Kia Sorento Complaints

10,397 consumer complaints on file.

#11547991October 3, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
Paint on the hood started to peel off in July of 2023. It has not been formally inspected, but is available for inspection. We have not contacted a dealer yet.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11547688October 2, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
My lights turn on and off randomly while driving or while parked in my driveway hours after parking while my car is in auto lights
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11547789October 2, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
Peeling paint
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11547849October 2, 2023
POWER TRAIN
I was driving my car on Friday, September 29 at approximately 12:30 pm. As i was driving the vehicle ot started to feel as though it was jerking and stalling while driving in driving on a busy road. I reached a parking lot and pulled over and shut the car off when i restarted it a warning came up on my infotainment system that there was a promblem with the transmission and i needed to contact my dealer immediately. The check engine light also came on. I own a 2021 Kia Sorento with 11,712 miles. I was afraid to drive vehicle after this incident as I feared for my safety.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11547632October 1, 2023
AIR BAGS, SEATS
In the past two weeks the Warning lamp for front passenger seat remains lit up indicating airbag problem in that area second row seats clip areas to lift seats and allow entry to third row were very hard to operate and now malfunctioned and don't work at all to lift seats. This has been checked out by Kia dealer last year to no resolve(they were able to lift seats up with great effort), but I am not able to get the seats lifted rendering access to 3rd row impossible for use.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11547634October 1, 2023
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My Kia engine started consuming oil internally, with no external trace of a problem. First reported to Dealer at Service Appt on 5/16/23 (at mileage 58,370) and another on 9/25/23 (at mileage 61,789). I've had the car serviced regularly by this dealer. Only 3400 miles driven between those two appointments, but my engine consumed 4.5 quarts of oil during those 4.5 months. Copies of my service receipts are attached, with dealer's notations on the issue. The dealer service rep advised me that said there is nothing more they can do until the engine Fails. Then they'll contact Kia Corporate requesting total engine replacement, at no charge to me. They gave me Kia's Corporate phone number to call & report this problem to them, asking what they can do about resolving it for me. My car is still under Factory Warranty, and dealer said I have lifetime warranty on the engine. I found the following article reporting this problem, with comments from other owners experiencing the same issue: [XXX] Can NHTSA force Kia to take proper action, as a safety recall on this? - [XXX] [XXX] C: [XXX] E: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11547460September 30, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
UNKNOWN, HEARD A POP WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, GOT OUT TO LOOK UNDER THE HOOD, AND FOUND SMOKE AND THEN FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. FIRE REPORT WAS FILED AND INSURANCE CLAIM WAS MADE. INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED IT A TOTAL LOSS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11547510September 30, 2023
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Engine Trouble: 1. Throttle Actuator Control (past issue, not sure if problem still exists). 2. Combustion Issue: (past and present) engine consuming excessive amounts of oil. Needing additional oil between oils changes. Dealer claimed ‘Combustion Cleaning’ was performed April/May 2023 and issue was resolved. I have had to add oil twice since then. Oil Lamp indicator would signaled, or engine would sound loud and over worked. I would then check the oil and add oil as needed. 3. Driving Mode: The vehicle can on be driven in ‘Comfort’ mode. If I drive in ‘Sport’, specifically, the car will start to malfunction and stall. When driving in any of the other modes the engine will become sluggish and eventually malfunction and stall. All of these problems occurred this year, 2023. I have service documents from the dealership. My cell phone is old and doesn’t take clear photos so I can’t upload them. I can provide the documents later if requested. Please contact me by email as I am in the process of moving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11547542September 30, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Car got caught on fire while driving with my 5kids
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11547541September 30, 2023
POWER TRAIN
Transmission problem arised on/about 9/15/23 and 3,000 miles. There is a distinct shudder when shifting through lower gears, more recently, on/around 4,000 miles l, shudder is growing worse, and there is intermittent problems at highway speeds. This is very dangerous, and could cause an accident/injury at any time. I have been to my local Kia dealership 3 times now, who have flight recorded and concurred with me that its the transmission failing, but have been sent home every time with "we don't know exactly what it is, so keep driving it". These symptoms are very similar to the 2021 model years dct transmission recall problems. I know of others with this same problem, and Kia needs to be held liable asap.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11547524September 30, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Dear NHTSA, I am writing to report a serious safety issue with my 2023 Kia Sorento, purchased in February 2023 from Ken Garff Kia Avondale. In July 2023, I began experiencing alarming issues, including flashing lights, dashboard error messages, and malfunctions, despite the vehicle being unused for several days with no visible damage. The air conditioning system malfunctioned, blowing hot air even when turned off. Upon inspection at the dealership, I was told the front sensor was damaged, with a repair estimate of $1700. However, no visible damage was evident, and I believe this issue should be warranty-covered due to its electronic nature. The dealership noted that 35 others faced similar problems, raising concerns of a manufacturing issue. Despite persistent efforts and a replacement part installed nearly two weeks later, the problem persists. I've incurred nearly $500 in rental car expenses, as the situation remains unresolved, even with involvement from Kia Corporate engineers. My aim in reporting this issue is to ensure consumer safety and seek a prompt resolution, as I continue to make $1k monthly payments for an unused Sorento. I respectfully request your assistance and prompt investigation into this matter. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11547494September 30, 2023
