NHTSA lists 804 complaints for the 2017 Kia Sorento, 13 of them mention a crash and 32 mention a fire. 13 complaints mention an injury, with 17 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-08.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as KIA SORENTO.
Model-generated complaint tags
These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.
Failure modes| Label | Count | Share of tagged | Mean confidence |
|---|
| mechanical failure | 293 | 36.4% | 0.79 |
|---|
| loss of control | 152 | 18.9% | 0.77 |
|---|
| visibility or lighting | 119 | 14.8% | 0.87 |
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| electrical electronic | 79 | 9.8% | 0.76 |
|---|
| fluid or fuel leak | 78 | 9.7% | 0.74 |
|---|
| fire or overheating | 35 | 4.4% | 0.92 |
|---|
| structural or corrosion | 20 | 2.5% | 0.83 |
|---|
| restraint or airbag | 19 | 2.4% | 0.90 |
|---|
| unclear | 8 | 1.0% | 0.87 |
|---|
| noise or comfort | 1 | 0.1% | 0.71 |
|---|
Severities| Label | Count | Share of tagged | Mean confidence |
|---|
| moderate | 555 | 69.0% | 0.83 |
|---|
| low | 193 | 24.0% | 0.69 |
|---|
| high | 34 | 4.2% | 0.81 |
|---|
| critical | 18 | 2.2% | 0.78 |
|---|
| none | 4 | 0.5% | 0.77 |
|---|
Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 804 tagged complaints of 804 complaints (100.0%).
Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.
Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.
Recalls
See new recalls and investigations this week.
4 recalls.
Date: 2022-09-19. Systems: 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 el (excerpt)
Consequence: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. (excerpt)
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. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: Yes.
Date: 2018-12-19. Systems: ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued dur (excerpt)
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. (excerpt)
Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2017-09-21. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017 Sorento vehicles equipped with 3.3L engines. The engine crankshaft may have been improperly heat treated and may fail.
Consequence: If the crankshaft fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A failed crankshaft also increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the crankshaft, and, as necessary, replace the engine sub assembly, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC153.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2016-11-30. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, TRAILER HITCHES.
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to August 25, 2016, and 2017 Sportage vehicles manufactured December 10, 2015, to August 26, 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 consta (excerpt)
Consequence: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer tow hitch harness, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC142. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Investigations
3 investigations; 0 open.
PE23019
Opened: 2023-11-13. Closed: 2024-07-23.
Loss of Motive Power
On November 13, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE23-019) to investigate allegations of loss of motive power relating to head gasket and/or head bolt failure in Model Year (MY) 2016-2017 Kia Sorento vehicles equipped with the 3.3 L Lambda II engine. When the investigation was opened, ODI had received 13 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) related to
Systems: ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
DP22003
Opened: 2022-09-12. Closed: 2023-12-12.
Loss of Motive Power
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints i
Systems: ENGINE.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
DP21002
Opened: 2021-11-12. Closed: 2023-06-26.
Engine Oil Pressure Switch Leak
In a letter dated September 30, 2021, Mr. Gerald James (the petitioner) requested that NHTSA conduct an investigation of the Model Year (MY) 2015-2017 Kia Sorento equipped with 3.3L V6 ?Lambda? engines for ?severe oil leaks? from the oil pressure switch (OPS) that could ?lead to engine failure? with little warning to the driver. Mr. James based this request on his own experience and data found in
Systems: ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
Manufacturer communications
242 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system| System | Count |
|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 97 |
|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 70 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT | 37 |
|---|
| STEERING | 26 |
|---|
| ENGINE | 20 |
|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 19 |
|---|
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 17 |
|---|
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 15 |
|---|
11037563
Date: 2026-09-25. Type: Service Campaign. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (SC330 Flight 301) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to replace the multi-function switch knob with improved parts on certain 2016-2018 MY Sorento vehicles.
11033996
Date: 2026-06-16. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VISIBILITY/WIPER.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH REPAIR (WTY031) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information associated with
11034003
Date: 2026-06-08. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin prov
11031854
Date: 2026-04-04. Type: Emissions. Systems: ENGINE.
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSIONS: ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340 REVISION 5) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to
11030382
Date: 2026-03-18. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OIL PRESSURE SWITCH (OPS) REPLACEMENT (WTY026 REVISION 2) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides informa
11029979
Date: 2026-03-06. Type: Emissions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSION SECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340 REV 4) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin p
11028908
Date: 2026-02-19. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin prov
11026900
Date: 2025-12-19. Type: Emissions. Systems: ENGINE.
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC340 FLIGHT 103 / UM) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to improve the emissions software logic in the Electronic Control Module (ECM) for certain 2016-2020 MY So
11026825
Date: 2025-12-18. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 19, which may not have bee
11026980
Date: 2025-12-17. Type: Other. Systems: STRUCTURE.
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (CS2312) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting Customer Satisfaction Campaign. A software upgrade that addresses the social media theft method has been made available to owners of eligible Kia model vehicles free