Kia Sorento years to avoid
Every Kia Sorento model year on file (2012-2025), ranked worst to best by severity index - the share of owner complaints that report a crash, fire, injury or fatality.
2020
Worst year on file
160.1
Severity index
Engine
Most-reported system
2022
Cleanest year on file
Ranked worst to best
| # | Model year | Severity | Complaints | Most-reported system |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2020 Kia Sorento | 160.1 High | 138 | Engine |
| 2 | 2012 Kia Sorento | 91.3 High | 880 | Engine |
| 3 | 2018 Kia Sorento | 85.3 High | 255 | Engine |
| 4 | 2024 Kia Sorento | 80.4 High | 43 | Electrical System |
| 5 | 2025 Kia Sorento | 71.0 Medium | 76 | Electrical System |
| 6 | 2019 Kia Sorento | 64.3 Medium | 433 | Engine |
| 7 | 2013 Kia Sorento | 62.9 Medium | 982 | Engine |
| 8 | 2014 Kia Sorento | 60.8 Medium | 988 | Engine |
| 9 | 2021 Kia Sorento | 58.8 Medium | 24 | Power Train |
| 10 | 2015 Kia Sorento | 48.8 Medium | 754 | Engine |
| 11 | 2017 Kia Sorento | 48.6 Medium | 808 | Engine |
| 12 | 2023 Kia Sorento | 48.4 Medium | 125 | Electrical System |
| 13 | 2016 Kia Sorento | 45.9 Medium | 1,258 | Engine |
| 14 | 2022 Kia Sorento | 39.2 Low | 193 | Power Train |
A high rank here means a larger share of this year's complaints described a crash, fire or injury - not that the vehicle is unsafe to drive, and not a reliability or repair-cost rating. Complaint counts are not normalised by units sold.
Kia Sorento complaints and recalls by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crashes | Fires | Severity | Most-reported system |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 880 | 5 | 21 | 77 | 91.3 High | ENGINE |
| 2013 | 982 | 5 | 23 | 44 | 62.9 Medium | ENGINE |
| 2014 | 988 | 6 | 23 | 46 | 60.8 Medium | ENGINE |
| 2015 | 754 | 3 | 20 | 14 | 48.8 Medium | ENGINE |
| 2016 | 1,258 | 8 | 29 | 49 | 45.9 Medium | ENGINE |
| 2017 | 808 | 4 | 13 | 32 | 48.6 Medium | ENGINE |
| 2018 | 255 | 3 | 12 | 11 | 85.3 High | ENGINE |
| 2019 | 433 | 2 | 10 | 19 | 64.3 Medium | ENGINE |
| 2020 | 138 | 1 | 10 | 12 | 160.1 High | ENGINE |
| 2021 | 24 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 58.8 Medium | POWER TRAIN |
| 2022 | 193 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 39.2 Low | POWER TRAIN |
| 2023 | 125 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 48.4 Medium | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM |
| 2024 | 43 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 80.4 High | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM |
| 2025 | 76 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 71.0 Medium | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM |
Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs. Complaint counts are not normalised by units sold; a high-volume seller will attract more filings than a rare trim.