MODEL
Kia Sorento Safety
NHTSA safety across every Kia Sorento model year we cover.
Across the 8 model years of the Kia Sorento we cover (2019 to 2026), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2024 at 85 on the NHTSA Safety Index, and the lowest is the 2022 at 70. 23 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Kia Sorento is a three-row capable midsize SUV that has built a loyal following among growing families and value-conscious buyers who want practical versatility without sacrificing style. Competing squarely against the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander, the Sorento positions itself as a sensible, well-rounded choice. From the 2019 redesign through the current 2025 model, its safety story is worth examining closely before you sign anything.
The 2024 Kia Sorento achieves an 85 out of 100 on our Safety Index, marking its strongest performance within the 2019 to 2025 model years. This score places it firmly in the Strong safety band. While side-impact protection received a perfect 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA, frontal and rollover crash tests each yielded 4 out of 5 stars. These ratings indicate areas where safety could be enhanced, particularly in scenarios statistically linked to the highest number of fatalities. The vehicle's recall history demands scrutiny. The Sorento accumulated 21 recalls across the seven model years reviewed, with 4 of these carrying severe "park outside" or "do not drive" directives. Such urgent NHTSA actions underscore significant identified safety risks. Prospective owners must confirm their specific vehicle identification number (VIN) is free of open recalls prior to purchase. Owner complaints for the model years total 929. These include 34 reported crashes, 33 fire allegations, 50 injury claims, and 1 death allegation. While NHTSA does not verify these submissions, the volume of fire-related complaints bears watching. Despite its strengths in certain crash categories, the Sorento's recall frequency and complaint volume prevent an unqualified endorsement from this publication.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally regard the Sorento as a strong value in the midsize SUV segment, praising its interior quality, available third-row seating, and feature content relative to its price point. Most consider it a competitive family vehicle with a polished driving character, though some note that rivals offer more refinement or cargo efficiency at comparable trim levels.
- Four of the Sorento's 21 recalls across 2019 to 2025 carried park-outside or do-not-drive directives, the most serious level of safety action NHTSA issues. Always run your VIN through NHTSA's recall database before buying new or used.
- Side-impact protection is the Sorento's strongest crash-test result at 5 out of 5 stars, but frontal and rollover ratings both land at 4 out of 5, so the vehicle is not a perfect scorer in any covered year.
- Owner-reported fire allegations number 33 across the covered years. These complaints are unverified, but the volume is notable for a single model family and warrants attention to any fire-related recall or technical service bulletin on your specific model year.
- The 2024 model year represents the safety high point in our coverage window with an 85 out of 100 NHTSA Safety Index in the Strong band. If safety performance is your priority, newer model years in this generation show measurable improvement over earlier ones.
Most-recalled year on record: 2022 Kia Sorento with 6 recalls.