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Top issues
13 known problems · 2 high
high
Gearshift cable / park recall (roll-away risk)
All engines
high
High-pressure fuel pump failure (debris through fuel system)
2.2L R-series CRDi diesel (AWD)
medium
Infotainment / electrical gremlins
All engines
Recalls
2 on recordREC-005443
2022-06-02
Defect: Due to a software issue, the Heater Core Element may operate at a higher temperature than intended, causing damage to the connector.
Hazard: This may result in a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Contact your local Kia dealership to have the HVAC control unit software updated and the heater core element and connector inspected, replaced if damaged.
Affected: 31,060 units, Kia QL Sportage (2016-2021) and UM Sorento (2015-2020)
Official notice: www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au · details checked 2026-09-29
REC-005520
2022-09-15
Defect: The shift lock holder may have been produced out of specification.
Hazard: This may allow the gear selector to be moved out of Park without the brake pedal being depressed.
Remedy: Contact your local Kia dealership to have the shifter mechanism inspected, free of charge.
Affected: 1,512 units, UM Sorento 2015 model
Official notice: www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au · details checked 2026-09-29
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Generations
Best and worst years for the Kia Sorento →
Before: Sorento XM (2009-2015)
After: Sorento MQ4 (2020-) →
Price (AUD)
$15k-$38k
Body styles
5-door wagon (7-seat)
Drivetrain
Front-wheel drive (petrol V6), On-demand AWD (diesel)
Origin
Korea
Built in
South Korea
Overview
The third-generation (UM) Sorento was Kia's move upmarket into a genuinely refined large 7-seat family SUV, sold here as Si, SLi and Platinum at launch and reshuffled to S, Sport, Sport+ and GT-Line after the 2018 facelift. It is a soft-roader monocoque, not a ladder-frame 4WD: the only true all-wheel-drive models are the diesels, while the petrol V6 is front-drive only. Powertrain choice splits cleanly - the 2.2L R-series D4HB common-rail turbo diesel (147kW/441Nm) is the volume seller and the engine people actually want, paired with a 6-speed auto pre-2018 and an 8-speed auto after; the petrol is a naturally aspirated Lambda II V6, 3.3L (199kW) to 2017 then enlarged to 3.5L (206kW) with the facelift. The diesel is a strong, chain-timed engine that comfortably runs past 250,000km when serviced on time, but it has the usual modern-diesel caveats - DPF regen needs highway running, EGR and injectors are wear items, and high-pressure fuel-pump failures (though rare) are catastrophically expensive. Australia's long 7-year Kia warranty (from 2014) covers many early examples and is a big part of the value story. Watch for the gearshift-cable/park recall, low-speed transmission shudder, and electrical gremlins on infotainment.
Engines & variants
2.2L R-series CRDi diesel (AWD)
Engine
2.2L R-series common-rail turbo diesel I4 (DPF, Euro 5)
Engine code
Config
I4 turbo
Displacement
2199cc
Power
147kW @ 3800rpm
Torque
441Nm @ 1750-2750rpm
Drivetrain
On-demand AWD (electronic coupling)
Economy
7.0-8.5 L/100km combined
Tow (braked)
2000kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
6AT (2015-2017), 8AT (2018-2020)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven
Pros
- Strong, torquey, well-proven R-series engine
- Only way to get AWD in a UM Sorento
- Comfortably exceeds 250,000km when serviced on time
- 8-speed auto (2018+) is smooth and economical
- Long 7-year Kia warranty covers many examples
Cons
- DPF dislikes short urban-only running - needs highway regen
- EGR and injectors are wear items on common-rail diesels
- Rare but catastrophic high-pressure fuel-pump failures
- Only 2000kg braked tow - well short of ladder-frame 4WDs
- Low-speed transmission shudder/surge reported on some cars
Known problems
high
High-pressure fuel pump failure (debris through fuel system)
An HP fuel-pump failure can send metal debris through the common-rail and injectors, contaminating the entire fuel system. Rare, but documented AU cases have run into many thousands of dollars and even full engine replacement; often covered by the 7-year warranty when in period.
