Kia Sorento Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Kia Sorento years to avoid: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017. Best years: 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2024. Based on 9,631 NHTSA owner complaints and 38 recall campaigns across 21 model years (2005–2025).
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2011Avoid 2012Avoid 2013Avoid 2014Avoid 2016Avoid 2017Best 2006Best 2007Best 2009Best 2024
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 9,631
- Recall campaigns
- 38
- Crashes reported
- 282
- Fires reported
- 397
- Top problem area
- Engine
Sorento Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Kia Sorento problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Good | 25 | 307 | 17 | 5 | 0 | Engine | 16 | — |
| 2006 | Best | 20 | 242 | 12 | 8 | 1 | Engine | 16 | — |
| 2007 | Best | 10 | 154 | 10 | 5 | 4 | Airbags | 17 | — |
| 2008 | Good | 35 | 217 | 15 | 9 | 3 | Brakes | 17 | — |
| 2009 | Best | 5 | 55 | 2 | 1 | 2 | Airbags | 17 | — |
| 2010 | No verdict | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | Airbags | — | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 100 | 1,517 | 42 | 61 | 7 | Engine | 22 | 4★ |
| 2012 | Avoid | 90 | 880 | 21 | 77 | 5 | Engine | 22 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Avoid | 80 | 981 | 23 | 44 | 5 | Engine | 22 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Avoid | 85 | 986 | 23 | 46 | 6 | Engine | 21 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 70 | 750 | 20 | 14 | 3 | Engine | 21 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Avoid | 95 | 1,250 | 29 | 49 | 8 | Engine | 21 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Avoid | 75 | 804 | 13 | 32 | 4 | Engine | 22 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Good | 40 | 254 | 12 | 11 | 3 | Engine | 22 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Caution | 65 | 426 | 10 | 19 | 2 | Engine | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Caution | 60 | 135 | 10 | 11 | 1 | Engine | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Caution | 55 | 247 | 4 | 1 | 4 | Transmission & Powertrain | 24.5 | 4★ |
| 2022 | Good | 45 | 189 | 4 | 1 | 6 | Transmission & Powertrain | 25 | 4★ |
| 2023 | Good | 30 | 119 | 3 | 2 | 3 | Engine | 25 | 4★ |
| 2024 | Best | 15 | 41 | 4 | 1 | 2 | Electrical System | 25 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Caution | 50 | 74 | 6 | 0 | 3 | Engine | 25 | 5★ |
Sorento years to avoid: what went wrong
2011 Kia Sorento Index 100 · 1,517 complaints · 7 recalls
Owners filed 1,517 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Kia Sorento, led by engine (359), structure & body (314), and electrical system (312). NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this year. Complaints mention 42 crashes and 61 fires.
2011 engine problems →2011 structure & body problems →2011 electrical system problems →
2016 Kia Sorento Index 95 · 1,250 complaints · 8 recalls
Owners filed 1,250 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Kia Sorento, led by engine (748), electrical system (159), and structure & body (129). NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for this year. Complaints mention 29 crashes and 49 fires.
2016 engine problems →2016 electrical system problems →2016 structure & body problems →
2012 Kia Sorento Index 90 · 880 complaints · 5 recalls
Owners filed 880 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Kia Sorento, led by engine (490), electrical system (174), and brakes (113). NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this year. Complaints mention 21 crashes and 77 fires.
2012 engine problems →2012 electrical system problems →2012 brakes problems →
2014 Kia Sorento Index 85 · 986 complaints · 6 recalls
Owners filed 986 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Kia Sorento, led by engine (422), electrical system (219), and structure & body (174). NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this year. Complaints mention 23 crashes and 46 fires.
2014 engine problems →2014 electrical system problems →2014 structure & body problems →
2013 Kia Sorento Index 80 · 981 complaints · 5 recalls
Owners filed 981 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Kia Sorento, led by engine (521), electrical system (158), and structure & body (123). NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this year. Complaints mention 23 crashes and 44 fires.
2013 engine problems →2013 electrical system problems →2013 structure & body problems →
2017 Kia Sorento Index 75 · 804 complaints · 4 recalls
Owners filed 804 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Kia Sorento, led by engine (414), electrical system (190), and steering (97). NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this year. Complaints mention 13 crashes and 32 fires.
2017 engine problems →2017 electrical system problems →2017 steering problems →
Most common Kia Sorento problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Engine4,197 (44%)
- Electrical System1,922 (20%)
- Other1,301 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1,111 (12%)
- Structure & Body1,096 (11%)
- Brakes789 (8%)
- Airbags672 (7%)
- Steering487 (5%)
- Fuel System413 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires253 (3%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Kia Sorento should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017 Kia Sorento have the highest Complaint Index among 21 model years and are the years to avoid. The 2011 model year ranks worst with 1,517 complaints and 7 recalls.
- What is the best year for the Kia Sorento?
- The 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2024 Kia Sorento have the lowest Complaint Index of the years we track, with the 2009 at 55 complaints and 2 recalls. Complaint counts are adjusted for how long each model year has been on the road.
- What are the most common problems with the Kia Sorento?
- Across all model years, the most reported problem areas in NHTSA complaints are engine (4,197, 44%), electrical system (1,922, 20%), and transmission & powertrain (1,111, 12%).
- How many recalls does the Kia Sorento have?
- NHTSA lists 38 distinct recall campaigns covering Kia Sorento model years 2005–2025. Recalls are repaired free of charge by dealers; check any specific vehicle by VIN before buying.