The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 112 of 255 complaints (44%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (7) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 810 in 2017 to 255 in 2018.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 255
- Recall campaigns
- 3
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $2,600–$3,300
- Combined MPG
- 19–24
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | vs. 2018 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,600–3,300 | 2,600–3,300 | 2,600–3,300 | 2,500–2,950 | 2,500–3,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 19–24 | 19–24 | 19–24 | 21–25 | 20–25 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17–21 / 23–28 | 17–21 / 23–28 | 17–21 / 23–28 | 19–22 / 24–29 | 18–22 / 24–29 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 377–466 | 377–465 | 377–465 | 363–428 | 363–436 | |
| Complaints filed | 1,263 | 810 | 255 | 436 | 140 | |
| Recalls issued | 8 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 29 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 11 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 50 | 32 | 11 | 19 | 12 | |
| Injuries reported | 19 | 17 | 11 | 16 | 21 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Kia Sorento have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2018 Kia Sorento?
Engine: 112 of 255 NHTSA complaints (44%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Kia Sorento get?
EPA rates it 19–24 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Kia Sorento?
EPA estimates $2,600–$3,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
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EPA-Rated Configurations (7)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 21 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | $2,600 (low) | 377 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 21 mpg (high) | 25 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 397 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 20 mpg | 27 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 397 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 19 mpg | 25 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 414 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.3L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 18 mpg | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 436 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.3L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 18 mpg | 25 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 434 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.3L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 17 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $3,300 (high) | 465 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 112 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 30 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 8 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Steering | 26 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 13 | 8 | 0 | 7 | 1 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 16 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 18 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 46 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 38 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
TRAILER HITCHES
- Defect
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
- Consequence
- A 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 inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
STEERING:COLUMN; STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
- Defect
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The cowl crossbar that connects to the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) steering column may be improperly welded, allowing the steering column to separate.
- Consequence
- If the steering column separates, it can cause a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cowl crossbar, free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC167.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
- Defect
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The side curtain air bags on these vehicles have a component that may detach during deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag.
- Consequence
- If the component detaches during deployment, it may enter the passenger compartment and be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC159.