Kia Sorento Complaints (2016)

1,262 consumer complaints on file.

#11588447May 13, 2024
ENGINE
Going 70 on the interstate luckily I was in the right hand lane when my motor just died!now my motor is fried knocking had it at the shop two weeks prior for oil problems said it was the valve head gasket took it to get fixed now a few weeks later I now longer have a warranty I'm 5 thousand Over it I still owe money for something I have to put more money into!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11588520May 13, 2024
ENGINE
i was driving and the car stopped working, was able to steer it and get it stopped in a safe spot. Would not start again. Towed to the local Kia dealership where I bought the car and they said the battery died. Replaced the battery, car still doesn't start. They take another look and say actually the engine is completely dead because there was not oil. There was no light on saying oil was low and I had been getting regular oil changes through the same shop. They tell me it needs a new engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11588320May 12, 2024
ENGINE
Engine failure related to oil burning, no oil left in engine. Car became nonfunctional on state highway at highway speed, had to be pushed out of road and towed to mechanic. Last oil change <5000 miles prior to engine failure, 1000 miles and 2 months remained prior to recommended next oil change. Occasional flickering of oil light when stopping but no additional messages prior to engine failure. Confirmed by independent mechanic, engine entirely nonfunctional, would require replacement of entire engine worth more than estimated trade-in value of vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11588337May 12, 2024
STEERING
I have been noticing at high speeds the steering "sticks." You have to be constantly moving the steering wheel back and forth to prevent the sticking. When mentioned to dealership, they say it's normal and don't document. I am starting to notice the sticking at losspeeds now that mileage is getting higher. This car has always done this, but getting worse.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11587166May 6, 2024
ENGINE
6/23 the oil light started to flickering, in particular to coming to a stop or turning. This was even after just having an oil change the month before. I checked the oil & it was low already so, of course I put a couple quarts in. I continued to monitor my oil as this was happening. I did not see any oil leaking onto our driveway or from anywhere. I called our mechanic to schedule an appointment. By appointment day 7/17/23, the engine light came on. Mechanic could not perform a diagnostic until a software update was done by Kia. 8/16/23 Kia does software updates & takes care of any recalls. I returned to our mechanic 8/21/23 so he could now do the diagnostic test & make repairs. He replaced the intake manifold, valve cover gasket & changed the oil with new filter. 9/23/23 the oil light starts flickering again & oil is low. Called our mechanic & he asked us to monitor it another month. So, we added oil & the oil light stayed off for another month. 10/26/23 oil light is flickering AGAIN! On the phone AGAIN with our mechanic, who tells us he sees Kia has a "tab" on Sorento's burning oil. 11/14/23 diagnostic performed by my other mechanic who also previously worked at Kia. Diagnostic test shows #3 cyl misfire. 11/16/23 #3 cylinder ignition coil & spark plug replaced. 11/22/23 car starts riding rough. 11/25/23 diagnostic shows #1 cyl spark plug. 11/30/23 replaced remaining #1,2 & 4 cyl spark plugs. 1/10/24 I was driving on a 4 lane hgwy in traffic & the car suddenly went into limp mode & stalled. Luckily it started again & I was close to the exit. I was able to catch a break in traffic to get over as I could only go about 15 mph. 1/11/24 had the car towed to Kia after my mechanic ran a diagnostic & got p1326 knock sensor code. 1/12/24 Kia replaced the knock sensor, saying the car is good now. 2/4/24 car is riding rough. Mechanic changes remaining coils. 4/27/24 car goes into limp mode while going through an intersection. Dash & headlights remain on but won't start=tow
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11587307May 6, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY
I have a 2016 KIA Sorento. The paint is pearl white and it is peeling. The peeling is on the hood, roof and A pillars so far.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11586818May 3, 2024
ENGINE
Check engine coming on intermittently. Took to Kia dealership for service and diagnosis. Was told the code came up for “Camshaft timing issue” and the recommendation was to replace engine completely! Only 79,000 miles and regular service and maintenance has occurred over the 7 years I’ve had the car. Engine could just cut out at any time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11585723April 29, 2024
ENGINE
We are the second owners of a 2016 Kia Sorento, which we purchased at a KIA Dealership when it was under warranty. The car worked well and we maintained it with regular oil changes and tune ups, until one day the engine began making a loud sound and begin stalling. The car doesn't feel safe to drive, as we know the engine could shut down at any moment. I had two mechanics check the car and they both said that we need a new engine. I reached out to the KIA dealership, but they said they cannot do anything about it. It seems like a manufacturing problem, which may God forbid could put families in danger.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11585795April 29, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The gear post has been stuck in park for at least 3 days. I have to keep using the screwdriver method jut to get it in reverse. Everytime I make a stop and get back in the car have to use the screwdriver. I've had the car since January 16th never had this problem
