Kia Sorento Problems: Used Buyer's Guide for UM and MQ4 Models

The Kia Sorento is a roomy seven-seater that carsales rates a solid used buy, but check three things. UM cars (2015–2020) are reported to surge and shudder through the automatic. MQ4 cars from 2020–2022 had a recall on the transmission's electric oil pump. And a string of fire-risk and software recalls needs confirming by VIN. Then get it inspected.

Which Kia Sorento generation are you looking at?

UM (2015–2020). The third-generation Sorento had its Australian launch drive in June 2015 with a 3.3-litre petrol V6 (199kW/318Nm) and a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel (147kW/441Nm), both with a six-speed automatic, and a five-star ANCAP rating (carsales, 2015 launch drive). carsales' used guide says the V6 was front-wheel drive and the diesel was the only engine with all-wheel drive. An eight-speed automatic arrived with the late-2017 update, the V6 grew to 3.5 litres and 206kW for 2018, and the maximum towing capacity is 2,000kg (carsales, buying used 2015–2020).

MQ4 (2020 on). CarExpert says the fourth generation went on sale in August 2020 as a diesel, with the V6 following in early 2021. The 3.5 V6 (200kW/332Nm) is front-wheel drive with an eight-speed torque-converter automatic. The 2.2 turbo-diesel (440Nm) is all-wheel drive with an eight-speed wet dual-clutch gearbox. Braked towing is 2,000kg, the warranty is seven years/unlimited km, and a plug-in hybrid with a 13.8kWh battery joined the range (CarExpert, 2022 Sorento buyer's guide). A 1.6 turbo hybrid (169kW/350Nm, six-speed automatic) arrived in 2022 in GT-Line trim only, with front- or all-wheel drive. The hybrid tows 1,650kg braked and is serviced every 10,000km, against 15,000km for the V6 and diesel (CarExpert, 2022 Sorento Hybrid road test). The federal recall register lists 2023–2024 cars as the MQ4 PE.

Looking at an older XM (2010–2014)? See the recall table below first.

What are the most common Kia Sorento problems?

These are reported by Australian motoring experts and owners. They're not failure rates.

UM: automatic surge and shudder

carsales' used guide lists two transmission complaints on the UM. The first is surging when you accelerate after a long stretch of slow driving. It says sensors are suspected and no certain fix has been found. The second is shudder and a reluctance to change up at low speed, and it suggests a transmission fluid change every 50,000km as a remedy (carsales).

UM: electrical faults

The same guide warns of electrical and electronic failures on later UM cars and says to test every control and screen function. CarsGuide's owner questions include a 2017 Sorento that lost power at random with no fault code stored, where a faulty sensor was the suspected cause, and a 2017 car with a failed audio system traced to the antenna (CarsGuide, 2017 Sorento problems). Both are single owner reports.

UM V6: oil use

carsales says some 3.3-litre petrol engines overseas use about one to two litres of oil between services, and recommends checking the level monthly (carsales). Ask to see the service invoices as well as the dipstick.

MQ4 diesel: the dual-clutch gearbox

CarExpert lists the MQ4 diesel with an eight-speed wet dual-clutch gearbox (CarExpert). Recall REC-005586 covers the transmission's electric oil pump on MQ4 Sorentos. The register says a crack can form in the pump's circuit board, which can stop the pump and cause a loss of drive. It covers 8,572 Sorentos from 2020–2022 and the fix is a software update. The listing doesn't name an engine or gearbox type, so check any 2020–2022 MQ4 by VIN (REC-005586). Asked about a new diesel Sorento in 2021, CarsGuide's expert said Kia's dual-clutch is no worse than many others, but that dual-clutch gearboxes in general draw complaints about how they behave and how long they last (CarsGuide Q&A).

Diesel particulate filter

CarsGuide's advice to a Sorento buyer is that the diesel particulate filter is only a concern if your driving never lets it clean itself, which then forces a manual regeneration (CarsGuide, Sorento diesel problems).

