Kia Sorento Complaints

10,397 consumer complaints on file.

#11569592February 2, 2024
ENGINE
Engine died with no sign. Was told engine had no oil
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11569209February 1, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I live in VA, bought my Sorento in 2018. Every winter when the temps drop below freezing my car will intermittently not start. This issue only happens below freezing and it is not every time the temps drop below freezing. Once the sun comes up and the day warms up a bit the car almost always will start. I have taken it to the Kia dealership multiple times over the years and of course it always starts right up, no problem, even in the single digits. I have taken it to a couple of other local repair shops as well to no avail. So far this winter I have had it at the dealership 3 times and finally on the third trip they figured out the issue. The factory installed remote start was pulling too much voltage, even while the car was off, that the brand new battery couldn't start the car. They removed the remote start (told me I could buy another and have it installed for $800) and the car has started every single time. This has left me and my family stranded previously so wanted to help others figure this out so it doesn't take them 6 years and stranded like it did us.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11569372February 1, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving at night, the instrument panel gauges and lights behind it faded away and all gauges went to 0, RPM, Gas, speedometer, temp, mileage all stopped working all at once. The headlights dimmed to almost nothing. After stopping, it was discovered that a rear sensor was basically melted off after being on fire from the inside. It put a hole right through the sensor and exposed the wire. It basically turned the sensor to ash and you can see the melted wires inside slightly poking out of the hole it melted. The radio and clock still work, so it didnt affect everything. The lights that come on when opening and closing the door were basically stuck on unless turned off manually when the car is off. (Turned off door light feature) Took me a few to figure that out. After checking fuses, the Module 3 was blown. Tried to replace the fuse but it keeps blowing because I cant currently do anything with the damaged sensor. A Kia repair guy wanted to change all the wiring, sensors, and instrument panel, costing thousands of dollars I don't have. After checking the Kia forums, this same exact issue has happened to multiple people with the 2014 Kia Sorento. If this has happened to multiple of the same vehicle, Kia should be responsible to fix it or replace the vehicle! Its dangerous! It was raining, but my car could have stayed on fire. I almost drove off the road when everything was shutting off and my headlights dimmed to nothing. The car still drives fine, so I got home, but it was hard to see and I had no idea of the speed of the vehicle. And the Kia guy said it could still catch fire again so I will have to fix it before driving it much more. I dont have the money for this or for a new car and my job is literally in my car! Check the Kia forums about the other issues and complaints, as again, this happened to multiple people and its all the same issue. Kia needs to fix this since it costs so much to fix and before someone burns up in a fire!
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11568929January 31, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was driving down the road, no service lights were on and my car backfired twice and was engulfed in flames within seconds. My car completely burned, it was a total loss, but I’m being told my vehicles vin wasn’t included in the recalls when it very well should be.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11568948January 31, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The shift suddenly locked when put in park...need to use the shift lock release to unlock it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11568980January 31, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HEUC) may experience an electrical short circuit, which may result in an engine compartment fire while driving or parked. The notice was received 11.14.23. The part is not available. The warning light under the WARNING in the letter, illuminated on my dashboard and I followed the WARNING instructions: PULL OVER TO A SAFE LOCATION. TURN OFF THE ENGINE. CALL KIA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A KIA DEALER AS SOON AS POSSIBE. I did this. I had to pay $166.77 for the tow and can't be refunded until the remedy notice is issued. Kia tells me they have to charge $190 to diagnose the car and that there is no remedy at this time. It has been 77 days, today, since the recall was sent. I understand Kia is aware prior to the notice issuing. This is a major safety issue. A fire can be catastrophic. This is interfering with my livelihood. I am a traveling cardiac nurse and I am single, with no other means of travel. I have just this one vehicle to rely on. Why is there not a remedy for this recall after so long? This is unacceptable and Kia needs to be held responsible.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11569042January 31, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated the ABS warning light was illuminated intermittently. The failure mileage was 81,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11569066January 31, 2024
ENGINE
