Kia Sorento Complaints

10,397 consumer complaints on file.

#11128814September 11, 2018
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY SORENTO MADE A CLANGING NOISE THEN THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CAR WAS TOTALLED. I WAS ON A BUSY CITY ROAD IN CINCINNATI WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE. IT WAS IN MOTION, I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT BEFORE IT DIED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11128829September 11, 2018
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SINCE I BOUGHT THE 2011 KIA SORENTO THE TRANSMISSION OR ENGINE TENDS TO STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING LIKE NOT CHANGING GEARS, GETS LOCKED, JERKS BACK AND FORTH TILL IT UNLOCKS OR CHANGES GEARS WHILE AT THE SAME TIME SLOWING OR STOPPING CAR IN IT'S TRACKS. TWICE I HAVE HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL, HAVE HAD SEAT BELTS LOCK TIGHT AGAINST ME AND MY PASSENGERS WHEN IT LOCKS WHILE TRYING TO CHANGE GEARS. IT HAPPENS AT LEAST 3-6 TIME A YEAR SINCE I HAVE HAD THE CAR. I HAVE REPORTED IT TO MY SERVICE DEALERSHIP KEARNY PEARSON KIA, 7303 CLAIREMONT MESA BLVD, SAN DIEGO, CA 92111 AND THEY HAVE NOT FOUND ANYTHING WRONG. THESE PAST TWO YEARS THE GEARS LOCKING IS GETTING WORSE AND THE CAR SLOWS DOWN INSTANTLY FROM DRIVING ON THE FRWY 65 MPH DOWN TO 35 MPH INSTANTLY ALMOST HAVING CARS HIT ME FROM BEHIND. SAME FOR DRIVING ON THE STREET GOING 35-40 MPH DROPPING TO 5-10MPH AND STOP/JERK/GO/STOP/JERK AND ALMOST HAVING CARS BEHIND ME CRASH INTO ME. I HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO HAVE HAD FAST REACTING DRIVERS BEHIND ME OR NO DRIVERS. THIS LAST INCIDENT LAST MONTH WAS SO POWERFUL THAT I SMACKED THE STEERING WHEEL AND THOUGHT I HAD GOTTEN HIT BUT DIDN'T. MY CHEST GOT TIGHT AS IF I WAS HAVING A HEART ATTACK FROM THE FORCE AND MY KIDS CRIED FROM THE WHIPLASH. THIS WAS YET THE STRONGEST. ALSO, SINCE 2011 I HAVE HAD 7 - 10 INCIDENTS OF SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE AIR VENTS, SMILING LIKE FIRE. I TURN OFF THE VENT AND IT CONTINUES FOR 10MIN THEN GOES AWAY. I AM NO MECHANIC BUT IF I HAD TO GUESS I WOULD SAY SOMETHING WITH THE AIR-CONDITIONING BEING HIGH FOR LONG PERIODS AND THEN WHEN IT GETS TURNED DOWN OR OFF SEEMS TO ACTIVATE THESE THINGS ESPECIALLY THE GEARS LOCKING. JUST MY OBSERVATION. I HOPE YOU CAN GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS BECAUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE I FEAR FOR MY LIFE AND THOSE WITH ME OR AROUND ME WITH THIS CAR. YOU JUST DON'T KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN NEXT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11128492September 10, 2018
POWER TRAIN
WAS DRIVING FELT LIKE I HIT SOMETHING AND THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY OTHER GEAR. I STOPPED PUT IT IN PARK AND NO CHANGE AFTER WORK,8 HOURS LATER, THE CAR RAN FINE. IT HAD BEEN SHIFTING ROUGH FOR A WHILE, AT OR AROUND 50MPH, IT WOULD JERK THE WHOLE CAR LIKE IT WAS SHIFTING UP OR DOWN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11128568September 10, 2018
STRUCTURE:BODY, ENGINE
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY LOCKED UP(STOPPED) AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. SHE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THEN WITHIN MINUTES THE ENGINE WAS IN COMPLETE FLAMES. PRIOR TO THIS THERE WHERE NEVER ANY SIGNS OF THE CAR RUNNING OR DRIVING LIKE THERE WHERE GOING TO BE PROBLEMS. I'VE NEVER HAD ANY MECHANICAL ISSUES AT ALL ASIDE FROM THIS INCIDENT. THIS HAS COME COMPLETELY OUT OF NOWHERE UNEXPECTEDLY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11128582September 10, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
SUNDAY SEPT 9TH AT AROUND 9 - 9:30 AM I SMELLED SMOKE AND WALKED AROUND THE HOUSE AND SMELLED THAT IT WAS COMING FROM THE GARAGE. WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR I SAW FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND SMOKE AND FIRE ON TOP OF THE HOOD. I CALLED THE PALM BAY FIRE DEPARTMENT WHEN THEY GOT THERE THEY PUT THE HOSE ON THE CAR UNTIL THE FIRE WAS OUT THEY HAD TO CUT THE HOOD IN ORDER TO FINISH PUTTING OUT THE FIRE. THEY FIRE MARSHALL CAME AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE IT COULD HAVE BEEN AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. WHEN I CALLED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY GAVE ME A CLAIM NUMBER AND THEY TOLD ME WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE KIA DO FOR YOU . THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT SAID THEY WILL GIVE THE CLAIM TO THE RIGHT DEPARTMENT AND THEY WILL GET BACK TO ME IN 3 TO 5 BUSINESS DAYS. THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND IT HADN'T BEEN TURNED ON SINCE FRIDAY . THIS VEHICLE WAS A 2008 SORENTO WITH LESS THAN 90,000 MILES IT WAS IN GREAT CONDITION ALSO.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11128230September 8, 2018
