Kia Sorento Complaints

10,397 consumer complaints on file.

#11503182January 23, 2023
ENGINE
As I was driving vehicle suddenly started knocking and came to a hault. Battery was completely dead and I was no longer able to restart. Repair shop has confirmed engine is no good. My vehicle only has 81,000 miles no understanding how my engine has seized when I have had frequently oil changes. I'm am very frustated.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11503226January 23, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at night at various speeds, the headlights were very dim. The contact stated that the viewing distance was short. The contact used the high-beam headlights to see the road clearly. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the headlight bulbs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The contact called the local dealer and was informed the chrome reflectors might not be aligned. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 77,553.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11503236January 23, 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 repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer; however, the contact was informed that the remedy was not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. 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 had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11503295January 23, 2023
ENGINE
I'm the (third and current) owner of 2017 Kia Sorento LX which was working absolutely fine, with no issues or any warning lights on. On 1/14/23 (Saturday) while travelling with family on highway I-95 (in florida), the engine suddenly failed with smoke and oil spurting out from underneath. The engine service lights and audio warning kicked in. Despite the confusion and nervousness, I was able to safely maneuver the vehicle to the shoulder within seconds and escaped crash or fire. Immediately called my insurance and got the vehicle towed to the nearest Kia dealership. I had to drop the vehicle at the dealership (and drove home 700 miles to Virginia using one way rental). Few days later the dealership confirmed that the engine is not good anymore and it needs a replacement. They told me that since the recall (PI1802 ECU UPGRADE (KSDS)) was not performed on the vehicle, Kia will NOT pay for any expenses and I have to pay out of pocket more than $8500.00 for the replacement. It came as a big surprise and shock to me as I never heard or got any communication from either the dealer (3rd party) from whom I bought the vehicle or KIA regarding such recall or the fix needed, to prevent such a failure. I would appreciate it if your legal team can help me to have Kia replace the engine at no cost to me. As I'm searching, I'm hearing a lot of news about KIa's and Hyundai's having the same engine issue and many have resulted in fires and even death. Youtube and other online forums, have many of these horror stories, also few highlighted by the media. Now looking back, I feel lucky that we narrowly escaped!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11503012January 22, 2023
ENGINE
I had no warning lights come on all of a sudden steam and anti freeze blew from outside hood luckily I was right near home pulled in popped hood all Xtra antifreeze gone from back up container .had triple A tow to a mechanic as thought it was a hole in radiator or hose fell off.He got back to me and said there are exhausted gases in antifreeze and my head gasket is blown !Nothing ever gave me a clue just happened.He suggested towing to kia as only 70.000 miles and he said there is a leak either from head gasket bolt .but somehow this is a reason for kia as he has read many complaints the same as mine.not the knock sensor issue this is a whole new problem with v6 engine .so I owe 15,000.00 for a car that does no longer run kia will do nothing as had towed to dealership.what do I do? I can not find anyone to do engine cause there are none there are no recalls on this issue!Kia needs to be held accountable for all there issues !As my car is still there cause have no idea what to do !so now still paying payments with no help from them!please look on kia complaint you will see so many others with same issue! https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cars/news-blog/hyundai-and-kia-s-decade-of-very-troublesome-engines-continues-44497118
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11502965January 21, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have a 2017 Kia Sorento . I bought this vehicle with less than 5000 miles on it. I had the oil changed when it was recommended. Loved the vehicle. Fast forward to about 48,000-50,000 miles. {currently at 62,000 Miles} Had the required oil change done and they noticed the vehicle was low 2 quarts of oil. Oil consumption continued. Had an OIL CONSUMPTION test done {at approximately 53,000 miles] and determined it as a legit complaint. As i am not the original owner and the vehicle warranty expired at 50,000 a free new engine is NOT an option. They offered to complete a free combustion flush. I am now waiting for 1000 miles to recheck the oil to see if the flush took care of the problem, but I did check the oil at 100 miles, and it is down 1/2 a quart already. I will be reporting back to the garage if the consumption gets worse or when I hit the 1000 mile recheck mark. I am seriously concerned about this. I paid a lot of money for this vehicle, and it was to be my last car in my retirement years! If the engine fails, seizes or continues to burn excessive oil and I have to pay for a new engine or more repairs I will be devastated as I am on a Social Security and have a limited incoming. The engine could seize if it burns all the oil when I'm driving and could cause injuries to myself or the public. I know hate this vehicle and wish i never bought it !! I really feel Kia should be required to replace this engine with a SAFE no problems engine!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11502746January 20, 2023
ENGINE
I dropped my daughter off school, upon leaving and heading toward the freeway, I was unable to accelerate past 20mph, had a vehicle behind me almost hit me and my child because I lost forward acceleration and was unaware and could only use my hazards to signify that something was wrong and I wouldn't be able to make it up the hill. I then turned the vehicle off when I reached a safe place to pull over. Let it sit for 5 min, as this happened last year and was informed it was the throttle body, which was replaced. Upon turning vehicle back on, all seemed well, I drove toward the freeway again amd within 3 minutes the check engine light turned on and I lost power again. Was unable to drive more than 20mph We recently dealt with this exact issue with our 2013 kia Optima and it was due to a recall and they replaced the engine as it was malfunctioning.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11502774January 20, 2023
ENGINE
Was driving my car and the engine began to knock and then died. Looked at the oil and there was no oil on the dip stick. No warning light ever came on that the oil was low! Had to have it towed to a mechanic that said I now have to replace the engine!!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11502543January 19, 2023
ENGINE
Engine block threads stripped causing head gasket to blow. This vehicle has 108,000 miles and now needs a new engine. Very common issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11502695January 19, 2023
ENGINE
My vehicle had 4 recalls on it and caused engine to blow. The dealer I purchased car from would not fix recalls, so had it towed to a Kia dealer, my car has been there since dec long story short recalls fixed but they won't replace engine, nor will dealer I purchased it from. So they're saying over $8000 that I would be responsible for
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11502703January 19, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
I have the Pearl White color and it is peeling off everywhere! My hood is almost completely gone and it’s now starting to chip on the side near the drivers door. It started off as little chips but now it is in clumps. Somebody told me it was delaminating and a ton of other pearl white kia drivers are reporting this.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11502343January 18, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 121,461.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11502435January 18, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Paint is peeling.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11502450January 18, 2023
TRAILER HITCHES
The contact owns a 2019 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 local dealer was contacted. 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
#11502477January 18, 2023
AIR BAGS
I have the airbag and check engine light on and the code SC212
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11502481January 18, 2023
TRAILER HITCHES
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. 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 had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. The contact has tried contacting the manufacturer several times but they claim that there isn't a solution to the problem. The contact also states that Uhaul could fix it with third-party harnesses and that Kia should be responsible for the cost of that repair.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11502522January 18, 2023
POWER TRAIN
There was a complete loss of motive power. Myself and my passenger were on a busy 5 lane road approaching a busy intersection when the check engine light came on as well as a "Stop Safely Immediately" message and an audible chime sound. Then the car lost power. I was in the middle lane and had no way nor time to pull over safely before the vehicle lost power. Thank goodness I was slowing down for a stop light. This was the first time I had received any warnings, messages or other symptoms. The vehicle was towed to the dealership. They tell me that the recall number 22V760 is not the reason for the incident, but they do not know what the problem is. They have now had my vehicle for 43 days and still do not know what is wrong with it. I just completed a letter to KIA Consumer affairs as a written demand for a refund. I am calling them and filing a complaint online tomorrow.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11502090January 17, 2023
ENGINE
Once I reached 70000 miles my car start to burn oil and I went to Kia north Brunswick because I used my service oil there they told me that was normal and we will do the test then I should change the oil once it was burning a lot before got empty and after I went kia bridge water New Jersey and we did same and this time after I change the oil and used 700 miles I found my oil is almost empty and my car still under warranty but they told me if I want to fix it I should change the engine from my pocket and as a note, I'm always doing my service in Kia dealer and I have been almost 10000 miles I change the oil like 8 times because this problem and no one knows what's the problem and no one help me, please I need help with my car Thanks in advance
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11502175January 17, 2023
ENGINE
Purchased vehicle April 2019 and properly maintained it with no major issues until September 2022 when the alternator went and was replaced with a new alternator but the car was no longer reliable at that point as it spent several trips to the shop (where it resides currently). The catalytic converter was throwing a code but the car was running okay so we were told to see what happens The smell of antifreeze was strong and the engine overheated despite our best efforts (from mechanics with various backgrounds and experience levels). We were told post diagnostic test days before Christmas that the engine block was “walking” and a new engine would be the only true and effective repair for it. In disbelief and penniless at this point we got a second and third opinion from other reputable mechanics. The last shop actually tore the engine apart and was able to confirm that the cylinders were so badly warped that a machine shop wouldn’t be able to make them usable. The mechanic commented about how awful the cylinders looked, and that putting the engine back together would be a complete waste of time because the engine would surely throw codes, it was just a matter of when. He also urged us to replace the engine. At this point we have reached out to the administrator for our gap optional warranty we purchased and despite the contract clearly stating there is ample engine coverage, he refuses to cover labor and/or parts. This was my first Kia and will without a doubt be my last. With days before my senior semester of nursing school starting my car sat at a shop (where it still sits) and the customer service, or lack thereof I have received has been nothing short of appalling. School is stressful enough and with no reliable transportation it’s really been a treat. Also worth mentioning the fact the car was running so terribly it put quite the damper on mine and my kids holidays.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11502208January 17, 2023
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Car started to make a knocking noise especially when accelerating , however no lights on dash indicated anything was wrong. Car started fluttering and engine died. Started the car again, more knocking and fluttering before the engine died. Pulled over and checked oil. It was low so had someone bring me oil. Put in 3.5 quarts and got the car started again. The car was still making the knocking sound but was able to drive .5 mile to the closest mechanic. They said it is a serious engine problem from the sounds of it and instructed me not to drive it but to get it towed to the dealer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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