2018 Kia Sorento Safety Report

2018 Kia Sorento: Excellent Crash Ratings Mask Significant Engine Reliability and Recall-Related Safety Concerns

240Complaints
3Recalls
★★★★★Safety Rating
55/100Reliability Score
10Crash Reports
10Fire Reports
9Injuries
Most reported components: Engine (67)Exterior Lighting (24)Steering (22)Unknown Or Other (20)Electrical System,Exterior Lighting (10)Air Bags (8)Trailer Hitches (7)Structure (5)Electrical System,Engine (5)Fuel/Propulsion System (4)

AI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Kia Sorento

The 2018 Kia Sorento presents a mixed safety picture. While it boasts excellent crash test performance with 5-star overall, frontal, and side ratings from NHTSA, and a 4-star rollover rating, its reliability is significantly impacted by a high volume of consumer complaints, particularly concerning the engine. With 240 total complaints, 67 (27.9%) are related to the engine, frequently detailing issues like excessive oil consumption, knocking sounds, misfires, and sudden power loss, some leading to complete engine failure. This is a critical concern, as engine failure can lead to dangerous situations on the road, as evidenced by multiple complaints describing loss of motive power while driving. The vehicle also has 10 reported crashes, 10 fires, and 9 injuries, indicating that some malfunctions have serious consequences. Recall history further highlights safety vulnerabilities. Three recalls have been issued, addressing significant safety risks. One recall (TRAILER HITCHES) warns of a fire risk from the tow hitch harness, which could occur while parked or driving. Another (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM) addresses improperly welded cowl crossbars that could lead to a loss of steering ability, increasing crash risk. The third recall (AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW) points to a component that may detach during side curtain airbag deployment, potentially becoming a dangerous projectile within the cabin. These recalls demonstrate that critical safety systems and components have had manufacturing defects. In summary, while the 2018 Kia Sorento performs exceptionally well in controlled crash tests, the real-world data from NHTSA complaints and recalls reveals substantial safety and reliability concerns. The pervasive engine issues, coupled with specific defects in steering, airbags, and potential fire hazards from the trailer hitch, suggest that prospective buyers should exercise caution. The high number of engine-related complaints, some leading to dangerous driving conditions, is a major red flag despite the strong crash test scores.

Reliability Score

The 2018 Kia Sorento receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.

Known Issues for the 2018 Kia Sorento

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Kia Sorento:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Engine Failure/Excessive Oil Consumption
Numerous complaints detail engines burning excessive oil, knocking, misfiring, and experiencing sudden power loss, often leading to complete engine replacement. This issue is a major safety concern, with 67 complaints directly related to the engine.		 High Common 50000-110000 miles
Steering System Malfunction (Recall)
A recall addresses improperly welded cowl crossbars in the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) system, which can cause a loss of steering ability and increase crash risk. 22 complaints are related to steering.		 High Occasional N/A miles
Trailer Hitch Fire Risk (Recall)
A recall for the tow hitch harness poses a fire risk while parked or driving, increasing the risk of injury. 7 complaints are related to trailer hitches.		 High Rare N/A miles
Air Bag Component Detachment (Recall)
A recall indicates that a component in the side curtain airbags may detach during deployment, becoming a projectile and increasing injury risk. 8 complaints are related to airbags.		 High Rare N/A miles
Exterior Lighting Malfunctions
24 complaints relate to exterior lighting, including headlights failing to function, high beams blacking out, and auto headlights coming on randomly and draining the battery.		 Medium Occasional N/A miles
Paint Peeling
Complaints mention paint peeling on the roof, indicating a potential manufacturing defect in the paint finish.		 Low Occasional N/A miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Kia Sorento:

Engine 27% of complaints

The most frequent issue, with 67 complaints, involves engine problems such as excessive oil consumption, knocking, misfires, sudden power loss, and complete engine failure.

Exterior Lighting 10% of complaints

24 complaints relate to exterior lighting, including headlight failures and erratic behavior of auto headlights.

Steering 9% of complaints

22 complaints concern steering issues, including loss of power steering, which is also subject to a recall.

Unknown Or Other 8% of complaints

20 complaints fall under 'UNKNOWN OR OTHER', indicating a variety of less common or unspecified issues.

Electrical System,Exterior Lighting 4% of complaints

10 complaints specifically link electrical system issues with exterior lighting malfunctions.

Air Bags 3% of complaints

8 complaints are related to airbags, including issues covered by a recall regarding component detachment.

Trailer Hitches 2% of complaints

7 complaints are related to trailer hitches, which are subject to a recall due to fire risk.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Kia Sorento

Is the 2018 Kia Sorento safe?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 Kia Sorento received excellent crash test ratings (5-star overall, frontal, and side, 4-star rollover). However, it has 240 consumer complaints, including 10 crashes, 10 fires, and 9 injuries, with significant concerns regarding engine reliability and three safety recalls for steering, airbags, and trailer hitch fire risk. While it performs well in crash tests, real-world reliability and specific component defects raise safety concerns.

What are common problems with the 2018 Kia Sorento?

The most reported issues for the 2018 Kia Sorento are engine-related (67 complaints), including excessive oil consumption, knocking, misfires, and sudden power loss. Other common problems include exterior lighting malfunctions (24 complaints) and steering issues (22 complaints), which are also subject to a recall.

Are there any recalls for the 2018 Kia Sorento?

Yes, the 2018 Kia Sorento has three recalls. These include a recall for the trailer hitch harness due to fire risk, a recall for improperly welded cowl crossbars in the steering system that could lead to loss of steering, and a recall for side curtain airbags where a component may detach during deployment.

How does the 2018 Kia Sorento perform in crash tests?

The 2018 Kia Sorento received high marks in NHTSA crash tests, earning a 5-star overall safety rating, 5 stars for frontal crash, 5 stars for side crash, and 4 stars for rollover resistance.

Should I buy a used 2018 Kia Sorento?

Given the high number of engine-related complaints, including reports of sudden power loss and engine failure, and the existence of three safety recalls addressing critical components like steering and airbags, potential buyers should proceed with caution. Thorough pre-purchase inspections, especially of the engine and steering system, and verification that all recalls have been addressed, are highly recommended.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Despite strong crash test ratings, the 2018 Kia Sorento has significant engine reliability issues and multiple safety recalls; a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the engine and ensuring all recalls are completed is crucial.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Kia Sorento

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Kia Sorento. The data includes 240 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 3 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 10 reported crashes, 10 fire incidents, 9 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

The NHTSA has assigned the 2018 Kia Sorento an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.