Kia Sorento Complaints

10,397 consumer complaints on file.

#11453390February 22, 2022
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the exterior front driver side door handle had malfunctioned and the door could not be opened from outside the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were both notified. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously serviced under a manufacturers TSB for the failure. The failure mileage was 185,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11453446February 22, 2022
ENGINE
I was commuting to work and without any warning, no lights at all, the whole front of the car starts violently vibrating and making all sorts of metallic banging noise. I had it taken to the local KIA dealership where they diagnosed it was the Crankshaft and Connecting Rod Bearings.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11453463February 22, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Door does not open Steering wheel is stiff when turning.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11453265February 21, 2022
ENGINE
I purchased my vehicle from Carvana in 2020. It was registered and I received my tag promptly. Last week I was turning and gaining speed and I lost all engine power. Battery light came on and steering locked up as well as brakes almost causing an accident. I noticed Kia and I paid to tow it to the location. They then notified me that because I had active recalls the vehicle was no longer under warranty and I would be responsible for the cost of the engine replacement. I have no car to get back and forth to work with and am about to lose my job. I bought a Kia FOR the warranty and have received ZERO notifications of recalls and was not told when Carvana sold me the car. I have no idea what to do but it was made clear that the recalls not behind fixed is what has destroyed my ENTIRE ENGINE. I need my car added to the recall list. I need a new engine on my NEW car before I lose everything
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11453087February 20, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Snow Pearl White paint is chipping at various areas of the front portion of the vehicle. I was driving in heavy rain and then noticed a huge chunk just chipped off. Several owners with this paint color have complained of an issue this similar. Headlights are too dim at night. We have family who lives in the country with limited street light and we are forced to use our high beam lights to even see down the road. I turn on my fog lights to add extra light but it’s still hard to see further down the road.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11453098February 20, 2022
ENGINE
Driving to Lexington KY motor began knocking and lost power. Towed home had mechanic look at it found metal in oil pan, towed to KIA dealer and informed it needs new motor. KIA denying warranty because product improved wasn’t done. Having to replace motor out of pocket.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11453103February 20, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving the car slows down without me slowing down on the breaks. Car wants to shut down & is vibrating. Car doesn't want to drive past 2000 rpm. I take it to mechanic, he can't find the code. I take to mechanic a 2nd time. I get codes p1326 & p2600. No recalls are found for Sorento but other models there is plenty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11453134February 20, 2022
AIR BAGS
CHECK THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT If this occurs, Kia’s system is designed to illuminate the airbag warning light on the instrument panel to alert you of a potential problem with your airbag system so that you can have the system inspected and repaired as soon as possible. The passenger’s front airbag is a ‘low risk deployment’ airbag that complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208, meaning it has a reduced deployment strength for occupants in close proximity to the air bag. Despite being a low risk deployment airbag, if the airbag warning light is illuminated and the vehicle continues to be driven without being repaired, the front passenger airbag will deploy in a frontal impact regardless of whether the seat is occupied or not.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452978February 19, 2022
STEERING
The electronic steering "sticks" and makes it necessary to force the steering wheel to make driving corrections. This in turns causes an oversteer situation and a safety issue. The vehicle is difficult to keep lane control. New tires, alignment, and a TSB software upgrade by Kia service did nothing to correct the problem. Kia determined (15 Feb 2022) the vehicle needed the electronic steering column replaced. The Kia service rep stated my factory and extented warranty will not cover the cost of repairs. The problem has been intermittent for over 2 years and getting worse. My research indicates many owners having the same issue with this vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11453012February 19, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Went to park put on the breaks and vehicle accelerated and could not stop went over the cement parking lot space and hit the post of the commercial building. Luckily no one hurt except the post. No individual. This accident was today 2-19-2022. Police report number. 22-0145. Cape May,NJ Police Department. This happen at least three other times. Once going thru a red light. Do not recall dates.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452793February 18, 2022
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
We had just received our Sorento back from being in the shop for 4 months due to being in an accident. Part of the repair work was to have the software updated and reprogrammed at a Kia dealership, which was completed. We picked up the car on Tuesday, Feb 15, 2022, and on Wednesday, Feb. 16, as we were traveling down hwy 27 in Lake Wales, FL, the alert began to ding and the hybrid warning came on, as well as other lights (I can't remember which ones). The car lost acceleration capability, but as we slowed and turned down another road, the car began to slightly accelerate very slowly. We were able to travel another mile, when the acceleration completely stopped. We pulled over to the side of the road and put the car in park. The engine was very rough. The message came on to leave vehicle in park to charge the hybrid battery. When we did that, the engine started for about 5 seconds, then shut off. We attempted this two more times, with the same results. We also tried to jump the car, according to the operator's manual, but it didn't work. We had to have the car towed to the dealership.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452908February 18, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I have to replace the low beam and high beam bulbs several times a year. The low beams are SO dim, I can’t even tell if they are on- forcing me to drive with my bright lights on all the time. The bulbs blow all the time- I have driven without low beams and not none they were blown. The lights are now constantly flickering while driving. Very dangerous.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452724February 18, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that upon shifting the vehicle into PARK, the vehicle rolled backwards. The contact was unaware if there were any warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that she received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V626000 (Power Train). The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer but no repairs were performed on the vehicle. The contact also stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle began to rattle with several unknown warning lights on the instrument panel. Upon inspection, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) which she linked to the failure. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452777February 18, 2022
ENGINE
I was driving on the NJ Turnpike in about 70 miles per hour and then suddenly I hear a big noise coming from my engine (clack and clack). Then my car stopped and needed to call a towing truck to take it to the mechanic and according to the mechanic I will need to replace motor(engine) to drive your car again. My car is on the parking lot from my house.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452410February 17, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for the recall repair in January 2020. The dealer inspected the vehicle and diagnosed that no issues were found. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35-40 MPH, the vehicle decelerated to 20 MPH inadvertently. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal however, the vehicle would not exceed 40 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer (Ed Voyles Kia of Smyrna - Atlanta 2145 Cobb Pkwy SE, Smyrna, GA 30080) where it was diagnosed that the knock sensors malfunctioned and caused the vehicle to go on limp mode; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the first dealer who updated the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer sent a diagnostic report to the manufacturer; however, the manufacturer declined to cover the engine replacement under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine) because the vehicle was out of warranty. A case was opened. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 112,705.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452634February 17, 2022
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
There was the smell of gasoline inside the cabin. Then the check engine light came on. Smoke began coming from the engine compartment. The fire completely engulfed the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452650February 17, 2022
ENGINE
I was hit by another car in July 2021 which totaled the lovely suv I owned. I decided to buy my 2018 KIA Sorento (from a different state) in August 2021 because I thought KIAs were safe and reliable cars. My KIA began to oil leak right before September 2021. I had it checked for oil leak and got my oil topped off. There was no oil leak detected. In November 2021, my engine light comes on. I believed it to be an indication it was time for an oil change. The night before I could even make it to the car shop my KIA begins to make a loud knocking sound. I got my oil change and the knocking still persist. The mechanic gentlemen tell me that I needed a crankshaft position sensor replacement. I drive my KIA to the nearest KIA dealership and they keep my KIA Sorento over the weekend because of the shortage in workers. The following Monday KIA dealership calls to say I needed a full replacement engine (motor). I haven't had my KIA for even four months and it is under 100,000 miles. I have never had to receive such gut wrenching news about any car I have brought! I pick up my car to park it immediately. There has been over thousands of recalls on KIA motors I was and still am frightened my engine (motor) could catch fire anytime. I am scared to even start it to keep my battery alive. KIA dealerships will not offer me any help because I am the second ownwer of this KIA. I definitely will NEVER buy a KIA car again or even HYDAUI car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452180February 16, 2022
ENGINE
The check oil light did not illuminate, a oil change was not due for another 1,200 miles. The engine shut down and needs a 100% replacement totaling over $6,000 in repairs. if something as simple as the oil light emitted the car would not have been drove on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452222February 16, 2022
ENGINE
We were on our way home from the grocery when the oil light started coming on and off. We noticed a line of oil down the driveway, the car made a low kind of buzzing sound. Husband climbed under and looked. Massive oil leak, appeared to be coming from bottom of engine block around oil pressure sensor switch. Vehicle is a 2012 Sorento 3.5 liter with 90,000 miles. Kia said it is not on the recall list but this is the same problem with the vehicles that are on the recall list. Dealer wants nearly $1000 to fix the issue. My vehicle is parked and undriveable. We had no issues before this.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452253February 16, 2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Headlights you can't leave them on automatic the lights will stay on and kill your battery. The lights blink off and on sometimes when use turn signal, and sometime goes completely out while driving at night have a fear of running into someone or off hwy. No inspections. No lamp warning messages. I bought the Vehicle used May of 2021 and notice problems about a couple of months later.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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