The 2017 Kia Sorento has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 152,814 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 1,021 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
TRAILER HITCHES22V7030002022-09-1970,887 affected
Defect
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture…
Consequence
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at…
ENGINE18V9070002018-12-1971,653 affected
Defect
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects…
Consequence
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING17V5860002017-09-2162 affected
Defect
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017 Sorento vehicles equipped with 3.3L engines. The engine crankshaft may have been improperly heat treated and may fail.
Consequence
If the crankshaft fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A failed crankshaft also increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the crankshaft, and, as necessary, replace the engine sub assembly, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC153.
TRAILER HITCHES16V8620002016-11-3010,212 affected
Defect
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to August 25, 2016, and 2017 Sportage vehicles manufactured December 10, 2015, to August 26, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a…
Consequence
If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer tow hitch harness, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC142.
Complaints by component
ENGINE
377
2crashes17fires3injuries
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
117
1crashes
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
102
1crashes11fires1injuries
STEERING
94
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
90
4fires
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
38
2fires1injuries
POWER TRAIN
36
1crashes1fires1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
24
2fires
SERVICE BRAKES
21
2crashes1injuries
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
21
1crashes
Total complaints1,021
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Bought car from carmax. Engine knock sensor went bad and engine is knocking. Kia states engine is not origional and was taken from a junk yard, both kia and carmax are refusing to fix eventhough I am doing payments and it is a known kia issue for this car. Kia charged me 350$ to run test and…”
“Following an engine replacement performed at billion auto kia in rapid city, sd, I began experiencing persistent electrical system failures in my 2017 kia sorento. The vehicle alarm would activate randomly without cause, including while I was inside the vehicle with the engine running.…”
“Following an engine replacement performed at billion auto kia in rapid city, sd, I began experiencing persistent electrical system failures in my 2017 kia sorento. The vehicle alarm would activate randomly without cause, including while I was inside the vehicle with the engine running.…”
“To whom it may concern, I am writing to formally dispute a repair charge and report unacceptable service at courtesy kia (mesa, az) regarding my vehicle. Timeline of events: june 12, 2026: I brought my vehicle to courtesy kia for a mandatory software recall. Prior to this appointment, my fuel…”
“I found that he ignition key can be removed from my 2017 kia sorento while the transmission is not in the park position. This is a shift interlock failure. Under fmvss 114, the key must be trapped in the ignition unless the transmission is confirmed in park. This defect caused the vehicle to roll…”
“The car is consuming oil under the 3,000 mile mark.”
“While I was driving my 2017 kia sorento, the r.p.m suddenly maxed out and then it rapidly went down to zero. My car lost power completely and stopped. There was a burning smell. Now it is dead. There is no clicking sound. Repair place tells me I need a new engine now.”
“While I was driving my 2017 kia sorento, the r.p.m suddenly maxed out and then it rapidly went down to zero. My car lost power completely and stopped. There was a burning smell. Now it is dead. There is no clicking sound. Repair place tells me I need a new engine now.”
Defect investigations
InvestigationDP21002 Opened 2021-11-12 · closed 2023-06-26
Engine Oil Pressure Switch Leak
In a letter dated September 30, 2021, Mr. Gerald James (the petitioner) requested that NHTSA conduct an investigation of the Model Year (MY) 2015-2017 Kia Sorento equipped with 3.3L V6 ?Lambda? engines for ?severe oil leaks? from the oil pressure switch (OPS) that could ?lead to engine failure? with little warning to…
InvestigationDP21002 Opened 2021-11-12 · closed 2023-06-26
Engine Oil Pressure Switch Leak
In a letter dated September 30, 2021, Mr. Gerald James (the petitioner) requested that NHTSA conduct an investigation of the Model Year (MY) 2015-2017 Kia Sorento equipped with 3.3L V6 ?Lambda? engines for ?severe oil leaks? from the oil pressure switch (OPS) that could ?lead to engine failure? with little warning to…
InvestigationDP22003 Opened 2022-09-12 · closed 2023-12-12
Loss of Motive Power
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles…
InvestigationPE23019 Opened 2023-11-13 · closed 2024-07-23
Loss of Motive Power
On November 13, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE23-019) to investigate allegations of loss of motive power relating to head gasket and/or head bolt failure in Model Year (MY) 2016-2017 Kia Sorento vehicles equipped with the 3.3 L Lambda II engine. When the…
InvestigationPE23019 Opened 2023-11-13 · closed 2024-07-23
Loss of Motive Power
On November 13, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE23-019) to investigate allegations of loss of motive power relating to head gasket and/or head bolt failure in Model Year (MY) 2016-2017 Kia Sorento vehicles equipped with the 3.3 L Lambda II engine. When the…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2017 Kia Sorento as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.