Is the 2018 Kia Sorento a bad year?
255 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 112, 2.2× a quiet Sorento year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
The engine draws 2.2× the complaints of a quiet Sorento year, spread over 26k–100k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2018 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 78,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 112 (44%) | 26k–100k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Fuel system | 13 (5%) | 45k–80k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Exterior lightingSTANDS OUT | 41 (16%) | 25k–64k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Electrical system | 30 (12%) | 25k–68k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Steering | 26 (10%) | 15k–43k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 9 (4%) | 2k–52k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 8 (3%) | 2k–23k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Air bags | 10 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 9 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 8 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 8 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Trailer hitch | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 7 (3%) | 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 78,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 255 complaints: 12 mention a crash · 11 mention a fire · 10 report an injury · 19 say the car was towed.
37 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
While driving my 2018 Kia Sorento on Interstate 95 at approximately 65 mph, the vehicle suddenly started to knock.
While driving on numerous occasions the car has to be forced to go. It's always hesitating to go and I'm forced to press hard on the gas.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 78,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2018 Kia Sorento: 3
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. A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The cowl crossbar that connects to the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) steering column may be improperly welded, allowing the steering column to separate. If the steering column separates, it can cause a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
The side curtain air bags on these vehicles have a component that may detach during deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag. 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.
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: 107
Repair instructions Kia sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2018 Kia Sorento. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Product improvement campaign: engine replacement instructions for DTC P1326 (PI1802Y/Z)
Technical service bulletin oil pressure switch (Ops) replacement
Voluntary emissions service campaign: 2.0L t-gdi auxiliary canister kit installation (SC201)
Injector harness routing for PI1802Y/Z and PI1803Y/Z engine replacements
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Loss of Motive Power
Neighbouring years
2017 Sorento: 810 complaints, consider selling · 2019 Sorento: 436 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Kia Sorento year
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Questions
Is the 2018 Kia Sorento a bad year?
255 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 112, 2.2× a quiet Sorento year. At 78,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. The engine draws 2.2× the complaints of a quiet Sorento year, spread over 26k–100k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Kia Sorento?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (112), fuel system (13), exterior lighting (41), electrical system (30), steering (26). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 26k–100k miles.
How many recalls does the 2018 Kia Sorento have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Trailer hitch (NHTSA 22V-703), Steering (NHTSA 18V-656), Air bags (NHTSA 17V-784). 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.