Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Kia Sorento owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel started shaking abnormally and swaying back and forth. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that he inquired if the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V656000 (Steering) and was informed that his vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000. The contact stated that the dealership was able to fix the issue.
In January 2024 I started getting power steering issues and multiple warning lights related to the electrical systems. I took my vehicle to Car Pros Kia for inspection and repair on 2/1/2024. They took it for a test drive at which time it caught fire.
Loud clunkiness when steering the wheel at 0 mph started occurring at about ~ 75,000 miles. The steering wheel then vibrates when driving atop the slightest uneven pavement, with more clunckiness coming from the front side of the car and a metal on metal rattle. The vehicle was taken to the authorized Kia service where they determined that there was a faulty steering wheel column, but that the vehicle "WAS STILL SAFE TO DRIVE." Repairs are $3,000 on something they acknowledge is potentially a small faulty part in the wheel column - plastic coupler in the EPAS (extended warranty had been issued for other Hyundai/Kia models with the same issue.) Kia refused to repair at no cost on either bases of safety or quality issues, even though there is no scheduled maintenance repair on this part of the car; i.e., the steering system should last for as long as the car remains in ownership and all …
Me and my wife were traveling north on [redacted], left lane, 18 wheeler in right lane, cars directly behind us, 70 mph, when there was an abrupt thud, and slight skid, then lost all power from the engine. There were no warning indicators at the time. When the engine failed, we almost hit the tractor next to us. Looking in the mirror to try to determine what to do, as steering was hard to perform, there was a large cloud of black and blue smoke, the car behind us being covered in smoke and most likely oil too. The car behind us aggressively braked and ducked in behind the 18 wheeler just before a rear impact would have occurred. We finally got to safety on the side of the road as the traffic stacked up behind us was able to reduce speed in time. I had my car towed to the KIA dealership in Springfield, MO. …
On 9/14/2023 I stopped at an intersection to wait for traffic to clear. Upon entering the intersection a large yellow warning notification indicating a problem with the steering system was illuminated. Simultaneously the power steering system was apparently disabled. I was only able to steer the car with great effort. Fortunately I was stopped just before this happened so I was going less than 5 MPH. I continued to a parking lot where I was able to stop safely. I parked, shut off the vehicle, and restarted. The yellow warning notification was cleared the power steering returned to normal function. The problem has not returned in more than 50 miles of subsequent driving. There was no accident as a result of this failure. On 9/24/2023 the vehicle was taken to a Kia dealership. …
I was driving and when I lost all power steering the lights on the dash came on for power steering and traction I could not steer at all it was so hard to drive . I reported it right away and had my car check out there is a recall on the power steering but they are saying my car was made in April and the recall starts for cars made in June . Well now they are saying I need a new steering column when u turn the wheel u hear a load clunk noise my dash light go on and off when you turn the wheel and you lose power to the vehicle I also burn threw light bulbs monthly I think it's also a electrical issue within this vehicle I have already had to get a new engine this vehicle in junk and has costed me a fortune and the keep denying to cover there at fault for any of it and it's there fault it's not just my car they are all like this.
When trying to move the steering wheel, it initially sticks and requires extra force to get it to provide a steering input. Once it gets past the initial resistance, it jerks the car in the direction you are trying to go which required compensation in the other direction. Upon correction, it jerks the car in the opposite direction causing a continual need to correct the steering wheel to keep the car straight and causing the car to not be able to maintain perfectly straight travel. On large sweeping corners, this problem is even more pronounced and feels dangerous. This happens mostly on longer trips where the vehicle has been on the road more than 30 minutes.
Sometimes this condition hardly noticable and other times very stiff then move steering wheel slightly and full assist. Seems more prevalent after driving 1/2 hour or more on expressway steering becomes stiff and ratchety. This causes steering to stick whenever driving at highway then driver is putting more effort to overcome stuck wheel. When breaks loose vehicle goes to far in that direction then sticks again causing to stick again and over corrects other direction. This goes from annoying and uncomfortable to just plain dangerous depending on conditions speed weather and proximity to other vehicles or obstacles.
The steering started to fail and would be hard to steer while driving.I then looked further online and found that a recall was issued for the steering column and how dangerous it was to continue driving the vehicle for the cross as stated in the recall could seperate and one could lose steering and cause a crash so we; my wife and I managed to get the car safely to the dealer for further diagnostic only to find out that although a recall was issued for the steering problem. Our vin was not included and we had to pay for the repair.
Clunking and sticking steering wheel due to rubber coupling that connects electric steering motor to steering column disintegrates. The dealer acknowledges that there is a mass wide issue with this component failure, but says it is not covered under warranty past 60k miles, nor is there a recall, but there are TSB's regarding it. This problem clearly puts drivers of these vehicles and surrounding motorist in danger of head on collisions.
Related recalls
Steering › Electric power assist system
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The cowl crossbar that connects to the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) steering column may be improperly welded, allowing the steering column to separate.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cowl crossbar, free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC167.
Steering complaints in other Sorento years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2018 Kia Sorento?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the steering of the 2018 Kia Sorento, 10% of the model year's 255 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2018 Kia Sorento steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-656 (electric power assist system, Sep 21, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2018 Kia Sorento steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 22,000 miles, and 64% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to steering 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.