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.
Engine, Jun 26, 2021
Engine started smoking and cut off. Vehicle was taken to Kia dealership but representatives do not want to honor engine replacement recall.
Air bags, Structure, Other or unspecified, Feb 23, 2021, crash
MY SON WAS TRAVELING DOWN A HIGHWAY BETWEEN 45-55 MPH WHEN HE OVERCORRECTED AND MADE FULL IMPACT OF THE FRONT OF THE CAR WITH A SOLID SNOW BANK IN THE MIDDLE MEDIAN. THE RADIATOR WAS SLAMMED BACKWARDS, THE FRONT END WAS DEMOLISHED WITH AROUND $12,000 IN DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THERE IS NO REASON WE CAN FIND THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY RATING BUT NOW I AM CONCERNED THAT WE HAVE ISSUES WITH OUR AIR BAGS. WILL THEY PROTECT US IF THIS SHOULD EVER HAPPEN AGAIN?
Engine, Feb 3, 2021
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR MADE A TICKING NOISE AND THEN JUST SHUT OFF
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Seats, Jan 20, 2021
THE RIGHT HEAD LIGHT JUST STOPS WORKING AND I HAVE TO OPEN THE HEAD LIGHT CASING AND PLAY WITH THE CABLES TO GET IT TO WORK AGAIN. ALSO THE POWER SEATS DON'T WORK.
Structure, Jan 3, 2021
MY KIA SORENTO BACK HATCH (REAR DOOR) IS NOT OPENING, IT CLICKS WITH THE KEY FOB AND THE MANUAL HANDLE, BUT IT NEEDS A LIFT BY HAND TO BE ABLE TO OPEN, I DID A WEB SEARCH AN THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE.
Electrical system, Structure, Engine, Dec 8, 2020, fire
I WAS TRAVELING TO FLORIDA AND SAW SPARKS IN THE MIRRORS IN THE BACK. I QUICKLY PULLED OVER AND WENT TO THE BACK AND SAW FIRE, THE CAR WAS ON FIRE EVERYBODY GOT OUT, WE TRIED TO PUT IT OUT BUT IT SEEMED LIKE THERE WAS AN ACCELERRENT OR SOMETHING CAUSE IT WAS ENGULFED WITH FIRE VERY FAST ONCE WE STOPPED THE WHOLE CAR WAS BURNING.+WE WERE ON 65 SOUTH IN KENTUCKY JUST DRIVING ,NO RAIN ROADS WERE DRY.
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 27, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH INDICATED A MALFUNCTION ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS FAILED TO LOCK WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. THE CONTACT MANUALLY LOCKED THE DOORS HOWEVER, THE WARNING LIGHT AND DOOR AJAR MESSAGE REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT CONTACTED FORT BEND KIA (26633 SOUTHWEST FWY, ROSENBERG, TX 77471; (877) 265-5649) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Nov 26, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THE CAR HAS TO BE FORCED TO GO. IT'S ALWAYS HESITATING TO GO AND I'M FORCED TO PRESS HARD ON THE GAS. IN OCTOBER 2020, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WENT INTO "LIMP" MODE. I'M VERY SCARED WHILE DRIVING WITH MY KIDS. THE DEALERS HAVE NO FIX-I WILL BE TAKING IT IN FOR A THIRD TIME WITHIN A YEAR.
Engine, Nov 23, 2020
AFTER TURNING INTO TRAFFIC ON A HIGHWAY, AND I PROBABLY SHOULD NOT HAVE, I HAD TO "GUN" IT TO GET MOVING FASTER. AFTER THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS FLASHING.THEN I WOULD SAY IT WENT INTO A LIMP HOME MODE. THIS "GUNNING" HAS HAPPENED TO ME 3 TIMES.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 23, 2020
SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE TRAVELING DOWN HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 65 MPH. DID NOT SEE ANYTHING STRIKE THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE EXPLOSION. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A PANORAMIC SUNROOF. FAILURE OCCURRED IN THE FRONT SECTION WHICH OPENS AND CLOSES.
Air bags, Nov 20, 2020, crash
I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR ON A CITY STREET WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. THE IMPACT TOTALED THE OTHER VEHICLE AND CAUSED $7,500 IN DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE, AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WHILE I WAS NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED, I DID SUFFER SIGNIFICANT WHIP-LASH TYPE INJURIES, AND INJURED MY KNEE WHEN IT HIT THE DASH BOARD.
