Last updated: 2026-10-10
2024 Kia Sorento Reliability Report
The 2024 KIA Sorento has good reliability and ranks well above other 2024 SUVs, but owners report sudden electrical failures while driving.
Recalls
2
Complaints
35
Complaint Rate
3.7per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
$533
Annual Fuel Cost
$2,300–$2,600
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
Rates better than the 2023 and 2025 models, with fewer complaints and recalls than either, though electrical failures lead its complaints.
Top Issues to Watch
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (11)
- ENGINE (5)
- POWER TRAIN (4)
Should You Buy the 2024 Kia Sorento?
Good overall. This model year sits well above average among 2024 SUVs and ranks among the stronger of nine Sorento years. Owners filed 35 complaints, about 3.7 per 10,000 sold. The 2023 and 2025 models also have good reliability, but both rate worse, with more complaints (120 and 72) and more recalls (7 and 8). Crash testing earned 5 of 5 stars.
Electrical faults lead the complaints. Owners describe the car losing all power, including power steering and headlights, and sometimes stalling. Others report every warning light coming on, followed by brake trouble, or hard braking on an empty highway. One report involves a fire. Engine complaints center on coolant leaks from the hybrid radiator or inverter cooling system, some as early as 1,300 miles. Panoramic sunroof glass has also shattered with no impact. Two recalls cover the electrical system and exterior lighting.
Ask for proof that both recalls were completed. Request records of any electrical or coolant repairs, since dealers often cannot reproduce electrical faults.
Compared to the 2025 Kia Sorento, which scored 4 points lower. See also the 2023 Kia Sorento for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +Infrequent unscheduled repairs
- +Low major repair risk (11%)
- +Low recall count
Cons
- −ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: Sudden electrical failures while driving lead this list (11 complaints)
- −ENGINE: Coolant leaks from the hybrid radiator or inverter cooling system are the most... (5 complaints)
Compare 2024 Kia Sorento With
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe
Reliability: 73/100
2024 Ford Edge
Reliability: 76/100
2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV
Reliability: 49/100
2024 Nissan Rogue
Reliability: 79/100
2024 Subaru Forester
Reliability: 78/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 2 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
HIGH RISK- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (11)
- ENGINE (5)
Recall Overview
2
recalls on record
The 2024 Kia Sorento carries 2 recalls — a low count. Authorized dealers repair any open recall free of charge, regardless of warranty status.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
3.7
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 6.9
Safety Incidents
4
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2024 Kia Sorento Recall Details
2 recalls have been issued for the 2024 Kia Sorento. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Sorento, 2025 Sorento Hybrid, and 2025 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. A software error in the Body Domain Control Unit (BDC) may cause a loss of low beam headlights and taillights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence
A loss of headlights and taillights can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the BDC software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 21, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC331.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024 Sorento vehicles. The motor driven power steering (MDPS) wiring harness may be incorrectly assembled, which can result in a loss of power steering assist.
Consequence
A loss of power steering assist increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the MDPS wiring harness as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 7, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC309.
Buying a used 2024 Kia Sorento? Check its history first
Electrical system problems lead owner complaints about the 2024 Kia Sorento, and 2 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2024 Kia Sorento NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 15.9%
Safety Technologies
HEV Powertrain
Rollover risk: 15.9%
Safety Technologies
PHEV Powertrain
Rollover risk: 0.0%
Safety Technologies
Kia SorentoRepair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
4Maintenance rating: 4 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$533
vs $521 avg for compact SUVs
vs $652 avg for all vehicles
Repair Frequency
0.3
unscheduled repair visits per year
Severe Repair Probability
11%
chance of a major repair
Annual Cost Comparison
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
Kia Sorento Resale Value
The Kia Sorento is estimated to retain about 57.1% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.
This benchmark covers the Kia Sorento model overall and is not specific to the 2024 model year.
