Kia SORENTO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
10,135 owner complaints analyzed
40 distinct recall campaigns
75,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 to 2026 model years. Data snapshot: . 5,421 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3,821 of 10,135 complaints (37.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1,261 | 12.4% |
| Engine operation | 940 | 9.3% |
| Steering behavior | 840 | 8.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 835 | 8.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 648 | 6.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 220 | 2.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3821 |
| Electrical System | 1338 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1283 |
| Power Train | 1045 |
| Structure:Body | 843 |
| Exterior Lighting | 771 |
| Air Bags | 629 |
| Steering | 526 |
Engine: 3,821; Electrical System: 1,338; Unknown Or Other: 1,283; Power Train: 1,045; Structure:Body: 843; Exterior Lighting: 771; Air Bags: 629; Steering: 526
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1028 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 658 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 984 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1015 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1328 |
| 150,000 and above | 408 |
Under 25,000: 1,028; 25,000 to 49,999: 658; 50,000 to 74,999: 984; 75,000 to 99,999: 1,015; 100,000 to 149,999: 1,328; 150,000 and above: 408
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1,328). 4,714 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 11 |
| 2004 | 28 |
| 2005 | 41 |
| 2006 | 43 |
| 2007 | 96 |
| 2008 | 94 |
| 2009 | 81 |
| 2010 | 123 |
| 2011 | 274 |
| 2012 | 210 |
| 2013 | 279 |
| 2014 | 374 |
| 2015 | 362 |
| 2016 | 445 |
| 2017 | 464 |
| 2018 | 649 |
| 2019 | 888 |
| 2020 | 737 |
| 2021 | 763 |
| 2022 | 926 |
| 2023 | 984 |
| 2024 | 1008 |
| 2025 | 732 |
| 2026 | 521 |
2002: 2; 2003: 11; 2004: 28; 2005: 41; 2006: 43; 2007: 96; 2008: 94; 2009: 81; 2010: 123; 2011: 274; 2012: 210; 2013: 279; 2014: 374; 2015: 362; 2016: 445; 2017: 464; 2018: 649; 2019: 888; 2020: 737; 2021: 763; 2022: 926; 2023: 984; 2024: 1,008; 2025: 732; 2026: 521
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1,261 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 940 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 840 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10052884 · 2004-01-12 (January 12, 2004)
FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED BY DEALER AFTER ONLY 20,000 MILES. DEALER SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE SORENTO. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10052884 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10058757 · 2004-02-23 (February 23, 2004)
BOUGHT 2003 SORENTO JULY 1, 2003. SOON AFTER THE BACK BRAKES OR SOMETHING AFTER BRAKING WOULD "CLUNK". WHETHER IS WAS AFTER RELEASING BRAKES OR SECONDS LATER IT WOULD "CLUNK" (DEALER KEEPS SAYING IT 'POPS', IT CLUNKS). FIRST TIME IN THEY DIDNT FEEL IT THEY SAID. SECOND TIME THEY FELT IT AND THEN SAID THEY DIDNT KNOW WHAT IT WAS AND WOULD CONTACT KIA ABOUT IT-----THIS THIRD TIME---THEY SAY ITS NORMAL FOR THE VEHICLE. FTER THE FIRST TIME IN THE SHOP FOR THE 'CLUNKING' THE SERIOUS VIBRATION ON THE HIGHWAY BEGAN TO BE FELT STARTING AT 68 MPH…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10058757 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023204 · 2003-06-16 (June 16, 2003)
PURCHASED 2003 KIA SORENTO 4X4 ON 5/26/03. ON 5/31/03 (ODOMETER 600 MILES)WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN THE POWER STEERING FAILED, ALMOST STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE, TRIED TO REGAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD. A FRIEND WAS IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME AND CAN ATTEST TO THE POWER STEERING FAILURE BECAUSE HE TRIED TO STEER THE VEHICLE ALSO. 6/2/03 DEALERSHIP REPLACED POWER STEERING RACK, GEAR AND ASSEMBLY. ON 6/10/03 (ODOMETER 830) POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN WHILE I WAS EXITING DOWN IN A PARKING GARAGE; HAD TO FIGHT WITH…
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023204 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10104350 · 2004-12-22 (December 22, 2004)
ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH POWER STEERING. FEELS LIKE ENGINE IS STALLING AND POWER STEERING IS LOCKING UP WHEN MAKING TURNS AT LOW SPEED. VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10104350 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10034462 · 2003-08-25 (August 25, 2003)
INTERMITTENTLY POWER STEERING FAILED, MAKING HARD TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10034462 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10146679 · 2006-01-02 (January 2, 2006)