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
Other or unspecified, Oct 20, 2020
SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 63 MPH. THERE WAS NO ROAD DEBRIS THAT CAUSED THIS - IN LOOKING AT THE REMAINING ATTACHED GLASS, IT APPEARS TO HAVE BROKEN UPWARDS, NOT AS IF SOMETHING BROKE IT FROM THE OUTSIDE, BUT FROM THE INSIDE, LIKE IT BUBBLED UPWARDS. IT IS THE FRONT PANEL OF A PANORAMIC SUNROOF, AND THE FABRIC WAS OPEN AND THE SUNROOF WAS VENTED OPEN AT THE TIME.
Air bags, Oct 12, 2020, crash
FRONTAL IMPACT WITH A DEER ON INTERSTATE 81 NORTHBOUND IN PA., CRUISE CONTROL SET AT POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 65MPH, NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AT TIME OF IMPACT OR AFTER COLLISION CHEST IMPACTED STEERING WHEEL AND ARM PAIN FROM HOLDING STEERING WHEEL.
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.
Air bags, Oct 8, 2020, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AT 35 MPH, WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE INTERSECTED HIS LANE ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO PREVENT A CRASH BY SWERVING BUT CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL ON THE FAR LEFT SIDE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER DID NOT HAVE ANY INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AUTO BODY SHOP. THE CONTACT CALLED LOCAL DEALER (PREMIER KIA SERVICE CENTER LOCATED AT 205 N MAIN ST, BRANFORD, CT 06405, (203) 315-2070) AND WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.
Engine, Aug 2, 2020
CURRENTLY, THERE IS AN ENGINE RECALL ON THE 2015-2018 KIA SORENTO, WHICH RESULTS IN PREMATURE ROD WEARING AND POTENTIAL ENGINE FIRES. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE, BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT, THE ENGINE NOISES (TAPPING/KNOCKING) WERE NOTICED BY A FAMILY MEMBER. IT WAS REPORTED TO KIA WITHIN THE FIRST 3,500 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, WHO ADVISED ME INITIALLY THAT THE SOUNDS WERE BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS NEW AND BREAKING IN AND THAT THE SOUNDS WERE NORMAL. IN JANUARY 2019, I WAS ADVISED WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR THEIR COURTESY INSPECTION THAT THERE WAS A RECALL AND THEY NEEDED TO PERFORM A SOFTWARE UPDATE ON THE VEHICLES ECM THAT IS SUPPOSED TO TURN THE VEHICLE INTO LIMP MODE TO WARN THE DRIVER OF A POTENTIAL ENGINE FIRE BEFORE IT HAPPENS. KIA PERFORMED THE UPDATE AND THE ENGINE NOISES STILL PERSIST. THE TECHNICIAN CLAIMED HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND REPORTED THAT IT WAS PERFORMING AS INTENDED AND THAT HE DID NOT HEAR THE NOISE. LATELY THE NOISES HAVE BEEN MORE FREQUENT, SO AS A SAFETY CONCERN I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK INTO KIA FOR INSPECTION. NOW THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER INSTEAD OF CHECKING AND CONFIRMING THE SAFENESS OF THE VEHICLE, IS BLAMING AN AFTERMARKET OIL FILTER AND SYNTHETIC OIL AS THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE ISSUES, NOT THEIR ENGINE ISSUES THAT RECALLED THOUSANDS OF CARS AND RESULTED IN ENGINE FIRES. MOREOVER, KIA NOT ONLY REFUSES TO PROVIDE ME WITH THE DIAGNOSTIC REPORT AND SUPPOSEDLY OIL PRESSURE TEST THAT THEY CLAIM TO HAVE BEEN PERFORMED THAT GAVE THEM THOSE RESULTS, THEY ALSO REFUSE TO CONFIRM TO WHETHER THE CAR IS SAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD; ENGINE FIRES ARE REAL WHICH CAN SEVERELY INJURE OR KILL THE OCCUPANTS OF A VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER REFUSE TO ADDRESS THIS HAZARD AND IT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED, FOR CONSUMER SAFETY.
