Kia Sorento Complaints
10,397 consumer complaints on file.
- #11540057August 22, 2023ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the check engine and the check oil warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The contact pulled over and stopped the vehicle. The contact placed the vehicle in park (P) and was able to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that she drove the vehicle to a local dealer who added oil and changed the spark plugs. The contact had a recent oil change performed less than two weeks prior to the engine failure. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that over the next several years the vehicle stalled intermittently. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer and had the vehicle diagnosed and was advised that the catalytic converter had been damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11540111August 22, 2023ENGINE
Unknow
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11540132August 22, 2023TRAILER HITCHES
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool showed no open recall.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11540143August 22, 2023STRUCTURE:BODY
The paint on the body of my vehicle just started rapidly peeling off on its own really bad from passenger door handle and spreading.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11540170August 22, 2023UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The paint just above my windshield at the center is bubbled up and stater peeling and is now rusting. It is also peeling on my drivers door just above the window. The paint color is Pearl White
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11539970August 22, 2023ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
I was driving the vehicle on a highway when the car shut off. No electrical or steering. It was very difficult to get the vehicle safely off the highway. Before the vehicle shut off there was an alarm and a message on the control panel to shift to neutral and restart the car. There were 2 incidents before this one. Both didn't have an alarm. The vehicle shut off with no warning.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11539966August 22, 2023UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
I was driving down the highway and the car stalled out the lights dimmed and the car shut off luckily I was able to get over and stopped the steering wheel was locked up almost like the battery went out. I was able to put it in park and restart the car. I got off the highway at the next exit and went through town and about half way home I was sitting at a stop light and the car died again. I put it in park and started the car again I took it straight over to the dealership and they hooked into it and scanned the car they said they couldn't find anything it continues to happen and I keep asking the dealership about it but they can't recreate the problem. I have also almost been in several wrecks do to this problem. I have also had the car slam on the breaks going over 40 and say caution ⚠️ and the breaks lock up for a few minutes.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11539698August 21, 2023ENGINE
KIA vehicles have an oil comsumption problem. I discovered recently that my engine was empty of oil. Two weeks later I check the oil level and was 2 quarts below full capacity. I went to an online forum of KIA owners and discovered the seriousness of the problem. The main problem are engines seizing-up while highway driving. I can attest to the seriousness of this problem when approximately 1 year ago my daughter's 2012 KIA Optima engine seized while driving and fortunately her husband was with her and helped her steer the vehicle to a safe place along the highway. KIA has known of this problem for many years and has yet to con-front the issue.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11539700August 21, 2023STRUCTURE:BODY
At first, I thought it was due to normal wear on the vehicle. And would need a touch of paint job. I started seeing other vehicle with the same areas of paint issues on the road as mines. 2014 Kia Sorento LX - Pearl White paint peeling around windshield and off hood. Bubbles started forming form under paint and paint blisters and peels away quickly in large chunks from vehicle. Went to dealership and they told me paint is only under warranty for 36k miles, but after seeing all the complaints online with white Sorento, I realized there is a problem with KIA paint. However, they suggested calling Kia directly. When calling them they have no recall for this paint issue that has been caused by a defect in the paint that for some reason happens after their 36k miles warranty.Kia neeed to fix this issue.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11539706August 21, 2023ENGINE
It is abusive to American consumers that Kia Motors America knowingly sold several Kia models from 2011-2019 with the Theta ii engine issues. They have not done enough as a car company to support the needs of customers that are affected by this problem. They are taking 2-3 months to diagnose and repair failed engines at dealerships. Additionally, they are not doing enough to help people when they don't have access to their car. I was forced for 2.5 months to have no car without a loaner vehicle offered to me. I experienced a Kia Sorento 2015 engine failure on 6/1/2023 and was not fully repaired until 8/18/2023. During that entire timeframe, I had to file a BBB report at 60 days to get an update on the diagnosis for my car. When I went to pick up my car on 8/19/2023 at Cochran Robinson Kia, they lost the key to my car and acted like it was no big deal. I am sick and tired of Kia Motors America being allowed to continue selling faulty vehicles in our country. They need to be shut down and charged to the full extent of the law as a car company.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11539746August 21, 2023EXTERIOR LIGHTING
When the heads lights are in Auto Mode and driving at night, the head lights will just go out. This has happened 4 times now and is very dangerous. I need KIA to fix this problem. I have a 2018 KIA Sorento and I've seen where others have had the same problem with 2017 & 2018 Sorento's. The lights going out at night while my wife is driving is extremely dangerous. This just happens with no warning. Please Fix.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11539755August 21, 2023ENGINE
When driving to work the engine made a noise then quit running. It will not turn over.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11539898August 21, 2023ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
3.3 liter engine - no warning not part of recall or knock sensor per Kia - driving slow ( thank God ) just died . Towed to the dealer - hearing 3 different story’s ? Diagnosis ? Manifold or Rod Bearing issue - whole engine needs replaced over 15k cost . Doing research on this issue snd see many complaints on all makes and models / expect a recall on this vehicle in time as well - it’s only a matter of time till someone is hurt or killed due to Kias repeated negligence in regards to engine failure - the dealer and corporate are ignoring this and that is not acceptable .
