2005 Kia Sorento Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Engine (20.5% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Engine complaints here are 2.7× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 63 · 20.5% | not available | — |
| Electrical System | 46 · 15% | not available | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 44 · 14.3% | not available | — |
| Steering | 37 · 12.1% | not available | — |
| Air Bags | 27 · 8.8% | not available | — |
| Power Train | 27 · 8.8% | not available | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 307 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns are on file for this vehicle. New recalls can be issued at any time — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE HOME I NOTICED PULSATING IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN…”NHTSA complaint 10429231 — filed 10/09/2011 · STEERING
“HARMONIC BALANCER BOLT BROKE CAUSING FAILURE OF ALL BELT DRIVEN COMPONENTS. LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS BEING THE WORST OF WHICH…”NHTSA complaint 10422885 — filed 09/01/2011 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
“I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND STOPPED TO STORE AND WHEN I WENT TO BACK OUT IT FELT LIKE POWER STEERING BELT WENT OUT…”NHTSA complaint 10419284 — filed 08/13/2011 · POWER TRAIN
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Kia Sorento?
Engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 63 of 307 NHTSA complaints (20.5%), followed by electrical system (46), exterior lighting (44), steering (37). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2005 Kia Sorento have?
307 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 17 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, and 20 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Does the 2005 Kia Sorento have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns are on file for this vehicle. New recalls can be issued at any time — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2005 Kia Sorento's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
