2015 Kia Sorento: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle	2015 / kia / sorento
known issues	8 clusters (reviewed 2026-08-09)
complaints	750 on file (2014-05-21 → 2026-09-11)
recalls	3
investigations	4
fars	42 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexed	yes
license	CC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Excessive oil consumption between oil changesENGINE9 complaints2023-06 → 2026-03sorento-2015-oil-consumption

11623351 My engine is using excessive amounts of oil. I am having to fill the engine with oil in between my 3000-mile oil changes. No oil is leaking in my driveway
11558825 The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing an abnormal oil consumption. The contact stated that the vehicle consumed three quarts of oil after driving 367 miles. There was no warning light illuminated
11528617 I had an oil change and then went on a road trip, The trip consisted of two days driving and 1300 miles driven. the engine sounded different so I checked the oil and it did not register on the dipstick

Coolant leak and head gasket failure with overheatingENGINE18 complaints2023-11 → 2026-03sorento-2015-coolant-head-gasket

11637622 Coolant and oil are mixing. Coolant was over flowing from the reservoir. High oil consumption. Oil was just topped off about 1000 miles ago and is very low on the dipstick now
11594171 Ongoing issue with coolant mixing in the oil causing overheating in the engine. I believe this a safety risk as driving the vehicle for longer than 30 minutes causes the engine temperature to rise dramatically and risks complete engine failure, potentially when driving at speed
11679300 Car had a blown head gasket. Took it to my mechanic and upon inspection determined that the head bolts had stretched

Snow White Pearl paint delamination and peelingSTRUCTURE40 complaints2023-04 → 2026-05sorento-2015-paint-delamination

11675465 THE PAINT ON MY 2015 KIA SORENTO (SNOW WHITE PEARL) IS PEELING OFF LARGE SHEETS, EXPOSING THE METAL UNDERNEATH. THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE AFFECTING MANY KIA AND HYNDAI VEHICLES. I AM CONCERED IT WILL LEAD TO RUST, SAFETY ISSUES, AND REDUCE VISIBILITY
11565445 Paint on ridge above driver side window began delaminating and completely eroded over a day. This happened while the car was parked without any rain or other impact
11549961 paint peeling/rapid delamination on 2015 Kia Sorento (Snow White Pearl color) on both passenger side front and passenger side rear doors

Low-beam headlight dimming and bulb failureEXTERIOR LIGHTING13 complaints2023-08 → 2026-03sorento-2015-low-beam-headlights

11603285 Overtime the low beam headlights have become very dim. The bulbs have always blown a lot but I have recently replaced both bulbs and they are still very dim. I ordered high powered LED bulbs and still the low beams are very dim
11655898 The contact stated that on various occasions while driving at night, the front low-beam headlights failed to properly illuminate and was very dim. The headlight bulbs had been replaced approximately four times, but the failure returned after replacing the bulbs
11649435 In the last year I have had to replace my headlight bulbs at least 3 times on each side. My yearly mileage is only around 9,000-10,500

Steering column looseness and separationSTEERING5 complaints2023-07 → 2024-12sorento-2015-steering-column

11629888 The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal popping sound coming from the steering column. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering column became severely loose, and the steering wheel became difficult to…
11586166 The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed a popping sound coming from the steering column. The contact stated that the failure occurred while making a turn
11572672 Steering column separated while on cruise control at 70mph

Driver seat frame rod fractureSEATS3 complaints2025-07 → 2026-03sorento-2015-seat-frame-rod

11675047 While driving under normal conditions, the torsion tube under the driver’s seat snapped, causing the seat to become unstable and compromising my safety
11672972 Metal rod on driver seat broke

Engine knocking and seizure with loss of motive powerENGINE76 complaints2023-05 → 2026-06sorento-2015-engine-knock-seizure

11683599 Driving on highway and suddenly heard loud tapping/rattling sound from engine and then engine died resulting in total loss of power steering and acceleration. Was able to coast through an exit and into a parking lot
11559573 While on the freeway, the engine started making a loud knocking sound and the car was losing power. No check engine light or other warning lights were illuminated
11717647 The contact stated that while driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road

Engine compartment fireSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC9 complaints2023-05 → 2026-07sorento-2015-engine-compartment-fire

11587406 The contact stated that the vehicle was driven to a store, and when the vehicle was turned off, the contact saw smoke and fire coming from the hood
11521639 The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50-55 MPH, he heard an abnormal popping sound and the vehicle spontaneously caught on fire. The contact was able to pull off the highway
11595002 The contact stated that his vehicle had burst in flames while parked in his drive way

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

count	earliest_date	latest_date	crash_flagged	fire_flagged	top_components
750	2014-05-21	2026-09-11	20	14	ENGINE:360; UNKNOWN OR OTHER:113; STRUCTURE:100; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:91; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:58

Recalls all years →

campaign_number	report_received_date	component	summary	consequence	remedy
18V907000	19/12/2018	FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS	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.	A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.	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.
20V519000	27/08/2020	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE	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.	If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.	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.
21V331000	10/05/2021	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE	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.	An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving.	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.

Investigations all years →

action_number	status	subject	components	opened	closed	recall_campaign	summary
AQ23002	open	Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE	2023-11-17	·	·	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.
DP21002	closed	Engine Oil Pressure Switch Leak	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PRESSURE/TEMPERATURE SENSOR	2021-11-12	2023-06-26	·	In a letter dated September 30, 2021, Mr. Gerald James (the petitioner) requested that NHTSA conduct an investigation of the Model Year (MY) 2015-2017 Kia Sorento equipped with 3.3L V6 ?Lambda? engines for ?severe oil leaks? from the oil pressure switch (OPS) that could ?lead to engine failure? with little warning to the driver. Mr. James based this request on his own experience and data found in NHTSA?s Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) database. NHTSA reviewed the material cited by the petitioner, information submitted by Kia, NHTSA?s testing, and other pertinent information in NHTSA databas
DP21003	closed	Throttle control system vulnerabilities	VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:THROTTLE	2021-11-12	2023-06-20	·	The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can b
DP22003	closed	Loss of Motive Power	ENGINE	2022-09-12	2023-12-12	·	The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complain

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_years	occupant_deaths	match_type	vpic_recovered
2010-2024	42	legacy-code	0

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2015 Kia Sorento vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2015/kia/sorento

@misc{wrenchpro_2015_kia_sorento_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2015 Kia Sorento},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2015/kia/sorento}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

hub · known-issues · methodology · license · research (interpretation)