2017 Kia Sorento Problems

Above Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2017 Kia Sorento. Part of Generation 3 — 2016–2020.

20162018
Complaints
1,000
per 10K Sold
100.3
US Sales
99,684
Crashes
17
Fires
41
Injuries
23
Fatalities
Recalls
4

Worst 2017 Kia Sorento Problems

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

#1369 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:68,490 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:17
#2117 complaints

Headlight/Taillight Failures

Avg mileage:43,170 mi
Crash-related:1
#394 complaints

Steering Defects

Avg mileage:34,255 mi
Considering a 2017 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 2017 Kia Sorento.

Engine Problems
369
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
17
Avg Miles
68,490
Headlight/Taillight Failures
117
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
43,170
Steering Defects
94
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
34,255
Electrical Faults
88
complaints
Crashes
Fires
4
Avg Miles
47,933
Fuel System
36
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
41,400
Transmission / Drivetrain
32
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
57,999
Engine & Cooling
23
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
92,721
Brakes
21
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
13,194
Unintended Acceleration
21
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
18,422
Body Structure
17
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
46,572
Airbags
12
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
120,179
Gasoline Fuel System
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
71,962
Seat Belt Issues
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
767
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
76,520
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Trailer Hitches
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
117,000
Electronic Stability Control
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Sunroof/Moonroof
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Firerelated
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System: Integrated Trailer Brake Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Immobilizer/Proximity:Key/Sender
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Oil/Lubrication: Oil Cooler
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Sensing System: Radar
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2017 Kia Sorento. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2017 Kia Sorento

4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~152,814 vehicles.

22V703000Trailer Hitches
~70,887 affected

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.

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.

17V586000Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
~62 affected

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017 Sorento vehicles equipped with 3.3L engines. The engine crankshaft may have been improperly heat treated and may fail.

16V862000Trailer Hitches · Electrical System
~10,212 affected

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to August 25, 2016, and 2017 Sportage vehicles manufactured December 10, 2015, to August 26, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Other Kia Sorento Years

2017 Kia Sorento — FAQ

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

Is the 2017 Kia Sorento reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2017 Kia Sorento has 1,000 NHTSA complaints, 17 crash-related, and 4 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 369 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2017 Kia Sorento?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (369 complaints, avg 68,490 mi); Headlight/Taillight Failures (117 complaints, avg 43,170 mi); Steering Defects (94 complaints, avg 34,255 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 2017 Kia Sorento?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 55,818 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2017 Kia Sorento?
NHTSA complaints for the 2017 Kia Sorento include 17 crash-related reports, 41 fire reports, 23 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 2017 Kia Sorento have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 152,814 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 2017 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 2017 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