DPF / EGR clogging
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: DPF light, limp mode
Fix: Clean or replace
€300–1,500
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Kia Sorento I
2002–2009 · Kia Sorento 1
1
engines covered
6
known faults
6,636
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
8
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Kia Sorento I was built from 2002 to 2009.
For this generation we cover 1 engines and 6 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Turbocharger: it usually appears at 180,000–260,000 km and costs €700–1,800 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 150–200 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (25.7 %), brakes (22.5 %), suspension (21.1 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: brakes, steering, body and corrosion. It fails less often than average on: tyres and wheels, exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel engine | Diesel | Check manual | — |
Faults by engine
Diesel engine
Injectors
usually 180,000–250,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Smoke, rough idle
Fix: Test and replace
€600–1,500
Turbocharger
usually 180,000–260,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Whistle, smoke, loss of power
Fix: Rebuild or replace
€700–1,800
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
Dual-mass flywheel
usually 150,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Rattle at idle, vibration pulling away
Fix: Replace with clutch
€700–1,400
Automatic 4-speed
Solenoids / pressure regulator (limp mode)
usually 100,000–200,000 km · High risk
Signs: Harsh shifts, stuck in 3rd, gearbox warning
Fix: Fluid change, solenoid / valve body repair
€300–1,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the Diesel engine engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Fuel filterFuel | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €40–110 |
| Glow plugsEngine | every 100,000 km | €120–300 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 6,636 tests.
| thousand km | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 | 250+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 18.1 % | 22.5 % | 26.4 % | 26.7 % |
| Suspension | 15.0 % | 21.1 % | 24.9 % | 24.7 % |
| Steering | 7.3 % | 9.6 % | 13.0 % | 11.6 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 4.0 % | 5.8 % | 6.4 % | 7.1 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 21.9 % | 25.7 % | 28.9 % | 28.8 % |
| Body and corrosion | 8.1 % | 11.9 % | 13.9 % | 17.6 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 3.5 % | 4.0 % | 5.2 % | 5.8 % |
Roadworthiness tests in the Netherlands by age
Share of this model's Dutch fleet that had a defect in each system at a roadworthiness test (APK) in 2025. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and fuel. Sample: 1,263 cars.
| age (years) | 15–19 | 20+ |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 12.9 % | 13.6 % |
| Suspension | 6.9 % | 2.7 % |
| Steering | 9.6 % | 2.7 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 12.0 % | 10.9 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 32.4 % | 23.6 % |
| Body and corrosion | 1.6 % | 2.4 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 8.7 % | 4.9 % |
Owner complaints in the US
Which systems owners reported to the US agency NHTSA and at what mileage. Complaints are not confirmed faults and some relate to recalls. Sample: 1,675 complaints.
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (8). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Engine / loss of power Water or oil may enter the hydraulic electronic control unit20/07/2020 · R/2020/187
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Brake lights may malfunction01/06/2013 · R/2013/055
- Fire risk Risk of fire07/09/2010 · R/2010/129
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Brake light may not operate09/11/2009 · R/2009/092
- Airbag Curtain airbags may deploy incorrectly14/05/2007 · R/2007/077
- Gearbox Snap ring retainer within the gearbox may detach08/11/2004 · R/2004/159
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Alternator pulley may seize08/11/2004 · R/2004/158
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Possible interference between power steering hose and brake pipe05/07/2004 · R/2004/077
Common questions
What are the known problems with the Kia Sorento I?
The faults with the highest risk: solenoids / pressure regulator (limp mode) (100,000–200,000 km, €300–1,500); turbocharger (180,000–260,000 km, €700–1,800); DPF / EGR clogging (120,000–200,000 km, €300–1,500); injectors (180,000–250,000 km, €600–1,500). The full list by engine is on this page.
What does the Kia Sorento I most often fail its roadworthiness test on?
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 150–200 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (25.7 %), brakes (22.5 %), suspension (21.1 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: brakes, steering, body and corrosion. It fails less often than average on: tyres and wheels, exhaust, emissions and leaks.
What should you check when buying a used Kia Sorento I?
Before you buy, ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN that the recalls have been done (8 have been published for this model). On the test drive, watch for these signs: harsh shifts, stuck in 3rd, gearbox warning; whistle, smoke, loss of power. The full checklist is in the guide to buying a used car.
Other generations
Kia Sorento III 2014–2020Kia Sorento IV 2020–Kia Sorento II 2009–2014
Other Kia models
Kia Cerato 2004–2013Kia Picanto I 2004–2011Kia Sportage II 2004–2010Kia Rio II 2005–2011Kia Carens III 2006–2012Kia Cee'd / ProCeed I 2006–2012Kia Soul I 2008–2013Kia Venga 2009–2019
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 08/10/2026