Kia Sorento Complaints
10,397 consumer complaints on file.
- #11445224December 28, 2021UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2 Recent incidents: SUV was parked on a driveway with slight incline overnight in park and ended up at the bottom end of driveway in the morning. With car running on a friends driveway with an incline, I had car in the park mode and was going to depart car to quickly knock on door and car very slowly proceed backwards while in park mode. I called KIA dealership on 12/22/2021 where I purchased car they stated they never heard of this & could be icy driveways..I stated they were not iced over at the time and I’m very concerned for everyone’s safety with this situation. They dealership service department stated it will be a diagnostic charge due not any service or engine lights “on” at this time.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11445238December 28, 2021AIR BAGS
Since the beginning of November, 2021, without incidence or prior warning, the airbag warning light came on when the vehicle is started and stays on the entire time the vehicle is on. The vehicle was brought to a KIA dealership on November 18th to diagnose the issue under extended 15 year warranty for two airbag recalls (one for clock spring and the other for ODS sensor). The diagnosis determined that the clock spring and ODS sensor were not causing the warning light to remain on, and the cause was a airbag code B1473, Driver Curtain Airbag Circuit Resistance High, and the dealership stated that it needed a driver side curtain airbag, estimated at $1,800.00, and not covered by warranty. Since this condition results in the airbag warning light to remain lit while the car is on and running, this causes a safety issue in that the driver does not know if the airbag will deploy if needed. Further, there is no way the driver would know if another airbag fault, for example, a front airbag issue, occurs, because the airbag light is already on. This condition poses a serious safety concern and should be addressed by the manufacturer.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11445242December 28, 2021ENGINE
My 2013 Kia sorento got recalled for an engine filling/Engine knocking. Back in 2019 so i toke it to the dealer and there's was not issues at the moment until 2021, i was driving on the highway and the car turned off. I lost power to the brakes and the steering was very hard to turn. The engine light started flashing so i pulled over and called the tow truck to take it to the kia dealership. Next day they called me and the engine was valid for the recall but they told me since it's a rebuilt car the car is not valid for a recall.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11445251December 28, 2021ENGINE
Vehicle was being driven when the engine blew-up and became inoperable. After taking it to a mechanic, they said that the oil had stopped flowing through the engine and caused it to malfunction. There were no lights that appeared on the dashboard warning us of a problem.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11445279December 28, 2021WHEELS
All four tires cupped on vehicle
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11445232December 28, 2021STEERING
The car drifts from right to left all the time on any road surface. This was addressed at about 2,000 miles months ago and they could not get it to steer straight. I brought this up on the oil change visit and the tech never addressed this at all ! The dual clutch transmission does not shift properly. The vehicle larches hard into reverse, feels like it will sometimes stall when starting out from a stop sign or traffic light. (This is dangerous) The idle goes up and down from 750 RPM to 1,100 RPM when the car comes to a stop. (This is dangerous) The brakes feel like they are weak. (This is uncomfortable at best) There is a lot of wind noise at 45 MPH and up. Had you do a $65.00 oil change. When I got home, I checked the oil and it's at least 1/8 quart short. I have not had time to come back for your techs to add more oil yet. So, your tech did not address issues (1) (2) (3) (4) at all. Instead, he wrote up the issue (2) as being normal for that type of transmission. After your service advisor Joshua Mills saw I was very dissatisfied with the lazy diagnosis, he took me to J.D. McClure with the list of problems I had outlined to your company. JD explained he was brand new at KIA and did not have KIA experience which was disheartening at best. I asked that he contact KIA corporate to have a certified KIA rep come look at this vehicle. He assured me he would do so and call me back to see if and when a rep can come look at my vehicle. As of today, he has not called me. Yesterday my wife Ann called right after she used the vehicle and experienced a lot of potential stalling issues and spoke with Christina. She explained that all principles were in a morning meeting but she would tell JD about your issue and have him call you. He did not call !!! What are you going to do about these issues ??? These issues are all over the KIA forums and registered complaints are listed on the N.T.S.B. (National transportation safety board) on all of the above.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11445087December 27, 2021ENGINE
The engine on my 2011 Kia Sorento has failed and the mechanic at the Kia dealership told me it was because of the rod bearings. My car was serviced at the Kia dealership in April 2021 and apparently 2 weeks later an ECU update recall was placed on my vehicle. I did not receive anything notifying me of this update. In November of 2021 my engine started making a loud noise and then failed to turn on. The mechanic at the Kia dealership told me had I had the sensor updated prior to the noise starting it would have alerted us to the rod bearings causing damage but since the update had never happened the rod bearings caused my engine to fail. According to the dealership I should be covered under the recall but Kia headquarters are denying to cover it since I am over my mileage warranty. I have tried for the last month to get a supervisor to return my call at the Kia headquarters and no one will speak to me or call me back. I have been without a vehicle since November 22, 2021 and no resolution since no one will call me back.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11445103December 27, 2021ENGINE
