Kia Sorento Complaints
10,397 consumer complaints on file.
- #11504412January 30, 2023UNKNOWN OR OTHER, STRUCTURE
2016 KIA SORENTO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO PAINT PEELING ON VEHICLE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11504462January 30, 2023ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she smelled a fuel odor throughout the vehicle. The check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine failed to turn over immediately. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone and diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine oil level was low. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that a high-pressure fuel line needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11504467January 30, 2023STRUCTURE:BODY
2015 Kia Sorento with Snow White Pearl Paint is just peeling off of car in various areas. This is a manufacturer defect and should be repainted by Kia or reimbursed for a repaint. Several other complaints regarding this same paint color. I have filed a couple complaints to Kia who states that its out of warranty. The warranty should be extended as this is a defect. Your paint should not just peel off while you are driving down the road.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11504567January 30, 2023POWER TRAIN
While driving down the road, I heard a loud bang and then the car felt like the wheels were falling off as I was driving. The car's handling was very poor and there was very loud clunking while driving straight or turning. The car was only drivable at very slow speeds due to the sound and poor handling. I have had no other previous issues with the car. I had the car taken to a KIA dealership for evaluation. The dealership told me that the differential had broken in half. The dealership quoted me ~$4500 for the repairs and it was not covered under warranty. I have since bought a new car and the KIA has not been repaired and is available for inspection.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11504300January 29, 2023FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
I have only had the Kia Sorento for a few months and bought it brand new. While driving normally, one of the collision warning indicators came on while switching lanes and then nearly every alarm in the car cycled continuously. These audible and visual alarms were highly distracting to drive with and it is surprising the software allows this to happen and that there’s no sensor override or silencer button. Even when the car is turned off and back on again the alarms continue. I took the car into the dealer and it sat there for two weeks waiting for Kias central maintenance group to give them some guidance on what to do. They suspected a short somewhere and checked the main controller wires and one of the pins was a bit loose. After adjusting the pin they drove the car a few times and returned the car to me after it had been there for 3 weeks total. Within two days of driving it the same alarms came back. I will be taking back to the dealer again, hopefully this problem is only on my vehicle, but these smart cars should really have a way for drivers to easily disable all the sensor based features in case this happens so at least the car can still be driven to get maintenance without increased risk of an accident. If I had been on a long road trip or in a rural area it could’ve been hours on the road driving with alarms blaring constantly and highly distracting.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11504224January 28, 2023STEERING, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was driving at approximately 35mph when my vehicle loss power and the steering wheel locked and gas pedal did not work almost causing me to be rear ended. I put my hazard lights on and started my vehicle back up and tried to continue driving but my vehicle delayed in acceleration and has now continued to delay ever since that incident. I have parked my vehicle and have not moved it due to the danger.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11503982January 27, 2023ENGINE
The Engine failed due to bolts backing out of the engine and causing a leak into the exhaust system.This causes the head gasket to leak. This comes without warning of any kind. Kia is aware of this problem. There were not any warning lights on. It was diagnosed at an independent service center.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11504065January 27, 2023SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, 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 dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11503990January 27, 2023POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was jerking and was losing motive power while at a stop light. The vehicle was able to restart, and no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where an unknown software update was completed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that the failure recurred and the gauges on the instrument panel were failing to display and that the auto START/STOP function and the downhill brake control were activating and deactivating independently while driving on flat surfaces. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the failure could not be duplicated. The contact then stated that when she was shifting the gear into drive(D) the vehicle started reversing, and while shifting into park(P), the vehicle moved forward. Additionally, the contact stated two unknown warning lights had illuminated intermittently and that while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the Forward Collision Avoidance Emergency Automatic Braking activated independently and caused the vehicle to swerve. The vehicle was then taken to Kia of Valencia (24095 Creekside Rd, Santa Clarita, CA 91355) where it was diagnosed that the Lo-Jack system needed to be removed; however, after the removal the contact stated that the failure recurred. The contact was awaiting another service appointment for additional diagnostic test and repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 13,882.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11503971January 27, 2023POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
Dear. NHTSA Good morning, Yesterday I filed a complaint regarding 2022 Kia Sorento Car Problems regarding recall issues. This morning, I received a response from NHTSA saying that NHTSA cannot help with this matter. My complaint is about serious car issues which concernts 2 recall issues. Kia America took my car for repair on 12/20/22 and today is 01/27/23 Until today, Kia American is not responding about my car. Kindly re-review my complaint and help advise. My case information is as below. Request #[XXX] Re: Kia Customer Care Case#[XXX] Thank you for your help. Best regards, [XXX] 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
- #11503780January 26, 2023STEERING
While driving at highway speeds, steering is notchy and sticky. Steering is hard to control and it is difficult to drive straight. Overcorrection is a result and the car is unsafe to drive. The dealership drove the car and felt the same steering issue. They updated the software, but that didn't help. In fact, the sticky, notchy steering seems worse. The steering problem has been ongoing for about 5 years, and there has never been any warnings or messages from the car's electronics.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11503785January 26, 2023ENGINE
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving and attempting to make a turn, the vehicle temporarily lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the cause of the failure could not be determined since there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH uphill with her daughter in a car seat in the rear seats, the vehicle lost motive power, stalled, and failed to restart. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to push the vehicle to the front of his residence with the assistance of her husband. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000. The contact stated that other 2014 Kia Sorento vehicles are included in the recall for faulty engines but for some reason their vehicle does not apply.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11503829January 26, 2023ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle overheated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the thermostat was replaced twice; however, the failure recurred. The contact related the failure to TSB: SC147. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by a dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11503750January 26, 2023ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle. The contact continued to drive but the vehicle stalled again. The contact detected an abnormal sound coming from the engine. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the camshaft and rod bearings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V586000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was contacted and referred her to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11503798January 26, 2023ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Dear. NHTSA I owned a 2022 Kia Sorento and my vehicle had serious issues. I have attached Complaint Letter as a PDF file. Kindly review and advise your help. Thank you so much. Best regards, [XXX] [XXX] 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
- #11503593January 25, 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Constant issue with the 3 doors staying locked. Must manually push on the plastic mechanism to unlock the door from the inside. Using the inside door knob will not unlock the doors which is a major safety hazard. I have taken it to the dealer 3 times and they can not duplicate the issue. It started out happening intermittingly, but now it is constant. The only door that works is the driver side. I took it to a local repair shop and he said it "could" be every door needs a new actuator. Very expensive repair. This should be a recall item ASAP. Low quality product failure. There are no warning lights.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11503691January 25, 2023VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
I purchased my Kia Sorrento several months ago and the windshield has chipped or cracked at least four times in that period when traveling at high speeds on the freeway. I contacted the Kia Dealership and Kia Customer Service and they have not responded to my request for assistance.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11503324January 24, 2023TRAILER HITCHES
2017 KIA SORENTO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 22V-703. THE CONSUMER REQUESTING TO KNOW WHEN WILL KIA PROVIDE A REMEDY FOR THE RECALL ISSUE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11503471January 24, 2023STEERING
This is a continuing problem. The steering “Notches” when driving down straight and curves as well. I’ve had the vehicle into dealerships 4 times since 2019. The vehicles warning never came on. ECU’s been updated with the revisions of group CHA, Number 084., and the problem goes away for awhile, however, it’s back again in January 2023. There was extension for the MDPS issued on January 7, 2022 to 15yrs/150,000 miles, but it says the the warning has to come on. This is not right, I believe now something needs to be replaced. My Sorento now has over 70,000 miles. Do we with same problem have to hit something and possibly kill an innocent person or ourselves.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11503095January 23, 2023ENGINE
Did oil change on vehicle about a week ago. A week later checked oil noticed it was a quart low and put more oil in. Next day heard a knocking sound come from engine compartment. Checked oil noticed no oil. No warning lights came on to show I had low oil. Put more oil in took to kia. Kia told me that engine rods are gone and engine is fried. Need new engine and its going to cost me $11,000. No lights or warning system was in place when I bought the car and no one informed me of any update or issue needed to prevent this. Car only has 67000 miles on it so I should still be covered under manufacturing warranty but they are blaming me for the no oil when no idiot lights came to tell me low oil. This is Kias fault.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0