Best and worst Kia Sorento years — which to avoid

Ever since its first appearance in 2003, the Sorento has become one of the favorite Kia models for US drivers, especially if you go for one of the best-rated model years. We say it like that because there were some pretty bad model years in a long production range of SUVs that are considered pretty reliable, and it’s all due to some persistent issues.

So, let our team be your guide on the road through the best Kia Sorento years to buy and the worst Kia Sorento years to avoid as we explore NHTSA ratings, complaints, and recall details. We’ll go through the ownership review and feedback on each of the models deemed unreliable to show you if they truly make such bad buying options that you should avoid them at all costs.

Why you can trust REREV’s advice on which car model years to avoid: Our car experts look at official data, ask real drivers what they think, and talk to experienced mechanics to make sure our list is useful. This reliable info can make buying a car easier for you. Want to know how we do it? Find out more about our research methodology.

How we rated the best and worst Kia Sorento years

In the making of this guide, our team explored the Kia Sorento years through NHTSA reports, official recalls scheduled by Kia, and other reputable sources of information on the model’s reliability. We also used various other sources of information including first-hand reviews and ratings by other drivers as we’ve obtained them from trusted sources like Edmunds, KBB, and Consumer Reports.

Finally, we visited a lot of online forum threads searching for information we could verify through the listed sources, and we were able to pinpoint the bad years for each Sorento generation by all these.

Most common Kia Sorento problems

For all those years in production, Kia Sorento represented a solid buy in terms of build quality, cabin space, and longevity. Even so, some generations just kept piling up some critical problems like engine failure or transmission faults.

1. Engine faults

The most severe problem that repeatedly happened to Sorento drivers is the engine problem. This problem included both the 2.4-liter and the 3.3-liter V6 engine, and it often resulted in a blown head gasket. Head gasket failure can be fatal for the engine since it won’t be able to keep oil out of the cylinders.

This might cause oil to breach into the combustion chambers and burn out. On top of that, it causes the coolant to mix up with engine oil, and this usually results in a complete engine rebuild. Sadly, the head gasket problem isn’t the only engine issue that Kia Sorento had in the second and third generations.

There’s also the problem with the road bearing which often causes the rod to knock and the pistons to burst into the cylinder head. This problem also required an engine rebuild as the only solution, so it’s one of the main downsides of the Kia Sorento.

2. Transmission problems

Besides engine issues, some Kia Sorento models faced transmission faults. It’s yet another big problem for drivers looking to buy this car, and the most notable issue included a problem with a 2.4-liter automatic Kia Sorento from the 2011 model year.

The driveshaft had problems with excessive wear which resulted in increasing noises coming from the transmission. Over time, things got worse for most 2011 Kia Sorento drivers with these engine and transmission specifications and advanced into humming sounds.

Eventually, this caused transmission failures and a recall took place to change the output gear and fix the transmission fault issue.

3. Exterior and electrical issues

Improperly soldered electrical panels have caused quite a bit of problem for Kia Sorento owners, especially concerning the 2009 to 2011 model years. Bad electrical wiring in these models is known to lead to inoperable door handles, excessive headlight bulbs burning out, and issues with the control panel of the car.

These issues were more or less solved during the recall which took place in 2010 when the faulty panels and wiring in vehicles produced from 2009 to 2011 were replaced. So, if you are planning on buying a used second-generation Kia Sorento, you should at least consider recalled models.

Worst Kia Sorento years to avoid

The biggest problem that Sorento owners have experienced over the years is the issue with 2.4-liter and 3.3-liter engines. This problem was present in the fourth generation and some model years had it expressed more than others.

Besides the engine issues, electrical issues were known to cause headaches for drivers, so the big question is – what are the worst Kia Sorento years?

The worst Kia Sorento years are 2011 and 2016, but here’s a full list of model years that you should avoid:

• 2004
• 2005
• 2006
• 2011
• 2012
• 2013
• 2016

Because of their issues, we’ll discuss each of these model years in further detail so you can figure out whether they are worth your time and money or not, but we are pretty sure you’ll want to skip past them.

First-generation Kia Sorento (model years 2004 and 2006)

The first-generation Kia Sorento suffered from some serious issues including head gasket cracks, rod knock, and electric system issues. The 2006 model year was the first year of the car’s import to the US, and it’s sadly the one to avoid if you are shopping around for a first-generation Sorento.

Because of this, it’s best to go for the 2007 and 2008 model years, and possibly avoid the petrol engine. There was a 2.5-liter diesel engine available for this generation, and it proved to be more reliable than a 2.4-liter and 3.3-liter petrol V6.

Second-generation Kia Sorento (model years 2011 to 2013)

The second generation of Kia Sorento was in production from 2009 to 2014 and the most common issues with this generation included the head gasket leak and electrical wiring issues. Early models of the second generation had been recalled to replace the electrical wiring, so it’s possible to go around these issues by checking if the vehicle has been recalled.

However, the model year you should certainly avoid is the 2011 Kia Sorento, especially with a 2.4-liter petrol engine. This configuration received the most complaints from drivers since there were engine and transmission problems reported.

If you’ve got your eyes on a second-generation Kia Sorento, make sure to check for recalled models and to avoid the 2011 production year.

Third-generation Kia Sorento (2016 model year)

Finally, the 2016 model year Kia Sorento also ended up being criticized for some well-known problems characteristic of the model. Drivers have once again faced engine problems, wiring issues, and even some transmission problems.

There was also the ABS malfunction which required expensive repairs, and it’s best to go around this model year if you wish to go for a third-generation Sorento.

What are the best Kia Sorento years to buy?

Now that we’ve got the bad years out of the way, we can dedicate all our attention to the best Sorento model years. The biggest issue is a problem with the 2.4-liter engine and automatic transmission, so it’s best to avoid such a combination. These are the best Kia Sorento model years:

• 2005
• 2007
• 2008
• 2010
• 2015
• 2017
• 2018
• 2019
• 2020
• 2021

These are all much safer options when compared to troublesome model years like 2006, 2011, and 2016. While certain engine issues are possible with these models, at least they don’t have so frequent driver complaints.

Some of the biggest problems that you might have with these model years include faulty A/C units and wiring, as well as door lock actuator problems. Either way, these are easily solved and there’s no reason to hold back from buying a Sorento because of it. In conclusion, the best-rated Kia Sorento years are 2010 if you are looking for a used second-gen model, and 2018 if you are looking for a more recent variant.

2010 Kia Sorento

Among all the Sorento models from the first two generations, the 2010 is by far the best-rated one. It also had the least NHTSA complaints and featured the best safety and reliability rating out of those models. The only reported issue was the drivetrain problem which didn’t persist for the majority of produced Sorentos, so there’s also a good chance yours won’t be impacted.

Even if it does get affected by this issue, it’s simple to fix when noticed on time and it won’t cause any severe engine or transmission faults.

2018 Kia Sorento

Among more recent models, the 2018 one takes the lead as the best model yet, even though some more recent models had fewer complaints. Regardless of that, we ranked the 2018 one as the top choice for the fourth-gen Sorento because drivers have now had some time to evaluate it and report its flaws.

Yet, there weren’t so many issues reported and it’s a widely appraised model overall both reliability-wise and in terms of engine performances and estimated mileage, making it a bargain deal for a fair price.

Is the Kia Sorento worth buying?

Ultimately, Kia Sorento is a mid-size SUV worth buying as long as you avoid the troublesome model years like 2011 and 2016. There have been numerous recalls by Kia and some of the main issues have been addressed with the latest generation.

Still, knowing which Kia Sorento years to avoid is worth its price in gold, as it will save you a lot of time and money spent on repairs. The key thing is to avoid the infamous 2.4-liter engine with head gasket leak issues, especially when paired with automatic transmission.

With firsthand experiences from drivers and our thorough investigative efforts, we aim to streamline your path to the right car. Wondering about the years to avoid for a smooth driving experience? Our articles on the Hyundai Santa Fe years to avoid, Ford Edge years to avoid, and Nissan Pathfinder years to avoid illuminate the years that are best left in the rearview mirror. Set off on your journey to car ownership with the confidence that comes from our detailed and actionable insights, guiding you to a purchase you’ll be proud of.