Kia Sorento: best & worst years

2024 Kia Sorento Recommended

The 2024 Sorento (4th-gen MQ4) is a strong, refined family SUV: upscale cabin, punchy 2.5T, few recorded complaints, the early dual-clutch hesitation largely resolved, and low running costs.

• Recalls for fire risk from wiring harnesses, including the HVAC blower-motor harness and tow-hitch harness, affected 2022-2023 models; confirm the recall remedies were completed.
• On 2.5T turbo models the 8-speed wet dual-clutch automatic can hesitate, shudder or engage jerkily at low speeds, most often on early 2021-2022 builds (improved on later production).
• Scattered reports of engine stalling or loss of power plus auto stop-start and electrical glitches (battery sensor, blank instrument display) on 2022-2023 examples.

2023 Kia Sorento Caution

The 2023 Sorento is well-equipped and pleasant but carried an HVAC blower-motor wiring fire recall and the 2.5T's dual-clutch can still hesitate at low speed; otherwise reliable with modest upkeep.

2022 Kia Sorento Caution

The 2022 Sorento offers great value and a premium interior, but the 2.5T's 8-speed wet dual-clutch drew low-speed hesitation and shudder complaints; check for completed recalls and smooth shifting.

2021 Kia Sorento Caution

The 2021 Sorento launched the well-regarded MQ4 generation with strong features, but first-year dual-clutch teething and early-build niggles warrant a careful inspection and service-history check.

2020 Kia Sorento Caution

The 2020 Sorento is a comfortable, V6-available 3-row value pick with relatively few complaints, though it shares the generation's Theta-era engine history; a documented engine and oil-service record matters.

• Theta II 2.4L GDI and 2.0T turbo engines can suffer connecting-rod-bearing failure, oil consumption, stalling and in some cases fire, covered by engine recalls, a knock-sensor (KSDS) software update and a large class settlement; most acute on 2016-2018.
• Certain 2016-2017 models with the 3.3L V6 were recalled for crankshafts that may have been improperly heat-treated and can fail.
• Electronic power-steering complaints, warning lights, heavier effort or intermittent assist loss, were common on early gen-3 cars.

2019 Kia Sorento Caution

The 2019 Sorento gained a refresh and 8-speed V6 and is among the better gen-3 years, but the 2.4/2.0T GDI engine-failure history still shadows it; favor V6 examples with service proof.

2018 Kia Sorento Caution

The 2018 Sorento is roomy and well-equipped but sits in the Theta II GDI engine-failure era (rod-bearing and oil-consumption recalls); buy only with strong maintenance records and recall completion.

2017 Kia Sorento Caution

The 2017 Sorento drew heavy engine and steering complaints and carried both Theta II GDI and 3.3L V6 crankshaft recalls; a careful engine inspection and recall check are essential.

2016 Kia Sorento Avoid

The 2016 Sorento launched gen-3 with the most complaints of any year, dominated by Theta II GDI engine failures plus a V6 crankshaft recall; high risk as a used buy without ironclad service history.

2015 Kia Sorento Caution

The 2015 Sorento is a practical, V6-available 3-row but belongs to the Theta II GDI engine-trouble generation and the Takata airbag span; later-build V6 examples with records are the safer picks.

• Theta II 2.4L GDI engines are prone to connecting-rod-bearing knock, seizure, heavy oil consumption and fire risk, subject to engine recalls and a class settlement; symptoms often begin with ticking around 60,000-90,000 miles.
• The ABS Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) can short-circuit and cause an engine-compartment fire even while parked, subject to recall; park outside until the remedy is done.
• Affected by the Takata airbag-inflator recall; verify the inflators were replaced.

2014 Kia Sorento Caution

The 2014 Sorento offers space and value but carries Theta II 2.4 GDI engine-failure risk, an ABS-module (HECU) fire recall and Takata airbags; verify all recalls are completed.

• Theta II 2.4L GDI engines are prone to connecting-rod-bearing knock, seizure, heavy oil consumption and fire risk, subject to engine recalls and a class settlement; symptoms often begin with ticking around 60,000-90,000 miles.
• The ABS Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) can short-circuit and cause an engine-compartment fire even while parked, subject to recall; park outside until the remedy is done.
• Headlight and taillight failures are frequent, often from melting wiring or connectors rather than the bulbs themselves, causing repeated burn-outs.

