2018 Kia Sorento problems
The 2018 Kia Sorento has 344 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (33%) concerns engine. After that come lighting (12%) and electrical system (9%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 344 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 33% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 19 and 20
- Injuries and deaths
- 16 and 3
- Typical mileage
- 49,000 miles 91 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 30 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 14 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 10 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 18 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 8 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 6 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 2 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 3 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 91 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 49,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 80,000 miles (30 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 19 complaints mention a crash; 20 complaints mention a fire; 16 injuries reported; 3 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2018 ranks 12th most-complained-about out of 22 model years of the Kia Sorento with enough data (186 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 3 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
I have replaced my rotors and my brakes soon as I got the car I’ve had the car for a month now I was in a major accident. Someone walked in front of my car. My emergency brake system did not work my rotors and my brakes, have been scrubbing ever since I got the car. And I don’t know how to fix the situation. The brakes are still going out and sound very horrible. I can’t keep replacing them because I don’t think they need to be replaced. Is something wrong with the car.
Since 2/2020 I have been back and forth to the dealership multiple times for my check engine light. The dealership has replaced multiple different parts but the light continues to come back on. The dealership has been in contact with kia corporate mechanics and they do not seem to know what the problem is as well. I am very frustrated because I have also reached out to kia corporate office and they have been of no assistance. I do not feel safe driving this vehicle and has voiced this concern multiple times.
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.