2015 Kia Sorento problems and recalls

48% of owner complaints on the 2015 Kia Sorento related to the Engine (359 of 748).

748
Complaints
3
Recalls
20
Crash reports
14
Fire reports
24
Injuries
49.2
Severity index

Severity index 49.2 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 49.2p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 111 of 143 by severity index among 2015 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 22% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2015 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 359 complaints (48.0%)359 48%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 113 complaints (15.1%)113 15%StructureStructure: 100 complaints (13.4%)100 13%Exterior LightingExterior Lighting: 91 complaints (12.2%)91 12%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 58 complaints (7.8%)58 8%Power TrainPower Train: 42 complaints (5.6%)42 6%Service BrakesService Brakes: 37 complaints (4.9%)37 5%SteeringSteering: 33 complaints (4.4%)33 4%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE35948.0%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER11315.1%
STRUCTURE10013.4%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING9112.2%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM587.8%
POWER TRAIN425.6%
SERVICE BRAKES374.9%
STEERING334.4%

Complaints filed per year

0651302014: 122015: 82016: 152017: 282018: 452019: 912020: 882021: 1232022: 1002023: 982024: 672025: 462026: 27 (partial year)14151617181920211232223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
201412
20158
201615
201728
201845
201991
202088
2021123
2022100
202398
202467
202546
2026 (year to date)27
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2020 to 2022 (211 against 311).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
18V90700019/12/2018FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The h
20V51900027/08/2020SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
21V33100010/05/2021SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.

Other Kia Sorento model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 13 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-07. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.