2007 Kia Sorento: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 154 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (35% of complaints); the 2009 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 154 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I went in to the burlington, wa kia dealership for this recall fix. And after waiting an hour they tell me they don't have the right part. It's now been about a month later and I'm still waiting to hear when the part will be available. I don't think this is ok for a safety issue.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2024
“Tl* the contact owns a 2007 kia sorento. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated as the contact sat in the seat. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 81,200.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2020
“I tried to contact the manufacturer to fix the recall but they have told me multiple times they do not have the part to replace or fix.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“NHTSA site does not yet reflect that NHTSA recall #: 20v088 affects my vehicle. Your site, which issued that recall states that there are 0 unresolved recalls for my vehicle, but my vehicle has not yet been serviced for that recall. The NHTSA site needs to be updated regarding this recall dated march 25, 2020, with dealer service responses commencing april 10, 2020. Mailed recall notice received from kia. Thank you for your important work, and stay safe. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2007 kia sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 11v473000 (air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Vancouver kia (3400 ne auto mall dr, vancouver, wa 98662, (360) 342-9104) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2019
“Takata recall. Air bag light on dash stays on at all times and "passenger air bag on/off" indicator indicates off, even when an adult is sitting in the passenger seat. Additionally, horn won't blow at times.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2019
“Takata recall: vehicle is unstable when driving, it jumps when on motion. When driving in the night the head lights goes on and off, rear wiper is working non stop even when the car is off. This electric system dysfunction also affects the radio system.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2018
“This morning I was in a city street had just left home and turn on the front defogger, after 2-3 min. I noticed some smoke and smelled something burning. Then I heard a crackling sound. I looked around and didnt know what was burning. I then turned around to head back home. There was no one else on the road. I then turned off the defogger and noticed the cracking sound was my windshield had cracked from the bottom left side above where the VIN # is located. Now im afraid that my truck will catch on fire if I turn on the front defogger. So, I wondering if you have received any complaints regarding the defogger.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2007 kia sorento. While driving various speeds, an abnormal noise was heard. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear frame was severely corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 218,000. **tr *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2007 kia sorento. While driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle decelerated and stalled. Also, the check engine and electronic stability control indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 134,000.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · May 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 10 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 SORENTO PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 15, 2006 THROUGH NOVEMBER 27, 2007. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY BE TURNED OFF WHEN AN ADULT IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IS DESIGNED TO BE TURNED OFF IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES INCLUDING WHEN CHILDREN AND SMALL ADULTS ARE SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THERE IS A CHILD RESTRAINT IN THAT SEAT OR THE SEAT IS NOT OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS), WHICH CLASSIFIES THE OCCUPANT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, MAY MISCLASSIFY AN ADULT PASSENGER AS A CHILD OR CHILD SEAT AND IMPROPERLY TURN OFF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. WHEN THE AIR BAG IS DEACTIVATED THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE CENTER INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Remedy: KIA WILL UPDATE THE PROGRAMMING IN THE SORENTO OCS CONTROL MODULE AT NO CHARGE. THE RECALL REMEDY IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE UNDER SERVICE CAMPAIGN SC076. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-333-4542.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the main junction box to prevent power from being directed to the HECU when the vehicle's ignition switch is turned off, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC186.
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Remedy: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
HUYNDAI-KIA IS RECALLING 139,844 MY 2006-2007- SEDONA, SPORTAGE, SORENTO AND MY RONDO AND AMANTI VEHICLES. THE STOP LAMP SWITCH IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A STOP LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA'S CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sorento by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2007 Kia Sorento reliable?
NHTSA has 154 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2007 Kia Sorento. The most complained-about area is air bags (35% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2007 Kia Sorento problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 78,518 miles or less.
Does the 2007 Kia Sorento have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.