Kia Sorento Complaints
10,397 consumer complaints on file.
- #11432633September 12, 2021UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My engine has given out on me on several occasions.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11432551September 11, 2021UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I Was driving down the road, my car suddenly began slowing down even as I pressed the accelerator Down more, as I started to pull over I heard a tapping noise and a sound almost like a chains rattling the vehicle shutoff immediately after. I tried restarting the vehicle, vehicle did not restart. As I got out the vehicle I smelt a burning smell but saw no fire. I had the vehicle towed to my house.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11432621September 11, 2021UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My 2018 Kia Sorento keeps going into limp mode. It can’t be duplicated by any shop so I keep paying for diagnostic and not having anything repaired besides things that could “possibly be the problem” but aren’t covered by the warranty like a positive battery cable or a software update. Now I’m $1000 out of pocket and had the most terrifying experience of my life and the car is still not repaired. Driving 75mph down the freeway, the car violently tried to stop and shut off and turned back on all on its own. It went into limp mode. Felt like a grenade went off. Still nothing can be found as to what the problem is! It is not safe and I refuse to put my children back in this car.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11432512September 10, 2021UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving with headlights in "Auto" mode the lights turn off randomly and stay off for up to 30 seconds. This can cause crash especially while driving at night on unlit roads and highways. This happened many times in 2018 soon after I purchased the car. I brought it to be serviced by Kia several times and it appeared that they had finally fixed the problem. However, over the years it has reoccurred many times and now happens frequently again. I know earlier versions of Kia have been recalled for this same problem but when my car was being serviced they said that my model did not have a recall for this problem. I have seen many complaints online for this same problem. This is a very dangerous issue and needs to be addressed in a Recall!!!
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11432126September 8, 2021STRUCTURE:BODY
The rear door handle fell off as I went to open it. This is also the side that my 5-year-old daughter sits on. If there were an accident and the door handle just fell off, it could be devestating.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11432199September 8, 2021ENGINE
I was driving back home when the engine cut out on Hwy 85 south outside Greensboro doing 65 mph. I took it to a shop that told me the engine was seized. I didn’t get any oil notification or any check engine lights till the car shut off. While driving.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11431909September 7, 2021ENGINE
In July on Highway my 2026 Kia Sorento blue up in blue smoke and stalked on busy multiple lanes of s highway… had to be towed to dealership…. Deakership let it sit fir 10-13 days after multiple text messsges…. Finally attempted to diagnose problem but not addressing blue smoke from tailpipe!!!! This has been occurring since 16,000 miles and excessive oil consumption at 52,887 miles… Aldo jerking, hard starting, stalling on highways…. No codes to diagnose…. All under water ty but did nit repair…. So the problems continued on until it abruptly stopped in the middle of busy Highway in heavy traffic… thankfully we were hit and struck by many cars and seriously injured!!!!!’ The dealership is not sure of their diagnosis and we feel the engine had been a problem since we purchased it new off showroom…. We use premium Mobil gasoline and have never had an issue such as this at 77,000 miles and the car is still in showroom with a spotless service record….. Please advise quickly as we now incurred a rental cost of over $1400.00 and the car remains on their lot for 6 weeks! It’s under warranty because they refused to repair it years ago!!!! Thank you for your prompt action regarding this matter…. Regards, M…….
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11431847September 6, 2021EXTERIOR LIGHTING
When the light selection is set to AUTO the headlights will periodically shut off while driving at night. At other times, the light will turn on when the car is parked and no key or occupants are in the car.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11431801September 5, 2021STRUCTURE:BODY
We purchased 2014 Kia Sorento, within the first year it began experiencing “Rapid delamination and paint peeling” on the hood, roof and bumper of our Pearl white Kia Sorento. I have talked with the dealership at every visit and have made many complaints to management. We were advised to contact customer service at Kia.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11431827September 5, 2021ENGINE
I traveled from my home and back approximately a 50-mile round trip. When I returned home, I noticed an excessive amount of oil leaking from my vehicle. First, I checked the oil level and the dip-stick was bone dry and discolored from the heat of the engine. I then jacked the vehicle up placed it on jack stands removed the engine splash shield to better access the underside of the engine. After careful inspection I was not able to ascertain where the oil may have been coming from. I went to YOUTUBE and found numerous video's detailing the issue with the Sorrento models from 2010-to-2016. Turns out it is the 'OIL PRESSURE SENSOR” about $14.00 in replacement parts; mechanic verified. The issue which has been stated in the YOUTUBE videos and on the NHTSA website and numerous other websites; the vehicle engine will fail from excessive oil loss and the "WARNING LAMP" will not ILLUMINATE to alert you of the low oil level prior to the vehicle losing power and the engine failing. This can be a safety hazard if this occurs on the highway, which I have read other complaints and it has happened luckily no one was injured or killed. It should not cost you $400 in repair cost to replace a part that cost $14.00. If you don’t catch this issue in time and the engine fails that same $14.00 part will cost you $6100 for an engine replacement. This is an issue that KIA has been aware of for over 7 years that has not been addressed. This should be #1 on the NHTSA RECALL list.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11431620September 3, 2021STRUCTURE:BODY
Chunks of my paint have begun rapidly peeling off of my vehicle. This can lead to structural integrity problems as moisture can penetrate and lead to rust and other damage. There hasn’t been any incidents to the vehicle to cause this.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11431669September 3, 2021UNKNOWN OR OTHER, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Lowlight beams are very dim. Poor visibility. NHTSA ratings are poor. I’m concerned as to why Kia will not fix the issue. There was no accident but for years I’ve been afraid to drive at night or avoid it. I’ve looked online and see I’m not the only Kia Sorento owner with these concerns. This does make me regret purchasing Kia and I tell everyone I know don’t buy this car.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11431472September 2, 2021STRUCTURE:BODY
My pearl white paint is chipping off of my 2014 Kia Sorento.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11431554September 2, 2021STRUCTURE:BODY
Pearl white paint peeling and chipping on hood of vehicle and bumper. KIA has known knowledge and history of this defect of the 2019 Kia Sorento with the Pearl white paint and hasn't stop using this color paint. Paint flakes has to go somewhere, air, water, etc. Hazardous material.This not just a touch up job, expensive procedure, have to restore the whole area, with the ensure that the paint matches up and possible cause of repainting again in the future. Kia needs to be held responsible for permitting defective equipment on the road.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11431333September 1, 2021STEERING
Twice, the electronic power steering has stopped working at speed. Almost impossible to steer the vehicle. Kia has two service bulletins on this issue but dealer claims it cannot find the problem and will not attempt to fix it.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11431394September 1, 2021EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the passenger’s side front headlight had stopped working. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the wiring harness in the headlight was melted. The vehicle was not diagnosed by an independent mechanic or dealer. The headlight assembly was replaced however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11431162August 31, 2021POWER TRAIN
Car jerks into 1st gear when stopping at a light and accelerating. Car gets stuck in 4th gear and will not accelerate until it reaches 4th gear speeds. Very dangerous to be trying to get up to highway speeds and car not wanting to accelerate beyond 10-20mph. Car is not safe to drive. Took to a Kia dealership and they said they couldn't replicate. I told them to drive the car more and they were able to replicate, however no check engine light has appeared so Kia dealership is telling me they can't do anything. They told me to keep driving it and bring it in if it gets worse. I do not feel safe driving this vehicle anywhere. Car has 67,000 miles on it and I am the second owner since 10,000 miles. I have done all maintenance that is required/needed all at the dealership.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11431211August 31, 2021ENGINE
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over and had the vehicle towed to her residence. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and was diagnosed but not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11431226August 31, 2021STRUCTURE:BODY
One of the 2011 KIA SORENTO door can't open from outside or inside. This is really frustrating, as I couldn't open a door where my chiled seat. I have 5 year old and I have to sneak one of them into the other door. I am really frightened if what will happen if the child door is locked and child is in the car seat and I am not able to go inside my car. This is a potential hazard for my child. I heard from people is very common problem with Kia, Kia has to really step forward and replace this faulty mechanism. The cost my kia dealer estimates is $1200, I urge the Kia company to really fix this asap before someone gets hurt and/or result into fatality.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11431048August 30, 2021SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the ABS, parking brake, and check engine warning lights illuminated, and the instrument cluster gauges were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that a sensor was faulty and 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 VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 60,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0