Fix: Use quality fuel and change fuel filters on schedule. If it occurs, full fuel-system flush plus pump and injector replacement by a diesel specialist; check warranty eligibility.
medium
DPF clogging from short-trip / urban driving
The close-coupled DPF needs regular sustained driving to passively/actively regenerate. Stop-start city-only use leads to incomplete regens, soot loading, oil dilution and eventually a blocked filter or forced limp mode.
Fix: Regular highway runs to allow regen; forced/manual regen at a dealer; clean or replace the DPF if heavily loaded. Avoid as a pure short-trip school car.
medium
Injector wear / EGR carbon
Piezo injectors wear and can cause rough running, smoke and hard starting; EGR and intake soot build up over time as on any modern common-rail diesel.
Fix: Injector test and replacement by a diesel specialist; EGR and intake clean. Quality fuel and filtration extend life.
medium
Low-speed transmission shudder / surge
Some owners report a shudder on low-speed upshifts or a surge when accelerating after prolonged slow driving, attributed to torque-converter/sensor behaviour and ageing fluid.
Fix: Transmission fluid service (some recommend ~50,000km intervals); ECU/TCU update where available; specialist diagnosis if persistent.
3.3L Lambda II V6 petrol (FWD)
Engine
3.3L DOHC V6, multi-point port injection (MPI)
Engine code
Config
V6 NA
Displacement
3342cc
Power
199kW @ 6400rpm
Torque
318Nm @ 5300rpm
Drivetrain
Front-wheel drive
Economy
9.9-11 L/100km combined (official); 12-14 real world
Tow (braked)
2000kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
6AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven
Pros
- Smooth, quiet, refined naturally aspirated V6
- Port injection (MPI) avoids GDI intake-valve carbon issues
- No diesel emissions complexity (no DPF/EGR headaches)
- Cheaper to buy than the diesel
- Chain-driven timing
Cons
- Front-wheel drive only - no AWD with petrol
- Thirsty for a family SUV, especially loaded
- Less low-down torque than the diesel for towing
- Weaker resale than the sought-after diesel
Known problems
low
Fuel thirst / running cost
Real-world 12-14 L/100km, more when loaded with seven people; not a fault but the main reason buyers chose the diesel.
Fix: Accept it, or buy the diesel if economy matters.
low
Ignition coils / spark plugs at higher km
Standard V6 ignition maintenance - coil packs and plugs eventually need replacing, causing misfires if neglected.
Fix: Replace plugs on schedule; replace failed coil packs.
medium
Cooling-system attention (Lambda II caution)
The Lambda II V6 family has overseas reports of cooling/head-related issues (notably on GDI versions). Keep the cooling system healthy - water pump, coolant condition and any overheating must be addressed promptly.
Fix: Maintain coolant and water pump; investigate any temperature rise or coolant loss immediately rather than running it hot.
3.5L Lambda II V6 petrol (FWD, facelift)
Engine
3.5L DOHC V6, multi-point port injection (MPI)
Engine code
Config
V6 NA
Displacement
3470cc
Power
206kW @ 6300rpm
Torque
336Nm @ 5000rpm
Drivetrain
Front-wheel drive
Economy
10.0-10.5 L/100km combined (official); 12-14 real world
Tow (braked)
2000kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
8AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven
Pros
- Larger, slightly stronger V6 than the pre-facelift 3.3
- 8-speed auto improves refinement and economy slightly
- Smooth and quiet - well suited to the upmarket cabin
- Port injection (MPI) avoids GDI carbon build-up
- Cheaper to buy than the diesel
Cons
- Front-wheel drive only
- Still thirsty for the segment
- Less torque than the diesel for towing/loaded work
- Lower demand and resale than the diesel
Known problems
low
Fuel thirst / running cost
Real-world 12-14 L/100km; the larger 3.5 is no more economical than buyers expect. Not a fault.
Fix: Accept it, or choose the diesel for touring economy.
low
Ignition coils / spark plugs at higher km
Routine V6 ignition wear - plugs and coil packs eventually need replacing.
Fix: Replace plugs on schedule; replace failed coils.
low
Cooling-system maintenance
As with any V6, keep the water pump and coolant healthy; address any overheating promptly.
Fix: Maintain coolant/water pump; investigate temperature rises early.