Equipment complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2022 | 6 | 3% | 21,000 miles |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% | 20,000 miles |
| 2020 | 9 | 7% | 130,000 miles |
| 2019 | 7 | 2% | 116,000 miles |
| 2018 | 7 | 3% | — |
| 2017 | 5 | 1% | 117,000 miles |
| 2016 | 11 | 1% | 119,000 miles |
| 2015 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2014 | 1 | 0% | 18,000 miles |
| 2012 | 3 | 0% | 35,000 miles |
| 2011 | 5 | 0% | 69,000 miles |
| 2007 | 4 | 3% | 63,000 miles |
| 2006 | 1 | 0% | 8,000 miles |
| 2005 | 4 | 1% | 29,000 miles |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2003 | 5 | 2% | 67,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accessories, trailer hitches and other equipment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while using the OEM jack, it became stuck underneath the vehicle. The jack was very flimsy and was bent. The contact sustained injuries to his face, but no medical attention was provided. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,998.
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that he contacted the dealer who stated that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owned a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed smoke coming from the vehicle. The contact stated the fuse box located on the driver's side had caught on fire. The vehicle was extinguished by the Fire Department. A fire report was filed, and a fire report number was provided; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. A Police report was filed and provided to the contact. The dealer was not contacted. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000(Trailer Hitches). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the battery drained quickly after not driving the vehicle for several days. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owned a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the contact's residential driveway, the vehicle caught on fire. The vehicle was unoccupied. The contact stated that while packing the vehicle for a planned family trip, the contact noticed the fire. In addition, the contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated prior to the fire. The contact and other family members extinguished the fire with fire extinguishers that were at the contact's residence. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The insurance company condemned the vehicle as a total loss. In addition, the contact stated that the insurance investigation confirmed that the fire started as an electrical fire. The contact referenced an unknown recall which had a similar failure description, however the contact's VIN was not associated. …
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the local dealer and was informed that parts for the repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches) were not available. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who replaced the fuse. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the driver's side taillight became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer, where it was diagnosed that the taillight bulb, taillight assembly, and the wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted, opened a case, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 45,220.
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front headlights and rear taillights stopped working without warning. The contact also stated that the instrumental panel became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The contact was informed by the technician that the failure was likely a short circuit since the headlight bulbs had burned out. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches) and related the recall to the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not provided.
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. The contact stated that the vehicle has yet to be repaired. They are also seeking reimbursement for the vehicle because it is unsafe to drive.
Related recalls (3)
Equipment › Other › Labels
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sorento vehicles. The air bag warning labels on the driver and front passenger sun visors may detach. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver and front passenger sun visors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 10, 2023.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia Sorento years have equipment problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2016 (11), 2020 (9), 2018 (7), 2019 (7) and 2022 (6) model years. Equipment complaints make up 1% of all complaints for the 2016.
Is there a recall for Kia Sorento equipment problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 23V-579 (labels, Aug 15, 2023); 22V-703 (trailer hitches, Sep 19, 2022); 16V-862 (trailer hitches, Nov 30, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Kia Sorento equipment problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles; 57% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the electrical › radio/tape deck/cd etc. (2 mentions), followed by the electrical (2).
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.