Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2018 Kia Sorento. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Tow Hitch Harness Fire While Parked or Driving
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- 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.
Steering Column may Separate
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- If the steering column separates, it can cause a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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.
Inflator Component may Detach During Deployment
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (254)
254 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 254 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 106 | 41.7% |
| Exterior lighting | 41 | 16.1% |
| Unknown or other | 37 | 14.6% |
| Electrical system | 30 | 11.8% |
| Steering | 26 | 10.2% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 13 | 5.1% |
| Air bags | 10 | 3.9% |
| Power train | 9 | 3.5% |
| Structure | 9 | 3.5% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 8 | 3.1% |
How 2018 compares with other Sorento years
Best and worst Sorento years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 987 | 6 |
| 2015 | 750 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1,253 | 8 |
| 2017 | 804 | 4 |
| 2018 | 254 | 3 |
| 2019 | 428 | 2 |
| 2020 | 136 | 1 |
| 2021 | 250 | 4 |
| 2022 | 189 | 6 |
| 2023 | 122 | 3 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 5 stars overall
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2018 Kia Sorento suv fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 24 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,800
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 377 g/mi
- EPA class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 24 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 28 / 24 | $2,800 | 377 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 23 | $2,900 | 397 |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 21 / 25 / 22 | $3,050 | 397 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 25 / 22 | $3,050 | 414 |
| 3.3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 21 | $3,200 | 434 |
| 3.3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 20 | $3,350 | 436 |
| 3.3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | $3,550 | 465 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2018 Sorento for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2018 Kia Sorento FAQ
How many recalls does the 2018 Kia Sorento have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 22V703000 (trailer hitches), 18V656000 (steering), 17V784000 (air bag). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2018 Kia Sorento problems?
Owners filed 254 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (106), Exterior lighting (41), Unknown or other (37) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2018 Kia Sorento get?
EPA rates the 2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 21 city, 28 highway and 24 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
What safety rating did the 2018 Kia Sorento get?
NHTSA rated the 2018 Kia Sorento suv fwd 5 stars overall, with 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (15.8% rollover risk).
How does the 2018 Sorento compare with other years?
Among the 2014–2021 Kia Sorento model years at least five years old, the 2020 drew the fewest complaints (136) and the 2016 the most (1,253). The 2018 drew 254. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.