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE REAR DOOR ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOES NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11128266September 8, 2018
SEATS
KIA SORENTO 2013 2ND ROW SEAT (PASSENGER SIDE) STUCK DOWN, THIS IS THE 2ND TIME I HAVE HAD IT FIXED. I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW IN 2012, AND IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN DIFFICULT TO OPERATE, LEVER SOMETIMES WOULD FEEL STUCK. I WOULD HAVE TO SOMETIMES PRESS ON THE SEAT TO MAKE THE LEVER WORK, OR SHAKE THE SEAT WHILE PULLING ON THE LEVER. FIRST TIME IT BROKE WHILE TRYING TO PUT THE SEAT DOWN IT WOULD NOT GO DOWN AND FELT LIKE THE LEVER WAS NOT ENGAGED HAPPENED AT HOME DECEMBER 2015. I HAD IT FIXED ON FEB 11 2016 AT THE DEALERSHIP, AND IT WAS CONSIDERED UNDER WARRANTY. IT BROKE AGAIN A MONTH AGO AUGUST 2018 WHILE I WAS PARKED AND TRYING TO PUT THE SEAT BACK UP, IT WOULD NOT GO BACK UP. THE LEVER WOULD MOVE BUT IT DID NOT ALLOW THE SEAT TO GO BACK UP. I BROUGHT IT IN FOR AN ESTIMATE ON SEPT 6 2018. THE ESTIMATE SAYS "NEEDS LEVER, CABLES AND HINGES") $500 PARTS AND $300 LABOR. I SEE THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL KIA OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND WONDERING IF KIA IS RECALLING IT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11128092September 7, 2018
ENGINE
THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR A RECALL AND I WAS TOLD IT PASSED THE TEST , FOR NOW, BUT I NEED TO CONTINUE TO BRING IT IN PERIODICALLY FOR CHECKS. THEREFORE THE CAR IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND THE ENGINE COULD SEIZE WHILE DRIVING. NO ONE SHOULD BE FORCED TO DRIVE A CAR LIKE THAT AND THE RECALL IS NOT COMPLETE BUT YET THEY REFUSE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. IF THE CAR WAS SAFE, THEN IT WOULDN'T HAVE TO CONTINUE TO BE CHECKED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. KIA KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE MOTOR AND REFUSES TO FIX IT AND INSTEAD IS MAKING PEOPLE CONTINUE TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR FUTURE CHECKS. THE PROBLEM COULD STILL OCCUR WITHOUT ANY WARNING AS THEY KNOW THE ENGINE IS DEFECTIVE. THEY ARE USING DECEPTIVE PRACTICES AND PUTTING PEOPLES LIVES AT RISK. I AM STUCK WITH AN UNSAFE CAR AND IF I SELL IT, I WOULD HAVE TO DISCLOSE THAT TO THE NEW BUYER, TO DO OTHERWISE WOULD BE VERY WRONG, ALTHOUGH KIA DOESN'T SEEM TO THINK SO. I WAS QUOTED AN AMOUNT MUCH LOWER THAN THE TRADE IN VALUE BECAUSE OF IT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11128110September 7, 2018
ENGINE
KIA REFUSES TO REPLACE THE KNOWN DEFECTIVE ENGINE. MY HUSBAND TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SC147 RECALL AND WAS TOLD IT PASSED, "FOR NOW" BUT IT WOULD HAVE TO CONTINUE TO BE CHECKED. KIA KNOWS THE ENGINE IS DEFECTIVE AND HAS PLACED MYSELF AND MY FAMILY IN AN UNSAFE AND POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING SITUATION AND I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING IN A CAR WHERE THE ENGINE COULD SEIZE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE BECAUSE KIA KNOWS THE ENGINE IS DEFECTIVE BUT IS WAITING FOR IT TO FAIL THE TEST. THAT IS WRONG AND IT COULD HAPPEN PRIOR TO A PERIODIC RECHECK AND NO ONE IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING A VEHICLE LIKE THAT AND KIA IS USING DECEPTIVE PRACTICES BY REFUSING TO REPLACE THE ENGINE THAT IS KNOWINGLY DEFECTIVE. NOT ONLY THAT, BUT IN ORDER TO SELL THE VEHICLE ,WHICH WE NOW WANT TO DO BECAUSE WE DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN IT, WE WOULD HAVE TO INFORM THE POTENTIAL BUYER OTHERWISE IT WOULD BE NEGLIGENT NOT TO. A TRADE IN VALUE WAS GIVEN TO US THAT WAS WAY BELOW THE TRADE IN VALUE AND IT IS BECAUSE OF THE OPEN RECALL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11124718September 6, 2018
