At a glance
What can fail
Brake fluid can leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit, causing an electrical short.
What the fix does
Dealer will install a new multi-fuse and inspect the control unit for leaks, replacing it if needed.
This page covers 3 recalls, 739 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2015 Kia Sorento.
20–23 mpg combined
10.2–11.8 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 4 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Engine complaints dominate the 2015 Kia Sorento's complaint record, accounting for well over a third of all reports. Owners frequently describe sudden power loss, stalling while driving, and warning lights, check engine, oil pressure, and battery lights, illuminating together, often without prior symptoms. A recurring pattern involves engine knock and overheating, with some owners reporting head gasket or internal engine failures. The second most-reported area is structure, where owners describe premature paint peeling and delamination across multiple body panels, most commonly noted on white-colored vehicles with no accident history. Exterior lighting complaints round out the top three, though at a similar volume to structure reports. The engine failure pattern is the clearest thread here, owners consistently describe abrupt loss of power followed by multiple warning lights, sometimes leading to the vehicle stalling in traffic.
739
Total Complaints
20
Crash-Related
13
Fire-Related
13
With Injuries
By System
The 2015 Kia Sorento has 3 recalls, all related to fire risk: brake fluid leaking into the anti-lock brake control unit can cause an electrical short and an engine compartment fire, and a separate fuel leak on vehicles that previously received an engine replacement can ignite if an ignition source is nearby.
The brake fluid issue has been the subject of prior repair attempts that did not fully resolve the problem, so vehicles already serviced under an earlier recall may still be affected. The engine-related fuel leak applies only to vehicles that previously had their engine replaced under a prior recall, a warranty claim, or a knock sensor software campaign.
At a glance
What can fail
Brake fluid can leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit, causing an electrical short.
What the fix does
Dealer will install a new multi-fuse and inspect the control unit for leaks, replacing it if needed.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Brake fluid can leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), potentially causing an electrical short that may affect braking function.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the HECU for brake fluid leaks and replace the unit if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The high pressure fuel pipe connecting to the fuel pump may have been damaged, misaligned, or improperly torqued during a previous engine replacement, causing potential fuel leaks.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe as needed at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.