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2015 Kia SorentoProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 755 owner complaints about the 2015 Kia Sorento, most often about the engine. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 20V-519 the manufacturer reports only 40% of affected cars repaired.

2015 Kia Sorento
30
CarFlaw IndexUse caution2.3× the Sorento median · #7 of 21 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Lowest repair rate 40%Owner complaints75549 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage87kEngine, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 21, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2015 Kia Sorento has problems

755 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine36314
Structure1005
Exterior lighting911
Electrical system584
Power train422
Steering335
Air bags307
Fuel/propulsion system282
Vehicle speed control224
15 other systems8811

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2015 Kia Sorento recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

53%repaired · 2023 Q2

Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Park outside

Recall 21V-331 · May 10, 2021 · 440,370 vehicles · 233,170 repaired

Risk. An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

40%repaired · 2022 Q3

Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Park outside

Recall 20V-519 · Aug 27, 2020 · 440,370 vehicles · 177,718 repaired

Risk. If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

62%repaired · 2020 Q2

Engine

Recall 18V-907 · Dec 19, 2018 · 71,653 vehicles · 44,721 repaired

Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Kia.

Mileage at failure

When do engine problems start?

87kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 173 engine complaints. 66% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 45% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
13under 30k miles114under 100k miles59100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Engine

21 owners mentioned a cost

$7,000median

Middle half: $6,000 – $8,500

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

2015 vs. every other Sorento year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Sorento median. How we score

'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2015 Kia Sorento safety ratings

2015 Kia Sorento SUV AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

★★★★★Overall rating
2015 Kia Sorento frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crash★★★★★
2015 Kia Sorento side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrier★★★★★
2015 Kia Sorento side pole test, NHTSA
Side pole★★★★★
  • Rollover: 4 stars (15.5% risk)
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2015 Kia Sorento, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Hyundai and Kia ABS Module FiresAQ23002 · still open
    Open
  2. Engine Oil Pressure Switch LeakDP21002 · closed Jun 26, 2023
    No recall
  3. Throttle control system vulnerabilitiesDP21003 · closed Jun 20, 2023
    No recall
  4. Loss of Motive PowerDP22003 · closed Dec 12, 2023
    No recall
In owners' words

What Sorento owners report

Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

The contact rented a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the headlights and tail lights intermittently failed to illuminate or shorted out, and the check engine warning light illuminated. While driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle suddenly seized in the middle of an intersection, and…
Complaint 11770780 · Oct 13, 2026 · 207,000 miles
My car's check engine just started flashing and the ECU has reduced my drivability to limp mode stating that my knock sensors are showing up on scan test and camshaft position exhaust sensor. When I removed the camshaft exhaust vvt sensor it indeed had metal shavings on it. A have a P1326 and a…
Complaint 11770419 · Oct 11, 2026
1) The engine control system / KSDS knock sensor system triggered safety recall code P1326, accompanied by a flashing check engine light. The vehicle and components are currently at the dealership available for inspection under RO #148484 (Issued on October 2) 2) A flashing check engine light and…
Complaint 11769090 · Oct 5, 2026

Own a 2015 Sorento?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.