KIA Sorento
Registered from 2003 to 2022.
About this model
The Kia Sorento is a series of two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive family SUVs manufactured by the South Korean manufacturer Kia since 2002 through four generations. Initially a compact SUV built on a body-on-frame chassis, the second-generation Sorento transitioned to a larger car-based platform which placed it into the mid-size crossover SUV class, and has been developed alongside the Hyundai Santa Fe. It is presumed to be named after the Italian city of Sorrento, though Kia did not confirm this. However, Kia released the cryptic post teasing the launch of Sorento in India featuring the image of Piazza Tasso located in Sorrento, Italy.
From the Wikipedia article Kia Sorento, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2015 2.2 diesel. 772 of 4,717 tests failed, 16%.
Better than 40% of 2015 cars. The typical one fails 15%, across 894 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 30% | 231 |
| Suspension | 29% | 224 |
| Tyres and wheels | 29% | 221 |
| Lights and electrics | 15% | 117 |
| Steering | 13% | 98 |
| Exhaust and emissions | 10% | 75 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction
Where it stands out against its peers
- Steering: failed more often than 92% of 2015 cars — 13% of its 772 failed tests, where an ordinary 2015 car has 2%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Brakes — 30% of its failures
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Suspension — 29% of its failures
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- Tyres and wheels — 29% of its failures
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Steering — 13% of its failures
- A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play
- Exhaust and emissions — 10% of its failures
- Lights and electrics — 15% of its failures
When it starts failing
At 140–160k miles this one fails 36% of its inspections, against the 20% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–20k miles | 6% | 7% | 33 | |
| 20–40k miles | 9% | 10% | 317 | |
| 40–60k miles | 13% | 14% | 1,131 | |
| 60–80k miles | 16% | 17% | 1,583 | |
| 80–100k miles | 19% | 19% | 1,032 | |
| 100–120k miles | 21% | 20% | 418 | |
| 120–140k miles | 23% | 21% | 143 | |
| 140–160k miles | 36% | 20% | 45 |
4,702 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 60k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 1.6 hybrid · 177 hp · 2046 kg · 2815 mm wheelbase · 1.6 L/100km (WLTP) · 184 Wh/km |
| 2021 | 1.6 hybrid · 177 hp · 2048 kg · 2815 mm wheelbase · 1.6 L/100km (WLTP) · 177 Wh/km |
| 2020 | 2.2 diesel · 1985 kg · 2780 mm wheelbase · 7.0 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 2.2 diesel · 1985 kg · 2780 mm wheelbase · 7.3 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 2.2 diesel · 1953 kg · 2780 mm wheelbase · 6.6 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2017 | 2.2 diesel · 202 hp · 1926 kg · 2762 mm wheelbase · 6.3 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 2.2 diesel · 197 hp · 1925 kg · 2778 mm wheelbase · 6.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2015 | 2.2 diesel · 196 hp · 1919 kg · 2758 mm wheelbase · 6.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2014 | 2.2 diesel · 195 hp · 1911 kg · 2704 mm wheelbase · 6.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2013 | 2.2 diesel · 194 hp · 1904 kg · 2700 mm wheelbase · 6.7 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2012 | 2.2 diesel · 194 hp · 1903 kg · 2697 mm wheelbase · 6.9 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2011 | 2.2 diesel · 194 hp · 1892 kg · 2687 mm wheelbase · 7.0 L/100km (NEDC) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/00021/23
The electric oil pump within the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) may experience an internal fault. This can result in a loss of driving power, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00154/20
Due to an error in the Frontal Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) software, the braking assist function may fail when the vehicle approaches a stationary vehicle or a pedestrian. Consequently, the braking assist may not activate during a frontal collision, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants and other road users.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00383/23
Damage to the auxiliary heater may cause an electrical fault. This can increase thermal heat generation, increasing the risk of fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00587/23
The fuel tank may have been improperly moulded, which can result in fuel leaks, increasing the risk of a fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00731/22
The fuel supply pipe may have been installed improperly, which may result in a fuel leak. If a fuel leak occurs, this can result in an engine compartment fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00735/22
The positive temperature coefficient heater of vehicles fitted with diesel engines may overheat due to potential damage of the wiring harness connector, increasing the risk of fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01597/22
The shift lever (gearbox) may have been assembled incorrectly, not locking the gears properly. This can allow the vehicle to roll unintentionally, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01885/23
Due to a manufacturing error, the engine might overheat due to fuel or oil leaks and subsequently break down. This may endanger the following traffic and can cause a fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
4 more campaigns have been filed against this model. A dealer can check by VIN which apply to one car.