Is the 2014 Kia Sorento a bad year?
989 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 407, 7.8× a quiet Sorento year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2014 Kia Sorento were filed between 75k and 126k miles. You're at 101,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2014 Sorento owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 101,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 407 (41%) | 75k–126k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 85 (9%) | 50k–120k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 72 (7%) | 48k–106k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Air bags | 51 (5%) | 60k–110k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seats | 11 (1%) | 58k–103k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability control | 11 (1%) | 60k–112k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 160 (16%) | 52k–89k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Electrical system | 154 (16%) | 24k–95k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Exterior lightingSTANDS OUT | 86 (9%) | 64k–96k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Fuel system | 50 (5%) | 63k–94k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Steering | 35 (4%) | 31k–97k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 31 (3%) | 29k–93k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 27 (3%) | 10k–51k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Suspension | 16 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 101,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 989 complaints: 23 mention a crash · 47 mention a fire · 16 report an injury · 60 say the car was towed.
43 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Purchased vehicle a year ago and already problems with engine. Several months ago while on highway my engine began to seize and I had to coast the vehicle carefully to the side of the road.
January 10, 2020 had the recalls on my car checked. Nothing was wrong. While driving home february 28, 2020, my car started to make a horrible knocking noise.
While driving and while running but standing still the engine light comes on. While driving at highway speed, the uvo/onboard voice alert came on and alerted to a serious engine issue/or failure.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 101,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2014 Kia Sorento: 6
The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short. An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving.
Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short. If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine. Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Due to a manufacturing issue, the right front axle shaft may fracture. A fractured front axle may result in a loss of power to the wheels. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked without the parking brake applied, it may roll away. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Kia: 183
Repair instructions Kia sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2014 Kia Sorento. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Warranty extension campaign (WTY039)
Product improvement campaign: engine replacement instructions for DTC P1326 (PI1803Y/Z)
AWD SYSTEM CONCERN DUE TO TIRE CIRCUMFERENCE - This Pitstop provides information regarding potential concerns with the All-Wheel-Drive…
Technical service bulletin oil pressure switch (Ops) replacement
NHTSA defect investigations: 8
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
Loss of Motive Power
Engine Fires
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
Neighbouring years
2013 Sorento: 984 complaints, consider selling · 2015 Sorento: 755 complaints, consider selling.
Every Kia Sorento year
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Questions
Is the 2014 Kia Sorento a bad year?
989 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 407, 7.8× a quiet Sorento year. At 101,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2014 Kia Sorento were filed between 75k and 126k miles. You're at 101,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Kia Sorento?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (407), brakes (85), transmission and drivetrain (72), air bags (51), seats (11). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 75k–126k miles.
How many recalls does the 2014 Kia Sorento have?
6 recall campaigns list this model year: Brakes (NHTSA 23V-652), Brakes (NHTSA 21V-331), Brakes (NHTSA 20V-519), Fuel system (NHTSA 18V-907) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.