VehicleVerdict

2007 Kia Sorento problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2007 Kia Sorento sits mid-pack among Sorento years: 224 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 339, with 4 recalls and 3 closed investigations. Complainants reported 21 injuries in total across these filings.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 61 reports (27% of the total).

224

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

3

Investigations

20

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

21

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2007 compare to other Sorento years?

Sorento NHTSA complaints by model year, 2007 highlighted2,073 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
Sorento NHTSA complaints by model year, 2007 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sorento years to avoid →

What are the most common 2007 Kia Sorento problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags6127%
Electrical System3917%
Brakes2411%
Transmission209%
Lighting136%
Engine136%
Speed Control104%
Body & Structure94%
Other84%
Tires & Wheels84%
Seat Belts42%
Suspension31%
Steering31%
Latches & Locks31%
Fuel System21%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Seats10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2007 Kia Sorento have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V088000Electrical SystemFebruary 14, 2020 · 228,829 units

Defect

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.

Consequence

An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the vehicle is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.

Remedy

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the main junction box to prevent power from being directed to the HECU when the vehicle's ignition switch is turned off, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC186.

13V114000LightingApril 1, 2013 · 980,377 units

Defect

Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

Consequence

Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.

11V473000AirbagsSeptember 7, 2011 · 10,631 units

Defect

KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 SORENTO PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 15, 2006 THROUGH NOVEMBER 27, 2007. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY BE TURNED OFF WHEN AN ADULT IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IS DESIGNED TO BE TURNED OFF IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES INCLUDING WHEN CHILDREN AND SMALL ADULTS ARE SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THERE IS A CHILD RESTRAINT IN THAT SEAT OR THE SEAT IS NOT OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS), WHICH CLASSIFIES THE OCCUPANT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, MAY MISCLASSIFY AN ADULT PASSENGER AS A CHILD OR CHILD SEAT AND IMPROPERLY TURN OFF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. WHEN THE AIR BAG IS DEACTIVATED THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE CENTER INSTRUMENT PANEL.

Consequence

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS TURNED OFF WHEN THE OCS MISCLASSIFIES AN ADULT PASSENGER. WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF, THE FRONT PASSENGER WILL NOT HAVE THE PROTECTION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAGS IN SOME FRONTAL COLLISIONS, THUS INCREASING THE RISK OF OCCUPANT INJURY.

Remedy

KIA WILL UPDATE THE PROGRAMMING IN THE SORENTO OCS CONTROL MODULE AT NO CHARGE. THE RECALL REMEDY IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE UNDER SERVICE CAMPAIGN SC076. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-333-4542.

09V130000LightingApril 17, 2009 · 139,844 units

Defect

HUYNDAI-KIA IS RECALLING 139,844 MY 2006-2007- SEDONA, SPORTAGE, SORENTO AND MY RONDO AND AMANTI VEHICLES. THE STOP LAMP SWITCH IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A STOP LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.

Consequence

ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS, ALONE OR IN COMBINATION, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA'S CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 35 MPH, HIT BRAKES BUT WAS UNABLE TO AVOID FRONTAL COLLISION IN KIA SPECTRA RENTED FROM ALAMO. THE CRASH WAS HEAD ON. THE KIA'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS WEARING A SEATBELT. ALAMO HAS BEEN COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE, SO NOTHING FURTHER CAN BE LEARNED ABOUT THE CAR. I HAVE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 19, 2007 · crash

“VEHICLE IGNITED FROM REAR LEFT TAIL LIGHT. IT WAS NOT RUNNING NOR WERE THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION. UPON CONTACTING KIA, THEY ASKED FOR PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGED VEHICLE TO SUBMIT TO ENGINEERS. THE ENGINEERS SAID THAT THE FIRE DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH RECALL AND OFFERED NO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 17, 2009 · fire

“VEHICLE IGNITED FROM REAR LEFT TAIL LIGHT. IT WAS NOT RUNNING NOR WERE THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION. UPON CONTACTING KIA, THEY ASKED FOR PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGED VEHICLE TO SUBMIT TO ENGINEERS. THE ENGINEERS SAID THAT THE FIRE DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH RECALL AND OFFERED NO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 17, 2009 · fire

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. THREE DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS DEACTIVATED. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40-45 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND JERKED. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN OR A RED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 11, 2007 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V088000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATE. THE CONTACT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 1, 2020 · fire

2007 Kia Sorento — common questions

Is the 2007 Kia Sorento reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 224 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Sorento year, with 4 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2007 Sorento problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (61 complaints), electrical system (39 complaints), brakes (24 complaints).

Does the 2007 Kia Sorento have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2007 Kia Sorento. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2007 Kia Sorento under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Kia Sorento years should you avoid?

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

Related

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.