Are there open safety recalls?
4 open
Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.
FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
The 2017 Kia Sorento has 4 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 796 owner complaints, and gets about 22 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA
2017 Kia Sorento
- Engine 4-cyl 2L
- Drive All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel Regular
- Body Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Should you worry?
Look closer
Something in the public record needs a closer look before you buy.
What do owners report?
17 injuries reported
17 of 796 reports (~2%). On a high-volume model that alone isn’t unusual — look for patterns below.
How did it score in crash tests?
5 out of 5 stars
5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.
Open recalls · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2017.
- 20153recalls
- 20168recalls
- 2017 · this car4recalls
- 20183recalls
Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 23, 2026.
SAFETY
Will it protect people in a crash?
These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.
- Overall
- 5 / 5 stars
- Frontal
- 5 / 5 stars
- Side
- 5 / 5 stars
- Side pole
- 5 / 5 stars
- Rollover
- 4 / 5 stars
Factory safety & driver-assist equipment
- Stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Optional
- Lane-departure warning
- Optional
Tested as: 2017 Kia Sorento SUV AWD · 2 versions tested
Open safety recalls
4 openA recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.
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Fuel System, Gasoline
19/12/2018
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.
How they fix it: 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.
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Engine And Engine Cooling
21/09/2017
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017 Sorento vehicles equipped with 3.3L engines. The engine crankshaft may have been improperly heat treated and may fail.
How they fix it: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the crankshaft, and, as necessary, replace the engine sub assembly, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC153.
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Trailer Hitches
30/11/2016
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to August 25, 2016, and 2017 Sportage vehicles manufactured December 10, 2015, to August 26, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
How they fix it: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer tow hitch harness, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC142.
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Trailer Hitches
19/09/2022
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 and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
How they fix it: 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 letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.
From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 23, 2026.
OWNERS
What problems do owners report?
People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.
Owner reports · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2017.
- 2015747reports
- 20161,244reports
- 2017 · this car796reports
- 2018249reports
796 owner reports on file
13 crash mentions 32 fire mentions 17 injury mentions
Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 796 total reports.
- ENGINE 283 of 796
My 2017 Kia Sorento experienced a catastrophic, sudden engine lockup on the roadway due to a known manufacturing defect involving rod bearing failure. This defect caused complete loss of motive power and stalled the vehicle on the road, cre
- STEERING 95 of 796
My 2017 Sorento has sticky/notchy steering. When trying to move the steering wheel, it initially sticks and requires extra force to get it to provide a steering input. Once it gets past the initial resistance, it jerks the car in the dire
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING 93 of 796
My high beams and low beams are starting to shut off randomly while driving. They are burning out weekly and having to be replaced. 1 of my tail lights is doing the same exact thing. I replace it. It works for a couple weeks and then goes o
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 83 of 796
I am writing to escalate an unresolved issue regarding a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign performed on my vehicle at Bulldog Kia on July 14, 2026. Shortly after leaving the dealership, my Check Engine Light illuminated. An independent m
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 82 of 796
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while seated inside the vehicle with three other occupants and the engine turned off, there was black smoke quickly coming from underneath the hood. The contact and the passengers
- POWER TRAIN 36 of 796
2017 Kia Sorento 2.4L GDI engine seized due to connecting rod bearing failure confirmed by P1326 diagnostic code multiple times. Vehicle entered limp mode limiting RPMs to 1800-2000 exactly as described in PI1802 campaign. Engine subsequent
Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.
From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 23, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.
FUEL COST
What does it cost to drive?
EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.
Sold in 3 versions
They range from 21 to 23 mpg combined. Figures below are the base version. Pick yours to see its own numbers.
Combined MPG · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2017.
- 201521mpg
- 201621mpg
- 2017 · this car22mpg
- 201822mpg
$2,800
estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles
Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.
City driving 19 mpg
Highway driving 25 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 22 mpg
Over 5 years, compared to an average new car
This model is estimated to cost about $3,000 more on fuel.
Spends more Saves more
From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 23, 2026.
HOW IT WAS BUILT
Factory details
What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.
Engine
4-cyl 2L
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic (S6)
Fuel
Regular
See all factory details (7)
- Engine
- 4-cyl 2L
- Cylinders
- 4
- Displacement
- 2 L
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic (S6)
- Body
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Fuel
- Regular
From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 23, 2026.
What this free check does not include
We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recalls were fixed
This model has 4 open NHTSA recalls (including the fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
Have a mechanic check the engine
Owners report problems with the engine more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
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Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
-
Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
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Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
FOR SALE NEAR YOU
2017 Kia Sorento listings
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2017 Kia Sorento? +
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2017 Kia Sorento, including the fuel system, gasoline. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What gas mileage does the 2017 Kia Sorento get? +
The EPA rates the 2017 Kia Sorento at 22 mpg combined (19 city / 25 highway), about $2,800 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2017 Kia Sorento? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2017 Kia Sorento 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2017 Kia Sorento? +
Owners have filed 796 complaints with NHTSA for the 2017 Kia Sorento, including 13 involving a crash. The most-reported area is engine.
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