Kia Sorento Complaints

654 consumer complaints on file.

#11664705June 3, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
On two separate occasions, my 2024 Kia Sorento has activated its automatic emergency braking system, as if anticipating a potential forward collision on an empty Florida highway. The dashboard lights illuminate precisely before the forward collision warning and emergency braking lights activate and commence engaging. Since then, I have noticed a loose sensation in the steering wheel and a diminished braking response. Also screen on dash will randomly shut down and will not allow me to check my vehicle systems or to Kia connect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11662150May 20, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
My electrical system failed. While on park I was unable to shut of the vehicle using the engine start stop button. After waiting for the vehicle to automatically turn off. The vehicle started trying to restart itself. The negative battery post had to be removed for the vehicle to stop. The entire safety system failed and all warning lights are still displayed on the dash. The backup camera and radio display went completely blank and was unavailable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11661904May 19, 2025
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 50 MPH, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the contact's husband coasted the vehicle off to the shoulder of the highway. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure persisted. The contact called the dealer and made an appointment to have the vehicle serviced. The contact drove the vehicle without failure. The dealer performed a diagnostic test, but no fault was found with vehicle. The contact was instructed to pick up the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the dealer. The failure mileage was 213.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11660981May 14, 2025
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the engine revved without the vehicle responding as needed. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned off, and restarted the vehicle, and was able to drive the vehicle to the local dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that a cylinder was clogged, and the engine needed to be serviced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that later while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated that the "Service Transmission" warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle back to the same dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact drove the vehicle back to the residence, restarted the vehicle, and shifted into reverse(R), and the contact heard an abnormal grinding sound with the "Transmission System Error" message displayed. The contact had the vehicle towed to the same dealer; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V760000 (Power Train); however, the VIN vehicle was not included. The failure mileage was 56,941.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11659855May 8, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Driver Attn Warning randomly goes off frequently for no reason, this malfunction involves the front camera causing this frequent warning for no reason. This faulty issue gives the driver the sense that it should be ignored as it goes off for no reason, this makes this safety system null and void. It is equivalent to the blind spot warning going off so that the driver ignores it over time leading to them pulling in front of a car in there blind spot. The dealer and manufacturer know about this issue but refuse to do anything to fix it, the dealer says it's in the software of the car and they can't change it and Kia refers me back to the dealer, it's a frustrating run around for the customer. No it has not been inspected by insurance or police. The driver attention warning feature with a coffee cup began flashing a warning as soon as we pulled it off the lot
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11659676May 8, 2025
POWER TRAIN
I had purchased my vehicle in January of 2024. At the time the car drove great. Fast forward a few months later and that’s when the issues started happening. I would go to accelerate the vehicle and it’s like the car didn’t want to go anywhere. I would have the pedal down to the floor and it wasn’t moving. At first when it happened it was sporadicly, and I thought ok it’s a new car maybe that’s just how it drives. But then when I was pressing the gas pedal the engine would revv up but then continue to rev even when the car was moving, like it wasn’t catching the gear. So I had enough of just thinking it’s the car and I had my own mechanic look at it and he mentioned CVT transmission slipping. So being still under warranty I took it into Kia this past December and explained the loss of acceleration, it eating gas, and how I truly do not feel safe. Well of course I was told there is nothing wrong with it, and that it learned my driving habits and that I possible keep hitting the shifter in manual. I had videos of the rpms revving up and the car not moving, and they didn’t want to see my videos. I was just a few thousands miles from my 60,000 mile second owner warranty and not sure if that’s why I was told there was nothing wrong with is. This vehicle is truly a hazard as it does not move on acceleration on the highway and feel like I will get into an accident because of it one day. Kia really needs to address the issue before something really bad happens to someone. I apologize but it will not allow me to upload videos of the issues before and after going to Kia and how there is still an issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11659390May 6, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The passengers window will not roll down the sound of clicking you can hear though when switch pushed this is a VERY common ongoing issue via KIA SORENTO COMMUNITY THREAD THAT GOES BACK OVER 7 years it’s never addressed or serious it seems for the services dept of several member’s experience to find the cause leading to ongoing hassle and inconvenience for those with one dealer hours away and the vehicle as NEW BRAND NEW ONLY 3k miles as mine! It’s a safety issue to say the least children on board
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11658741May 4, 2025
ENGINE
Loss of power while driving. Oil level severely low, almost two quarts of oil. No oil leakage under vehicle or in engine compartment. All scheduled maintenance was performed. Once brought to the dealership to diagnose, I was stated nothing was wrong and it was over on oil. No reason to be low on oil or recognize the loss of power.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11658662May 3, 2025
POWER TRAIN