- Value Retained
- 57.1%
- Depreciation
- 42.9%
- Listings Analyzed
- 192
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . This is a historical market benchmark, not a current price quote.
Explore Kia Sorento depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comMPG & Annual Running Costs
Gas
23–26 MPG
Running cost: $2,850–$3,150/yr
Fuel + repair
20–23 city / 27–31 hwy MPG
Plug-in Hybrid
34–37 MPG
Running cost: $2,150–$2,300/yr
Fuel + repair
35–39 city / 33–35 hwy MPG
Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2024 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sorento FWD 2.5L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 23 | 31 | 26 | $2,300 |
| Sorento AWD 2.5L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 23 | 28 | 25 | $2,400 |
| Sorento AWD 2.5L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S8) | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,600 |
| Sorento FWD 2.5L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S8) | 20 | 29 | 23 | $2,600 |
Plug-in Hybrid trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sorento Plug-in Hybrid 1.6L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S6) | 35 | 33 | 34 | $1,750 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2024 Kia Sorento.
Inspect the panoramic sunroof glass for cracks and ask whether the glass has ever been replaced.
Look through the lower grille at the hybrid radiator for damage, and check the ground under the car for coolant drips.
Run every window and lock from the driver door switches, and press the horn several times.
Shift into reverse repeatedly and confirm the camera image appears every time without a no-signal message.
Pull away from a stop several times and feel for hesitation, jerking, or a failure to upshift.
Let the car idle for several minutes and watch for rising and falling revs or sputtering.
Check the headlight lenses for fogging or trapped moisture.
Run the VIN through federal recall records and confirm the dealer has completed every open recall.
2024 Kia Sorento Common Problems by Component
35 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
11 complaintsSafety-relatedSudden electrical failures while driving lead this list. Reports describe the car losing all power, including power steering and headlights, and sometimes stalling. Others describe every warning light coming on at once, followed by brake trouble. Some cars brake hard on empty highways for no reason, and one crash followed a 'sensor blocked' collision-assist warning. Smaller faults include dead horns, door switches that stop working the windows and locks, and blackouts of the infotainment, reverse camera and instrument panel. One report involves a fire on the interstate. Dealers often cannot reproduce the faults, and owners wait for parts.
ENGINE
5 complaintsCoolant leaks from the hybrid radiator or inverter cooling system are the most common complaint. Some appear as early as 1,300 miles. Dealers usually blame a rock puncture and refuse warranty coverage. Owners point to an exposed lower grille. The leaks bring overheating, an inverter coolant warning and, in some cases, total loss of power. Other reports describe a flashing check engine light with the engine shaking and losing speed on the highway, and metal shavings in the oil at about 31,000 miles. Dealers are booking diagnosis 1-3 months out.
POWER TRAIN
4 complaintsHesitation and lost acceleration are the main complaints. The transmission slips, shifts hard, or will not upshift when pulling away from a stop. It feels stuck in neutral, and other traffic nearly hits the car from behind. At idle, revs rise and fall and the engine sputters as if about to stall, then propulsion drops even with the pedal floored. Some reports describe all dashboard lights turning orange while the brakes take about 5 seconds to respond. Several drivers describe close calls with traffic or pedestrians.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3 complaints)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
3 complaintsSunroof glass that breaks with nothing hitting it shows up again here. In one report the dealer confirmed no outside cause, but the manufacturer still denied warranty coverage, and the driver nearly lost control. Other reports describe the car shutting off during a low-speed turn with no warning, leaving it stopped in the road for about a minute. A shifter fault leaves the car stuck in Drive. It will not accept Park, will not start, and will not fully turn off.
STRUCTURE (3 complaints)
STRUCTURE
3 complaintsPanoramic sunroof glass shatters without any impact. Owners say it happens at highway speed with a bang like a gunshot, and broken glass falls on the people inside. A rear sunroof panel also breaks on a car that was parked and garage kept. The glass falling into the back seat is a clear hazard for passengers. One minor report describes exterior trim that will not stay clipped down. Dealer appointments for diagnosis take several days.