Underbody damage

carsales says to look under AWD cars for scrapes and dents, which can lead to mechanical trouble and rust (carsales).

Hybrid and plug-in hybrid

Kia's Australian warranty terms cap the whole warranty at seven years or 150,000km if the car was ever used commercially, such as for rideshare or hire. They cover the high-voltage battery under a separate battery warranty (Kia warranty terms). Ask Kia what applies to the car, and its battery, by VIN. Hybrid battery tests are available for Toyota and Lexus models only, so our EV/Hybrid Battery Test add-on doesn't cover a Sorento hybrid or plug-in hybrid.

What Kia Sorento recalls should I check?

We read these on the federal register at vehiclerecalls.gov.au, except where marked. They're current as at November 2026. New recalls are added often, so check the VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au or with a Kia dealer.

XM owners and the class action. A group proceeding in the Supreme Court of Victoria alleges a defect in the anti-lock braking system left affected Kias vulnerable to moisture damage, short circuits and engine compartment fires. The court's page lists the XM Sorento (2010–2014) among the models. As at November 2026 the case is still before the court (Supreme Court of Victoria). For a buyer, the practical step is proof that REC-006104 has been done (CarExpert).

What our inspectors check on a Kia Sorento

This is what we look at, and which package includes it. It's a list of checks, not a claim that the car has these faults. Every package includes the 150+ Point Checklist.

1. 1.OBD-II scan of stored, pending and live fault codes, printed into your report. (All packages)
2. 2.Engine bay and fluid leak check, plus battery, starter and alternator tests. (All packages)
3. 3.Brake pads and tyre tread measured. (All packages)
4. 4.Full mechanical inspection. Engine, gearbox, cooling, belts, mounts, exhaust, driveline and steering, with oil level and condition recorded. (Comprehensive and Elite)
5. 5.Transmission behaviour on the road test. Take-off, low-speed changes, surge and shudder on a UM, and slow-speed creep on an MQ4 diesel. (Comprehensive and Elite)
6. 6.Underbody photos, with the undertray removed where fitted, safe and permitted. We look for scrapes, dents and leaks. (Comprehensive and Elite)
7. 7.Suspension bushes and mounts checked for cracking and play. (Comprehensive and Elite)
8. 8.Full electrical test and interior electronics, including the screens, cameras, sensors, indicators and heater. (Comprehensive and Elite)
9. 9.Exterior paint and body repair indicators. (Comprehensive and Elite.) Elite adds a paint thickness gauge on every panel. Essential has no paint check.
10. 10.PPSR check. (Comprehensive and Elite. Essential doesn't include one)
11. 11.Senior inspector and a cold start when the seller leaves the engine cold. (Elite only)
12. 12.History deep-dive covering odometer, owners, stolen or written-off status and recalls, plus a valuation. (Elite only)

Road tests are 3–5km on Essential, 6–10km on Comprehensive and 10–12km on Elite. On a hybrid, the scan reads fault codes.

How should you test-drive a used Sorento?

• Ask for the engine cold and listen at idle before you move off.
• Crawl in traffic for ten minutes, then accelerate. That's when carsales says a UM can surge.
• Feel for shudder and slow upshifts at low speed.
• On an MQ4 diesel, do several gentle take-offs and some car-park creeping. Any hesitation or warning light is a reason to stop.
• Test every switch and screen, including the cameras, heater and indicators.
• After the drive, look under the car for drips and smell for fuel.

What paperwork and PPSR checks do you need?

• A PPSR check (ppsr.gov.au) for finance owing, write-off and stolen status. It's in Comprehensive and Elite. See PPSR check NSW.
• Full service history with invoices. On a UM, look for transmission fluid changes.
• Recall completion by VIN, using the table above.
• Warranty status. Kia's terms say the warranty transfers to later owners. Ask Kia for the start date and whether the car was ever a commercial vehicle.
• Prior use. Ex-rental and rideshare cars fall under the 150,000km cap.

