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: steering
26 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Feb 2, 2026
I was driving and when I lost all power steering the lights on the dash came on for power steering and traction I could not steer at all it was so hard to drive . I reported it right away and had my car check out there is a recall on the power steering but they are saying my car was made in April and the recall starts for cars made in June . Well now they are saying I need a new steering column when u turn the wheel u hear a load clunk noise my dash light go on and off when you turn the wheel and you lose power to the vehicle I also burn threw light bulbs monthly I think it’s also a electrical issue within this vehicle I have already had to get a new engine this vehicle in junk and has costed me a fortune and the keep denying to cover there at fault for any of it and it’s there fault it’s not just my car they are all like this.
Steering, Jun 6, 2025
The steering started to fail and would be hard to steer while driving.I then looked further online and found that a recall was issued for the steering column and how dangerous it was to continue driving the vehicle for the cross as stated in the recall could seperate and one could lose steering and cause a crash so we; my wife and I managed to get the car safely to the dealer for further diagnostic only to find out that although a recall was issued for the steering problem. Our vin was not included and we had to pay for the repair.
Steering, Jun 3, 2025
Sometimes this condition hardly noticable and other times very stiff then move steering wheel slightly and full assist. Seems more prevalent after driving 1/2 hour or more on expressway steering becomes stiff and ratchety. This causes steering to stick whenever driving at highway then driver is putting more effort to overcome stuck wheel. When breaks loose vehicle goes to far in that direction then sticks again causing to stick again and over corrects other direction. This goes from annoying and uncomfortable to just plain dangerous depending on conditions speed weather and proximity to other vehicles or obstacles.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Mar 7, 2025, fire
In January 2024 I started getting power steering issues and multiple warning lights related to the electrical systems. I took my vehicle to Car Pros Kia for inspection and repair on 2/1/2024. They took it for a test drive at which time it caught fire.
Steering, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidance, Nov 26, 2024
Steering cupler failure
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 4, 2024
Me and my wife were traveling north on [XXX], left lane, 18 wheeler in right lane, cars directly behind us, 70 mph, when there was an abrupt thud, and slight skid, then lost all power from the engine. There were no warning indicators at the time. When the engine failed, we almost hit the tractor next to us. Looking in the mirror to try to determine what to do, as steering was hard to perform, there was a large cloud of black and blue smoke, the car behind us being covered in smoke and most likely oil too. The car behind us aggressively braked and ducked in behind the 18 wheeler just before a rear impact would have occurred. We finally got to safety on the side of the road as the traffic stacked up behind us was able to reduce speed in time. I had my car towed to the KIA dealership in Springfield, MO. One interesting point, the wrecker operator said that unfortunately a big part of his business was hauling KIAs. We almost died. Upon review of social media, I see there are literally thousands of KIAs placing families in danger. Why hasn’t Mr. Budegedge acted on it. After experiencing this, it’s likely there will be deaths. My car had 120,000 miles on the engine. KIA said it was my problem as they met their warranty obligation at 100,000 miles. There are so many incidents, even with 6 cyl engines. Customers need to be warned. At least they can be prepared for the failure when it happens. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Steering, Jan 29, 2024
When driving and turning the steering wheel in to a curve the steering wheel sticks and I have to jerk the wheel back this has occurred on separate occasions the latest today
Steering, Sep 20, 2023
On 9/14/2023 I stopped at an intersection to wait for traffic to clear. Upon entering the intersection a large yellow warning notification indicating a problem with the steering system was illuminated. Simultaneously the power steering system was apparently disabled. I was only able to steer the car with great effort. Fortunately I was stopped just before this happened so I was going less than 5 MPH. I continued to a parking lot where I was able to stop safely. I parked, shut off the vehicle, and restarted. The yellow warning notification was cleared the power steering returned to normal function. The problem has not returned in more than 50 miles of subsequent driving. There was no accident as a result of this failure. On 9/24/2023 the vehicle was taken to a Kia dealership. They diagnosed the problem as a "cs126008 steering angle sensor circuit / c126002 steering angle sensor circuit / torque sensor error". To fix this problem it was recommended to replace the complete steering column with motor and module. As this is not covered by warranty I intend to maintain control of the replaced components.
Steering, Sep 5, 2023
Clunking and sticking steering wheel due to rubber coupling that connects electric steering motor to steering column disintegrates. The dealer acknowledges that there is a mass wide issue with this component failure, but says it is not covered under warranty past 60k miles, nor is there a recall, but there are TSB’s regarding it. This problem clearly puts drivers of these vehicles and surrounding motorist in danger of head on collisions.
