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2018 Kia Sorento

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Kia Sorento do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 242.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

69 reports with mileage · 184 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 105 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports11 fire reports10 injury reports

What owners actually said

253 reports
170,000 miles · Jun 5, 2020
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

THERE'S GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE, THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR A FEW DAYS. JUST LIKE ANY OTHER RESPONSIBLE CAR OWNER, I TAKE IT TO A SHOP; SINCE I NO LONGER TRUST MARK KIA'S (MY LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP) SERVICE DEPARTMENT SINCE BEING SCAMMED BY THEM IS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE, I TAKE IT T…

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THERE'S GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE, THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR A FEW DAYS. JUST LIKE ANY OTHER RESPONSIBLE CAR OWNER, I TAKE IT TO A SHOP; SINCE I NO LONGER TRUST MARK KIA'S (MY LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP) SERVICE DEPARTMENT SINCE BEING SCAMMED BY THEM IS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE, I TAKE IT TO A PEP-BOYS NEAR THE DEALERSHIP. THE GENTLEMAN AND HIS MANAGER EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THE FIX IS DOABLE HOWEVER AFTER LITERALLY SPEAKING TO EVERY KIA DEALERSHIP (INCLUDING MARK KIA) AS WELL AS ALL OF THEIR DISTRIBUTORS, THEY LEARNED THAT THE PART TO FIX THE PROBLEM DOESN'T EXIST AT THIS TIME (AS IN NOT SOLD YET). I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE FUEL ASSEMBLY IN GENERAL SHOWS NO WEAR AND TEAR AS WELL AS ANY DAMAGE THAT WOULD CONCLUDE USER ERROR. IN ADDITION, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE 2017 MODEL HAS THE SAME ISSUE AND AS A RESULT WAS RECALLED, MY RESEARCH CONCLUDED THIS. I CALLED MARK KIA AND ASKED THEM IF THEY WERE AWARE OF A POTENTIAL RECALL, APPARENTLY, A TSB COULD EITHER EXIST OR BE IN THE WORKS THAT ADDRESS THE ISSUE, INSTEAD OF TRYING TO WORK WITH ME ON A SOLUTION, AS USUAL, THE SCAMMERS WERE NOT HELPFUL. AS A RESULT, MY CAR IS CURRENTLY SITTING IN A PEP-BOYS LOT LOCATED AT 101 S MCCLINTOCK DR TEMPE, AZ DUE TO KIAS NEGLIGENCE AND I DEMAND KIA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER SINCE I RELY ON MY CAR FOR WORK; WITHOUT MY CAR I DON'T MAKE ANY MONEY. PLEASE CONTACT THE PEPBOYS BELOW 101 S MCCLINTOCK DR TEMPE, AZ 85281 (480) 968-8473 *TR

NHTSA ODI #11327403

Mileage unknown · May 12, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND LOST ALL POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SON CALLED HER AND INFORMED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SMOKING. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE HE SAW FLAME…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND LOST ALL POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SON CALLED HER AND INFORMED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SMOKING. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE HE SAW FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE OPENED THE HOOD AND THE FLAMES IMMEDIATELY ENGULFED THE WHOLE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS MADE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE DEALER SUNTRUP KIA SOUTH (6263 S LINDBERGH BLVD, ST. LOUIS, MO 63123 PHONE: (314) 254-8955) WHO STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT LIABLE AND TO CONTACT KIA CONSUMER LINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE A CASE WAS OPENED AS WELL AS AN INVESTIGATION WAS CONDUCTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11324235

49,000 miles · May 3, 2020
Steering

WHEN DRIVING 40+ MPH, WHEN THE WIND IS BLOWING, THE STEERING BECOMES STICKY, NOTCHY OR JERKY, CALL IT WHAT EVER YOU PLEASE. WHEN TRYING TO ADJUST STEERING SLIGHTLY TO DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT DIRECTION, MY STEERING BECOMES JERKY AND DANGEROUS. KIA REFUSES TO LOOK INTO THIS SERIOUSLY. THEY WANT ME SPENDING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO GET I…

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WHEN DRIVING 40+ MPH, WHEN THE WIND IS BLOWING, THE STEERING BECOMES STICKY, NOTCHY OR JERKY, CALL IT WHAT EVER YOU PLEASE. WHEN TRYING TO ADJUST STEERING SLIGHTLY TO DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT DIRECTION, MY STEERING BECOMES JERKY AND DANGEROUS. KIA REFUSES TO LOOK INTO THIS SERIOUSLY. THEY WANT ME SPENDING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO GET IT DIAGNOSED. BUT HOW WILL IT BE DIAGNOSED WHEN IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN IT IS WINDY? PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS.

