2014 Kia Sorento Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
73/100
#5 most-complained of 16 Sorento years
The 2014 Kia Sorento has a Complaint Index of 73, ranking 5th worst out of 16 model years, with a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 986 complaints, 6 recalls, 46 fires, and 23 crashes, with Engine problems accounting for 43% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 986
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 23 / 46
- Injuries / deaths
- 24 / 1
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 19 city / 25 hwy
Top 2014 Kia Sorento problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine422 (43%)
- Electrical System219 (22%)
- Structure & Body174 (18%)
- Other150 (15%)
- Brakes95 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain71 (7%)
- Airbags51 (5%)
- Fuel System50 (5%)
- Steering35 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers27 (3%)
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in low-speed and side-impact collisions, including one crash where the driver was fatally injured.
- Owners report engine surges into gear unexpectedly, revving on its own and causing the vehicle to lurch backward.
- Electrical fires ignited near the trailer hitch wiring harness and tail light after a burning odor was noticed inside the cabin.
- Fuel tank fires occurred without warning while the vehicle was parked, with one vehicle destroyed at 21,000 miles.
- Brakes reportedly caused the vehicle to veer and spin out of control when pressed to avoid a collision.
- A fuel-system fire started underneath the rear seat near the refueling port after a moderate side-impact crash.
2014 Kia Sorento recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V652000Sep 25, 2023Brakes1,730,192 vehiclesPark Outside
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
- NHTSA 21V331000May 10, 2021Brakes440,370 vehiclesPark Outside
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
Risk: An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will install a new multi-fuse, and inspect the HECU for leaks, replacing the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 2, 2021. This recall supersedes previous NHTSA recall number 20V-519. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC212.
- NHTSA 20V519000Aug 27, 2020Brakes440,370 vehiclesPark Outside
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
Risk: If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HECU for leaking brake fluid and replace the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. The recall began October 20, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC197.
2014 Kia Sorento fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,100
- 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.
2014 compared with other Sorento years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Kia Sorento reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2014 Sorento a Complaint Index of 73 and a Caution verdict, ranking 5th worst among 16 model years of the Sorento. Engine complaints make up 43% of all reports, with a median failure mileage of 80,000 miles.
- What problems does the 2014 Kia Sorento have?
- The top problem area is the Engine, with 422 complaints (43% share), followed by Electrical System issues (219 complaints) and Structure & Body concerns (174 complaints). NHTSA also recorded 46 fires and 23 crashes tied to this model year.
- Does the 2014 Kia Sorento have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2014 Sorento, covering Brakes, Engine, and Transmission & Powertrain components, including a brake fluid leak recall affecting the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit and an engine bearing wear recall.
- How does the 2014 Sorento compare to other Sorento years?
- With a Complaint Index of 73, the 2014 model ranks better than 2011 (100, Avoid), 2012 (87, Avoid), and 2016 (93, Avoid), but worse than 2015 (60, Caution) and 2018 (20, Best).