ELECTRICAL FAILURE,COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE,ROUGH RUNNING-ENGINE MISFIRE PURCHASED CAR 2-22-2003 BRAND NEW THIS CAR HAS SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON THE DEALERS LIFT. ALSO HAS SEEN ITS SHARE OF TOW TRUCKS. IN THE PAST 1 1/2 YEARS I HAVE REPLACED 18 LEFT SIDE HEADLIGHTS,23 RIGHT SIDE HEADLIGHTS ,16 FOG LIGHTS,8 LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS AND 6 TAIL LIGHTS THE TRUCK HAS BEEN TO 3 DEALERS AND THEY ALL SAY ITS EITHER NORMAL OR IT'S ONLY BECAUSE I DID NOT BUY THE BULBS FROM KIA WELL SOME I DID AND THEY DO NOT LAST EITHER. THE LAST TIME IT WAS IN THEY HAD THE TRU…
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10146679 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10146681 · 2006-01-02 (January 2, 2006)
ELECTRICAL FAILURE,COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE,ROUGH RUNNING-ENGINE MISFIRE PURCHASED CAR 2-22-2003 BRAND NEW THIS CAR HAS SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON THE DEALERS LIFT. ALSO HAS SEEN ITS SHARE OF TOW TRUCKS. IN THE PAST 1 1/2 YEARS I HAVE REPLACED 18 LEFT SIDE HEADLIGHTS,23 RIGHT SIDE HEAD LIGHT ,16 FOG LIGHTS,8 LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS AND 6 TAIL LIGHTS THE TRUCK HAS BEEN TO 3 DEALERS AND THEY ALL SAY ITS EITHER NORMAL OR IT'S ONLY BECAUSE I DID NOT BUY THE BULBS FROM KIA WELL SOME I DID AND THEY DO NOT LAST EITHER. THE LAST TIME IT WAS IN THEY HAD THE TRU…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10146681 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10101766 · 2004-11-29 (November 29, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED CONSUMER SMELLED A BURNING ODOR. THEN, SMOKE CAME FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, TRANSMISSION FAILED AND FLAMES EMANATED FROM THE UNDER CARRIAGE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10101766 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10112870 · 2005-03-15 (March 15, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE BLEW OUT THE FIRST TIME ON 10-04-04. IT WAS REPLACED AND IT BLEW AGAIN ON 01-21-05. THE VEHICLE IS ON ITS THIRD ENGINE. *AK THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAS HAD TRANSMISSIONS AND ENGINE PROBLEMS SINCE HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE DAMAGED. THE FOG LIGHT WAS INOPERATIVE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 58,947 miles reported. Look up ODI 10112870 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10203356 · 2007-09-18 (September 18, 2007)
2003 KIA SORENTO. GAS TANK WILL NOT FILL AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO FILL THE CAR WILL SPEW GAS ONTO THE CONSUMER AND ALL OVER THE CAR AND SURROUNDING AREA CREATING A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. ACCORDING TO KIA I HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE GAS TANK ASSEMBLY BECAUSE IT'S DEFECTIVE. FOR NOW I HAVE TO PUMP THE GAS IN EXTREMELY SLOWLY AND IT TAKES APPROXIMATELY 12 TIMES LONGER THAN NORMAL. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 58,981 miles reported. Look up ODI 10203356 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10225550 · 2008-04-23 (April 23, 2008)
2003 KIA SORENTO. GAS TANK WILL NOT FILL AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO FILL THE CAR WILL SPEW GAS ONTO THE CONSUMER AND ALL OVER THE CAR AND SURROUNDING AREA CREATING A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. ACCORDING TO KIA I HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE GAS TANK ASSEMBLY BECAUSE IT'S DEFECTIVE. FOR NOW I HAVE TO PUMP THE GAS IN EXTREMELY SLOWLY AND IT TAKES APPROXIMATELY 12 TIMES LONGER THAN NORMAL. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10225550 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2010: 1; 2011: 7; 2012: 5; 2013: 5; 2014: 6; 2015: 3; 2016: 8; 2017: 4; 2018: 3; 2019: 2; 2020: 1; 2021: 4; 2022: 6; 2023: 3; 2024: 2; 2025: 3; 2026: 2
Year-by-year records
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Change in recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 305 | 1 | Not available |
| 2004 | 220 | 0 | -1 |
| 2005 | 307 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | 242 | 1 | +1 |
| 2007 | 154 | 4 | +3 |
| 2008 | 217 | 3 | -1 |
| 2009 | 55 | 2 | -1 |
| 2010 | 3 | 1 | -1 |
| 2011 | 1,517 | 7 | +6 |
| 2012 | 877 | 5 | -2 |
| 2013 | 981 | 5 | 0 |
| 2014 | 983 | 6 | +1 |
| 2015 | 749 | 3 | -3 |
| 2016 | 1,248 | 8 | +5 |
| 2017 | 801 | 4 | -4 |
| 2018 | 252 | 3 | -1 |
| 2019 | 426 | 2 | -1 |
| 2020 | 134 | 1 | -1 |
| 2021 | 242 | 4 | +3 |
| 2022 | 187 | 6 | +2 |
| 2023 | 118 | 3 | -3 |
| 2024 | 39 | 2 | -1 |
| 2025 | 73 | 3 | +1 |
| 2026 | 5 | 2 | -1 |