# Kia Sorento oil pressure warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Stop driving - **Owner complaints:** 216 - **Most complaints:** 2016 (84) - **Related recalls:** 0 - **Verdict:** Stop now ## Quick answer NHTSA has 216 owner complaints about the oil pressure warning light on the Kia Sorento (2015-2026 models), most for the **2016** model year (84). No recall covers the parts behind this light, so a repair is usually at the owner's cost. Stop driving: No. ## Kia Sorento oil pressure warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the oil pressure light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 20 | 755 | 3% | | 2016 | 84 | 1262 | 7% | | 2017 | 60 | 808 | 7% | | 2018 | 11 | 255 | 4% | | 2019 | 32 | 435 | 7% | | 2020 | 6 | 140 | 4% | | 2022 | 1 | 194 | 1% | | 2023 | 1 | 126 | 1% | | 2025 | 1 | 78 | 1% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Is there a recall for the Kia Sorento oil pressure warning light? Not for the parts behind this light, as of 2026-11-04. The Kia Sorento has 26 recalls for other parts in 2015-2026; see the [Kia Sorento page](/vehicles/kia-sorento) or check your VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). ## What Kia Sorento owners report - "This time the hybrid system warning system went off and the battery and oil lights went on. While waiting for the tow truck, the vehicle would not turn off. It is currently with the dealership, 41k miles on vehicle, 1 year old." -- owner of a 2025 Kia Sorento, complaint filed 2025 - "Transmission Oil light came on and the vehicle lost power. It was determined that the Transmission was faulty with only 3800 miles." -- owner of a 2023 Kia Sorento, complaint filed 2024 - "The vehicle was taken to an auto parts store, where it was determined that the transmission pump was failing, there was low oil pressure, but no debris found inside the transmission. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V760000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle..." -- owner of a 2022 Kia Sorento, complaint filed 2026 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the oil pressure warning light means The red oil pressure light means oil pressure has dropped too low to protect the engine. The most common cause is a low oil level, but a failing pressure sensor, a worn oil pump, or a clogged pickup can also do it. Pull over and shut the engine off as soon as it is safe; running without oil pressure can destroy the engine in minutes. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Low oil level** (most common) 2. **Failing oil pressure sensor or switch** (common) 3. **Wrong or very old oil** (less common) 4. **Clogged oil pickup or failing oil pump** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Oil pressure warning light](/warning-lights/oil-pressure). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Kia Sorento oil pressure light? Not for the parts behind this light, as of 2026-11-04. A repair is usually at the owner's cost unless the car is under warranty. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, since new recalls are added often. ### Which Kia Sorento years have the most oil pressure light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2016, 2017 and 2019 Sorento model years have the most complaints mentioning the oil pressure warning light, with 84 for 2016. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Kia Sorento with the oil pressure light on? Stop driving. No. Stop driving as soon as it is safe and shut off the engine. Only drive again if adding oil turns the light off immediately and the engine sounds normal; otherwise have it towed. ### How do I check if my Kia Sorento has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Kia dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Kia Sorento warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/kia-sorento): 36 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/kia-sorento): 37 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/kia-sorento): 29 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/kia-sorento): 24 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/kia-sorento): 578 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/kia-sorento): 138 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/kia-sorento): 81 complaints - [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/tire-pressure/kia-sorento): 14 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/kia-sorento): 34 complaints ## Oil pressure warning light on other models - [Kia Soul](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/kia-soul): 230 complaints - [Hyundai Tucson](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/hyundai-tucson): 202 complaints - [Hyundai Santa Fe](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/hyundai-santa-fe): 175 complaints - [Hyundai Sonata](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/hyundai-sonata): 168 complaints - [Kia K5](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/kia-k5): 159 complaints - [Jeep Compass](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/jeep-compass): 100 complaints - [Kia Sportage](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/kia-sportage): 76 complaints - [Hyundai Elantra](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/hyundai-elantra): 72 complaints - [Jeep Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/jeep-cherokee): 64 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/chevrolet-silverado): 58 complaints ## Kia Sorento - [Kia Sorento specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/kia-sorento) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/kia-sorento Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.