Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Kia Sorento owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V088000 (electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle decelerate. The contact stated she depressed the brake pedal however the vehicle failed to stop. The contact stated the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact was able to park on the side of the road. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact also stated she saw smoke exiting the hood. The contact stated a sheriff was on the scene to assist her and he opened the hood and more smoke was seen however, no flames were seen. The vehicle was towed to Kia of vacaville (651 orange dr, vacaville, ca 95687; [phone]), where it was diagnosed with a cracked radiator that needs to be replaced. …
While the vehicle was sitting, not running, the car began to smoke from the drivers side engine compartment and under the dash. The smoke got much worse and the heat from the source was growing. After opening the hood and disconnecting the positive terminal on the battery the smoke slowed and eventually stopped all together. Note - the car was parked and the engine was not running. Also the car was, and had been sitting since the night before and the engine was cold to the touch when the electrical fire transpired. Note: the locations that were bellowing smoke were hot to the touch and the smoke was black and gray. The inside of the cab had filled up with smoke as well and had a strange new odor that is unpleasant to say the least. Over all the car did not catch full fire and the damage is not visible to the eye. The enteral unseen damage May be significant. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while at idle at fast food drive thru, when he saw smoke exiting from the hood. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park at the parking lot and was able to extinguished the fire with a wet towel. A fire report was field with the fire department. The contact stated no one was injured or sought medical attention. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to local dealer Kia atlanta south (7310 jonesboro rd, morrow, ga 30260. [phone]) where the vehicle was still being diagnosed. The VIN was associated to NHTSA campaign number: 20V088000 (electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic). The manufacturer had been informed of failure and stated the failure was not associated to recall associated to the VIN. The failure mileage was 102,000.
Daughter was driving the vehicle when the turn signals started flashing. As she pulled to a stop, someone came up to her window and told her there was smoke coming from the back of the vehicle. She pulled in to a parking lot to call me. When I arrived at the vehicle there was a small fire coming from underneath the right rear of the vehicle. Fire department was called and fire was out by the time they arrived. Fire department looked underneath the vehicle and found that the trailer hitch wiring harness shorted out and started on fire. My daughter was not towing anything at the time. Wiring harness is OEM
Tl contact owns a 2007 Kia Sorento. Three days after purchasing the vehicle, the air bag light illuminated, which indicated that the passenger side air bag was deactivated. While driving between 40-45 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and jerked. When the vehicle is stopped at a stop sign or a red light, the exterior lights shut off. The contact has had to strike the dashboard in order to get the air conditioning to work. In addition, none of the windows will roll down. The blinkers, turn signal, and cruise control do not work. After owning the vehicle for ten months, the alternator had to be replaced and it currently needs to be replaced again. The rails to step up into the vehicle had to be replaced twice. During a crash with a deer, both the driver's and passenger side air bags failed to deployed and the seat belts did not work. As a result, the passenger sustained a broken arm. …
I received a manufacturer recall notice about possible fires due to braking circuits in the early spring, but the dealership knew nothing about it. The car was parked outside as suggested. I received a second notice at the end of June. The SUV was serviced 7/14/20 for a recall on the braking circuit. On 8/22/20 a beautifully clear Saturday, I was driving home from a neighboring community on a paved country road. I noticed that the ESC off indicator light displayed on the dashboard. I stopped to look in the manual to see if the car was driveable. I parked my car in the garage after arriving home and noticed that tail lights/brake lights remained on even with the engine turned off. Because of two prior manufacturer warnings about fire with the electrical system, I parked the car outside away from the house as recommended. …
My 07 Kia Sorento when trying to enter the state highway. When you push down on the accelerator pedal. The viechel state to accelerate and then all of a sudden the ESC. Light comes on and the SUV. Goes into safe limp mode. Where it will not accelerate and will not climb over 20mph. For a very long period. My family and I have been in a few situations where we were almost hit. Looking online I can see that this is far from being a isolated ordeal. And that because of the age of the viechel . I am reading where more and more people are dealing with the same issue but not going to the dealer because of the cost involved. With the number of the viechels sold there have to be quite a few that have resulted in a accident that involves bodily injury. If not god forbid even death. I just hope this reaches the desk or screen of someone who can investigate this matter. …
I just received a recall on my Kia Sorento, it says it is due to a electrical anti lock brake system. And followed by this letter my light does stay on for this part and other lights are on too do to this. I'm scared to death to drive this Kia now. I think for this kind of problem, they should recall the entire vehicle. And give me a brand new Kia sorrento. Because this is life or death,and this is the only vehicle I have to take care of my daughter. To school and doctor, or what ever her needs and mine are. I am a single mother on a fixed income and I'm very scared for mine and my child's life or who rides with us. So I think Kia dealership should take my Kia that's recalled and give me a new one for that. I travel alot everyday and I need a dependable vehicle and shouldn't have to worry about my family's safety for using my Kia.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Kia Sorento. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled and several warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the alternator failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where it was confirmed that the alternator failed again and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was once again repaired, but the failure persisted approximately a month later. The contact stated that the alternator was replaced a total of eight times since April of 2016. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. . ..updated 12/12/16
I own a 2007 Kia Sorento. Recently, my check engine and ESC off lights became illuminated on my dashboard. I noticed that my brake lights were not illuminating when I pressed the brake pedal. After looking up my car make and model on the NHTSA website, I noticed there was a recall for my model year Sorento for the exact same problems (NHTSA campaign number 13V114000/Kia service campaign sc098). I took the carto my local Kia dealership and they told me I was not eligible for the recall as my VIN was not included. As such, I have to drive around without functional brake lamps until I get this problem resolved--increasing my chances of being rear-ended. I travel constantly for work so I do not have the luxury of not driving. This needs to be investigated and resolved.
Related recalls
Electrical system
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the main junction box to prevent power from being directed to the HECU when the vehicle's ignition switch is turned off, free of charge.
Electrical complaints in other Sorento years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2007 Kia Sorento?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the electrical system of the 2007 Kia Sorento, 14% of the model year's 154 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Kia Sorento electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 20V-088 (electrical system, Feb 14, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2007 Kia Sorento electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 120,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 5 fires and 1 injury to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.