2014 Kia Sorento Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2014 Kia Sorento has a complaint index of 85, the fourth-worst of 21 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. NHTSA logged 986 complaints, 6 recalls, and 46 fires, with the engine flagged as the top problem area at 43% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 85/100
- #4 of 21 Sorento years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 986
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- 3 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 23
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 46
- Injuries
- 24
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 19 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 24 / 1
Top 2014 Kia Sorento problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engines have caught fire or smoked heavily while driving, sometimes at highway speed with flames visible near the motor.
- Airbags failed to deploy in side-impact and broadside crashes, in at least one case resulting in a fatality.
- Electrical fires have started at the trailer hitch wiring harness and tail light area, with a burning odor preceding flames.
- Fuel tanks and fuel systems have ignited even while the vehicle was parked and not in use.
- Brakes have caused loss of control, with owners reporting the vehicle veering and spinning when braking to avoid a collision.
- Unintended engine revving while shifting into reverse caused at least one low-speed crash into a fixed object.
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?
- It ranks poorly compared to other Sorento years, with a complaint index of 85 and the fourth-worst rank out of 21 model years covered.
- What are the most common problems with the 2014 Kia Sorento?
- Engine problems make up 43% of complaints, followed by electrical system issues at 22% and structure & body issues at 18%. NHTSA also lists 46 fire reports for this year.
- Does the 2014 Kia Sorento have engine recalls?
- Yes. Two of the six recalls cover the engine, including one for machining errors that caused premature bearing wear and required engine inspection or replacement.
- How many recalls does the 2014 Kia Sorento have?
- NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2014 Sorento, covering brakes, engine, and the transmission/powertrain, including a front axle shaft replacement recall specific to 2014 models.
- What year Kia Sorento should I avoid instead of 2014?
- 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, and 2017 also carry Avoid verdicts, with 2011 having the highest complaint index at 100 among all years listed.