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SUSPENSION
PULLS TO 1 DIRECTION WHEN BRAKING AND DRIVING. SOUNDS OF AXEL OR SUSPENSION IN MOTION STARTED ON CITY STREETS NOW ON HIGHWAY
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11124571September 5, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED TO HIGH. MINUTES LATER, THE TOP OF THE HOOD NEAR THE WINDSHIELD CAUGHT ON FIRE AND THE ENTIRE HOOD ERUPTED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE BATTERY APPEARED TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS AND WAS TOWED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11124638September 5, 2018
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT IS STAYING ON WE WERE TOLD THAT IT IS THE OCD MAT SENSOR FOR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11124202September 4, 2018
SEATS
THIS MODEL HAS 3 ROWS OF SEATS. THE 3RD ROW IS PULLED TO THE UPRIGHT POSITION FROM THE BACK HATCH ACCESS DOOR. HOWEVER, THERE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A LOGICAL WAY TO GET TO THIS 3RD ROW OF SEATING WITHOUT PHYSICALLY CRAWLING ON HANDS AND KNEES. WHAT AM I MISSING ?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11124354September 4, 2018
ENGINE
THERE HAS BEEN TWO OCCASIONS IN WHICH THE CAR TURN OFF. LUCKY IT HAS BEEN WHILE THE CAR WAS PARK. ONE OF THE OCCASION WE HAD JUST PULL OVER WHEN SUDDENLY THE CAR TURN OFF. I FIND THAT UNUSUAL SINCE THIS IS A NEW CAR AND IT SHOULD BE HAPPENING. HAS THERE BEEN ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS MODEL? I WOULDN'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO ME WHILE DRIVING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11124361September 4, 2018
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS GO OFF AUTOMATICALLY. HAVE TO TURN THE HEAD LIGHTS BACK OFF AND BACK ON BEFORE THEY WORK AGAIN. ONLY HAPPENS IN THE BEGINNING OF THE DRIVE. I BOUGHT NEW HEAD LIGHTS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11124412September 4, 2018
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
RECALL NOTICE FOR ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING RECALL POWER TRAIN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11124430September 4, 2018
ENGINE
ENGINE SHUT OFF GOING DOWN INTERSTATE, MECHINCE SAY IT SHOT LITTLE OVER 100,000 MILES TOWED IN ENGINE GONE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM BEFORE JENKINS AUTO GARAGE IN TENNESSEE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11123962September 1, 2018
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, STEERING
VERY ROUGH START IN THE MORNING OR AFTER SITTING OFF FOR OVER 2 HOURS. AFTER 30 SECONDS ENGINE NOISE REDUCED DRAMATICALLY. STEERING CONTROL MALFUNCTION SOMETIMES. MAKING UP DOW BUTTON ACT ERRATICALY ALONG CRUISE CONTROL AND RADIO CONTROL. BLUETOOTH CONNECTION SOUND QUALITY VERY POOR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11123893August 31, 2018
POWER TRAIN
MY TRANSMISSION ISN'T SHIFTING PROPERLY I CANT EVEN REVERSE 1ST 2ND AND PART OF 3RD GEARS ARE ROUGH SHIFTING. ITS ALSO CAUSING IT TO MAKE A CLUNKING SOUND IN THE REAR AXEL ALSO WONT SHIFT WHILE TURNING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11123623August 31, 2018
ENGINE
WHEN STARTING UP CAR, VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY FROM ENGINE, AND THEN DIES. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, AND BECAUSE KIA TECHNICIANS CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM, AND CANNOT REPLICATE IT - THEY ARE BRUSHING THE PROBLEM OFF. THEIR TECHLINE IS USELESS. I ESCALATED THE CASE TO THE CUSTOMER RELATIONS LINE THEY TOLD ME THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING UNLESS THEY CAN REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY EVEN SUGGESTED THAT I USE MY PHONE TO RECORD EACH TIME I START UP THE CAR SO I CAN SEND THEM THE VIDEO. AND THEN THEY WERE NICE ENOUGH TO TELL ME THAT I NEED TO PICK UP MY VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AS IT HAD NO PROBLEM. THIS WAS NOT ACCEPTABLE, SO I ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT CORPORATE WHERE A REPRESENTATIVE CALLED ME ONCE, LEFT HER NUMBER AND I RETURNED HER CALLS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND SHE HAS NEVER CALLED ME BACK.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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