Kia

Sorento (XM)

2011-2015 · Midsize SUV · 7 engines
Best Engine Recommended (4.8)
5,053 NHTSA Complaints
14 Recalls
233 Fire Reports
129 Crash Reports

Engine Reliability Comparison

DOHC GDI LAMBDA II

3.3L
Recommended (4.8)
2 complaints 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

wheels tires
1
brakes
1

Known Issues

Wheels/Tires Issues (1 complaints)
Brakes Issues (1 complaints)

Also found in

KIA Sorento (2016-2020)LINCOLN MKZ (2007-2012)KIA Sedona (2015-2021)KIA Sorento (2011-2015)HYUNDAI Genesis (2012-2012)HYUNDAI Equus (2011-2016)HYUNDAI Genesis (2013-2013)HYUNDAI Genesis (2014-2014)

LL8

4.2L 6-cyl
Recommended (4.8)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
1

Known Issues

Safety Systems Issues (1 complaints)

Also found in

CHEVROLET T-Series (2007-2007)GMC Suburban (2003-2003)GMC L Series (2003-2003)CHEVROLET Trailblazer (2000-2000)FORD Explorer (2011-2019)CHEVROLET HHR (2006-2011)GMC Savana (2002-2002)CHEVROLET S/T Blazer (2003-2003) +74 more

R20A5

2.0L 4-cyl / 150 hp
Recommended (4.8)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
1
steering
1

Known Issues

Engine Issues (1 complaints)
Steering Issues (1 complaints)

Also found in

ACURA TLX (2015-2020)ACURA ILX (2013-2022)KIA Sorento (2011-2015)

2AR-FE

2.5L 4-cyl
Recommended (4.4)
2 complaints 2.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
1
brakes
1

Known Issues

Safety Systems Issues (1 complaints)
Brakes Issues (1 complaints)

Also found in

TOYOTA Camry (2002-2006)FORD Explorer (2011-2019)TOYOTA Avalon (2013-2018)TOYOTA Scion Fr-S (2013-2013)TOYOTA Scion Fr-S (2014-2014)TOYOTA Scion Tc (2014-2014)TOYOTA Scion Tc (2013-2013)CHEVROLET Suburban (2007-2014) +27 more

Gasoline 3.3 V6 GDI Lambda II

3.3L 6-cyl
Avoid (1.3)
701 complaints 233.7 per year
9 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
311
body
116
other
85
electrical
79
brakes
49

Known Issues

Engine Issues (311 complaints)
Body/Trim Issues (116 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (79 complaints)

Also found in

KIA Sorento (2011-2015)KIA Sedona (2006-2014)

DOHC T-GDI THETA-II

2.4L Turbo
Avoid (1.0)
1,605 complaints 321.0 per year Gasoline
105 fire reports 1 fatality
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
799
electrical
212
body
175
exterior
165
brakes
132

Known Issues

Engine Issues (799 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (212 complaints)
Body/Trim Issues (175 complaints)

Also found in

KIA Optima (2011-2015)BMW X5 (2014-2018)KIA Optima (2007-2010)KIA Sorento (2011-2015)HYUNDAI Sonata (2015-2019)KIA Sportage (2011-2016)HYUNDAI Santa Fe (2013-2018)KIA Sorento (2003-2009) +1 more

DOHC

2.4L
Avoid (1.0)
1,242 complaints 387.3 per year Gasoline
59 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
463
transmission
198
body
187
electrical
182
safety systems
151

Known Issues

Engine Issues (463 complaints)
Transmission Issues (198 complaints)
Body/Trim Issues (187 complaints)

Also found in

KIA Optima (2011-2015)KIA Sorento (2011-2015)KIA Sorento (2003-2009)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Kia Sorento regardless of engine variant.

