Problems · NHTSA complaints

2014 Kia Sorento problems

Owners filed 988 complaints about the 2014 Kia Sorento with NHTSA between Aug 2013 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (388).

Complaints
988
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
23
Reported by owners
Fires
46
Reported by owners
Injuries
24
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine388
  2. Structure160
  3. Electrical system153
  4. Exterior lighting86
  5. Power train72
  6. Air bags51
  7. Fuel/propulsion system46
  8. Service brakes44
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic37
  10. Steering35
  11. Vehicle speed control31
  12. Engine and engine cooling22
  13. Visibility18
  14. Suspension16

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 4, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
201315
201427
201519
201617
201746
201869
2019116
2020136
2021123
2022119
2023112
2024109
202543
202637

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

388 reports2 crashes29 fires
“Driving down the road and all of a sudden the red oil pressure light appeared then the engine light appeared. The car engine power then reduced and ultimately ended up stopping, turning the car off. The car now has a loud ticking and knock coming from engine. From previous recalls i see that this is a common problem on these cars. This was without warning and occured a couple of days after a oil change. Oil was in good condition and full. The car is drivable but not safe to do so. There's a loud rattling noise while accelarating. Leads me to believe possible lifters and rod knock.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 26, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11767088

Structure

160 reports2 fires
“my 2014 Kia Sorento is having a paint issue and I know their is a class action law suite to get repaired. The only complaint I have is the white pearl paint is chipping off the front of the roof and on the left and right sides of the windshield . I would like to see if my car qualifies to get these areas repainted”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 14, 2026StructureODI 11750396

Electrical system

153 reports5 crashes9 fires
“I am filing an official safety complaint against the manufacturer for refusing to perform federally mandated safety recall repairs on my vehicle. My vehicle is impacted by critical safety recalls involving high-severity fire risks, specifically the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) electrical short circuit risk. Corporate Customer Care and my local authorized dealership have officially refused to schedule or perform these safety recall repairs. The representatives explicitly stated that my vehicle is denied service because I purchased it used from a third-party private owner, and because I do not possess complete historical maintenance records. The manufacturer is conflating civil class-action lawsuit requirements with federally mandated safety recalls. Under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, a manufacturer cannot legally condition or deny an active, free safety recall repair based on a vehicle's third-party purchase history or maintenance records. Due to poorly trained employees at both the dealership and customer care offices, I have faced constant misinformation that has wasted an immense amount of my time. Because this non-compliance…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 28, 2026Electrical system, Service brakes, EngineODI 11760502

Exterior lighting

86 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, she became aware that the headlights were blown, and that the connector to the headlights had detached. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the HECU fuse needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 18, 2024Exterior lightingODI 11620700

Power train

72 reports2 crashes1 fire1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorrento. The contact stated that while driving, the engine suddenly seized in the middle of traffic. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with crankshaft failure. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer, where it was confirmed that the crankshaft had seized. The contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The manufacturer was notified of the failure.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 8, 2026Power trainODI 11762716

Air bags

51 reports9 crashes
“The contact's wife owned a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 33-35 MPH, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact's passenger side fender hit a pole, the vehicle continued to a hill, and the vehicle's front passenger side crashed into a utility pole where the vehicle came to a stop. The contact mentioned the first pole that was crashed into was very close to the roadway. The contact stated that the steering wheel air bag deployed, but deployed partially. The contact sustained a concussion, left arm burn, swollen left knee, and foot injuries that required medical attention via the hospital which confirmed the contact had a mild concussion. An ambulance provided medical attention on the scene but the contact declined to be transported to the hospital however took himself to the hospital a couple of days after the impact. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a lot where it was deemed totaled. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 21, 2024Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11621016
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026

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