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11539933August 21, 2023POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled off the roadway and turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle resumed normal operation. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V760000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11539643August 20, 2023STRUCTURE:BODY
My Kia Sorento has the Nightfall trim package on it and currently has 13K miles. The paint on the trim around the windows has started to come off, sort of looking like acid rain effect. The dealership said this is not covered as it is an environmental and wash problem. We live in Hawaii. However, this is a widespread issue with Nightfall trim packages on Kia vehicles all around. I believe it is a manufacturing defect. Even if it is a wash or environmental problem, there was no warning when buying it could happen
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11539496August 19, 2023ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
I had reported a momentary loss of power when driving the first time I took my vehicle for an oil change. Dealer said the car was just getting accustomed to my driving habits. I said I was in an intersection and the car lost power for a moment and I was almost rear-ended. It has happened many more times and it seemed as though it usually happened between 25-30 mph. Recently it has become more frequent. It’s happening at all speeds. Yesterday it seemed like it was choking like when you’re out of gas (it had 3/4 tank of gas). Today I was making a turn at a heavily traveled intersection, when rounding the corner vehicle lost power then banged into gear. I’ve never heard it bang like that before. Seems to be getting progressively worse and I’m now concerned for myself and others safety. I work 45 miles from home and depend on this vehicle. This is my 3rd Sorento and have always liked and recommended them. I’m making an appointment for a diagnostic service soon but can’t afford to be without my car. I saw there was a recall for “loss of power” but my VIN isn’t included. Please help.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11539282August 18, 2023POWER TRAIN
Kia has a known excessive oil consumption issue. This issue has caused my car to suddenly stall while driving which is a huge a safety concern for myself, my passengars and other drivers on the road. If the oil is being sucked into the intake, it will eventually cause engine failure. The Engine Defect is life-threatening and dangerous. As a result of latent design, manufacturing, material, and/or workmanship defects, the Affected Vehicles are prone to excessive oil consumption and/or the restriction of oil flow through the connecting rod bearings as well as to other vital areas of the Engine, causing the Affected Vehicles to experience sudden vehicle stalling, catastrophic engine failure, and/or non-collision engine fires during operation.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11539397August 18, 2023ENGINE
Excessive oil consumption. I get oild changes every 3 months at the dealership. I must add 6-10 quarts of oil inbetween these changes. I notified the dealer, but they are unwilling to replace my engine. I was told it needs to "blow up" before issue will be addressed. My 2017 Kia Sorento has 63,000 miles this issue started at 60,000 miles. It is outside my warranty as I am the second owner. This is not a safe approach from Kia, as i feel waiting for my car to "blow up" could cause injury to myself and others. [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
- #11539474August 18, 2023ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES, SEAT BELTS
We bought the car 6 months ago from a dealership and since then the breaks are bad the engine makes this strange noise it always smells like oil is burning. The seat belts don't stay latch and I hr suspension is all over the place.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11539123August 17, 2023ENGINE
Car engine suddenly started to fail, no power, engine knocking, died in traffics turning into an intersection extremely dangerous
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0