2018 Kia Sorento electrical system problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 15, 2026CAElectrical SystemEngine

   Vehicle: 2018 Kia Sorento VIN: [XXX] Kia Corporate Case #: XXX My 2018 Kia Sorento experienced a catastrophic engine failure (“holes in the block”) while under warranty. The vehicle lost power, emitted heavy smoke, and became completely inoperable. Kia America has refused to repair the engine and has delayed providing the required written denial for my warranty claim. This vehicle has also suffered five break-ins, and Kia has two active recalls for my year and model that…

   NHTSA complaint #11764549 · source
2. Filed Jun 5, 2026CABrakesElectrical SystemEngine

   I had the car for just 2 years and it's giving me a lot of problems the car smells like gas it has a gas leak the breaks don't work and the electrical system don't work properly

   NHTSA complaint #11742231 · source
3. Filed Mar 29, 2026VAElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   Sunroof was working properly, no issues. I parked car with sunroof open and when i restarted car it started closing extremely slow. Technicians have tried resetting but no luck. This is a safety issue that has been repeatitive on KIA Suvs since 2012 or 2014. Techs cannot reset sunroof and last KIA I owned was 2014 had same issue plus drainage hole issues. A panoramic sunroof malfunction can be a safety issue for a few reasons: 1. Emergency situations: In the event of an…

   NHTSA complaint #11727810 · source
4. Filed Mar 20, 2026FLElectrical SystemLightingVisibility & Wipers

   The vehicle’s ignition system began malfunctioning immediately after a recall-related service (Campaign CS2312 – ignition cylinder protector installation) performed on January 9, 2026. Prior to this service, the vehicle had no ignition or electrical issues. After the repair, the ignition key became difficult to turn, and the vehicle intermittently failed to start. Additionally, multiple electrical components began to fail intermittently, including the infotainment screen…

   NHTSA complaint #11725924 · source
5. Filed Feb 17, 2026SCElectrical SystemLightingAcceleration & Cruise Control

   My speedometer was jumping from 0 to 20 mph while in park. A couple weeks later it did it while I was driving, I was going 25 mph and it jumped to 55 mph. I took it to the shop that day and all 4 of my wheel speed sensors were out, which wasn’t accurately measuring my speed. The shop said it was common with this model and year. Also, my headlights do not work in auto mode. I will have shut my car off, made sure the lights were off, and hours later I have a text from my…

   NHTSA complaint #11718665 · source
6. Filed Sep 22, 2025OHElectrical SystemLightingVisibility & Wipers

   Lighting and/ or electrical. When using the auto headlight switch, all lights will come on randomly and periodically and stay on until you notice them or they ware down your battery. This is something that could be checked out by dealer and I will ask about it. So, for now, I do not use the auto headlight switch. My other problem is a glass issue. For no apparent reason, when I shut my driver side door a few weeks ago. My entire rear window shattered into pieces. There were…

   NHTSA complaint #11688792 · source
7. Filed Aug 22, 2025MDElectrical SystemEngine

   My vehicle started with oil issues took to dealer and the attempted to perform an oil consumption test however the vehicle would not pass the test as the oil would not last long enough for next test. Was advised I needed an engine, Kia refused to replace since it wouldn’t pass consumption test. I paid for engine replacement 1month later engine light comes on, again I return to Kia dealer they say engine needs replacement they replace supposedly through warranty. Drive for…

   NHTSA complaint #11682431 · source
8. Filed Mar 7, 2025WAFireElectrical SystemEngineSteering

   In January 2024 I started getting power steering issues and multiple warning lights related to the electrical systems. I took my vehicle to Car Pros Kia for inspection and repair on 2/1/2024. They took it for a test drive at which time it caught fire.

   NHTSA complaint #11647007 · source
9. Filed Sep 25, 2024CAElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   Car won't start system doesn't recognize key. And when I use the other key ams drive the car doesn't recognize the key and keeps showing No key I'm vehicle

   NHTSA complaint #11616520 · source
10. Filed Mar 15, 2024GAElectrical SystemLighting

    The passenger side headlight has been reinstalled 8 times. The dealership has replaced it and we have replaced it several times. The light goes out constantly and is costing me a fortune to replace as well as possible traffic tickets. The headlights turn off also when in automatic mode. Please recall this vehicle and have this safety and expensive issue fixed. This issue has been going on several months now. The dealership does not provide a permanent solution. This is a…

    NHTSA complaint #11577535 · source
11. Filed Feb 9, 2024MNElectrical System

    While driving down the road my headlights will flash off and on randomly. I have auto headlights and when it’s in auto mode it will randomly flash off and on 1-2 times and keep repeating sometimes longer than others. When it’s just my drls that are on it does the same as well as the switch being all the way on it will do the same and when it happens I hear clicking coming from somewhere in the dash. Brought it in for the “recall” but Kia tells. Me it only goes to 150k miles.…

    NHTSA complaint #11571128 · source
12. Filed Dec 3, 2023CAElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

    I had the anti-theft update installed in August which was supposed to prevent the car from being stolen by lengthening the alarm and making it so the car would not start without the key. My car was still stolen in November.

    NHTSA complaint #11558238 · source

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