2014 KIA SORENTO — Owner-Reported Problems

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-08-22 978 complaints · 6 recalls
Most-reported system: ENGINE (290 complaints · 29.7%)
Safety signals:
  • Crashes 23
  • Fires 45
  • Injuries 24
  • Deaths 1
Compare with 2013 →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Component Problem Distribution

Share of owner complaints filed for each vehicle system (unaffected by sales volume)

Component Problem Distribution ENGINE appears in 290 of 978 owner complaints (29.7%) in this vehicle snapshot. ENGINE: 290 complaints, 29.7% of reports ENGINE 290 · 29.7% · 1 crash reports 20 fire reports STRUCTURE: 130 complaints, 13.3% of reports STRUCTURE 130 · 13.3% EXTERIOR LIGHTING: 77 complaints, 7.9% of reports EXTERIOR LIGHTING 77 · 7.9% · 1 fire reports ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: 71 complaints, 7.3% of reports ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 71 · 7.3% · 1 crash reports 4 fire reports POWER TRAIN: 55 complaints, 5.6% of reports POWER TRAIN 55 · 5.6% · 2 crash reports 1 fire reports SERVICE BRAKES: 48 complaints, 4.9% of reports SERVICE BRAKES 48 · 4.9% · 1 crash reports 1 fire reports FUEL SYSTEM: 29 complaints, 3.0% of reports FUEL SYSTEM 29 · 3.0% · 2 crash reports 5 fire reports AIR BAGS: 25 complaints, 2.6% of reports AIR BAGS 25 · 2.6% · 9 crash reports STEERING: 24 complaints, 2.5% of reports STEERING 24 · 2.5% · 2 crash reports 1 fire reports UNKNOWN OR OTHER: 357 complaints, 36.5% of reports UNKNOWN OR OTHER 357 · 36.5% · 6 crash reports 12 fire reports 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER is an NHTSA classification artifact and is always listed last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
ENGINE 290 29.7% 1 crashes · 20 fires
STRUCTURE 130 13.3% 0 crashes · 0 fires
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 77 7.9% 0 crashes · 1 fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 71 7.3% 1 crashes · 4 fires
POWER TRAIN 55 5.6% 2 crashes · 1 fires
SERVICE BRAKES 48 4.9% 1 crashes · 1 fires
FUEL SYSTEM 29 3.0% 2 crashes · 5 fires
AIR BAGS 25 2.6% 9 crashes · 0 fires
STEERING 24 2.5% 2 crashes · 1 fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 357 36.5% 6 crashes · 12 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-08-22 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Problem & Recall Timeline