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving in the city at an unknown speed, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact restarted the vehicle and drove home. The contact then drove the vehicle to a dealer where she was informed that the engine block had cracked which resulted in engine failure. The contact stated that prior to the failure, she had maintained pristine care of the vehicle. Additionally, a month prior to the failure, the same dealer informed her that the engine was in great shape after a routine oil change. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 144,688.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11445150December 27, 2021ENGINE
Total engine failure. Piston rods tore through engine block. Thankfully the vehicle did not catch on fire.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11444967December 26, 2021ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The passenger low beam head light keeps burning out. I have had the wiring replaced twice because it keeps melting. The brake light blow at least every 2 months
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11444953December 25, 2021ENGINE
The engine coolant system has failed due an inherent engine block issue resulting in the engine requiring replacement. This issue has been confirmed by dealer repair technician and manager. This appears to be a common issue with the 2016 Kia Sorento engines in particular.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11444910December 24, 2021ENGINE
We drive, a lot. Across state. On highways. Our car engine caught fire and everything shut off. Prior to that. I kept hearing a knocking noise, it was hard to accelerate. Jerky to brake. I was advised by Kia we were in that awful theta 2 claim, but now they won’t reimburse us for this mess. Don’t they have a responsibility after putting my entire family in danger?
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11444782December 23, 2021UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My Kia Sorento white paint have been peeling and chipping started on the roof now its starting on left side of my car. Please see if this can be recalled.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11444803December 23, 2021EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact noticed that the driver’s side headlamp failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wiring had melted, and the headlamp socket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, a couple of months later the failure recurred on the passenger’s side. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic where it was diagnosed the wiring melted and the passenger’s side headlamp socket needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted twice. The manufacturer was notified of the failure twice. The approximate failure mileage was 147,000. Headlight has replaced once 02/22/2022.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11444660December 22, 2021STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My 2019 Snow White KIA Sorento paint started peeling up on the driver side hood and wasn't caused by any type of damage. Took the vehicle to the local KIA dealership and was told that my 3 year 36000 mile warranty was expired and there was nothing they would do to correct this issue.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11444777December 22, 2021UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The paint began peeling approximately 2 years ago and Kia refused to cover the repair fee.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11444581December 21, 2021EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Having intermittent issues with the headlights turning of while driving at night. The headlights were set on "Auto". I have had this happen multiple times! Went to local dealer to report the problem & was told that they would have to drive it at night to replicate the issue. I asked if I would be charged for this & was told that if the technician could find anything that I would be charged for the technician's time. I found online that Kia had this same issue with 2015-2015 K900 vehicles & issued a recall to replace the multi-functional light switch. Losing headlight rumination can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash. Kia dealerships should replace this multi-function switch free of charge to the owners of Kia vehicles. There should be a recall issued for this issue because it is a huge safety issue.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11444438December 20, 2021ENGINE
oIL IS BURNING . rEPORTED ISSUE A YEAR AGO AND WAS TOLD NO ISSUE WAS FOUND, NOW i'M HAVING TO PUT 1 QUART OF OIL IN PER 4-5 DAYS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11444455December 20, 2021ENGINE
The oil pressure switch sensor is going bad. Common problem with the 3.3 Lambda V6 engine. The oil light comes on when the vehicle is at idle. I now have an oil leak which is another symptom of the sensor going bad. Costly repair, sensor located deep in the engine between the two cylinder banks. This is a fire hazard with oil pooling on top of the engine if not repaired.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11444487December 20, 2021POWER TRAIN
Crank pully bolt snapped. Causing crank pully to fall, and critical belts to fail.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0