Kia Sorento Complaints

10,397 consumer complaints on file.

#11439304November 4, 2021
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
UNKNOWN. Excessive shaking, engine light started to blink and car shut off.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439161November 3, 2021
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving on the high way and took an exit. I started to smell something from my car so I turned it off at a stop light. I looked briefly at the dash but no lights where on. Then I saw smoke coming from the hood of my car. So I put my emergency flashers on and got out within seconds of getting out the smoke turned to flames so I called 911. Entire front of my car was in flames and a couple small explosions happend I believe the first one was the air bags but the second sent my hood flying upwards. My entire inside of the car was chard by the time the fire rescue showed up. There was a line of traffic behind me that stretched close to a mile since it was during traffic night. I didn’t have enough time to pull the car over safely without the risks of being inside the car while it had fully ignited. The fire men had to get people and cars away from my car. I don’t know what failed or what happens but the fire started from under the hood. The car is pretty badly burnt so I don’t think there’s a way to examine anything. It is a total loss. Upon googling I’ve noticed a few more reports of Kia 2014 Sorentos catching fire. I don’t know which component caused it so I can’t say if it had been examined at all. It also happens extremely fast and I didn’t have any warning as to a fire breaking out. If I had stayed in the car to drive it to a safe clearing I would have been caught in the blaze. The only light that came on was tier pressure, which had come on a few days prior. No other warning lights came on. Not even during when the smoke appeared. The only thing that warned me was a strange odor right before I saw the smoke.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439212November 3, 2021
STEERING
The contact owns a 2017 KIA Sorento, which he purchased new. The contact stated within the last few months that after driving the vehicle the highway or expressway for an extended period (approximately 60 mins to 90 mins), the steering wheel would bind when turning on the road to change lanes or maintain the vehicle on the road. This binding occurs in the turning position without warning. The contact had initially taken the car to the dealership (Gunther KIA), where he purchased the vehicle as new. The service adviser told him because the steering wheel has electronic components, the problem could occur when the battery needed replacement. The contact agreed to have the battery replaced; however, the binding of the steering wheel re-occurred. After the second failure, the vehicle was returned to the dealership’s service dept. They performed a software update on the car. Unfortunately, a couple of days after the second repair, the same failure recurred for the third time. The contact had taken the vehicle back to the dealership, where a case was filed and opened; however, after a few days in their possession, the dealership could not diagnose or duplicate the failure. At one point, the master adviser at the dealership told the contact that he himself had the same experience with his own Sorrento. And he learned to deal with it and said to the contact (car owner) should learn to deal with it because the dealership would not give him a new vehicle. The contact replied by stating that he didn’t want a new car; he wanted his car fixed because he fears for his family’s, and grandchildren’s safety. The adviser also mentioned that a recall should happen, but the manufacturer has never issued one. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. As a result, the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 43,490.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439217November 3, 2021
STEERING
The steering wheel sticking while you turn left or right. In hwy it's hard to drive because you don't know how much pressure you have to put to adjust your vehicle on the road. If feel like you are losing your control of the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439233November 3, 2021
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart however, the vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired. The contact mentioned that a few years later there was an abnormal pinging sound coming from the engine. The contact mentioned after reaching the residence the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the rod bearing was damaged, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439005November 2, 2021
ENGINE
Teenage son was driving kia late on highway the engine failed completely and stopped, going about 65mph, he was able to coast to side of road. He called me, we arrived 45 minutes later and engine was still burning hot to touch and consumed every drop of oil only 2000 miles after oil change, smoking. Took too mechanic said no oil leaks, and he was very lucky vehicle didnt create an engine fire.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439034November 2, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have a 2015 kia sorento my paint has started peeling off for no reason. It is snow pearl white .I've spoken to and have seen others just like mine doing the same thing. This is definitely kias responsibility. Not all of us would have the same issue if not!!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11438909November 1, 2021
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 40 - 50 MPH, the vehicle decelerated inadvertently and was shaking. The vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with an engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11438957November 1, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
I have a pearl white 2014 kia sorento with 46000 miles on it and the paint is peeling off my car
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11438972November 1, 2021
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
The headlights are very dim and only project approximately 20 feet in front of the vehicle. This creates unsafe night driving. At 65 mph on a highway, there is practically no time to react to an animal or object on the road. I have emails from the manufacturer but I am unable to copy and paste them here. In my discussion with a representative from Kia, I was told I would have to contact the dealer and pay a $160 diagnostic fees s then pay for new headlights, that would be the same as are on the car now. Makes no sense.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11438764October 30, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The paint on my Kia (pearl white) blew off from a portion of my car on a windy day. The car has been seen by the Kia dealership and we were referred to Kia consumer affairs. There were no prior signs of paint peeling in the area where it blew off prior to it blowing off.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11438687October 29, 2021
