Model year record

2017 Kia Sorento

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 1,053 owner complaints on file.

Kia Sorento, 2016–2020 generation
Pictured: the 2016–2020 generation. RL GNZLZ from Chile, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 22V703000

Trailer hitches

Component
Trailer hitches
Manufacturer
Kia America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
70,887
Reported to NHTSA
2022-09-19
Owners notified
2023-07-27

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 17V586000

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Component
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
Vehicles affected
62
Reported to NHTSA
2017-09-21
Owners notified
2017-11-06

Defect description

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017 Sorento vehicles equipped with 3.3L engines. The engine crankshaft may have been improperly heat treated and may fail.

Safety risk

If the crankshaft fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A failed crankshaft also increases the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the crankshaft, and, as necessary, replace the engine sub assembly, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC153.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V862000

Trailer hitches

Component
Trailer hitches
Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
Vehicles affected
10,212
Reported to NHTSA
2016-11-30
Owners notified
2017-01-19

Defect description

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to August 25, 2016, and 2017 Sportage vehicles manufactured December 10, 2015, to August 26, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Safety risk

If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer tow hitch harness, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC142.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine38764,000 mi
Exterior lighting11835,000 mi
Unknown or other10418,000 mi
Steering9730,000 mi
Electrical system9346,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system3947,000 mi
Power train3756,574 mi
Engine and engine cooling2695,000 mi
Service brakes225,500 mi
Vehicle speed control2112,000 mi
Structure: body1744,000 mi
Air bags14114,320 mi
Fuel system, gasoline1068,700 mi
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking8—
Seat belts734 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights668,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control6—
Trailer hitches5117,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)442,600 mi
Visibility/wiper469,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly442,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: warnings359,000 mi
Seats32,500 mi
Firerelated2117,000 mi
Suspension26,000 mi
Electrical system: integrated trailer brake control168,100 mi
Electrical system: ignition1149,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: immobilizer/proximity: key/sender1—
Electrical system: wiring1131,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubrication: oil cooler182,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch143,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: sensing system: radar165,000 mi
Interior lighting1104,082 mi
Lane departure: blind spot detection1—
Lane departure: warning1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages120 mi
Tires1—
Visibility141,000 mi
Wheels1—

The 2016 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2018 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Kia Sorento model years

All Kia Sorento recalls by year

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.