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    Kia Sorento

    EPA MPG: 21 mpg

    RECALL ALERT:
    There are 3 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

    Reliability

    Overall Reliability

    We expect the 2025 Sorento will have about average reliability when compared to the average new car. This prediction is based on data from 2022 and 2023 models, and the Kia brand score.

    The 2018 Kia Sorento has been recalled 3 times by NHTSA. View Recalls
    Most Common Trouble Spots
    Common Trouble Spot
    Common Trouble Spot

    Owner Reported Trouble Spots

    The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2018 Kia Sorento owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.

    Body Hardware

    Windows, locks and latches, doors or sliding doors, tailgate, trunk or hatch, mirrors, seat controls (power or manual), seat belts, sunroof, convertible top, glass defect.

    What Owners Say

    Mirrors

    "The driver side power mirror sometimes does not return to open position when approaching the car or even when the car is on. Sometimes I have to push it to the open position before I start driving. I have had it to the dealership but they tell me there is no code coming up when they do diagnostics. It has not been resolved."

    Anonymous, ON (2018 Kia Sorento SXL 3.3-L V6)
    Seat controls - power

    "Seats wouldnt recover from reclining."

    Anonymous A., WA (2018 Kia Sorento 3.3-L V6)

    "Driver's Seat Movement Control is sometimes intermit ant. If we move seat back with the control it will sometimes not be able to function until a restart."

    Anonymous A., FL (2018 Kia Sorento EX 3.3-L V6)

    "The passenger power seat controls have not worked properly since we purchased the car. We had trouble reclining and moving the seat to an upright position. We would have to moves the controls many times before we could get it to move. Finally, this past year it stopped working. We had to replace the motor for the power seat control and it was past the warranty period, so we had to pay for it ourselves."

    Anonymous, ON (2018 Kia Sorento SXL 3.3-L V6)

    Noises And Leaks

    Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, seals and/or weather stripping, air and water leaks.

    What Owners Say

    Air or water leaks

    "will not hold windshield wiper fluid (water)"

    Anonymous, SC (2018 Kia Sorento LX 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)
    Other noises & leaks problem

    "It started at about 45,000 miles It is a problem Kia admits to Oil leaking into other parts of the engine or transmission I have to add oil every 1,000 to 2,000 miles Kia has had to replace engines that have had serious problems due to this oil problem"

    Anonymous, SC (2018 Kia Sorento LX 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)
    Squeaks or rattles

    "Knocking upon acceleration"

    Anonymous, NC (2018 Kia Sorento LX 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

    Exhaust

    Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, heat shields, leaks.

    What Owners Say

    Other/unsure

    "Security issue. Covered by Kia"

    Anonymous, FL (2018 Kia Sorento EX 3.3-L V6)

    "Weve had issues with the cruise control since we purchased the vehicle. Kia cant diagnose the issue because whenever we take it in, the problem goes away. Wouldnt buy another Kia because of this."

    Anonymous A., ON (2018 Kia Sorento SX 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

    "The whole "you can steal this car with a USB cable" thing. The dealer eventually added the software fix when I took it in for maintenance."

    Anonymous, DC (2018 Kia Sorento LX 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

    Engine Major

    Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbocharger or supercharger, timing chain or belt.

    What Owners Say

    Engine rebuild or replacement

    "Engine is currently being replaced"

    Anonymous, (2018 Kia Sorento LX 2.4-L 4 Cyl)
    Other major engine problem

    "At approx 90,000, the engine began requiring 1-2 qts of oil every 1000 miles or so. There was no leakage."

    Anonymous, CT (2018 Kia Sorento LX 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

    Engine Electrical

    Alternator, starter, hybrid battery replacement, hybrid battery related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, spark plugs and wires failure, auto stop/start.

    What Owners Say

    Starter

    "Car would not start immediately in cold weather; we had to try starting it 10-20 times over 5-10 minutes. It always started eventually, but we had to replace the starter."

    Anonymous A., PA (2018 Kia Sorento SXL 3.3-L V6)

    Electrical Accessories

    Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, USB ports, alarm or security system, remote engine start, heated or cooled seats, heated steering wheel, headlights, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, wireless charging pad.

    What Owners Say

    Body control module

    "Unable to shift out of Park; shift interlock would not work. Could disengage Park manually. Replace control module fixed it."

    Anonymous, MA (2018 Kia Sorento EX 3.3-L V6)

    Climate System

    AC compressor, blower (fan) motor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate system, electrical failure, refrigerant leakage.

    What Owners Say

    Other climate system problem

    "Air conditioner works intermittently. Blows cold air sometimes and hot air other times. Just scheduled a repair appointment."

    Anonymous, CA (2018 Kia Sorento LX 3.3-L V6)

    Brakes

    Premature pad/rotor wear, pulsation or vibration, antilock system, parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, squeaking, brake failure, regenerative braking.

    What Owners Say

    Antilock braking system (ABS)

    "ABS light came on. Didnt effect driving initially but were told not to drive it. 6 months later had to replace the brake switch"

    Anonymous A., GA (2018 Kia Sorento 3.3-L V6)

    Engine Minor

    Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, fuel leaks, oil leaks.

    What Owners Say

    Other minor engine problem

    "The engine model in this vehicle has had a known issue that Kia has tried to address with a knock sensor. Our sensor failed and a new one was installed. The good news is that Kia has finally owned up to the problem with this 2.0 Liter turbo engine and if a knock is sensed or if the engine fails before we get to 150,000 miles, they will cover the cost of replacing the engine..."

    Anonymous, WI (2018 Kia Sorento LX 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

    Paint And Trim

    Paint (fading, chalking, peeling, or cracking), loose interior or exterior trim or moldings, rust.

    What Owners Say

    Loose exterior trim or moldings

    "Kia label fell off grill"

    Anonymous, NC (2018 Kia Sorento LX 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

    Steering And Suspension

    Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

    What Owners Say

    Shocks or struts

    "Premature failure of the suspension system resulting in repair to breakes, shocks, and suspension. Not covered by waranty. Took car out of commission for a week."

    Anonymous, GA (2018 Kia Sorento EX 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

    In-car Electronics

    Infotainment system (audio, GPS, phone), rear entertainment system, backup or other camera/sensors, head-up display.

    Drive System

    Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, four-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive components, driveline vibration, electrical failure, traction control, electronic stability control.

    Transmission Minor

    Gear selector and linkage, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission, leaks.

    Transmission Major

    Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, premature clutch replacement.

    Engine Cooling

    Radiator, cooling fan, water pump, thermostat, antifreeze leaks, overheating.

    Fuel System/Emissions

    Sensors (O₂, or oxygen, sensor), emission-control devices (includes EGR), fuel-injection system, fuel gauge/sender, fuel pump, problems filling up the tank.

    2018 SUVs Reliability

    This Car
    vs. Similar Cars

    Kia vs. Other New Car Brands Reliability

    Reliability History
    * Redesign year
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    Overall Reliability Verdict
    NA
    NA
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    NA
    POTENTIAL TROUBLE SPOTS
    Powertrain
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
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    NA
    Engine Major
    NA
    NA
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    NA
    NA
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    NA
    Engine Minor
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
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    NA
    Engine Cooling
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Engine Electrical
    NA
    NA
    NA
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    NA
    NA
    NA
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    Transmission Major
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Transmission Minor
    NA
    NA
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    NA
    NA
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    NA
    Drive System
    NA
    NA
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    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Fuel System/Emissions
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Exhaust
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Steering and Suspension
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Brakes
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Climate System
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Build Quality
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Electrical Accessories
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Body Hardware
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Paint/Trim
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Noises/Leaks
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    In-car Electronics
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Reliability indicates how models have performed in the past, providing the basis for predicting how the vehicles will hold up in the year ahead. These charts provide the most comprehensive reliability information available to consumers. Based on information received from our latest subscriber survey for over 300,000 vehicles, our reliability history charts give you a rundown on how 2000 through 2024 vehicles are holding up in 20 potential trouble spots, ranging from the engine, transmission, electric motor, EV charging, and brakes to power equipment and the electrical accessories. NA indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
    Recalls
    PROVIDED BY
    TRAILER HITCHES
    Sep 19, 2022
    A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
    Summary:
    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. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
    What should you do:
    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. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
    For more information:
    Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
    NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 22V703000
    Potential Number of Units Affected: 70887
    STEERING
    Sep 21, 2018
    If the steering column separates, it can cause a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Summary:
    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.
    What should you do:
    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.
    For more information:
    Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
    NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 18V656000
    Potential Number of Units Affected: 97
    AIR BAGS
    Dec 08, 2017
    If the component detaches during deployment, it may enter the passenger compartment and be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
    Summary:
    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The side curtain air bags on these vehicles have a component that may detach during deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag.
    What should you do:
    Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC159.
    For more information:
    Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
    NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 17V784000
    Potential Number of Units Affected: 2014
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