Kia Sorento Complaints

10,397 consumer complaints on file.

#11744071June 14, 2026
ENGINE
For 1 week the check engine light came on today 6/13/26 the oil light came on at 55 mph when pulling up to a stop sign the oil light went off when back up to speed the light came back on at 55 then the car engine shut off completely costed to drive way and turned in
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743877June 13, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I am filing a safety complaint regarding a Kia vehicle I purchased from CarMax Waldorf approximately 3 months ago. The vehicle has developed a strong gasoline/fuel odor that is consistent with a possible fuel leak. This creates a serious safety concern, including the risk of fire or explosion while driving or operating the vehicle. The issue began shortly after purchase and has continued. The vehicle is now unsafe to drive due to the strong fuel smell. When I contacted CarMax about the issue, I was instructed to take the vehicle to a Kia dealership instead of CarMax inspecting or addressing the safety concern themselves. I believe this is improper handling of a potentially dangerous defect in a recently sold vehicle. At this time: * Vehicle emits strong fuel/gas smell * Safety risk increases while driving * Vehicle has been in my possession for only 3 months * Issue appears to be early or pre-existing defect * I was redirected away from CarMax responsibility I am requesting that this safety issue be investigated as a potential fuel system defect and documented appropriately.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743679June 12, 2026
ENGINE
My vehicle experienced a dangerous incident involving smoke entering the passenger cabin followed by complete engine seizure. Prior to this failure, the vehicle had already undergone recall-related repairs through an authorized Kia dealership for known engine and fire-related safety concerns. The recall was marked as completed by the dealership. However, after the repair, the vehicle continued experiencing problems significant enough to require multiple return visits to the dealership. Despite the recall work being completed, the vehicle ultimately suffered the same type of dangerous condition the recall was intended to prevent. Smoke entering the cabin created a serious safety hazard for myself and anyone inside the vehicle. This was not a routine mechanical issue or ordinary wear and tear. This involved conditions directly connected to known Kia engine defect investigations involving engine failure and fire risks.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743629June 11, 2026
ENGINE
While driving on the highway on Mother’s Day weekend with my wife and daughter, the vehicle suddenly lost acceleration and engine power while traveling on a 5-lane beltway. The vehicle would not accelerate and I was unable to maintain normal highway speed. I had to coast to the side of the road with the hazard lights activated because of the safety risk. The vehicle was eventually restarted after being towed to a dealership, but it continued to have severe loss of power and could not safely travel above approximately 45 mph. The suspected failure involves the engine and emissions system. The vehicle has a history of engine-related issues and previously received engine-related repairs. The current engine has developed excessive oil consumption. This condition has resulted in fouled spark plugs and a catalytic converter becoming severely restricted/clogged from oil contamination, causing significant loss of engine performance. A dealership inspected the vehicle and documented the oil-burning complaint and catalytic converter-related fault. The dealership performed diagnostic work, including spark plug replacement, but the problem continued. An independent repair facility also inspected the vehicle and confirmed excessive oil consumption and catalytic converter restriction. The vehicle remains available for inspection. This condition presents a safety concern because the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power while traveling at highway speeds and was unable to maintain normal traffic speed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743523June 11, 2026
AIR BAGS, SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
I have replaced my rotors and my brakes soon as I got the car I’ve had the car for a month now I was in a major accident. Someone walked in front of my car. My emergency brake system did not work my rotors and my brakes, have been scrubbing ever since I got the car. And I don’t know how to fix the situation. The brakes are still going out and sound very horrible. I can’t keep replacing them because I don’t think they need to be replaced. Is something wrong with the car. My Insurance adjuster name is Brandon Brooks [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
1
#11743455June 11, 2026
WHEELS
I was going to Villa Toscana homestead , and in that road there a big hole and made my tire explode . No light on homestead road to be able to see the big hole.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743450June 11, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The horn isn’t making any noise at all. There were no warning lamps or messages, I didn’t know until I needed to use my horn.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743313June 10, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled further than normal intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the failure could not be replicated. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the HECU had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743350June 10, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2022 Kia Sorento failed to increase speed when accelerator was depressed , engine RPMs increased, but no subsequent speed increase. The Amber ISG light was flashing, with no other warning lights. The car was driven to a safe pull out, placed in park, turned off and restarted, no flashing light. The car accelerated satisfactorily afterwards. This has happened several times in the last two years. Both fuel pumps were replaced as well as the battery and computer systems were reset and the problem still intermittently persists. This is a significant safety issue if the car cannot properly accelerate when required to merge into traffic and properly maintain designated speed. Was told that Kia engineering said this maybe a heat related issue, the car is operated mainly the the southwestern US, Phoenix, Az metropolitan area.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743204June 10, 2026
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
The vehicle is suffering from a chronic, cascading powertrain and fuel management defect that has resulted in a critical safety hazard: sudden engine stalling. Over the last 17,000 miles, the vehicle has experienced three severe engine/emissions failures that the manufacturer has been unable to permanently resolve. At approximately 30,000 miles (on 29-Jun-2025), the engine suffered a severe Cylinder 3 misfire (Code P0303). At approximately 39,000 miles (on 02-Jan-2026), the unresolved fuel issue caused a failure of the Catalytic Converter (Code P0420) and an Evaporative Emission System leak (Code P0456). At 47,000 miles (Current Event), the fuel delivery system failed completely. The engine began running excessively rich (Code P2178), causing the engine idle to drop dangerously low (Code P0506). This defect caused the vehicle to suddenly stall out, resulting in a complete loss of motive power and leaving me stranded. Because the manufacturer's authorized repair facilities have only addressed the symptoms rather than the root cause of the fuel system failure, the vehicle repeatedly loses power and stalls without warning. This poses a severe safety risk to myself and other motorists, especially when operating the vehicle in traffic or at highway speeds.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11742888June 9, 2026
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, abnormal engine oil consumption was noticed. No warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine oil consumption, but repairs could not be made until a knocking sound was heard. The contact stated that the vehicle was no longer experiencing the failure but was repaired under an unknown recall. The contact stated that occasionally, while driving at various speeds, the Check Engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the same local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a catalytic converter failure. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11742930June 9, 2026
ENGINE
My husband and I got the oil changed at Walmart, one week later we took a trip to Cincinnati zoo with my children. On the way home we were driving on the interstate, car jolted and caught fire. something went through the oil pan and the oil dumped on the exhaust and caught flame. The car had to be towed to my parents and has been sitting since. We are paying on a car just for it to sit. No one will give us answers.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743009June 9, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Idle stop and go system randomly auto disabled on start, unable to enable. Causes vehicle to be unable to accelerate faster than 25mph.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11742753June 8, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Multiple lights on dash same time. Auto Hold, Fwd Collision, Adaptive Cruise and ABS. Code said ABS Module faulty. Multiple Safety System affected and rendered useless.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11742574June 7, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
My high pressure fuel pump is spraying fuel in my engine. This is a new engine replacement as of October 2024. This is a huge fire risk and we cannot operate this vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11742570June 7, 2026
POWER TRAIN
At stop lights trying to excel it stales for a couple of seconds then resumes. Does this on and off all day because I drive for a living. Finally the check engine light is on and now have to replace the whole turbo because it’s failing. I just got the car mid march of 2026. I have kids and scared to drive around and the car fail on me.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11742498June 6, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am writing to report a recurring issue with the center navigation and infotainment screen in my 2022 Kia Sorento. The screen periodically goes completely black while I am driving. Occasionally, the display glitches before failing, while at other times, it goes dark without any warning. This is particularly concerning when I am relying on the navigation system for directions. I have previously taken the vehicle to the dealer, but they were unable to replicate the issue and therefore have not yet performed a repair.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11742231June 5, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
I had the car for just 2 years and it's giving me a lot of problems the car smells like gas it has a gas leak the breaks don't work and the electrical system don't work properly
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11742388June 5, 2026
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owned a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed an abnormal fuel odor, and there was white smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact was able to safely pull into a driveway, and the contact noticed flames coming out of the hood. The contact stated that the fire caused property damage to the driveway, including debris and burn marks. The entire vehicle was engulfed in fire and deemed destroyed. The fire department extinguished the fire. A fire department incident report was filed. The police arrived at the scene, assisted in directing traffic, but did not file a report. The contact further stated that while attempting to exit the vehicle, the contact's mother fell on the ground. No medical treatment was sought, and no injuries directly related to the vehicle fire were reported. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11742016June 4, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Engine wiring is covered in soy based products which attract rodents as a source of food. Rodents then chew various wires and damage the electrical system. The check engine light has popped on twice in one year with both times requiring service repair for the chewed wires. There is a potential for electrical fires or other various failures due to rodents chewing through the wires. Kia has known about this problem for over a decade and continues to use soy based coverings in their engine without any mitigation for rodents.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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