VehicleVerdict

Kia Sorento years to avoid

The Kia Sorento years to avoid are 2011, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2017, 2015, 2019 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 2010 is the cleanest year on record.

13,840

Total complaints

41

Recall campaigns

2003–2026

Years covered

8

Years to avoid

Complaints by model year

Kia Sorento NHTSA complaints by model year2,073 complaints2003: 421 complaints2004: 341 complaints2005: 457 complaints2006: 382 complaints2007: 224 complaints2008: 317 complaints2009: 79 complaints2010: 3 complaints2011: 2,073 complaints2012: 1,205 complaints2013: 1,293 complaints2014: 1,364 complaints2015: 955 complaints2016: 1,610 complaints2017: 1,021 complaints2018: 332 complaints2019: 616 complaints2020: 183 complaints2021: 335 complaints2022: 278 complaints2023: 179 complaints2024: 53 complaints2025: 112 complaints2026: 7 complaints
Kia Sorento NHTSA complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Sorento years to avoid

YearWhyComplaints
2011High complaints + open investigation2,073
2016High complaint rate1,610
2014High complaints + open investigation1,364
2013High complaints + open investigation1,293
2012High complaints + open investigation1,205
2017High complaint rate1,021
2015High complaints + open investigation955
2019High complaint rate616

Every Sorento year

YearComplaintsRecalls
202672
20251123
2024532
20231793
20222786
20213354
20201831
2019avoid6162
20183323
2017avoid1,0214
2016avoid1,6108
2015avoid9553
2014avoid1,3646
2013avoid1,2935
2012avoid1,2055
2011avoid2,0738
201032
2009793
20083173
20072244
20063821
20054570
20043410
20034211

Common questions

What are the worst Kia Sorento years?

Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Sorento years to avoid are 2011, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2017, 2015, 2019. The cleanest year on record is 2010.

What is the best year for the Kia Sorento?

By complaint volume, 2010 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Sorento years with enough data to compare.

How many recalls does the Kia Sorento have?

Across all model years, the Sorento has 41 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 13,840 consumer complaints on file.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.