2015 Kia Sorento problems
What owners report to NHTSA, grouped by component, with the recalls that cover them.
NHTSA has 750 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Kia Sorento, filed between 2014-05-21 and 2026-09-11. The most common problem areas are the engine (360, 48%), structure (100, 13%) and exterior lighting (91, 12%). Owners reported 20 crashes, 14 fires and 24 injuries in these complaints. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for this model year.
Last updated: · Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases
2015 Kia Sorento complaints by component
| Component | Complaints | Share | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 360 | 48% | 6 | 9 | 5 |
| Unknown or other | 113 | 15% | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 100 | 13% | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 91 | 12% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 58 | 8% | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Power train | 42 | 6% | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Steering | 33 | 4% | 5 | 0 | 10 |
| Air bags | 30 | 4% | 7 | 0 | 10 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 28 | 4% | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 21 | 3% | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| Vehicle speed control | 21 | 3% | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 15 | 2% | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 8 | 1% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 8 | 1% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 6 | 1% | 1 | 0 | 2 |
A complaint can name several components, so shares can add up to more than 100%. Crashes, fires and injuries are as reported by owners.
The top problem areas, in plain English
Each summary is built from the complaint counts and NHTSA recall notices, not from individual owner stories.
Engine: 360 complaints
- 360 complaints of 750 (48%) name the engine.
- 22 of them also name the power train; owners reported 6 crashes, 9 fires and 5 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2015 Kia Sorento covers this system.
Structure: 100 complaints
- 100 complaints of 750 (13%) name the structure — the body and frame structure.
- 13 of them also name the unknown or other; owners reported 3 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2015 Kia Sorento covers this system.
Exterior lighting: 91 complaints
- 91 complaints of 750 (12%) name the exterior lighting — headlights, tail and brake lights and turn signals.
- 11 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 1 crash in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2015 Kia Sorento covers this system.
Electrical system: 58 complaints
- 58 complaints of 750 (8%) name the electrical system — wiring, battery and charging, fuses, control modules and in-car electronics.
- 19 of them also name the engine; owners reported 4 fires in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2015 Kia Sorento covers this system.
Power train: 42 complaints
- 42 complaints of 750 (6%) name the power train — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts and axles.
- 22 of them also name the engine; owners reported 1 crash and 3 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2015 Kia Sorento covers this system.
Steering: 33 complaints
- 33 complaints of 750 (4%) name the steering — the steering wheel, column, gear and power-steering assist.
- 8 of them also name the engine; owners reported 5 crashes and 10 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2015 Kia Sorento covers this system.
When the complaints were filed
| Year filed | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 12 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 15 |
| 2017 | 28 |
| 2018 | 45 |
| 2019 | 91 |
| 2020 | 88 |
| 2021 | 123 |
| 2022 | 100 |
| 2023 | 98 |
| 2024 | 67 |
| 2025 | 46 |
| 2026 | 29 |
What is counted
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the model names SORENTO, model year 2015. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is NHTSA's confirmed safety defect. See the 2015 Kia Sorento recalls.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Kia Sorento?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the 2015 Kia Sorento's most common problem areas are the engine (360 of 750 complaints), structure (100 of 750 complaints) and exterior lighting (91 of 750 complaints).
How many complaints does the 2015 Kia Sorento have?
NHTSA has 750 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Kia Sorento, including 20 reported crashes and 14 reported fires.
Is there a recall for the 2015 Kia Sorento's problems?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2015 Kia Sorento; 0 of the top 6 complaint areas have a matching recall. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN for open recalls.