Kia Sorento Complaints

10,397 consumer complaints on file.

#11437182October 18, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Car has 2500 miles and engine is revving funny, Cruise control was working fine but all of a sudden started noises like downshift problems and lost power for cruise control; mph light flashed it has the 8 speed transmission it says. Please look into this as I paid a lot of money for this car to have it acting up already. I do not trust Dealership to tell me the truth. Thank you.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11436935October 15, 2021
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SUA July 3, 2020, driver was exiting a Kroger fuel station located at 7380 Spout Springs Road, Flowery Branch, Georgia 30542 in the subject 2011 Kia Sorento SUV vehicle. Suddenly and without warning, the subject Kia vehicle began accelerating without throttle input from the driver. The Kia Sorento then struck the rear of a 2014 RAV 4, pushing it across the street and into a Waffle House parking lot. The 2011 Kia Sorento continued accelerating and gained significant speed before striking a nearby curb and fencing, colliding with an embankment of a retention pond, and ultimately coming to rest in the base of the retention pond. The injured driver was transported from the scene by ambulance, where they began receiving the first portion of many treatments for her injuries. Driver believes they are victim to a runaway throttle control malfunction that caused a sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA). Manufacturer notified. NHTSA has received 54 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs), aka U.S. consumer complaints to DOT, regarding Vehicle Speed Control problems with the 2011 Kia Sorento; including NHTSA ID No. 10473983: On August 19, 2012, in Iowa/Missouri, state police footage showed Lauri Ulvestad’s, 47, of Ames, Iowa, 35-minute ride of terror after the accelerator of her Kia Sorento jammed, causing her to careen down a highway at speeds up to 120 miles per hour for 59 miles. The accelerator in this other 2011 Kia Sorento SUV became stuck. A dash-camera video captured by the Missouri State Highway Patrol officers who soon began following her shows the 35 minutes of terror that Ulvestad endured as her car traveled 59 miles at speeds as high as 115 mph. Apparently Kia "technicians were unable to duplicate the issue and this appears to be an isolated incident," per the South Korean company’s statement. "KMA will continue to investigate and analyze the facts of this situation." Source: ABC News. Petition for Defect Investigation. Special Crash Investigation.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11436975October 15, 2021
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
My 2011 Kia Sorento headlights blink on and off when I’m drinking it’s very scary driving at night because I don’t know when it may happen it’s been happening on and off
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11436730October 14, 2021
ENGINE
The engine blew a piston or maybe a rod out of the bottom of the motor causing two big hole above oil pan bottom of motor will get pictures later
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11436740October 14, 2021
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Headlamp Multifunction Switch set to "AUTO", while using the Turn Signal (either direction) the Headlights will suddenly TURN OFF... while driving at night this is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND DISORIENTING... ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. To correct this, I had to jiggle the switch or turn it to Manual ON.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11436555October 13, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Car does not want to go when push gas pedal. It jumps around and the engine light is on
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11436558October 13, 2021
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Headlight wiring seems to be coming loose. Replaced bulbs, no change. Lights will go out while driving on both sides. Cannot get them set back to remain on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11436576October 13, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
Paint is just falling off the vehicle
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11436667October 13, 2021
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, a knocking noise was present coming from the engine and the engine experienced excessive oil consumption. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure and an oil consumption test was performed but no failure was identified. The failure mileage was 45,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11436320October 11, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Paint is chipping off from the hood and around the windshield Pearl white Kia Sorento Noticed this occurring 2/2021
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11436354October 11, 2021
POWER TRAIN
We have been experiencing a lost of power. The engine sputters and loses power when accelerating. This has happened on several occasions. Today, 10/11/2021, we were nearly hit four times on interstate 580 in Oakland. We were travelling in the number two lane at sixty miles per hour. I began to accelerate to reach the speed limit when the Sorento began to sputter and lost power to five miles per hour. As we lost power the vehicle behind me nearly rear-ended our vehicle. As we moved to the shoulder we were almost struck two more times. Once on the shoulder I turned the Kia off and back on. I attempted to accelerate on the shoulder and it sputtered and lost powers at twenty miles per hour to five miles per hour. I have done research and its apparent there is a major safety issue with this year. Its unfortunate it take a loss of life (or lives) to have a major recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11436197October 10, 2021
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
While driving I my head lights will automatically turn off and takes a while to come back on or may come back on a few seconds after they shut off on their own. I only notice due to it being dark outside that this was happening, due to hardly driving at night I don't know how long it's been happening until recently.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11436139October 9, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
Paint peeling off of the hood
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11436141October 9, 2021
ENGINE
Excessive oil consumption, that is, more than 1 quart consumed every 1 thousand miles, beginning around 68,000 miles. At subsequent oil change (12/20, 72000), crankcase was nearly empty. Next 3000-mi oil change, engine dash indicators noted oil pressure issue - this was with 74000 miles on odometer. I added 2 quarts of oil to crankcase immediately. I took the vehicle to the dealership where I purchased vehicle (their 'service warranty' mandated I go to the original seller (Mitsuibishi)). I disagree with their findings. Mitsuibishi El Cajon performed the oil consumption test (Kia) reporting after 1000 miles, the oil consumption was in accord w Kia Technical Bulletin 222. However, I am adding 1 QT of manufacturer's recommended oil every 3 weeks and now change oil every 30 days. I cannot sell this vehicle in this state and when vehicles are in short supply. For a vehicle with currently 86000 mi, this is Unacceptable!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11436021October 8, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, there was an abnormal fuel odor detected coming from the vents. The contact pulled over and inspected under the hood of the vehicle and saw that there was a leak coming from the high-pressure fuel pump. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that there was a leak coming from the damaged high-pressure fuel line. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact had an engine replacement under warranty in May 2021. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V907000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine). The failure mileage was 60,800.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11436094October 8, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Passenger low beam kept burning out. I kept replacing. This morning, on my way home from work (I work nights on an ambulance) I could smell burning, and saw that the light was out once again. Got home, and the entire connector/wiring to the bulb was completely melted and sizzling, with a small flame at the base of the plastic connector. This is outrageous. There were recalls for this EXACT issue for other Sorentos, but mine was not included. This could have started a major vehicle fire, and I cannot afford a vehicle electrician. Kia should be replacing this.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11435922October 7, 2021
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle had experienced unintended acceleration causing the RPMs to increase and the vehicle to suddenly drive forward and almost crash. The contact indicated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure and no problem was found. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 31,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11435968October 7, 2021
POWER TRAIN
The SUV had a whistling noise then started leaking transmission fluid. I brought it in and the master tech said the whole transmission needed to be replaced. This is a NEW vehicle which only 5000 miles on it .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11435747October 6, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Rear hatch locked and would not open from outside of vehicle. Released hatch with emergency release from inside of car per manual page 4-27. Hatch could then be manually opened and traveled up and down full range on automated open from exterior switch, key and driver's switch. However the hatch will not latch and opens when the vehicle is in motion.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11435707October 6, 2021
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Power train operation is erratic and unpredictable. I have have experienced the same problems of other reports (loss of power when turning, jerking/rough shifts, cruise control issues) with the addition of this: when stopping the vehicle in a smooth controlled fashion, it suddenly has a boost of acceleration at 1-2 mph which requires extra brake pedal pressure to keep from impacting the car ahead.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Kia Sorento