Kia Sorento 2016–2020 problems by year and mileage
3rd generation (UM)
NHTSA data through 18 October 20262,885 complaints, 907 with mileageMethod
A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation — check the VIN before driving it home.
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2016 Kia Sorento
Close- Median failure report
- 66,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,255
- Recalls naming this year
- 8
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2016
- Engine695 reports · median 83,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise166 reports
- Transmission and driveline126 reports · median 71,000 mi
Recall areas Trailer hitches · Power train — automatic transmission · Engine
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2017 Kia Sorento
Close- Median failure report
- 46,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 806
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2017
- Engine387 reports · median 64,000 mi
- Exterior lighting125 reports · median 37,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise104 reports
Recall areas Trailer hitches · Engine · Engine and engine cooling — engine
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2018 Kia Sorento
Close- Median failure report
- 49,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 255
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2018
- Engine107 reports
- Exterior lighting41 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise37 reports
Recall areas Trailer hitches · Steering — electric power assist system · Air bags — side/window
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2019 Kia Sorento
Close- Median failure report
- 22,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 431
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2019
- Engine158 reports · median 40,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise111 reports
- Electrical system68 reports
Recall areas Back over prevention — sensing system · Trailer hitches
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2020 Kia Sorento
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 138
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2020
- Engine66 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise25 reports
- Electrical system20 reports
Recall areas Trailer hitches
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. † Median likely runs low (complaints filed after 2020). Latest: the 2016; earliest: the 2019, and the 2016 is 3 years older (part of the gap is age). 1 of these years carries fewer than 30 reports with an odometer reading and shows no median at all, rather than one computed from a handful.
The short answer
“Is the 2016–2020 Kia Sorento reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 56,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 119,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 907
- Recalls
- 12
At least 40% of this generation’s complaints came after 2020, so its median likely runs low (why).
Most reported
- Engine49.0% of complaints · median 72,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise15.4% of complaints · median 23,000 mi
- Electrical system11.1% of complaints · median 46,000 mi
Owners filed 2,885 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016–2020 Kia Sorento; the engine leads with 49% of them, and half of the 907 that record an odometer reading came by 56,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 20,000 to 86,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2016–2020 Kia Sorento last?
On the 2016–2020 Kia Sorento, half of the 907 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 56,000 miles and 90% by 119,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
28 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 2 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Sorento reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Kia Sorento 2016–2020 · 907 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
10,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 124 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 2 complaints (0.2%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 5,000
- 25%
- 20,000
- Median
- 56,000
- 75%
- 86,000
- 90%
- 119,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 124 | 13.7% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 93 | 10.3% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 57 | 6.3% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 91 | 10.0% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 52 | 5.7% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 62 | 6.8% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 86 | 9.5% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 70 | 7.7% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 58 | 6.4% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 44 | 4.9% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 44 | 4.9% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 36 | 4.0% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 22 | 2.4% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 23 | 2.5% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 17 | 1.9% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 9 | 1.0% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 9 | 1.0% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 2 | 0.2% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 5 | 0.6% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 200,000+ | 2 | 0.2% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Sorento problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Kia Sorento 2016–2020
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Problems owners could not categorise443 reportsmedian 23,000middle half 9,500–61,000
- Steering218 reportsmedian 30,000middle half 16,000–50,000
- Transmission and driveline241 reportsmedian 34,000middle half 9,000–82,000
- Exterior lighting260 reportsmedian 38,000middle half 23,000–68,000
- Body structure192 reportsmedian 45,000middle half 30,000–65,000
- Electrical system321 reportsmedian 46,000middle half 26,000–71,000
- Engine1,413 reportsmedian 72,000middle half 39,000–102,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1,413 | 49.0% | 72,000 | 39,000–102,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 443 | 15.4% | 23,000 | 9,500–61,000 |
| Electrical system | 321 | 11.1% | 46,000 | 26,000–71,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 260 | 9.0% | 38,000 | 23,000–68,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 241 | 8.4% | 34,000 | 9,000–82,000 |
| Steering | 218 | 7.6% | 30,000 | 16,000–50,000 |
| Body structure | 192 | 6.7% | 45,000 | 30,000–65,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 139 | 4.8% | 62,000 | 31,000–74,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 109 | 3.8% | 31,000 | 12,000–72,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 80 | 2.8% | 99,000 | 76,000–130,000 |
Known problems with the 2016–2020 Sorento
Engine
Theta II GDI connecting rod bearing failure continues; addressed through Kia's extended engine warranty and the Knock Sensor Detection System software campaign rather than a fresh mechanical recall for all years.
Engine
Engine compartment fire reports associated with oil leakage onto hot components following bearing failure; subject of NHTSA scrutiny across the Hyundai-Kia GDI fleet.
Before you buy a 2016–2020 Sorento: the 3-minute check
Generated from 907 mileage-tagged complaints, 12 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 12 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check engine. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Years differ here: from 138 to 1,255 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Sorento problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi53% below | At 90k mi76% below | At 120k mi90% below | At 150k mi97% below | At 200k mi100% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 39,000–102,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 9,500–61,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 26,000–71,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Exterior lighting | 23,000–68,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 9,000–82,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Steering | 16,000–50,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Body structure | 30,000–65,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Kia Sorento 2016–2020 · 907 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 53% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 76% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 90% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 97% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 100% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2016–2020 Kia Sorento recalls (12)
NHTSA records 12 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
1 of these carry a severe advisory — do not drive or park outside; check those first by VIN.
