2015 Kia Sorento Problems

Above Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2015 Kia Sorento. Part of Generation 2 — 2011–2015.

20142016
Complaints
946
per 10K Sold
81.4
US Sales
116,249
Crashes
33
Fires
19
Injuries
38
Fatalities
Recalls
3

Worst 2015 Kia Sorento Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1353 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:93,361 mi
Crash-related:6
Fires:8
#293 complaints

Body Structure

Avg mileage:73,404 mi
Crash-related:2
#385 complaints

Headlight/Taillight Failures

Avg mileage:69,541 mi
Crash-related:1
Considering a 2015 Kia Sorento?

Check the actual VIN — every car is different.

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

Check VIN Free

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2015 Kia Sorento.

Engine Problems
353
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
8
Avg Miles
93,361
Body Structure
93
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
73,404
Headlight/Taillight Failures
85
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
69,541
Electrical Faults
55
complaints
Crashes
Fires
4
Avg Miles
71,107
Transmission / Drivetrain
42
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
81,833
Steering Defects
32
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
67,219
Airbags
29
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
Avg Miles
52,198
Fuel System
27
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
45,656
Brakes
19
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
3
Avg Miles
81,540
Unintended Acceleration
19
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
52,042
Hydraulic Brakes
14
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
100,763
Electronic Stability Control
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
78,018
Wipers & Visibility
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
61,333
Engine & Cooling
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
115,703
Seat-Related Issues
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
72,000
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Bulbs
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Sunroof/Moonroof
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Electrical:Infotainment
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2015 Kia Sorento. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2015 Kia Sorento

3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~952,393 vehicles.

21V331000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
~440,370 affected

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.

20V519000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
~440,370 affected

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.

18V907000Engine · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
~71,653 affected

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.

Other Kia Sorento Years

2015 Kia Sorento — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2015 Kia Sorento reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2015 Kia Sorento has 946 NHTSA complaints, 33 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 353 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2015 Kia Sorento?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (353 complaints, avg 93,361 mi); Body Structure (93 complaints, avg 73,404 mi); Headlight/Taillight Failures (85 complaints, avg 69,541 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2015 Kia Sorento?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 80,555 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2015 Kia Sorento?
NHTSA complaints for the 2015 Kia Sorento include 33 crash-related reports, 19 fire reports, 38 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2015 Kia Sorento have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 952,393 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2015 Kia Sorento?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Kia Sorento reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2015 Kia Sorento

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.

Check Any VIN — $4.99