Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2010 Kia Sorento, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Air bags1
- Suspension1
- Engine1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 1 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Registered new in Europe in 2010
12,675 new Kia Sorento cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2010; the largest markets were Germany (3,299), the United Kingdom (2,407), Spain (1,269).
- Average mass
- 1,968 kg
- Fuel type recorded
- Diesel 91% · Petrol 8.2% · LPG 0.6%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Engines
The most common engines in 2010 Kia Sorento cars on Dutch roads are the 2.4 petrol (128 kW, 172 hp) and 2.2 diesel (145 kW, 194 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4 petrol | 128 kW 172 hp | 510 |
| 2.2 diesel | 145 kW 194 hp | 44 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
558 first registered in 2010 are on Dutch roads; 5% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €39,145.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde268
- Band onvoldoende profiel242
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt142
- Waarschuwingsinrichting airbag- / gordelsysteem geeft defect138
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)137
- Fusee(kogel) te veel speling133
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm126
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld109
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
1,473 cars built in 2010 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 221 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 1,987 of these cars first registered in 2010 took their annual MOT test. 58% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2010 the figure was 60%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2010 |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 18.2% | 15.5% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 17.3% | 17.8% |
| Brakes | 13.3% | 9.6% |
| Tyres | 7.7% | 7.4% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 6.7% | 5.2% |
| Visibility | 5.8% | 6.0% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
175 of these cars first registered in 2010 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 294,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
326 2010 cars are on the New Zealand register; 3% arrived as used imports, 96% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Kia told its dealers about the 2010 Kia Sorento: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10201529 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to some Kia models that may exhibit fogging, condensation, and/or moisture inside a headlamp assembly. Generally, a fogging condition is considered normal and can be eliminated by turning on the headlamps with the engine running for up to 30 minutes or during normal driving conditions. Headlamp assembly replacement WILL |
| 10183431 | TSB - USE OF AFTERMARKET USB CHARGING CABLES IN USB/12V PORTS - This article provides information regarding the use of USB ports and 12V power outlets to connect/charge mobile phones. Customers may experience issues with their head units that may be related to the use of aftermarket USB charging cables, including; * Electrical interference and limited or no functionality when attempting to play music, or when charging a device through the USB port * Excessive static or noise when listening to the audio source * Malfunctions and screen freeze of the head unit screen * Slow down of the sys |
| 10179255 | PITSTOP - BRAKE CALIPER LEAK INSPECTION - This PITSTOP provides information related to a brake caliper fluid/oil substance found on some Kia vehicles, due to possible excess assembly oil applied during assembly. |
| 10109812 | TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners, which are designed to lock into place once fully attached, are utilized in various Kia models and are strictly intended for ?one time use.? Some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other similar hardware, including threaded fasteners with pre-applied ?thread-locking adhesives.? It is critical for technicians to be aware that ALL such locking fasteners, regardless of type, are for ?one time use? only. |
| 10109777 | TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners utilized in various Kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. Though not limited to the following, some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other similar hardware, including threaded fasteners with pre-applied ?thread-locking adhesives.? |
| 10090713 | TSB: WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP INLET FILTER REPLACEMENT - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO POSSIBLE FOREIGN DEBRIS ACCUMULATION ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP INLET FILTER. OVER TIME, SOME KIA VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A LIMITED APPLICATION OF WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID WHEN THE WASHER FUNCTION IS USED. LIMITED APPLICATION OF WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID CAN BE CAUSED BY FOREIGN DEBRIS ON THE WASHER PUMP INLET FILTER. TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION, REPLACE THE WASHER PUMP INLET FILTER AND PERFORM THE WINDSHIELD WASHER RESERVOIR FLUSHING PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN THIS TSB. |
| 10088983 | TSB: KDS - AUDIO UPDATE MODULE (AUM) - THE GDS AUDIO UPDATE MODULE (AUM) WAS INTRODUCED IN FOURTH QUARTER OF 2013. THIS SPECIAL SERVICE TOOL (SST) WAS DEVELOPED TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF UPDATING 2010MY, AND LATER, KIA AUDIO HEAD UNITS USING A GDS, AND NOW, THE SAME FUNCTIONALITY IS AVAILABLE ON KDS. SOME TECHNICIANS MAY NOT BE AWARE OF THE BENEFITS THE AUM TOOL HAS TO OFFER. THE AUM ELIMINATES THE NEED FOR MULTIPLE USB FLASH DRIVES FOR SPECIFIC VEHICLE MODELS AND APPLICATIONS WHICH, IF MISAPPLIED, MAY RESULT IN AN IMPROPER AUDIO SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE AND/OR LOCKED UP HEA |
| 10058126 | KIA 2011 SORENTO, 2010 SOUL, 2010 FORTE : PROCEDURES TO REPLACE THE TIRE VALVES STEMS TO PREVENT LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE IN SOME VEHICLES. THE VALVE STEM ASSEMBLY IN WHEELS WILL CRACK IF BECOME CORRODED. *LJ UPDATED 10/02/15. *PE |
| 10044560 | KIA: DUE TO DESIGN OF DRAIN HOLES IN VALLEY OF LAMBDA V6 ENGINES, A MISDIAGNOSE OF A POSSIBLE OIL LEAK SOURCE IN REAR MAIN SEAL OR OIL PAN, WHEN ACTUAL LEAKS COMING FROM ENGINE VALLEY,OIL FILTER HOUSING, OIL PRESSURE SWITCH, AND/OR GASKETS. *PE |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation