YearToAvoid

2005 Kia Sorento Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA has 38 owner complaints about transmission problems in the 2005 Kia Sorento, 12% of all 307 complaints for this model year. That is #10 highest transmission complaint count among 21 Sorento model years. These complaints report 1 crash. Median mileage at failure: 94,000 miles.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
38
12% of 307
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
94,000 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2005 Kia Sorento transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 18, 2005, latest Apr 7, 2024.

2005 Kia Sorento transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month2Aug 2005Jul 2009Nov 2010Aug 2011Sep 2012Jun 2014Mar 2015Apr 2024
38 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2005 to Apr 2024; peak Jun 2014 (2).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2005 Kia Sorento

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Sorento model year

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

  1. 200538 (12%)
  2. 200635 (14%)
  3. 200720 (13%)
  4. 200823 (11%)
  5. 20099 (16%)
  6. 20100 (0%)
  7. 2011265 (17%)
  8. 201255 (6%)
  9. 201369 (7%)
  10. 201471 (7%)
  11. 201542 (6%)
  12. 2016125 (10%)
  13. 201737 (5%)
  14. 20189 (4%)
  15. 201951 (12%)
  16. 202018 (13%)
  17. 2021137 (55%)
  18. 202264 (34%)
  19. 202320 (17%)
  20. 20244 (10%)
  21. 202519 (26%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Kia Sorento have transmission problems?
NHTSA has 38 owner complaints about the transmission in the 2005 Kia Sorento, 12% of all complaints for this model year, including 1 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 94,000 miles.
Which Kia Sorento year has the most transmission complaints?
The 2011 Kia Sorento has the most transmission complaints (265), compared with 38 for the 2005.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2005 Kia Sorento?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2005 Kia Sorento is classified under transmission & powertrain. 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.