The long-term dependability data that demonstrates Kia vehicles are more reliable than Mitsubishi vehicles comes from J.D. Power & Associates’ 2021 survey of owners of three-year-old vehicles. Above the industry average, Kia is ranked third in reliability by J.D. Power. Mitsubishi is ranked 13th with 19 more issues per 100 vehicles.
Consumer States’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Kia automobiles are more dependable than Mitsubishi vehicles based on polls of all of its members. In terms of reliability, Kia is ranked 5 spots higher than Mitsubishi by Consumer Reports.
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Is Kia a reliable SUV?
“For their designs, quality, and safety, Telluride, Sportage, and Sorento have all won accolades on a global scale.
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. Power’s Initial Quality Study named it the winner of the midsize SUV class 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. At the 25th annual Mudfest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year event, held by the Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA), the Telluride had been selected as the “mid- and the full-size CUV category winner. 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.
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.
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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.
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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
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Cost
Compared to an average of $521 for compact SUVs and $652 for all vehicle types, the total yearly cost of repairs and maintenance for a Kia Sorento is $533.
the typical annual sum for unplanned maintenance and repairs for all model years of a car. A vehicle’s greater average cost alone does not imply that it is less dependable. For instance, your car’s parts and labor may be pricey, especially if it’s a European luxury model, but if there are few serious problems and frequent service visits on average each year, that’s a sign of a dependable vehicle.
The typical annual frequency at which a vehicle is taken in for unplanned maintenance and repairs. This metric is produced by monitoring millions of distinctive automobiles over a number of years to ascertain the typical yearly visits for each make and model. Controls were included to prevent small, routine shop visits, such those for oil changes.
The severity element of dependability calculates the likelihood that a repair will cause a significant problem. The cost of a repair is assessed to be excessively expensive given the unscheduled nature of the repair if it is three times the average annual repair cost for all models. Due to their more expensive labor and component expenses, premium and luxury brands have a higher barrier.
Frequency
Compared to the average of 0.3 times for compact SUVs and 0.4 times for all vehicle models, Kia Sorento owners bring their cars in for unplanned repairs 0.3 times a year on average.