Kia Sorento Complaints

654 consumer complaints on file.

#11459969April 7, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1. Transmission; vehicle is currently at dealership 2. Yes, I was driving with my daughter in the vehicle at the time 3. Yes, they were able to verify that the vehicle needs a new transmisson 4. Yes, the vehicle is currently at the dealership and has been inspected by the mechanic 5. Since I started the lease, in April 2021, I have noticed "rough shifting" of gears. I have notified Kia dealership of such, and they told me it was normal for the engine, so I continued to drive the vehicle. While driving on the interstate, on April 1 2022, the transmission light illuminated on my dash and an error message also across the LED screen.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11459944April 7, 2022
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
Windshield cracked by a tiny pebble. The main windhsield of my 2022 Hybrid cracked while driving in the freeway. Its been less than a month since I bought the car and windshield cracked. I wasnt around any car at the time, It was late night and I saw the chip it made to my windshield.. a couple minutes later the crack spread out to 4 inches long. The windshield is not strong enougha nd causes a danger.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11459692April 5, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:SUMP/TANK:DRAIN PLUG
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while reversing, she noticed a trail of oil on the ground. The contact parked the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys who informed the contact that oil had leaked onto the skid plate. The engine oil was refilled and the contact drove back to her residence. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and assisted the contact with towing the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the oil drain plug had fallen out causing the oil leak. Additionally, the dealer diagnosed that the lack of engine oil had caused the engine to fail, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but informed the contact that the vehicle would be repaired at her own expense. The failure mileage was approximately 10,394.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11459638April 5, 2022
POWER TRAIN
Vehicle's transmission would not engage in "drive" or "reverse". After sitting for almost an hour, tried again and it engaged in "drive". Took to dealership, could not duplicate the problem. 4 days later, while driving, the vehicles transmission automatically disengaged from "drive". The car was left inoperable, in traffic. This is very dangerous.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11458294March 25, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
In 2 instances the car shut off without warning. Once After the car had been shut off, ( would not restart.) Then again while the car was in drive sitting at a red light. (Engine shut off without warning). Dealership could not figure out cause. When trying to restart the dash lights would come on with all codes being thrown as failure for multiple systems but engine would not start or try to start. The car did think it was running though as the dash would say car will shut off in alloted time frame that was set in car settings. Both times after the car being towed to the dealership and sitting for the night it started back up next morning like nothing ever happened. I ended up getting traded out of the vehicle at 18,500 miles after owning the car for 30 days. I’m assuming that’s why previous owner traded it. It’s a lemon.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11458018March 23, 2022
POWER TRAIN
The vehicle stutters before it comes to a complete stop and creates a panic feeling thinking it is not going to stop completely. Have had the car into KIA for two separate inspections and they just tell me it's due to a dual manual clutch working in and automatic car. I know I am not the only one experiencing this terrifying sensation on a brand new vehicle. KIA won't do nothing until the transmission completely fails. Even their master tech indicated there are issues with these transmissions causing shifting and breaking issues.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11457973March 23, 2022
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Suddenly one morning the transmission didn't work at all. I had to get a towing service to bring the car to the service. After a couple of days, they told me that the car needs a new transmission. BTW, the car ONLY has 12,000 miles!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11456213March 10, 2022
POWER TRAIN
2021 Kia Sorento EX had 3,196 miles on it when the transmission failed. The car was driving down a street when it lost speed and alerted driver to pull over. Driver had seconds to pull over before car completely stopped among traffic. Had the car been in heavy traffic, it almost certainly would've resulted in a collision from behind, especially at high speeds. The vehicle is currently at the dealership awaiting shipment of a new transmission. The vehicle has been expected by Kia dealership. There were no warnings of transmission failure before it failed, only once the problem was occurring in real time did driver receive an alert to pull over and a code regarding powertrain issues. Kia dealership mentioned that they had "a whole wall of cars with transmission issues" which conveys that this is a wide spread issue among their brand. If that is the case, it needs to be investigated and a recall needs to be issued.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11455332March 5, 2022
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
I was on a straight road no cars around the collision sensor went off and slowed me down. Another time it kept slowing the passenger side wheel down as the traction control was going off it did this 2 separate times. Got down the road some and it did it 2 more times but with the driver side. Last week I pulled into my drive way and was in park when it started telling me traffic was coming from the left, like I was about to back into something, I can't remember if I had shut it off at this time due to someone had fell out of the 3rd row when her foot was caught in the seat belt trying to exit the car. I called my nearest kia dealer and was told they were so far behind and since I did not buy my vehicle from them it would be last. I asked if an accident was to happen who would be responsible and he couldn't answer me.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11454440February 28, 2022
POWER TRAIN
I've had a concern for last several months with my transmission not shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. A new car with 100,000 mile warranty shouldn't be having transmission issues, so just started paying closer attention to ensure it wasn't my imagination. Gears not shifting became worse & more noticeable. On 2-21-2022 (on way to work), the transmission wouldn't shift from 1st to 2nd and then 2nd to 3rd gears. The RPMs went to 4,000 and 5,000 respectively. No lights are showing. I noticed a beep (like a seatbelt not engaged) that sounds 3 times prior to the transmission issues. Nothing in seats to activate a "seatbelt not buckled" sound. I pulled over, shut car off, sat for a few minutes & restarted the car. Same issue. The car was not moved again until 5:15 p.m. to head home from work (35 miles one-way commute). I pulled out onto the highway and transmission again rev'd to 5,000 RPMs. Pulled over and shut car off again. Car in park, restarted the car, and the car lunged as if going into gear, but I was in park. On 2-22-2022, same issue as the day before. Still no lights coming on. Called dealership & had Kia roadside assistance tow the car. Dealership kept for 3 days and could not duplicate the error. On 2/27/22, drove to church & had same issues. Returned home, put car in park in driveway (still running), the car shuts off and restarts on it's own. Monday, 2/28/22, does not appear to have any gear shift changes on the way to work until 5 miles from work when traveling 45mph and the car stalls almost to a dead stop in traffic; engine light comes on. Sent pic of engine light & text service advisor. Car towed by Kia roadside assistance to dealership. Now I'm without a vehicle because Kia won't provide a loaner car. I can rent a car and take it up with Kia Customer Cares in hopes of getting reimbursed - which is not likely to happen. 25,000 miles on car. Very Unsafe - does someone have to die to get issue resolved/recalled?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11454126February 25, 2022
POWER TRAIN
Transmission failed at 1561 miles. Will accelerate to 3000rpm do a 1-2 shift then immediately bang back into 1st. Car was flat bedded to dealer. Awaiting new transmission which is on backorder.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11453667February 23, 2022
POWER TRAIN
Driving @70 miles per hour complete loss of transmission ...this is not a safe car to drive ..
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11449135January 27, 2022
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
On January 17th at approximately 1 pm I was driving on Rt. 12 in Cordelia, California when I heard a loud explosion coming from the car's rooftop. I pulled over and discovered that my closed sunroof had shattered. There was no indication whatsoever that anything hit the glass. There were no vehicles in either direction less than 1200-1500 feet from my car when the sunroof class exploded. I assumed this would have been a warrantee claim as the car just approached one year old. Unfortunately, the manufacturer, Kia, denied the claim. I am now appealing the denial. Needless to say, I will never be comfortable driving this car with the sunshade open since that is what saved us from the shattered glass.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11447906January 18, 2022
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
Exploding Panoramic Sunroof: Was driving about 50 miles per hour on a highway in Northern California. No other vehicles within 1200-1500 feet in either direction. Was not driving under an overpass when we suddenly heard a large explosion and a rush of air. We pulled over to the side of the road and noticed that the sunroof glass had exploded and was completely shattered. We strongly believe it was NOT a result of an impact from a foreign object unless it literally fell out of the sky which seems extremely remote. We heard nothing until the explosion. No other damage to the car's hood or roof. No indication whatsoever that anything hit the car. The car manufacture, KIA, denied the claim. Fortunately no one was hurt since we had the sunshade closed and no other cars were nearby to get hit by the shattered glass. This could have been a dangerous situation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11447401January 13, 2022
POWER TRAIN
I noticed a clicking sound coming from the front driver's side wheel well. I also noticed a burning smell coming from the engine after driving the car for 10-15 minutes. Shortly thereafter, while driving the vehicle the RPMs seemed too high for the power being put out in the vehicle. It was also acting sluggish and felt like it was going to stall when at a stop sometimes. At one point, the check engine light came on but then went off after driving it for a few miles. I took it to the dealer's service department and they discovered that there was a fault in the transmission and it needed to be replaced. This is a 2021 Kia Sorento with only 6,500 miles on it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11447028January 11, 2022
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
My vehicle (2022 kia sorento) was purchased 11/08/21. It only has 1777 miles at this exact time. My windshield started cracking on my drivers side from the sunroof down. This is ridiculous for a vehicle so new. I've read this is a chronic issue with the tellurides. Kia refuses to do anything about it
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11446617January 7, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When making a turn and accelerating from a stop (pulling out into traffic from a parking lot), if there is any loose gravel or potholes, the traction control system engages and renders the vehicle unable to accelerate. This has almost caused accidents on multiple occasions and has been described by other drivers on this forum: https://www.kia-forums.com/threads/sporadic-issue-no-acceleration-from-stop.350565/page-7#post-2083617
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11446558January 6, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Tonight was the first time I drive this car in the snow. I was going downhill doing 5 miles per hour, I even downshifted to hold vehicle back, and the brakes totally locked up on me. I couldn't turn the car, it slid straight across the road, at a "T" intersection, and I crashed into a sign, and continued to slide down a hill on someone's property. In all my years driving this has NEVER happened to me. We have been complaining to Kia about the brake system on this car for months. Something is wrong with this car.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11446199January 4, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1/2/22 HORN-when I attempted to lay on it due to being cut-off, it was at this time, and continues to be inoperable. 1/4/22 Reported to Destination Kia, Service Department, Albany, NY. ACCELERATION-When pulling onto a major highway where the speed limit is 55mph, from an entrance ramp, my vehicle would not accel above 32mph. I do not recall any warning lamps. I was forced to pull off to the shoulder of the highway where I shut my car off and restarted it. The problem corrected itself. On the second occasion, I was driving in an area where the speed limit is 30mph, my vehicle would not accel (I cannot remember my speed); I do not recall any warning lamps. I was again forced to pull over to the side of the roadway where I shut my car off and restarted it. The problem again corrected itself. 1/4/22 Reported to Destination Kia, Service Department, Albany, NY Kia cannot get me in for service until February 2022 due to a staff shortage! Unacceptable due to the two (2) severe safety concerns.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11445391December 29, 2021
POWER TRAIN, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
Vehicle loses all power at random. First incident was dangerous merging into traffic. The vehicle remains in this condition until restarted. Dealer found no code problems. There are lots of issues with this vehicle and failing transmissions.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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