2017 Kia Sorento Structure & Body Problems
NHTSA lists 25 Structure & Body complaints for the 2017 Kia Sorento, 3% of all complaints that year, with a median failure mileage of 44,000. Two related tow-hitch harness recalls exist, but they cover fire risk rather than the sunroof or liftgate issues owners describe.
- Structure & Body complaints
- 25
- 3% of 804
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 5
- Median mileage
- 44,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 2
Typical body and structure symptoms owners report
- Panoramic sunroofs have shattered or exploded without impact while driving at highway speed, described by owners as a sudden loud bang followed by glass falling into the cabin.
- Power liftgates have failed to open or closed unexpectedly on a hand without the sensor releasing, in one case leading to a reported hand injury.
- Rear door handles have broken off or detached during normal use, including on doors used by children.
- The center console has overheated and caught fire while the vehicle sat parked, melting the console and burning the driver seat.
- Front seat headrests push too far forward, which owners say causes neck and shoulder discomfort during driving.
- Some owners report sticky or hard-to-turn steering along with peeling exterior paint and unusual cold-start noise.
When 2017 Kia Sorento body and structure complaints were filed
First complaint Mar 28, 2017, latest Oct 2, 2025.
Structure & Body recalls for the 2017 Kia Sorento
- 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 16V862000Nov 30, 2016Structure & Body10,212 vehicles
Trailer hitches
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to August 25, 2016, and 2017 Sportage vehicles manufactured December 10, 2015, to August 26, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer tow hitch harness, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC142.
Structure & Body complaints by Sorento model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many Structure & Body complaints does the 2017 Kia Sorento have?
- NHTSA lists 25 Structure & Body complaints for the 2017 Sorento, which is 3% of the 804 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall related to Structure & Body problems on the 2017 Kia Sorento?
- Yes. NHTSA shows two recalls tied to Structure & Body, campaigns 22V703000 and 16V862000, both involving the trailer tow hitch harness. The 2022 recall advises owners to park outside due to fire risk from the harness.
- At what mileage do Structure & Body problems typically show up on the 2017 Sorento?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this category is 44,000 miles, based on the complaints filed.
- Did any 2017 Sorento Structure & Body complaints involve fire or injury?
- NHTSA data for this component area on the 2017 Sorento includes 1 fire, 2 crashes, and 5 injuries among the complaints filed.
- What specific structure and body issues do 2017 Sorento owners report?
- Owners describe panoramic sunroofs shattering while driving, power liftgates that fail to release, rear door handles breaking off, and one center console fire while parked.