2018 KIA Sorento Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Sorento years
- About as many complaints as other years 11th of 24 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 255 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 KIA Sorento. That ranks 11th out of 24 Sorento model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (107 complaints, 42%), typically at around 72,000 miles. Complaints mention 12 crashes, 11 fires, 11 injuries. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
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- 255owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 12complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2018 KIA Sorento problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine problems | 107 | 42% | 72,000 | “oil consumption” (14%) | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 41 | 16% | 43,450 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 37 | 15% | 13,139 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 30 | 12% | 33,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 26 | 10% | 22,100 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 13 | 5% | 170,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 10 | 4% | 52,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 9 | 4% | 32,717 | — | — |
| Structure | 9 | 4% | 48,000 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 8 | 3% | 72,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 8 | 3% | 33,625 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 | 3% | 2,214 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 7 | 3% | 100,000 | — | — |
| Trailer Hitches | 7 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 5 | 2% | 19,500 | — | — |
| Lane Departure | 4 | 2% | 72,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 1% | 76,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 2 | 1% | 65,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 2 | 1% | 12,000 | — | — |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Firerelated | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 0% | 61,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 0% | 67,059 | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 0% | 12,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2018 KIA Sorento recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Trailer hitchesPark outside
Problem: 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. 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.
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.
Steering:column; steering:electric power assist system
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. 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.
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.
Air bags:side/window
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. 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.
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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Loss of Motive Power (DP22003) — opened Sep 12, 2022, closed Dec 12, 2023.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
My 2018 Sorento is consuming oil excessively. Iâm having to add oil between changes, and Iâm now experiencing reduced acceleration under load. I have been told by a few different parties that this has become a common problem with Kiaâs. I want an oil-consumption test performed and I want the…
Complete engine failure inspected by Westgate Kia Service Dept, Wake Forest, NC Service manager confirmed that known issue and recall in effect for 2018 Kia Sorrento same issue but because manufactures parts are only covered when made in certain locations. mine not covered. He did agree it was…
Vehicle: 2018 Kia Sorento VIN: [XXX] Kia Corporate Case #: XXX My 2018 Kia Sorento experienced a catastrophic engine failure (âholes in the blockâ) while under warranty. The vehicle lost power, emitted heavy smoke, and became completely inoperable. Kia America has refused to repair the engine…
The High Pressure Fuel Pump failed while driving on highway. I took it to the Kia dealership and they told me of the issue. There were no prior warnings of issues Kia recalled all 2019-2020 kia sorentos with this same issue. This component should not have failed at 63k miles and Kia should extend…
The abs module has failed. Yes vehicle is available for inspections if wanted and would be appreciated. Had it scanned by dealership and itâs too expensive to fix. Lights on are abs. Traction control. Auto hold. Autonomous braking. Thank you
Other KIA Sorento years
← 2017 Sorento · 2019 Sorento →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sorento | 6 | 2 |
| 2025 Sorento | 76 | 3 |
| 2024 Sorento | 42 | 2 |
| 2023 Sorento | 123 | 3 |
| 2022 Sorento | 193 | 6 |
| 2021 Sorento | 254 | 4 |
| 2020 Sorento | 137 | 1 |
| 2019 Sorento | 431 | 2 |
| 2018 | 255 | 3 |
| 2017 Sorento | 806 | 4 |
| 2016 Sorento | 1,254 | 8 |
| 2015 Sorento | 753 | 3 |
| 2014 Sorento | 988 | 6 |
| 2013 Sorento | 981 | 5 |
| 2012 Sorento | 880 | 5 |
| 2011 Sorento | 1,520 | 7 |
| 2010 Sorento | 3 | 1 |
| 2009 Sorento | 55 | 2 |
| 2008 Sorento | 217 | 3 |
| 2007 Sorento | 154 | 4 |
| 2006 Sorento | 242 | 1 |
| 2005 Sorento | 307 | 0 |
| 2004 Sorento | 220 | 0 |
| 2003 Sorento | 305 | 1 |
See all KIA Sorento problems by year, every KIA model, or the KIA VIN decoder.
Similar KIA models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2018 KIA Sorento?
Owners most often report engine, exterior lighting, unknown or other problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 107 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2018 KIA Sorento?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2018 KIA Sorento a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Sorento model years, the 2018 has about as many complaints as a typical year, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.