Kia Sorento Complaints

10,397 consumer complaints on file.

#11518024April 20, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that there was an abnormal knocking sound from the engine while the vehicle was idling and upon depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil, resulting in engine damage. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under recall or warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518041April 20, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Headlights shout off at night while vehicle is in motion. I have reported this issue to the manufacturer/dealership and was advised that vehicle needed to be brought in when issue is happening. Dealership is closed at night when issue occurs. No warning messages when lights shut off and first occurred 8/2021.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518062April 20, 2023
ENGINE
A broken connecting rod punctured the engine block which resulted in engine oil escaping. The leaking oil caught fire while it was being driven down a highway. My son was driving at the time. He could have been killed had he not noticed the fire and stopped the vehicle. There were no warning lamps\lights on until after the fire occurred. Because Kia stated that the engine in my car was not part of the previous recall, and my insurance company did not consider it a total loss, I chose to put ~$10,000 into the car to have a used engine installed. (A used engine that most likely has the same safety issue) See this article about other Kia owners being told that this issue not covered under the previous recall since it didn't cover their year\make. I fall into this category as well. Kia has refused to acknowledge there being a problem and provided NO assistance with getting me car repaired. My vehicle is still not drivable, due to other electrical issues most likely caused by the fire: https://www.wsmv.com/2023/04/12/despite-not-being-subject-recall-second-kia-catches-fire-while-driver-is-behind-wheel/ Kia Case Number:[XXX] Kia has stated that they feel there is no issue with the engine in my vehicle and that it is safe to drive. This is most likely not true and I feel they are engaged in gross negligence by not taking this issue more seriously. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518127April 20, 2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
4/5/2023 954PM-Neville Island bridge, Pittsburgh, PA While traveling on the interstate, the vehicle caught fire with no warning. We were heading out on vacation, so we had lots of things packed in the car. The fire started in the rear of the vehicle, and was extinguished by a passer by with a fire extinguisher, but re-ignited. it burned VERY fast. Unknown at this time what caused the fire. It is currently in the hands of my car insurance company, so it may be available for inspection. There were NO indications of a problem prior to large flames erupting form the read of the vehicle. In the car was myself, my two adult daughters and 6 year old grandson. He was seated in the 3rd row seat. One daughter in the second row, and myself and daughter up front. Once we realized we were on fire, we attempted to get the back doors open, but child locks were engaged. The key fob would NOT work, and my daughter and grandson were trapped in the burning car. we attempted to break the windows to get them out, but that was not successful. My daughter climbed back in the burning car and somehow got a back door open and they were able to get out and run. Within a few seconds, the windows blew and the flames shot even higher. We will NEVER EVER use child locks again. The problem had not been confirmed or reproduced to my knowledge. I believe my insurance company may be looking into it. I had to have a fuel system regulator and sensor replaced on this vehicle approx 1 month before this event. I had an oil change the day before. Police and fire department were present at the scene. There were NO warnings, lights, messages etc prior to eruption of flames. I have lots of photos, but have not been able to upload them to this site.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518163April 20, 2023
ENGINE
Engine had adequate oil 2 days prior to complete engine failure. Vehicle is available for inspection. In terms of safety, the driver was suddenly stranded on the highway. While driving we experienced loud noises from the engine. Upon inspection, the dip stick showed no oil. We added required oil before starting the engine but soon after starting and driving the engine seized. There were no apparent leaks and no warning lamps. The mechanic confirmed seized engine due to the lack of oil.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11517791April 19, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph a knocking noise was present coming from the engine and the vehicle began to violently shake and vibrate causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash into a ditch. During the crash both the driver and passenger side and curtain air bags deployed. The driver sustained a concussion that required medical attention. A police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 153,000. The contact stated that the vehicle's engine seized up due to leftover metal particles in the engine cylinders. The contact has since sold the vehicle.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11517818April 19, 2023