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11585361April 26, 2024
ENGINE
While traveling to Atlanta, GE from Ohio, I stopped for gas south of Chattanooga. Immediately after ( within 10 miles), my 2016 Kia Sorento began to lose power and acceleration. In trying increase speed, the car started shaking and acting erratically. I pulled over to try to discern the issue, but could find nothing. ENGINE LIGHT WAS NOT ON. I thought it might be bad gas but this was not the case. I drove the car the rest of the way to Atlanta as this was late Friday night and Saturday I had a gig in Atlanta with no chance to visit a garage or dealership. On the return trip to Ohio the car continued to stall and I had to shift to N in order to keep the engine running during several traffic jams… still running erratically, That next Monday, [XXX], I took the car to a local garage. They reported a misfire in cylinder 2 and no compression in this cylinder. They suspected a burnt exhaust valve and recommended rebuilding the engine. I got a 2nd opinion at the dealer 15 miles away and they recommended a new/ rebuilt engine as it would have a 3 year warranty. I ok’d the repair and spent $13,600 plus another $400 for an engine bolt after the install. The newer engine lasted a week and it was another 4 weeks for the 2nd engine re-install. So… $117.66 for the first diagnostic and $14,000 after the installed engine. I checked with Kia and there were any with this engine. The answer was no. Since then, I have read complaints on forums concerning this Kia 3.3 Lambda engine. I would like to add my name to the list of complaints. There is no reason this engine should have failed. I kept up on service, changed the oil within 3-5k miles. I bought the car in Dec 2018 with 59k miles and since then have generated another 60k miles. 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
#11585370April 26, 2024
ENGINE
My two kids and I was driving in the vehicle at 60 mph down [XXX] when the car started to make some noise and lost power. No warning lights came on, the vehicle began to slow just in the middle of the highway with a lot of traffic. Then the entire vehicle began to shake, no warning lights. I stopped 2 miles later in the next exit and the car did not respond any more. It was towed to the next repair shop (in Cle Elum, Wa). The mechanic told us the engine is seized and we have to replace it. 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
#11585117April 25, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY
The Snow White Pearl paint on my Sorento has started chipping and peeling away on the hood, front quarter panels and roof. This is leading to rust which is quite concerning. It is understandable that environmental factors such as road debris might cause chipping but this is an issue that appears to have affected a large number of people with the same paint color and the rapid deterioration of the paint covering the vehicle is not indicative of normal wear and tear.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11585160April 25, 2024
ENGINE
I purchased this vehicle in 2021, with about 82k miles on it. No problems were reported to me at that time and I did purchase the vehicle from an auto dealer. I have driven the vehicle approx. 23k miles; my current mileage is 105k. That's an average of about 700 miles per month. I have taken this vehicle for numerous oil changes as I have noticed my oil light will start flashing but it is no where near time for an oil change. There are no leaks, I have had that checked by 3 separate mechanics and myself. It is simply burning through oil. My most recent oil change was at 103k and, at around 104,500 miles, I had to take it in the shop because the engine began knocking. Due to the way the oil flows within the engine it "spills" onto the spark plugs, shorting them out. That repair cost me $300 and that was just 1 spark plug. I was told to expect this to be recurring due to the defect of the motor and how it consumes oil. The oil was 3 quarts low, meaning the engine had burned through 3 qts in 1500 miles. I am going to be taking it to a local Kia dealership so that they can do a "marker test" with a $90 oil change. This whole oil issue is starting to cost more than the car and if I don't keep pouring oil into the motor it will blow. The Kia engine is basically a money pit of problems all related to oil consumption. Reports are that Kia MAY cover the cost of a replacement motor but only after the motor blows, and only if it meets certain "breakdown" criteria. They cover that repair at about a 2-3% average. Kia KNOWS this problem exists but they refuse to place a recall to fix the issue. They did change the motor oil system around 2019/20 because there were so many complaints about oil consumption but they refuse to acknowledge the existing problem in those 2016-2020 motors hat are still on the roads. My fear is a blown motor at 70mph on the interstate. Kia needs to be more responsible.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11585242April 25, 2024
ENGINE
