Problems · NHTSA complaints

2015 Kia Sorento problems

Owners filed 755 complaints about the 2015 Kia Sorento with NHTSA between May 2014 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (363).

Complaints
755
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
21
Reported by owners
Fires
14
Reported by owners
Injuries
25
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine363
  2. Structure100
  3. Exterior lighting91
  4. Electrical system58
  5. Power train42
  6. Steering33
  7. Air bags30
  8. Fuel/propulsion system28
  9. Vehicle speed control22
  10. Service brakes21
  11. Service brakes, hydraulic15
  12. Visibility/wiper8
  13. Electronic stability control (esc)8
  14. Seats6

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 3, 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
201412
20158
201615
201728
201845
201991
202088
2021123
2022100
202398
202467
202546
202634

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

363 reports6 crashes9 fires
“The contact rented a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the headlights and tail lights intermittently failed to illuminate or shorted out, and the check engine warning light illuminated. While driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle suddenly seized in the middle of an intersection, and the contact was unable to move the gear shifter out of gear. The local police department arrived on the scene and assisted the contact by disassembling components around the gear shifter in order to shift the transmission into neutral (N). The vehicle was then towed back to the rental business. The failure mileage was approximately 207,000. The VIN was not available.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 13, 2026EngineODI 11770780

Structure

100 reports3 crashes1 fire
“Paint De lamination on Snow White Pearl due to manufacturing defect Date listed was the date it started to peel. Started peeling around the window first. Then it continued on the front hood.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 7, 2026StructureODI 11755502

Exterior lighting

91 reports1 crash
“The headlights are so dim that I could not see at night. I am forced to drive with the fog lights on for any amount of visibility. I recently replaced the headlights with factory replacements and now the connectors going into the back have failed and power only makes it to the lights when Mercury is in retrograde. This is unacceptable and a severe safety hazard.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 3, 2026Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiperODI 11761812

Electrical system

58 reports4 fires
“I parked my car and it was sitting for about an hour I came back to the car and heard a humming noise found that weird but I had to drive home about 10 mins later I parked car, sound was still going even while car was off. So I thought to let it sit for another while. Came back to car sound was still on I started car and the abs, traction, & brake light came on and not even 2 mins later my car starts smoking. So immediately I shut it off and have to leave my car parked in another city because I didn’t want to risk driving it home. Fast forward to next day. I got to my car and notice the speedometer had went out. i called Kia because I read about the HECU ABS recall. the service rep assured me my car would be covered so I pay a tow to get it towed to Kia dealer where they then tell me the recall had been repaired in a year that I didn’t even own the car and they refuse to look at it or fix without a fee. With this problem being a fire hazard and a manufacturing problem I should not have to come out of pocket for Kia mistake. I will be escalating this to corporate level.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 11, 2026Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11749754

Power train

42 reports1 crash
“I was driving with my son when my 2015 Kia Sorento stopped in traffic. I remember warning lights coming on my dash including the engine light, oil light and battery light. However, I was more concerned about getting my hazards on so we would not be hit by another car. Traffic was heavy, it was raining and getting dark. I needed to push my car off the road with the help of another driver. A Hyannis ambulance was a few cars behind me and the EMT's also assisted with the traffic and moving my vehicle out of the road. I called AAA and had my car towed. I was told in writing by the Kia dealership that the engine needed to be replaced. I was told verbally by Kia that it was a rod knock issue. When I asked how it was diagnosed with rod knock she said the mechanic put something down in the engine and said its rod knock. I requested through Kia corporate that the car be inspected for the WTY039 extended warranty and corporate said they would reach out to the dealer and ask that it be checked. I have not received any further communication from the dealership or Kia corporate. Yes the vehicle is available for inspection. Safety was an issue because the car stopped so…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 21, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11726057

Steering

33 reports5 crashes
“The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal popping sound coming from the steering column. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering column became severely loose, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the steering column might have failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the mechanic had not completed a full diagnostic test on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 76,289.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 10, 2024SteeringODI 11629888
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

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