The Lemon IndexAll cars · Kia Sorento · 2018
2018 Kia Sorento. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Engines and drivetrains 6
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Auto (S6) | FWD | 20 / 27 / 23 | Regular | $2,700 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Auto (S6) | AWD | 19 / 25 / 22 | Regular | $2,850 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | Auto (S6) | FWD | 21 / 28 / 24 | Regular | $2,600 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | Auto (S6) | AWD | 21 / 25 / 22 | Regular | $2,850 |
| 3.3L 6-cyl | Auto (S6) | AWD | 18 / 25 / 21 | Regular | $2,950 |
| 3.3L 6-cyl | Auto (S6) | FWD | 18 / 25 / 20 | Regular | $3,100 |
EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.
Failure mileage by system
Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 15,600 and 77,200 miles. Median 49,000, from 69 complaints with a mileage.
| System | Median | Middle half | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 72,000 | 18,500–92,000 | 25 |
| Lights | 43,400 | 30,000–62,500 | 5 |
| Electrical | 33,000 | 18,200–60,200 | 8 |
| Steering | 22,100 | 16,000–30,100 | 11 |
| Airbags | 52,000 | 17,200–77,500 | 6 |
Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.
Complaints by system
| System | Share of complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | 23% |
| Steering | 18% |
| Lights | 16% |
| Electrical | 15% |
| Airbags | 10% |
One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Severity, all complaints
| Total | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Tows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 255 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 19 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
Recall campaigns 3
22V703000 Sep 2022 Trailer Hitches
Defect. 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.
Risk. A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
18V656000 Sep 2018 Steering / Electric Power Assist System
Defect. 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.
Risk. If the steering column separates, it can cause a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cowl crossbar, free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC167.
17V784000 Dec 2017 Air Bags / Side/Window
Defect. 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.
Risk. If the component detaches during deployment, it may enter the passenger compartment and be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC159.
NHTSA investigations
| Status | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closed | Loss of motive power | 2022 | 2023 |
Manufacturer communications 196
Kia filed 196 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- SORENTO (UMa) 3.3L - PRE-DELIVERY INSPECTION (SA345) -= This bulletin provides
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Crash ratings by version
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Sorento SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Kia Sorento SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Safety equipment
| Electronic stability | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Optional | Optional |
YouTube repair topics
100 videos about the 2016–2020 Kia Sorento, 17.3M views.
| Topic | Videos | Views |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes & ABS | 5 | 410K |
| Infotainment, battery & electrical | 2 | 255K |
| Oil changes & service | 2 | 208K |
| Gauges, lights & wiring | 3 | 181K |
| Transmission & shifter | 1 | 130K |
| Windows, doors & mirrors | 2 | 80K |
| Spark plugs & ignition coils | 1 | 40K |
| Heat, A/C & blend door | 1 | 38K |
Nearby model years
Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Updated
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