The Lemon Index2007 Kia Sorento.
The 2007 Kia Sorento is worse than average by owner complaints: 57 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 158, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 17 to 18 mpg combined. The best Kia Sorento year is 2018.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 154 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Kia Sorento year. 2007 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 3K to 101K miles on the car (120 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 0K–90K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 41K–135K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 0K–50K miles
Recalls 4
- electrical 2020
Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
- lights 2013
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.
- airbags 2011
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 SORENTO PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 15, 2006 THROUGH NOVEMBER 27, 2007.
Show all 4 recalls
- lights 2009
HUYNDAI-KIA IS RECALLING 139,844 MY 2006-2007- SEDONA, SPORTAGE, SORENTO AND MY RONDO AND AMANTI VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Kia told dealers about
Kia sent dealers 23 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Automatic transmission adaptive value reset/relearn
- Bumping symptom during engagement of the damper
- There may be erratic shifting, shift shock, and a malfunction light on with stored trouble codes
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedThrottle control system vulnerabilities2021–2023
- ClosedAir bag occupant classification system2009–2011
- ClosedAir bag ocs2009
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3550–3800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.3L 6-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Passenger side air bag light does not go off every time a passenger is sitting in seat.which will not let air bag deploy.
2007 Kia Sorento owner · NHTSA complaint 10213408
More owner reports
2007 Kia Sorento passenger side air bag indicates off with adult in front seat.
NHTSA complaint 10234196
Quick answers
Is the 2007 Kia Sorento reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.6× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 158; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Kia Sorento year by this measure is 2018.
What are the most common 2007 Kia Sorento problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (54%), transmission & drivetrain (23%) and equipment & accessories (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2007 Kia Sorento have?
4 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2007 Kia Sorento get?
17 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2007 Kia Sorento problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 3,600 and 101,500 miles. The middle report was at 55,500 miles, from 120 complaints.
Does the 2007 Kia Sorento have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 23% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2007 Kia Sorento cost in fuel a year?
About $3550 to $3800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2007 Kia Sorento have?
3.3L 6-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl.
What Kia Sorento year is better than the 2007?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2018, 2020 and 2012.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works