ENGINE
This 2017 Kia Sorento burns oil so excessively that it has stalled at times creating unsafe driving conditions. More so, it seems that Kia is aware of this issue but not moving to fix it. The date is for the most recent stalling.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11517824April 19, 2023
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
traveling back from Panama City Beach, on 10/14/2022 Florida with a destination of [XXX]. At approximately 2:15pm, I had to pull off on the median of interstate 65 North bound at mile marker 123 in Greenville, Alabama due to mechanical failure of my 2015 Kia Sorento. The vehicle was smoking/caught fire and had become inoperable. I had my kids get out A.S.A.P. A good citizen called for help. Two Law enforcement cars and a fire engine arrived. Due to the trauma it caused on my kids a police officer provided transportation for us to the Quality Inn Hotel in Greenville, Alabama. Later that evening we ordered a pizza from Papa John’s for something to eat (receipt information included along with bank transaction page). We attempted to leave Greenville, Alabama and return home in a rental car while repairs were done to the Kia. We were informed by Enterprise rental in Greenville, Alabama that they were closed over the weekend and would not have anything available until Monday, October 17th, 2022. Unfortunately Enterprise Rental was the only rental car business in Greenville, Alabama and we would be stuck at the Quality Inn until Monday, October 17th, 2022. It was at that point that Amy my father drove down from Ringgold, GA to pick my kids up and take them home while I waited for repairs to be done to the Kia or to get a rental car, whichever would come first. On Monday, October the 17th, I was informed that repairs to the 2015 Kia Sorento would be prolonged. I then obtained a rental car from Enterprise Rental in Greenville, Alabama , and I continued onto to my original destination towards Ringgold, GA. I arrived at our intended destination late on the night of October 17th, 2022. During our trip home, we were advised that the 2015 Kia Sorento would be towed to Brewbaker Kia at 222 Eastern Blvd, Montgomery, AL 36117. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11517841April 19, 2023
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
Engine overheated with no warning, Heater failed, Coolant wouldn't go through the system, replaced the T-stat, and it still continued to overheat with no warning or indication. I was driving with my 2.5year old in the middle of a busy street during the evening. Took it to a repair shop and was told they found coolant in the combustion chamber, and failed head gasket. They had to R7R both cylinder heads, replace the head gaskets, head bolts, t-stat, crank seal, oil pan gasket, timing cover gaskets and seals, Fuel injector - o - rings, fuel seals, fuel pump. They had to rethread and repair the bolts because they stripped. This was all fixed after i had to pay, $7,000. There was no warning lamps messages except for the 1 time overheating.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11517910April 19, 2023
POWER TRAIN
Engine Failure - 3.3L Head Bolts Backed Out of Block Emissions Seeping In to Cooling System (coolant blowing out of reservoir tank) Dealer Verified Issue and Know this to Be an Issue (with various 3.3L cars) Overheating Claimed to Be the Cause - Car Maintenance By Dealer Only on Routine Basis Vehicle Driven Around Town - Not Pushed Beyond Local Driving Internet Search Shows Others with Same Problem Reports from Mechanics of Blocks with Poor Castings and Material/Quality Issues 119,000K miles with no prior mechanical issues Dangerous Issue Repair Estimate $10000 - Unethical, Unsafe, Predadatory for those who Still paying off vehicles
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11517870April 19, 2023
TRAILER HITCHES
The contact owns a 2022 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 he contacted the dealer who stated that the part to do the recall repair 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 and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11517550April 18, 2023
ENGINE
I was driving the car when I suddenly smelled coolant. No warning lights came on and the temperature gauge was in the normal range when I first smelled coolant. Then, steam began to come through my vents. This is when the temperature gauge began to rise. I drove the car to get it to a safe place before shutting it off. I had it towed to a service center to get the problems diagnosed. The service center told me the engine and cooling system would need to be replaced. I can provide the diagnostic assessment. This could have been extremely dangerous if the problem occurred on the highway, as I fear the engine could have caught fire. I was blessed that this happened on a city street. There was a very sudden loss of coolant, and the inspection revealed metal shavings in the oil. I have had this vehicle regularly maintained and checked the oil myself to keep it at the proper level. None of my prior service visits noted any presence of metal in the oil.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11517559April 18, 2023
