Kia Sorento steering problems, 2016–2027
203 of the 3,710 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Kia Sorento 2016–2027 name the steering (NHTSA’s “Steering” heading — the steering column, rack, pump and power assist). The loudest years: 2017 (97), 2016 (80), 2018 (26). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 recall campaign. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Kia Sorento steering problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the steering | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2024 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2023 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2022 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2021 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2020 | 0 | — | — | 9 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 | 0 | — | — | 12 TSBs | the year → |
| 2018 | 26 | 10% | — | 22 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2017 in depth | 97 | 12% | 30k | 29 TSBs | the record → |
| 2016 in depth | 80 | 6% | 50k | 30 TSBs | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the steering. Nothing here is a rate.
When the steering complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2015: 4 · 2017: 2 · 2018: 15 · 2019: 30 · 2020: 29 · 2021: 17 · 2022: 26 · 2023: 27 · 2024: 27 · 2025: 16 · 2026: 10
Across the model years, half of the 93 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the steering problem between 17,000 and 50,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the steering, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Lx model AWD. Purchased at 21k miles, currently has 33k miles. Steering can be described as "sticky" with micro steering wheel adjustments needed to keep the car tracking straight. As the wheel is turned left or right there is a delay and small lag or bumping felt until the actual steering adjustment is transferred to the cars wheels.
While driving, the steering wheel situated at 12:00 o'clock sticks in that position enough that it requires the driver to move the wheel back to the 12:00 o'clock position. Any slight correction makes the vehicle swerve. This action occurs when correcting to the left or right. This gives the appearance that the driver is impaired.
There is an issue with the electric steering on my car, it has a "catch" in the steering wheel, when you get it past that point you have over corrected and is dangerous. It makes it near impossible to hold your lane straight.
The steering on my Sorento stalls when driving at highway speeds causing overcorrection to the point of almost loosing control of the vehicle. I found many similar complaints on the internet. This is a very dangerous defect in the steeling of the vehicle. Life threating problem
When driving 40+ MPH, when the wind is blowing, the steering becomes sticky, notchy or jerky, call it what ever you please. When trying to adjust steering slightly to drive in a straight direction, my steering becomes jerky and dangerous. Kia refuses to look into this seriously.
What is on file about the steering, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaign filed under this heading, any model year
- 18V656000 CriticalSep 21, 2018 · 97 vehicles
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The cowl crossbar that connects to the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) steering column may be improperly welded, allowing the steering column to separate.
Other systems with a record on the Kia Sorento
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Kia Sorento problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Kia Sorento years have the most steering complaints?
2017, 97; 2016, 80; 2018, 26. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2017 (12%).
Is there a recall for the steering on the Kia Sorento?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading across these model years: 18V656000 (2018). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do steering problems show up on the Kia Sorento?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 30,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 17,000 and 50,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Steering" heading cover?
The steering column, rack, pump and power assist. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.