Exterior lighting, Jul 28, 2020
7/23/20 20:30, WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN A CITY STREET, JUST BEGAN DRIVING FROM STOPPING AT A LIGHT, AND THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF BY THEMSELVES. AFTER A FEW SECONDS, MY WIFE ROTATED THE LIGHTS SWITCH TO OFF THEN BACK TO AUTO AND THEY CAME BACK ON. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED SINCE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN AUGUST OF 2019.
Visibility, Jul 20, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA SORRENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED WITHOUT IMPACT. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED UPWARDS AND OUTWARDS. THERE WAS NO GLASS FRAGMENTS INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DURANGO KIA (1195 CARBON JCT, DURANGO, CO 81301, 833-963-0462) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART WOULD BE ORDERED AND THAT THE REGIONAL MANAGER WOULD BE INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. *BF *JS
Engine, Jul 13, 2020
SINCE 2/2020 I HAVE BEEN BACK AND FORTH TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES FOR MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED MULTIPLE DIFFERENT PARTS BUT THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME BACK ON. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH KIA CORPORATE MECHANICS AND THEY DO NOT SEEM TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AS WELL. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED BECAUSE I HAVE ALSO REACHED OUT TO KIA CORPORATE OFFICE AND THEY HAVE BEEN OF NO ASSISTANCE. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND HAS VOICED THIS CONCERN MULTIPLE TIMES.
Exterior lighting, Jul 7, 2020
THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2018 KIA SORENTO RANDOMLY TURN OFF. IT'S HAPPENED AT LEAST 20 TIMES IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS. IT HAPPENS BOTH DAY AND NIGHT. THE LIGHTS ARE SET TO AUTO. ALTHOUGH THE EVEN APPEARS TO BE RANDOM, IT IS WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND HAS HAPPED WHILE DRIVING IN PARKING LOTS AS WELL AS MAJOR HIGHWAYS. IN ORDER FOR THE LIGHTS TO COME BACK ON, I HAVE TO USE TURN THE KNOB TO OFF THEN BACK ON. WHEN THE LIGHTS TURN OFF AT NIGHT I CAN NOT SEE ANYTHING AROUND ME NOR CAN ANYONE ELSE SEE ME. I DID CONTACT KIA AND THEY RAN DIAGNOSTIC TESTING BUT COULD NOT FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 5, 2020
THERE'S GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE, THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR A FEW DAYS. JUST LIKE ANY OTHER RESPONSIBLE CAR OWNER, I TAKE IT TO A SHOP; SINCE I NO LONGER TRUST MARK KIA'S (MY LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP) SERVICE DEPARTMENT SINCE BEING SCAMMED BY THEM IS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE, I TAKE IT TO A PEP-BOYS NEAR THE DEALERSHIP. THE GENTLEMAN AND HIS MANAGER EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THE FIX IS DOABLE HOWEVER AFTER LITERALLY SPEAKING TO EVERY KIA DEALERSHIP (INCLUDING MARK KIA) AS WELL AS ALL OF THEIR DISTRIBUTORS, THEY LEARNED THAT THE PART TO FIX THE PROBLEM DOESN'T EXIST AT THIS TIME (AS IN NOT SOLD YET). I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE FUEL ASSEMBLY IN GENERAL SHOWS NO WEAR AND TEAR AS WELL AS ANY DAMAGE THAT WOULD CONCLUDE USER ERROR. IN ADDITION, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE 2017 MODEL HAS THE SAME ISSUE AND AS A RESULT WAS RECALLED, MY RESEARCH CONCLUDED THIS. I CALLED MARK KIA AND ASKED THEM IF THEY WERE AWARE OF A POTENTIAL RECALL, APPARENTLY, A TSB COULD EITHER EXIST OR BE IN THE WORKS THAT ADDRESS THE ISSUE, INSTEAD OF TRYING TO WORK WITH ME ON A SOLUTION, AS USUAL, THE SCAMMERS WERE NOT HELPFUL. AS A RESULT, MY CAR IS CURRENTLY SITTING IN A PEP-BOYS LOT LOCATED AT 101 S MCCLINTOCK DR TEMPE, AZ DUE TO KIAS NEGLIGENCE AND I DEMAND KIA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER SINCE I RELY ON MY CAR FOR WORK; WITHOUT MY CAR I DON'T MAKE ANY MONEY. PLEASE CONTACT THE PEPBOYS BELOW 101 S MCCLINTOCK DR TEMPE, AZ 85281 (480) 968-8473 *TR
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.
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.