2015 Kia Sorento electrical system problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

40 owners have reported electrical system problems with the 2015 Kia Sorento, 7% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 87,500 mi.

Electrical System complaints
40
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Related recalls
0
Median mileage
87,500 mi

Specific components reported

Electrical System covers: Battery, wiring, infotainment, instrument cluster, communication and software.

ComponentComplaints
Electrical system39
Electrical system:instrument panel:speedometer/odometer1

Electrical System complaints across Kia Sorento years

220052520071682009755420124484201440902016822820186320202047302022371120242212026
Electrical System complaints by model year. The 2015 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

Under 10k210k–30k30k–60k860k–100k6100k–150k150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

  1. Filed Sep 3, 2026TXElectrical SystemLightingVisibility & Wipers
    The headlights are so dim that I could not see at night. I am forced to drive with the fog lights on for any amount of visibility. I recently replaced the headlights with factory replacements and now the connectors going into the back have failed and power only makes it to the lights when Mercury is in retrograde. This is unacceptable and a severe safety hazard.
    NHTSA complaint #11761812 · source
  2. Filed Jul 11, 2026ILBrakesElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise Control
    I parked my car and it was sitting for about an hour I came back to the car and heard a humming noise found that weird but I had to drive home about 10 mins later I parked car, sound was still going even while car was off. So I thought to let it sit for another while. Came back to car sound was still on I started car and the abs, traction, & brake light came on and not even 2 mins later my car starts smoking. So immediately I shut it off and have to leave my car parked in…
    NHTSA complaint #11749754 · source
  3. Filed Apr 18, 202520,735 miGAElectrical System
    Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was an auction sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 20,19,4 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 20,735.
    NHTSA complaint #11655490 · source
  4. Filed Feb 11, 2025GABody & StructureElectrical System
    My Kia Sorento has the pearl white paint that began peeling 4 years ago. That is a known issue for Kia vehicles made between 2013 and 2019. [XXX] . While this is not necessarily a safety issue, it is common problem that Kia knows about. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
    NHTSA complaint #11641923 · source
  5. Filed Jun 18, 2024MOElectrical SystemEngine
    The engine started to sound weird and stopped in the middle of the road that couldve created an accident should there have been other vehicle iw as pregnant at that time We contacted kia and they wouldnt change the engine since we didnt replace the knock sensor but we never received the mail and they confirmed thag mail was not sent to us.
    NHTSA complaint #11595173 · source
  6. Filed May 31, 2024GAElectrical SystemEngineSteering
    My car has been giving me problems for about three months now and we’ve changed about four or five parts on the engine/transmission and it’s still acting up. We’ve called the Kia dealership several times to alleviate the problem but they are giving us the runaround about the three recalls that pulled up for the 2015 Kia Sorrento and they saying that we have to pay $150 for diagnostic per recall, which I don’t understand that if it’s not our fault then they should cover the…
    NHTSA complaint #11591798 · source
  7. Filed Mar 5, 2024107,999 miINFireElectrical SystemOther / Unknown
    I was on the highway with my family, when we started to smell smoke,and the car began to slow down I proceeded to get off the highway to pull over to the side the of the road oil light came on and some more signal came on .so my son told me to open the hood it was dark so I could not find the latch so he bent his head down and that’s when he seen fire he told everyone to get out the car.!,,,and we got away from the car that’s when the whole car blew up.very dramatic night in…
    NHTSA complaint #11575588 · source
  8. Filed Jan 14, 2024VABrakesElectrical SystemEngine
    Check engine light started coming on at about 39,000. miles took to local mechanic who preformed lots of repairs and called Kia for information concerning engine issue. Received notice of recall from Kia on the HECU -instructing me to park truck away from home due to fire. Check engine light back on again at 41,000 miles, took to dealership where they replaced the HECU and fuel pump and fuel lines. Picked up truck and noticed when braking the truck shook all over and seem to…
    NHTSA complaint #11565432 · source
  9. Filed Aug 14, 2023FLElectrical SystemLighting
    Driving at night on an unlit rural road with the high beam lights engaged, a car was coming in the opposite direction, at which point the headlights were switched to low-beams to not impact the visibility of that driver. The headlights and lighting of the cluster turned completely off for a few moments before the low-beam headlights re-engaged and remained on for the remainder of the trip. The headlights throughout the trip were turned on by having the auto function engaged.…
    NHTSA complaint #11538322 · source
  10. Filed Apr 19, 2023GAFireElectrical SystemEngine
    traveling back from Panama City Beach, on 10/14/2022 Florida with a destination of [XXX]. At approximately 2:15pm, I had to pull off on the median of interstate 65 North bound at mile marker 123 in Greenville, Alabama due to mechanical failure of my 2015 Kia Sorento. The vehicle was smoking/caught fire and had become inoperable. I had my kids get out A.S.A.P. A good citizen called for help. Two Law enforcement cars and a fire engine arrived. Due to the trauma it caused on my…
    NHTSA complaint #11517824 · source
  11. Filed Dec 23, 2022MIElectrical SystemLighting
    Lights are very dim, had to put in a brighter lightbulb. All of the sudden today the radio FM/AM Satellite and blue tooth stopped working. 12/22/22 - Driving home the lights stopped working and I was driving in the dark with no lights.
    NHTSA complaint #11498666 · source
  12. Filed Jun 19, 2022ORAirbagsElectrical SystemEngine
    My car first off is a LEMON Kia has dragged me along from the beginning. My engine was replaced due to a smoke fire no flames they have yet to take blame for it and had my car for a month in the shop and wouldn't tell me anything they still don't admit it was a car fire but I know it was I had witnesses trying to pull me out of the vehicle which I had towed to kia. Before that happened I took it in twice letting them know I had shortage problems with my lights turning off…
    NHTSA complaint #11469993 · source

Other 2015 Kia Sorento problem areas

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology