507 of the 1,382 complaints about the Kia Sorento (36.7%) concern Engine, making it the model's largest problem area. That share is 1.6× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.
507Complaints · Engine
36.7%Share of complaints
1.65×vs. all vehicles
168Last 12 months
5.7%Share involving a crash or fire
2Related recalls
Analysis
By model year, Engine complaints peak with the 2019 model (164, 39% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2024 model (9). 168 Engine complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 137 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
Owners most often describe: “engine”, “oil”, “consumption”, “light” and “check”. 30 of these reports (5.7%) describe a crash or fire, with 10 injuries and 0 deaths mentioned.
2 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 25V548000 (2025-08-25, model years 2025).
Spontaneous fire under hood. Nothing was malfunctuoing, no warning lights. All fluids were good, no temp issues. Parked to to run inside to use rr, was paged and came out car is on fire
Engine · 2026-07-20 · ODI 11751488 · Fire
My wife and I were Driving when I tried to stop and the brakes failed. Within seconds the vehicle caught fire in the engine compartment. I had to slam the transmission into park cause the doors would not open.
Engine · 2026-07-05 · ODI 11748348 · Fire
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost automotive power and failed to properly accelerate. The vehicle was slowly driven to the residence and stalled in the driveway.
Engine · 2026-09-01 · ODI 11761295
My 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid SX-Prestige has repeated issues with the engine and drive train. On December 30th, 2025 it was diagnosed with a blocked breather hose sensor, causing the check engine light to come on.
Engine · 2026-08-30 · ODI 11760757
On XXX im driving my 2021 Kia Sorento sx it stalled while driving in the mist of traffic engine light comes on and I had my car towed contacted Kia of Bowie they are giving me a hassle contacted them because this is a safety issue from the beginning I have…
Engine · 2026-08-28 · ODI 11760268
Car stalled July 14th car has been at Kia of Bowie and they are stalling g me and dont want to do the sarter recal and are asking me for $550 for a diagnostic that I should not pay for do to this safety recall ive been telling them from the start that there…
Engine · 2026-08-28 · ODI 11760301
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:CRITICAL FASTENERS Campaign 25V548000 · 2025-08-25 · Model years: 2025
Summary: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 K4 and Sorento vehicles. The connecting rod bolts in the engine may have been improperly tightened, which can cause a loss of drive power.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the sub engine assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 12, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC349.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER Campaign 22V202000 · 2022-03-29 · Model years: 2022
Summary: Kia Motor America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Sorento vehicles. The oil supply pipe to the turbocharger may crack, which could result in an oil leak in the engine compartment.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the turbocharger oil supply pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC233.
Why modern engines burn oil, and what owner complaints revealThe design choices that make many recent engines consume oil, the warning signs owners describe, what counts as normal, and which tracked models draw the most engine complaints right now.
Frequently asked questions
How common are Engine problems on the Kia Sorento?
507 of the 1,382 complaints about the Kia Sorento (36.7%) concern Engine, making it the model's largest problem area. That share is 1.6× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.
Which Kia Sorento model years have the most Engine complaints?
By model year, Engine complaints peak with the 2019 model (164, 39% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2024 model (9).
Is there a recall for Kia Sorento Engine problems?
2 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 25V548000 (2025-08-25, model years 2025).