How do you negotiate on a used Sorento?

• Shudder or surge on the drive is your strongest lever, or your reason to walk away.
• An open recall should be closed before you pay.
• Underbody scrapes on an AWD are money off.
• A thin service history on a diesel or hybrid weakens the seller's price.

Our Elite inspector can negotiate on the spot, using the findings. See our Kia inspection page.

Is a used Kia Sorento a good buy? Our verdict

Yes, with a clean drive and a clear recall record. carsales rates the UM a solid second-hand buy with good family space and strong diesel performance (carsales).

• UM V6: front-wheel drive only. Watch the oil level.
• UM diesel AWD: buy on transmission behaviour and service history.
• MQ4 V6: conventional automatic, so no dual-clutch question.
• MQ4 diesel: dual-clutch gearbox. Drive it slowly as well as quickly.
• Any 2020–2022 MQ4: confirm REC-005586 by VIN.
• Hybrid or plug-in hybrid: go Elite.

Kia Sorento FAQs

What are the most common Kia Sorento problems?

On the 2015–2020 UM, carsales reports transmission surge and shudder, electrical faults, oil use on some V6 engines and underbody damage on AWD cars. On the 2020-on MQ4, a recall covers a transmission oil pump fault that could cause loss of drive. These are reported issues, not failure rates.

Is the Kia Sorento dual-clutch gearbox reliable?

We haven't found published Australian failure data, so we won't call it unreliable. The register lists REC-005586, covering 8,572 MQ4 Sorentos from 2020–2022 for a transmission oil pump fault, without naming the gearbox type. CarsGuide's expert says Kia's unit is no worse than many others. Test slow take-offs and confirm the recall by VIN.

Has the Kia Sorento been recalled in Australia?

Yes, many times. As at November 2026 the register lists fire-risk recalls for the heater core element on 2015–2020 cars and fuel leaks on some 2020 and 2021 cars, plus gearbox, indicator and instrument cluster recalls on the MQ4. Check the VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au before you pay.

Is a used Sorento still under warranty?

It can be. Kia's terms give passenger cars seven years with unlimited kilometres, and the cover transfers to later owners. Cars used commercially at any time are capped at 150,000km. Ask a Kia dealer for the warranty start date and the car's use history by VIN.

Can you inspect a Sorento hybrid's battery?

No. Hybrid battery tests are available for Toyota and Lexus models only, so our EV/Hybrid Battery Test add-on doesn't cover a Sorento hybrid or plug-in hybrid. Every package still includes an OBD-II scan of stored fault codes.

How much does a Kia Sorento pre-purchase inspection cost?

Essential is $199, Comprehensive is $329 with PPSR and the report on site, and Elite Buyers' Protection is $449. Ute, Van & Light Truck ($329, up to 4.5 t GVM) is for utes, vans and light trucks. For a Sorento we recommend Comprehensive as the minimum and Elite for higher-value cars.

Aussie Auto Care Pty Ltd · ABN 19 701 853 090 · 02 8320 1246 · Mobile pre-purchase inspections across Greater Sydney, Newcastle/Maitland, the Central Coast, the Blue Mountains and Wollongong/Illawarra.

Sources

carsales, Buying a used Kia Sorento (2015–2020)

carsales, Kia Sorento 2015 launch drive

CarExpert, 2022 Kia Sorento buyer's guide

CarExpert, 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid road test

CarExpert, Kia recalls over 100,000 vehicles for fire risk

CarsGuide, 2017 Kia Sorento problems

CarsGuide, Kia Sorento diesel problems

CarsGuide Q&A, diesel longevity and dual-clutch gearboxes

Kia Australia, warranty terms and conditions

Supreme Court of Victoria, Kia class action

REC-006104

REC-005520

REC-005443

REC-000789

REC-000794

REC-001615

REC-005586

REC-005767

REC-005780

REC-006239

REC-006557

PPSR