ENGINE
In 2020 Kia replaced the engine on our 2016 Sorento. The new engine is doing the same thing with regards to oil consumption and causing us to repeatedly have to put oil in the vehicle at almost every fuel stop. There are no obvious oil leaks observed by us or Kia, we are also experiencing error code 0420 on the vehicle as often as 2-3 times a week. The dealership states that the engine replaced in 2020 only had a 1 year, 12000 mile warranty on it and it is no longer covered. The check engine light was unable to be diagnosed by the dealership despite being illuminated when taken to the dealer. We believe the engine oil leak and 0420 code are related as there are no other codes being shown on the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11517701April 18, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My 2016 Kia Sorento was parked in my garage. When I went out in the morning to start the car, I turned on the ignition and the red warning light indicating a power steering failure went on and the power steering wasn't functioning. It was much harder to turn the wheel in either direction than it had been previously. I backed out of my driveway and with some difficulty drove another 2-3 blocks. At that point the power steering started functioning again and I was able to continue driving it to a nearby automotive repair place. When I dropped the Kia off they suggested that I leave it there overnight to give them as much time as possible to see if they could replicate the problem I just had. The problem didn't repeat while the car was in the shop, but I was told the power steering could go out again at any time. This is a major safety concern since I don't know if I'd be able to maintain control of the vehicle if this happened unexpectedly - particularly if I was traveling at a high rate of speed. Since then I've read reports of similar incidents with other 2016 Kia Sorentos. I've also learned that Kia has extended the warranty for the steering mechanism on my vehicle to 150,000 miles, but that is of no help if the problem doesn't present itself when it's in for repair at the dealership because if it doesn't service will be denied. To the best of my knowledge there is currently no recall for this issue. I've tried contacting the Kia Consumer Assistance Center about this, but finally gave up after being put on hold for over an hour. My vehicle is available for inspection at any time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11517728April 18, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My Kia caught fire when it was parked in my driveway not running.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11517733April 18, 2023
ENGINE
My car is using more oil then it should and I’m getting bad gas mileage. I have no leak you can’t smell anything and it doesn’t run hot! But we have to add a least 2 quarts a week.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11517749April 18, 2023
ENGINE
Rod bearings failed while driving down busy road had to immediately pull over. Car was just recently serviced. Even after engine failed the check engine light never came on which is highly unsafe!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11517750April 18, 2023
ENGINE
While driving on i95 the car suddenly stopped without warning. After getting the car towed twice, to find out the engine seized up after a mechanic took a look at it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11517356April 17, 2023
AIR BAGS
After a routine oil change my air bag sensor light illuminated after turning the car on. Tried the reset, still on. I took it to a mechanic who told me this is a common problem with KIA Sorentos. He also said that it is likely some sensor or the airbag itself and it being on it is very unsafe to drive because it won’t deploy if there is an accident. There has never been a collision or any other reason for this to occur other than faulty manufacturing. After researching I’ve found many posts of other Sorento owners with the same issue. All of them being required to pay a heavy amount for a fix that should be a safety recall. We all have paid a large amount for a “safe” vehicle. Common sense would say that it is KIA’s responsibility to fix the issue, regardless of warranty. It isn’t a wear and tear, its lives and financial burden. I cannot afford to have it fixed, but it is my only vehicle. What am I supposed to do? Please, get this recalled.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11517427April 17, 2023
ENGINE
The engine was built with a known defect. The bolts securing the head to block were all fine thread bolts. Fine thread bolts will strip out under torque and compression. The antifreeze will flood the compartment.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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