Driving a 2016 Kia Sorento on I75 at 70 mph, the engine experienced total failure with no warning lights. Towed to local Kia dealer who has it today. Dealer said it had total engine failure and the rods were severely knocking. Dealer said there were multiple engine failure existing recalls with the 4 cylinder but none yet for 6 cylinder vehicles though Kia had multiple 6 cylinder failures.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11584548April 22, 2024
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start, prompting her to contact AAA for roadside assistance. Later, the AAA technician made the contact aware that the gear shifter had failed to engage. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not towed to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V612000 (Power Train) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11583858April 18, 2024
ENGINE
Engine Failure. The vehicle is available for inspection. Engine Failure while driving put my own and children's lives at risk. The problem has been confirmed by both the dealer and independent service center. No warning lights prior to the problem appearing. Symptoms included rattling sound from engine on start up and acceleration as well as coolant leak from engine. Dealership told us the engine seized due to no lubrication despite vehicle receiving timely service for oil change. Kia is denying all responsibility for a fix.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11583034April 15, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PUMP
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled while accelerating. The vehicle was able to be restarted after a short period of time but would not accelerate as needed. The contact heard an abnormal sound, and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle, and the contact was informed that the engine was low on oil. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and the dealer diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage is approximately 115,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11583180April 15, 2024
ENGINE
On 4/14/24 I was turning the corner and my car cut off on me in the middle of the turn. I coasted to the nearest store. My engine light, oil light and battery light came on upon trying to restart the vehicle. The vehicle will not start and those lights still remain on. I had to have the vehicle towed home. As of today the vehicle still won't start. I am traumatized as this could of ended very badly. I could of been killed and or collided with another vehicle. When my car cut off I was unable to really steer the vehicle luckily there was a nearby gas station I was able to just sharply Coast into and slam on brakes. I believe this is a major safety concern and needs to be addressed as I'm pretty sure I am not the only one with this issue. Upon trying to restart the car
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11582710April 12, 2024
ENGINE
I took my vehicle into the Kia dealership here in Visalia, California. The first time I took my vehicle in, it was due to oil consumption. I was burning off over 1qt of oil every 700-1000 miles. This being a concern I asked what should I do next. When this happens the dealership recommends a fresh oil change by them, then they tag your oil cap, dip stick, and drian plug so its not to be tampered with. We drove the care as told and took it back. Upon return the motor was then confirmed that it was burning off almost 2 qt of oil. The dealership stated that I needed to do an engine "clean out". The service costs $500 dollars to have done. As suggested I did the service in hope that it would rectify the problem. We did the service, drove the car as instructed, brought it back, and I was told it was still burning oil. Now, according to KIA this is a well known issue and that the next step was an engine replacement. Now this is typically covered under the original warranty and a replacement motor is usually done by kia, BUT since I am the second owner of said vehicle this service doesn't apply to me. On the other had, kia also has a known issue with the rod bearings! Now, from what I was told is that rod bearings tend to fail due to lack of lubrication. Kia then proceeds to tell me that unless my rod bearing fails, they will not replace my motor at no cost, but the service manager told me on a recorded phone call "off the record" that I should drive my car until the motor ceases. Please tell me how this is safe and fair practice by the company? Kia has knowingly sold vehicles with faulty engines and they are not held responsible. I'm supposed to allow my wife to drive this car until the motor ceases and hope she doesn't get into an accident. I have filed claims with Kia North America and with my local dealership. The local dealership has denied my claim twice. Once by the service manager, and again by their DSM (district service manager). I have yet to hear from Kia HQ.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11582366April 11, 2024
ENGINE
I was driving down the road in a 45. My car started to have no power. I no warning came on. Literally Cruising down the road it sounded like the motor blew. Had it towed to my local mechanic and he said it wasn’t good. Never had any faulty components prior to. No warning lamps have come on still and when started you get smoke and a loud knock. When driving I could’ve been hurt or hurt another driver. I contacted Kia and was told that their is no coverage on this motor but when you call the dealerships (called 4) this particular motor that isn’t covered by an extended warranty is back ordered in PA alone an estimated 4-6 months
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Kia Sorento