EGR / DPF
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Limp mode, DPF light
Fix: Clean or replace
€300–1,500
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Kia Sorento II
2009–2014 · Kia Sorento 2
2
engines covered
8
known faults
11,502
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Kia Sorento II was built from 2009 to 2014.
For this generation we cover 2 engines and 8 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Connecting rod bearing failure: it usually appears at 80,000–200,000 km and costs €0–6,000 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 150–200 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (18.9 %), suspension (17.3 %), brakes (14.8 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: brakes, steering. It fails less often than average on: exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 / 2.2 CRDi (Hyundai-Kia R-engine) | Diesel | Chain | 5W-30 / 0W-30 · ACEA C3 · ~6.4 L · every 15,000 km |
| 2.0 / 2.4 GDI (Theta II) | Petrol | Chain | 5W-30 · API SN · ~4.6 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults by engine
2.0 / 2.2 CRDi (Hyundai-Kia R-engine)
Injectors (piezo)
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Rough running
Fix: Replace injector
€400–1,200
Timing chain / tensioner
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Rattle on start
Fix: Replace chain kit
€800–1,500
2.0 / 2.4 GDI (Theta II)
Connecting rod bearing failure
usually 80,000–200,000 km · High risk
Signs: Knocking, oil light (US 2011–2019)
Fix: Check recall / extended warranty
€0–6,000
Oil consumption
usually 100,000–180,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Topping up between changes
Fix: Monitor
€0–1,500
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 (torque converter)
Torque converter / valve body
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Delayed or harsh shifts
Fix: Fluid service, repair
€300–2,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 2.0 / 2.2 CRDi (Hyundai-Kia R-engine) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| DPF health check (soot / ash load)Emissions | every 20,000 km | €0–60 |
| 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 |
| Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
| 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: 11,502 tests.
| thousand km | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 | 250+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 6.5 % | 9.9 % | 14.8 % | 14.9 % | 18.5 % |
| Suspension | 6.3 % | 10.8 % | 17.3 % | 20.0 % | 22.9 % |
| Steering | 5.1 % | 8.4 % | 9.3 % | 9.2 % | 13.2 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 3.5 % | 6.0 % | 8.1 % | 9.6 % | 11.3 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 8.0 % | 12.2 % | 18.9 % | 20.8 % | 26.0 % |
| Body and corrosion | 1.7 % | 2.2 % | 4.8 % | 5.9 % | 10.1 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.6 % | 0.7 % | 1.4 % | 1.7 % | 2.8 % |
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: 1,072 cars.
| age (years) | 12–14 | 15–19 |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 6.0 % | 7.3 % |
| Suspension | 7.4 % | 10.2 % |
| Steering | 3.1 % | 1.1 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 17.3 % | 16.1 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 26.7 % | 26.8 % |
| Body and corrosion | 1.2 % | 0.4 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.6 % | 1.3 % |
Most common engine versions in the EU
New cars of this generation registered in the EU, Iceland and Norway 2010–2025: 33,147, of which 0 in Croatia. The share shows how common each version is.
| Version | Share | Years | CO₂ | Fuel use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 / 2.2 CRDi (Hyundai-Kia R-engine)2.2 (2,199 cm³) · 145 kW (197 hp) · Diesel | 48.8 % | 2011–2013 | — | — |
| 2.0 / 2.2 CRDi (Hyundai-Kia R-engine)2.2 (2,199 cm³) · Diesel | 35.0 % | 2010–2013 | — | — |
| 2.0 / 2.2 CRDi (Hyundai-Kia R-engine)2.0 (1,995 cm³) · 110 kW (150 hp) · Diesel | 4.4 % | 2011–2013 | — | — |
| 2.0 / 2.2 CRDi (Hyundai-Kia R-engine)2.0 (1,995 cm³) · Diesel | 3.4 % | 2010–2013 | — | — |
| 2.0 / 2.4 GDI (Theta II)2.4 (2,359 cm³) · Petrol | 3.2 % | 2010–2013 | — | — |
| 2.0 / 2.4 GDI (Theta II)2.4 (2,359 cm³) · 128 kW (174 hp) · Petrol | 2.0 % | 2011–2013 | — | — |
| 2.5 Diesel2.5 (2,497 cm³) · Diesel | 1.8 % | 2010–2012 | — | — |
Source: European Environment Agency (EEA), monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars, CC BY 4.0. CO₂ and fuel use are official type-approval values (WLTP from 2021), not real-world consumption.
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: 3,133 complaints.
Common questions
Does the Kia Sorento II have a timing chain or a timing belt?
2.0 / 2.2 CRDi (Hyundai-Kia R-engine): chain; 2.0 / 2.4 GDI (Theta II): chain.
What are the known problems with the Kia Sorento II?
The faults with the highest risk: connecting rod bearing failure (80,000–200,000 km, €0–6,000); EGR / DPF (120,000–200,000 km, €300–1,500); oil consumption (100,000–180,000 km, €0–1,500); dual-mass flywheel (150,000–220,000 km, €700–1,400). The full list by engine is on this page.
What does the Kia Sorento II 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 (18.9 %), suspension (17.3 %), brakes (14.8 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: brakes, steering. It fails less often than average on: exhaust, emissions and leaks.
What should you check when buying a used Kia Sorento II?
Before you buy, ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether the car has any open recalls. On the test drive, watch for these signs: knocking, oil light (US 2011–2019); limp mode, DPF light. The full checklist is in the guide to buying a used car.
Other generations
Kia Sorento I 2002–2009Kia Sorento III 2014–2020Kia Sorento IV 2020–
Models with the same engines
These models share engines with this car, so they share some of its faults too.
Kia Sportage (SL) 2010–2015Hyundai ix35 2009–2015Hyundai Santa Fe III 2012–2018Hyundai Santa Fe II 2006–2012Hyundai Sonata (NF) 2004–2010Kia Optima (TF) 2010–2015
Other Kia models
Kia Venga 2009–2019Kia Soul I 2008–2013Kia Picanto II 2011–2017Kia Rio III 2011–2017Kia Carens III 2006–2012Kia Cee'd / ProCeed I 2006–2012Kia Cee'd / ProCeed II 2012–2018Kia Carens IV 2013–2019Kia Rio II 2005–2011Kia Soul II 2013–2019
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