YearToAvoid

2005 Kia Sorento Electrical System Problems

NHTSA has 85 owner complaints about electrical problems in the 2005 Kia Sorento, 28% of all 307 complaints for this model year. That is #9 highest electrical complaint count among 21 Sorento model years. These complaints report 2 crashes, 3 fires, and 3 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 54,000 miles.

Electrical System complaints
85
28% of 307
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
3
Median mileage
54,000 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2005 Kia Sorento electrical complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 31, 2005, latest Oct 13, 2022.

2005 Kia Sorento electrical system complaints: complaints filed per quarter52005 Q12008 Q12009 Q32011 Q12012 Q22013 Q42015 Q22021 Q1
85 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2005 Q1 to 2022 Q4; peak 2010 Q1 (5).

Electrical System recalls for the 2005 Kia Sorento

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Electrical System complaints by Sorento model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200585 (28%)
  2. 200688 (36%)
  3. 200730 (19%)
  4. 200841 (19%)
  5. 200914 (25%)
  6. 20100 (0%)
  7. 2011312 (21%)
  8. 2012174 (20%)
  9. 2013158 (16%)
  10. 2014219 (22%)
  11. 2015138 (18%)
  12. 2016159 (13%)
  13. 2017190 (24%)
  14. 201857 (22%)
  15. 201984 (20%)
  16. 202022 (16%)
  17. 202148 (19%)
  18. 202232 (17%)
  19. 202337 (31%)
  20. 202413 (32%)
  21. 202521 (28%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Kia Sorento have electrical problems?
NHTSA has 85 owner complaints about the electrical in the 2005 Kia Sorento, 28% of all complaints for this model year, including 2 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 54,000 miles.
Which Kia Sorento year has the most electrical complaints?
The 2011 Kia Sorento has the most electrical complaints (312), compared with 85 for the 2005.
Is there a electrical recall for the 2005 Kia Sorento?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2005 Kia Sorento is classified under electrical system. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.