Observed complaint volume and manufacturer recall actions over time

Problem & Recall Timeline Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jul 2013; the first recall shown was reported in Aug 2013. 2013-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2013-Q4: 10 owner reports 10 2014-Q1: 6 owner reports 6 2014-Q2: 10 owner reports 10 2014-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2014-Q4: 6 owner reports 6 2015-Q1: 8 owner reports 8 2015-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2015-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2015-Q4: 7 owner reports 7 2016-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2016-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 2016-Q3: 8 owner reports 8 2016-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2017-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2017-Q2: 13 owner reports 13 2017-Q3: 15 owner reports 15 2017-Q4: 15 owner reports 15 2018-Q1: 8 owner reports 8 2018-Q2: 17 owner reports 17 2018-Q3: 23 owner reports 23 2018-Q4: 21 owner reports 21 2019-Q1: 30 owner reports 30 2019-Q2: 22 owner reports 22 2019-Q3: 35 owner reports 35 2019-Q4: 29 owner reports 29 2020-Q1: 35 owner reports 35 2020-Q2: 14 owner reports 14 2020-Q3: 41 owner reports 41 2020-Q4: 46 owner reports 46 2021-Q1: 35 owner reports 35 2021-Q2: 36 owner reports 36 2021-Q3: 31 owner reports 31 2021-Q4: 21 owner reports 21 2022-Q1: 22 owner reports 22 2022-Q2: 36 owner reports 36 2022-Q3: 43 owner reports 43 2022-Q4: 17 owner reports 17 2023-Q1: 39 owner reports 39 2023-Q2: 23 owner reports 23 2023-Q3: 25 owner reports 25 2023-Q4: 23 owner reports 23 2024-Q1: 52 owner reports 52 2024-Q2: 30 owner reports 30 2024-Q3: 18 owner reports 18 2024-Q4: 9 owner reports 9 2025-Q1: 18 owner reports 18 2025-Q2: 4 owner reports 4 2025-Q3: 11 owner reports 11 2025-Q4: 10 owner reports 10 2026-Q1: 11 owner reports 11 2026-Q2: 12 owner reports 12 2026-Q3: 7 owner reports 7 Owner reports Jul 2013 Jul 2026 Recall campaign 13V356000 ◆ Recall campaign 13V356000 Recall campaign 17V224000 ◆ Recall campaign 17V224000 Recall campaign 18V907000 ◆ Recall campaign 18V907000 Recall campaign 20V519000 ◆ Recall campaign 20V519000 Recall campaign 21V331000 ◆ Recall campaign 21V331000 Recall campaign 23V652000 ◆ Recall campaign 23V652000 Investigation PE13025 ● Investigation PE13025 Investigation RQ17003 ● Investigation RQ17003 Investigation DP18003 ● Investigation DP18003 Investigation PE19004 ● Investigation PE19004 Investigation DP21003 ● Investigation DP21003 Investigation EA21003 ● Investigation EA21003 Investigation DP22003 ● Investigation DP22003 Investigation AQ23002 ● Investigation AQ23002
  • Campaign 17V224000 was reported 1,141 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 20V519000 was reported 2,491 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 21V331000 was reported 2,747 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 23V652000 was reported 3,615 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2013-Q3 Owner reports 5
2013-Q4 Owner reports 10
2014-Q1 Owner reports 6
2014-Q2 Owner reports 10
2014-Q3 Owner reports 5
2014-Q4 Owner reports 6
2015-Q1 Owner reports 8
2015-Q2 Owner reports 2
2015-Q3 Owner reports 2
2015-Q4 Owner reports 7
2016-Q1 Owner reports 3
2016-Q2 Owner reports 5
2016-Q3 Owner reports 8
2016-Q4 Owner reports 1
2017-Q1 Owner reports 3
2017-Q2 Owner reports 13
2017-Q3 Owner reports 15
2017-Q4 Owner reports 15
2018-Q1 Owner reports 8
2018-Q2 Owner reports 17
2018-Q3 Owner reports 23
2018-Q4 Owner reports 21
2019-Q1 Owner reports 30
2019-Q2 Owner reports 22
2019-Q3 Owner reports 35
2019-Q4 Owner reports 29
2020-Q1 Owner reports 35
2020-Q2 Owner reports 14
2020-Q3 Owner reports 41
2020-Q4 Owner reports 46
2021-Q1 Owner reports 35
2021-Q2 Owner reports 36
2021-Q3 Owner reports 31
2021-Q4 Owner reports 21
2022-Q1 Owner reports 22
2022-Q2 Owner reports 36
2022-Q3 Owner reports 43
2022-Q4 Owner reports 17
2023-Q1 Owner reports 39
2023-Q2 Owner reports 23
2023-Q3 Owner reports 25
2023-Q4 Owner reports 23
2024-Q1 Owner reports 52
2024-Q2 Owner reports 30
2024-Q3 Owner reports 18
2024-Q4 Owner reports 9
2025-Q1 Owner reports 18
2025-Q2 Owner reports 4
2025-Q3 Owner reports 11
2025-Q4 Owner reports 10
2026-Q1 Owner reports 11
2026-Q2 Owner reports 12
2026-Q3 Owner reports 7
Recall campaign 1 13V356000
Recall campaign 1 17V224000
Recall campaign 1 18V907000
Recall campaign 1 20V519000
Recall campaign 1 21V331000
Recall campaign 1 23V652000
Defect investigation 1 PE13025
Defect investigation 1 RQ17003
Defect investigation 1 DP18003
Defect investigation 1 PE19004
Defect investigation 1 DP21003
Defect investigation 1 EA21003
Defect investigation 1 DP22003
Defect investigation 1 AQ23002
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-08-22 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Safety Recalls (6)

Official safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA

  1. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 13V356000

    Report date
    Component:
    POWER TRAIN
    Consequence:
    A fractured front axle may result in a loss of power to the wheels. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked without the parking brake applied, it may roll away. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle shaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2013. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542 . Kia's recall number is SC099.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 17V224000

    Report date
    Component:
    ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
    Consequence:
    Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 18V907000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 20V519000

    Report date
    Component:
    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
    Consequence:
    If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
    Remedy:
    Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HECU for leaking brake fluid and replace the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. The recall began October 20, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC197.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  5. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 21V331000

    Report date
    Component:
    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
    Consequence:
    An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving.
    Remedy:
    Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will install a new multi-fuse, and inspect the HECU for leaks, replacing the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 2, 2021. This recall supersedes previous NHTSA recall number 20V-519. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC212.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  6. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 23V652000

    Report date
    Component:
    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
    Consequence:
    An engine compartment 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 replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Complaint Narrative Explorer

Verbatim owner-reported defect narratives from NHTSA public records

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-08-21
Safety incident filters
Showing 0 of 978 complaints · page 1 of 40

No complaints match the current filters.
EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Data sourced from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Snapshot date: 2026-08-21.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources