Kia Sorento Complaints

10,397 consumer complaints on file.

#11652519April 3, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
When my head lights are on automatic, they will cut on and off on their own while driving at night! Completely off! My break lights also come and go. I have had the bulbs replaced and still have the same issue
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11652546April 3, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an unknown dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11652229April 2, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH on an interstate, the vehicle abruptly decelerated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an unknown local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that upon picking up the vehicle from the dealer, the vehicle made an abnormally loud clunking, metal-on-metal sound; however, the dealer confirmed that there was no failure found. The vehicle was taken to a tire shop, where it was determined that the motor mounts had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The manufacturer confirmed the warranty coverage. The approximate failure mileage was 151,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11652327April 2, 2025
TIRES
I went for my regular wheel alignment last week and was told my tires need to be replaced - the tread was down to 3/32. I only have 30000 miles on the vehicle. I called Continental and was told the tires are considered a "performance" tire and therefore have no tread warranty. I bought a new set o Michelin Defender tires today. When I look on line, Tire Rack for example says the tires should be good for 65000 miles. I did not expect to have to buy new tires this soon. I am a retired safety engineer civil servant that worked for the Army Tank Automotive Command and also NASA and was involved in several tire recalls in the 1980s for Firestone so I have some knowledge about tires. I rotate the tires every 5-7k and get a wheel alignment at the same time. I do not abuse my tires. I feel that Continental came up with a term so they do not have to stand behind their product. I will never buy their tires. This set came OEM with my new Sorento
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11652054April 1, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was a ticking sound coming from the vehicle. Later, on the same day, while pulling into a friend’s driveway, the engine began making a knocking sound. The contact decided to drive to the residence nearby, and the engine started knocking again, eventually causing the engine to fail and the vehicle to lose motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the rods had failed due to excessive rust, causing the rods to knock. The dealer stated that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not yet fully inspected or diagnosed. The contact informed the dealer that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and asked that the recall repair be completed; however, the dealer had not confirmed completion of the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was 147,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11652081April 1, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Paint is peeling. Only have 100,000 miles. Paint is peeling off badly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11652193April 1, 2025
POWER TRAIN, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
Engine died in the middle of the right of way suddenly and would not restart. Knocking sound ensued when restart was attempted. Within the previous 48 hours, the engine had been topped off with 2 quarts of oil. The dealership it was towed to to assess the issue confirmed they added an additional 3 quarts of oil during the assessment. They confirmed the engine would need to be replaced. Mileage at the time of incident was 68K. Kia corporate confirmed they would not replace the engine since there are 4 owners on the vehicle history, and the warranty expired at 60K miles as a result.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11652040April 1, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The AC condenser has failed. Kia said the condenser is damaged in the far corner of the condenser where it meets the rubber. They said the warranty would not cover the repair but could not explain the damage. I have reviewed a webpage where many Kia Sorento owners had this issue. The techs all said the same thing: the rock-damaged condenser and warranty won't cover the cost of almost 1500 dollars. Now, they are stating a rock didn't damage it, but there is unexplainable damage, and they won't cover any costs. The vehicle is a 2022 with 29,000 miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651750March 31, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to a local AutoZone, where a representative inspected the vehicle and advised the contact that the engine oil was extremely low. The contact added engine oil, and within two weeks, the engine oil was extremely low again. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that several local dealers were contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was advised that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced a settlement under Kia Engine Litigation: Case [XXX] as possibly related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000. 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
#11651894March 31, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving on a main road at 55 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine, and the engine power was reduced, and the vehicle failed to accelerate above 20 MPH. The temperature gauge indicated that the engine was overheating. The contact was forced to pull over onto the side of the road where the vehicle was left idling for a while. The check engine, and the oil pressure warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the engine was faulty and was not worth the effort to replace the engine, as the cost would significantly outweigh the value of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651657March 31, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY/WIPER
The panoramic sun roof opens but will not close. it takes 6-12 attempts to get it to close, it will move to where its an inch away from closing then reopen. Kia has recalls for this make and year but says my car is not affected. attempting to get it to close is very distracting and frustrating taking focus away from driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651656March 31, 2025
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
The stop go feature is not working correctly, when it does cut off at a light after releasing the brake to move forward it takes 3-5 seconds to start. when the cars behind me see that i release the brake they assume im going to move which doesnt happen at first. some occasions the stop n go just doesnt work at all.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651585March 30, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
My cars shift lock release keeps getting stuck. I replaced the shift solenoid but that didn't work. I see there was a recall for 2016 kia sorentos for this issue but my VIN was not included in the recall. Can you direct on where I can go from here please! Thank you
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11650975March 27, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
This is the third time I’m having to take my SUV to the Kia dealership because my check engine light begins flashing and then my car has a hard time accelerating when it gets to certain speeds. It shakes but will not go over 68 mph although it is covered under a warranty, it is very frustrating. Having to keep take my car to get fixed. There should be a more permanent solution.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11650982March 27, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
My 2015 pearl white Kia Sorento has had paint peeling off of the hood and front of the roof. It is getting really bad and there is rust and corrosion now. It's been doing this for a couple of years and it's really bad now. There is now reason for that. When I drive around I keep an eye out and I see Sorento after Sorento with the same exact problem -- paint peeling in the same spots with rust and corrosion starting. Online you can find forums and a facebook page about it. It's an awful issue that starts out as a bad cosmetic issue and become an even worse body and safety issue due to the rust and corrosion. I will include photos from July 2023 to show how it was bad even back then. It's even worse now.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651042March 27, 2025
ENGINE
Just purchased Sorento and within a week a p1326 code came up. Kia refused to look at car saying they are booked out for months hung up phone on me.got the same response from every Kia dealer. Had a mechanic replace knock sensor and the problem still exists and car not drivable. I'm a single mom with two infants and spent all my money buying this car. I did a Google search on this car about it's dependability and it came back very dependable with engines lasting upwards of 300,000 miles. Mechanic told me Kia needs to replace engine as it falls under class action and lifetime warranty. Kia will not schedule an appointment for me to bring car in. Why are they not pulling these cars off road knowing they are damaged and continue stealing people's money ? This is destroying me and my family I may lose my job over this and I'll lose my apartment. Again I'm a single mom and can't afford to be defrauded like this. These vehicles should have their titles branded if Kia not going to repair them.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651050March 27, 2025
ENGINE
The car started to shake really bad and the engine light came on, pulled over called the tow truck service took it to the shop where they informed me the engine was blown
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651103March 27, 2025
ENGINE
Engine failed, leaving me stranded at a stop light. I was finally able to get it started, but it ran terribly and didn't have the power to go uphill, almost rolled back into the vehicles behind me. Had to have it towed. No warning whatsoever, engine stalled and engine light on. I got it fixed at dealership I purchased from, then it did the same thing a week later. I will NEVER purchase a KIA again. Almost every shop I inquire about service won't even service KIA engines anymore because of the problems. I'm left with a car payment and no vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651210March 27, 2025
ENGINE
Starting getting rid of coolant and engine oil and starting smoking really bad out of nowhere .. had to park it and haven’t drove it since unfortunately … need it fixed
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11650554March 25, 2025
ENGINE
Severe oil spill from engine and is spilling out into the car tires and the side doors and comes through the muffler and my back window and it’s stalling my car and I have been left stranded on the side of the road and I had it diagnosed at the dealership I bought it and I need my car fixed due to faulty issues of the vehicle not my fault please and thank you
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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