Kia Sorento Complaints

654 consumer complaints on file.

#11672374July 9, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Safety concern. Vehicle suddenly could not maintain highway speed; vehicle unexpectedly decelerated. We were forced to pull over on the shoulder of the freeway. We called 911 and officers came. Officer confirmed being stopped on the shoulder of a major freeway was a very dangerous situation. We had 3 adults and two sleeping children in the car. No warning signals in the vehicle prior to the incident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11671506July 7, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Both Horn units need to be replaced . It's been confirmed by Safford Brown Kia in Manassas ,Virginia. The dealership did not have the parts and I have to wait 3 to 4 days for the parts to come in. In the meantime I have been driving the vehicle without an active horn because I was not given a loaner vehicle . I did call Kia Customer service whom stated that they are not aware of an open recall for my issue .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11670967July 3, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding Recall 22V-760 (SC250) affecting my 2021 Kia Sorento. This recall was marked “complete” by Kia, even though no actual repair or remedy was performed on my vehicle. I am now facing a complete transmission failure and have been quoted $7,100 to repair a defect Kia already acknowledged and promised to fix. The reality is, the defect was always present, it just hadn’t reached full failure yet. The recall being closed does not mean the issue was resolved, and this approach leaves thousands of Kia owners like myself unprotected.In May 2023, I brought my vehicle to Daphne Kia in Alabama for a radiator leak. During that visit, they noted the transmission recall was open but stated that no defect was found. As a result, they marked the recall as “complete” without conducting any meaningful repair or replacement. No transmission work was done, despite known problems reported nationwide.In May 2025, my Sorento began showing the exact symptoms described in the recall: surging RPMs, transmission hesitation, jerking, and drifting in and out of gear. At times, the vehicle would slow dramatically or jolt in the middle of traffic and lose drive! Extremely dangerous situation for me in traffic with complete loss of acceleration. I had to take time off to bring the vehicle to Step One Automotive Kia in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, on June 30, 2025 the soonest my schedule allowed. At that appt, I was told the transmission had failed and would cost over $7,000 to replace.I also am paying for a rental vehicle while my car is still with Kia for resolution as of now. Recall coverage did nothing to protect me when the defect eventually surfaced. Kia has publicly stated that:“If your vehicle is affected by a recall, Kia will repair the vehicle free.” They have a legal obligation under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act to correct safety related defects.They are not meeting that. kia consumer relations contacted as well.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11670142June 30, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
Have had an issue of losing power while on an interstate traveling back from work twice now. After the second time I reported to my local dealership. While driving home, my vehicle lost power and was extremely slow and unresponsive. Check engine light came on but when checked under the diagnostics of the entertainment system, showed no issues present. Light turn off but still was having issues with responsiveness. When arriving home connected my personal ODB scanner tool to the vehicle and showed 1 code P0301Cylinder 1 Misfire. Had take. Pics of the code and of my OBD tool and cleared the code. Car started functioning correctly again. But still took to dealership for analysis. Dealership could not find any issues or codes, probably cause I cleared the code which allowed the vehicle to run normally again.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11670140June 30, 2025
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
On numerous occasions during extreme ambient hot temperatures, one of the body sensors keeps malfunctioning giving me an error message about the front parking sensor malfunction. I have reported this to my local dealership on a number of occasions, but as soon as I place the vehicle in park the message clears. The error has shown up on a history report with they connect a scanner to the OBD port but have yet to rectify this issue. Started before I hit 15k miles and is randomly generated.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669861June 27, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My 2021 Kia Sorento lx has been having issues everyday where all of my dash lights come on, my power steering goes out and I can’t shift into or out of any gears. I have taken it to a Kia dealership (towed) twice already and they can’t find out the issue or unwilling to find it out. I have contacted Kia corporate and still no response from them. Kia has also refused to give me a loaner during this issue
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669708June 27, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My car has turned off completely twice while in reverse.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669304June 25, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
Thermal Module went out, causing car to not accelerate when pressing on the gas pedal. Mileage at 76,000
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669000June 24, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the contact was informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V760000 (Power Train); which the dealer linked to the failure. The vehicle was repaired under the recall; however, the failure returned soon after leaving the dealer. The vehicle was then taken to Arapahoe Kia (9701 E Arapahoe Rd, Centennial, CO 80112); where the contact was informed that the recall was closed by the previous dealer. The contact believed that the initial dealer never serviced the vehicle under the recall. The contact made several requests to the dealer to provide documentation about the work that was performed for the recall; however, the contact had not yet received the documentation. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The contact later received an email from the manufacturer stating that all future repairs would be performed out of pocket. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11668875June 24, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The car is accelerating without anyone pressing down on the gas, not accelerating when our foot is on the gas, jerking unexplainably and the emergency brake warning is coming on when it has not been employed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11668787June 24, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The fuel injectors, it is available for inspection. The vehicle feels like it is going to stop unexpectedly, or will not accelerate when it is suppose to, which leads me to feel unsafe driving it with my children. This is the same exact issue we had previously and it was confirmed and fixed by the dealership. The component was previously inspected and confirmed but since happening again has not been- I called the dealership and told them about the issue and they stated my vehicle was not included and they are on a month wait list. The check engine light is on. My check engine light came on, when accelerating the vehicle seems to "jump" or need a minute to catch up. It also makes a sputtering and a "tink-tink" noise when the vehicle is on. We had this exact issue moths ago and it was the fuel injector- which was replaced by Kia.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11668617June 23, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
On March 19 I completed my 8,000 mile oil change and then drove to Florida. I had a warning light to change my oil since the company did not reset it. Unsure of the other warning lights. As I was driving in Florida on the interstate the car started having issues. It was making a noise, then started smoking and by the time I got off the exit and got out the front right of the car was in flames. I was transported to the ER with smoke inhalation. The car in still in Clermont, FL with no resolution. The car has been inspected by the insurance and a third party inspector. The last I was told the inspection report is with the Kia engineers. I am unaware at this point what the failure was that led to the fire. No response from Kia for over a month.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11667838June 18, 2025
ENGINE
My 2022 Kia Sorrento’s engine seized while stopped at a stop light. It is my understanding that this is a common issue with Kia vehicles. Kia is denying this being an issue with their engines despite the documented history of this problem. Since my engine has seized the problem can’t be reproduced on my specific vehicle. It is currently at a local dealership.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667388June 17, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Transmission problems match those outlined in SC250. The dealership says our car wasn't included but our manufacturing date/model are a match. I've reported a problem with the dealership previously but they dismissed it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667226June 16, 2025
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, POWER TRAIN
While traveling to VA from TX, [XXX] and on [XXX] the vehicle hesitated to accelerate multiple times. Some were from a complete stop, and other times it occurred when accelerating to merge on the highway. On [XXX], I pulled out of a driveway onto a very busy road and upon increasing pressure on the gas, the vehicle shook (similar to the behavior of a manual when letting up off the clutch and not applying even pressure to the gas. Due to the vehicle's hesitation, I as almost hit by a large truck traveling on my exact path. This was the sole instance that warranted a call to Kia Corporate, as I feel the issue is a significant safety concern. I placed the vehicle in service 11-12 JUN and the attached receipt highlights that the dealer was unable to replicate the issue. As of 16 JUN, the vehicle is still exhibiting the same issue intermittently, along with the break pedal popping when ascending or descending on a hill/ramp. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667093June 16, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The car overheated while driving and my wife and daughter had to pull over to side of road. Engine Coolant was spilling everywhere. Car was towed to Raceway Kia in Freehold NJ. The dealer advised my wife that the radiator needs to be replaced and it was NOT covered under warranty. They claim that debris from the road must have damaged the radiator and therefore it was "third party damage". I searched the web for incidents and found that this ios a design problem in the Kia Sorrento. Their design causes the vulnerability to get damage to readaitor due to leaks. This should be recalled and redesigned before someone gets seriously injured as a result.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11666770June 13, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
Driving on interstate during a partly cloudy day at 53 degrees going 65 mph. There were vehicles approximately half a mile away in the front of us and approximately 2 car lengths behind us with no noticeable debris on the road. Moon roof was fully extended and the moon roof exploded without warning (not due to rocks). It sounded like a gun shot went off and we were covered in glass.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665716June 9, 2025
BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY/WIPER
Even though the dealership reports that safety recall 23V610 / SC280 for the mounting clip replacement was completed on 2/16/24, my rearview camera has just fell out of its housing, hanging by its wires, with the mounting clips laying broken in my driveway. My rearview camera is currently unusable; its taped up so that it is not just swinging by the wires. When I contacted my dealership, they are pretty sure they can get this work covered under the warranty, but they are not sure. And my VIN# is currently not pulling up any "Active Recalls". Either the clips they used to replace the previous clips were also bad, or the dealership didnt actually complete the work as reported.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665522June 7, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Vehicle lost power and transmission failed. Vehicle only has 36,000 miles. Dealer is denying recall from manufacturer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665218June 6, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Transmission loses power.Does not go foward after being in park. Have to turn off car and start it again making weird noise never heard before when it starts and when you turn it off. Has happened several times while driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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