NHTSA ODI #11323128

22,100 miles · Mar 16, 2020
Steering

STEERING HAS A "NOTCHY" OR "STICKY" FEEL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ESPECIALLY WHEN STEERING FROM RIGHT TO LEFT.

NHTSA ODI #11318207

61,000 miles · Jan 2, 2020
Steering

STEERING FELT STICKING WHILE DRIVELING ON THE HIGHWAY TOOK IT IN BEEN TOLD IT'S THE STEERING COLUMN.. THIS IS THE SECOND ISSUES I HAVE HAD WITH MY STEERING 6MTHS APART. LAST TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS SOMETHING IN THE DRIVE TRAIN AN WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY AN THE PART WAS GOING TO BE REPLACED BUT WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR THE SEC …

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STEERING FELT STICKING WHILE DRIVELING ON THE HIGHWAY TOOK IT IN BEEN TOLD IT'S THE STEERING COLUMN.. THIS IS THE SECOND ISSUES I HAVE HAD WITH MY STEERING 6MTHS APART. LAST TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS SOMETHING IN THE DRIVE TRAIN AN WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY AN THE PART WAS GOING TO BE REPLACED BUT WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR THE SEC ISSUE I WAS TOLD THEY ONLY DID A SOFT WEAR UPDATE BUT ITS ALSO CALLING FOR ANOTHER SOFTWARE UPDATE

NHTSA ODI #11296732

Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2019
Exterior Lighting

CAR HEADLAMPS SHUT OFF WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION, FIRST NOTICED WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT AS LIGHTS WERE IN AUTO SETTING AND THE DASHBOARD SHOWS THE LIGHT SETTING CHANGE AND THE LIGHTS OUTSIDE CHANGING AS WELL WITH NOTHING BEING TOUCHED. LIGHTS HAVE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF ABOUT 5 TIMES WHEN DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11292183

7,500 miles · Oct 23, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

IN JANUARY 2019 A RECALL WAS DONE ON MY VEHICLE. A FEW DAYS LATER, I WAS TRAVELING OUT OF STATE. I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE DRIVING 70 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE CAR LOST POWER. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ONE BEHIND ME. I WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL SENT THE CAR INTO LIMP MODE BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS BAD. MY CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR OVER 4 …

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IN JANUARY 2019 A RECALL WAS DONE ON MY VEHICLE. A FEW DAYS LATER, I WAS TRAVELING OUT OF STATE. I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE DRIVING 70 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE CAR LOST POWER. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ONE BEHIND ME. I WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL SENT THE CAR INTO LIMP MODE BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS BAD. MY CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR OVER 4 MONTHS IN WISCONSIN. I LIVE IN IOWA. LONG STORY SHORT, KIA CAME UP WITH NEW DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND AFTER 4 MONTHS THEY DECIDED I DID NOT NEED AN ENGINE AND IT WAS MY WIRING HARNESS THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. 2 MONTHS LATER, I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AGAIN WHEN MY VEHICLE DID THE SAME THING MY CAR WENT FROM 70 MPH TO 50 MPH WITHIN SECONDS. I LOOKED IN MY REARVIEW MIRROR AND A SEMI WAS RIGHT BEHIND. THANK GOODNESS THE DRIVER WAS PAYING ATTENTION. HE HAD TO GO ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY TO AVOID CRASHING INTO ME. I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS ONCE AGAIN IN LIMP MODE. IT WAS IN THE SHOP FOR 3 DAYS AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED A NEW KNOCK SENSOR. FAST FORWARD A FEW MORE MONTHS AND MY VEHICLE GOES INTO LIMP MODE FOR THE 3RD TIME. CURRENTLY MY CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP. IT HAS BEEN THERE FOR 6 WEEKS. I'M BEING TOLD THAT IT NOW NEEDS A NEW COMPUTER, BUT KIA HAS TO WRITE ONE, SO IT COULD BE AWHILE. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE. THE CAR GOING INTO LIMP MODE IS DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 15 MONTHS AND OF THAT, ITS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 6 AND COUNTING.

NHTSA ODI #11270532

Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2019
Structure

VEHICLE WAS IN A PARKED STATIONARY POSITION, TRIED TO OPEN SUN ROOF AND HEARD A LOUD POP NOISE. PANORAMIC SUNROOF GLASS CRACKED HORIZONTALLY CLEAR ACROSS ROOF AND MET WITH GLASS PARTICLES ALL OVER.

