2015 Kia Sorento Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
60/100
#7 most-complained of 16 Sorento years
The 2015 Kia Sorento has 750 NHTSA complaints and a Complaint Index of 60, ranking 7th worst of 16 model years — a Caution year. Engine problems dominate at 50% of complaints, with median failure mileage of 86,581 miles, plus 3 recalls covering brakes and engine.
- Complaints
- 750
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 20 / 14
- Injuries / deaths
- 24 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18.5 city / 25 hwy
Top 2015 Kia Sorento problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine377 (50%)
- Electrical System138 (18%)
- Other113 (15%)
- Structure & Body106 (14%)
- Brakes43 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain42 (6%)
- Steering33 (4%)
- Fuel System31 (4%)
- Airbags30 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers11 (1%)
What owners report
- Engine stalls or dies unexpectedly while driving, sometimes accompanied by a fuel odor and illuminated check engine light.
- Some owners report sudden unintended acceleration at low speed, causing the vehicle to crash into a wall.
- Airbags fail to deploy in moderate-speed crashes, including rear-end and frontal impacts.
- Steering wheel seizes or becomes difficult to turn while driving over rough surfaces like railroad tracks.
- Structural issues include front bumpers held on improperly and driver seats separating from their base during rear impacts.
- Electrical faults triggered oil warning lights followed by knocking sounds and engine failure, in one case linked to a reported fire.
2015 Kia Sorento recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- NHTSA 18V907000Dec 19, 2018Engine71,653 vehicles
Engine
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
2015 Kia Sorento fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18.5 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.
2015 compared with other Sorento years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 Kia Sorento reliable?
- Compared to other Sorento model years, 2015 is rated Caution, ranking 7th worst out of 16 years tracked. It logged 750 NHTSA complaints with a Complaint Index of 60.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2015 Kia Sorento?
- Engine issues are the top problem area, making up 50% of complaints (377 of 750), with a median failure mileage of 86,581 miles and 9 reported fires.
- Does the 2015 Kia Sorento have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2015 Sorento: two brake recalls involving HECU brake fluid leaks (campaigns 20V519000 and 21V331000) and one engine fuel pipe recall (18V907000).
- How does the 2015 Sorento compare to other years?
- The 2015 Sorento's Complaint Index of 60 is lower than 2011 (100), 2012 (87), and 2013 (80), all rated Avoid, but higher than the 2018 model year (20), which is rated Best.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2015 Kia Sorento?
- The 2015 Sorento gets 21 mpg combined (18.5 city/25 highway) and costs an estimated $3,100 per year in fuel.