The Lemon Index2017 Kia Sorento.
The 2017 Kia Sorento is worse than average by owner complaints: 184 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 168, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 19 to 24 mpg combined. The best Kia Sorento year is 2018.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2016–2020 Kia Sorento, 17.3M views. The 2017 is the same generation.
- Brakes & ABS410K views
ABS & TRACTION LIGHTS DIAGNOSED AND FIXED FAST & EASY DIY 2011-2017 KIA SORENTO HYUNDAI SANTA FEHidalgo Motors Co TV · 134K views · 5 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical255K views
How to Start A 2014 - 2020 Kia Sorento With Dead Remote Key Fob Battery "Key Not Detected"PYR Automotive · 182K views · 2 videos - Oil changes & service208K views
2016 Kia Sorento - Service Reset ProcedureAutomotive Service Reset Procedures · 175K views · 2 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring181K views
2016 Kia Sorento Headlight Bulb ReplacementBallin' the Jack · 89K views · 3 videos
Show 4 more
- Transmission & shifter130K views
How to change transmission fluid on a 2016 kia sorentoJunkyard Junkie · 130K views - Windows, doors & mirrors80K views
2016 Kia Sorento Door HandleMarc Van Doren · 48K views · 2 videos - Spark plugs & ignition coils40K views
2016 - 2020 Kia Sorento 3.3 V6 Spark Plugs / Coils ReplacementBrian Balatbat · 40K views - Heat, A/C & blend door38K views
Kia Sorento Cabin Air Filter Replacement ( 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 )Undercar Experts · 38K views
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Kia Sorento SUV 3rd Generation 2015-201A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 466K views
2018 Kia Sorento 7-seat SUV buyer's guide | Auto Expert John CadoganAuto Expert John Cadogan · 86K views
Kia Sorento 3rd Gen 2016 to 2020 common problems, issues, recalls, defects and complaintsHOWSTUFFINMYCARWORKS · 61K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 806 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Kia Sorento year. 2017 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 22K to 78K miles on the car (272 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 35K–91K miles
- lights complaints mostly came at 30K–65K miles
- steering complaints mostly came at 15K–44K miles
Recalls 4
- trailer hitches 2022
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.
- fuel system, gasoline 2018
The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
- engine 2017
The engine crankshaft may have been improperly heat treated and may fail.
Show all 4 recalls
- trailer hitches 2016
The affected vehicles are equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated.
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 242 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- E-CVVT COVER AND MOTOR PLUG REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides information about the…
- TSB - E-CVVT COVER AND MOTOR PLUG REPLACEMENT - REVISED - This bulletin provides information…
- E-cvvt cover inspection and motor plug replacement (sa305) - revised - this bulletin
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedLoss of motive power2023–2024
- ClosedLoss of motive power2022–2023
- ClosedEngine oil pressure switch leak2021–2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Sorento SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Kia Sorento SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2700–3400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
The headlights do not shine far enough for safe stopping in an emergency. Deer ran on to road and almost hit it.
2017 Kia Sorento owner · NHTSA complaint 11015780
More owner reports
In auto mode when driving at night the headlights and dashboard lights turn off without warning.
NHTSA complaint 11350436
Car has had hesitation since bought new in 2017. Multiple complaints to dealer. Pdf's will be attached of ro's. Still does it. Car does it when rolling slow or pulling away from stop light. Will not do it in sport mode.
NHTSA complaint 11339795
Quick answers
Is the 2017 Kia Sorento reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.7× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 168; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Kia Sorento year by this measure is 2018.
What are the most common 2017 Kia Sorento problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (33%), lights (20%) and steering (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2017 Kia Sorento have?
4 safety recalls (latest: trailer hitches). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2017 Kia Sorento get?
19 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2017 Kia Sorento safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2017 Kia Sorento problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 22,000 and 78,800 miles. The middle report was at 46,500 miles, from 272 complaints.
Does the 2017 Kia Sorento have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2017 Kia Sorento cost in fuel a year?
About $2700 to $3400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2017 Kia Sorento have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl.
What Kia Sorento year is better than the 2017?
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