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 III
2014–2020 · Kia Sorento 3
2
engines covered
8
known faults
19,798
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 III was built from 2014 to 2020.
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 50–100 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (5.7 %), tyres and wheels (5.2 %), brakes (4.6 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: steering. It fails less often than average on: lights, wipers and visibility.
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: 19,798 tests.
| thousand km | 0–50 | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 0.9 % | 4.6 % | 6.5 % | 9.6 % | 10.3 % |
| Suspension | 1.5 % | 3.5 % | 6.2 % | 11.7 % | 17.5 % |
| Steering | 0.2 % | 1.0 % | 3.4 % | 6.6 % | 9.1 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 2.9 % | 5.2 % | 6.5 % | 8.1 % | 12.4 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 5.0 % | 5.7 % | 7.2 % | 11.5 % | 13.1 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.4 % | 0.4 % | 1.1 % | 1.8 % | 2.3 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.7 % | 1.2 % | 1.8 % | 3.0 % | 6.1 % |
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: 1,809 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.
- Fire risk Kia HECU Fuse Replacement05/12/2024 · R/2024/465
- Fire risk The PTC (positive temperature coefficient) heater in some Sorento (XM) models can overheat due to potential damage of the connector terminal. This can lead to a malfunction of the PTC heater and a risk of fire.06/02/2023 · R/2022/343
- Engine / loss of power The High Pressure Electric Oil Pump within the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) may experience an internal fault09/01/2023 · R/2022/363
- Brakes / ABS / ESP There is a risk the automatic gear shift lever could be moved out of Park without the foot brake pedal being applied. If this occurs and should the parking brake not be activated a vehicle rollaway could occur.30/11/2022 · R/2022/328
- Fuel system A fuel leak can develop on the diesel low pressure fuel line24/05/2022 · R/2022/143
- Fire risk The electrical connector to the ptc heater can overheat03/05/2022 · R/2022/104
- Electronics / software If the eCall system is activated the VIN number may not be transmitted01/02/2021 · R/2021/002
- Other In some situations the front collision avoidance system may not recognise pedestrians13/01/2020 · R/2019/455
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. 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 07/10/2026