2013 Kia Sorento Avoid

The 2013 Sorento is a core Theta II 2.4 GDI engine-defect year (rod-bearing seizure and fire risk, engine recall and class settlement) with paint-peeling and electrical niggles; high used-buy risk.

• Theta II 2.4L GDI engines are prone to connecting-rod-bearing knock, seizure, heavy oil consumption and fire risk, subject to engine recalls and a class settlement; symptoms often begin with ticking around 60,000-90,000 miles.
• The ABS Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) can short-circuit and cause an engine-compartment fire even while parked, subject to recall; park outside until the remedy is done.
• Headlight and taillight failures are frequent, often from melting wiring or connectors rather than the bulbs themselves, causing repeated burn-outs.

2012 Kia Sorento Avoid

The 2012 Sorento sits squarely in the Theta II GDI engine-failure settlement years plus a HECU fire recall and Takata airbags; treat as high-risk unless engine work is documented.

• Theta II 2.4L GDI engines are prone to connecting-rod-bearing knock, seizure, heavy oil consumption and fire risk, subject to engine recalls and a class settlement; symptoms often begin with ticking around 60,000-90,000 miles.
• The ABS Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) can short-circuit and cause an engine-compartment fire even while parked, subject to recall; park outside until the remedy is done.
• Headlight and taillight failures are frequent, often from melting wiring or connectors rather than the bulbs themselves, causing repeated burn-outs.

2011 Kia Sorento Avoid

The 2011 Sorento, the gen-2 launch year, drew the most complaints of any Sorento, Theta II engine failures, an HECU fire recall, door-handle breakage and Takata airbags; avoid without thorough vetting.

• Theta II 2.4L GDI engines are prone to connecting-rod-bearing knock, seizure, heavy oil consumption and fire risk, subject to engine recalls and a class settlement; symptoms often begin with ticking around 60,000-90,000 miles.
• The ABS Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) can short-circuit and cause an engine-compartment fire even while parked, subject to recall; park outside until the remedy is done.
• Headlight and taillight failures are frequent, often from melting wiring or connectors rather than the bulbs themselves, causing repeated burn-outs.

2009 Kia Sorento Caution

The 2009 Sorento is a rugged body-on-frame SUV with a dependable pre-GDI V6 and few complaints; age, dated safety tech and thirsty fuel economy are the main trade-offs.

• Airbag occupant-classification and sensor faults can trigger warning lights or affect passenger-airbag readiness on the body-on-frame Sorento.
• Front steering and suspension wear (steering complaints, lower control-arm and ball-joint wear) was reported on the early 2005-2006 cars.
• Engine and cooling-system complaints appear on the 2005-2006 3.5L V6 examples.

2008 Kia Sorento Caution

The 2008 Sorento is a durable truck-based SUV with strong towing, but airbag occupant-sensor and electrical complaints and dated economy temper it; mechanically simple and long-lived.

• Airbag occupant-classification and sensor faults can trigger warning lights or affect passenger-airbag readiness on the body-on-frame Sorento.
• Assorted electrical complaints, wiring, exterior lighting and accessory faults, appear across the first generation.

2007 Kia Sorento Caution

The 2007 Sorento offers rugged body-on-frame durability and a reliable V6 with relatively few complaints; expect older safety tech and modest fuel economy.

• Airbag occupant-classification and sensor faults can trigger warning lights or affect passenger-airbag readiness on the body-on-frame Sorento.
• Assorted electrical complaints, wiring, exterior lighting and accessory faults, appear across the first generation.

2006 Kia Sorento Caution

The 2006 Sorento is a capable, simple body-on-frame SUV but shows its age with electrical, steering and engine-cooling complaints; durable but dated and thirsty.

• Assorted electrical complaints, wiring, exterior lighting and accessory faults, appear across the first generation.

2005 Kia Sorento Caution

The 2005 Sorento, the first model year, is rugged and tow-capable but drew the generation's most complaints (electrical, steering, engine-cooling) and has dated safety equipment.

• Assorted electrical complaints, wiring, exterior lighting and accessory faults, appear across the first generation.