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.
The most-reported problem — Engine (18.7% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
4 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 2 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 284 · 18.7% | Recalled | Recall 23V877000 |
| Electrical System | 242 · 16% | Recalled | Recall 10V388000 |
| Structure:body | 234 · 15.4% | No official action | — |
| Power Train | 222 · 14.6% | Recalled | Recall 15V626000 · Recall 11V258000 |
| Air Bags | 181 · 11.9% | No official action | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 96 · 6.3% | Recalled | Recall 13V114000 |
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.
Percentages are the share of the 1,516 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.
NHTSA campaign 15V626000 · 2015 · reported 10/06/2015
Without requiring the brake to be pressed, the vehicle may be unintentionally shifted out of Park, allowing it to roll, which may result in a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 11E041000 · 2011 · reported 10/06/2011
WITHOUT THE CIRCUIT PROTECTION, THE MODULE CAN OVERHEAT POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 13V114000 · 2013 · reported 04/01/2013
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 11V258000 · 2011 · reported 04/25/2011
DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION MAY CAUSE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 10V388000 · 2010 · reported 08/31/2010
WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT MAY OCCUR THAT CAN RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 10V599000 · 2010 · reported 11/24/2010
AS A RESULT, BRAKE FLUID WILL LEAK, FOLLOWED BY ILLUMINATION OF THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT INDICATING THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL IS LOW AND SHOULD BE CHECKED, THEN A SOFT OR SPONGY BRAKE PEDAL FEEL, AND IF NOT SERVICED, REDUCED BRAKING POWER WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 23V652000 · 2023 · reported 09/25/2023
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · Park outside · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 23V877000 · 2023 · reported 12/21/2023
A fire increases the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
“2011 KIA SORENTO SX STEERING CONSTANTLY WANDERS YOU THE RIGHT, NO REPAIR. WANDERS OFF ROAD IF I DON'T CATCH IT WANDERING.”NHTSA complaint 10421020 — filed 08/22/2011 · STEERING
“MY KIA SORENTO 2011 MANUAL TRANSMISSION IS JERKING WHILE WE DRIVING OR COMING OUT OF A FULL STOP BUT THIS IS RANDOM, SHES BEEN AT…”NHTSA complaint 10419924 — filed 08/17/2011 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“AFTER THE FIRST DEALER OIL CHANGE I BEGAN GETTING LIFTER NOISE ON ENGINE START UP THAT WOULD LAST FOR MINUTES. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE…”NHTSA complaint 10420280 — filed 08/16/2011 · VISIBILITY
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 284 of 1,516 NHTSA complaints (18.7%), followed by electrical system (242), structure:body (234), power train (222). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
1,516 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 42 involved a crash, 61 involved a fire, and 50 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 8 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 15V626000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
4 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
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.
