2018 KIA Sorento Engine Problems
Owners have filed 107 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the 2018 KIA Sorento, 42% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 72,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “oil consumption” (14% of reports).
- 107engine complaints
- 72,000median miles at failure
- 0mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- 58%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 consumption: mentioned in 15 of 107 complaints (14%)
- Knock sensor: mentioned in 6 of 107 complaints (6%)
- Knocking sound: mentioned in 6 of 107 complaints (6%)
- Class action: mentioned in 6 of 107 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 25 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 107 complaints, 7 a fire, 1 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 (0)
No safety recall lists engine for the 2018 KIA Sorento. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are 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…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2018 KIA Sorentos have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 107 owner complaints about engine for the 2018 KIA Sorento (42% of the 255 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 2018 KIA Sorento engine?
No recall currently lists engine for this vehicle.
At what mileage do engine problems start?
The median reported mileage is 72,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about engine problems on the 2018 KIA Sorento?
The most frequent phrase is “oil consumption”, in 15 of 107 complaints, followed by “knock sensor” (6).
See all 2018 KIA Sorento problems or engine problems across all Sorento years.