2015 Kia Sorento Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2015 Kia Sorento has 750 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 70, ranking 7th worst of 21 model years with a Caution verdict. Engine problems dominate at 50% of complaints, with 3 recalls covering brakes and engine fuel pipe issues.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 70/100
- #7 of 21 Sorento years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 750
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- 2 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 20
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 14
- Injuries
- 24
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18.5 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 24 / 0
Top 2015 Kia Sorento problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering can seize or lock up suddenly at low speed, requiring excessive force and leading to loss of control.
- Front bumpers have separated or been found held on with wire and glue rather than proper fasteners.
- Engines have surged or accelerated unexpectedly during low-speed maneuvers like parking.
- Airbags have failed to deploy in moderate-speed collisions, including rear-end and frontal impacts.
- Engines have stalled repeatedly at highway speed accompanied by a fuel odor and illuminated check engine light.
- Driver's seats have detached from their base mounts during rear-end collisions.
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?
- NHTSA data gives the 2015 Sorento a complaint index of 70 and a Caution verdict, ranking 7th worst among 21 model years of the Sorento. Engine complaints make up half of all reported issues.
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 Kia Sorento?
- Engine problems account for 50% of complaints (377 complaints), followed by electrical system issues at 18% and structure and body issues at 14%. Median mileage at failure for engine complaints is 86,581 miles.
- Does the 2015 Kia Sorento have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2015 Sorento: two brake fluid leak recalls affecting the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit and one engine fuel pipe recall tied to prior engine replacements. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2015 Sorento compare to other Sorento years?
- The 2015 model's complaint index of 70 is lower than 2011 (100), 2016 (95), and 2012 (90), all rated Avoid, but higher than later years like 2024 (15, rated Best).
- What is the fuel economy of the 2015 Kia Sorento?
- EPA rates the 2015 Sorento at 21 mpg combined (18.5 city / 25 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,100.