The campaigns cluster around trailer hitches (2), the reversing camera and sensors (1), the transmission and driveline (1) (why one area can repeat).
Sep 2023 · 2019 · Back Over PreventionA rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a…
The defect. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Sorento vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, water may leak into the rearview camera, which can cause the rearview camera image not to appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the…
What can happen. A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and add additional water proofing to the camera harness, or replace the camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 8…
Sep 2022 · 2016–2020 · Trailer Hitches park outsideA fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The free fix. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module…
Aug 2022 · 2016 · Power TrainA vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash and injury.
The defect. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016 Sedona and Sorento vehicles. The vehicles may have been manufactured with faulty automatic transmission shift lever assembly components, preventing the shift lever from locking, which can allow the vehicle to…
What can happen. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash and injury.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the automatic transmission shift lever assembly components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 7, 2022. Owners may contact…
Dec 2018 · 2016–2017 · EngineA fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The free fix. Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at…
Sep 2018 · 2018 · SteeringIf the steering column separates, it can cause a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. If the steering column separates, it can cause a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cowl crossbar, free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this…
Dec 2017 · 2018 · Air BagsIf the component detaches during deployment, it may enter the passenger compartment and be a projectile…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. If the component detaches during deployment, it may enter the passenger compartment and be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at…
Sep 2017 · 2017 · Engine and Engine CoolingIf the crankshaft fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. If the crankshaft fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A failed crankshaft also increases the risk of a fire.
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the crankshaft, and, as necessary, replace the engine sub assembly, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer…
Nov 2016 · 2016–2017 · Trailer HitchesIf the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer tow hitch harness, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's…
Oct 2016 · 2016 · SeatsIn the event of a crash, the driver seatback frame could break and fail to restrain a seat occupant…
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured March 3, 2016 to March 21, 2016. The driver's seatback frame may have been produced with inadequate weld joints and, as a result, the seatback may not function as…
What can happen. In the event of a crash, the driver seatback frame could break and fail to restrain a seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the welds and replace the driver seatback frame, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 9, 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer…
Jun 2016 · 2016 · SuspensionThe improper weld may break, affecting the rear suspension alignment, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sorento vehicles. A component of the rear suspension may not be properly welded.
What can happen. The improper weld may break, affecting the rear suspension alignment, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the welds at the rear suspension cross-member, replacing the rear cross-member assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 27, 2016.…
Jul 2015 · 2016 · Seat BeltsIf the front passenger seat belt cannot be latched, an occupant sitting in the front passenger seat has an…
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured October 23, 2014, to December 10, 2014. The affected vehicles have a front passenger seat belt whose buckle latch assembly may prevent the front passenger from…
What can happen. If the front passenger seat belt cannot be latched, an occupant sitting in the front passenger seat has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat belt buckle cover, free of charge. The recall began on August 18, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at…
Feb 2015 · 2016 · Vehicle Speed ControlIf the vehicle is unable to be accelerated, there is an increased risk of a crash.
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to January 29, 2015. Due to an improperly soldered component in the accelerator pedal assembly, the driver may not be able to accelerate the vehicle.
What can happen. If the vehicle is unable to be accelerated, there is an increased risk of a crash.
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the accelerator assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 19, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 2,885 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 74 (2.6%)
- Fires
- 123
- Injury reports
- 61
- Fatality reports
- 2
Sorento problems by model year
The 2016 drew the most complaints of this generation, 1,255, most of them about the engine, and the 2020 the fewest, 138. A typical year drew about 431.
That makes the 2016 stand out at roughly 2.9 times a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1,255 | 424 | 66,000† | Engine (695) | 8 |
| 2017 | 806 | 272 | 46,000† | Engine (387) | 4 |
| 2018 | 255 | 69 | 49,000† | Engine (107) | 3 |
| 2019 | 431 | 114 | 22,000† | Engine (158) | 2 |
| 2020 | 138 | 28 | under 30 reports | Engine (66) | 1 |
What Sorento owners reported
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving, there was an abnormal banging sound coming from under the hood of the vehicle and the vehicle shuddered abnormally. The contact stated that the Forward Collision Avoidance warning light was temporarily illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a…
2020 · 34,000 miles · Engine
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…
2017 · 131,000 miles · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle and shifting into gear with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle unexpectedly jerked back and forth, accelerated unintendedly, and crashed into the corner plaster wall of a friend's garage, causing plaster to fall onto the front…
2020 · 35,000 miles · Throttle and speed control
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle had started independently. While the vehicle was in the driveway, the contact became aware that the vehicle had been running for a while. While driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle shut off but restarted independently. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle…
2017 · 149,000 miles · Electrical system
Built from 907 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Sorento generations
- Sorento 2003–2009 1,228 reports with mileage, most about the engine
- Sorento 2011–2015 3,202 reports with mileage, most about the engine
- Sorento 2021–2025 103 reports with mileage, most about the transmission and driveline