2018 Kia Sorento electrical system problems
30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the electrical system on the 2018 Kia Sorento — 12% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Vehicle: 2018 Kia Sorento VIN: [XXX] Kia Corporate Case #: XXX My 2018 Kia Sorento experienced a catastrophic engine failure (“holes in the block”) while under warranty. The vehicle lost power, emitted heavy smoke, and became completely inoperable. Kia America has refused to repair the engine and…”
filed Sep 15, 2026
“I had the car for just 2 years and it's giving me a lot of problems the car smells like gas it has a gas leak the breaks don't work and the electrical system don't work properly”
filed Jun 5, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSION SECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340 REV 4) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections…
SC340_TSB_R4 · Emissions · issued Mar 6, 2026
Electrical System problems in other Sorento years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sorento | 21 | 29% |
| 2024 Sorento | 11 | 28% |
| 2023 Sorento | 37 | 31% |
| 2022 Sorento | 30 | 16% |
| 2021 Sorento | 47 | 19% |
| 2020 Sorento | 19 | 14% |
| 2019 Sorento | 68 | 16% |
| 2017 Sorento | 95 | 12% |
| 2016 Sorento | 107 | 9% |
| 2015 Sorento | 58 | 8% |
| 2014 Sorento | 153 | 16% |
| 2013 Sorento | 116 | 12% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2018 Kia Sorento
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.