Kia Sorento Reliability and Common Problems

The Kia Sorento is an SUV that doesn’t just have a muscular form factor, it also has a good reputation for being reliable. However, Kias aren’t known for having excellent resale value. The value of the Kia Sorento typically depreciates 55% after five years according to CarEdge.com. This is more than other cars, which only depreciate around 40% to 45% after five years.

In this article, we’ll go over the Sorento’s reputation when it comes to reliability and the common problems throughout its eighteen-year model history.

Is the Kia Sorento Reliable?

The Kia Sorento has gotten high scores for its reliability. RepairPal gave the SUV a rating of four out of five, which is above average. Overall, RepairPal says the issues that the Kia Sorento encounters are less severe and not as frequent compared to the average car.

Consumer Reports on the other hand gave a three out of five predicted reliability score, which is average. If you want a dependable vehicle, the average score of the Kia Sorento might not impress you. Additionally, the 2020 Sorento model should be avoided because it got a low one out of five rating.

Regardless of the Sorento’s ratings on certain websites, one thing is certain. Kia has stepped up as a manufacturer compared to the 90s. Kia’s cars in the ‘90s were notorious for being cheap and having poor quality. Kia may still not have the same reputation for being reliable as brands like Toyota, but Kia has certainly come a long way. Currently, the South Korean manufacturer gives its customers a lot of confidence because they guarantee the reliability of its cars with one of the best new car warranties in the industry.

Kia Sorento Problems

Kia may have a great warranty for its new vehicles, but its older models did have some issues. They’re not completely bad, but they will have a greater tendency to fail and cause problems compared to newer ones. These problems will tend to vary every model year.

Engine Failure

A common issue with the 2016 Kia Sorento is a tendency for its engine to fail. This happens as a result of the head gasket leaking, causing its antifreeze and coolant to mix with the engine oil. These two liquids should never mix because they serve very different purposes. Unfortunately, owners only experienced symptoms when it’s too late. By the time they see their exhaust belching smoke, their engine already has been extensively damaged. Regularly checking the head gasket for signs of wear can potentially prevent this. Replacement head gaskets can cost around $20 to $60.

Faulty Doors

The most reported problem with the 2011 Kia Sorento is its doors not opening when opened from the outside. This is certainly extremely annoying for drivers because this can prevent drivers from entering their vehicle. Owners that make use of the child-lock feature are even more infuriated because once the exterior door handles fail, there’s no way for them to open the passenger doors. Many owners that had this problem went to their dealers to fix the issue, but the issue neither had a recall nor is covered by their warranty. Replacing the SUV door handles seems to fix the problem. Replacement exterior door handles cost around $15- $90.

Headlight Bulbs Burning Out

The headlight bulbs of the Kia Sorento also tend to burn out prematurely. This issue seems to be the most prominent in the 2002 to 2009 Sorento, with dozens of people reporting that their bulbs burn out after only a few months. Owners also find that other components of their headlight other than the bulb are also melted. While the cause of this issue has something to do with how the Kia vehicles send power to their headlights, Kia has not issued a recall of any sort. You can get replacement Kia Sorento headlights from $100 to $600.

Noise or Vibration From A/C Compressor

Another common issue on the 2002 to 2009 Kia Sorento is a tendency for its A/C compressor to fail. A faulty A/C compressor makes a noise that either sounds like a rumble or high-pitched wailing. This is caused by the AC compressor’s clutch failing. Since your A/C can’t engage its clutch, the pulley system can’t turn the compressor. As a result, the A/C will likely stop producing cold air. A fix for this issue is to replace the faulty air compressor. Replacement Kia Sorento A/C compressors range from $250 to $400.

Noisy Startup From Faulty Timing Chain

The Kia Sorento can create excessive noise during startups, which is best described as a rattling sound. If the oil levels in the engine are normal, then the noise is likely coming from a faulty timing chain tensioner. The engine can stop functioning as soon as the timing chain fails. The failing timing chain can also damage other components like pulleys once it fails. Replacing the faulty timing chain tensioner with an updated version seems to fix the problem.

Faulty Ignition Coil

Owners report that a common part that needs to be replaced in the Sorento is its ignition coils. Faulty ignition coils cause misfires in the engine which can lead to engine damage if ignored. It’s a good thing that most owners report that their ignition coilsfailed when the car has reached more than a hundred thousand miles or more, which isn’t alarming since ignition coils are only designed to last about a hundred thousand miles. Replacing ignition coils is simple as they’re easily accessible. You can get replacement ignition coils for around $20 to $140.

Bad Crankshaft Pulley Bolt

Crankshaft pulley bolt failures are common in the first-generation Sorento, which ran from 2003 to 2006. Power from the crankshaft is sent to other systems through pulleys. When the crankshaft pulley bolt fails, it will disable systems like power steering and air-conditioning. If this breaks on the road and the power steering fails, it can be a safety risk. It can also disable your Sorento’s alternator, causing electrical issues and preventing the Sorento’s battery from recharging.

Sometimes, a bad crankshaft pulley bolt can also damage other engine components like the crankshaft position sensor. The bolt’s tendency to fail often seems to have something to do with the crankshaft pulley bolt’s design as owners report that it can still occur even after multiple repairs.

If you’re planning on getting a used Kia Sorento, knowing the common issues from the experience of other drivers is important. Knowing about these problems can help you look out for them, so you can prevent expensive repairs in the future.

Where to Get Auto Parts and Accessories for Your Kia Sorento

The Kia Sorento can take you miles in comfort and style, provided that you keep it in great shape. Stay on top of its maintenance and resolve issues immediately. If you need replacement parts, upgrades, or accessories, you can find what you need at CarParts.com with just a few clicks.

We can vouch for their quality because we source our products from trusted manufacturers. They passed numerous tests and quality control standards, so you don’t need to worry about them failing anytime soon.

Input your Sorento’s specifications into our vehicle selector to view the parts that fit your SUV. Use our search filter to view the catalog based on your preferred brand, price, and features. Our Kia Sorento selection includes accurate and detailed fitment information, so you’re sure to get exactly what your car needs to get back on the road.

Make sure your SUV is always ready to go. Shop for Kia Sorento parts today!