2007 Kia Sorento problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (22) · Service Brakes (16) · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/Control Module (13)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Kia Sorento model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
120 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Electrical System 2020-02-14 · campaign 20V088000 · 228,829 vehicles
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
Risk: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the vehicle is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the main junction box to prevent power from being directed to the HECU when the vehicle's ignition switch is turned off, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC186.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch 2013-04-01 · campaign 13V114000 · 980,377 vehicles
Defect: Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 20
Risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/Control Module-Inactive 2011-09-07 · campaign 11V473000 · 10,631 vehicles
Defect: KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 SORENTO PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 15, 2006 THROUGH NOVEMBER 27, 2007. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY BE TURNED OFF WHEN AN ADULT IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IS DESIGNED TO BE TURNED OFF IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES INCLUDING WHEN CHILDREN AND SMALL ADULTS ARE SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THERE IS A CHILD RESTRAINT IN THAT SEAT OR THE SEAT IS NOT OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS),
Risk: THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS TURNED OFF WHEN THE OCS MISCLASSIFIES AN ADULT PASSENGER. WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF, THE FRONT PASSENGER WILL NOT HAVE THE PROTECTION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAGS IN SOME FRONTAL COLLISIONS, THUS INCREASING THE RISK OF OCCUPANT INJURY.
Fix: KIA WILL UPDATE THE PROGRAMMING IN THE SORENTO OCS CONTROL MODULE AT NO CHARGE. THE RECALL REMEDY IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE UNDER SERVICE CAMPAIGN SC076. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-333-4542.
Service bulletins (23)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure 2021-09-13 · TSB_BOD055_R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: information for headlamp condensation and moisture - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provides information relating to some kia models tha
Equipment 2018-10-19 · PS067_R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pitstop: cylinder head steel ball inspection and installation - this pitstop provides information regarding the inspection and installation of the steel sealing ball on: * 3.3l & 3.8l lambda engines for 2007-2008my sorento (bl), * 2.0l nu engines for 2010-2019my soul (am, ps), and * 1.8l & 2.0l nu e
Engine And Engine Cooling 2018-03-02 · PS539 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pitstop - engine component re-use guidelines - in general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine.
Equipment:mechanical 2017-01-18 · TSB-GEN085R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb: mandatory replacement of locking/security hardware - by design, certain fasteners, which are designed to lock into place once fully attached, are utilized in various kia models and are strictly intended for ?one time use.? some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washe
Latches/Locks/Linkages 2016-11-04 · TSB-GEN085 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb: mandatory replacement of locking/security hardware - by design, certain fasteners utilized in various kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. though not limited to the following, some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 2016-04-04 · PS443 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb - use of aftermarket usb charging cables in usb/12v ports - this article provides information regarding the use of usb ports and 12v power outlets to connect/charge mobile phones. customers may experience issues with their head units that may be related to the use of aftermarket usb charging cab
Showing the 6 most recent of 23 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-10-30 · Service Brakes“i went in to the burlington, wa kia dealership for this recall fix. and after waiting an hour they tell me they don't have the right part. it's now been about a month later and i'm still waiting to hear when the part will be available. i don't think this is ok for a safety issue.…”
2023-11-09 · Unknown Or Other“the doors were locked by using the button on the driver side of our kia sorento. this is performed each time the car is traveling on the road. when the car was parked, the automatic unlock for all the doors worked for both front seat passengers but not the two rear doors. the inside handles for opening the doors on both of the rear passenger doors …”
2023-09-27 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger“passenger seat air bag sensor doesn't work. …”
2022-12-09 · Service Brakes“2007 kia sorento. consumer writes in regard to defective abs system.…”
2022-03-12 · Unknown Or Other“abs light stay on, and when driving the power will turn off and turn back on will driving …”
2021-11-10 · Air Bags“with or without passengers in vehicle, passenger side air bag does not come on.…”
2021-08-09 · Unknown Or Other“i tried to contact the manufacturer to fix the recall but they have told me multiple times they do not have the part to replace or fix. …”
2020-10-25 · Steering · 92,500 mi“i was driving on the highway when my steering wheel became really stiff like i lost power steering. i looked at my dash and had a check engine light, oil light, abs light, and esc off light illuminated. i pressed the gas to try to switch lanes as i was in the far left lane and needed to reach the shoulder to figure out what was going on, and the ca…”
2020-10-15 · Air Bags · 81,200 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2007 kia sorento. the contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated as the contact sat in the seat. neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were contacted. the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. the failure mileage was approximately 81,200.…”
2020-09-17 · Service Brakes · 142,864 mi“i received a manufacturer recall notice about possible fires due to braking circuits in the early spring, but the dealership knew nothing about it. the car was parked outside as suggested. i received a second notice at the end of june. the suv was serviced 7/14/20 for a recall on the braking circuit. on 8/22/20 a beautifully clear saturday, i …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.