2014 Kia Sorento

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2014 Kia Sorento
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2014: 976 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2003	305
2004	220
2005	307
2006	242
2007	154
2008	215
2009	55
2010	3
2011	1516
2012	875
2013	977
2014	976
2015	745
2016	1236
2017	788
2018	248
2019	414
2020	128
2021	225
2022	181
2023	104
2024	36
2025	67
2026	4

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE 39%

39% of complaints: engine — 384 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

ENGINE FIRE, NO WARNING, VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE AND OFF WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE

NHTSA ODI report, 20231012

WE BOUGHT OUR CAR IN OCTOBER 2016. DURING OUR TRANSITION FROM NEW YORK TO GEORGIA OUR ENGINE FAILED ON US. MY HUSBAND AND I TOOK IT TO A KIA AUTOBODY SHOP IN GREENVILLE SOUTH CAROLINA.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180712

STRUCTURE 16%

16% of complaints: structure — 152 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14%

14% of complaints: electrical system — 141 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AS I HEARD A LOUD POP SO PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THINKING IT WAS MY TIRES, AS I LOOKED AT ALL THE TIRES I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING SO I GOT BACK IN.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180425

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, A STRONG BURNING ODOR EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140304

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 8%

8% of complaints: exterior lighting — 79 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

POWER TRAIN 7%

7% of complaints: power train — 65 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 20130705 — PE (closed 20130920)

Front Axle Shaft Failure

R 20130909 — power train

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.

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.

Campaign 13V356000 — check if this car was fixed

▮ 2014 — complaint volume: 976

I 20170518 — RQ (closed 20211222)

Scope and Timeliness

R 20170620 — engine and engine cooling

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.

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.

Campaign 17V224000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20180821 — DP (closed 20190510)

Non-crash Vehicle Fires

R 20190117 — engine, fuel system, gasoline

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)...

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.

Campaign 18V907000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20190329 — PE (closed 20211222)

Non-crash Vehicle Fires

R 20201020 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

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.

Campaign 20V519000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210702 — service brakes, hydraulic

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519.

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.

Campaign 21V331000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20211112 — DP (closed 20230620)

Throttle control system vulnerabilities

I 20211222 — EA (closed 20240205)

Engine Fires

I 20220912 — DP (closed 20231212)

Loss of Motive Power

I 20231117 — AQ (open)

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

R 20240329 — service brakes, hydraulic

Kia America, Inc.

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.

Campaign 23V652000 — check if this car was fixed