Kia Sorento Complaints (2015)

755 consumer complaints on file.

#11725332March 18, 2026
ENGINE
Was driving vehicle and it began to run hot, check engine light came on then started to make a knocking sound when getting to 30-35 mph. Was inspected by a service center. There it was confirmed an issue with the motor/head gasket
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11725094March 17, 2026
ENGINE
Eccessive oil consumpion. I related it to the dealir who did not want yo do anything about it. I present this problem yo the dealr beginning of 2024 and sid not wanted to do anything but instructed me yo gather my receipt and come back. By yhe time i pulle all my record 10 yaer of car maintenanxe iy took me yime and i was necer told yhat after 10 yers yhw warrant will expire and thw miles qhere noy valid anymore. I went by the miles knowing that i could do somwnthing about unyil 100,000 miles. When i went back to my dealer, the dealwr had cl9sed down so i yook yhe cae yo anoyher dealer and was yold couldnt do noti g and i should i called costumere caee. I have been calling molyiple yime but no cooperarion on their hand. Knowing yhat i went thwr early yo rwport thw issue thwy are srill noy taking reapo sability. I am reaxhing out for hwl as the car consume an eccessive amount it keep smelling brurning smell and oild needs to be added ever 1000 mile. Please guide me o. How to proceed 8184724019 if u need to reach me. Thanks for ur help in this matter.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11724500March 15, 2026
ENGINE
Dealer driving car 35mph. Check engine light started flashing. Burning plastic smell from under hood. Car cut off. Did not restart. Towed to mechanic, was told engine locked up.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11724298March 14, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I’m tired of replacing my headlight bulbs every month!!! Both high and low beam go out all the time! It’s expensive. Also it is a safety concern. The low beams are dim to begin with and having one go out I have to drive with high beams on due to inability to see. I even upgraded bulbs in hopes of brightening but they also go out all the time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11722038March 4, 2026
SEATS
Subject: Broken Driver Seat Metal Rod – Safety Hazard in 2015 Kia Sorento To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to report a serious issue involving the driver’s seat in my 2015 Kia Sorento, specifically a broken metal rod inside the seat frame. This part appears to be part of the seat's internal adjustment mechanism and should not fail under normal use. Its failure presents a potential safety hazard. 📌 Vehicle Details: Make/Model: 2015 Kia Sorento VIN [XXX] 5 Registered Owner [XXX] m Address [XXX] 4 Email [XXX] m 📌 Part Label Information: Label reads: “4 Way Manual” Manufacturer: Johnson Controls, Inc. [XXX] MI The part appears to be a seat adjustment rod or structural component Attached is a photo showing the damaged part and label ⚠️ Description of the Problem: While I was driving I hear a snap my seat then slid forward and I was telted to my left side I was going 65 on the freeway almost crashed into wall I discovered a broken metal rod inside the seat frame. This rod is clearly not meant to break under typical use and poses a risk of: Sudden seat movement while driving Decreased driver safety in the event of a crash Reduced structural integrity of the seat I believe this could be a design or manufacturing defect, and it warrants inspection. I am requesting that this issue be investigated and that I be informed if there are any recalls, extended warranties, or safety programs covering this defect. 📎 Attached: Photo of the damaged part and manufacturer label Please let me know how I should proceed. I am concerned about my safety and would like to ensure that others are not at risk from this same issue. Sincere [XXX] [XXX] com 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
#11721770March 3, 2026
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. There was a knocking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was towed the local dealer and was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. No further information was available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 128,405.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11720469February 25, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
I was driving on the highway when I proceeded to the turn lane to turn left crossing two lanes of traffic and the vehicle just shut down no warning whatsoever no check engine lights no oil lights nothing and it wouldn’t turn back on when trying it but after about 5 times it turned on and I was able to get it off the highway but couldn’t go any further as the vehicle was making a loud noise and the car was shaking
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11717647February 12, 2026
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but the engine made abnormal knocking sounds. The vehicle was towed to the residence and failed to restart. A mobile technician diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 98,954.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716580February 8, 2026
ENGINE
I am filing this complaint regarding a suspected safety defect involving the Theta II engine in my 2015 Kia Sorento. The vehicle developed progressive engine failure symptoms including: Engine knocking and abnormal mechanical noise Loss of power while driving Misfire conditions Excessive oil consumption Progressive deterioration of engine performance These symptoms began at approximately 150,000 miles and worsened over time. Given the documented history of Theta II engine failures involving rod bearing defects, sudden engine seizure, loss of power, and fire risk, I believe my vehicle is experiencing a progression of the same known defect. 2) Safety Risk to Driver and Public The engine condition created serious safety risks, including: Potential sudden engine failure while driving Loss of power in traffic or at highway speeds Increased risk of collision Potential fire hazard associated with Theta II engine failures Despite these risks, Kia and its authorized dealership advised me to continue operating the vehicle. I was explicitly told to “drive it until it fails.” This guidance was given despite Kia’s documented knowledge of Theta II engine defects and associated safety hazards. 3) Manufacturer Response and Denial I reported the engine failure to Kia and its authorized dealership. Kia denied coverage, stating: The vehicle had “too many miles,” and The failure was allegedly “not rod bearing related.” However, Kia and the dealership refused to provide: Complete diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) Technician notes or inspection reports Compression or leak-down test results Oil analysis or evidence proving bearing failure was ruled out Without this information, Kia’s conclusion that the failure is not related to the Theta II defect is unsupported and unverifiable. 4) Concern of Misdiagnosis and Defect Misclassification Based on the symptoms and known Theta II failure patterns, I believe Kia may be misclassifying a progressive bearing-related engine failure as a non-covered
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11715653February 4, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Formal Complaint on Seized Headlight Sockets and Kia’s Obstruction of Essential Safety Maintenance 1. Incident & Discovery of Defect: I am the owner of a 2015 Kia Sorento. Recently, one of my headlights failed. Upon attempting a routine bulb replacement, I discovered a critical hardware defect: the bulb socket is physically seized. It cannot be rotated or removed by any standard manual force. This is not a simple wear-and-tear issue; it is a mechanical seizure of a component that must remain accessible for safety maintenance. 2. Kia’s Refusal of Technical Guidance: To resolve this without damaging the entire assembly, I contacted Kia America (Case #[XXX]) specifically requesting technical instructions or any written explanations to safely disengage the seized unit. Despite multiple attempts via phone and email, Kia explicitly refused to provide any technical guidance, flatly stating they are "not technically trained" or authorized to share such information. 3. Obstruction of "Right to Repair" & Safety Risk: I firmly believe that a vehicle owner has a fundamental "Right to Repair," especially for essential safety components like headlights. By withholding basic maintenance instructions, Kia is intentionally obstructing my ability to maintain a street-legal, safe vehicle. Driving with a non-functional headlight is a Critical Safety Hazard that severely impairs visibility and creates an immediate risk of fatal accidents—yet Kia has chosen to leave me in this dangerous situation. 4. Exploitative Business Practice & Systemic Failure: This appears to be a deliberate and Exploitative Business Practice. By failing to provide a manual and refusing technical support for a defective, seized part, Kia is effectively forcing consumers into a "forced monopoly" where we must pay for expensive replacements at authorized dealerships for what should be a low-cost, simple bulb change. 5. Request for Investigation: I request that the NHTSA initiate a formal investigation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF I
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11714505January 30, 2026
TIRES:SIDEWALL
- I was driving down 55 mph. on dark, busy highway in Sarasota, Florida (Fruitville Rd.) at approximately 6:15 a.m. on Friday, January 23, 2025. - Suddenly, without warning, the sidewall of the rear passenger side tire completely blew out in a perfect circle around the entire outside of edge. - The tire is currently available for inspection. - The Goodyear dealer claims that the blowout was caused due to underinflation. However, the tread pattern of the tire shows no signs of underinflation. - Since this is my wife's car, I check the tire pressure every other Sunday evening knowing that she'll be driving it to work the next day. - Had there been heavier traffic, the blow out could have caused a major accident if someone was following closely behind me. - The car's TPMS sensors weren't illuminated to indicate there was any low tire pressure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11713407January 26, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Yes there was a recall in a module control panel which still is messed up. It’s been replaced a couple x. Also the dim lights since I bought the car have a very low light were you can hardly see at night. And this SUV drinks gas on long/short trips. I’ve taken it in several times but they keep saying nothing’s wrong and I know there is I have driven my boyfriend vehicle which is a V6 and went the same exact distance and didn’t have to get any fuel until I was about half way back. Something has to give. I love my Kia as I have owned 2. But something is really wrong. Please help. Thanks
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11712657January 22, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The low beam headlights do not illuminate the highway sufficiently to drive safely. I lowered the aim of my high beam to be able to drive at night and not blind approaching drivers. This is unacceptable for a modern vehicle to be permitted to be sold in this condition.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11710713January 13, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE
I was driving down a very busy road and with no warning my car lost power. It would turn over but not start back up. I was stuck in the middle of a busy road way causing traffic’s to back up. I had to call the police to sit behind me so I wouldn’t get hit from behind.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698466November 9, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
My vehicle has a slow speed pick up and I’m getting code p0018 and has very rough idling !
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695233October 23, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the engine seized. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road, and the vehicle failed to restart. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was towed to the residence. A mobile mechanic arrived at the residence to inspect the vehicle and removed the serpentine belt, but was unable to crank the engine. However, no cause for the failure was found. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that, as per the manufacturer, proof of all oil changes performed on the vehicle was needed since the vehicle was purchased, and if the proof was not provided, the vehicle would not be repaired under the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11694849October 21, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and shifted into park(P), the gear shifter failed to shift into the intended gear. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the gear shifter had seized in park(P). In addition, the contact stated that the failure had occurred while at the drive-thru picking up lunch. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to tow the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact referenced an unknown recall with a similar failure description; however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 109,200.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11692891October 12, 2025
ENGINE
Faulty motor I have changed oil early every time and every mechanic I’ve been to said the Kia motor is always doing this ! I still owe 9k on this car! It’s burning oil so fast and not going into the engine this is a on going issue with these motors ! I just now hit 100 k miles no reason for my motor to be blowing please put the recall back on for the 2015 Kia’s!!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685783September 8, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
My problem is with the headlights, in that the condenser lens for the low beam lights has clouded so badly that driving at night has become so dangerous. I have changed the bulbs twice in an effort to correct the problem to no avail. And with the sealed unit not able to be disassembled to clean the lens, my only option is to replace the units at approximately $800 each. This condition in my opinion should not have occurred.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685823September 8, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Low beam headlights would work and some times not work and then one day they stopped working completely. We've had everything checked out and there is no explanation as to why this is happening. Replaced headlights, relays, and checked wiring.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Kia Sorento