For the 2021 model year, a makeover of the Kia Sorento was made. In order to verify frontal crash test results, Hyundai/Kia tested a 2021 Kia Sorento as part of the driver-side small overlap frontal ratings that are given by the Institute.
In This Article...
Does the Kia Sorento have many issues?
Customers have experienced a number of issues with the Kia Sorento since it has been advertised and sold by Kia. These models share costly issues with one another. The following model years should be avoided: 2004, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2016.
Common difficulties include those with the engine, the electrical system, the airbags, the seat belts, the lights, and the body or paint.
Engine failure is the most serious problem that these Kia Sorento models have. When most consumers have traveled an average of 62,000 miles, something happens. They could end up costing you more money in repairs, so we advise avoiding them.
Which Year Models of Kia Sorento Are Safe to Buy Used?
Production of the Kia Sorento has been going on for approximately 20 years. Not all of the models that are released, like many other cars in its market class, are flawless right out of the factory. Some people have flaws. Despite this, you have a selection of others. This is particularly true if you want to stay away from those already listed.
The following list of reliable Kia Sorento model years includes:
- Kia Sorento 2003
- Kia Sorento from 2005
- 2007 Sorento Kia
- Kia Sorento 2008
- Kia Sorento from 2009
- Kia Sorento 2010
- Kia Sorento 2015
- Kia Sorento 2017
- Kia Sorento from 2018
- Kia Sorento for 2019
- Kia Sorento 2020
- Kia Sorento 2021
The years 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 are among the safest Kia Sorento model years to purchase. Compared to the earlier mentioned model years, these have minimal complaints.
The worst issues with many of them were engine issues, a broken air conditioner compressor, electrical issues, light issues, and AC/heater issues. Most of them are also inexpensive to fix minor problems. However, they are among the minority of car owners.
The worst car troubles in early generations include crankshaft problems, frequent lighting system failures, and broken parts. It’s important to remember that these issues only occur in cars with more than 90,000 miles on the odometer.
A few owners are also affected by the problems. They are less likely to happen in a Sorento with little mileage and good maintenance. The models from 2007 to 2010 and 2015 to 2021 are the least problematic. The year 2016 is an outlier; it is less dependable than the other years in the following years.
You want to find the best bargain on the car you want, not actually purchase it. If a comparable vehicle is offered locally for less money, the CoPilot app will let you know, so you can be sure you received the best bargain.
Which Kia Sorento Years to Avoid
The aforementioned Kia Sorento model years should easily accommodate your family’s needs and daily driving requirements. You need a dependable automobile in addition to one with excellent handling, a luxurious interior, and lots of attractive amenities. Here, we go into greater detail regarding the model years that weren’t chosen.
Steer clear of the following Kia Sorento model years:
- Kia Sorento from 2004
- Kia Sorento from 2006
- Kia Sorento from 2011
- Kia Sorento 2012
- Kia Sorento 2013
- Kia Sorento 2014
- Kia Sorento 2016
These model years frequently experience issues with their engines, electrical systems, lighting, seat belts and airbags, and body and paint. These affect everyone, and numerous users have noted concerns that are essentially the same.
You should steer clear of the 2011 Kia Sorento the most. It tops the list for having the most owner complaints. It is most likely to experience brakes issues, drivetrain issues, airbag and seat belt issues, and engine issues.
An engine failure at 77,000 miles cost the most money of all issues reported for the 2011 model year. Fixing this issue will cost $4,600. Other serious issues include an airbag problem that cost $2,000 to fix at 92,000 miles and a door issue that cost $400 to fix at 94,000 miles.
You might not be particularly knowledgeable about your car’s brakes unless you’re a mechanic or a super-committed auto enthusiast. How much time do they usually last? How frequently should brakes be replaced? We have solutions.
The 2016 Kia Sorento is another vehicle you should completely avoid. In comparison to other models with lower mileage, it has more issues and costs more to repair. The most common issues are with the engine, then the steering, body/paint, and lights.
The engine has experienced the worst reported failure at 62,000 kilometers. Repairing this cost $6,100. Other owners reported having to pay up to $600 to fix wiring that rodents had gnawed. At 22,000 miles, one user’s car stalled while accelerating.
