Kia Sorento Reliability by Year
13,603 NHTSA complaints (2003–2025). Complaint rate: 153.9 per 1,000 vehicles.
Kia Sorento reliability varies significantly by model year. Based on 13,603 NHTSA complaints (2003–2025), the most problematic years are 2011, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, with high complaint volumes linked to engine problems. Better choices include 2010, 2023, 2020, which show significantly fewer reported problems.
Why these years are worse
The most common issues driving the complaint spikes:
- engine problems — 3,701 complaints (1.1% involved a crash)
- electrical faults — 1,290 complaints (2.0% involved a crash)
- unknown or other — 1,238 complaints (2.2% involved a crash)
- transmission issues — 983 complaints (3.1% involved a crash)
- structure:body — 828 complaints (2.3% involved a crash)
Kia Sorento Generations
Manufacturer redesigns the car every few years (a “generation”). Each generation has different engineering and common issues. Click a generation to see year-by-year breakdown.
| Generation | Years | Complaints | Crashes | Volume | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 1 | 2003–2009 | 2,221 | 118 | Show years | |||
| Gen 2 | 2011–2015 | 6,848 | 201 | Hide years | |||
| 2011 | 2,069 | 65 | View 2011View→ | ||||
| 2012 | 1,198 | 32 | View 2012View→ | ||||
| 2013 | 1,287 | 37 | View 2013View→ | ||||
| 2014 | 1,348 | 34 | View 2014View→ | ||||
| 2015 | 946 | 33 | View 2015View→ | ||||
| Gen 3 | 2016–2020 | 3,664 | 109 | Show years | |||
| Gen 4 | 2021–present | 867 | 40 | Show years |
Which Years to Buy & Avoid
Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.
Bottom line: Avoid the 2011–2017 Kia Sorento (259 crash-related complaints). The 2023 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: ENGINE.
Avoid These Years
Average
Better Years
Too New
Need 3+ years on the road for reliable complaint data.
A model's reputation is just the start.
Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA complaint count per model year
Common Kia Sorento Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 3,701 | 1.1% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1,290 | 2.0% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1,238 | 2.2% |
| POWER TRAIN | 983 | 3.1% |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 828 | 2.3% |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 767 | 0.8% |
| AIR BAGS | 617 | 18.2% |
| STEERING | 513 | 3.9% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 378 | 1.9% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 371 | 10.2% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Gen 1 | 421 | 13 | 3 | View → |
| 2004 | Gen 1 | 341 | 15 | 24 | View → |
| 2005 | Gen 1 | 457 | 31 | 7 | View → |
| 2006 | Gen 1 | 382 | 18 | 8 | View → |
| 2007GOOD | Gen 1 | 224 | 20 | 8 | View → |
| 2008 | Gen 1 | 317 | 19 | 17 | View → |
| 2009GOOD | Gen 1 | 79 | 2 | 1 | View → |
| 2010GOOD | — | 3 | 2 | — | View → |
| 2011AVOID | Gen 2 | 2,069 | 65 | 106 | View → |
| 2012AVOID | Gen 2 | 1,198 | 32 | 115 | View → |
| 2013AVOID | Gen 2 | 1,287 | 37 | 70 | View → |
| 2014AVOID | Gen 2 | 1,348 | 34 | 67 | View → |
| 2015AVOID | Gen 2 | 946 | 33 | 19 | View → |
| 2016AVOID | Gen 3 | 1,577 | 41 | 71 | View → |
| 2017AVOID | Gen 3 | 998 | 17 | 41 | View → |
| 2018 | Gen 3 | 324 | 16 | 18 | View → |
| 2019AVOID | Gen 3 | 592 | 20 | 28 | View → |
| 2020GOOD | Gen 3 | 173 | 15 | 18 | View → |
| 2021 | Gen 4 | 309 | 9 | 1 | View → |
| 2022 | Gen 4 | 256 | 4 | 2 | View → |
| 2023GOOD | Gen 4 | 158 | 4 | 4 | View → |
| 2024TOO NEW | Gen 4 | 48 | 12 | 3 | View → |
| 2025TOO NEW | Gen 4 | 96 | 11 | — | View → |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
Tap any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
See also: Kia Sorentoaccident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
Buying a Kia Sorento?
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