Kia Sorento Complaints

10,397 consumer complaints on file.

#11688056September 18, 2025
POWER TRAIN
2022 Kia sorento under 86,000 miles is jerks intermittently but no codes are being shown. Currently at the dealership and tech suspects transmission, which has been reported by numerous consumers of this issue but the recall was only applied to certain Kia sorentos and it should be broader.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11687808September 17, 2025
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
This has to do with your investigation into the oil pan caps cracking. I had my vehicle serviced 6 months ago and KIA of York PA required me to pay for replacement. Over $150 to correct this issue that seems to be a defect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11687231September 15, 2025
ENGINE
Just bought the car, was perfectly fine during the test drive, no lights on or engine codes present. On my way home check engine light came on showing code P0420 , catalyst system efficiency below threshold (bank 1), saying the catalytic converter needs to be replaced. Did some research and found there were certain 2016 Kia Sorentos recalled for this issue, but doesn’t show up on affected vehicles list when I look up my VIN # .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11687042September 13, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Fuel pump leaking gas from a crack around electrical connections on top of it. Fire hazard.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11686785September 12, 2025
ENGINE
got into my vehicle pushed button to start, could hear a clicking for the first few seconds, then clicking went away. Drove off, went approximately 0.30 mile at a stop light when started to go it stalled in the the middle of an intersection. No warning light no other warning of anything wrong with vehichle, no other warning signs that there could be anything wrong. In July 2025 I had just took vehicle in for a major maintenance, oil, air filters, spark plugs, timing belt, and I checked oil and again no warning signs that there was anything wrong with vehicle. Took to a shop, mechanic believed it was the key fob, due to immobilize, had a new key reprogrammed and still not start, then proceeded to check the starter and installed a new starter still not start and found to be engine siezed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11686869September 12, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where an oil change was performed because the engine oil level was extremely low. The contact stated that the vehicle was not due for an oil change at the time of the service. Despite the oil change, the failure worsened as the sound became increasingly louder. The vehicle was then taken to another independent mechanic and was diagnosed it with engine failure, and the contact was provided an estimate for a new engine. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 164,000. The VIN was not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11686778September 12, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
Everytime i put my car in cruise control for 1-2 minutes after i take the cruise control off the breakers are gone and them come back
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11686329September 10, 2025
ENGINE
Engine seized up while driving. I had just visited the dealership and had 5 RECALLS done.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685959September 9, 2025
ENGINE
KIA Sorento 2018 The vehicle experienced engine failure due to piston ring damage at approximately 111,500 miles. A Kia dealer diagnosed the issue with codes P0301 and P0304 and confirmed the engine requires full replacement. This creates serious safety concerns, including engine misfires, loss of power, and risk of stalling while driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11686042September 9, 2025
STEERING
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while turning the steering wheel in either direction, the steering wheel was sticking and notchy while attempting to return the steering wheel to center. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the power steering motor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 21,083.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685839September 9, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Adding to NHTSA Safety Issue ID # 11685509. The car was taken back to the dealership on 9/8/2025 and the maintenance department was showed were the Junction box that controls a lot of safety features could be the issue and why normal diagnostics tools used could not isolated the issue to it. Online research shows that this Junction box is a common issue and an undiagnosed issue with major safety issues. Actually the maintenance department had no clue as to were it was even located on a 2019 KIA Sonata. Please look into this issue. I am having mine replaced but it will take a week to do it. It maybe because of the unavailability because of quality fixing the issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685899September 9, 2025
ENGINE
Engine light was on about a week prior to taking it to the dealer for inspection. Was not time yet for an oil change. Had another 1000 miles before next oil change was due. After oil change they found metal shavings in new filter and oil. Told us we need to replace the engine. So we have a defective engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11686134September 9, 2025
POWER TRAIN
While driving my 2022 Kia sorento on the interstate a sudden check engine light illuminated and the car totally stalled out with a severe decrease in power causing me to almost be rear ended by interstate traffic before I could get off the road safely. After taking the vehicle to the dealership for diagnostics I was informed there was a P1C2D03 trouble code which is associated with the 8 speed dual clutch transmission indicating an internal fault in the electric oil pump of the TCU. Upon further investigation we find out this code was associated with a safety recall that went out for this particular Kia model and transmission. The original owner took this car in to have the recall repaired back in 2023 without the fault code showing or any issue presenting from the vehicle. They were simply taking it in to clear the recall they were sent. While it was at the dealership they flashed the system like they were supposed to do according to the campaign instruction and sent them on their way. Fast forward to now and I am getting this same fault that the recall was sent out for but I have the code which according to the campaign instructions Kia was supposed to replace the transmission due to a mfg defect. Kia is refusing to replace the transmission now saying the recall can not be reopened and since I am the second owner and my warranty is expired I will have to pay over $5,000 for a replacement.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685783September 8, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
My problem is with the headlights, in that the condenser lens for the low beam lights has clouded so badly that driving at night has become so dangerous. I have changed the bulbs twice in an effort to correct the problem to no avail. And with the sealed unit not able to be disassembled to clean the lens, my only option is to replace the units at approximately $800 each. This condition in my opinion should not have occurred.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685823September 8, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Low beam headlights would work and some times not work and then one day they stopped working completely. We've had everything checked out and there is no explanation as to why this is happening. Replaced headlights, relays, and checked wiring.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685564September 7, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
paint is falling off in large sheets could be a safety issue, been reported to the dealership, and no warning. I feel this is a real safety issue because it comes off in large sheets could cause and issue on the highways for flying debris
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685439September 6, 2025
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
The red steering wheel with an exclamation point pops up on the dashboard and instantly I lose power steering the wheel gets really hard, it went out as I was making a turn and I almost hit the truck . I had to yank the wheel really hard to control the steering, then had to pull over turn the truck off then back on to reset the problem. This have been going on mildly for a few years now has gotten to its worst
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685509September 6, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The right headlight has stopped working as of 1 week ago. The car was returned to the KIA dealership for this issue as well as a hesitation while driving and a chronic bumping sound in the car while driving. The car was kept at the dealership for 3 days Sept 3,4 & 5 2025 and the headlights per the dealership were realigned. The Right headlight was on at the dealership but on Sept 6 2025 is back out. No warning showing on the dash and no warning on the dash when the light was first noticed being off. I have used all the light selector switch settings and nothing changes, moved wires on the back of the light housing, nothing. Tapped on the light front and back, nothing. My concern is the light is out so no night driving and the lack of the sensors warning the light is out. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685472September 6, 2025
ENGINE
At start up, vehicle’s engine will sometimes have abnormally strong vibrations/shaking, loud noises, and will only produce reduced power (vehicle struggles to accelerate). The check engine light is illuminated when this happens. I am typically able to clear it by shutting off the vehicle one to two times. I have attempted to repair this defect at least 4 times but Kia has been unable to resolve.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685249September 5, 2025
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My car is consuming oil. I was two and a half quarts down when I checked it and the oil light never came on! I'm glad I checked it when I did! The car is consuming oil and has to be checked every day to every other day. I called the local KIA dealership and of course, NO RECALLS. What do I do now?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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