Kia Sorento Complaints

10,397 consumer complaints on file.

#11633397December 31, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES
Rear brakes failed, had to replace them. This is the 3rd repair not covered by Kia.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11633421December 31, 2024
ENGINE
Engine light flashes fast then Kia will slow down to about 30 mph when going up a hill, I've make claims on this Kia for the fire loss, transmission, brakes and now it won't run unless I pay $85 to have the sensor reset which lasts a short time and the light starts flashing again. Was told it doesn't qualify for a new engine because the mileage is over 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11633311December 31, 2024
ENGINE
Engine consuming excessive oil between oil changes.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11633167December 30, 2024
ENGINE
I was driving on the Thruway and suddenly my check engine light came on and a large plume of black smoke came from the exhaust. The car was misfiring badly. I nursed it home and the next day took it to my mechanic, hoping it was a coil or plug. I had almost zero compression in cylinder #2. I then took vehicle to his engine repair shop. The owner told me the next day that I needed a new engine. I picked it up the next day and took it to my dealer, and they also told me I needed a new engine as well as a new intake manifold. Cost was $10,550.00. There were no warning lights or messages prior to the incident. There was a 1" X 1" hole in my intake manifold.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11633196December 30, 2024
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle lost power. The accelerator pedal was depressed down to the floorboard; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact drove the vehicle for a mile to the workplace. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the head gasket and upper radiator hose had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure had occurred on 8 occasions. The contact stated that the engine overheating had persisted. The vehicle was taken to a second independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine block was cracked. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 151,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11633277December 30, 2024
ENGINE
Vehicle check engine light came on, vehicle lost power, sputtered and died. Will not run. Towed to dealer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11633041December 30, 2024
ENGINE
Driving on the highway, engine began to tick and make strange noise, engine light flashed, oil light cam on and engine ceased.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11632852December 28, 2024
STEERING
Steering is sticky while driving at highway speeds. Starts mild and increases stickiness over time. Has gotten worse over the years.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11632622December 27, 2024
ENGINE
Engine seized up. Apparently it is common with Kia engines
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11632372December 26, 2024
POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am experiencing a serious issue with my 2018 Kia Sorento AWD related to the AWD coupling. During normal driving, the vehicle does not perform as expected, and the AWD system feels compromised, making the car unsafe and unreliable. While the vehicle doesn’t stall, it struggles to function properly, which is a major concern. I took the vehicle to the dealership, where they diagnosed the problem as a malfunctioning AWD coupling. However, they informed me that this issue is not covered under warranty or any recall program. This response is both frustrating and concerning, especially since AWD functionality is a critical part of the Sorento’s design and intended use. After researching, I found that many Kia Sorento owners have reported similar problems with the AWD coupling, indicating that this may be a widespread issue across multiple model years. If this is a known defect, it is troubling that Kia has not offered a recall or extended warranty to address the problem. Customers should not be left to bear the financial burden of repairing what seems to be a common and significant defect. I am requesting further clarification and assistance. I need to understand why this issue is not covered, particularly if it affects other Sorento vehicles as well. If this is a systemic problem, Kia should take responsibility to resolve it fairly and promptly. The AWD system is essential for safe driving, and as a loyal customer, I expect Kia to stand behind its product and ensure my safety and satisfaction.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11632284December 24, 2024
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
Master warning, forward collision avoidance assist, lane keeping assist, and high beam assist warning lights on. Message boards mention similar problems and there have been front and rear camera recalls for Telluride and other models of Kia, but not for Sorento. Similar problem occurred a few months ago when car died while going at highway speeds. This resolved after cleaning radar cover, cameras and sensors, but are not resolving current problem. Lane assist and departure are not working. We have not taken it to dealer yet. Our 2019 Sorento has not been included in recalls for this specific problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11632185December 23, 2024
ENGINE
The engine blew up. I have all of my oil change receipts and gave them to West Herr Kia, and per Kia West Herr, Kia denied covering the blown engine because the piston went through the engine with great force. This happened at approximately 110,000 miles. West Herr Kia quoted 10,400 to replace the engine. Please let me know if you would like copies of the oil changes. I won't be able to upload all.of them.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11632212December 23, 2024
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stationary when the engine stalled. The vehicle was not able to restart. The vehicle was not towed to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted. However, the contact did not speak with anyone. The contact parked the vehicle to be not driven any longer as it was a safety concern. The contact received 3 notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V612000 (POWER TRAIN ). The failure mileage was 153,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11632213December 23, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The lights dim way too quickly. HID basically is garbage. Major safety issue since most people can’t afford to be constantly replacing their headlight assemblies.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11632160December 23, 2024
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost drive power temporarily. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with loss of transmission oil pump pressure. The dealer updated the transmission control unit software under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V760000 (Power Train); however, the failure persisted. The dealer informed the contact that the failure was not related to the recall. The contact stated that the recall remedy also involved the transmission replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11632039December 22, 2024
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
There is a malfunction in the vehicles.computer system that gives a warning about low coolant level for the hybrid battery. It's been been seen by the KIA dealer and the issue keeps arriving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11631934December 21, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Coolant system not functioning properly replace thermostat and worked a day then back to overheating. Engine overheating with new oil and filter also shakes badly Car does not shut of when ignition is pressed the first time have start the car then shut it off again
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11631957December 21, 2024
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
When trying to accelerate from a standing stop, there is a one or two second delay, once the accelerator pedal is depressed, before the car moves. Extremely dangerous when pulling out into traffic. I had it back to the dealership to address this problem but they found nothing wrong. I guarantee you , the problem continues to exist.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11631750December 20, 2024
ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the engine started to overheat with the check engine and power steering warning lights illuminated. The temperature gauge indicated that the vehicle was running hot(H). There was white smoke coming from the engine. Due to the failure, the contact pulled over and initially had the vehicle towed to the. The vehicle was later towed to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the head gasket was blown and needed to be replaced. While attempting to repair the vehicle, the contact was informed that the rod bearings were also defective and that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11631803December 20, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY
I HAVE THE SNOW WHITE PAINT, AND IT IS PEELING IN SEVERAL AREAS. HOOD, ROOF, AND SECTION THAT GOES FROM FENDER TO ROOF.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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