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Top issues
16 known problems · 2 high
high
8DCT transmission electric oil pump (EOP) recall - loss of drive
2.2L Smartstream D4HE turbo-diesel
high
8DCT low-speed clutch shudder / judder and jerky take-up
2.2L Smartstream D4HE turbo-diesel
medium
Dual-screen infotainment freezes, black screen and reboots
All engines
Recalls
4 on recordREC-005586
2023-01-03
Defect: A crack may develop in the printed circuit board of the Transmission Electric Oil Pump (EOP).
Hazard: EOP failure.
Remedy: Kia dealer inspects/replaces the EOP, free of charge.
Affected: 8,572 units, MQ4 Sorento 2020-2022 (campaign 221135)
Official notice: www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au · details checked 2026-09-30
REC-005767
2023-08-31
Defect: A software issue with the multi-function switch.
Hazard: Turn indicators may not light as intended, so other road users may not know the driver is turning, raising the risk of a collision.
Remedy: Kia dealer software update, free of charge.
Affected: 3,873 units, MQ4 Sorento and MQ4 (P)HEV Sorento 2022 (campaign 231070)
Official notice: www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au · details checked 2026-09-30
REC-006239
2025-01-03
Defect: A software issue may prevent the turn indicator light and/or upper Daytime Running Lights from operating as intended.
Hazard: Reduced visibility of turn signals to other road users.
Remedy: Kia dealer software update, free of charge.
Affected: 5,978 units, MQ4 PE Sorento 2023-2024 (campaign 241243)
Official notice: www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au · details checked 2026-09-30
REC-006557
2026-03-06
Defect: A software error may cause the digital instrument cluster to display a blank screen or operate incorrectly.
Hazard: Loss of speedometer and warning-light information, increasing accident risk.
Remedy: Kia dealer updates the Instrument Cluster Control Unit software, free of charge.
Affected: 11,567 units shared across Carnival, EV3, EV5, EV6, EV9, Sportage and Tasman; MQ4 Sorento 2025 build
Official notice: www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au · details checked 2026-09-30
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Generations
Best and worst years for the Kia Sorento →
After: Facelifted MQ4 PE (2024-2026 update) then next-gen Sorento
Price (AUD)
$35k-$85k
Body styles
5-door wagon (7-seat, 3-row)
Drivetrain
Front-wheel drive (3.5 V6 petrol; base HEV), On-demand AWD (Dynamax / HTRAC - 2.2 diesel, HEV AWD, PHEV)
Origin
Korea
Built in
Korea
Overview
The fourth-generation Sorento (MQ4) launched in Australia in mid-2020 and is Kia's flagship three-row family SUV - a monocoque on-road soft-roader on the N3 platform shared with the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Carnival. It moved upmarket hard: dual curved screens, a long features list and a 7-year warranty. The Australian range is unusually broad and spans four very different powertrains, each with its own buyer caveats. The 3.5L G6DC V6 petrol (FWD only, conventional 8-speed torque-converter auto) launched the range and is the simplest, cheapest-to-fix drivetrain but thirsty and only FWD. The 2.2L Smartstream D4HE diesel is the volume seller - strong 440Nm, AWD, and genuinely economical, but it is paired with Kia's first-ever 8-speed WET dual-clutch transmission (8DCT) which has a documented early-build electric-oil-pump recall and some low-speed clutch shudder. From late 2021/early 2022 the 1.6 T-GDi Smartstream hybrid (HEV) arrived (FWD or AWD, 6-speed torque-converter auto with an integrated motor) and from 2022 the plug-in (PHEV, AWD only, ~68km EV range on a 13.8kWh battery). Key MQ4 themes for used buyers: confirm the 8DCT electric-oil-pump recall (REC-005586) was done on 2020-2022 diesels, watch for DCT shudder/shift logic, check the dual-screen infotainment (freezes/reboots), and on hybrids verify the high-voltage system and 6-speed auto behaviour. GDi/T-GDi carbon and the diesel DPF/EGR on short trips round out the list.
