YearToAvoid

2015 Kia Sorento Electrical System Problems

NHTSA has logged 138 Electrical System complaints for the 2015 Kia Sorento, 18% of all complaints for the year. There are 4 reported fires and 1 crash tied to this system, with a median failure mileage of 74,000, and no related recalls are listed.

Electrical System complaints
138
18% of 750
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
74,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical electrical symptoms owners report

  • Some owners report the engine stalling or losing power suddenly at low speeds, with the instrument panel lighting up before the vehicle dies.
  • Headlight bulbs are described as burning out repeatedly, sometimes needing replacement multiple times within a couple of years, and some drivers describe the headlights as too dim to see the road at night.
  • Owners describe wipers and headlights intermittently stopping and starting on their own, along with a backup camera that cuts in and out.
  • Some report a key that would not come out of the ignition switch after parking.
  • A few describe smoke and fire developing from under the hood while driving, in one case after the oil warning light came on.
  • One owner reported a tire pressure sensor that failed to warn of a flat tire before it deflated while driving in traffic.

When 2015 Kia Sorento electrical complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 28, 2014, latest Sep 3, 2026.

2015 Kia Sorento electrical system complaints: complaints filed per quarter112014 Q42017 Q32019 Q12020 Q22021 Q32022 Q42024 Q12025 Q2
138 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2014 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2020 Q3 (11).

Electrical System recalls for the 2015 Kia Sorento

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Electrical System complaints by Sorento model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20100 (0%)
  2. 2011312 (21%)
  3. 2012174 (20%)
  4. 2013158 (16%)
  5. 2014219 (22%)
  6. 2015138 (18%)
  7. 2016159 (13%)
  8. 2017190 (24%)
  9. 201857 (22%)
  10. 201984 (20%)
  11. 202022 (16%)
  12. 202148 (19%)
  13. 202232 (17%)
  14. 202337 (31%)
  15. 202413 (32%)
  16. 202521 (28%)

Frequently asked questions

How many electrical complaints does the 2015 Kia Sorento have?
NHTSA lists 138 Electrical System complaints for the 2015 Kia Sorento, which is 18% of the 750 total complaints filed for this model year.
Is there a recall for the 2015 Kia Sorento's electrical system?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this complaint category on the 2015 Kia Sorento.
At what mileage do electrical problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure for Electrical System complaints on the 2015 Kia Sorento is 74,000 miles.
Have there been any fires linked to electrical problems in the 2015 Sorento?
NHTSA data shows 4 reported fires and 1 crash associated with Electrical System complaints for the 2015 Kia Sorento.
How does the 2015 Sorento compare to other years for electrical complaints?
The 2015 Sorento's electrical complaints make up 18% of its total complaints, lower than the 2017 Sorento's 24% and the 2014 Sorento's 22%, based on NHTSA data.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.