I started the car and it started having a hard time shifting around 13 and 30 miles an hour. And had a lack of power. No lights were on. Took it home and shut it off. The next day started the car and it told me to put it in park and the check engine light came on. I had no acceleration when in drive. Checked for powertrain recalls for my 2021 Kia sorento sx awd and 0 recalls came up for my vin #. It’s definitely a transmission powertrain issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656544April 24, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Upon normal driving the vehicle suddenly lost power and would only go around 20 to 30 mph. This has happened twice in the past week. Very slow acceleration from a stop and had to actually pull off the road into a parking lot to let traffic pass. Took it to dealer and they said there were no active codes or anything visually presenting and they could do nothing to remedy the problem. My wife uses this vehicle in her work sometimes and has to drive sometimes 30 to 40 miles on her job and if this happened suddenly on an interstate it could be catastrophic. I'm afraid to let her drive it. No check engine or other warning lights come on. The vehicle has 58xxx miles and I hope I'm not being given the run around till the warranty expires. I notice there was a recall on this type of vehicle for this exact thing happening on 2022 models manufactured before August 2022 which ours was, taking delivery on 1/31/2022. It has the 2.5L turbo GDI engine as in the recall but is AWD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656233April 23, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
Was turning right onto the road when the steering locked up and every safety warning light came on. My car literally stopped moving in the middle of the road. I wasn't literally right down the road from my house so thankfully I was able to get the car back to my house. The steering felt worse than not having power steering. I called and the dealership Matt Blac KIA of Toms River, and they had my car towed to the dealership around 10 am on April 4th. Around 4pm I was told they still had no idea what was wrong with my car, and to come pick up a loaner car. On April 5th at 4:42 pm I received a text stating the wiring harness wasn't secured properly and rubbed the steering shaft, and they had to contact Kia to see how to proceed. April 11th was told the part arrived and hopefully sometime next week I would get my vehicle. As of right now I still don't have my vehicle and have no idea of when I will get it back. My main concern is that this was a serious oversight on the assembly of this car, and could have had very different results if I was not in my neighborhood and was on a busier road.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11655357April 18, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Front headlights are fogging up and blocking headlights. Dealership has looked at the issue and waiting for KIA to approve the replacement. No action yet, but if this is happening to my SUV, I'm sure others are having the same issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654744April 15, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
All safety features disabled, srs light turns on, vehicle shuts off when driving, guage cluster is inop doesn’t show speed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654270April 12, 2025
POWER TRAIN
I bought the car at 28k miles certified pre owned at jake sweeney kia in Florence ky. I had taken the car to the service station multiple times complaining of a clunky transmission. Things got worse and a whine from the engine bay occurred. At this time kia replaced the transmission at just under 42k miles. After having the new transmission about 500 miles later this issue is occurring again. Within 50 miles of replacement I went back to the dealership complaining of the the same clunking issue. At this time the dealership told me they could not replicate the problem. Now just a few hundred miles later the problem is extremely worse. I once again visit kia were they tell me again they could not replicate the issues. At this time I asked the service advisor Donavon to ride with me and I will point out the issue. Within a mile of our trip the problems occurred and the advisor noted the issue. I now am driving the car and waiting for a loaner from the dealership so they can yet again diagnose the issue which may result in another transmission replacement
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11652948April 5, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Vehicles instrument cluster goes black at times ( speedometer, tach and all exterior lights and turn signals are inoperative during this time) I took it to the dealership and they said they couldn’t duplicate the problem
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11652327April 2, 2025
TIRES
I went for my regular wheel alignment last week and was told my tires need to be replaced - the tread was down to 3/32. I only have 30000 miles on the vehicle. I called Continental and was told the tires are considered a "performance" tire and therefore have no tread warranty. I bought a new set o Michelin Defender tires today. When I look on line, Tire Rack for example says the tires should be good for 65000 miles. I did not expect to have to buy new tires this soon. I am a retired safety engineer civil servant that worked for the Army Tank Automotive Command and also NASA and was involved in several tire recalls in the 1980s for Firestone so I have some knowledge about tires. I rotate the tires every 5-7k and get a wheel alignment at the same time. I do not abuse my tires. I feel that Continental came up with a term so they do not have to stand behind their product. I will never buy their tires. This set came OEM with my new Sorento
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11652040April 1, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The AC condenser has failed. Kia said the condenser is damaged in the far corner of the condenser where it meets the rubber. They said the warranty would not cover the repair but could not explain the damage. I have reviewed a webpage where many Kia Sorento owners had this issue. The techs all said the same thing: the rock-damaged condenser and warranty won't cover the cost of almost 1500 dollars. Now, they are stating a rock didn't damage it, but there is unexplainable damage, and they won't cover any costs. The vehicle is a 2022 with 29,000 miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651657March 31, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY/WIPER
The panoramic sun roof opens but will not close. it takes 6-12 attempts to get it to close, it will move to where its an inch away from closing then reopen. Kia has recalls for this make and year but says my car is not affected. attempting to get it to close is very distracting and frustrating taking focus away from driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651656March 31, 2025
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
The stop go feature is not working correctly, when it does cut off at a light after releasing the brake to move forward it takes 3-5 seconds to start. when the cars behind me see that i release the brake they assume im going to move which doesnt happen at first. some occasions the stop n go just doesnt work at all.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11650575March 25, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that upon purchasing the vehicle brand new from the dealer and driving the vehicle to the residence, the contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V006000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting) after conducting a VIN search the same day. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The mileage on the vehicle was 10. The actual mileage was 530.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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