Last updated: 2026-03-04
GMC Terrain vs Kia Sorento: Reliability Compared
GMC Terrain
Kia Sorento
Choosing between the GMC Terrain and the Kia Sorento? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two compact suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The GMC Terrain currently leads with an average score of 72/100 compared to 70/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the GMC Terrain and Kia Sorento Generations Compare?
Verdict
The GMC Terrain is more reliable than the Kia Sorento, scoring 72/100 vs 70/100.
The Kia Sorento edges out the GMC Terrain in terms of reliability, with a higher average reliability score of 81/100 compared to the Terrain's 76/100. However, the Sorento has experienced more recalls, totaling 43 over nine years, while the Terrain has had 19. Despite the higher recall rate, the Sorento's estimated annual repair cost is slightly lower at $533 versus the Terrain's $558. Both vehicles show similarities in common issues related to the power train and electrical systems, but the Sorento's lower repair costs and higher reliability score make it a slightly more reliable choice overall.
Key Differences
- 1Kia Sorento costs $25 less per year to repair
- 2GMC Terrain has 24 fewer total recalls
- 3Kia Sorento has 6% lower major repair risk
Category Scoreboard
GMC Terrain vs Kia Sorento: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | GMC Terrain | Kia Sorento |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 72/100 | 70/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 19 | 43 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 4.8 | 7.4 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $558/yr | $533/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.3/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 17% | 11% |
| Year Wins | 5 | 3 |
What Are the Common Problems With the GMC Terrain and Kia Sorento?
The GMC Terrain and Kia Sorento exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the GMC Terrain having a higher proportion of issues related to service brakes and the Kia Sorento facing more power train and engine complaints. Notably, the Terrain's service brakes account for 146 complaints, including 8 crash-linked incidents, indicating a significant safety concern in this category. Conversely, the Sorento's most prominent issues lie within the power train and engine, with 269 and 260 complaints, respectively, though the electrical system also presents a heightened risk with 6 crash-linked complaints. While both vehicles have power train issues, the Sorento's electrical system complaints are more numerous and crash-linked, underscoring a potential vulnerability not as pronounced in the Terrain.
| Component | GMC Terrain | Kia Sorento |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 1Very Low | 1.5Low |
| ENGINE | 0.4Very Low | 1.4Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.6Very Low | 1.1Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.5Very Low | 1Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.2Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | —None |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | —None | —None |
| SEATS | —None | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
| STRUCTURE | —None | —None |
| TRAILER HITCHES | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: GMC Terrain or Kia Sorento?
How Does GMC Terrain vs Kia Sorento Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | GMC Terrain | Kia Sorento | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 78/1000R / 8C | 75/1008R / 72C | GMC Terrain |
| 2024 | 77/1001R / 29C | 79/1002R / 35C | Kia Sorento |
| 2023 | 75/1002R / 21C | 70/1007R / 120C | GMC Terrain |
| 2022 | 72/1004R / 65C | 66/10010R / 171C | GMC Terrain |
| 2021 | 74/1002R / 28C | 66/1006R / 217C | GMC Terrain |
| 2020 | 68/1002R / 160C | 71/1001R / 115C | Kia Sorento |
| 2019 | 68/1003R / 163C | 64/1002R / 383C | GMC Terrain |
| 2018 | 66/1005R / 201C | 68/1003R / 232C | Kia Sorento |
| 2026(predicted) | 77/100(predicted) | 75/100(predicted) | GMC Terrain |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 GMC Terrain scored 78/100 and the 2024 Kia Sorento scored 79/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the GMC Terrain vs the Kia Sorento?
GMC Terrain vs Kia Sorento: Common Questions
- Is the GMC Terrain more reliable than the Kia Sorento?
- Based on our data, the GMC Terrain is more reliable with an average score of 72/100 compared to 70/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the GMC Terrain or the Kia Sorento?
- The Kia Sorento has more recalls (43) compared to the GMC Terrain (19). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the GMC Terrain or the Kia Sorento?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the GMC Terrain has a lower complaint rate at 4.8 per 10,000 sold versus 7.4 for the Kia Sorento. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the GMC Terrain or the Kia Sorento?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Kia Sorento is cheaper to maintain at $533/year versus $558/year for the GMC Terrain.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More GMC Terrain comparisons
How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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