2015 KIA Sorento Engine Problems
Owners have filed 362 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the 2015 KIA Sorento, 48% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 87,560 miles. The words owners use most often: “oil change” (9% of reports).
- 362engine complaints
- 87,560median miles at failure
- 6mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $8,100typical repair cost reported by owners
- 59%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Oil change: mentioned in 34 of 362 complaints (9%)
- Engine seized: mentioned in 29 of 362 complaints (8%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the 2015 KIA Sorento at $8,100, and half of them between $7,350 and $9,300.
Based on 20 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2015–2025), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 174 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 362 complaints, 6 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 3 an injury.
KIA Sorento engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sorento | 1 | 17% | 7,000 |
| 2025 Sorento | 19 | 25% | 4,000 |
| 2024 Sorento | 5 | 12% | 31,000 |
| 2023 Sorento | 31 | 25% | 1,600 |
| 2022 Sorento | 52 | 27% | 50,000 |
| 2021 Sorento | 68 | 27% | 33,000 |
| 2020 Sorento | 66 | 48% | 61,500 |
| 2019 Sorento | 158 | 37% | 40,000 |
| 2018 Sorento | 107 | 42% | 72,000 |
| 2017 Sorento | 387 | 48% | 64,000 |
| 2016 Sorento | 695 | 55% | 83,500 |
| 2015 Sorento | 362 | 48% | 87,560 |
| 2014 Sorento | 388 | 39% | 100,000 |
| 2013 Sorento | 496 | 51% | 89,691 |
| 2012 Sorento | 461 | 52% | 99,612 |
| 2011 Sorento | 284 | 19% | 103,000 |
| 2010 Sorento | 1 | 33% | 52,000 |
| 2009 Sorento | 4 | 7% | 140,000 |
| 2008 Sorento | 35 | 16% | 75,000 |
| 2007 Sorento | 7 | 5% | 133,000 |
| 2006 Sorento | 67 | 28% | 92,700 |
| 2005 Sorento | 63 | 21% | 101,000 |
| 2004 Sorento | 46 | 21% | 112,000 |
| 2003 Sorento | 43 | 14% | 118,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Engine; fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
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…
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…
I was driving my 2015 Kia Sorento on [XXX] south of the [XXX] junction when the engine suddenly started making severe mechanical noise and the vehicle seemed to have significantly reduced power. This is a remote stretch of highway with no usable shoulder. I had my son with me and had to immediately…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2015 KIA Sorentos have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 362 owner complaints about engine for the 2015 KIA Sorento (48% of the 752 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2015 KIA Sorento engine?
Yes: 1 safety recall list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do engine problems start?
The median reported mileage is 87,560 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the 2015 KIA Sorento?
Owners report a typical cost of $8,100 (half paid between $7,350 and $9,300), from 20 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine problems on the 2015 KIA Sorento?
The most frequent phrase is “oil change”, in 34 of 362 complaints, followed by “engine seized” (29).
Other 2015 KIA Sorento problems
See all 2015 KIA Sorento problems or engine problems across all Sorento years.