Owners have reported 9 crashes, 10 fires and 8 injuries to NHTSA for the 2018 KIA Sorento. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints69
ENGINE
Owners report that the 2018 Kia Sorento frequently experiences excessive oil consumption, with some describing usage as high as one quart every 400 miles. Common symptoms include engine knocking, loss of power, and illuminated check engine lights, with several complaints noting that oil or engine warning lights fail to activate even when oil levels are dangerously low. These issues often occur around 85,000 to 115,000 miles, with some engines failing completely, leading to stalling or the vehicle becoming inoperable. Safety implications include sudden engine failure while driving, posing risks of power loss without warning. Prospective buyers should be aware of these patterns, as they may indicate potential for costly repairs or engine replacement.
Owner complaints26
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Owners of the 2018 Kia Sorento frequently report issues with the exterior lighting, particularly when the headlights are set to auto mode. Common symptoms include headlights turning off randomly while driving, often coinciding with the use of turn signals, and lights turning on unexpectedly while the vehicle is parked. Some owners mention a burning odor from the headlight circuit board and recurring bulb failures. These issues are often described as occurring without warning, creating potentially hazardous driving conditions, particularly at night. The complaints do not consistently mention specific mileage ranges, but some owners have been experiencing these problems since acquiring the vehicle.
Owner complaints26
STEERING
Owners of the 2018 Kia Sorento frequently report issues with the steering system, particularly a "sticky" or "notchy" feel at highway speeds. Symptoms often include the steering wheel requiring extra force to move, which can lead to sudden overcorrections and erratic vehicle movement. Complaints typically arise after extended driving, with some owners noting problems around 70,000 miles. Safety implications include the potential for loss of control, with one report mentioning a vehicle fire following steering issues. These patterns suggest that prospective buyers should be cautious of steering reliability and potential repair costs.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints26
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The 2018 Kia Sorento owners frequently report issues related to fires, with four incidents involving fires and one resulting in injury. Complaints also highlight problems with the vehicle not shifting out of park, often requiring the use of the shift interlock release button. Additionally, multiple owners describe significant oil consumption, with some needing to add up to 5 quarts of oil between changes. Paint peeling and trunk latch malfunctions are also noted. These issues typically appear around or after 100,000 miles, with some safety implications such as vehicle fires and unexpected loss of power while driving.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 4 fire, 3 injury reports
Owner complaints25
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Kia Sorento frequently report issues with the vehicle's electrical system, particularly concerning the headlights and auto headlight function. Complaints often describe headlights turning off unexpectedly while driving, requiring manual intervention to restore them, and headlights or parking lights turning on by themselves when the car is parked, leading to battery drain. Some owners also mention repeated headlight failures and the need for frequent replacements. Mileage varies, but issues are reported as early as 15,631 miles. Safety implications are significant, with reports of headlights failing at high speeds and two incidents involving vehicle fires. These patterns suggest potential risks for used car buyers considering this model.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 2 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints8
POWER TRAIN
Owners report multiple issues with the power train of the 2018 Kia Sorento, predominantly involving engine and transmission components. Complaints frequently mention excessive oil consumption, leading to engine damage and catalytic converter failure, often at mileages around 75,000 to 87,000 miles. Symptoms described include loss of power, stalling, engine knocking, and check-engine lights, with one report of unintended acceleration resulting in a crash. Additionally, problems with the AWD coupling are noted, affecting vehicle performance and reliability. These issues suggest potential safety implications, such as the risk of engine failure while driving and loss of vehicle control.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints8
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2018 Kia Sorento frequently report issues with airbag deployment, particularly during crashes. Several complaints detail instances where airbags did not deploy in frontal impacts, with some cases leading to injuries such as whiplash and concussions. The passenger airbag light remaining on, even when occupied, is also commonly mentioned, with one owner noting a dashboard split potentially linked to airbag issues. These problems are reported at varying mileages, with some occurring after warranty expiration. Safety implications include multiple crashes where airbags failed to deploy, raising concerns about the vehicle's ability to protect occupants in collisions.
Severity signals: 6 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports
Owner complaints6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Owners report that the 2018 Kia Sorento frequently experiences engine-related issues, with symptoms including oil leaks, abnormal knocking sounds, and significant loss of engine power. Complaints often describe the check engine light illuminating, white smoke, or even flames emitting from the vehicle, indicating severe engine failure. These issues appear across a range of mileages, with some occurring as early as 57,000 miles and others closer to 178,000 miles. Notably, one complaint involves a fire incident with flames observed under the hood, highlighting potential safety risks. Used car buyers should be aware of these patterns, as multiple reports suggest recurring engine failures and related complications.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints6
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2018 Kia Sorento frequently report issues related to vehicle speed control, with symptoms including stalling, unintended acceleration, and failure to accelerate. Multiple complaints describe the vehicle downshifting unexpectedly and losing power, particularly at highway speeds, often around 95,000 miles. One report details a serious incident of sudden unintended acceleration resulting in a crash and injury, highlighting significant safety implications. Another common issue involves the malfunction of the smart cruise system, where the vehicle accelerates independently. These patterns suggest potential risks related to vehicle control and reliability, which prospective buyers should consider.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints4
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2018 Kia Sorento report issues with the service brakes, including grinding noises and complete brake failure. Complaints frequently mention brake booster failures, with one incident leading to a collision due to the inability to depress the brake pedal. These issues are reported around 50,000 to 63,750 miles. Safety implications are significant, as one complaint involves a crash resulting from brake malfunction. Additionally, there is mention of dissatisfaction with the autonomous emergency braking system's performance, which some owners feel is misrepresented.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