NHTSA ODI #11246592

13,139 miles · Aug 26, 2019
Unknown Or OtherFire

ON 8-23-19 AT APPROX. O805HRS I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION AND PARKED MY KIA SORENTO. I HAD DRIVEN THE KIA SORENTO FROM MY RESIDENCE TO VANCOUVER, WA AND DURING THIS TRAVEL PERIOD THE KIA SORENTO FUNCTIONED AS USUAL WITH NO INDICATION OF MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL OR FUNCTIONALITY OF THE VEHICLE. I PARKED THE KIA AND ENTERED THE BU…

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ON 8-23-19 AT APPROX. O805HRS I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION AND PARKED MY KIA SORENTO. I HAD DRIVEN THE KIA SORENTO FROM MY RESIDENCE TO VANCOUVER, WA AND DURING THIS TRAVEL PERIOD THE KIA SORENTO FUNCTIONED AS USUAL WITH NO INDICATION OF MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL OR FUNCTIONALITY OF THE VEHICLE. I PARKED THE KIA AND ENTERED THE BUILDING. AT APPROX. 0840 A CO-WORKER INDICATED THE KIA HAD SMOKE COMING FROM THE KIA'S ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I EXITED THE BUILDING TO SEE A SMALL HAZE OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHICH BEGAN TO INCREASE. I USED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER IN AN ATTEMPT TO NEUTRALIZE THE FIRE, WHICH ONLY SUPPRESSED IT FOR A SHORT TIME AND I DIDN'T OPEN THE ENGINE HOOD DUE TO POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO FIRE OR EXPLOSIONS. THE ENGINE FIRE CONTINUED TO INCREASE IN SIZE AND I ATTEMPTED WITH ANOTHER FIRE EXTINGUISHER, WHICH WASN'T EFFECTIVE DUE TO SIZE, HEAT AND ACCESSIBILITY OF THE FULL ENGINE COMPARTMENT. VANCOUVER FIRE LATER ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE ENGINE FIRE CONTINUED WITHIN THE KIA'S ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

NHTSA ODI #11246461

2,214 miles · Aug 26, 2019
EngineUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING BACK HOME I HAD TOO WORK IN RODEO CALIFORNIA HALF THE WAY EVERYTHING WAS GOING GREAT I HAD MY 3 CHILDREN WITH ME MY CAR DIDN'T GAVE ME ANY WARNING NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.,NO WHITE SMOKE , I WAS PASSING THE DODGER STADIUM WHEN SUDDENLY MY 2018 SORENTO JUST SHUT DOWN ALMOST GOT HIT I WAS ABOUT TOO ENTER THE 710 AND N…

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I WAS DRIVING BACK HOME I HAD TOO WORK IN RODEO CALIFORNIA HALF THE WAY EVERYTHING WAS GOING GREAT I HAD MY 3 CHILDREN WITH ME MY CAR DIDN'T GAVE ME ANY WARNING NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.,NO WHITE SMOKE , I WAS PASSING THE DODGER STADIUM WHEN SUDDENLY MY 2018 SORENTO JUST SHUT DOWN ALMOST GOT HIT I WAS ABOUT TOO ENTER THE 710 AND NOOOOO I DIDNT EVEN GOT A CHANCE TO GET OUT THE I-5 SOUTH I CHECKED THE WATER IT WAS FULL OIL WAS OK NO SMOKE NO OVER HEATING ONES THE CAR SHUT DOWN I TRY TOO STOP SINCE WHEN PASSING DODGER STADIUM IN GOING DOWN HILL THE DAMM BREAKS DIDNT WORK GOD WAS ON MY SIDE I STOP THE CAR THE DASH BOARD TURN ON AND OFF THE ENGINE HOW EVER NEVER TURNED BACK ON. I WAITED FOR 5 HOURS FOR KIA ROADSIDE SERVICE 60 MINUTES TURNED UP TOO BE 5 HRS ITS FUNNY I GOT THAT 2018 BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO BE HAVING PROBLEMS LIKE THIS ONE I THOUGHT HEY A NEW CAR WOULD BE GREAT FOR THE FAMILY ...NOPE I SHOULD HAD NEVER GOT THAT CAR LOVE MY CHEVROLET SILVERADO NOTHING LIKE CHEVY

NHTSA ODI #11246317

Official recalls

3

22V703000 · Trailer Hitches

Sep 19, 2022

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.

Consequence & remedy

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 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.

18V656000 · Steering:column; Steering:electric Power Assist System

Sep 21, 2018

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the steering column separates, it can cause a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Steering:electric Power Assist System

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.

Consequence: If the steering column separates, it can cause a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Steering:column

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.

Consequence: If the steering column separates, it can cause a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

17V784000 · Air Bags:side/window

Dec 8, 2017

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power

Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

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 spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing.  There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Go deeper into Kia Sorento problems