Kia Sorento Problems Year By Year

By Max Anthony •  Updated: 04/23/21 •  13 min read

The Kia Sorento is a popular SUV. It’s available in 4 different trims: LX, EX, SX Limited and SX Turbo .The base model has a 2.4 liter engine with 185 horsepower. All models have an 8-speed automatic transmission.

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The Kia Sorento is a popular choice for many consumers.However, This SUV has had some major issues over the years, and we will break down the most common  Kia Sorento problems as well as the faulty model years to avoid.

Most Common Kia Sorento Problems

Problems With 2003 Kia Sorento 

The Kia Sorento 2003 is a mid-sized SUV. It has five doors and seats up to seven passengers. One of the most popular features of the car is its panoramic sunroof that allows for plenty of natural light inside the cabin.Yet,the 2003 Kia Sorento is prone to a number of engine problems, including the timing belt and water pump.

Kia Sorento Problems
2003 Kia Sorento LX, Rear Left | wikimedia

 Another common problem is that the car’s alternator may fail or wear out prematurely. A leaky head gasket can cause major damage to your vehicle’s engine. There are also issues with the power steering fluid leaking from hoses and lines.

The 2003 year had terrible safety ratings from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, scoring just one star out of 5. Driver side and rear impact rates were low as well, but in a crash situation drivers are at great risk for leg or pelvic injury.

Problems With 2004 Kia Sorento

The Kia Sorento 2004 is a mid-sized SUV. It has four doors and seats five passengers. It features an automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive, and front-wheel drive options.

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A powertrain option includes the 2.5 liter inline 4 cylinder engine with 17horsepower and 175 lb/ft of torque.

Kia Sorento problems
2004 Kia Sorento 2.5 CRDI | wikimedia

Yet, 2004 Kia Sorento Has its drawbacks. Common Kia Sorento 2004 problems include power steering issues, engine problems, and transmission issues.

The most common Kia Sorento 2004 problem is the need for a new battery.Other common car troubles are that the air conditioning doesn’t work or blows hot air .A few other common Kia Sorento 2004 problems are that the vehicle has trouble starting or won’t start at all.

2005 Kia Sorento Issues

The Kia Sorento 2005 is a mid-sized SUV. It has four doors and seats five passengers.. It’s available in three trim levels: Base, LX, and EX. The base model includes an A/C system with rear vents, power windows and door locks, keyless entry, a CD player with MP3 capability, 16″ steel wheels with full wheel covers.

The 2005 Kia Sorento had few complaints when it came to noise problems, transmission issues and headlight issues. This year also saw a software update for the transmissions control module as well as an updated tensioner that fixed any previous crash test issue.

Kia Sorento Problems
2005 Kia Sorento © wikimedia commons

2006 Kia Sorento Issues

Kia Sorento 2006 is a crossover SUV that was introduced in 2005.It features front-wheel drive, and it comes with either a 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine or 3.5 liter V6 engine.

The Sorento has been awarded the Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) every year since 2011.

Yet, Kia sorento 2006 has many problems. The First problem is that the car can be difficult to steer. 

Another issue is that the Sorento 2006 has a tendency to roll over during turns. Some drivers have reported issues with their steering wheel, which may cause them difficulty while driving. There are also complaints of excessive tire wear and premature brake failure.

Kia Sorento Problems
2006 Kia Sorento © wikimedia commons

Problems With 2007 Kia Sorento

The Kia Sorento 2007 is a mid-sized SUV with seating for up to seven people. It has a 2.7 liter engine that can generate 185 horsepower and 210 lb/ft of torque.

It also comes standard with 18 inch alloy wheels, rear spoiler, fog lights, heated mirrors, and power windows. 

The car has an EPA estimated fuel economy of 19 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway.

Kia Sorento Problems
2007 Kia Sorento © kbb

However,the 2007 Kia Sorento has a few problems that owners should be aware of .Some drivers have complained about the engine not starting when they turn the key. Others report getting an “engine malfunction” message on their dashboard .

There is also a problem with the air conditioning system, which can stop working properly in hot weather or after long periods of use.Also,it doesn’t have much power and struggles to climb hills .It’s very expensive to maintain, especially if you’re looking for used parts.

2008 Kia Sorento Issues

The Kia Sorento 2008 was first introduced in 2007 and has been on the market since then.It comes with three engine options: a 2.4L 4-cylinder, 3.5L V6, or 3.3L diesel V6. There are four trim levels available for purchase: LX, EX, SX Limited Edition, and SX Turbo.

Kia Sorento problems
Kia Sorento EX 2.5 VGT 2008 | Flickr

The Sorento 2008 has a few problems .One problem is that the car doesn’t have enough power, which can be fixed by replacing the air filter and spark plugs. Another problem is that there are some recalls on certain models of this vehicle.

Some other problems include: leaky sunroofs, faulty fuel injectors, and transmission issues.The air conditioning system may also be problematic, as it will either blow hot or cold air at any given time .Other common issues are with the steering wheel and driver’s seat, which can become loose over time.

Problems With 2009 Kia Sorento

The 2009 Kia Sorento is a crossover SUV that was introduced in 2008. It has a 3.5-liter V6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission .The Sorento seats five people and can tow up to 3500 pounds of weight .

It comes with 17″ alloy wheels, fog lights, leather seating, power driver’s seat, heated front seats, Bluetooth connectivity for hands free phone calls or streaming audio from your smartphone.

Kia Sorento Problems
2009 Kia Sorento © kbb

The Sorento 2009 has been reported to have a number of problems.Among these problems is a faulty power steering system that can cause the car to lose control .

There are also reports of an airbag malfunction and corrosion on the brake lines. Additionally, there is a problem with the fuel pump which causes it to stop working after about 10 minutes.Other Kia Sorento 2009 problems are usually due to a faulty fuel pump .

The car’s check engine light may come on when the problem is detected .Other common causes of Kia Sorento 2009 problems include a faulty oxygen sensor, ignition coil, or spark plug wires.

2011 Kia Sorento Issues

The 2011 Kia Sorento is a crossover SUV. It has four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options.. It comes with a 2.4L engine that gets 16 city/22 highway MPG. The car seats up to seven people.

Kia Sorento problems
Kia Sorento EX 2.2 CRDi AWD | Flickr

The 2011 Kia Sorento has a lot of problems with the transmission .There are many complaints about the 2011 Kia Sorento’s engine. The air conditioner is not very efficient in this car, and it can be hard to find a comfortable temperature .Some owners have had issues with the CD player skipping or not working at all.

Problems With 2012 Kia Sorento

The 2012 Kia Sorento is a mid-sized SUV that seats up to five passengers. It features an available 3.5 liter V6 engine with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Standard features include 17″ alloy wheels, power windows and locks, keyless entry, cruise control, air conditioning and more. Available options include heated front seats, leather seating surfaces and sunroof.

Kia Sorento Problems
2012 Kia Sorento © carbuzz

The 2012 Kia Sorento has a tendency to startle drivers when the brakes are applied .There have been reports of engine stalling after being driven for an extended period of time.

Some owners report that the car’s headlights turn off and on while driving at night, which can be distracting . A few people say their fuel gauge is inaccurate and they have to keep checking it with a gas station pump.Also,the front seats don’t provide enough support for long trips.

2013 Kia Sorento Issues

2013 Kia Sorento is a mid-sized SUV that seats up to five passengers. It has a 3.3 liter V6 engine and an automatic transmission.

The front wheel drive vehicle can tow up to 2,000 pounds .Its exterior features include 18 inch alloy wheels, fog lights, and roof rails.

Kia Sorento problems
2013 Kia Sorento SX AWD Premium | Flickr

As far as its problems are concerned, the transmission is not always shifting smoothly. There are some problems with the engine, like a leaky oil pan gasket or a faulty valve cover gasket .

The air conditioner does not work properly in hot weather .There have been reports of an excessive amount of brake dust on the rear wheels and rotor surfaces.

Problems With 2014 Kia Sorento Models

The 2014 Kia Sorento is a mid-size SUV that seats up to five people. It has two engine options, a 2.4L 4-cylinder and 3.3L V6. The base trim level comes with 17″ alloy wheels, Bluetooth connectivity, and an 8″ touchscreen display .Optional features include heated leather seats, navigation system, panoramic sunroof.

Kia Sorento Problems
2014 Kia Sorento © carbuzz

Kia recalled 2014 Sorentos because of a potential issue with the front axle and replaced them. This was not Kia’s only problem, though: they also had issues with engine failures from parts that wore down too quickly and electrical problems such as battery life dying after being plugged in for some time or doors locking sporadically.

2015 Kia Sorento Issues

The 2015 Kia Sorento is a crossover SUV .It comes in three different trim levels: LX, EX, and SX. The base model has a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 185 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque.

There are also two available transmissions: six-speed automatic or seven-speed dual clutch.

When it comes to 2015 Kia Sorento issues, transmission is faulty and can’t shift gears. There are some problems with the electrical system that cause the car to stall out.

The engine has a tendency to overheat, which causes it to shut down unexpectedly Some customers have reported issues with their air conditioning unit.

2016 Kia Sorento Issues

The 2016 Kia Sorento is a midsize crossover SUV. It has four trims: LX, EX, SX, and Limited. It features a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 290 horsepower and 252 pound-feet of torque. The 2016 Kia Sorento also offers an optional all-wheel drive system.

The 2016  Kia Sorento has a number of problems including the front seat belts, which may not work properly and can cause injury to passengers in the event of an accident.

Kia Sorento Problems
2016  Kia Sorento © carbuzz

There have also been complaints about the car’s gas mileage, with some drivers reporting that they are spending $120 per week on fuel when their old cars were only costing them $60. Other drivers have complained that there is no room for luggage or groceries in the back seats.


Problems With 2017 Kia Sorento

The 2017 Kia Sorento is a mid-size crossover SUV.. It’s available in three trim levels: LX, EX, and SX.. All trims come with a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine that produces 185 horsepower.

The interior features soft touch materials and an infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities.

The vehicle’s cabin is not as quiet as other SUVs. There are complaints about the 2007 Sorento’s fuel economy

.Some drivers have complained that their vehicles’ infotainment system freezes up and doesn’t work properly. Drivers also say that the navigation system does not show enough detail, such as buildings or street names.

2018 Kia Sorento Issues

The 2018 Kia Sorento has a sleek design with features like LED headlights and taillights, as well as an available panoramic sunroof .

Standard safety features include 6 airbags, electronic stability control, traction control system, and anti-lock brakes. It seats up to 7 people comfortably in its 3 rows of seating.

Kia Sorento Problems
2018 Kia Sorento © carbuzz

The 2018 Kia Sorento has a few minor issues that can be easily fixed. Some customers have complained about the lack of power steering fluid which can be remedied by adding some to the reservoir.

One customer had an issue with their car not starting after being parked for a while, but this was due to a faulty battery and could’ve been avoided if they checked it regularly.

Problems With 2019 Kia Sorento

2019 Kia Sorento is a crossover SUV.It has up to 7 passengers .The cargo space is 18 cubic feet. There are 3 engine options: 2-liter 4-cylinder, 3-liter V6, and turbocharged 3-liter V6.

Kia Sorento problems
2019 Kia Sorento 2.4 SX | wikimedia

The 2019 Kia Sorento has a few problems . One of the most common complaints is that the car’s engine will stall at low speeds, and it can be difficult to restart. 

Other people have reported that their cars stalled when they were driving on hills or had to stop quickly for traffic lights. Another issue with the 2019 Kia Sorento is that there are reports of some drivers experiencing transmission issues when accelerating from a full stop.

2020 Kia Sorento Problems

The 2020 Kia Sorento is a mid-size crossover SUV. It has three rows of seats and comes in two trim levels: LX and EX. The base engine on the 2020 Kia Sorento is a 2.4L 4-cylinder with 185 horsepower.

Kia Sorento Problems
2020 Kia Sorento © carbuzz

The 2020 Kia Sorento LX starts at $28,900 while the 2020 Kia Sorento EX starts at $32,990.

The 2020 Kia Sorento has a few problems that have been reported by owners .One of those problems is the suspension system, which can lead to rattling and squeaking noises.

Another problem is with the transmission, which may not shift properly or make strange noises while in motion.

2020 Kia Sorento Reliability | US CAR NEWS

Also,the 2020 Kia Sorento has been deemed unsafe by some safety experts. Some drivers say the 2020 Kia Sorento is too expensive for its features and quality.

Other drivers have had problems with their vehicle’s transmission, engine, or other mechanical issues.

How Many Miles Will A Kia Sorento Last?

The mileage of a Kia Sorento depends on the driver’s habits and driving conditions. For example, if you drive primarily in city traffic, your car will likely get fewer miles per gallon than if you’re constantly on the highway .

In addition to this, there are other factors that affect how many miles a vehicle can last such as engine size and weight.

Also,The EPA estimates the average fuel economy of this car to be 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway .With an estimated combined gas mileage of 21 miles per gallon, it will cost about $1,000 to drive 15,000 miles. It has an average of 18 miles per gallon. It can go up to 24,000 miles before needing new tires. 

Besides, you can get a warranty for the car’s engine and transmission for 10 years or 100,000 miles. The Sorento is made with high-quality materials that are durable and last longer than other vehicles.

Is 2021 Kia Sorento Reliable?

The 2021 Kia Sorento is available with two engine options: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder or 3.3-liter V6 .It has an 8 speed automatic transmission and can tow up to 4,500 pounds. Standard features include 17″ alloy wheels, power windows and door locks, heated mirrors, fog lights, air conditioning, cruise control and more.

It seems that Consumer Reports was not a fan of the 2021 Kia Sorento. They gave it only three out of five predicted reliability ratings, which is less than what you would expect from this popular car brand overall. Fortunately , J D Power rated the same new model as having great quality and reliability rates.

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Max Anthony

Max is a gizmo-savvy guy, who has a tendency to get pulled into the nitty gritty details of technology and cars. He attended UT Austin, where he studied Information Science. He’s married and has three kids, one dog and a GMC truck and a Porsche 911. With a large family, he still finds time to share tips and tricks on cars, trucks and more.