOT NEED AN ENGINE AND IT WAS MY WIRING HARNESS THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. 2 MONTHS LATER, I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AGAIN WHEN MY VEHICLE DID THE SAME THING MY CAR WENT FROM 70 MPH TO 50 MPH WITHIN SECONDS. I LOOKED IN MY REARVIEW MIRROR AND A SEMI WAS RIGHT BEHIND. THANK GOODNESS THE DRIVER WAS PAYING ATTENTION. HE HAD TO GO ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY TO AVOID CRASHING INTO ME. I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS ONCE AGAIN IN LIMP MODE. IT WAS IN THE SHOP FOR 3 DAYS AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED A NEW KNOCK SENSOR. FAST FORWARD A FEW MORE MONTHS AND MY VEHICLE GOES INTO LIMP MODE FOR THE 3RD TIME. CURRENTLY MY CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP. IT HAS BEEN THERE FOR 6 WEEKS. I'M BEING TOLD THAT IT NOW NEEDS A NEW COMPUTER, BUT KIA HAS TO WRITE ONE, SO IT COULD BE AWHILE. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE. THE CAR GOING INTO LIMP MODE IS DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 15 MONTHS AND OF THAT, ITS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 6 AND COUNTING.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Feb 28, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VENT CONTROL FUNCTIONS FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY WHEN NEEDING TO USE THE HEATER. IN ADDITION, THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AS THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY A PASSERBY ON THE ROADWAY. THE DEALER (BEV SMITH KIA, 5655 US-1, FORT PIERCE, FL 34982, 1-(772) 465-8589) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE THE DEALER TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLE IF THERE WAS NO REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.