KiaSorento2015Overview/kia/sorento/2015/base/

2015 Kia Sorento

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2015 Sorento.

Body SUV

The 2015 Kia Sorento is a sport utility vehicle that requires 5.3 quarts of 5W‑30 or 5W‑40 API engine oil. Owner feedback for this model year logged 746 total complaints, with the engine cited as the most frequent problem area and three recalls issued. Placed within the Sorento’s complaint history spanning 2003‑2026, the 2015 figure sits above the low of three complaints in 2010 but well below the peak of 1,516 complaints in 2011. Consequently, the 2015 model occupies a middle‑ground position in the nameplate’s reliability trajectory.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192015

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.3 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 5W-40 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 124R · 700 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 124R · 700 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnSWOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235/55R19OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length184.3 in
Overall width74.4 in
Overall height67.3 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Curb weight3814 lb
Track (front / rear)63.4 / 63.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Sorento of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.1–9.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.10 sec — 2016 SX V6
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2016SX V6 3.3L V67.10 sec15.70 sec290 hpAWD
2016EX V6 3.3L V67.20 sec15.70 sec290 hpAWD
2016SX V6 3.3L V67.20 sec15.70 sec290 hpAWD
2016SXL Turbo 2.0L Turbo I-48.00 sec16.20 sec240 hpAWD
2016SXL Turbo 2.0L Turbo I-49.00 sec16.80 sec240 hpAWD
2016LX 2.4L I-49.10 sec16.90 sec185 hpFWD
2019SXL V6 3.3L V67.20 sec15.50 sec290 hpAWD
2019SXL V6 3.3L V67.60 sec15.80 sec290 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.3 qt of 5W-30 / 5W-40 API engine oil, Shell Spirax X in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.5
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.2
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilShell Spirax X
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.1 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts123-130 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts210-224 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts53-56 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts36
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs15-17 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts17.4-24.6 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug29.0-43.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug29.0-43.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub177-199 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub177-199 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)580-780 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)550-750 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerKia
Spark Plug Gap.039 - .043 in
Spark Plug Torque11-18 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerKia

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number124R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance700 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)73.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimumpsi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)73 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)73 psi
Engine Compressionpsi 171-192 max variation 15 psi
Engine CompressionPSI 128 - 149 / Max Variation 14 psi
Intake Valve Lash0.0067-0.0090 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.0106-0.0129 in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront or rear: 16-23 / 16-23
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 58-; Rear: 47-; Front: 58-; Rear: 47-
ABS Sensor Torque6 / NS
Minimum Pad Thickness0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.020; Rear: .370
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0002
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .001; Rear: .0012

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
148 inch lbs., Step 2: 84-10848 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120-23 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7020–23 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not allow oil on cylinder head bolts. Apply Loctite 5900H or equivalent on the front edge of the cylinder head gasket. Both the upside and the down side. Assembly of the cylinder head must be completed within five minutes of applying the liquid gasket compound.

124.0-27.0 ft. lbs.24–27 ft. lbs
290 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not lubricate cylinder head bolts with engine oil. Apply a 2.00-3.00 mm bead of Hyundai sealant or equivalent RTV to the front cylinder head corners of the upper and lower head gasket. Assembly of the cylinder head must be completed within five minutes of applying the liquid gasket compound.

127.5-30.4 ft. lbs.27.5–30.4 ft. lbs
2118 degrees-122 degrees118 degrees
388 degrees-92 degrees; External head bolts 14.0-17.0 ft. lbs.88 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miBody Fasteners (inspect)
Every 7,500 miBattery (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Vacuum Line (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Body Fasteners (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect)
At 30,000 miBody Fasteners (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Filter (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 37,500 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
At 105,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2015 Kia Sorento recorded 746 federal complaints, 3 recalls and 4 investigations, for a total of 202 TSBs. This complaint level is lower than the 978 complaints in 2014 and the 1,237 complaints in 2016, marking a dip relative to the immediate surrounding years. In the broader 2003‑2026 record, only 2012 (875 complaints) and 2013 (977 complaints) are close, while many later years show higher or lower volumes. Its primary complaint categories are Engine (273), Structure (77), Unknown Or Other (69) and Exterior Lighting (67), and it accounts for 20 crash‑related and 14 fire‑related complaints. Consequently, the 2015 model is a reasonable, though not the best, choice for a used purchase.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
202
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
746
Owner complaints
20 involved a crash · 14 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 746 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine273
Structure77
Unknown Or Other69
Exterior Lighting67
Air Bags15
Electrical System14
Steering14
Power Train13

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V907000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsReported 19/12/2018

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor… Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer…

20V519000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/ModuleReported 27/08/2020

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short. Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HECU for leaking brake fluid and replace the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 202 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
CS2312_TSB_R22026-06-08StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
WTY026_TSB_R22026-03-18EngineTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OIL PRESSURE SWITCH (OPS)…
TSB_CS2312_R12026-02-18StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
TSB_CS23122025-12-17StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
WTY039_TSB_R72025-12-17EngineTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: ENGINE SUB ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY039 - REVISION…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sorento. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2015 Sorento take?

5.3 qt of Preferred oil-5W-30 SM API Certification. All temperatures 5W-30 or 5W-40 SM API Certification., per the factory manual.

Does the 2015 Sorento have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.