Kia Sorento Complaints

10,397 consumer complaints on file.

#11506953February 13, 2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
During a moderate T-bone collision at the driver rear side quarter panel, the back seat of the vehicle almost immediately was in flame, injuring all three occupants, not fatally, fire originated underneath the rear seat near the refueling port, which had the cap in place.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0
#11507049February 13, 2023
ENGINE
Engine suddenly stalled while driving, causing unsafe conditions as we could not maneuver out of traffic safely. Car has approx 70,000 miles on the engine, and has had all regular oil changes on time. When the engine started to shake the oil/engine light flashed and we pulled over as quickly as possible. When I checked, there was zero oil in the car. We had never seen evidence of an oil leak and the previous oil change was approx 3,500 miles ago. I called Kia and they said my car was not covered by their warranty or recall. I had it towed to an independent mechanic who confirmed that the engine was blown and irreparable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11507060February 13, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. Additionally, while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle would hesitate while accelerating with the lights on the instrument panel flickering. The contact also stated that the side mirrors would erroneously move before the vehicle was turned off. The contact stated that while turning the steering wheel in either direction, the steering wheel would forcefully turn in the opposite direction. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and was serviced, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 180,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11507084February 13, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
These vehicles were never equipped with an alarm to notify drivers when parked in any other gear other than 'Park'. If the driver parks vehicle in 'Reverse' and do not set the parking brake, he/she can shut off the engine with no alarms notifying the driver to move shifter to park. An incident occurred with this vehicle in which the driver parked it overnight in a parking garage on level 6. The space appeared level, but is on a very slight incline. The vehicle (miraculously) remained in place overnight. However when the same driver proceeded to use the vehicle the following morning, it wouldn't start (obviously because you cannot start these vehicles unless the shifter is in 'Park' or 'Neutral'). He thought the battery was dead, not thinking to check the position of the shifter. After trying to get the vehicle to start with no success, he left the vehicle to use his personal vehicle. After leaving this vehicle, it rolled out of position and proceeded backwards (halfway down the incline between levels 6 and 5), turned slightly and hit the wall inside the parking garage (causing almost $6,000 of damage to the LR corner of the vehicle). The safety issue lies in the fact that this vehicle could have collided with another parked vehicle (with someone inside it) or another vehicle making the turn from level 5 to proceed to level 6. The vehicle could've also struck a pedestrian inside the parking garage. If the speed was greater, the vehicle could've damaged the section of the parking garage it struck and dislodged fragments of concrete (possibly causing it to fall on people and/or vehicles below).
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11506742February 11, 2023
POWER TRAIN
The transmission has failed there has been a recall involving the transmission on this car. My car has been in the shop for a month because it needs a transmission replacement.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11506640February 10, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
Vehicle was parked at a store in accessory mode while I ran inside to grab drinks on the way to a birthday party. My children were inside and noticed smoking from the hood and got out before the vehicle was consumed by flames. Luckily the engine was not running and we were not driving/accelerating at the time of fire. I had several issues with headlight and taillights blowing, the last time the headlight harness was completely melted and had to be changed out. The fire department speculates the fire started near the battery, which would make sense considering the headlight in question was the one closest to the battery, and accessory mode was on. My 5 year old now believes every car we have will eventually catch fire. Please advise.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11506654February 10, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The low beam headlights on the 2015 Kia Sorento has made it very difficult in viewing the road at night. It is hard to visualize objects within short distance. The socket to install the headlight bulbs point more to the ground instead of outwards. Your assistance in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11506372February 9, 2023
ENGINE
Smelled something burning. Pulled over and noticed smoke coming from under hood. Called the fire department. It was fully engulfed by the time they got there. Pictures of it burning are available. The vehicle is a total loss. Police report taken today 2-9-2023. Insurance company being notified. No warning lamps. No check engine light. No inspections made yet.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11506475February 9, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The paint started peeling from the hood in my field of vision.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11506489February 9, 2023
