2018 Kia Sorento problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (80) · Exterior Lighting (31) · Steering (25)
🧭 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
69 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Trailer Hitches 2022-09-19 · campaign 22V703000 · 70,887 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
Defect: 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.
Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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:electric Power Assist System 2018-09-21 · campaign 18V656000 · 97 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: If the steering column separates, it can cause a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:side/Window 2017-12-08 · campaign 17V784000 · 2,014 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (196)
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.
Exterior Lighting 2026-09-25 · SC330_OWNR_301 · Service Campaign
voluntary service campaign: owner renotification (sc330 flight 301) - this document is the owner renotification advising that kia is conducting a voluntary service campaign to replace the multi-function switch knob with improved parts on certain 2016-2018 my sorento vehicles.
Visibility/Wiper 2026-06-16 · WTY031_TSB_R2 · Warranty Program/Extension
technical service bulletin: warranty extension campaign: multifunction switch repair (wty031) - 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 associated with
Structure:body 2026-06-08 · CS2312_TSB_R2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector and decal installation (cs2312) - 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 prov
Engine 2026-04-04 · SC340_TSB_R5 · Emissions
voluntary emissions service campaign: theta ii 2.4l gdi emissions: ecm logic improvement (sc340 revision 5) - 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 to
Engine 2026-03-18 · WTY026_TSB_R2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: warranty extension campaign: oil pressure switch (ops) replacement (wty026 revision 2) - 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 informa
Engine 2026-03-06 · SC340_TSB_R4 · Emissions
technical service bulletin: voluntary emissions service campaign: theta ii 2.4l gdi emission secm logic improvement (sc340 rev 4) - 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 p
Showing the 6 most recent of 196 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-06 · Engine“my 2018 sorento is consuming oil excessively. i’m having to add oil between changes, and i’m now experiencing reduced acceleration under load. i have been told by a few different parties that this has become a common problem with kia’s. i want an oil-consumption test performed and i want the vin checked for all engine campaigns, warranty extensions…”
2026-09-18 · Engine“complete engine failure inspected by westgate kia service dept, wake forest, nc service manager confirmed that known issue and recall in effect for 2018 kia sorrento same issue but because manufactures parts are only covered when made in certain locations. mine not covered. he did agree it was exact same issue but declined to assist. warning sign …”
2026-09-15 · Engine“vehicle: 2018 kia sorento vin: [xxx] kia corporate case #: xxx my 2018 kia sorento experienced a catastrophic engine failure (“holes in the block”) while under warranty. the vehicle lost power, emitted heavy smoke, and became completely inoperable. kia america has refused to repair the engine and has delayed providing the required written denial f…”
2026-08-27 · Fuel/Propulsion System“the high pressure fuel pump failed while driving on highway. i took it to the kia dealership and they told me of the issue. there were no prior warnings of issues kia recalled all 2019-2020 kia sorentos with this same issue. this component should not have failed at 63k miles and kia should extend their warranty to previous models with the same hig…”
2026-08-26 · Service Brakes“the abs module has failed. yes vehicle is available for inspections if wanted and would be appreciated. had it scanned by dealership and it’s too expensive to fix. lights on are abs. traction control. auto hold. autonomous braking. thank you…”
2026-08-20 · Engine · 118,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 kia sorento. the contact stated that while driving 50 mph and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. there was smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. the contact exited the freeway and waited for aaa to tow the vehicle to the residence. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic,…”
2026-08-20 · Engine“i am a working parent filing a formal complaint against kia america and classic kia of carrollton for non-compliance with the theta ii class action settlement mandates. my vehicle experienced a qualifying engine failure and is currently held at the dealership. the dealership is actively refusing to provide a mandatory free loaner vehicle and is del…”
2026-07-05 · Service Brakes · 🔥 fire“my wife and i were driving when i tried to stop and the brakes failed. within seconds the vehicle caught fire in the engine compartment. i had to slam the transmission into park cause the doors would not open. when my wife tried to escape out the passenger side the flames came into the cabin towards her. i then opened my door and then had to help m…”
2026-06-11 · Service Brakes · 💥 crash“i have replaced my rotors and my brakes soon as i got the car i’ve had the car for a month now i was in a major accident. someone walked in front of my car. my emergency brake system did not work my rotors and my brakes, have been scrubbing ever since i got the car. and i don’t know how to fix the situation. the brakes are still going out and sound…”
2026-06-05 · Service Brakes“i had the car for just 2 years and it's giving me a lot of problems the car smells like gas it has a gas leak the breaks don't work and the electrical system don't work properly …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.