2005 Kia Sorento Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2005 Kia Sorento has a complaint index of 25, ranking 16th worst among 21 model years, and earns a Good verdict relative to other Sorento years. Engine complaints (36%) and electrical issues (28%) are the top concerns, with no recalls on file for this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 25/100
- #16 of 21 Sorento years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 307
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 17
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 5
- Injuries
- 20
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 16
- 14 city / 18.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 20 / 1
Top 2005 Kia Sorento problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine111 (36%)
- Electrical System85 (28%)
- Airbags43 (14%)
- Steering39 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain38 (12%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires28 (9%)
- Structure & Body23 (7%)
- Other22 (7%)
- Brakes15 (5%)
- Fuel System12 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in frontal and side-impact crashes, including one at 65-70 mph.
- Power steering assist reportedly cut out suddenly, in one case at 140,000 miles while making a left turn.
- Owners describe electrical faults including a center console fire, intermittent passenger airbag sensor readings, and a malfunctioning clock display.
- Seat backs reportedly collapsed backward in a rear-end collision, pushing into child safety seats.
- One owner reported the crankshaft bolt broke around 43,500 miles, causing a power steering failure and crash.
- A vehicle reportedly idled down to 5 mph on its own and failed to stop despite hard braking, leading to a crash.
2005 Kia Sorento recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2005 Kia Sorento fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 14 MPG
- Highway
- 18.5 MPG
- Combined
- 16 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,050
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Sorento years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Kia Sorento reliable?
- Relative to other Sorento model years, the 2005 rates Good, with a complaint index of 25 and rank of 16th worst out of 21 years covered.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Kia Sorento?
- NHTSA complaints point to the engine (36% of complaints, median failure mileage 92,000), electrical system (28%, median 54,000 miles), and airbags (14%, involved in 8 crashes).
- Does the 2005 Kia Sorento have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2005 Sorento, unlike several later model years such as 2016 with eight recalls.
- How does the 2005 Sorento compare to the worst Sorento years?
- The 2005 model's complaint index of 25 is far below the worst years like 2011 (100) and 2016 (95), which both carry Avoid verdicts.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2005 Kia Sorento?
- EPA rates the 2005 Sorento at 16 mpg combined (14 city / 18.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,050.