Head-to-head reliability
KIA Sorento vs Honda Accord
How the KIA Sorento and Honda Accord compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
KIA Sorento vs Honda Accord: The Sorento averages 207 complaints per year with 30 recalls, while the Accord averages 452 complaints per year with 38 recalls. Both have reported engine and electrical issues, but the Sorento's complaints often involve stalling and power steering failure, whereas the Accord's include forward collision avoidance glitches. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the KIA Sorento or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
KIA Sorento
The Kia Sorento is a mid-size SUV that, based on owner complaints, can be a mixed bag in terms of reliability. Over 10 years, it has averaged about 207 complaints per year, with engine issues being the most common. Owners report serious problems like sudden power steering failure, stalling, and transmission warnings, which can be alarming. While not all Sorentos will have these issues, the pattern suggests that some owners face significant and potentially dangerous failures.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize sedan with a generally strong reputation, but NHTSA data shows a higher volume of complaints—about 452 per year—likely due to its high sales volume. The most frequent complaints involve engine and electrical problems, including power steering and braking failures, as well as forward collision avoidance glitches. Some owners report sudden loss of power and other safety-critical issues. Despite these reports, many Accords run reliably, but buyers should be aware of these potential trouble spots.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | KIA Sorento | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2,074 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 30 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 65 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 207.4 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 83 Better | 146 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 2 Better | 3 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
KIA Sorento
- 01ENGINE829
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER379
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM314
- 04POWER TRAIN239
- 05EXTERIOR LIGHTING201
Owners report sudden stalling while driving, such as when going up a hill, and electronic power steering failure that makes the wheel extremely stiff. These issues can leave you stranded or make the vehicle hard to control, posing a safety risk.
Complaints include transmission warning lights and messages like 'A possible condition with your Transmission Control System has been detected,' as well as stalling while braking at intersections. These electrical glitches can cause unexpected shutdowns and require costly diagnostics.
The same transmission warning and stalling incidents are often categorized under power train, indicating that the transmission or its control system may be at fault. This can lead to expensive repairs and unsafe driving conditions.
Many complaints duplicate the power steering failure and stalling issues, suggesting these are widespread and not isolated. Buyers should be aware that these problems may not be covered by recalls and could recur.
“While driving my 2021 Kia Sorento, the electronic power steering suddenly failed/intermittently cut out while the vehicle was in motion. The steering wheel became extremely stiff and difficult to turn, making the vehicle very hard to control and creating a se…”
“I own a 2021 Kia Sorento 2.5L Turbo AWD with approximately 150,000 miles. In the evening, while driving home after dinner with my daughter in the vehicle, I was traveling in the area of [XXX] and [XXX] when the vehicle displayed a “STOP SAFELY IMMEDIATELY” wa…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report the vehicle losing speed and showing multiple alarms (Brake, hill descent, ABS, critical failure) at highway speeds, as well as rattling noises and rough transitions between EV and gas modes. These can indicate serious powertrain issues that may be expensive to fix.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, and TPMS warnings followed by tire failure. Such failures can lead to loss of control and near-collisions, making this a critical area to inspect.
Owners describe incidents where the system activated unexpectedly or failed to prevent collisions, sometimes under identical conditions. This suggests potential software or sensor problems that could compromise safety features.
There are reports of persistent rotten-egg/sulfur odors, which may indicate fuel or emissions system issues. While not always safety-critical, these odors can be a sign of underlying problems and may be costly to diagnose.
“Vehicle drove normally in the morning commute. In the afternoon commute it started normally and as i approached highway speeds the alarms started showing up. the Brake, hill descent system, abs, critical failure. the vehicle started losing speed and could not…”
“Vehicle makes rattling noises while accelerating similar to a diesel engine also rough transitions between EV mode and Gas mode also when you press the charge button the engine makes a very noticeable jerk once it’s on ,Honda does not want to fix my issue and…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
KIA Sorento — 30 recalls
The defect: Kia Motor America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Sorento and 2021-2022 K5 vehicles equipped with 2.5L turbocharged engines. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail.
The risk: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC214.
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris a…
The risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification lett…
The defect: Kia Motors, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Sorento and 2021-2023 K5 vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.
The risk: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2022. Owners…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Sorento vehicles. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) blower motor wiring harness may be inadequate, which can result in a fire.
The risk: A fire increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the wiring harness and blower motor resistor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC351. Veh…
Honda Accord — 38 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Honda Accord Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the integrated control module (ICM) central processing unit (CPU) may reset while driving, causing a loss of drive power.
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the ICM CPU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 6, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is TN2. Vehicle Identificati…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2026 CR-V Hybrid, Accord Hybrid, and 2025-2026 CR-V Fuel Cell EV vehicles. When using the tire repair kit, pressure may build within the sealant bottle, causing the bottle cap to detach.
The risk: A detached bottle cap can become a projectile and strike the user or others nearby, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the tire repair kit nozzle or sealant bottle, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipat…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, CR-V, Ridgeline, 2022 Insight and CR-V Hybrid vehicles. The automatic locking retractor on the second-row center seat belt assembly may deactivate improperly, which can result in an unsecured child restraint sys…
The risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the second-row center seat belt assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura R…
The risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls ar…
Buyer analysis
KIA Sorento or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Kia Sorento has fewer complaints per year (about 207) compared to the Honda Accord (about 452), but the Accord's higher volume is partly due to its popularity. In practice, the Sorento's complaints often involve severe engine and electrical failures, while the Accord's issues span a wider range including advanced safety systems. Both have serious reported problems, so neither stands out as clearly more reliable.
Key differences
- The Kia Sorento has about half the annual complaints of the Honda Accord, but its complaints often involve sudden stalling and power steering failure, which are immediate safety risks.
- The Honda Accord has more complaints overall, with a notable number related to forward collision avoidance and electrical system failures, including simultaneous loss of power steering and braking.
- Both vehicles have engine-related complaints, but the Sorento's are more frequently about stalling and transmission warnings, while the Accord's include loss of speed and multiple system alarms.
- Recalls for the Sorento include fuel system and transmission issues, while the Accord has recalls for hybrid management software and fuel pumps, indicating different areas of concern.
- During a test drive, check for any hesitation, stalling, or warning lights related to the transmission or engine, especially when accelerating uphill or braking.
- Test the electronic power steering at low speeds and during turns; if it feels stiff or intermittently fails, it could be a sign of the reported power steering issue.
- Test all advanced safety features, including forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control, to ensure they function without false alerts or failures.
- Listen for rattling noises during acceleration and check for smooth transitions between EV and gas modes if it's a hybrid; rough transitions or jerking could indicate powertrain problems.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls on both models, especially for fuel system, electrical, and powertrain issues.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on engine, transmission, and electrical systems, including a scan for stored trouble codes.
- During the test drive, pay attention to any warning lights, unusual noises, or changes in steering and braking feel.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly for transmission fluid changes and software updates related to safety systems.
- For the Honda Accord, specifically test the forward collision avoidance system and ensure all recalls related to hybrid management and fuel pump have been addressed.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | KIA Sorento | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 10 |
| 2025 | 75 | 109 |
| 2024 | 41 | 219 |
| 2023 | 121 | 226 |
| 2022 | 189 | 252 |
| 2021 | 20 | 234 |
| 2020 | 136 | 362 |
| 2019 | 428 | 691 |
| 2018 | 254 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 804 | 537 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific KIA Sorento or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- KIA Sorento vs Honda Accord
- KIA Sorento total complaints
- 2,074
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- KIA Sorento total recalls
- 30
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- KIA Sorento avg complaints/year
- 207.4
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- KIA Sorento
- KIA Sorento top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE