Model year record

2015 Kia Sorento

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 1,062 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 21V331000

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
Vehicles affected
440,370
Reported to NHTSA
2021-05-10
Owners notified
2021-07-02

Defect description

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will install a new multi-fuse, and inspect the HECU for leaks, replacing the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 2, 2021. This recall supersedes previous NHTSA recall number 20V-519. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC212.

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V519000

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
Vehicles affected
440,370
Reported to NHTSA
2020-08-27
Owners notified
2020-10-20

Defect description

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HECU for leaking brake fluid and replace the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. The recall began October 20, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC197.

Recall campaignNHTSA 18V907000

Engine

Component
Engine
Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
Vehicles affected
71,653
Reported to NHTSA
2018-12-19
Owners notified
2019-01-17

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine40488,000 mi
Unknown or other12065,000 mi
Structure: body10361,000 mi
Exterior lighting9675,000 mi
Electrical system6170,054 mi
Power train4774,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system3456,000 mi
Steering3265,000 mi
Air bags3157,500 mi
Service brakes2456,000 mi
Vehicle speed control2132,042 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic1493,000 mi
Visibility/wiper973,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)871,880 mi
Seats872,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling584,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights4125,000 mi
Suspension362,800 mi
Wheels355,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument panel: speedometer/odometer220,735 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: bulbs216,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control2
Forward collision avoidance: warnings2
Seat belts219,000 mi
Structure2
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems24,000 mi
Tires: sidewall2
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly241,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: infotainment1
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking1
Fuel system, gasoline13,730 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1157,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail1
Seat belts: pretensioner196,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler11,800 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light160,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light1
Steering: column188,000 mi
Structure: body: bumpers17,000 mi
Structure: body: door1
Structure: body: tailgate184 mi
Suspension: front: control arm1
Tires116,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages11,000 mi
Visibility184 mi

The 2014 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2016 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

AQ23002Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.