Kia Sorento Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Kia Sorento model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2010 drew the fewest (3) and the 2011 the most (1,518).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Among the fewest complaints |
3 | 1 | Air bags | — | — |
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
5 | 2 | Service brakes | 5★ | 23–33 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
41 | 2 | Electrical system | 5★ | 23–34 |
| 2009 Among the fewest complaints |
55 | 2 | Air bags | — | 17–18 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
75 | 3 | Electrical system | 5★ | 23–33 |
| 2023 | 122 | 3 | Electrical system | 4★ | 24–34 |
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
136 | 1 | Engine | 5★ | 20–25 |
| 2007 | 154 | 4 | Air bags | — | 17–18 |
| 2022 | 189 | 6 | Power train | 4★ | 24–34 |
| 2008 | 217 | 3 | Air bags | — | 17–18 |
| 2021 | 250 | 4 | Power train | 4★ | 24–26 |
| 2018 | 254 | 3 | Engine | 5★ | 19–24 |
| 2019 | 428 | 2 | Engine | 5★ | 21–25 |
| 2015 | 750 | 3 | Engine | 5★ | 20–23 |
| 2017 | 804 | 4 | Engine | 5★ | 19–24 |
| 2012 | 880 | 5 | Engine | 4★ | 20–24 |
| 2013 | 981 | 5 | Engine | 4★ | 20–24 |
| 2014 Among the most complaints |
987 | 6 | Engine | 5★ | 20–22 |
| 2016 Among the most complaints |
1,253 | 8 | Engine | 5★ | 19–24 |
| 2011 Among the most complaints |
1,518 | 7 | Engine | 4★ | 20–24 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Kia Sorento years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2011 Kia Sorento: 1,518 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 284 (19%); Structure 268 (18%); Power train 265 (17%).
Reports mention 42 crashes, 62 fires, 50 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 80,000 miles. 7 recall campaigns listed.
2016 Kia Sorento: 1,253 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 695 (55%); Power train 126 (10%); Structure 111 (9%).
Reports mention 29 crashes, 49 fires, 19 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 66,000 miles. 8 recall campaigns listed.
2014 Kia Sorento: 987 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 388 (39%); Structure 160 (16%); Electrical system 153 (16%).
Reports mention 23 crashes, 46 fires, 24 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 80,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
The Kia Sorento years with the fewest complaints
2010 Kia Sorento: 3 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 1 (33%); Engine 1 (33%); Suspension 1 (33%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 1 injury. 1 recall campaign listed.
2009 Kia Sorento: 55 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 21 (38%); Electrical system 14 (25%); Power train 9 (16%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 1 fire, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 44,450 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2020 Kia Sorento: 136 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 65 (48%); Electrical system 20 (15%); Power train 18 (13%).
Reports mention 10 crashes, 12 fires, 21 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 19,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Kia Sorento owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 75 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 41 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 122 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 21,700 |
| 2022 | 189 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 28,660 |
| 2021 | 250 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 40,000 |
| 2020 | 136 | 10 | 12 | 21 | 1 | 19,000 |
| 2019 | 428 | 10 | 19 | 16 | 0 | 22,000 |
| 2018 | 254 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 1 | 49,000 |
| 2017 | 804 | 13 | 32 | 17 | 0 | 47,000 |
| 2016 | 1,253 | 29 | 49 | 19 | 0 | 66,000 |
| 2015 | 750 | 20 | 14 | 24 | 0 | 75,000 |
| 2014 | 987 | 23 | 46 | 24 | 1 | 80,000 |
| 2013 | 981 | 23 | 44 | 33 | 0 | 83,000 |
| 2012 | 880 | 21 | 77 | 36 | 0 | 90,000 |
| 2011 | 1,518 | 42 | 62 | 50 | 0 | 80,000 |
| 2010 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2009 | 55 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 44,450 |
| 2008 | 217 | 15 | 9 | 17 | 3 | 57,200 |
| 2007 | 154 | 10 | 5 | 10 | 0 | 56,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Kia Sorento recalls
- HECU May Cause Engine Compartment Fire (2011–2014 model years; 1,730,192 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2023; 23V652000)
- Stop Lamp Switch may Function Intermittently (2007–2011 model years; 980,377 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2013; 13V114000)
- Bearing Wear may result in Engine Seizure (2012–2014 model years; 618,160 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2017; 17V224000)
- Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit May Short (2014–2015 model years; 440,370 vehicles across all models; filed May 2021; 21V331000)
- Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit May Short (2014–2015 model years; 440,370 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2020; 20V519000)
All 40 Kia Sorento recall campaigns · Kia Sorento problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Kia Sorento years FAQ
Which Kia Sorento year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2010 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (3). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Kia Sorento years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2011, 2016 and 2014 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the engine. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Kia Sorento problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the engine (3,619 of 9,102 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Kia Sorento have?
NHTSA lists 40 recall campaigns covering the Kia Sorento. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Kia Sorento recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
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.