The most-reported Sorento run is 5XYPG4A31GG (2016 builds) with 48 complaints, 8.6× the typical run. Engine problems make up 36% of reports; 2016 is the worst model year at 9.3 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 41 recall campaigns for Sorento model years 2003–2026.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Kia Sorento has 1,665 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 2% of every Sorento complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5XYPG4A31GG•••••• | 2016 | 2 | 4 | |
| 5XYPG4A58KG•••••• | 2019 | 1 | — | |
| 5XYPG4A39GG•••••• | 2016 | 2 | 2 | |
| 5XYKT3A10BG•••••• | 2011 | — | 1 | |
| 5XYKT3A14BG•••••• | 2011 | — | — | |
| 5XYPG4A32GG•••••• | 2016 | 2 | 4 | |
| 5XYPG4A36GG•••••• | 2016 | 1 | — | |
| 5XYPG4A38GG•••••• | 2016 | — | 5 | |
| 5XYPG4A30GG•••••• | 2016 | 1 | 5 | |
| 5XYKT3A11BG•••••• | 2011 | 1 | 4 | |
| 5XYKT3A19BG•••••• | 2011 | — | 1 | |
| 5XYPG4A34GG•••••• | 2016 | — | 1 |
Each of the other 1,653 Sorento runs has 35 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 348 Sorento VINs so far, most often 2026, 2019, 2025 builds; 9 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Kia Sorento the gap between build years is 6.6×: a 2016 car draws 9.3 complaints per run, a 2021 one 1.4.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 4 | 2 | |
| 2025 | 76 | 49 | 6 | |
| 2024 | 42 | 27 | 4 | |
| 2023 | 121 | 59 | 3 | |
| 2022 | 188 | 75 | 2 | |
| 2021 | 23 | 17 | 1 | |
| 2020 | 132 | 57 | 10 | |
| 2019 | 425 | 88 | 10 | |
| 2018 | 250 | 90 | 12 | |
| 2017 | 784 | 114 | 13 | |
| 2016 | 1214 | 131 | 24 | |
| 2015 | 729 | 111 | 20 | |
| 2014 | 962 | 118 | 21 | |
| 2013 | 921 | 193 | 21 | |
| 2012 | 818 | 177 | 19 | |
| 2011 | 1354 | 175 | 35 | |
| 2009 | 47 | 24 | 2 | |
| 2008 | 182 | 40 | 11 | |
| 2007 | 135 | 35 | 9 | |
| 2006 | 186 | 26 | 10 |
Heaviest year here is 2016 at 9.3 complaints per run; lightest is 2026 at 1. The 2026 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 36% of everything Kia Sorento owners report: Engine, 3,633 of 9,261 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 36 | 231 | |
| Electrical System | 23 | 112 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 25 | 79 | |
| Power Train | 28 | 12 | |
| Structure | 19 | 26 | |
| Exterior Lighting | 6 | 14 | |
| Air Bags | 114 | 5 | |
| Service Brakes | 42 | 26 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 41 recall campaigns on the Kia Sorento; the 6 below cover build years 2007 to 2023. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 22V703000 | Trailer Hitches | 2016–2022 |
| 18V907000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings | 2012–2017 |
| 23V652000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module | 2011–2014 |
| 13V114000 | Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch | 2007–2011 |
| 25V649000 | Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers | 2021–2023 |
| 17V224000 | Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 2012–2014 |
22V703000 was opened in 2022 on cars built from 2016: 6 years on the road before the recall.
The Sorento against its rivals
The Sorento draws 5.6 complaints per production run; the Toyota RAV4 2.3, the Honda CR-V 3.7 and the Mazda CX-5 2.7. That is the highest rate of the 4.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Sorento | 9,261 | 1,665 | 2.9% | |
| Toyota RAV4 | 8,453 | 3,661 | 8.5% | |
| Honda CR-V | 14,848 | 4,017 | 5.1% | |
| Mazda CX-5 | 2,107 | 772 | 5% |
How serious were they
Of the 9,261 reports on the Kia Sorento, 2.9% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Kia Sorento | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 9,261 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 267 (2.9%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 383 (4.1%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 337 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 9 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 50% below the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Kia Sorento share of that is 9,261 complaints over 1,665 runs, 0.83% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Kia Sorento VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 9,261 NHTSA complaints from 1,665 Sorento runs and 41 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Sorento production run has the most complaints?
5XYPG4A31GG, a 2016 build, with 48 complaints, 2 of them after a crash. The typical Sorento run has 5.6.
Which Sorento years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2016 is heaviest at 9.3 complaints per run and 2026 lightest at 1.
Does the Sorento get more complaints than the Toyota RAV4?
Yes: 5.6 complaints per production run for the Sorento against 2.3 for the Toyota RAV4.
How many Sorento complaints involve a crash?
2.9% of 9,261 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 383 involved a fire.
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