Engine Issues (1,574 complaints)
engine critical
Body/Trim Issues (478 complaints)
body critical
Electrical System Issues (473 complaints)
electrical critical
Exterior Issues (212 complaints)
exterior critical
Transmission Issues (198 complaints)
transmission critical

Recalls (14)

23V652000Sep 24, 2023serious
Service Brakes

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

23V877000Dec 20, 2023serious
Engine

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2011 Sorento vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.

21V331000Oct 4, 2021serious
Service Brakes

Kia 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.

20V519000Aug 26, 2020serious
Service Brakes

Kia 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.

20V750000Feb 11, 2020serious
Engine

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.

18V907000Dec 18, 2018serious
Fuel System

Kia 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 high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.

17V224000Mar 30, 2017serious
Engine & Cooling

Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.

15V626000Jun 9, 2015serious
Powertrain

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured October 19, 2009, to January 31, 2013. In the affected vehicles, if excessive force is applied to the gear shift lever, the brake-shift interlock mechanism may chip or crack allowing the transmission being able to be shifted out of "Park" without the brakes being depressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."

13V356000Aug 12, 2013serious
Powertrain

Kia Motors Corp. is recalling certain model year 2014 front wheel drive Sorento vehicles manufactured January 7, 2013, through March 12, 2013; and equipped with 2.4 liter engines. Due to a manufacturing issue, the right front axle shaft may fracture.

13V114000Jan 3, 2013serious
Exterior Lighting

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 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

11V258000Apr 24, 2011serious
Powertrain

KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SORENTO 2WD VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND 2.4L ENGINES MANUFACTURED FROM THE START OF PRODUCTION THROUGH MAY 22, 2010. THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT MAY SUFFER FROM NOISE AND EXCESSIVE WEAR DUE TO A MISALIGNMENT OF THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WITH THE RIGHT SIDE OUTPUT GEAR. CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION LEADS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A WHIRRING/WHINING NOISE AND CAN EVENTUALLY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

11E041000Jun 9, 2011serious
Equipment

CURT MANUFACTURING IS RECALLING CERTAIN TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESSES, PART NUMBER 56024, THAT CONNECT TOW VEHICLE LIGHTING CIRCUITS TO TRAILER LIGHTING CIRCUITS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2011 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ AND KIA SORENTO VEHICLES. THE UNITS ARE NOT WATER-TIGHT AND MOISTURE CAN SEEP INTO THE CONVERTER MODULE AND DEFEAT THE MODULE'S INTERNAL CIRCUIT PROTECTION.

10V388000Aug 30, 2010serious
Electrical System

KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 SOUL AND MODEL YEAR 2011 SORENTO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 7, 2009 THROUGH JULY 30, 2010. A LIMITED NUMBER OF WIRING HARNESSES SUPPLIED BY JCI AND USED FOR THE LIGHTING IN THE KIA SOUL VEHICLE'S ADVANCED LIGHTING SPEAKERS, LOCATED IN THE FRONT DOOR TRIM PANELS, AND THE KIA SORENTO VEHICLE'S INTERIOR ACCENT ILLUMINATION, LOCATED IN THE FRONT AND REAR DOOR TRIM PANELS, MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY SOLDERED.

10V599000Nov 23, 2010serious
Service Brakes

KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SORENTO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 14, 2010, THROUGH OCTOBER 4, 2010. SOME OF THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY MACHINED.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2011-2015 Kia Sorento problems?

The 2011-2015 Kia Sorento has accumulated 5,053 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Engine, Body/Trim, Electrical System. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Kia Sorento engine is most reliable?

The 2011-2015 Kia Sorento was offered with 7 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.4L ?-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2011-2015 Kia Sorento a good used car?

The 2011-2015 Kia Sorento can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 5,053 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011-2015 Kia Sorento have?

The 2011-2015 Kia Sorento has 5,053 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2011-2015 Kia Sorento?

There are 14 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2011-2015 Kia Sorento vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Kia Sorento?

Before buying a used Kia Sorento, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Engine, Body/Trim, Electrical System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 5,053 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-06.

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