Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Kia Sorento, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine107
- Exterior lighting41
- Unknown or other37
- Electrical system30
- Steering26
- Fuel/propulsion system13
- Air bags10
- Structure9
- Power train9
- Forward collision avoidance8
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 11 injuries and 1 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 48 2018 Sorento vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 23 people died inside them, and 5 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2018 Kia Sorento failed the safety check 1.98% of the time — 20% more often than the average 2018 passenger car (1.65%). Median odometer at inspection: 64,698 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Registered new in Europe in 2018
10,227 new Kia Sorento cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2018; the largest markets were the United Kingdom (2,849), Germany (2,739), Poland (845).
- Average mass
- 1,942 kg
- Average CO₂
- 188 g/km (WLTP)
- Average power
- 146 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Diesel 100%
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
In the Netherlands
20 first registered in 2018 are on Dutch roads; 15% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €69,989.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde16
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm5
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht4
- Mechanische delen van het remsysteem vertonen slijtage4
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt3
- Dim-, grootlicht werkt niet (goed)3
- Band beschadigd3
- Wiel of velg ondeugdelijk bevestigd3
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
2,655 cars built in 2018 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 18 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, 2,771 of these cars first registered in 2018 took their annual MOT test. 84% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2018 the figure was 84%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 5.0% | 5.2% |
| Brakes | 3.9% | 2.9% |
| Suspension | 2.8% | 1.6% |
| Visibility | 2.8% | 3.6% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 2.3% | 4.0% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.7% | 1.0% |
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
160 of these cars first registered in 2018 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 149,000 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
703 2018 cars are on the New Zealand register; 1% arrived as used imports, 99% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 2 variants; 2 of 2 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 Kia Sorento SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 15.0 % |
| 2018 Kia Sorento SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | 15.8 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Optional
- Lane departure warning
- Optional
- Best overall rating
- 5 / 5
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 5 variants: combined 9.9–12.2 L/100 km (about 19–24 mpg US), CO₂ 234–289 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sorento · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 11.2 | 8.3 | 9.9 |
| Sorento AWD · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 11.5 | 9.3 | 10.5 |
| Sorento AWD · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 12.3 | 9.4 | 11.0 |
| Sorento AWD FE · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 13.2 | 9.3 | 11.4 |
| Sorento AWD · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 14.0 | 10.1 | 12.2 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
7 Transport Canada recalls for the 2018 Kia Sorento.
| 2024549 15 Aug 2024 | Label Issue: On certain vehicles, the compliance label may be missing information in French. The words listed on the label for "Tires", "Rims", "Front" and "Rear" a… |
| 2023449 11 Aug 2023 | Lights And Instruments Issue: On certain vehicles, wear inside the multi-function switch could cause the headlights to turn off suddenly when the switch is in the AUTO mode. Saf… |
| 2021680 5 Nov 2021 | Electrical Issue: Certain vehicles may be equipped with an accessory trailer wiring harness that could fail. Over time, water could leak into the control module and caus… |
| 2019143 18 Mar 2019 | Engine Issue: Kia Canada is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign that provides an update to the engine control module to detect potential problems before an eng… |
| 2019098 27 Feb 2019 | Fuel System Issue: When the engine was replaced under warranty or under Kia's Product Improvement Campaign SC023, the high pressure fuel pipe may not have been properly i… |
| 2018533 26 Sept 2018 | Steering On certain vehicles, the bracket that secures the steering column assembly may have been improperly welded and could separate. If this occurs, a driver may noti… |
| 2017657 21 Dec 2017 | Airbag On certain vehicles, the inflator diffuser installed in certain side curtain air bag modules may not have been manufactured correctly. If the vehicle were invol… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
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 2018 Kia Sorento: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11010703 | WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (WTY031) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for the multi-function switch assembly on 2018 MY Sorento vehicles from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / 150,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. The contact points in the multi-function switch in your vehicle may become worn, and it could result in intermittent headlamp flickering. |
| 11001595 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2304) - 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 the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM), or Intelligent Integrated Platform Module (IPM) system on certain 2011-2015MY Sorento (XMa), 2016-2020MY Sorento (UMa), and 2021-2022MY Sorento (MQ4a) vehicles produced within the dates outlined o |
| 11000787 | This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced. |
| 10252085 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI1802Y/Z) - 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 related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published PI1802 titled "Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU Logic Improvement"; equipped w/THETA II engine. Specifically, this bulletin provides instructions on which procedures to follow if, after installation of the KSDS, any one of the s |
| 10248078 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH REPAIR - 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 associated with the "Multifunction Switch Warranty Extension Program" (WTY031) to repair the multifunction switch knob on 2016-2018MY Sorento (UMa) vehicles, produced at Kia Georgia from October 27, 2014 through March 7, 2018, which may exhibit an intermittent headlamp flickering. The vehicle's warranty for this issue will be extended from 5 years/60, |
| 10244788 | WARRANTY EXTENSION: OWNER RE-NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner re-notification advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for the multi-function switch assembly on 2018 MY Sorento vehicles from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / 150,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. The contact points in the multi-function switch in your vehicle may become worn, and it could result in intermittent headlamp flickering. |
| 10243924 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2304) - 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 the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM), or Intelligent Integrated Platform Module (IPM) system on certain 2011-2015MY Sorento (XMa), 2016-2020MY Sorento (UMa), and 2021-2022MY Sorento (MQ4a) vehicles produced within the dates outlined o |
