2018 Kia Sorento Recalls, Problems & MPG
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 255 owner complaints for the 2018 Kia Sorento. The EPA rates it 19 to 24 MPG combined, depending on engine and drivetrain.
- Recalls
- 3
- Owner complaints
- 255
- Crashes / fires reported
- 12 / 11
- EPA combined
- 19–24 MPG
2018 Kia Sorento recalls
Trailer HitchesSep 19, 2022 · NHTSA 22V703000+
Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
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 accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
SteeringSep 21, 2018 · NHTSA 18V656000+
Risk: If the steering column separates, it can cause a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cowl crossbar, free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC167.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The cowl crossbar that connects to the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) steering column may be improperly welded, allowing the steering column to separate.
Air BagsDec 8, 2017 · NHTSA 17V784000+
Risk: If the component detaches during deployment, it may enter the passenger compartment and be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC159.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The side curtain air bags on these vehicles have a component that may detach during deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag.
Recall repairs are free. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours still needs one.
Most reported 2018 Kia Sorento problems
Owner complaints to NHTSA by system. One complaint can name more than one system.
- Engine107
- Exterior Lighting41
- Unknown or Other37
- Electrical System30
- Steering26
- Fuel/Propulsion System13
- Air Bags10
- Structure9
2018 Kia Sorento gas mileage
EPA ratings for each version (city / highway / combined).
| Version | Engine | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sorento FWD | 2.4 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6) | 21 | 28 | 24 | $2,700 |
| Sorento FWD | 2.0 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6) | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,800 |
| Sorento AWD | 2.4 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6) | 21 | 25 | 22 | $2,900 |
| Sorento AWD | 2.0 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6) | 19 | 25 | 22 | $2,900 |
| Sorento FE AWD | 3.3 L 6 cyl, Automatic (S6) | 18 | 25 | 21 | $3,050 |
| Sorento FWD | 3.3 L 6 cyl, Automatic (S6) | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,200 |
| Sorento AWD | 3.3 L 6 cyl, Automatic (S6) | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,400 |
Real-world mileage depends on how and where you drive. Logbay compares your actual MPG with these EPA numbers.
Questions
Does the 2018 Kia Sorento have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2018 Kia Sorento, most recently for the trailer hitches (Sep 19, 2022). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2018 Kia Sorento problems?
Owners filed 255 complaints with NHTSA. The most reported areas are engine (107), exterior lighting (41), unknown or other (37).
What gas mileage does the 2018 Kia Sorento get?
The EPA rates the 2018 Kia Sorento at 19 to 24 MPG combined (best version: 21 city / 28 highway).
Sources: NHTSA recalls and owner complaints (api.nhtsa.gov), EPA fuel economy (fueleconomy.gov). Updated Oct 26, 2026. Complaint counts are unverified owner reports.