Kia Sorento Complaints

10,397 consumer complaints on file.

#11707422December 29, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Instrument gauge cluster freezes while driving. Cannot view current speed, blinker status, cruise control settings, tachometer information, fuel status, or ADAAS items. Also gear select indicator light freezes and does not show correct gear/park. Can only be reset by disconnecting negative battery cable and discharging system.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11707314December 28, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I wanted to add to a previous claim I had already submitted, I found an item that had fallen out of my engine, I don't know if I can submit a picture on here but I will try.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11707320December 28, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have placed below what I have sent to Kia company.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11707323December 28, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
A noisy steering wheel column while driving ,car suspension was check everything was ok
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11707344December 28, 2025
ENGINE
I was driving and heard a loud noise. The car started to hesitate and was making a knocking noise. I pulled over and had it towed where I was told it was a rod bearing failure and I needed a new engine. It had 130,000 miles. I have been reading online and found a lot of vehicles with the same engine as mine where this has happened and there are no recalls. Engines size 3.3L V6. Right now the car is sitting. I still owe on it and can’t afford to have it fixed. The oil was changed regularly. It was changed four weeks before this happened. No warnings.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11707059December 26, 2025
ENGINE
Excessive oil consumption
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11707140December 26, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The Snow White Pearl Paint Color is peeling off my entire car, compromising the vehicle since the metal is no longer being protected. I took it into a KIA dealership and they acknowledged the paint defect but said they can’t do anything about it even though they know that there is a manufacture defect with this specific paint color. There was no warning, my car is parked in the garage and so it’s not even exposed to the elements all the time and the paint just started peeling. This paint color has a known defect for not adhering to the primer and KIA won’t do anything about it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11707188December 26, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving my vehicle and all the sudden all the lights on my dashboard came on, I am going to try and remember exactly which ones came on. The engine malfunction light, the ABS light, the battery light, the EPS light, the oil light, there were more lights that came on but I don't know the exact name of it. Then I heard a pop, smoke pouring through the vents, this all happened within 30 seconds. I quickly pulled into a driveway, there was a flame coming from beneath the hood. I ran up to the person's house. I was ringing the doorbell, they instantly seen what was happening. The male owner of the home came running out with a fire extinguisher and put out the flame. I kept up with all the maintenance of my vehicle, oil changes, making sure everything was up to date. All the oil had poured out of the vehicle some a little on the road around the same time the lights came on and I heard the pop and in the rest in the driveway. I didn't know what to do so I called Kia to report it, then I called triple A and they refused to tow it. I called a random tow truck driver who was kind enough to tow it back to my house. The person at Kia told me to tow it home and they would send out an inspector, I'm still waiting for a response. My vehicle only has 75,000 miles on it and nothing was wrong with it. I've never had a car just start on fire before. This is so upsetting because I am a single mother of 3 children, with a single income. I am an RN and it is my only transportation to and from work. I truly hope someone rectified this situation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11707121December 26, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
All 2020 through 2022 Kia Nightfall Edition vehicles (top-trim packages) are experiencing premature and widespread exterior trim fading, indicating a manufacturing or material defect rather than normal wear and tear. This issue is consistent across multiple model years, strongly suggesting a systemic problem with the product used on these vehicles. Despite repeated complaints, Kia has not issued a recall nor provided a permanent remedy. Dealerships are inconsistently addressing the issue and are actively denying or resisting full corrective action, leaving many owners without resolution. When repairs are approved, the only offered solution is replacement with the same defective trim, which predictably fades again—often within one year—demonstrating that the problem is unresolved and ongoing. Kia has provided conflicting and illogical explanations, including claims that the fading is caused by vehicles being washed too frequently or not frequently enough. These explanations are contradictory and inconsistent with proper vehicle use and maintenance. Owners have followed standard care guidelines, yet the defect persists, further reinforcing that this is a product defect, not consumer misuse. This situation places an unreasonable financial burden on consumers, diminishes vehicle value, and undermines consumer trust. More importantly, Kia’s refusal to acknowledge the defect and provide a permanent fix reflects a failure to meet manufacturer responsibility standards. Kia representatives and dealerships have acknowledged the issue but have instructed affected owners to contact NHTSA instead of addressing the root cause. Because: The defect affects multiple model years The failure is predictable and repeatable The manufacturer offers no permanent repair Responsibility is being shifted onto consumers Dealerships are blocking consistent corrective action this issue meets the criteria for federal investigation and recall consideration.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11706961December 24, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
The vehicle is a 2016 Kia Sorento equipped with a 2.0L Turbo Theta II engine subject to the KSDS (Knock Sensor Detection System) safety recall. The original engine was replaced at approximately 70,000 miles under Kia’s engine service program. The replacement engine currently has approximately 32,000 miles. The vehicle developed internal engine damage diagnosed by a Kia dealership as a burnt exhaust valve. A burnt exhaust valve indicates abnormal combustion conditions such as lean operation, pre-ignition, detonation, timing deviation, injector malfunction, or lubrication failure. These are conditions the KSDS recall was intended to detect and mitigate. Kia Consumer Affairs denied warranty coverage, stating that the extended warranty applies only to rod bearing failure and that no further escalation would be pursued. Kia Consumer Affairs declined to escalate the matter for District Parts & Service Manager review and directed the owner back to the dealership. During the prior engine replacement, the dipstick was observed to be glued in place, raising concerns regarding oil level accuracy and lubrication integrity on the replacement engine. This complaint is submitted due to concern that a KSDS safety recall-related engine failure involving abnormal combustion was not properly reviewed or escalated, and that recall procedures were not administered in accordance with their intent.