Problems · NHTSA complaints

2017 Kia Sorento problems

Owners filed 808 complaints about the 2017 Kia Sorento with NHTSA between Sep 2016 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (387).

Complaints
808
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
13
Reported by owners
Fires
32
Reported by owners
Injuries
17
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine387
  2. Exterior lighting125
  3. Electrical system97
  4. Steering97
  5. Fuel/propulsion system39
  6. Power train37
  7. Engine and engine cooling27
  8. Service brakes22
  9. Vehicle speed control21
  10. Structure17
  11. Air bags14
  12. Forward collision avoidance12
  13. Fuel system, gasoline10
  14. Seat belts7

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
20164
201724
201834
201958
202064
202164
2022134
2023137
2024121
2025106
202662

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

387 reports2 crashes17 fires
“Yesterday our car was making a knocking noise. It lost power temporarily. Upon pressing the gas pedal to the floor we were able to get up to 30 mph. We made it to a repair shop. They looked at it today. The Dip stick showed no oil. The did an oil change and it was down 3 quarts of oil. We just had the oil changed 3 months ago on June 20. No check engine light came on. No warning at all . We were driving on a road with no shoulder, so this was dangerous if the engine were to fail before we got to repair shop. They said we need a new engine and it will cost just under $10,000. It seems that many people are having this exact same problem.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 24, 2026EngineODI 11766758

Exterior lighting

125 reports1 crash
“My high beams and low beams are starting to shut off randomly while driving. They are burning out weekly and having to be replaced. 1 of my tail lights is doing the same exact thing. I replace it. It works for a couple weeks and then goes out. When the headlights shut off my dash shows that i am trying to turn my headlights from auto to another setting, which is not the case. It has happened at night multiple times and that poses a danger because i cant see the road and people cant see my car. I have not had it looked at yet. I do see multiple complaints online for multiple different kia models and years. There is no recall and i do not see a TSB. Just curious with so many issues seen online why anything has not be accomplished or a recall available.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 2, 2026Exterior lightingODI 11754259

Electrical system

97 reports5 fires
“The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped and idling, the engine oil warning light illuminated, and the Apple CarPlay, radio, and HVAC system became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the oil pressure switch was replaced under warranty. The dealer determined that the electrical system had failed due to the oil pressure switch leaking oil onto the wiring harness, and that the wiring harness needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 6, 2026Engine and engine cooling, Electrical systemODI 11769341

Steering

97 reports
“Vehicle steers with more resistance to the left but very loose and easy to the right. Dealership diagnosed that a new steering column is required. Kia also issued a new vehicle limited warranty extension on the motor driven power steering. I believe the warranty extension should apply; however, dealer says it does not apply. The warning light required for the extended warrant is not on in my vehicle but there is a clearly diagnosed issue with the electronic steering as indicated in the repair quote.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 29, 2026SteeringODI 11760571

Fuel/propulsion system

39 reports2 fires
“Fuel injectors become unseated randomly causing gas to be sprayed inside engine compartment. Issue can be seen upon request. This issue could cause a fire/explosion as fuel sprays out. The issue was repaired once by an Independent shop, then the issue reoccurred and has now reoccurred again. The issue fails randomly and fully with the symptom being the vehicle not wanting to start.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 1, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11754172

Power train

37 reports1 crash1 fire
“2017 Kia Sorento 2.4L GDI engine seized due to connecting rod bearing failure confirmed by P1326 diagnostic code multiple times. Vehicle entered limp mode limiting RPMs to 1800-2000 exactly as described in PI1802 campaign. Engine subsequently fully seized. Battery tested 98% healthy ruling out electrical cause. Vehicle towed to [XXX] Kia Avon Indiana. Kia Techline and Consumer Affairs denied PI1802 lifetime warranty claim citing used vehicle reconditioning despite PI1802 explicitly stating coverage applies to both new AND used vehicle owners per official Kia corporate document dated XXX. Consumer Affairs appeal case XXX opened but Kia states no further appeals possible. Kia is wrongfully denying lifetime warranty coverage guaranteed under PI1802 Product Improvement Campaign.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 31, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11754083
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.