What's Wrong with the 3rd Generation (2015–2020) Sorento?

Sorento owners have made 146 complaints about the 2015–2020 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 40th out of 42 Kia generations in overall reliability, with real engine and electrical concerns.

Compare With Other Sorento Generations

Common 2015-2020 Kia Sorento Problems

Some of the worst issues 3rd generation Sorento owners have to deal with.

  1. Rodents Chew Kia's Soy Wiring

    Rodents just can't resist the soy-derived wire coatings used in Kia vehicles. The chewed up wires are costing owners hundreds, and sometimes thousands of dollars in repairs. However, this isn't a Kia-only problem.

    Continue reading article "Rodents Chew Kia's Soy Wiring"

  2. What Are We Missing?

    We know there's more problems than this. Let us know which one you'd like to see us cover next.

    Continue

What Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

3rd Generation (2015–2020) Sorento Key Numbers

  1. 6 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 146 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 40th in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 42 eligible generations.

Recent 3rd Generation (2015–2020) Sorento News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. A small, but important recall has been issued for just under a hundred 2018 Sorentos.

    The cowl crossbars that connect to the motor-driven power steering column may not have been welded properly. If the welds are too weak the power steering columns could separate. That seems less than ideal if you’re a fan of being able to control your SUV.

    Want to know if your vehicle is involved? Grab your VIN, give Kia a call at 800-333-4542, and ask about recall number SC167.

    keep reading article "Steering Column Separation in the 2018 Sorento"

  2. The 2018 Sorento has been recalled before we even had a chance to flip our calendars to the new year.

    The inflator in the side curtain airbag module is equipped with a "top hat diffuser" that may not have been formed properly during manufacturing. If the side curtain airbag deploys in a crash, the airbag may not deploy correctly to protect an occupant in a crash.

    My favorite antidote, however, is this little nugget—The diffuser can also detach and hit occupants when the airbags deploy.

    Talk about insult to injury.

    keep reading article "2018 Sorento Recalled for Side Curtain Airbag Issues"

  3. One Kia owner has had enough of gnawed wires leading to dashboard warning lights and multiple calls to the insurance company.

    Tsvetelin Tsonev filed a class-action lawsuit because his 2015 Soul is being used like a chew toy. The plaintiff says he leased a 2015 Kia Soul in April 2015 that has allegedly been damaged three times because the automaker keeps replacing soy-based wiring with more soy wiring, inviting more critters to snacktime.

    OK, so it turns out rodents don’t really snack on the coating, but they do love chewing on it and making nests out of it.

    And if you’re wondering just how much damage a rodent could do, brace yourself.…

    keep reading article "Soy Wires are Still Being Chewed Up. Maybe Kia Should Stop Advertising with Rodents."

  5. A small number (62) of 2017 Sorento SUVs have defective crankshafts, forcing a recall that starts next month.

    Kia also says it's possible failed crankshafts could cause fires, so dealers will need to inspect the crankshafts and if needed, replace the engine sub assemblies.

    If your crankshaft breaks it’s going to be a bad day. A fire would just be the cherry on top.

    keep reading article "Failing Crankshafts May Catch on Fire in the 2017 Sorento"

  6. Another day, another manufacturer getting sued for using soy-based wire coating.

    Plaintiff Campbell claims her 2014 Kia Optima was damaged in December 2016 when rodents chewed the wire harness and wiring. Campbell asked Kia to cover the repairs under warranty but after allegedly making her wait almost a month with the Kia Optima sitting at the dealership, Kia denied her claim for coverage.

    This is not a Kia-only problem. Other automakers have made the switch to a soy-based wire coatings and are facing similar lawsuits including Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, and Subaru.

    The lawsuit covers owners or lessees in California, Texas, and NJ with most of the 2012-2017 Kia lineup.

    keep reading article "Kia Sued for Using A Soy-Based Wire Coating"