Engines & variants
3.5L G6DC V6 petrol
Engine
3.5L naturally aspirated multi-point-injection petrol V6 (Lambda II)
Engine code
Config
V6 NA
Displacement
3470cc
Power
200-206kW @ 6300rpm
Torque
332-336Nm @ 5000rpm
Drivetrain
FWD
Economy
9.7-10.0 L/100km combined (real-world ~11-13)
Tow (braked)
2000kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
8AT (torque converter)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Timing chain (no scheduled belt replacement)
Pros
- Smooth, refined V6 with a conventional 8-speed torque-converter auto - no DCT/CVT risk
- Port (multi-point) injection means far less intake-valve carbon than a GDi engine
- Timing chain, runs on 91 RON regular unleaded
- Cheapest MQ4 to buy used and the simplest drivetrain to service
Cons
- FWD only in Australia - no AWD with the V6
- Thirsty, especially around town; high real-world fuel use for a family hauler
- Less torque than the diesel for towing and loaded hill work
- Dropped from the range during the run as buyers moved to diesel/hybrid
Known problems
low
High fuel consumption / front torque-steer when loaded
The NA V6 is thirsty in a heavy 7-seat body and being FWD-only it can scrabble for traction or torque-steer under hard throttle when fully loaded. Not a fault, but a real ownership trait that pushed many buyers to the diesel/hybrid.
Fix: Nothing mechanical to fix; budget for fuel and drive smoothly. Choose diesel/AWD if you need traction or economy.
low
Engine mount and accessory pulley wear
At higher km the V6 can develop minor vibration from aging engine/transmission mounts and noise from the accessory belt tensioner/idler - common to high-km V6s, cheap to address.
Fix: Replace failed mount(s) and belt tensioner/idler as needed; diagnose by which mount has lost damping.
2.2L Smartstream D4HE turbo-diesel
Engine
2.2L Smartstream common-rail VGT turbo-diesel I4 with aluminium block, DPF and EGR
Engine code
D4HE
Config
I4 turbo diesel
Displacement
2151cc
Power
148kW @ 3800rpm
Torque
440Nm @ 1750-2750rpm
Drivetrain
AWD (Dynamax on-demand; some early base grades FWD)
Economy
6.0-6.1 L/100km combined (real-world ~6.5-8.5)
Tow (braked)
2000kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
8DCT (8-speed wet dual-clutch)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Timing chain (no scheduled belt replacement)
Pros
- Strong 440Nm makes it the best Sorento for towing and loaded touring
- Genuinely economical - real-world mid-6s to low-8s L/100km
- AWD on most grades; timing chain rather than belt
- The volume seller, so easy to find serviced examples
Cons
- Kia's first 8-speed WET dual-clutch (8DCT) - early-build electric-oil-pump recall and limited long-term data
- Low-speed clutch shudder/judder and occasional jerky take-up reported
- DPF/EGR and intake carbon are a poor fit for short-trip-only city use
- Wet-DCT and diesel repairs are dealer-priced and expensive out of warranty
Known problems
high
8DCT transmission electric oil pump (EOP) recall - loss of drive
Australian recall REC-005586 covered MQ4 Sorentos built ~Oct 2020 to Aug 2022: a crack can form in the PCB of the 8-speed wet DCT's transmission electric oil pump, causing the EOP to fail, hydraulic pressure to be lost and the car to lose drive - an accident risk. Around 8,500 AU cars affected; the fix was a transmission software update and, where needed, EOP replacement.
Fix: Run the VIN through the recall portal and confirm REC-005586 (EOP software/replacement) was completed before buying any 2021-2022 diesel.
high
8DCT low-speed clutch shudder / judder and jerky take-up
Owners report body vibration/shudder when crawling at up to ~5km/h, especially turning or on inclines, plus occasional hesitant or jerky take-up from the wet dual-clutch. Kia issued TSBs and TCU/shift-logic software updates; severe cases need a dual-clutch assembly. The wet 8DCT is a new unit with limited high-km data.
Fix: Apply the latest TCU/shift-logic software update; if shudder persists, have the clutch packs inspected. Test-drive slow crawl and hill take-up before buying.
medium
DPF clogging and EGR / intake carbon (short-trip use)
Like all modern diesels, short urban trips stop the DPF completing regenerations, leading to blockages, forced regens, EGR fouling and intake-side carbon, with limp-mode and warning lights. A poor match for a car used only for short school runs.
Fix: Do a 20-30 minute highway run regularly to allow regen; clean EGR/intake if fouled; budget for a DPF on neglected town cars. Buy a diesel only if you do longer trips.
medium
Injector and turbo actuator faults at higher km
The common-rail diesel can develop injector wear/leaks and VGT turbo actuator faults at higher km, causing rough running, smoke, boost faults and limp mode - typical modern-diesel ageing items.
Fix: Diagnose with a scan; replace/recode injectors or repair the turbo actuator as needed. Insist on a full diesel service history.
