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.
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. We’ve since rechecked every model year against the owner complaints filed with NHTSA, and the best and worst years below follow those numbers.
| Kia Sorento Generation | Best Kia Sorento Years | Worst Kia Sorento Years |
|---|---|---|
| 1st generation | 2009 | N/A |
| 2nd generation | N/A | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 |
| 3rd generation | 2018, 2020 | 2016, 2017, 2019 |
| 4th generation | 2024 | N/A |
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, and engine complaints with NHTSA peak on the 2016 (721).
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 on 2WD models 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 could cause the driveshaft to fail, and Kia recalled these 2011 models (11V-258) to fix it.
3. Exterior and electrical issues
Improperly soldered electrical panels have caused quite a bit of problem for Kia Sorento owners, especially concerning the 2011 model year. 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 wiring in early 2011 models was fixed. 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 second and third generations 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, with 1,520 and 1,261 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, but here’s a full list of model years that you should avoid:
- 2011
- 2012
- 2013
- 2014
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
- 2019
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 engine trouble and electric system issues. Still, none of the 2003 to 2009 models stands out in NHTSA complaints the way the later ones do, so we don’t list them as years to avoid.
If you’re shopping for a first-generation Sorento, the 2009 is the best pick, with only 55 complaints. The 2.5-liter diesel you may read about was only sold outside the US.
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.
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However, the model year you should certainly avoid is the 2011 Kia Sorento, especially with a 2.4-liter petrol engine. It has 1,520 complaints with NHTSA, the most of any Sorento, with engine, structure and power train problems all reported, and it was recalled for an engine compartment fire risk (23V-877).
The 2012 to 2015 aren’t much better, with 755 to 988 complaints each, mostly about the engine. If you’ve got your eyes on a second-generation Kia Sorento, make sure to check for recalled models, and honestly, a first-gen 2009 or a newer Sorento is the safer bet.
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 (721 engine complaints with NHTSA), 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. The 2017 (808 complaints) has the same engine issues, and the 2019 (435) is the one to be careful with among the later models.
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:
- 2009
- 2018
- 2020
- 2024
The 2009 has the fewest complaints of any older Sorento (55), and the 2018, 2020 and 2024 are fair newer picks. These are all much safer options when compared to troublesome model years like 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 2009 if you are looking for an older model, and 2018 if you are looking for a more recent variant.
2010 Kia Sorento
The 2010 Sorento was only sold outside the US. Here, the first generation ended with the 2009 and the second generation started with the 2011, so if you see a listing for a 2010, check the VIN.
If you want an older Sorento, the 2009 is the one to get, with just 55 NHTSA complaints.
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 third-gen Sorento because drivers have now had some time to evaluate it and report its flaws.
With 255 NHTSA complaints, a fraction of the 2016’s 1,261, 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.
What is a good year for Kia Sorento?
Some of the good years for Kia Sorento include the 2009, 2018 and 2020 models along with the 2024.
What year did Kia Sorento have engine problems?
Kia Sorento had engine problems in years 2011 to 2017, while the issue was mostly associated with the 2.4-liter and some 3.3-liter engines.
What model Kia Sorento is best?
The 2020 Kia Sorento is the best of the third generation, with 140 NHTSA complaints, the fewest of the 2016 to 2020 models. Among the older ones, the 2009 is the best.