2017 Kia Sorento Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2017 Kia Sorento ranks 6th worst of 21 model years with a complaint index of 75 and an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 804 complaints, 4 recalls, and 32 fires, with Engine problems making up 51% of complaints at a median 64,000 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 75/100
- #6 of 21 Sorento years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 804
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 13
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 32
- Injuries
- 17
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 19 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 17 / 0
Top 2017 Kia Sorento problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine414 (51%)
- Electrical System190 (24%)
- Other105 (13%)
- Steering97 (12%)
- Fuel System49 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain37 (5%)
- Brakes27 (3%)
- Structure & Body25 (3%)
- Airbags14 (2%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras10 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine rattles, stalls, and in some cases catches fire under the hood while driving, including at low mileage.
- Vehicle shows over-revving noise and hunts for gears while climbing hills or driving above 20 mph, with a clicking sound on turns.
- Sudden loss of acceleration response at highway speed, with RPM dropping sharply and the transmission not responding to the pedal.
- Headlights intermittently shut off and on for several seconds at a time while driving at night.
- Airbags fail to deploy in frontal or rollover crashes despite significant vehicle damage.
- Warning lights illuminate and mirror housings or center console components have been found melted or burned after electrical failures.
2017 Kia Sorento recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V703000Sep 19, 2022Structure & Body70,887 vehiclesPark Outside
Trailer hitches
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Risk: A 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 inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
- 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.
- NHTSA 17V586000Sep 21, 2017Engine62 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017 Sorento vehicles equipped with 3.3L engines. The engine crankshaft may have been improperly heat treated and may fail.
Risk: If the crankshaft fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A failed crankshaft also increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the crankshaft, and, as necessary, replace the engine sub assembly, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC153.
2017 Kia Sorento fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 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.
2017 compared with other Sorento years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Kia Sorento reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2017 Sorento has a complaint index of 75, ranking 6th worst out of 21 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Sorento years.
- What are the main problems with the 2017 Kia Sorento?
- Engine issues dominate, accounting for 51% of the 804 complaints filed, with a median failure mileage of 64,000 miles. Electrical system problems make up 24% of complaints.
- Does the 2017 Kia Sorento have engine fire recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 17V586000 covers 2017 Sorentos with 3.3L engines whose crankshafts may have been improperly heat treated and could fail, and a separate 2018 recall addresses fuel pipe issues tied to prior engine replacements.
- How does the 2017 Sorento compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 75 is lower than 2011 (100), 2016 (95), and 2012 (90), but worse than 2018 (40) and 2023 (30), placing it among the Avoid years for this model.
- How many recalls affect the 2017 Kia Sorento?
- NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2017 Sorento, covering the engine crankshaft, fuel pipe, trailer tow hitch harness, and a tow hitch harness fire risk requiring owners to park outside.