2015 Kia SORENTO: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
749 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
75,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2015 model year. Data snapshot: . 341 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 359 of 749 complaints (47.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 79 | 10.5% |
| Braking behavior | 66 | 8.8% |
| Steering behavior | 50 | 6.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 39 | 5.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 20 | 2.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 0.9% |
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 | 359 |
| Unknown Or Other | 113 |
| Structure:Body | 95 |
| Exterior Lighting | 86 |
| Electrical System | 57 |
| Power Train | 42 |
| Steering | 32 |
| Air Bags | 30 |
Engine: 359; Unknown Or Other: 113; Structure:Body: 95; Exterior Lighting: 86; Electrical System: 57; Power Train: 42; Steering: 32; Air Bags: 30
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 40 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 37 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 93 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 75 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 77 |
| 150,000 and above | 19 |
Under 25,000: 40; 25,000 to 49,999: 37; 50,000 to 74,999: 93; 75,000 to 99,999: 75; 100,000 to 149,999: 77; 150,000 and above: 19
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (93). 408 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 |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 12 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 15 |
| 2017 | 28 |
| 2018 | 45 |
| 2019 | 91 |
| 2020 | 88 |
| 2021 | 123 |
| 2022 | 100 |
| 2023 | 98 |
| 2024 | 67 |
| 2025 | 46 |
| 2026 | 28 |
2014: 12; 2015: 8; 2016: 15; 2017: 28; 2018: 45; 2019: 91; 2020: 88; 2021: 123; 2022: 100; 2023: 98; 2024: 67; 2025: 46; 2026: 28
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 79 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 66 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 50 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10593145 · 2014-05-21 (May 21, 2014)
I WAS DRIVING MY NEW KIA SORENTO ON A TWO LANE ROAD. WHILE DRIVING IN A PASSING ZONE GOING 50-55 MPH, I ATTEMPTED TO PASS A TRUCK. MY RIGHT HAND BUMPED THE GEAR SHIFT TO THE LEFT (AT THAT TIME I HAD NO IDEA THAT BY SLIGHTLY BUMPING THE GEAR SHIFT THE VEHICLE WENT FROM AUTOMATIC TO MANUAL...THERE IS ALSO A BOOT OVER THE GEAR SHIFT THAT PREVENTS VISUAL CONFIRMATION THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN A DIFFERENT MODE ). WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PASS THE TRUCK, MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 55-60 FOR APPROXIMATELY 11 SECONDS. I NARROWLY MISSED A HEAD ON …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10593145 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10596586 · 2014-06-06 (June 6, 2014)
OUR 2015 KIA SORENTO LX WITH TOURING PACKAGE WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY WHEN THE TAILGATE WINDOW EXPLODED AND SHATTERED ALL OVER THE DRIVEWAY. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS IN OR NEXT TO IT AT THE TIME. VEHICLE IS BACK AT FUCILLA KIA DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. IT IS ONLY ONE WEEK SINCE WE PICKED UP THE BRAND NEW CAR AND IT IS ALREADY IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIR...NOT A GOOD OMEN AND WE ARE NOT HAPPY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 84 miles reported. Look up ODI 10596586 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10605212 · 2014-06-23 (June 23, 2014)
TL ' THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS FLAGGED BY ANOTHER MOTORIST AND NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK AT THE FUEL PUMP INLET. THE FUEL PUMP WAS CLEANED AND RE-ATTACHED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,744. JCC
Owner-reported narrative. 2,744 miles reported. Look up ODI 10605212 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10615106 · 2014-07-21 (July 21, 2014)
HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE FITTINGS DETERMINED TO BE DEFECTIVE AND NOT FITTING CORRECTLY. LINE(S) BECAME DETACHED CAUSING NEAR CATASTROPHIC FUEL SPILL IN CROWDED PARKING LOT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 3,730 miles reported. Look up ODI 10615106 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10628777 · 2014-08-27 (August 27, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WENT INTO "SAFE MODE" AND DECELERATED TO 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10628777 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10632241 · 2014-09-10 (September 10, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LINKAGE NEEDED TO BE ADJUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. UPDATED 10/24/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS T…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10632241 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10639657 · 2014-09-28 (September 28, 2014)
THIS CAR IS VERY HARD TO STEER! IT WANDERS LEFT AND RIGHT, I CONSTANTLY HAVE TO KEEP MAKING CORRECTIONS. IT WILL NOT GO STRAIGHT. IT IS DANGEROUS! I CAN NOT MAKE IT GO STRAIGHT. DRIVING IT REQUIRES CONTINUOUS CORRECTIONS, WHEN YOU DO TRY TO CORRECT THE STEERING OVER CORRECTS AND YOU GO DRIFT THE OTHER DIRECTION. IT IS VERY FATIGUING ! THE ELECTRONIC STEERING DOES NOT WORK! ON MY FIRST CALL TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME TO PUT IT IN "SPORT" MODE. THIS DID NOTHING. I SEE THAT OTHERS HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS SO KIA KNOWS THAT IT DOES NOT WOR…
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10639657 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10649724 · 2014-10-24 (October 24, 2014)
I PURCHASED A NEW 2015 KIA SORENTO MAY 17, 2014. AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD LAST NIGHT AT APPROXIMATELY 45MPH, SUDDENLY THE CAR JERKED AROUND, SOUNDED LIKE I DOWNSHIFTED (ALTHOUGH IT'S AN AUTOMATIC) AND I GOT THE DIAGNOSTIC MESSAGE OF THE "ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM- POSSIBLE ENGINE CONDITION" IT TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE IMMEDIATELY. THEY SAID TODAY THAT THEY HAD TO ORDER A NEW THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY AND IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS FOR ME TO DRIVE. NOT SURE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THESE PROBLEMS YET BUT IT SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENI…
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10649724 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
18V907000 · Engine | Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 2018-12-19 (December 19, 2018)
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.
Consequence: 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 campaign record ↗20V519000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
Reported: 2020-08-27 (August 27, 2020)
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.
Consequence: 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 campaign record ↗21V331000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
Reported: 2021-05-10 (May 10, 2021)
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.
Consequence: 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 campaign record ↗