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11706587December 22, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was heavy white smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. There was no warning light illuminated. Upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic for an oil change, the contact was informed that there was an oil leak coming from the engine. The contact had her son inspect the vehicle, and he discovered that oil was leaking onto the spark plugs in cylinder #1. The contact’s son diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure and recommended that the engine be replaced. The contact then stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle started shaking with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and waited for approximately an hour before being able to restart the vehicle and drive to the destination. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, where a diagnostic test was performed, and the dealer discovered several oil leaks in various cylinders. The vehicle remained with the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11706642December 22, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Paint is bubbling and peeling off. Been to the dealership and they don’t seem to want to help. I have an extended warranty on the paint until 12/29/2025. They’re giving me the runaround.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11706458December 22, 2025
TIRES
Tires are Douglas Touring, and Sceptor. Those options were not available. I bought a set of tires that belongs to two different brands. Three from Douglas/Goodyear tires and one is Sceptor all from Walmart. They are supposed to have 50000 miles and 45000 miles respectively. When I took for car service, two different service mechanics mentioned that two of the tires have already reached 2/32. Originally, two tires were bought in June 2023, third tire is July 2024, and fourth tire in Jan 2025. There was already an issue with a tire that led to replacement earlier this year. I even filed a set of NHTSA reports in this regard earlier this year in February 2025. Now, two tires have gone down to less than 7/32, and as stated above has reached 2/32. I even shared a picture of peeling tread that I noticed at the time of purchase. This repeating issue suggests high likelihood with quality concern with these tires. For that matter, suddenly, I was asked to change brake rotor and pads, while previous inspections did not suggest any such change. As you might know, poor tires can also impact the brake rotor and pads. Your support to address this issue quickly would be greatly appreciated.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11706136December 19, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am seeing an axle shaft issue for this vehicle and noticed that several vehicles for similar timeline had a safety recall. However, mine is not showing up. Could you look into it and let me know whether my vehicle should also be part of this recall?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11706175December 19, 2025
ENGINE
Oil pressure sensor light came on when I would stop or park after 10-20 minutes of driving. Vehicle was low on oil so I added a quart. About a week later the light came on again so I took it to get oil changed at an independent shop. They said a change wasn’t necessary as I still had 2000 miles left, but said they would top it off if needed. It was half a quart low so they topped it off. On the way home the light came on again. Took it to the dealership where it was diagnosed as an oil pressure sensor failure. Vehicle has 103,000 miles so I was out of warranty. This vehicle is not eligible for the extended warranty for the oil pressure sensor issue provided by Kia as the extended warranty was only for models up to 2018, or vehicles manufactured up until March 2018. This is a 2019 that was manufactured in April 2018. Because of how close the model year and manufacture date is to the Kia provided extended warranty, it is apparent the issue was not corrected for this model year either and it should be part of the extended warranty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11706116December 19, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V649000 (Electrical System, Visibility); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was called but was unreachable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue, but the contact was informed that the call could not be transferred to the recall department because the department was undergoing a training session. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11705844December 18, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a small oil leak on the ground underneath the vehicle. The contact checked the oil level and added a quart of oil to the engine. The vehicle was driven approximately 50 miles. The contact parked the vehicle and checked the oil level again. They noticed that the oil level was low and added another quart of oil. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven another 15 miles, and the contact stopped at the grocery store. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the contact noticed a clicking sound, as if the engine was attempting to start. The contact continued, stating that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with complete engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that there was no warranty on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 151,025.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11705940December 18, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The paint peeled off on my hood in several places and on the fenders, I was driving in the rain and a big sheet of the paint on my hood peeled off and flew up on my windshield on the driver side causing me to run off the road because I couldn’t see, I took it to the Jenkins Kia dealership in Ocala, Fl and was told by the service people there that they would not fix it that it was my responsibility, they were very rude even though I was really shaken after running off the road now I have small rust spots all over my car , can you please help me?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11705969December 18, 2025
ENGINE
The engine suddenly failed while I was driving on the highway. The vehicle lost power without warning, which created a dangerous situation. I had to pull over and have the vehicle towed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11705649December 17, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from under the hood. In addition, the vehicle lost motive power, and the engine seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the failure was due to the detached crankshaft bearings. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the dealer disassembled the engine and the transmission. The contact stated that when the vehicle was released back to the contact, several parts were missing from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that several of the parts of the vehicle were missing. The vehicle was being repaired. In addition, the contact stated that she had owned three Kia vehicles, and each vehicle experienced the same failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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