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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2007 Kia SorentoRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 154 owner complaints for the 2007 Kia Sorento. Most complaints involve air bags (58) and electrical system (21). The EPA rates it 17–18 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
17–18mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Feb 2020
Owner complaints
154
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system

Free remedy

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.

Electrical systemReported Feb 14, 2020NHTSA 20V088000

Exterior lighting: switch

Remedy pending

Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 1, 2013NHTSA 13V114000

Air bags: sensor

Free remedy

KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 SORENTO PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 15, 2006 THROUGH NOVEMBER 27, 2007. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY BE TURNED OFF WHEN AN ADULT IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IS DESIGNED TO BE TURNED OFF IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES INCLUDING WHEN CHILDREN AND SMALL ADULTS ARE SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THERE IS A CHILD RESTRAINT IN THAT SEAT OR THE SEAT IS NOT OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS), WHICH CLASSIFIES THE OCCUPANT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, MAY MISCLASSIFY AN ADULT PASSENGER AS A CHILD OR CHILD SEAT AND IMPROPERLY TURN OFF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. WHEN THE AIR BAG IS DEACTIVATED THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE CENTER INSTRUMENT PANEL.

Air bagsReported Sep 7, 2011NHTSA 11V473000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

154 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2007 – Oct 2024
  1. Air bags58
  2. Electrical system21
  3. Power train20
  4. Service brakes18
  5. Electronic stability control (esc)18
  6. Exterior lighting12
  7. Vehicle speed control10
  8. Structure9
  9. Engine7

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Sorento model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2003308
2004220
2005307
2006242
2007154
2008217
200955
20111,520
2012880
2013983
2014988
2015755
20161,262
2017808
2018255
2019435
2020140
202125
2022194
2023126
202444
202577
20266
Crashes reported
10
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
10
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

58 reports5 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE CONTACT SAT IN THE SEAT. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,200.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 15, 2020Air bagsODI 11364482

Electrical system

21 reports1 crash5 fires
“I RECEIVED A MANUFACTURER RECALL NOTICE ABOUT POSSIBLE FIRES DUE TO BRAKING CIRCUITS IN THE EARLY SPRING, BUT THE DEALERSHIP KNEW NOTHING ABOUT IT. THE CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE AS SUGGESTED. I RECEIVED A SECOND NOTICE AT THE END OF JUNE. THE SUV WAS SERVICED 7/14/20 FOR A RECALL ON THE BRAKING CIRCUIT. ON 8/22/20 A BEAUTIFULLY CLEAR SATURDAY, I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM A NEIGHBORING COMMUNITY ON A PAVED COUNTRY ROAD. I NOTICED THAT THE ESC OFF INDICATOR LIGHT DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD. I STOPPED TO LOOK IN THE MANUAL TO SEE IF THE CAR WAS DRIVEABLE. I PARKED MY CAR IN THE GARAGE AFTER ARRIVING HOME AND NOTICED THAT TAIL LIGHTS/BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ON EVEN WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. BECAUSE OF TWO PRIOR MANUFACTURER WARNINGS ABOUT FIRE WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, I PARKED THE CAR OUTSIDE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE AS RECOMMENDED. I CALLED THE KIA DEALERSHIP AT 4:30 THAT DAY AND ARRANGED WITH CAMERON TO DROP THE SUV OFF ON SUNDAY. ON SUNDAY, MY NEIGHBOR HELPED JUMP START MY CAR AND HE FOOLED AROUND UNDER THE DASH TO TURN THE BRAKE LIGHTS OFF. HE SAID TO TELL THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE WIRES WERE WARM WHICH I DID. I INCLUDED A LIST OF CONCERNS/FACTS WITH MY KEY IN THE DROP…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 17, 2020Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11355554

Power train

20 reports2 crashes
“WE HAD AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THE CAR AND IT WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP A COUPLE HUNDRED MILES FROM HOME. THERE THE DEALER NOTICED THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE REAR END ON HAD RUSTED AWAY AND IT WAS LEAKING FLUID. THE CAR HAS AROUND 45,000 MILES ON IT AND I FEEL THAT AN ISSUE LIKE THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL AS I HAVE SINCE FOUND IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND WAS RECALLED IN EUROPE FOR THE SAME THING. MY DAUGHTER COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN A KIA DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES SO FAR THIS YEAR FOR AN OIL LEAK ISSUE AND THEY SHOULD HAVE MENTIONED THIS ISSUE. THE WARRANTY RAN OUT IN MAY AFTER THE LAST VISIT UP TO THIS ONE. THE DEALER EVEN SAID THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A FIRE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 11, 2017Suspension, Power trainODI 11032964
All 2007 Sorento problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.3L 6-cyl · 3.8L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 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.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Sorento 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162218$3,450494
Sorento 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152117$3,650523
Sorento 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152017$3,650523
Sorento 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152217$3,650523
  • Sorento 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Sorento 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L
    15 city · 21 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Sorento 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L
    15 city · 20 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Sorento 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    15 city · 22 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2007 Kia Sorento as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 2336
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat 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
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2007 Sorento questions

How many recalls does the 2007 Kia Sorento have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2007 Kia Sorento problems?

Owners filed 154 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (58), electrical system (21), power train (20). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2007 Kia Sorento get?

The EPA rates the 2007 Kia Sorento at 17–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026