2014 Kia Sorento: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
983 NHTSA owner complaints · 6 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The Sorento shares Hyundai's Theta II 2.4-litre and 2.0-litre turbo engines, and the 2011 and 2016 model years are where its engine-failure complaints concentrate — the same bearing wear, knocking and stalling that hit the Sonata and Optima, covered by the same recall campaigns and warranty extensions. Between those years the record is moderate, and from 2018 the Sorento becomes one of the better three-row crossovers on the site, with the 2020 model year scoring 91. Read the full note on the model page. 2014 specifically: 983 complaints on record, score 60/100 — read the year table on the model page to see where it sits among its siblings.
Read the guide
Used Kia Sorento, Sportage and Soul: the recall years and the good years after them, including 2014 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 983 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 81.92
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
2015 KIA Sorento v6 engine failed and seized. VIN was not included in KIA extended warranty offered for this year and engine.
my 2014 Kia Sorento is having a paint issue and I know their is a class action law suite to get repaired. The only complaint I have is the white pearl paint is chipping off the front of the roof and on the left and right sides of the windshield . I would like to see if my car qualifies to get these areas repainted
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that after taking the vehicle to the dealer for an inoperable air conditioning system, the vehicle failed to start unless the hood was opened. The check engine and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that a diagnostic test was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufactur…
Recalls: 6 campaigns (4 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 21V331000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short. |
| 13V356000 | Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft | Kia Motors Corp. is recalling certain model year 2014 front wheel drive Sorento vehicles manufactured January 7, 2013, through March 12, 2013; and equipped with 2.4 liter engines. |
| 18V907000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been… |
| 23V652000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. |
| 20V519000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short. |
| 17V224000 | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a mid-size SUV of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 22 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,800
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Engine386 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Structure160 complaints · typical job: Body, subframe or corrosion repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,070–$2,920
- Electrical System153 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Unknown Or Other146 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Exterior Lighting86 complaints · typical job: Headlamp assembly or lighting-module replacement (1.5 h labour + parts)$360–$1,380
- Service Brakes84 complaints · typical job: Pads, rotors and caliper service, both axles (3.0 h labour + parts)$580–$1,140
Other Kia Sorento years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2014 Kia Sorento?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Engine (386 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2014 Kia Sorento a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is CAUTION with a reliability score of 60/100, computed from 983 NHTSA complaints and 6 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2014 Kia Sorento's most common problem?
386 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2014 Kia Sorento sit in the Engine group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is cooling-system or timing-drive repair: about 6.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $1,040–$2,220 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2014 Kia Sorento cost to run per year?
About $6,636 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $33,180 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2014 Kia Sorento have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for the 2014 Kia Sorento, 4 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 10/05/2021. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other midsize suvs of about the same age.
What will a 2014 Kia Sorento really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 983 complaints, 6 recalls on record
- 983 NHTSA complaints on record (81.9/yr of exposure) — worse than a typical year of this model (62.6/yr)
- 6 recall campaigns, 4 touching safety-critical systems