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The lighting (headlights) on low beam are very poor. We live in a rural area and the lighting supplied by the headlights is very poor, making it hard to see items in the road and curves. Turning a corner and staying on the road can be problematic. The lighting forces driver to drive with high beams on to attain minimally sufficient lighting. The bulbs have been replaced with no increase in forward visibility. I should have reported this earlier, but now I feel unsafe in this vehicle at night and we drive it less. These are projector style and they do not go very far in front of the car. A quick check on the web, of Kia Forums show that this is a common complaint, some have the bulbs going out regularly. The Kia forums also mention changing the bulbs to non DOT approved items and other modifications.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11438474October 28, 2021
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
the low beam headlights are so dim it is a safety concern. new bulbs do not help!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11438486October 28, 2021
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
my car went from running perfectly fine to completely breaking down in less than 10 miles. Complete engine failure. I was lucky it did not catch fire. I am writing this because Kia needs to change the status of their "product improvement campaign" PI1802 to a full blow recall. This is a wide spread issue that affected thousands of Kia vehicles, but because they refuse to call it a recall, it does not show up on nhtsa or on Kia's website. Kia states that numerous notices were mailed, but I did not receive anything. They cannot prove that I received them any more than I can prove that I didn't. They are now refusing to cover or help cover the cost of a whole new engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11438538October 28, 2021
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
My headlights have not worked properly since I bought the vehicle in February of 2017. I took it to the dealership I got it from (Stephen Wade Chevy) and explained the problem. They replaced the bulb and maybe the wires but I can't remember (I still have the paperwork from it if needed). The headlight worked for a short time and then would sporadically quit working here and there. Now, the wires look burnt which could cause a fire and the headlight will not work at all. I took it to Kia dealership and they said since I had it "fixed" through the dealership I got it from, it voided my warranty and I would have to pay to have the entire headlight assembly replaced. I looked online and it appears that there are over 300,000 complaints on this issue (including my sister in laws car which has the same issue). I don't believe I should be responsible for the fix as its been an issue this whole time. On top of this, the other headlight is now also working sporadically and I've been driving in the dark and had NO HEADLIGHTS when the other just stops working. This is a huge safety issue. Kia has told me that they will not do a goodwill fix. I've taken this to the escalation dept. but if they still refuse, my next move will be a lawyer. Kia needs to fix this issue. I wanted you to be aware. I've been pulled over several times because if this issue. Paying for tickets and bulbs (that don't fix the problem) is getting old. I hope you can document this and help in some way. I've attached a photo of the wires now. The other photo is of the original bulb and wires that were replaced (and I paid for. The bill is attached as well) also, a letter I got in 2019 regarding the lights flickering. Thank you, [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
#11438427October 27, 2021
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contacts husband stated while driving approximately 45mph when smoke came from the engine compartment. The contact pulled over and the vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing an engine replaced. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with, NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (ENGINE) however was refused recall repair. The manufacturer was informed of failure and told the contact that they were unable to assist. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11438287October 26, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Normal low beams are useless for driving. You must use high beams to be able to see, even in town. This has been a problem since I purchased the vehicle in 2015. Also, I have had to replace the bulbs three times, If I don’t buy the brightest/most expensive ones, I’ve wasted my money and it’s like putting a night light in front of your vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11438180October 26, 2021
SEAT BELTS
I was driving on the highway at 65 mph with other flow of triffid. As I was crested a hill, I had notice ahead there was emergency vehicles ahead about half-three quarter mile and I had let go of the accelerator. By the time I had looked down in front of me there was a vehicle that appeared to not have stopped due to not seeing any brake lights. By the time I realized the vehicle had stopped, I rear ended him. During the collision the was six people in the vehicle including myself. Me, my wife and four of our children. Ages 13, 11, 7 & 2. The 2 yr old was in a car seat. Out of the the 6 seatbelts that were buckled were dislodged from it receptacle. The 11 yr old daughter was flung to the front of the vehicle hitting her head into the dashboard causing a concussion and neck pain. The front facing car seat had its buckle dislodged but the 2yr old did not sustain any injuries. Both of them sitting in the 2nd row. The 13 yr old in the 3rd row, his seatbelt was dislodged and sustain bruising and scrapes on his right side of his face. The 7 yr old complained about his stomach, but his seat belt did not dislodge. And my wife had sustained bruising around her waist and a broken collarbone. Theses seatbelts should not have dislodged from its receptacles if the were clicked in. I always make sure that everyone has there seatbelts on before operating the vehicle.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
4
Deaths:
0
#11438243October 26, 2021
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:BULBS
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the headlight bulbs burned out frequently and had to be replaced numerous times by the dealer and several independent mechanics. The vehicle remained at the dealer for the recurring failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11438004October 25, 2021
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
when driveing at night the head lights are very very dim and the kia dealership can not adjust the head lights any more it is very very bad driveing at night what can you do to fix this problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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