ENGINE
The oil light started to turn on and I still had 2000 miles to go to my next oil change. When we checked, we had no oil in the pan and had to add our own oil. I went to Kia Willowbrook dealership to file a complaint and get my oil changed. I was told that Kia will not do anything for oil consumption or engine replacement unless the engine seizes or stops working. This is telling me that I need to wait until my family is injured in a car accident when my car fails or my car starts on fire in order for Kia to do anything. I was also told, that I will need to get oil changes more frequently. That is the workaround. When I asked if an oil consumption test can be done, I was told that it will not help. This car is a safety risk to myself, my family and the public on the road if this is the advice I am getting from Kia.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11506203February 8, 2023
ENGINE
My engine needed to be replaced after they said it overheated and was beyond repair.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11506239February 8, 2023
TRAILER HITCHES
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches) several months ago; 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 dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue but could not confirm when parts would become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11506290February 8, 2023
ENGINE
The engine will not turn over. It was leaking oil. We refilled the oil. Then it stopped running. We had to tow it to our home. All maintenance and regular scheduled repairs were kept up to date.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11506335February 8, 2023
ENGINE
I'm still having problems with the engine after replacing it. Have had 1 fender bender, which cost me a lot of money. When it was replaced, I don't believe Kia paid for towing or car rental nor fix the other recall with the brakes. I also get a shock nearly every time I get out of the vehicle. Now facing the problem again after the engine replaced will now be the 3rd time my car needs repair due to engine. HELP!!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11506045February 7, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
Rapid Delamination and paint peeling.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11506053February 7, 2023
ENGINE
I purchased this vehicle used in August of 2021. It has not been a pleasant experience, nothing but problems. Yesterday 2/6/2023 my Mechanic changed the oil and said there is iron shavings in the oil and the motor is shot and needs to be replaced. He said I should check on the recalls as this is known to be problems with this vehicle. I have checked on the NHTSA Site and it says 0 unrepaired recalls, however I would like to dispute this as this is what is wrong with my Sorento according to my Mechanic. He verified that this could definitely cause an engine compartment fire. If you need a list of all the things I have already paid to have fixed let me know and I will gather the list together. There have been warning lights coming on constantly, Yes the vehicle is available for inspection however I am driving it as it is my only car I have. Please let me know my next step. Thank you!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11506142February 7, 2023
ENGINE
We were driving home from a road trip in November 2022 - and the heater was failing, not working. There were no warning lights showing. There was a rattling-type sound when we got nearer to home and since there were still no warning lights coming on, we got the car home. Checked the coolant and oil levels - topped them off (not too low). The next morning, I was going to drive to work - started the car and it sounded rough. Took daughter's car to work. My husband took the car to shop near the house - they said they got air pocket out of coolant line and suspected head gasket was blown. Took it to KIA dealer and they confirmed head was blown and would need a new engine - $12,000. Never had any indication of overheating until just before we took it to the dealer - the temp gauge indicator would be in the middle then would rise to high and go right back down to middle. Did that a couple of times on ride to the dealer. It's now sitting in my garage while I figure out what to do with it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11505789February 6, 2023
SEAT BELTS
We bought a used 2016 Kia Sorrento. Upon driving, we realized that the seat belts were not tightening up on the driver's seat. We took the car into Kia in order to get the seat belt fixed. They told us it was the seat belt tentioner was bad and that the repair would not be covered under any kind of warranty. I called Kia directly to ask them to override what the dealer was telling me and cover the seat belt since it was a safety issue and the car was under 10 years old. They denied my claim.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11505809February 6, 2023
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
The front half of the panoramic sunroof “exploded” while driving on freeway. Partly cloudy cool day nothing to cause a big circle of glass to blow up. We had the inner lining closed at the time so the shattered glass did not hit us. No warning whatsoever. Did call ins. co. but did not file a report as nobody injured and unknown cause.I do have 2 pictures of it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11505858February 6, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Made a right turn wasn't going over 20mph wheel locked system went dead hit a parked car and my car flipped don't know why
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0

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