VehicleVerdict

2014 Kia Sorento problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2014 Kia Sorento carries two red flags at once: 1,364 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 4.0× the Sorento norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). It is one of the Sorento years to avoid. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 30 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 404 reports (30% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

1,364

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

8

Investigations · 1 open

34

Crash-involved

69

Fires reported

30

Injuries

1

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2014 compare to other Sorento years?

Sorento NHTSA complaints by model year, 2014 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, 2014 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sorento years to avoid →

What are the most common 2014 Kia Sorento problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine40430%
Electrical System16112%
Body & Structure16012%
Other14811%
Lighting876%
Brakes816%
Transmission685%
Airbags514%
Fuel System504%
Steering353%
Speed Control312%
Visibility & Wipers292%
Suspension161%
Tires & Wheels121%
Seats111%
Driver Assistance111%
Latches & Locks50%
Seat Belts40%

Does the 2014 Kia Sorento have recalls?

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

23V652000BrakesSeptember 25, 2023 · 1,730,192 units

Defect

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Consequence

An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.

21V331000BrakesMay 10, 2021 · 440,370 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

20V519000BrakesAugust 27, 2020 · 440,370 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

18V907000EngineDecember 19, 2018 · 71,653 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

17V224000EngineMarch 31, 2017 · 618,160 units

Defect

Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.

Consequence

Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.

13V356000TransmissionAugust 13, 2013 · 9,345 units

Defect

Kia Motors Corp. is recalling certain model year 2014 front wheel drive Sorento vehicles manufactured January 7, 2013, through March 12, 2013; and equipped with 2.4 liter engines. Due to a manufacturing issue, the right front axle shaft may fracture.

Consequence

A fractured front axle may result in a loss of power to the wheels. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked without the parking brake applied, it may roll away. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle shaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2013. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542 . Kia's recall number is SC099.

Open NHTSA investigations

AQ23002

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“ENGINE SEIZED WITH NO WARNING. COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. WE HAVE MAINTAINED THE VEHICLE AND HAVE HAD NO PRIOR ISSUES. THE ENGINE SEIZED AT 90,000 MILES DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. WE HAVE THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY AND KIA HAS NOT COVERED THE REPAIRS TO THE ENGINE. WE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 11, 2019 · crash

“ENGINE SEIZED WITH NO WARNING. COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. WE HAVE MAINTAINED THE VEHICLE AND HAVE HAD NO PRIOR ISSUES. THE ENGINE SEIZED AT 90,000 MILES DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. WE HAVE THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY AND KIA HAS NOT COVERED THE REPAIRS TO THE ENGINE. WE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 11, 2019 · crash

“ENGINE FIRE!! WHILE TRAVELLING DOWN HIGHWAY PASSENGER NOTICED SPARKS LEFT REAR OF CAR. PULLED OVER TO CHECK CAR, LIFTED HOOD ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. DRIVING NORMAL RATE OF SPEED IN NORMAL CONDITIONS. NO COLLISION OR ACCIDENT INVOLVED. TRAVELLING US-71 SOUTH IN VERNON COUNTY MISSOURI INCIDENT NUMBER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · March 14, 2019 · fire

“VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN STRANGE ODOR DETECTED THEN SMOKE FROM ENGINE AREA WAS NOTICED. PULLED CAR INTO PARKING LOT AND SHUT DOWN ENGINE BECAUSE THOUGHT MAY BE OVERHEATING. NONE OF GUAGES REFLECTED THIS, HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO OTHER LOGICAL EXPLANATION. WAS GOIN TO OPEN HOOD WHEN NOTICED FLAMES.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 5, 2019 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE A KNOCKING NOISE. THE CONTACT'S SON NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · June 30, 2017 · fire

2014 Kia Sorento — common questions

Is the 2014 Kia Sorento reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1,364 complaints put the 2014 model at #3 of 24 Sorento years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Sorento years to avoid.

What are the most common 2014 Sorento problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (404 complaints), electrical system (161 complaints), body & structure (160 complaints).

Does the 2014 Kia Sorento have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2014 Kia Sorento. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2014 Kia Sorento under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

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.

How safe is the 2014 Kia Sorento?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2014 Kia Sorento earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

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.