What are the most common problems with the 2015 Kia Sorento?

Owners have filed 755 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine (363 complaints), followed by unknown or other (114).

How many 2015 Kia Sorento complaints mention a crash or fire?

21 of 755 complaints report a crash and 14 a fire; 25 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2015 Kia Sorento recalls and problems

3 recalls and 755 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2015 Kia Sorento.

recalls

755

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2015 Kia Sorento recalls

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

NHTSA campaign 21V331000 · reported May 10, 2021 · Kia Motors America · 440,370 vehicles potentially affected

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

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

NHTSA campaign 20V519000 · reported August 27, 2020 · Kia Motors America · 440,370 vehicles potentially affected

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

Engine · Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

NHTSA campaign 18V907000 · reported December 19, 2018 · Kia Motors America · 71,653 vehicles potentially affected

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

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Engine363
Unknown or other114
Structure100
Exterior lighting91
Electrical system58
Power train42
Steering33
Air bags30
Fuel/propulsion system28
Vehicle speed control22

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Oct 21, 2026 · Vehicle speed control · 22,560 miles · crash reported
The contact’s daughter owned a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and idling, while shifting from park(P) to drive(D) and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle suddenly unintendedly accelerated and crashed into the window of an office building. During the crash, the contact…

Oct 19, 2026 · Unknown or other
On …, my father was driving his Kia on the […] when the vehicle unexpectedly stopped operating. The specific mechanical or electrical component responsible for the failure is currently UNKNOWN. The sudden failure occurred while the vehicle was being driven on a major highway, creating a potentially dangerous situation…

Oct 13, 2026 · Engine · 207,000 miles
The contact rented a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the headlights and tail lights intermittently failed to illuminate or shorted out, and the check engine warning light illuminated. While driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle suddenly seized in the middle of an intersection, and the contact was…

Oct 11, 2026 · Engine
My car's check engine just started flashing and the ECU has reduced my drivability to limp mode stating that my knock sensors are showing up on scan test and camshaft position exhaust sensor. When I removed the camshaft exhaust vvt sensor it indeed had metal shavings on it. A have a P1326 and a p0014 code which is…

Oct 5, 2026 · Engine
1) The engine control system / KSDS knock sensor system triggered safety recall code P1326, accompanied by a flashing check engine light. The vehicle and components are currently at the dealership available for inspection under RO #148484 (Issued on October 2) 2) A flashing check engine light and active P1326 code…

Sorento model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2012	5	880	21	77
2013	5	983	23	44
2014	6	988	23	46
2015	3	755	21	14
2016	8	1,258	29	49
2017	4	808	13	32
2018	3	255	12	11

Across all years, the 2011 Sorento has the most complaints (1,520). All Kia Sorento years →

Questions

Does the 2015 Kia Sorento have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2015 Kia Sorento, the most recent reported on May 10, 2021 (Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Kia Sorento?: Owners have filed 755 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine (363 complaints), followed by unknown or other (114).
How many 2015 Kia Sorento complaints mention a crash or fire?: 21 of 755 complaints report a crash and 14 a fire; 25 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received October 21, 2026.