AIR BAGS (2 complaints)
AIR BAGS
2 complaintsSafety-relatedBoth reports involve crashes. In one, a side impact rolls the car over, the airbags do not deploy, the seatbelt releases, and the occupant is thrown through the shattered moonroof and injured. The other is really a braking complaint. Automatic braking engages in snow mode, locks the wheels, and the car slides into a tree. Only 2 complaints are on file, but both describe serious crashes.
VISIBILITY/WIPER (2 complaints)
VISIBILITY/WIPER
2 complaintsGlass breaking without an impact is the theme here too. One report describes the panoramic sunroof panel bursting at highway speed. Another describes a large crack spreading across the driver side of the windshield while the car sat parked, with no chip or impact point. Only 2 complaints are on file, but the sunroof failure matches the pattern reported under other categories.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING (2 complaints)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2 complaintsHeadlights, taillights and the dash go dark for a few seconds while driving at night, then come back on, with no warning beforehand. The owner blames software, but the dealer says the car is not covered by the related recall and offers only a headlight check. A separate complaint describes headlight lenses fogging up and cutting light output, with the replacement waiting on manufacturer approval.
STEERING (1 complaints)
STEERING
1 complaintMy vehicle has issues with the power steering. At random times, day or night, the wheel steers to the right and I have to force my grip on the wheel to avoid crashing. It last between 3-5 seconds. No lights or alerts light up on the dashboard. Dealerships have been unable to assist me, I have gone to three different ones. They cannot identify the issue. Loss of power steering assist increases crash risk, since it’s harder to control the vehicle in tight maneuvers or emergencies. Car is available for inspection.
SEAT BELTS (1 complaints)
SEAT BELTS
1 complaintOn August 6, 2025, I discovered that both the driver and passenger front seat belts in my 2024 Kia Sorento were installed backwards from the factory, with the buckle facing inward instead of outward. This defect has been present since the vehicle was purchased brand new, but it was only discovered and documented on this date. The issue was confirmed by an authorized Kia dealership in an official service report and in a video recorded by the service technician. I also have photos and videos taken before the dealership visit showing the same defect. This is a manufacturing defect and poses a serious safety risk to occupants in the event of a collision, as the seat belts may not function as intended. Supporting documentation is available upon request.
Best & Worst Kia Sorento Years
Best Kia Sorento Years to Buy
Based on reliability index score2024
(Current Model)
2020
2023
Kia Sorento Years to Avoid
Kia Sorento Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 68/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 64/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 66/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 66/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 70/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 79/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 75/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 80/100 | Excellent |
Kia Sorento Reliability Compared to Other Years
2024 Kia Sorento Reliability by Powertrain
The 2024 Kia Sorento is available with 3powertrain options. Here's how they compare on reliability.
| Powertrain | Complaints | Recalls | Incidents* | Crash Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gas | 28 | 2 | 5 | 5 out of 5 |
| HEV | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 out of 5 |
| PHEV | 2 | 0 | 0 | N/T |
| Total | 35 | 2 | 5 |
NHTSA tracks complaints by vehicle configuration when that detail is available. Model-level reports that do not identify a specific powertrain are included in Total but not assigned to a row. A plus sign indicates a confirmed minimum; — means no complaints could be attributed to that specific powertrain. N/T = Not tested by NHTSA.
* Incidents = crash + fire reports. A single complaint can include multiple incident types.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2024 KIA Sorento reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2024 KIA Sorento?
Does the 2024 KIA Sorento have electrical problems?
Has the 2024 KIA Sorento been recalled?
Is the 2024 KIA Sorento better than the 2023 or 2025?
Don’t buy a 2024 Kia Sorento without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2024 Kia Sorento
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2024 Kia Sorento does best on how many systems draw complaints (84/100) and worst on complaint severity (76/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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