The complaint file drops by two thirds against 2017, but the four-cylinder still burns oil with nothing behind it.

Kia's Product Improvement Campaign PI1802 — a Product Improvement Campaign is a free fix Kia offers outside the recall system — installs the Knock Sensor Detection System on this exact model year. Kia's owner letter says so in plain terms: the software goes on "all 2016-2018 MY Sorento vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection ('GDI') and 2.0L Turbocharged GDI ('T-GDI') engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. The update will be done free of charge." The system "detects vibrations indicating the onset of excessive connecting rod bearing wear" and stores diagnostic trouble code P1326 when it triggers; a companion bulletin, PI1802Y/Z, is titled engine replacement instructions for that code. Kia also published bulletin SA379, which admits the first diagnostic method was not accurate enough and requires an "expanded diagnostic test" on cars "previously diagnosed" with P1326 and held at dealers awaiting engines. What none of this includes is money. Kia's short-block warranty extension for the Sorento, WTY008, covers 2012 to 2014 model years and stops there.

Kia is recalling 2018 Sorentos because "the side curtain air bags on these vehicles have a component that may detach during deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag." NHTSA's consequence line: "If the component detaches during deployment, it may enter the passenger compartment and be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury." Dealers replace both the driver and passenger side curtain air bags free of charge; Kia's code is SC159. This is a crash-only defect, which makes it easy to ignore and expensive to have ignored. Check it against the VIN.

Kia is recalling 2018 Sorentos because "the cowl crossbar that connects to the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) steering column may be improperly welded, allowing the steering column to separate." The Motor Driven Power Steering unit is the electric motor that provides steering assistance. NHTSA's consequence: "If the steering column separates, it can cause a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash." Dealers replace the cowl crossbar free of charge, Kia code SC167. Of the three campaigns on this year, this is the one to close first.

This is the free repair almost nobody claims. Kia's Fuel Pump Warranty Extension Program, WTY033, covers 2018 and 2019 Sorentos built between 31 March 2017 and 24 July 2019. Kia's own words: "The low-pressure fuel pump in the subject vehicles may develop a fuel leak over time and after prolonged exposure to extreme high temperature due to insufficient thickness of the fuel pump port. The vehicles warranty for this issue will be extended from 5 years/60,000 miles to 15 years / unlimited miles." Unlimited miles is unusual and it means an early-build 2018 with 160,000 miles is still eligible. If the car ever smells of petrol after sitting in the sun, this is the bulletin to quote at the service desk. One owner in this file reports exactly that symptom: "the car smells like gas it has a gas leak."

WTY026 covers an oil-pressure-switch leak on 2014 to 2018 vehicles and raises coverage from 10 years and 100,000 miles to 15 years and 150,000 miles. The symptom is an oil warning light that comes on at idle or when coasting to a stop with the oil level fine; owners of neighbouring years describe being told it is the sensor and then being refused. WTY031 covers the multifunction switch knob on 2016 to 2018 Sorentos built at Kia's Georgia plant between October 2014 and March 2018, which "may exhibit an intermittent headlamp flickering", raised from 5 years and 60,000 miles to 15 years and 150,000 miles. An independent repair channel covering this generation lists headlight failure as its number-one complaint and walks through the diagnosis order — bulb, then alternator voltage regulator, then the wiring harness — but Kia's switch bulletin is the free route to try first.

Recall 22V703 covers 2016 to 2022 Sorentos fitted with a Kia tow-hitch harness, whether original equipment or bought later through a Kia dealer. Debris and moisture on the harness module's printed circuit board "may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire", parked or driving. Kia advises owners to park outside and away from structures until the repair is complete. Dealers inspect and replace the fuse and/or module free, Kia code SC249. If the car has a hitch, this one applies; if the hitch was fitted by anyone other than Kia it does not, and the dealer will tell you which.

Three smaller patterns round out this year. The panoramic sunroof sticks or closes very slowly — "I parked car with sunroof open and when i restarted car it started closing extremely slow. Technicians have tried resetting but no luck" — and a used-car mechanic covering this family says the same thing unprompted about Sorentos and Santa Fes with sunroofs. Roof paint peels: "Paint is peeling on the roof of my Kia by the windshield. No incident has happened." Kia does not cover either. Lastly, Kia's anti-theft campaigns reach this car: CS2304 upgrades the body-control software on 2016 to 2020 Sorentos so the ignition is restricted if the locked car is broken into without a key, and CS2312 fits a reinforced ignition-cylinder protector with decals. One 2018 owner reports ignition trouble beginning immediately after the CS2312 install, so have the work done at a dealer and keep the paperwork.