Head-to-head reliability
KIA Sorento vs KIA Forte
How the KIA Sorento and KIA Forte 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 KIA Forte: The Sorento averages 207 complaints per year and has 30 recalls, while the Forte averages 111 complaints per year and has 16 recalls. The Forte has more crash-related complaints (103 vs. 65) and deaths (6 vs. 2). Both show engine and electrical issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the KIA Sorento or KIA Forte 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 has averaged about 207 NHTSA complaints per year over the past decade, with 30 recalls. The most common complaint area is the engine, followed by electrical and power train issues. Owners frequently report stalling, sudden loss of power steering, and transmission warnings, which can make the vehicle difficult to control. These patterns suggest that living with a Sorento may require vigilance for unexpected breakdowns and costly repairs.
KIA Forte
The KIA Forte is a compact sedan that has averaged roughly 111 NHTSA complaints per year over the same period, with 16 recalls. Engine problems dominate the complaints, but electrical and power train issues are also common. Owners describe stalling while driving, failure to accelerate, and fuel pump problems that can leave the car stranded. While the Forte has fewer complaints per year than the Sorento, the reported issues can still be serious and safety-related.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | KIA Sorento | KIA Forte |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2,074 | 1,108 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 30 | 16 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 65 Better | 103 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 207.4 | 110.8 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 83 | 68 Better |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 2 Better | 6 |
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, loss of power, and electronic power steering failure while driving, often accompanied by a 'STOP SAFELY IMMEDIATELY' warning. These failures can happen without warning and make the vehicle hard to control, posing a safety risk.
Complaints include transmission warning lights, infotainment error messages, and the vehicle shutting off at stoplights or while braking. Such electrical glitches can force manual restarts and may indicate deeper wiring or control module problems.
Owners describe transmission control system warnings and stalling when braking or accelerating. These issues can lead to unexpected loss of drive power and expensive transmission repairs.
This category often captures power steering failures and stalling incidents that don't fit neatly elsewhere. The repeated reports of stiff steering and sudden engine shutdowns highlight a pattern of unpredictable, hard-to-diagnose faults.
“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…”
KIA Forte
- 01ENGINE458
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER202
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM151
- 04POWER TRAIN120
- 05AIR BAGS89
Owners report vehicles that won't start or accelerate, and in some cases metal particles found in the oil, suggesting internal engine damage. These problems can occur at low mileage and may require major engine work.
Complaints include fuel pump failures that cause the car to stall and shut down completely while driving, sometimes in traffic. This can leave drivers unable to restart or move the vehicle, creating a dangerous situation.
Stalling upon acceleration and transmission issues are reported, with some owners experiencing repeated shutdowns. These problems can affect drivability and may lead to costly repairs.
Although fewer in number, air bag complaints appear among the top five components. Any issue with air bag deployment is a serious safety concern that buyers should verify has been addressed by recall repairs.
“While the vehicle was approximately ten months old with approximately 11K miles, it was continuously not functioning properly and would not start/accelerate. My 2024 KIA Forte, which was purchased new from a KIA dealership, has continuously failed to function…”
“In early 2025, I encountered a serious issue with my 2022 Kia Forte GT, a manual car with 76,000 miles and a 1.6L turbo Gamma engine. I took it for a routine oil change at a local non-Kia shop, but they refused, finding metal particles in the oil, suggesting…”
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…
KIA Forte — 16 recalls
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Forte vehicles. The right front lower control arm may have been improperly welded, which can cause it to fail.
The risk: Front lower control arm failure can cause a sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will replace the right front lower control arm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 17, 2024. Owners may contact Kia custo…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Forte vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the front left steering knuckle may crack, which can result in a loss of steering control.
The risk: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the front left steering knuckle, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 12, 2023. Owner may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall…
The defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Rio and Forte vehicles. A bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, which can cause the steering column to detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.
The risk: Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will tighten the lower steering column u-joint retention bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC235.
The defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Rio and Forte vehicles. A bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, which can cause the steering column to detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.
The risk: Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will tighten the lower steering column u-joint retention bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC235.
Buyer analysis
KIA Sorento or KIA Forte: which should you buy?
The KIA Forte has fewer complaints per year (about 111) compared to the KIA Sorento (about 207), and fewer total recalls (16 vs. 30). However, the Forte has more crash-related complaints (103 vs. 65) and more deaths (6 vs. 2) reported. In practice, the Forte may have fewer overall issues, but the ones reported can be just as severe.
Key differences
- The Sorento has nearly double the annual complaint rate of the Forte (207 vs. 111), with engine issues being the top concern for both.
- The Forte has more crash-related complaints (103) and deaths (6) than the Sorento (65 crashes, 2 deaths), despite fewer total complaints.
- Sorento owners frequently report power steering failure and stalling, while Forte owners report fuel pump failures and engine metal particles.
- The Sorento has 30 recalls, including fuel system and electrical wiring, while the Forte has 16 recalls, mostly for steering and suspension components.
- During a test drive, check for any hesitation, stalling, or warning lights related to the transmission or engine. Listen for unusual noises and feel for stiff steering, which could indicate electronic power steering failure.
- Ask for service records to see if the fuel system, electrical wiring, or transmission recalls have been addressed. A pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with Kia models is strongly recommended.
- Test the vehicle from a cold start and during acceleration to detect any stalling or failure to accelerate. Check for a fuel pump whine or rough idle, which may signal impending fuel pump failure.
- Inspect the oil for metal particles if possible, and ask about any history of engine replacements or repairs. Verify that air bag and steering recalls have been completed.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls have been repaired by a Kia dealer.
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on engine, transmission, and electrical systems.
- During the test drive, pay attention to any stalling, hesitation, warning lights, or unusual steering feel.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for oil changes and any engine or transmission work.
- Check the NHTSA website for any additional complaints or recalls specific to the model year you are considering.
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 | KIA Forte |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 41 | 25 |
| 2023 | 121 | 63 |
| 2022 | 189 | 27 |
| 2021 | 20 | 68 |
| 2020 | 136 | 76 |
| 2019 | 428 | 147 |
| 2018 | 254 | 136 |
| 2017 | 804 | 303 |
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 KIA Forte in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- KIA Sorento vs KIA Forte
- KIA Sorento total complaints
- 2,074
- KIA Forte total complaints
- 1,108
- KIA Sorento total recalls
- 30
- KIA Forte total recalls
- 16
- KIA Sorento avg complaints/year
- 207.4
- KIA Forte avg complaints/year
- 110.8
- More reliable overall
- KIA Forte
- KIA Sorento top complaint area
- ENGINE
- KIA Forte top complaint area
- ENGINE