Recalled components: trailer hitch, steering, and air bags. Most-described problem: engine failure or replacement (45 complaints, 18%). Most-reported area: engine (107 complaints, 42%; median mileage when it happened: 72,000).
One of the best Sorento years by owner complaints
The 2018 drew 49 owner complaints in its first three years, against 116 for a typical Sorento year since 2016. No open NHTSA investigation names it, and no do-not-drive or park-outside recall covers all its versions. It has a park-outside recall for vehicles with a tow hitch harness. Check yours by VIN.
Years to avoid: 2011; best years: 2018 and 2019. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
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.
The cowl crossbar that connects to the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) steering column may be improperly welded, allowing the steering column to separate.
Risk: If the steering column separates, it can cause a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix and full notice
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cowl crossbar, free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC167.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles.
NHTSA listing: SORENTO. Components: Steering: column; Steering: electric power assist system. Kia campaign SC167.
The side curtain air bags on these vehicles have a component that may detach during deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag.
Risk: If the component detaches during deployment, it may enter the passenger compartment and be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix and full notice
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC159.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles.
NHTSA listing: SORENTO. Kia campaign SC159.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA's investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2018 Kia Sorento.
What owners report
Owners have filed 255 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Sorento. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Median 72,000 miles at failure, from 25 reports with mileage
Exterior lighting41 · 16%
Electrical system30 · 12%
Steering26 · 10%
Fuel and propulsion system13 · 5%
Air bags10 · 4%
Body structure9 · 4%
Most named: body (9)
Unknown or other37 · 15%
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Kia Sorento recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2018 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2011 Sorento drew the most (281) and the 2018 drew 49.
Owner complaints
2018: 255 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Kia Sorento
Model year
Complaints
2011
1,520
2012
880
2013
985
2014
989
2015
755
2016
1,263
2017
811
2018
255
2019
437
2020
140
2021
278
2022
229
2023
170
2024
52
2025
139
2026
9
Safety recalls
2018: 3 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Kia Sorento
Model year
Recalls
2011
7
2012
5
2013
5
2014
6
2015
3
2016
8
2017
4
2018
3
2019
2
2020
1
2021
5
2022
9
2023
4
2024
2
2025
4
2026
2
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
In the 255 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Kia Sorento, the problems described most are engine failure or replacement (45), loss of power or limp mode (29), and the check engine light coming on (27). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2018 Kia Sorento safe?
In NHTSA crash tests every tested version of the 2018 Kia Sorento earns 5 stars overall. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2018 Kia Sorento?
No. NHTSA's investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2018 Kia Sorento.
How do I check if my Sorento has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Kia dealers.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Nov 12, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Nov 11, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: SORENTO.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.