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, POWER TRAIN
I was driving on the highway last night again and my 2022 Kia Sorento SX Prestige AWD lost engine power and the check engine light immediately came on. The truck would intensely vibrate when I tried to push the gas to get over to the highway shoulder. This was extremely unsafe on a highway but I was able to pull over to the shoulder and stop the car and turn it off. When I turned it on, the check engine light remains on and vibrations persist. Even after waiting and multiple restarts. This was the fourth event of this engine issue in the past 6 months. With the same engine power loss and crazy vibrations. The three previous times, the engine light goes off after the first restart and truck drives normal. I even brought it into the dealer and they used the engine diagnostic device that showed no code so they say there’s nothing they can do. But now it’s the following morning, engine light remains on and car is shaking still. I have recordings of this event now bc Napleton Kia of Elmhurst is not believing me. As a traveling healthcare worker, my vehicle is my primary resource. The truck barely has 17k miles on it and all maintenance and care is on point. To shell out over $60k for a ‘top of the line’ SUV that could’ve just ended my life on the expressway is extremely terrifying and disappointing. I urge the NHTSA to please look into these engine issues before someone’s life is ended because of it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11547269September 29, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS
the anti lock button does not work, kia will not fix it, they stated that there recall on it was for locks that can move the car forward and backwards. I've never used my anti lock button its down beside the gear shift so the only way I can drive my suv to put my car in drive, reverse etc to use the gear shift is by holding a screwdriver down in it the whole time and I complained to kia about that knows that but they won't do anything about it unless I pay out of pocket for something I've never even used since I had the vehicle/I'm not at fault for. I suddenly could not put my suv back in drive after cutting my car off at my daughter school in 2022 bc of the anti lock button being stuck or something of that nature and kia done nothing about it since, they turned my down to fix n/or replace it. And my dashboard is cracking by the airbag on passenger side from the top all the way down unknowingly on its own. Also my engine light suddenly comes on and stays on for days then goes off and that happened on several occasions/ twice so far, kia was notified about it and said if its not jumping or flashing I'll have to pay to get it checked.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11547370September 29, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at approximately 25-30 MPH, the vehicle decelerated and failed to exceed 30 MPH while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that that her daughter veered the vehicle off the road and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11547163September 28, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 50 MPH, the vehicle started overheating and then inadvertently lost motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a general engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11547212September 28, 2023
ENGINE
Driving vehicle and check engine light came on, pulled over to an advance auto to have codes pulled. When lifting the hood to double check everything while waiting on codes to be pulled, I could smell a burning smell. After codes pulled, I sat in parking lot and researched codes P001100 and P208800. With codes and smell of burning, I had vehicle towed to Ferber's Tire & Auto Service, Inc. at 10383 Leadbetter Rd. Ashland, VA. 23005. They pulled codes and found that a recall was issued by KIA for this issue with CVVT Assembly. I called KIA and I was told that my VIN was not covered for this recall but that if the recall was expanded and covered my VIN that they would notify me. At this point I had no choice but to repair vehicle on my own even though KIA knew of this issue with their product. This repair is not cheap! Because of the location and what you have to do to get to part that needs to be replaced. My bill was $2,492.23 just to fix a car that KIA is aware. So aware that a recall was issued, just didn't go far enough for all the VIN. If my vehicle had caught fire or engine locked up because of the metal and plastic now sucked into the engine, I would have no car and all because KIA not doing right by the customer. I still have parts the old parts that were replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11547231September 28, 2023
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Car ran fine until we stopped for gas, went to get back on the highway when the car wouldn't accelerate >25mphs,almost got hit from this. The car was then towed to the near by Kia dealership and they found that it was a compression issue with a known issue in the engine and now we need a new engine or scrap the car. Kia is not willing to fix their horrible product and has told us to just suffer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11547016September 28, 2023
ENGINE
Engine continues to leak oil. Cannot be driven. 2014 Kia Sorento SUV which is under recall for engine fires yet they state her particular vin is not under the recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11547085September 28, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to CarMax, where the mechanic retrieved DTC code: P017 (Crank Shaft). The contact stated that unknown repairs were made to the vehicle; however, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the battery; however, the failure recurred. The dealer informed the contact that the engine had misfired, and that the engine had a crack in the manifold that had been glued together. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact that the transmission had previously been replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the top of the engine needed to be taken apart. The warranty company requested the records of all the oil changes. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11546737September 27, 2023
ENGINE
It is burning through 2 quarts of oil every 3000 miles and it is sitting at a Kia dealership whom doesn’t want to fix it. I have seen class action lawsuits in regards to this issue
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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