1.6 T-GDi Smartstream hybrid (HEV)
Engine
1.6L turbocharged direct-injection petrol I4 with integrated electric motor (full hybrid)
Engine code
G4FT
Config
I4 turbo + electric motor
Displacement
1598cc
Power
169kW combined system (1.6T 132kW + ~44kW motor)
Torque
350Nm combined (engine 265Nm)
Drivetrain
FWD or on-demand AWD (HTRAC)
Economy
5.3-5.8 L/100km combined (real-world ~6.5-8)
Tow (braked)
1650kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
6AT (torque converter with integrated motor)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Timing chain (no scheduled belt replacement)
Pros
- Uses a conventional 6-speed torque-converter auto (with integrated motor) - NOT a dual-clutch, so it avoids DCT shudder
- Excellent town economy from a small ~1.5kWh self-charging hybrid
- Available FWD or AWD; first petrol Sorento offered with AWD here
- Strong, quiet around-town drive and the family-friendly hybrid pick
Cons
- T-GDi direct injection can build intake-valve carbon over time
- 1.6 turbo works hard in a heavy 7-seat body when fully loaded
- High-voltage hybrid and battery repairs are dealer-priced out of warranty
- Lower 1650kg braked tow than the diesel/V6
Known problems
medium
T-GDi direct-injection intake-valve carbon
The Smartstream 1.6 T-GDi is direct-injected, so carbon can build on the intake valves over time (no port-injection wash), causing rough idle, hesitation or minor misfire at high km.
Fix: Walnut-blast/intake clean if symptomatic; quality fuel and regular oil changes slow it.
medium
Hybrid transmission / shift-by-wire fault (lock in Park)
The hybrid's 6-speed auto integrates a wet engine-clutch and high-voltage motor; shift-by-wire and HV-control communication faults have been reported on the wider 1.6T hybrid family, occasionally locking the car in Park or throwing warnings.
Fix: Diagnose with a scan; apply control-module software updates; address any failed actuator/clutch component under warranty where possible.
low
12V battery drain / hybrid system warnings
Like many modern hybrids the auxiliary 12V can be flattened by standby loads or a tired battery, triggering hybrid-system warnings and no-start; often a battery or parasitic-draw issue rather than the HV pack.
Fix: Test/replace the 12V battery; have parasitic draw measured; fit a maintainer if parked for long periods.
1.6 T-GDi plug-in hybrid (PHEV)
Engine
1.6L turbo direct-injection petrol I4 with larger electric motor and ~13.8kWh plug-in battery
Engine code
G4FT
Config
I4 turbo + electric motor (plug-in)
Displacement
1598cc
Power
195kW combined system
Torque
350Nm combined
Drivetrain
AWD (HTRAC)
Economy
1.6 L/100km combined (PHEV cycle); ~68km EV range
Tow (braked)
1010-1500kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
6AT (torque converter with integrated motor)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Timing chain (no scheduled belt replacement)
Pros
- Up to ~68km electric-only range from the ~13.8kWh battery - can do most commutes on power alone
- AWD standard (HTRAC) and a conventional 6-speed torque-converter auto, not a DCT
- Most powerful Sorento (195kW combined) and very cheap to run if charged regularly
- Strong, refined drive with EV silence around town
Cons
- Only worthwhile if you can charge it - thirsty as a heavy petrol if the battery is flat
- Most expensive Sorento to buy; complex plug-in HV system to repair out of warranty
- Reduced boot/cargo and lower tow rating than diesel due to battery packaging
- T-GDi intake carbon and the same hybrid driveline electronics as the HEV
Known problems
medium
Drive battery degradation / reduced EV range
Like all PHEVs the ~13.8kWh traction battery slowly loses capacity, cutting electric range over years/cycles. Out of warranty a pack or module replacement is very expensive. Capacity is typically covered by Kia's HV-battery warranty - verify it is intact.
Fix: Check the HV-battery warranty status and any state-of-health report; charge regularly and avoid leaving it at 0% or 100% long-term.
medium
Charging system / onboard charger and 12V faults
PHEV-specific charging faults (onboard charger, charge port, or contactor) and 12V/standby drains can prevent charging or trigger HV-system warnings. The wider Kia/Hyundai HV-charging hardware has seen software and component campaigns.
Fix: Diagnose with the dealer; apply control software updates; replace charger/port hardware under warranty where covered. Test that it actually charges before buying.
low
T-GDi direct-injection intake-valve carbon
Shares the HEV's 1.6 T-GDi, so the petrol engine can accumulate intake-valve carbon over high km, especially if it rarely runs warm because most trips are EV-only.
Fix: Run the petrol engine to temperature periodically; walnut-blast/intake clean if symptomatic.