The Lemon IndexKia Sorento.
The best Kia Sorento years are 2018, 2020, 2004. Years to avoid: 2021, 2008, 2005. Across 2011-2022, it has a Lemon Index of 128, where 100 is the average car and lower is better.
Reliability by year, 2003 to 2025.
Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.
Scores before 2010 are rough: fewer owners filed complaints back then.
Best years to buy
2018.
Quick answers.
Is the Kia Sorento a good car?
Not overall: it draws more complaints than the average car, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2011-2022: Lemon Index 128; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: the best is 2018 and the worst is 2021.
What are the best Kia Sorento years to buy?
By owner complaints per car sold: 2018, 2020, 2004.
What Kia Sorento years should you stay away from?
The years with the most complaints per car sold: 2021, 2008, 2005.
How many recalls does the Kia Sorento have?
76 safety recalls across the 22 model years we track. Most: 2011 (8), 2016 (8), 2014 (6). Each year's page lists them.
What are the most common Kia Sorento problems?
Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name engine, transmission & drivetrain and electrical most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.
Every year in one table
| Year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Top complaint | Recalls | Crash test | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 177 | 1.8× the average car's complaints | 71 | engine (27%) | 1 | — | 15 |
| 2004 | 78 | 1.3× fewer complaints than average | 35 | transmission & drivetrain (43%) | 0 | — | 15–16 |
| 2005 | 179 | 1.8× the average car's complaints | 61 | airbags (43%) | 0 | — | 15–16 |
| 2006 | 99 | about average | 35 | transmission & drivetrain (23%) | 1 | — | 15–16 |
| 2007 | 158 | 1.6× the average car's complaints | 57 | airbags (54%) | 4 | — | 17–18 |
| 2008 | 186 | 1.9× the average car's complaints | 55 | airbags (47%) | 3 | — | 17–18 |
| 2009 | – | too few complaints to score | 18 | airbags (61%) | 3 | — | 17–18 |
| 2011 | 121 | 1.2× the average car's complaints | 346 | transmission & drivetrain (41%) | 8 | ★★★★☆ | 20–24 |
| 2012 | 82 | 1.2× fewer complaints than average | 148 | engine (37%) | 5 | ★★★★☆ | 20–24 |
| 2013 | 133 | 1.3× the average car's complaints | 182 | engine (48%) | 5 | ★★★★☆ | 20–24 |
| 2014 | 108 | about average | 124 | electrical (30%) | 6 | ★★★★★ | 20–22 |
| 2015 | 96 | about average | 108 | engine (45%) | 3 | ★★★★★ | 20–23 |
| 2016 | 173 | 1.7× the average car's complaints | 199 | engine (27%) | 8 | ★★★★★ | 19–24 |
| 2017 | 168 | 1.7× the average car's complaints | 184 | engine (33%) | 4 | ★★★★★ | 19–24 |
| 2018 | 56 | 1.8× fewer complaints than average | 61 | engine (23%) | 3 | ★★★★★ | 19–24 |
| 2019 | 113 | 1.1× the average car's complaints | 114 | transmission & drivetrain (25%) | 2 | ★★★★★ | 21–25 |
| 2020 | 69 | 1.4× fewer complaints than average | 50 | transmission & drivetrain (20%) | 1 | ★★★★★ | 20–25 |
| 2021 | 209 | 2.1× the average car's complaints | 165 | transmission & drivetrain (47%) | 4 | ★★★★☆ | 24–37 |
| 2022 | 154 | 1.5× the average car's complaints | 163 | transmission & drivetrain (33%) | 6 | ★★★★☆ | 24–37 |
| 2023 | 145 | 1.4× the average car's complaints | 156 | engine (29%) | 4 | ★★★★☆ | 24–37 |
| 2024 | 60 | 1.7× fewer complaints than average | 49 | electrical (24%) | 2 | ★★★★★ | 23–37 |
| 2025 | 210 | 2.1× the average car's complaints | 121 | engine (35%) | 3 | ★★★★★ | 23–36 |
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the government within 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average, lower is better. How it works
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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