2018 Kia Sorento Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2018 Kia Sorento. Part of Generation 3 — 2016–2020.

20172019
Complaints
324
Crashes
16
Fires
18
Injuries
10
Fatalities
Recalls
10

Worst 2018 Kia Sorento Problems

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

#198 complaints

ENGINE

Avg mileage:58,741 mi
Fires:6
#238 complaints

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Avg mileage:45,702 mi
#337 complaints

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Avg mileage:37,511 mi
Crash-related:3
Fires:4
Considering a 2018 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 2018 Kia Sorento.

ENGINE
98
complaints
Crashes
Fires
6
Avg Miles
58,741
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
38
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
45,702
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
37
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
4
Avg Miles
37,511
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
27
complaints
Crashes
Fires
3
Avg Miles
40,794
STEERING
26
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
25,659
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
12
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
170,000
AIR BAGS
9
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
Avg Miles
51,617
POWER TRAIN
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
32,716
STRUCTURE:BODY
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Avg Miles
43,676
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
32,621
TRAILER HITCHES
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
113,625
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
72,000
VISIBILITY/WIPER
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
19,500
SERVICE BRAKES
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
33,625
SEAT BELTS
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
38,000
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
65,000
WHEELS
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
12,000
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
15,631
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER:HOSES/PLUMBING
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
100,000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:BULBS
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
FIRERELATED
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
LANE DEPARTURE: SENSING SYSTEM: SONAR/ULTRASONIC
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
72,000

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2018 Kia Sorento. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2018 Kia Sorento

10 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~498,417 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

18V656000STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
~97 affected

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The cowl crossbar that connects to the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) steering column may be improperly welded, allowing the steering column to separate.

18V656000STEERING:COLUMN
~97 affected

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The cowl crossbar that connects to the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) steering column may be improperly welded, allowing the steering column to separate.

17V784000AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
~2,014 affected

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The side curtain air bags on these vehicles have a component that may detach during deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag.

Other Kia Sorento Years

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

Check Your Specific 2018 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