Model year 2015 · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
2015 Kia Sorento: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2015 Kia Sorento at 20–23 mpg combined across 4 versions. NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 743 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
Safety recalls
3
EPA combined mpg
20–23
NHTSA overall rating
5/5
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Kia dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2015 Kia Sorento recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 3 safety recalls for the 2015 Kia Sorento, newest first.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: Control unit/module
NHTSA 21V331000Reported May 10, 2021Park outside
Filed by
Kia America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. SC212)
Units affected
440,370 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Risk
An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving.
Remedy
Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will install a new multi-fuse, and inspect the HECU for leaks, replacing the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 2, 2021. This recall supersedes previous NHTSA recall number 20V-519. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC212.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: Control unit/module
NHTSA 20V519000Reported Aug 27, 2020Park outside
Filed by
Kia America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. SC197)
Units affected
440,370 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Risk
If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
Remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HECU for leaking brake fluid and replace the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. The recall began October 20, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC197.
Engine; Fuel system, gasoline: Delivery: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Units affected
71,653 (estimate)
Problem
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 damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
Risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2015 Kia Sorento fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2015 Kia Sorento crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
2015 Kia Sorento NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk
Forward collision warning
2015 Kia Sorento SUV AWD
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
4 stars
15.5%
No
2015 Kia Sorento SUV FWD
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
4 stars
16.4%
No
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2015 Kia Sorento owner complaints
Owners have filed 743 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Kia Sorento, most recently on Oct 21, 2026. 20 mention a crash, 14 a fire, 24 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2015 Kia Sorento complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Engine
362
Unknown or other
114
Structure: Body
95
Exterior lighting
86
Electrical system
56
Power train
42
Steering
29
Air bags
27
Fuel/propulsion system
26
Service brakes
21
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
