Model year
2018 Kia Sorento
NHTSA lists 3 recalls and 255 complaints for the 2018 Kia Sorento (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). 1 recall marked park outside. The components listed on the most complaints are ENGINE (107), EXTERIOR LIGHTING (38), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (37). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA rated 2 variants 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 19–24 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,800–$3,550, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2003 305 complaints
- 2004 220 complaints
- 2005 307 complaints
- 2006 242 complaints
- 2007 154 complaints
- 2008 217 complaints
- 2009 55 complaints
- 2011 1,520 complaints
- 2012 880 complaints
- 2013 982 complaints
- 2014 988 complaints
- 2015 754 complaints
- 2016 1,258 complaints
- 2017 808 complaints
- 2018 255 complaints
- 2019 433 complaints
- 2020 138 complaints
- 2021 254 complaints
- 2022 193 complaints
- 2023 125 complaints
- 2024 43 complaints
- 2025 76 complaints
- 2026 6 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
22V703000 · Sep 19, 2022
Park outsideTRAILER HITCHES
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…
18V656000 · Sep 21, 2018
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM; STEERING:COLUMN
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.
17V784000 · Dec 8, 2017
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
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.
Complaints
255 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 12, fire flag on 11, injury field 11, deaths field 1. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP22003 | Loss of Motive Power · ENGINE | Sep 12, 2022 | Dec 12, 2023 |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV AWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.15 | NHTSA photo |
| SUV FWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.158 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sorento FWD · 2.4L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 28 | 24 | — | — | $2,800 |
| Sorento AWD · 2.4L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 25 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| Sorento FWD · 2L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 27 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| Sorento AWD · 2L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 25 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| Sorento FWD · 3.3L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 25 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| Sorento FE AWD · 3.3L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 25 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| Sorento AWD · 3.3L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 23 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2018 Kia Sorento at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.