Sorento (UM)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
DOHC GDI LAMBDA II
3.3LView details
Complaint Breakdown
2.4-I4-Gas
2.4L 4-cyl / 185 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
DOHC GDI Theta II
2.4LView details
Complaint Breakdown
DOHC T-GDI Theta II
2.0L TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
Kia Sorento Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
2.0-I4-Gas
2.0L 4-cyl / 240 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Kia Sorento, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2016-2020 Kia Sorento
On a used 2016-2020 Kia Sorento, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the engine (1,465), the electrical system (327) and the exterior lighting (259). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 1,465 owner complaints on the 2016-2020 Kia Sorento about the engine.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 327 owner complaints on the 2016-2020 Kia Sorento about the electrical system.
- Check every exterior light, the wipers, the washers, the mirrors and the glass.Safety. NHTSA has 259 owner complaints on the 2016-2020 Kia Sorento about the exterior lighting.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 241 owner complaints on the 2016-2020 Kia Sorento about the transmission and drivetrain.
- Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 218 owner complaints on the 2016-2020 Kia Sorento about the steering.
Recalls (12)
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Sorento vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, water may leak into the rearview camera, which can cause the rearview camera image not to appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
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.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016 Sedona and Sorento vehicles. The vehicles may have been manufactured with faulty automatic transmission shift lever assembly components, preventing the shift lever from locking, which can allow the vehicle to rollaway.
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.
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.
Show 7 older recalls
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.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017 Sorento vehicles equipped with 3.3L engines. The engine crankshaft may have been improperly heat treated and may fail.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to August 25, 2016, and 2017 Sportage vehicles manufactured December 10, 2015, to August 26, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured March 3, 2016 to March 21, 2016. The driver's seatback frame may have been produced with inadequate weld joints and, as a result, the seatback may not function as designed in the event of a rear-end collision.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sorento vehicles. A component of the rear suspension may not be properly welded.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured October 23, 2014, to December 10, 2014. The affected vehicles have a front passenger seat belt whose buckle latch assembly may prevent the front passenger from fastening the seat belt.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to January 29, 2015. Due to an improperly soldered component in the accelerator pedal assembly, the driver may not be able to accelerate the vehicle.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2016-2020 Kia Sorento complaints?
Owners have filed 2,874 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016-2020 Kia Sorento. The systems they name most often are the engine, the electrical system and the exterior.
Is the 2016-2020 Kia Sorento a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 2,874 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016-2020 Kia Sorento. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016-2020 Kia Sorento have?
NHTSA has 2,874 owner complaints on file for the 2016-2020 Kia Sorento as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2016-2020 Kia Sorento?
NHTSA lists 12 recalls covering some 2016-2020 Kia Sorento vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Kia Sorento?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the electrical system and the exterior, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Sorento?
The 2020 Kia Sorento received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 5 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (15.8% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Optional. Lane Departure Warning: Optional. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 2,874 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.