Kia Sorento Complaints

10,397 consumer complaints on file.

#11519128April 26, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2009 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while her daughter was driving approximately 15 MPH, she activated the windshield wipers and the radio, and the vehicle started to stall. The contact stated that her daughter saw the TPMS, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact's daughter drove the vehicle back to the residence. The contact’s husband attempted to duplicate the failure by letting the vehicle idle and then shifted to reverse (R), and the instrument cluster gauges started to function erratically. The contact shifted the vehicle to drive(D) and depressed the accelerator pedal however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated he shifted to park(P) and turned off the vehicle; when the vehicle was restarted, all vehicle functionality had returned. The contact stated that the failure had occurred a year prior. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that an electrical relay needed to be replaced. The contact stated that a similar electrical relay had been previously replaced; however, the battery drained due to the defective relay. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V088000 (Electrical System, Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518840April 25, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was later restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software was not installed. The contact stated that she had not received notification for the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). The failure mileage was 100,575.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518870April 25, 2023
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, STEERING
I was backing up a residential driveway. My backup camera showed my wheels were in line. My steering wheel turned and my car had a sudden unintended acceleration. My car destroyed a double steel garage door. Pushed a parked vehicle forward approximately 10-12”. The vehicle crushed a riding lawn mower, pushing the mower through a sheet rock wall. If anyone had been in this area of the garage, they could have possibly suffered serious injury or even fatality. I am trying to arrange to have my vehicle taken to local Kia dealership for diagnostic testing. At this time, the vehicle has not been inspected. There were no warning signs that appeared and I did not hear my backup camera alert.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518917April 25, 2023
FIRERELATED
The contact owned a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked after driving and the vehicle caught on fire. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that smoke was observed emanating from the left taillight, a loud 'boom' noise was heard, and the entire vehicle was engulfed in flames. The fire department extinguished the fire. The contact was not sure if the fire department report was available. The contact sustained a right shoulder and right knee injury. The contact did not receive medical attention. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11518986April 25, 2023
SEAT BELTS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, SERVICE BRAKES
Item- Down hill accent light came on, traction control light came on, Not sure if caused by brake stop lamp switch defective. Item- bugler alarm will not shut off. resetting the alarm failed three different ways. The battery cable was removed to reset alarm, the fuse was removed, and procedure using the key fob to reset alarm also failed to deactivate system. This happened same time as above. Vehicle is non-moveable at present because of the anti-theft system cannot be shut off. Item-driver side seat belt buckle will not latch or must be repeatably latched to be engaged. This vehicle is equipped with Kia remote start accessory. See this NHTSA SC098
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518946April 25, 2023
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle independently decelerated with the transmission error warning light illuminated. The contact was able to push the vehicle to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 12,000. The VIN was not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518628April 24, 2023
TRAILER HITCHES
KIA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO TRAILER HITCH SAFETY RECALL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518692April 24, 2023
STEERING
Steering column resistance measure at 5.3 NM indication an internal issue of the column which needed to be replaced. Power Steering sticking and stiff while driving causing clear and present danger to driver passengers and possibly other property. Kia Dealer was apologetic that this was not covered by warranty or recall. However there were other reports of this issue in the KIA System.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518707April 24, 2023
TRAILER HITCHES
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518713April 24, 2023
ENGINE
This 2016 Kia Sorento is burning a LOT of oil. Every month we are adding 4 quarts of oil. The oil light is not coming on to indicate that the oil is low. Because of the oil burning, it's causing things to get dirty and clogged. We've had to replace plugs and coils twice already and we are experiencing the same problem again now. The car is having (and previously had) trouble accelerating and runs rough (happened in both prior incidents as well). The problem accelerating can be put us in danger, potentially other vehicles hitting us, in heavy traffic situations, when making turns etc.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518748April 24, 2023
ENGINE
Car is overheating, mechanic stated head gasket bolts are stripped and it's a defect in these Kia Sorento 3.3L V6 engines. I am the 2nd owner even though it was purchased in the same year it became available (2016). On November 14th, 2023 it will be 7 years old, with 110,000 miles. It's regularly serviced with no issues until the overheating which started on April 22, 2023. My portfolio warranty ended on 100,000 miles. There are hundreds of complaints on various websites with this exact issue. Please help me as I'm a disabled retiree on a fixed income pension and cannot afford 7,000.00 to replace the engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518795April 24, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
One month after purchasing(11-29-15) used car from Kia dealer, the paint started peeling on front panel above the windshield. It was repaired(12-28-15) by the dealer. It was brought to their attention when other areas started peeling shortly after but they didn’t care and didn’t say anything was wrong. Now there are four areas that are peeling on my car. It has been parked in garage since purchased. The auto body place said that it looks like it was not painted correctly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518794April 24, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While traveling on the highway about 70m/hr. the glass sunroof exploded while operation the vehicle. The glass explored/shattered in upwards direction. There was not trucks or overpass around for any object to fall from or strike the vehicle/sunroof. The explosion was comparable to shotguns or "like a bomb". My first thought was that tire blown but I didn't loose steering. After the assurance, I pull over immediately to the side of the route in safe place to inspect the vehicle. After the inspection of the vehicle, I noticed that sunroof glass shattered in pieces. Thanks god the curtained was closed at the time of the incident. This is something I never experienced in my life. Based on the information available on the website, this is not the first time happened and there is complains already filed. It is defiantly dangers and may result in crash, face injury and possible death caused by collision. Kia Dealership has been informed and appointment has been scheduled. Kia motors did not made decision on repair yet to classify as manufacturing defect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518762April 24, 2023
VISIBILITY/WIPER, VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
While driving a vehicle on the highway, the sunroof exploded violently. The large, moving piece of the panoramic sunroof appears to have broken outwards. Large pieces of glass and smaller pieces landed in the front and middle of the cabin, including on the driver. Small chunks of glass landed on and cut the driver of the vehicle. A loud sound occurred. This was very startling, the glass was very dangerous, and we were lucky that no one was in the middle seats where the glass primarily fell. This occurred in a temperate (high 60s or low 70s F) climate and with no prior damage to the glass. No sign of an impact from anything on the glass. The sunroof cover was pulled back while the glass was in the closed position. The vehicle is at the dealer and we are reaching out to the manufacturer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11518533April 23, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
Screen turned off and then lights on dash started flashing. ABS, power steering, blind spot warning, tire monitoring failed. Battery light was flashing. Parking break light came on. Loss of power. Now it will not turn on
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518250April 21, 2023
TRAILER HITCHES
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was 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 stated that the rear taillights failed to operate as designed. The failure mileage was 117,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518331April 21, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and overheated. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the head bolts had a gap between the head gasket and the engine block. The mechanic recommended an engine replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under recall or warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518358April 21, 2023
ENGINE
Was driving my kia sorrento and check engine light came car was acting as if it wasn't getting any gas took to autozone came bk with 2 codes and pulled out and my car basically powered down in the middle of the street a car almost ran into me...the police had to push my car down a waze so no one would hit me , my car won't start..battery was at good percentage...took it to the shop replaced starter and still nothing won't start..they figured out testing that engine was done for
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518194April 21, 2023
STEERING
Loud clunkiness when steering the wheel at 0 mph started occurring at about ~ 75,000 miles. The steering wheel then vibrates when driving atop the slightest uneven pavement, with more clunckiness coming from the front side of the car and a metal on metal rattle. The vehicle was taken to the authorized Kia service where they determined that there was a faulty steering wheel column, but that the vehicle "WAS STILL SAFE TO DRIVE." Repairs are $3,000 on something they acknowledge is potentially a small faulty part in the wheel column - plastic coupler in the EPAS (extended warranty had been issued for other Hyundai/Kia models with the same issue.) Kia refused to repair at no cost on either bases of safety or quality issues, even though there is no scheduled maintenance repair on this part of the car; i.e., the steering system should last for as long as the car remains in ownership and all scheduled maintenance is completed. The car cannot be taken to a non-Kia shop as I was told a transponder in the steering wheel that connects to the ignition key is a repair that cannot be completed unless in a Kia facility. Net, I'm driving a car with steering problems yet being told "IT IS SAFE" (?) which makes me really concerned, and I have no resolution other than spending $3,000 for a potential plastic part replacement worth $20 + labor. There is a history of issues with this vehicle, including major repairs and replacements under warranty, all documented in Kia authorized shops.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518302April 21, 2023
POWER TRAIN
When accelerating onto a highway from a stop the vehicle hesitated to the point that a collision with cross traffic was imminent. This has happened 5-6 times in the year we have owned the vehicle. It is not predictable and mechanics have not been able to duplicate the problem. This happened a week ago and we were able to see the Electronic Stability Control indicator light flash on and off as the hesitation occurred. We have had the KIA dealership in Joplin, MO try to troubleshoot the problem but to no avail. The dealership has installed other transmission-related updates but none have fixed this problem. We are unable to report this on the KIA website due to glitches on the site such as "invalid VIN" or "session has timed out". The Sorento "Features and Functions Guide", page 44, comments that "aggressive acceleration maneuvers" may cause a "slight time lag" due to clutch overheating in cars with Dual Clutch Transmission. The incidents we have experienced have been associated with what we would consider to be normal acceleration needs.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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