On 11/20/2023 I was entering the freeway when the engine on my Kia completely quit. No lights, no sputtering, no indication at all of an issue. Obviously I lost power steering. I was able to get to the side of the road and try to restart the engine. Would not restart. I had the car towed to my mechanic and called Kia customer service later. I was advised to have it towed to a Kia dealership (fee would be reimbursed), get it diagnosed (fee would be reimbursed), and that the engine would be replaced. The diagnosis was no compression in cylinder 4 and that this is not covered under warranty. I was offered an engine for $6000. Called customer service back and was told they would research the case. Two months later I am told they will not be replacing the engine. I am out a tow fee, diagnostic fee, and have a lawn ornament that I owe $4000 on. This is absolutely a safety issue and Kia needs to be held accountable. To go immediately from power steering to none, engine turning to stalled is not safe! I feel lucky as I was not traveling fast, not trying to merge or pass. I am disgusted that this is not a safety concern and that Kia continues to deny any fault.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11569076January 31, 2024
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated and shuddered. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission control module (TCM). The mechanic determined that the transmission needed to be flush and the TCM needed to be reprogrammed to the factory settings. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11569114January 31, 2024
STEERING
MY STEERING WHEEL IS MAKING LOUD CLUNK NOISES AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS SHAKING I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE MORE THEN 20 MILES PER HOUR AND IT FEELS VERY UNSAFE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11569179January 31, 2024
ENGINE
Car shut down driving down the road and spun a bearing.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11568692January 30, 2024
STEERING
For the last few weeksI have been experiencing problems with the steering wheel feeling like it's sticking while driving. It might happen on a straight roadway, but its mostly noticeable on curves, like rounabouts. I can hold the steering wheel around a slight curve and if I need to move it to the right slightly to keep in line with the curve then it jerks a little to get out of that position. I'll take it to the dealer for other recalls and I hope they'll take care of this as well...
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11568787January 30, 2024
AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE:BODY
I was t boned while driving aprox 25 30 non of my air bags deployed and to bolts holding the door had the head shear off while bolts were still stuck in door frame
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11568822January 30, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:CRANK/CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the speed odometer was inoperable, and the vehicle did not accelerate as intended. In addition, the contact stated that while stopped at a stop sign, the vehicle stalled and lost motive power. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that after attempting to start the vehicle several times, the vehicle started and operated without failure. The contact stated that the vehicle displayed no issues for several days however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed crank shaft position sensor. The contact was informed that the crank shaft position sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11568558January 29, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11568566January 29, 2024
ENGINE
The engine died as I was driving on the freeway at 70 mph. My safety was at risk. I thank God the other drivers on the freeway were paying attention and as I slowly made it to the side of the freeway before it completely stopped rolling. The vehicle is still at the Kia dealership. The vehicle had been burning through oil very badly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11568589January 29, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11568620January 29, 2024
STEERING
When driving and turning the steering wheel in to a curve the steering wheel sticks and I have to jerk the wheel back this has occurred on separate occasions the latest today
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11568390January 29, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving on the freeway, the car began to lose power. As I struggled to maneuver to the right lane to pull over, something under the hood caught on fire and black smoke came billowing out. We were able to get out of the car before a young man traveling in he opposite direction saw us and turned around to help. With his help we were able to get my grand kids out and into his car. Thank God that he was not criminally minded. I then called AAA who towed the car back to our home. This happened in July 2023. In October, I received a safety recall notice warning of a possible fire happening. I contacted the local Kia dealership and was told that there was nothing they could except wait and that it could take up to a year or receive the part to remedy the problem. I then contacted Kia Headquarters and was told the same thing. It is now January 2024, and still no remedy and no operable vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11568418January 29, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated there was an abnormal burning odor coming entering the cabin of the vehicle. The battery warning light was blinking intermittently. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 230,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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