Common Kia Sorento Problems
One of the greatest warranties for cars is offered by Kia. But that doesn’t mean you should be any less critical, especially when it comes to reliability concerns. The most typical Kia Sorento issues, spanning all model years, are listed below:
- Engine issues – The Sorento’s engine frequently fails, which is a common dependability problem. The engine failure, which was primarily reported in 2011, 2016, and 2017 models, was caused by a leaky head gasket, which mixed engine oil and coolant. These liquids when combined can seriously harm engines.
- Frustrated owners reported that the Sorento’s doors won’t open when reached from the outside, which is more unpleasant than dangerous. Additionally, defective door handles made users of the child-lock feature even more irate. Owners of 2011 Sorentos make up the majority of the complaints.
- Burning out of headlight bulbs: Numerous customers noted that the headlight bulbs on Sorento models from 2002 to 2009 were particularly prone to premature failure. Additionally, several stories claimed that additional headlamp component parts were also melted. There should have been a recall for this dependability problem, but there wasn’t one. Owners were required to purchase replacement bulbs for between $100 and $600.
Kia Sorento Problem Counts by Year
Young and experienced drivers equally are impacted by winter driving. To help you get from A to B as securely as possible, we’ve put together a list of the best automobiles for snow.
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
The simplest way to purchase a car is using the CoPilot auto shopping app. You may create a customized list of the top car listings in your area by telling us what you’re looking for, and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area.
Just seeking for more recent models? The search engine for virtually new vehicles is CoPilot Compare. only observe recentfive years or lessautos with little mileage. The greatest place to look for off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO vehicles is CoPilot Compare.
What’s best? We have more information on each vehicle than our rivals since CoPilot was developed using the same technologies that dealerships use to acquire and sell their inventories. Since CoPilot doesn’t partner with automakers, there aren’t any sponsored posts or other dubious tacticsjust the most information about the best vehicles. To learn more about CoPilot’s operation, see our About Us page.
What is the safety rating of the Kia Sorento?
2021 Sorento NHTSA Safety Rating for Kia Four out of five stars overall. Four out of five stars for a frontal collision. Five out of five stars for the side accident. Four out of five stars for rollover.
What SUV from Kia is the safest?
The designs, quality, and safety of Sportage, Sorento, and Telluride have all attracted praise from all over the world.
Every Kia SUV has a unique character. The Sportage and Sorento are two well-liked and recognizable SUVs from Kia. The Telluride, Kia’s newest SUV, is praised for both its look and performance. The IIHS named the 2019 Sorento one of its Top Safety Picks. The IIHS selected the Sportage as one of the safest vehicles for the 2018 model year. Additionally, the 2020 Telluride won the top spot in all three categories.
It can be difficult to select the ideal SUV for your needs, those of your family, and your way of life. Asking oneself certain important questions can help you eliminate possibilities.
The Sportage has a stellar track record, having taken home all three internationally renowned design accolades in 2016, including the Good Design Award and the iF Design Award. It received a 5-star safety rating from the 2019 U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and was ranked first in the Compact SUV segment by J.D. Power Initial Quality Study (IQS) and Vehicle Dependability Study. With more than 5.5 million vehicles sold worldwide, it was also one of the Top Safety Picks by IIHs (VDS). The Sportage was also chosen by AutoPacific as the 2017 Ideal Vehicle Award (IVA) Winner. It is a very adaptable SUV with a well-designed cabin, useful amenities, and a comfortable ride.
The Sorento received the highest safety rating from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), Top Safety Pick Plus (TSP+), in 2019 after receiving a 5-star rating from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). J.D. Powers Initial Quality Study selected it as the winner of the midsize SUV market in 2018, and Strategic Vision named it the Most Loved Vehicle in the fiercely competitive midsize CUV segment in 2016. The Sorento is a highly capable infotainment system with exceptional ride comfort that has won accolades for its presentation and performance on a global scale. With over 5,000 vehicles sold each month and 3.28 million vehicles sold globally, it is a major contributor to Kia RV sales.
