2010 Kia Sorento Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict The 2010 Kia Sorento has a complaint index of 0, the lowest of all 21 model years covered, with only 3 complaints on file and one recall. It ranks 21st out of 21 years, meaning it has the fewest reported problems among Sorento model years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 0/100
- #21 of 21 Sorento years
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 3
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Airbags
Top 2010 Kia Sorento problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags1 (33%)
- Engine1 (33%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (33%)
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 a front-end collision at very low mileage.
- The engine oil warning system reportedly failed to alert of low oil, and the engine stalled after the driver hit a curb.
- The vehicle pulled to the right unexpectedly at any speed, with tire rebalancing and wheel alignment failing to fix the issue.
- Dealers told at least one owner they were unaware of any open recall covering the steering pull problem.
2010 Kia Sorento recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 13V114000Apr 1, 2013Electrical System980,377 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
2010 compared with other Sorento years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Kia Sorento reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2010 Sorento has a complaint index of 0, the lowest of any Sorento model year, with only 3 complaints filed total.
- What problems does the 2010 Kia Sorento have?
- NHTSA complaints cover airbags, engine, and suspension issues, including one report of airbags not deploying in a crash, an engine stall linked to an oil warning failure, and a vehicle pulling to the right.
- Does the 2010 Kia Sorento have any recalls?
- Yes, one recall (campaign 13V114000) covers the electrical system on the 2010 Sorento, part of a wider Kia recall spanning multiple models and years.
- How does the 2010 Sorento compare to other Sorento years?
- The 2010 Sorento ranks 21st out of 21 years by complaint index, making it the lowest-complaint year, unlike years such as 2011 and 2016 which rank as Avoid with much higher complaint indexes.