Steering, Apr 21, 2023
Loud clunkiness when steering the wheel at 0 mph started occurring at about ~ 75,000 miles. The steering wheel then vibrates when driving atop the slightest uneven pavement, with more clunckiness coming from the front side of the car and a metal on metal rattle. The vehicle was taken to the authorized Kia service where they determined that there was a faulty steering wheel column, but that the vehicle "WAS STILL SAFE TO DRIVE." Repairs are $3,000 on something they acknowledge is potentially a small faulty part in the wheel column - plastic coupler in the EPAS (extended warranty had been issued for other Hyundai/Kia models with the same issue.) Kia refused to repair at no cost on either bases of safety or quality issues, even though there is no scheduled maintenance repair on this part of the car; i.e., the steering system should last for as long as the car remains in ownership and all scheduled maintenance is completed. The car cannot be taken to a non-Kia shop as I was told a transponder in the steering wheel that connects to the ignition key is a repair that cannot be completed unless in a Kia facility. Net, I'm driving a car with steering problems yet being told "IT IS SAFE" (?) which makes me really concerned, and I have no resolution other than spending $3,000 for a potential plastic part replacement worth $20 + labor. There is a history of issues with this vehicle, including major repairs and replacements under warranty, all documented in Kia authorized shops.
Steering, Nov 23, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel started shaking abnormally and swaying back and forth. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that he inquired if the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V656000 (Steering) and was informed that his vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000. The contact stated that the dealership was able to fix the issue.
Steering, Oct 22, 2022
The engine failed which required a replacement. Upon being released from the Kia dealer, the steering wheel failed and the car began shaking at 70 MPH. The Service Director claimed the vehicle was running as Kia likes.
Steering, Oct 19, 2022
As One is driving at 50-60 mph the steering wheel sticks and requires force to correct the direction the vehicle is going. This is very concerning because the abrupt motion is extremely dangerous.
Steering, Jun 13, 2022
Within the last 1 1/2 years the car makes a popping noise in the steering and its not a tie rod or ball joint issue. Nobody can seem to figure out where its coming from.
Steering, Feb 2, 2022
When trying to move the steering wheel, it initially sticks and requires extra force to get it to provide a steering input. Once it gets past the initial resistance, it jerks the car in the direction you are trying to go which required compensation in the other direction. Upon correction, it jerks the car in the opposite direction causing a continual need to correct the steering wheel to keep the car straight and causing the car to not be able to maintain perfectly straight travel. On large sweeping corners, this problem is even more pronounced and feels dangerous. This happens mostly on longer trips where the vehicle has been on the road more than 30 minutes.
Steering, May 3, 2020
WHEN DRIVING 40+ MPH, WHEN THE WIND IS BLOWING, THE STEERING BECOMES STICKY, NOTCHY OR JERKY, CALL IT WHAT EVER YOU PLEASE. WHEN TRYING TO ADJUST STEERING SLIGHTLY TO DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT DIRECTION, MY STEERING BECOMES JERKY AND DANGEROUS. KIA REFUSES TO LOOK INTO THIS SERIOUSLY. THEY WANT ME SPENDING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO GET IT DIAGNOSED. BUT HOW WILL IT BE DIAGNOSED WHEN IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN IT IS WINDY? PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS.
Steering, Mar 16, 2020
STEERING HAS A "NOTCHY" OR "STICKY" FEEL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ESPECIALLY WHEN STEERING FROM RIGHT TO LEFT.
Steering, Jan 2, 2020
STEERING FELT STICKING WHILE DRIVELING ON THE HIGHWAY TOOK IT IN BEEN TOLD IT'S THE STEERING COLUMN.. THIS IS THE SECOND ISSUES I HAVE HAD WITH MY STEERING 6MTHS APART. LAST TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS SOMETHING IN THE DRIVE TRAIN AN WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY AN THE PART WAS GOING TO BE REPLACED BUT WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR THE SEC ISSUE I WAS TOLD THEY ONLY DID A SOFT WEAR UPDATE BUT ITS ALSO CALLING FOR ANOTHER SOFTWARE UPDATE
Steering, Aug 19, 2019
THE STEERING IS NOTCHY AT FREEWAY SPEEDS 50 MPH. ATHE CAR CANNOT BE HELD IN STRAIGHT DIRECTION BY MAKING SMALL CORRECTIONS TO THE STEERING WHEEL. ANY STEERING CORRECTIONS MADE ARE MET WITH HEAVY RESISTANCE THEN STEERING WILL MOVE INSTANTLY TO WHAT FEELS LIKE A NOTCH. THIS CAUSES THE DRIVER TO MAKE ANOTHER CORRECTION IN THE OTHER DIRECTION. AGAIN, THIS CORRECTION IS MET WITH HEAVY RESISTANCE AND THEN INSTANTLY JUMPS TO WHAT FEELS LIKE A NOTCH. THIS CORRECTION CAUSES STEERING TO BE ERRATIC AND FATIGUES THE DRIVER WHO MUST MAKE CORRECTIONS EVERY FEW SECONDS LEADING TO AN OVER CORRECTION. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, IT CAUSES THE DRIVING TO BE UNSAFE AS THE VEHICLE IS CONSTANTLY WEAVING. KIA KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AFFECTING MANY OF THERE VEHICLES, BUT THERE HAS OF YET BEEN NO RECALL. BUT, IT IS A VERY REAL SAFETY CONCERN, AS IT FATIGUES THE DRIVER FROM THE CONSTANT OVER CORRECTIONS, AND CAUSES THE DRIVING TO BE ERRATIC.
Steering, May 8, 2019
THE PROBLEM IS A STICKY FEELING IN THE STEERING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN MAKING VERY SMALL CORRECTIONS FEELS LIKE THE POWER STEERING IS TURNED OFF. GENTLE PRESSURE DOES NOT TURN THE WHEEL AT ALL. AS MORE AND MORE PRESSURE IS APPLIED, IT FEELS LIKE THE POWER STEERING TURNS ON. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE DUE TO OVER CORRECTION. THE VEHICLE IS INCREDIBLY HARD TO CONTROL AND UNPREDICTABLE. OCCURS AT HIGH SPEEDS. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.
Steering, Feb 18, 2019
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS. WHILE YOU KEEP TURNING A LITTLE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT IT WILL SUDDENLY BREAK LOOSE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JERK LEFT OR RIGHT DEPENDING ON THE DIRECTION YOU WERE TURNING THE WHEEL AT THE TIME. IT IS MOST DANGEROUS WHILE THE ROADS ARE EITHER SNOW OR ICE COVERED AND SLIPPERY. HARD TO KEEP THE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD.
Steering, Engine, Feb 18, 2019
OVER THE LAST 6 MONTHS MY KIA HAS STARTED TO ACT LIKE IT IS GOING TO DIE OR STALL WHILE DRIVING AND/OR IDLING. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT VARIOUS DIFFERENT SPEEDS. I TOOK MY KIA INTO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND EXPLAINED WHAT WAS HAPPENING. THEY RAN SOME DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE IT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER COMES ON. IN DECEMBER, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT. THIS RECALL WAS COMPLETED AND NOW LESS THAN A MONTH LATER THE SHAKING LIKE MY CAR IS GOING TO STALL IS STILL HAPPENING INTERMITTENTLY. RECENTLY, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED STICKING. WHILE I AM DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES ME OVER ADJUST TO KEEP THE CAR GOING STRAIGHT. YOU CAN FEEL THE STICKING AS YOU HAVE TO CONSTANTLY ADJUST THE STEERING WHEEL RIGHT OR LEFT. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I AM DRIVING, WHETHER ON THE HIGHWAY OR SIDE STREETS.
Steering, Feb 5, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ED VOYLES KIA OF CHAMBLEE (LOCATED AT 5647 PEACHTREE INDUSTRIAL BLVD, CHAMBLEE, GA 30341, (770) 234-7800) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
Steering, Dec 21, 2018
STEERING IS STICKING BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT, CAN FEEL IT WHEN DRIVING LOW SPEED AND HIGHER SPEED ON ANY ROAD CITY OR HIGHWAY, TOOK TO DEALER THEY DID A 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT, STILL DOING THE SAME THING
Steering, Dec 13, 2018
STICKING STEERING THEN GIVES WHEN CONSTANT PRESSURE APPLIED MAKING A SIGNIFICANT SUDDEN STEERING MOVEMENT. HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING. SEEMS MORE ON RIGHT THAN LEFT. STARTED NOTICING IT A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. HAVE NOT CHANGED ANYTHING. HAPPENS WHEN EVER DRIVING.