PITSTOP: CYLINDER HEAD STEEL BALL INSPECTION AND INSTALLATION - This Pitstop provides information regarding the inspection and installation of the steel sealing ball on: * 3.3L & 3.8L Lambda engines for 2007-2008MY Sorento (BL), * 2.0L Nu engines for 2010-2019MY Soul (AM, PS), and * 1.8L & 2.0L Nu engines for 2010-2018MY Forte (TD, YD/YDm), 2019MY~ Forte (BDm). When replacing the cylinder heads on these engines, inspect the lubrication ports for installation of the steel sealing balls. Current replacement cylinder heads may not be equipped with the required steel balls. Identify and locate the nine (9) lubricant passages on 3.3L and 3.8L engines and three (3) on 1.8L and 2.0L engines and ver
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Kia Sorento engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2007 Kia Sorento have filed 6 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2005 Sorento | 73 |
| 2006 Sorento | 54 |
| 2007 Sorento (this page) | 6 |
| 2008 Sorento | 17 |
| 2011 Sorento | 190 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗KIA: DUE TO DESIGN OF DRAIN HOLES IN VALLEY OF LAMBDA V6 ENGINES, A MISDIAGNOSE OF A POSSIBLE OIL LEAK SOURCE IN REAR MAIN SEAL OR OIL PAN, WHEN ACTUAL LEAKS COMING FROM ENGINE VALLEY,OIL FILTER HOUSING, OIL PRESSURE SWITCH, AND/OR GASKETS.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗KIA: PROVIDES THE PROCEDURE TO UPGRADE THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) ON SOME VEHICLES WHICH MAY EXPERIENCE IDLE IRREGULARITY WITH BRAKE PEDAL APPLIED/DEPRESSED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗KIA: ECM UPGRADE WITH TP SENSOR REPLACEMENT-MIL ON WITH DTC P2135/P0638. INFORMATION RELATED TO ECM SOFTWARE AND TP SENSOR UPGRADE ON SOME VEHICLES WITH 2.7L ENGINES WHICH MAY EXPERIENCE A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED WITH THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC) SYSTEM RELATED DTC P2135 OR P0638 OR P2A00 OR P2A03.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had engine trouble with your 2007 Kia Sorento?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2007 Kia Sorento?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 6 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 6 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 68,869 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Kia/Sorento.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.