| 10242913 | PITSTOP: AWD SYSTEM CONCERN DUE TO TIRE CIRCUMFERENCE - This Pitstop provides information regarding potential concerns with the All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) system due to tire sizes of differing circumference. Some customers may complain of a chatter sensation felt in the drivetrain of the vehicle and/or the failure of drivetrain component(s). A difference in tire size (width, aspect ratio, construction, rim diameter etc.) may be the cause. |
| 10240563 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: KIA GENUINE REMOTE START CONTROL MODULE UPGRADE FOR ANTI-THEFT LOGIC COMPATIBILITY (CS2310) - 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 to update the software logic in the Kia Genuine Remote Start Control Module on certain 2012-2022MY model vehicles listed on page 7. Vehicles equipped with a Kia Genuine Remote Start feature and have had the Anti-Theft software logic (CS230*) applied to the Integrated |
| 10240558 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2304) - 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 the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM), or Intelligent Integrated Platform Module (IPM) system on certain 2011-2015MY Sorento (XMa), 2016-2020MY Sorento (UMa), and 2021-2022MY Sorento (MQ4a) vehicles produced within the dates outlined o |
| 10240320 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: FUEL PUMP INSPECTION AND UPPER FUEL PUMP MODULE REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides information associated with the 'Fuel Pump Warranty Extension Program' (WTY033) to inspect the low-pressure fuel pump on 2018-2019MY Sorento (UMa) vehicles produced from March 31, 2017 through July 24, 2019. The low-pressure fuel pump in the subject vehicles may develop a fuel leak over time and after prolonged exposure to extreme high temperature due to insufficient thickness of the fuel pump port. The vehicles warranty for this issue will be extended from 5 years/60,000 mi |
| 10240267 | CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER RE-NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner re-notification advising that Kia has developed a software upgrade that can be installed on the vehicle to restrict the operation of the vehicle's ignition system should a locked vehicle be the subject of a break-in and theft attempt without the key. This software upgrade will be available to the customer free of charge for eighteen (18) months from the date of the original letter. When the software upgrade is complete, Kia will also provide the customer with window stickers that can be applied to the vehicle to |
| 10239714 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2304) - 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 the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM), or Intelligent Integrated Platform Module (IPM) system on certain 2011-2015MY Sorento (XMa), 2016-2020MY Sorento (UMa), and 2021-2022MY Sorento (MQ4a) vehicles produced within the dates outlined o |
| 10239108 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: KIA GENUINE REMOTE START CONTROL MODULE UPGRADE FOR ANTI-THEFT LOGIC COMPATIBILITY (CS2310) - This bulletin provides information to update the software logic in the Kia Genuine Remote Start Control Module on certain 2012-2022MY model vehicles listed on page 6. Vehicles equipped with a Kia Genuine Remote Start feature and have had the Anti-Theft software logic (CS230*) applied to the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM) may experience five (5) inadvertent honks after starting the vehicle with the remote start feature. |
| 10238490 | WARRANTY EXTENSION: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the announcement to the vehicle owners that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for the low-pressure fuel pump on 2018-2019 MY Sorento vehicles from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / unlimited miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. The low-pressure fuel pump in the subject vehicles may develop a fuel leak over time and after prolonged exposure to extreme high temperatures due to insufficient thickness of the fuel pump port. |
| 10238489 | WARRANTY EXTENSION: REIMBURSEMENT FORM - This document is a Reimbursement Request form that was mailed with the customer letter advising them to submit the form if they had paid for repairs for this same matter prior to the warranty extension program launch. |
| 10238488 | WARRANTY EXTENSION: QUESTION AND ANSWER - This document is a Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Warranty Extension (WTY033). |
| 10238487 | WARRANTY EXTENSION: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for the low-pressure fuel pump on 2018-2019 MY Sorento vehicles from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / unlimited miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. The low-pressure fuel pump in the subject vehicles may develop a fuel leak over time and after prolonged exposure to extreme high temperatures due to insufficient thickness of the fuel pump port. |
| 10238486 | WARRANTY EXTENSION: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for the low-pressure fuel pump on 2018-2019 MY Sorento vehicles from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / unlimited miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. The low-pressure fuel pump in the subject vehicles may develop a fuel leak over time and after prolonged exposure to extreme high temperatures due to insufficient thickness of the fuel pump port. |
| 10237138 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH REPAIR - This bulletin provides information associated with the 'Multifunction Switch Warranty Extension Program' (WTY031) to repair the multifunction switch knob on 2016-2018MY Sorento (UMa) vehicles, produced at Kia Georgia from October 27, 2014 through March 7, 2018, which may exhibit an intermittent headlamp flickering. The vehicles warranty for this issue will be extended from 5 years/60,000 miles to 15 years/150,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. |
| 10237025 | WARRANTY EXTENSION: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for the multi-function switch assembly on 2018 MY Sorento vehicles from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / 150,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. The contact points in the multi-function switch in your vehicle may become worn, and it could result in intermittent headlamp flickering. |
| 10236650 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2304) - 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 the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM), or Intelligent Integrated Platform Module (IPM) system on certain 2011-2015MY Sorento (XMa), 2016-2020MY Sorento (UMa), and 2021-2022MY Sorento (MQ4a) vehicles produced within the dates outlined o |
| 10236078 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2304) - 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 the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM), or Intelligent Integrated Platform Module (IPM) system on certain 2011-2015MY Sorento (XMa), 2016-2020MY Sorento (UMa), and 2021-2022MY Sorento (MQ4a) vehicles produced within the dates outlined |
| 10235412 | WARRANTY EXTENSION: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for the multi-function switch assembly on 2016-2018 MY Sorento vehicles from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / 150,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. The contact points in the multi-function switch in the vehicle may become worn, and it could result in intermittent headlamp flickering. |
| 10235411 | WARRANTY EXTENSION: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service Managers that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for the multi-function switch assembly on 2016- 2018 MY Sorento vehicles from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / 150,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. The contact points in the multi-function switch in the vehicle may become worn, and it could result in intermittent headlamp flickering. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Loss of Motive Power
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation