Kia

Sorento (UM)

2016-2020 · Midsize SUV · 5 engines
Best Engine ⚠️ Caution (2.1)
2,737 NHTSA Complaints
12 Recalls
114 Fire Reports
69 Crash Reports
View all 4 generations of the Kia Sorento → 📋 Inspection checklist

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (15.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (15.0% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (15.0% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (15.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (15.0% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (15.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (15.0% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (15.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (15.0% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (15.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional

Engine Reliability Ratings

DOHC GDI Theta II

2.4L
⚠️ Caution (2.1)
390 complaints 78.0 per year Gasoline
5 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
261
other
34
transmission
34
steering
31
electrical
30

Known Issues

Engine Issues (261 complaints)
Transmission Issues (34 complaints)
Steering Issues (31 complaints)

Kia Sorento Unidentified Engine

⚠️ Caution (2.0)
86 complaints 17.2 per year
9 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
28
other
16
electrical
14
steering
12
exterior
10

Known Issues

Engine Issues (28 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (14 complaints)
Steering Issues (12 complaints)

DOHC T-GDI Theta II

2.0L Turbo
Avoid (1.8)
192 complaints 64.0 per year Gasoline
4 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
99
other
25
fuel system
20
transmission
17
body
14

Known Issues

Engine Issues (99 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (20 complaints)
Transmission Issues (17 complaints)

DOHC GDI LAMBDA II

3.3L
Avoid (1.0)
1,296 complaints 259.2 per year Gasoline
58 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
493
electrical
193
other
183
exterior
162
steering
121

Known Issues

Engine Issues (493 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (193 complaints)
Exterior Issues (162 complaints)

2.4-I4-Gas

2.4L 4-cyl / 185 hp
Avoid (1.0)
772 complaints 154.4 per year Gasoline
38 fire reports 1 fatality
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
503
other
65
electrical
62
exterior
54
transmission
53

Known Issues

Engine Issues (503 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (62 complaints)
Exterior Issues (54 complaints)
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

2.0-I4-Gas

2.0L 4-cyl / 240 hp
Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
1

Known Issues

Engine Issues (1 complaints)

Same engine used in

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Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Kia Sorento regardless of engine variant.

Engine Issues (1,385 complaints)
engine critical
Electrical System Issues (299 complaints)
electrical critical
Exterior Issues (239 complaints)
exterior critical
Steering Issues (164 complaints)
steering critical
Body/Trim Issues (122 complaints)
body critical

Recalls (12)

23V639000Sep 14, 2023serious
Back Over Prevention

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."

22V703000Sep 18, 2022serious
Trailer Hitches

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.

22V612000Oct 7, 2022serious
Powertrain

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.

18V656000Sep 20, 2018serious
Steering

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.

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.

17V586000Sep 20, 2017serious
Engine & Cooling

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.

17V784000Aug 11, 2017serious
Air Bags

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.

16V862000Nov 29, 2016serious
Trailer Hitches

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."

16V480000Jun 28, 2016serious
Suspension

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sorento vehicles. A component of the rear suspension may not be properly welded.

16V770000Oct 23, 2016serious
Seats

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.

15V446000Jul 13, 2015serious
Seat Belts

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.

15V089000Feb 12, 2015serious
Vehicle Speed Control

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 problems?

The 2016-2020 Kia Sorento has accumulated 2,737 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Engine, Electrical System, Exterior. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Kia Sorento engine is most reliable?

The 2016-2020 Kia Sorento was offered with 6 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 2016-2020 Kia Sorento a good used car?

The 2016-2020 Kia Sorento can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 2,737 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 2016-2020 Kia Sorento have?

The 2016-2020 Kia Sorento has 2,737 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 2016-2020 Kia Sorento?

There are 12 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2016-2020 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, Electrical System, Exterior, 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.

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. 2,737 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-23.

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