The Telluride won the top honors at various competitions. It beat out almost a dozen other SUVs to win the SUV category at the prestigious Texas Off-road Invitational in 2019, which was hosted by the Texas Motor Press Association. The Telluride was voted by the Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA) as the mid- and full-size CUV category winner at its 25th annual Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year event, better known as Mudfest, that same year. The Telluride also won the top spot in the Texas Auto Roundup after shocking everyone with its off-road prowess and a refined driving experience that outperformed several of the venerable cars.
Are Kias accident-safe?
In the market for budget cars, Kia is frequently rated as one of the safest manufacturers. There are no short cuts in Kia’s dedication to safety design. Find out what makes Kia automobiles safe and which models live up to their reputation by reading on.
What makes a Kia safe?
Although Kia cars have stylish aesthetics, their safety features are what actually drive sales. Let’s examine these highly praised characteristics to determine whether they support Kia’s reputation for safety:
Strong body construction: The ultra-high tensile steel body accounts for about 30% of the total weight of all Kia models. This tough construction, often referred to as crashworthiness, aids in the vehicle’s ability to preserve its shape in the case of a collision or rollover.
Comprehensive safety: All Kia vehicles come equipped with a full set of airbags as standard equipment, protecting every passenger. There are front and rear side airbags, driver and passenger seat airbags, curtain airbags, and a driver knee airbag to ensure that no area is exposed.
Technologies for driver assistance: Recognizing an accident before it occurs is a safety feature in and of itself. When using driver-assist technologies, it’s like always having a co-pilot who drives automatically. You can find intelligent cruise control, lane-centering, distance maintenance, collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, and more in the Kia Drive Wise suite!
Kia consistently receives five-star safety ratings thanks to the integration of high-quality construction, safety gear, and preventative technologies. But what exactly does “five-star” mean? Check it out.
What are the Kia Sorento 2021’s typical issues?
The Kia Sorento for 2021 isn’t ideal, as you might expect. Despite receiving an overwhelmingly excellent assessment, the midsized SUV has a few important flaws. The first has to do with the dual-clutch transmission that is mated to the aforementioned 2.5-liter turbocharged engine. Consumer Reports stated that the powertrain isn’t silky smooth at low speeds despite having a ton of available torque. As a result, if you’re in stop-and-go traffic, you might hear some strange vibrations and jerky movements.
The hybrid powertrain of the 2021 Kia Sorento has several flaws as well. Consumer Reports claims that there is a delay when accelerating after coming to a complete stop. Consumer Reports discovered that the Sorento requires a lot of force to move forward because it starts off using electric power. But as soon as the accelerator is depressed and the 1.6-liter engine fires up, the extra power is delivered fairly suddenly.
The ride comfort of the 2021 Kia Sorento is arguably its biggest shortcoming. Consumer reviews claims that numerous testers found the Sorento to have a fairly stiff and uneven ride. The 2018 Sorento is reputedly not the most comfortable car in its class as a result.
What is the Kia Sorento’s expected lifespan?
A Kia Sorento should endure for at least 200,000 kilometers. If you travel roughly 15,000 miles each year, it should last for around 13 years. However, maintaining the factory-recommended maintenance schedule and being careful not to misuse the vehicle are necessary to get the round amount.
How safe are Kia SUVs?
Kia Sorento is a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS. When outfitted with the optional Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist and LED headlamp, the 2019 Kia Sorento receives 2019 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ honors.
Does the Kia Sorento include 360-degree cameras?
When the car is in reverse, the rear view monitor helps by providing a clear perspective of what is behind. Using its four cameras, the Surround View Monitor provides a clear 360-degree view of the area around the car.
Are Kias trustworthy and safe?
To obtain their overall reliability ratings, the RepairPal team considers a number of different variables. Simply put, your out-of-pocket ownership expenditures will be cheaper the more dependable your car is. The cost, frequency, and severity of repairs are some of these variables. In order to calculate an individual brand’s total RepairPal reliability rating, these categories are averaged.
In the RepairPal reliability rankings, Kia came in at number three, including second place when only non-luxury brands were included. The Kia Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, placing it third among all car brands out of 32. This evaluation is based on the average of 345 different models.
“Kia had three well-liked models, including the Soul, Rio, and Forte, in the top 30 with Excellent ratings. The Optima and Sorento, two of its most well-liked cars, kept their Excellent rankings within the top 100.