2005 Kia SorentoRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 307 owner complaints for the 2005 Kia Sorento. Most complaints involve engine (63) and exterior lighting (53). The EPA rates it 15–16 mpg combined.
Safety recalls
Owner complaints by component
- Engine63
- Exterior lighting53
- Electrical system49
- Engine and engine cooling44
- Air bags43
- Steering39
- Power train38
- Suspension25
- Structure14
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Sorento model year we’ve synced.
View as table
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 308 |
| 2004 | 220 |
| 2005 | 307 |
| 2006 | 242 |
| 2007 | 154 |
| 2008 | 217 |
| 2009 | 55 |
| 2011 | 1,520 |
| 2012 | 880 |
| 2013 | 983 |
| 2014 | 988 |
| 2015 | 755 |
| 2016 | 1,262 |
| 2017 | 808 |
| 2018 | 255 |
| 2019 | 435 |
| 2020 | 140 |
| 2021 | 25 |
| 2022 | 194 |
| 2023 | 126 |
| 2024 | 44 |
| 2025 | 77 |
| 2026 | 6 |
- Crashes reported
- 17
- Fires reported
- 5
- Injuries reported
- 20
- Deaths reported
- 1
What owners report most
Engine
“When driving there was a clunking noise and then the steering was hard to steer and the battery light came on & had to have it towed to find out that the harmonic balancer bolt broke. There are hundreds of complaints online about this same issue happening with these engines as this is a poor design. This is a safety hazard and very dangerous since you loose the steering and should be recalled.”
Exterior lighting
“NOTICED THAT I HAD A BRAKE LIGHT OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE,REPLACED IT WITH PROPER BULB 1157.A DOUBLE FILAMENT BULB. IT APPEARS THAT IS ALSO THE TAIL LIGHT? CHECKED LIGHT AND IT WORKED BUT LATER REALIZED THAT WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS OUT.THE NEXT DAY NOTICED THE DRIVER TAIL LIGHT WAS OUT AND REPLACED IT BUT LATER REALIZED THE BRAKE LIGHT DIDNT WORK,AS WELL AS MY CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AT THE SAME TIME.WENT TO AN AUTO CARE STORE THEY REPLACED BOTH OF THE LIGHTSAND AGAIN TAIL LIGHTS WORKED BUT WHEN I PRESSED BRAKE PEDAL NO LIGHTS. CHECKED AND REPLACED THE FUSE JUST TO BE SURE AND AT THIS POINT I GOT ON THE INTERNET AND SEEN 285 COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE MAJORITY OF THEM SAID THERE CRUISE CONTROL HAD STOPPED WORKING AS WELL AS THE SPORTAGE MODEL AND THE KIA SOUL.MOST SUGGESTIONS SAID REPLACE THE BRAKE SWITCH. I ALSO CHECKED FOR FAULTY WIRING AND THAT HAS NOT APPEARED TO BE THE PROBLEM AND MECHANICS 90 % OF THE TIME WERE UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL OR SOME SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM RESEARCHED BY KIA MECHANICS? IM STILL WAITING FOR THE ANSWER AND I SUSPECT MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE…”
Electrical system
“Electrical fire under drivers dash. While trying to drive the kia . called fire department and they responded quickly. I know there was recall on 2006 and believe 2005 should have been included Thanks [XXX] [XXX]”
Engines, transmissions & drive
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic 5-spd · Manual 5-spd
- Drive
- Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
EPA fuel economy by version
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sorento 2WD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Sorento 2WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Sorento 4WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Sorento 4WD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
- 16mpg comb.
- 16mpg comb.
- 16mpg comb.
- 15mpg comb.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Maintenance basics
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
2005 Sorento questions
How many recalls does the 2005 Kia Sorento have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 10, 2026.
What are the most common 2005 Kia Sorento problems?
Owners filed 307 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (63), exterior lighting (53), electrical system (49). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2005 Kia Sorento get?
The EPA rates the 2005 Kia Sorento at 15–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).