Head-to-head reliability
KIA Sorento vs KIA Telluride
How the KIA Sorento and KIA Telluride 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 Telluride: The Sorento averages 79 complaints per year over 10 years, while the Telluride averages 271 per year over 7 years. The Sorento's main issues are engine oil consumption and transmission failures, while the Telluride faces sudden engine shutdowns and windshield cracks. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the KIA Sorento or KIA Telluride more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
KIA Sorento
The KIA Sorento, a mid-size SUV, shows a reliability picture dominated by engine troubles, with 285 complaints over a decade. Owners report excessive oil consumption, misfires, and head gasket failures, often leading to towing and major repairs. Electrical issues, such as sunroof malfunctions and backup camera failures, add to the ownership burden. While not all vehicles will experience these problems, the pattern suggests a higher risk of costly engine and electrical repairs.
KIA Telluride
The KIA Telluride, a larger SUV, has a higher complaint rate per year, with 271 per year over seven years. The most frequent complaints involve visibility/wiper issues, including windshield cracks and wiper fluid leaks, as well as engine and electrical problems. Owners report sudden engine shutdowns while driving, which is a serious safety concern. The Telluride also has more recalls (33) than the Sorento (6), indicating more widespread issues.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | KIA Sorento | KIA Telluride |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 791 Better | 1,897 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 6 Better | 33 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 31 Better | 39 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 79.1 Better | 271.0 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 34 Better | 40 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 1 |
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
- 01ENGINE285
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER175
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM134
- 04POWER TRAIN81
- 05STRUCTURE69
Owners report excessive oil consumption (adding a quart every 1,000 miles), misfires, and head gasket failures, sometimes requiring engine replacement. This can lead to breakdowns and costly repairs.
Sunroofs close slowly or fail, and backup cameras intermittently show 'No Camera Signal,' reducing visibility and convenience. These issues may require dealer resets or part replacements.
Transmission slippage, hard shifting, and hesitation at low speeds are reported, with some owners needing multiple transmission replacements. This affects drivability and can be dangerous when merging.
“2018 Kia Sorento, under 88,000 miles, with Theta II engine defect. KSDS update installed. Oil consumption issues requiring adding at least one liter of oil every 1,000 miles in between regular oil changes/ maintenance. Oil warning lamp does not illuminate at…”
“My car for the last 2 years has had multiple malfunctions with misfiring and replacement of head gaskets, pistons and more. Not to mention consistence oil concerns. On two occasions my family and I had to have the vehicle towed home over 200 miles because the…”
KIA Telluride
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER447
- 02VISIBILITY/WIPER341
- 03ENGINE287
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM271
- 05EXTERIOR LIGHTING204
Windshields crack catastrophically from minor debris, and wiper fluid leaks from front to rear, impairing visibility. These are safety-related and may require frequent windshield replacements.
Sudden engine shutdowns while driving, often with a warning to shift to park or restart, are reported. Overheating during mountain climbs with AC on also occurs, risking breakdowns.
Electronic safety and engine control systems malfunction, sometimes causing the engine to turn off mid-drive. This is a serious safety issue that can leave drivers stranded.
“I rented a car from Avis on [XXX] (a Friday) for a 24-hour rental. I rented it in Manhattan, and the car (a Kia Telluride) had a New York license plate [XXX] ). I drove to Boston to pick up my daughter from college and then returned the car Saturday morning (…”
“My 2025 Kia Telluride is suddenly shutting off in traffic. It first happened 6/24/26 I was pulling away from a stop light when my vehicle shut off. I received a red dash as you would for collision warning and a message to shift into park or neutral to restart…”
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 — 6 recalls
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024 Sorento vehicles. The motor driven power steering (MDPS) wiring harness may be incorrectly assembled, which can result in a loss of power steering assist.
The risk: A loss of power steering assist increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the MDPS wiring harness as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 7, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall i…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Sorento, 2025 Sorento Hybrid, and 2025 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. A software error in the Body Domain Control Unit (BDC) may cause a loss of low beam headlights and taillights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements…
The risk: A loss of headlights and taillights can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the BDC software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 21, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC331.
The defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The cowl crossbar that connects to the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) steering column may be improperly welded, allowing the steering column to separate.
The risk: If the steering column separates, it can cause a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cowl crossbar, free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC167.
The defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The side curtain air bags on these vehicles have a component that may detach during deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag.
The risk: If the component detaches during deployment, it may enter the passenger compartment and be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall…
KIA Telluride — 33 recalls
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Telluride vehicles. The door belt molding trim can delaminate and detach from the vehicle.
The risk: A detached trim piece can become a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the belt molding trim assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall…
The defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Telluride and 2026 Sorento vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with an incorrect spare tire which, when installed, can impair the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and the traction control system (TCS). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the…
The risk: Anti-lock braking or traction control systems that do not function properly can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the spare wheel and tire assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC355. Vehicle Iden…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Telluride vehicles, equipped with power front seat(s). Due to a manufacturing error, the driver and passenger seat back frame assemblies may fail to properly restrain occupants in a crash.
The risk: A seat back frame that fails to properly restrain an occupant during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the front seat back frame assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning April 24, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number f…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Telluride vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the wire harnesses for the second row seat side air bags may become damaged, causing them not to deploy in the event of a crash.
The risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace, or secure the air bag wire harnesses, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for thi…
Buyer analysis
KIA Sorento or KIA Telluride: which should you buy?
The Sorento has fewer complaints per year (79.1) than the Telluride (271.0), indicating a lower frequency of reported issues. However, the Sorento's engine problems are severe and costly. The Telluride's higher complaint rate and more recalls suggest more widespread issues, but its problems are more varied, including visibility and electrical glitches.
Key differences
- The Sorento has a higher proportion of engine complaints (36% of total) compared to the Telluride (15%), indicating a more focused engine problem.
- The Telluride has a significant visibility/wiper issue (341 complaints) that the Sorento does not, including windshield cracks and wiper fluid leaks.
- The Telluride has more recalls (33 vs 6), suggesting more widespread manufacturing or design issues.
- The Sorento's transmission problems are notable, with some owners needing multiple replacements, while the Telluride's transmission issues are less prominent.
- Check for engine oil consumption by monitoring oil levels between changes; look for signs of oil burning or leaks.
- Test the sunroof operation and backup camera repeatedly to ensure they work consistently.
- Inspect the windshield for any cracks or chips, and test the wiper fluid system for leaks.
- Ask about any engine shutdown incidents and check for pending recalls related to engine or electrical systems.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report to check for any open recalls and prior engine or transmission repairs.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a compression test and oil consumption check on the Sorento.
- For the Telluride, test drive at highway speeds and on hills with AC on to see if overheating occurs.
- Check the sunroof and wiper systems on both vehicles for proper operation.
- Review NHTSA complaint data for the specific model year you're 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 Telluride |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 68 | 91 |
| 2024 | 36 | 206 |
| 2023 | 0 | 199 |
| 2022 | 0 | 313 |
| 2021 | 21 | 344 |
| 2020 | 0 | 744 |
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 Telluride in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- KIA Sorento vs KIA Telluride
- KIA Sorento total complaints
- 791
- KIA Telluride total complaints
- 1,897
- KIA Sorento total recalls
- 6
- KIA Telluride total recalls
- 33
- KIA Sorento avg complaints/year
- 79.1
- KIA Telluride avg complaints/year
- 271.0
- More reliable overall
- KIA Sorento
- KIA Sorento top complaint area
- ENGINE
- KIA Telluride top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER