Kia Sorento Complaints

10,397 consumer complaints on file.

#11522215May 16, 2023
ENGINE
Sudden Engine Failure: My car died in the middle of a highway on-ramp lane, so I had to call 911 to ask a police officer to come help. Our car came to a complete stop with no warning signs prior. My car was driving totally fine up until that point and then suddenly this happened on the highway. This put ourselves at risk (myself and my 2 children in the car), and it put everyone behind me at risk of rear-ending me, as traffic was moving. During the incident, the engine would not turn over at all. I waited about 10 minutes for a state trooper to pull up, while cars and big trucks whizzed past my stopped car on both sides. When the state trooper arrived, he called the highway department, and someone from the highway department came and pushed my car to the shoulder so that we could be safer. We had it towed to our Kia Service Center: Jones Kia, 2001 Belair Rd, Bel Air, MD 21014. They completed a diagnostic review. They contacted us and explained that: The cylinder head bolt failed. It became "threaded" (this was the term used by the Kia Service center who examined the car), causing the engine to overheat and seize. It happened so quickly that there were no warning signs. The service adviser at Jones Kia told us that we would need a whole new engine replacement.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522219May 16, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES
After using AutoBrake while driving I turned off the engine without turning off the Autobrake system. The Electronic Parking Braking System {EPB] engaged. When I turned the car on again I could not disengage the EPB. After trying everything recommended in the owners manual I called the Kia dealer and they had no suggestions. I called for a tow to the dealer. After they examined the car they informed me the system (cables & EPB system) needed to be replaced. I was lucky that the. failure accrued after I had parked and not while in motion. I have @41480 miles on the car & had only started using auto brake within the last year so I think there is a connection since the manual advises to turn auto brake off before turning off the car - not an intuitive action.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522284May 16, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle failed to restart after several attempts. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it remained awaiting diagnostic test and repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522315May 16, 2023
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2019 KIA Sorento SXL SPONTANEOUS SUNROOF EXPLOSION, 05/06/13 Car is still under warranty. Conditions: --Open, well maintained highway, nothing nearby (overpass, trees, traffic, etc) to suggest the sunroof was damaged by any foreign object. --Clear, dry, predominately straight roadway, time of day about 7:30pm, temperature about 70°, very light traffic. Was driving south on Maryland Route 6, a 4-lane divided state roadway, when suddenly and without warning the sunroof exploded. Both the sunroof and the interior sunshade were closed at the time. The incident began with a very loud BANG!, followed immediately by the sounds of rushing wind, and the rattling of broken glass on top of the sunshade. A very startling event. Immediately pulled over to the shoulder and found about 60% of the sunroof gone, with some glass debris on the sunshade. The missing glass was from the center of the sunroof, while some glass, though cracked, remained in the frame of the sunroof, on all sides. Drove home at a slower speed and parked car in the garage. Monday, 05/08/23, contacted [XXX], service manager at Bayside KIA of Waldorf. Described the event to [XXX], who immediately indicated the sunroof repair would most likely not be covered under warranty because there would be no way to prove the sunroof damage was the result of a manufacturing defect. He did, reluctantly, offer to examine the damage if I brought the car in to their service department, but the earliest service opening would be on 05/19/23...11 days away! When asked if the dealership could/would provide a loner vehicle in the interim, [XXX] advised all of their loner vehicles were currently in use. Because I need the car repaired as soon as possible, I am working with my insurer who has agreed to cover the repair under my comprehensive coverage (though I, of course, will have to pay the $100 deductible). 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
#11522057May 15, 2023
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the vehicle had not yet been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was unavailable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522110May 15, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I called Kia to replace fuse per their safety recall information. They are really uninterested in fixing these recalls or allowing me to speak to a manager to fix the issue. What's the point?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522078May 15, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Have token vehicle to dealer ship twice and no resolution
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521947May 14, 2023
ENGINE
On my way home from work I heard a knocking sound coming from the engine while on the highway the vehicle slowed down at 40 miles per hour then the from end dipped then return in an upright position. The vehicle suddenly lost power the engine would not turn over. There were no warning engine lights or anything before hand to indicate there was a problem before the engine power loss. I had to pay the highway tow truck to get me off he highway and then my insurance tow transported my vehicle to Queens. Galaxy Auto completed diagnostic test and informed me the engine is no good, basically the engine seized. I reached out to KIA headquarters via email no response to the situation at hand. On 05/12/2023 received notice from KIA recall for tow hinge on vehicle. KIA did not address the engine failure on the 2016 KIA Sorentia GDI which I just finish paying off. My vehicle is parked up no monetary funds to purchase an engine or to pay for labor cost. Not having a vehicle is causing undue hardship for me and my children. Getting to work and my doctors appointment for chemo treatments is financially difficulty. It is a shame that KIA is allowed to duped consumers and put our lives at risk for profit without any consequences. I would never purchase another KIA vehicle and I warned my friends and family to stay away from KIA brands. Shame on you KIA. Shame on you KIA.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521639May 12, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50-55 MPH, he heard an abnormal popping sound and the vehicle spontaneously caught on fire. The contact was able to pull off the highway. The contact stated that he could see flames under the hood. The contact called 9-1-1 however, by the time the Emergency Services arrived on the scene, the fire was independently extinguished. The contact stated that the fire started in the engine compartment. The engine was previously replaced at 85,000 miles. The check engine warning light was occasionally illuminated and then disappeared on the vehicle. A Police report was filed. The Fire Department also arrived on the scene. There were no reported injuries. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 155,565.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521649May 12, 2023
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the garage, the windshield cracked from the top to the base on the passenger's side. The contact stated that there was no indication of an external cause for the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 900.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521671May 12, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
Paint is flaking off.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521722May 12, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
Vehicle unexpectedly shuts down while driving posing an immediate danger as there was no warning on four different occasions
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521467May 11, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
UNKNOWN: Rapid DELAMINATION of paint (Snow White Pearl). Metal that is not protected, will lead to accelerated and premature rusting. Many Kia owners with Snow White Pearl paint have been encountering the same problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521490May 11, 2023
ENGINE
burning oil and oil light coming on getting oil changed within 3000 miles and it is getting worse
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521330May 10, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Lights will just turn off while driving and and the blinkers will not work. The horn will not work either. It happens all the time it doesn’t matter if it’s day time or night time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521354May 10, 2023
ENGINE
While driving my 2018 Kia Sorento on Interstate 95 at approximately 65 mph, the vehicle suddenly started to knock. The noise got louder and before I could safely pull onto the shoulder, the engine totally failed without any warning lights whatsoever. Large amount of blue smoke came from the exhaust and I lost all power to the vehicle. Engine parts and motor oil were scattered all over the highway from the violent nature of the failure. This also caused vehicles behind me to swerve and brake in order to avoid hitting the metal engine debris. My right rear tire ran over such metal and it immediately went flat. I was able to coast the vehicle onto an exit ramp where I raised the hood to check for fire. The engine continued to leak oil while parked on the off ramp shoulder. I called my insurance company to let them know what had happened and a tow truck responded approximately 1 hour later and the vehicle was placed in an auto storage lot.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521448May 10, 2023
ENGINE
Engine failed with less than 92000 miles on it. Apparently had been running hot but no warnings lights came to indicate rise in engine temperature.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521285May 10, 2023
ENGINE
Like many Kia owners my engine had catastrophic failure. Without warning it overheated. The dealership said it was a cracked engine block. There are hundreds of stories like mine on a Kia owners Facebook page. One family had the engine catch for on the side of the road. This is a known issue for Kia. There needs to be a recall and not just extended warranty band aids.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521293May 10, 2023
VISIBILITY
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the contact heard a loud popping sound. After stopping to inspect the vehicle, it was discovered that the glass sunroof had shattered upward. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted and notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521133May 9, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Pearl white paint is chipping off in large sizes for over 2 years. Just found out this is a common problem with Kia certain years and this exact paint color
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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