2018 Kia Sorento Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026

102Engine complaints

41.1%Of all 248 complaints

#1Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

ENGINE102 · 41.1%

EXTERIOR LIGHTING38 · 15.3%

Unspecified / other37 · 14.9%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM28 · 11.3%

STEERING26 · 10.5%

Share of the 248 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2018 Kia Sorento overview page.

What owners report

“The car stalls any where when the temp is over 108 degrees, i have to wait about two minutes and it will start, sometimes it…”NHTSA complaint 11537023 — filed 08/07/2023

“The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that oil needing to be added the engine every two weeks. The contact stated that…”NHTSA complaint 11534528 — filed 07/26/2023

“Ive been experiencing engine failure with my vehicle since December of 2022. The car was assessed and repaired and less than a month later my…”NHTSA complaint 11526940 — filed 06/14/2023

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2018 Kia Sorento have engine problems?

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2018 Kia Sorento: 102 of 248 complaints on file (41.1%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2018 Kia Sorento have in total?

248 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 12 involved a crash, 11 involved a fire, 11 reported injuries, and 1 reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.