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
254 reports, newest first.
Power train, Other or unspecified, May 9, 2018, crash
I WAS BACKING UP WHEN MY CAR JUST ACCELERATED LIKE CRAZY AND RAN OVER A HUGE BRICK MAILBOX. IT WAS LIKE MY CAR WAS POSSESS, IT BECAME A CRAZY 4 WHEEL DRIVE.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 14, 2018
I AM REQUESTING THAT DOT NHTSA INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE OF KIA SORENTO'S SUNROOFS EXPLODING. WE WERE DRIVING OUR COMPANY LEASED 2018 KIA SORENTO HEADING WESTBOUND ON I-90 GOING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH TO DUE RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC DURING SUNNY WEATHER, WITH OPTIMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, AND WE WERE APPROXIMATELY 16 FEET FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF US WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WE HEARD A BOMB BLAST SOUND COMING FROM ABOVE US. WE CAREFULLY FELT THE SUNROOF SHIELD AND DETERMINED THE SUNROOF EXPLODED INTO MANY PIECES. NOTHING FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE FELL ON THE SUNROOF TO CAUSE IT TO SHATTER. WE HAVE NOT USED THE SUNROOF SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2017. WE IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE KIA DEALERSHIP TO NOTIFY THEM OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY ASKED US TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN RIGHT AWAY. IF WE HAD THE SUNROOF SHIELD OPEN, WE WOULD HAVE SUFFERED NUMEROUS INJURIES. WE CONTINUED TO INVESTIGATE ONLINE AND FOUND A NUMEROUS CASES OF KIA SORENTO'S SUNROOFS EXPLODING. CURRENTLY, THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST KIA FOR A DEFECT IN THE SUNROOFS THAT CAUSES THE SUNROOFS TO SHATTER WITHOUT WARNING. THIS ISSUE IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS TO KIA DRIVERS, PASSENGERS AND OTHER DRIVERS. PLEASE FORMALLY INVESTIGATE.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 14, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE SMART CRUISE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SMART CRUISE SYSTEM DID NOT DETECT THAT A VEHICLE WAS IN FRONT OF IT AND ACCELERATED FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY. STEVENS CREEK KIA IN SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE SOURCE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 650.
Other or unspecified, Dec 18, 2017
2018 KIA SORENTO SXL THE AEB ( AUTONOMOUS EMERGENCY BRAKING ) DOES NOT WORK AS ADVERTISED OR EXPECTED..THIS FEATURE IS ADVERTISED AS AEB AND ALSO ON THE ELECTRONIC DASH AS AEB BUT ACCORDING TO THE VERY DEFINITION OF AUTONOMOUS MEANING WITHOUT HUMAN INTERVENTION TO STOP THE VEHICLE TO AVOID A CRASH DOES NOT WORK AND CAN NOT BE RELIED ON TO AVOID ANY TYPE OF CRASH AT ANY SPEED AND I HOPE THE SAFETY BOARD WILL MAKE KIA TAKE ACTION TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM POST HAST. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SHOP AND THEY ASSURE ME ALL IS WORKING AND IT WILL STOP THE AUTO FROM HAVING A CRASH OR AT THE LEAST MINIMIZE THE SEVERITY OF THE CRASH AND ALSO GIVE YOU A WARNING 1 TO 2 SECONDS BEFORE THE CRASH WHICH IS TOTALLY ABSURD AND ALSO FALSE ADVERTISING.PLEASE LOOK ON THE INTERNET AND YOU WILL FIND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM WITH NO RESOLVE . KIA NEEDS TO MAKE THIS WORK AS ADVERTISED OR QUIT PUTTING THIS ON VEHICLES AND THEN FALSELY ADVERTISING IT HAS AEB WILL YOU PLEASE TEST THIS AND HELP.....