Kia Sorento Complaints

10,397 consumer complaints on file.

#11774388October 29, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am filing a formal vehicle safety complaint regarding my 2023 Kia Sorento, purchased new in December 2023. My vehicle has experienced intermittent, unexpected engine stalling and loses acceleration while driving requiring to turn off an back on. This creates a serious safety risk because the vehicle can unexpectedly lose propulsion while in traffic, potentially resulting in a collision. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Kia dealership for evaluation several times over the past year. Despite the reported malfunction, the dealership has been unable to reproduce or identify the cause. The vehicle has not been repaired, and the underlying safety concern remains unresolved. I opened a case with Kia Corporate Customer Care and have repeatedly requested that this safety issue be escalated for further investigation. However, Kia has not provided a resolution, and my requests to speak with a supervisor or higher-level representative have been refused. The dealership is now requesting the return of its loaner vehicle on October 30, 2026, despite the unresolved safety concern. Kia has refused to authorize continued alternative transportation. I do not feel safe operating this vehicle because I cannot predict when it may stall or shut off again. I am concerned that this malfunction could result in a serious accident, injury, or death. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this potential safety defect to determine whether other Kia Sorento owners have experienced similar engine shutdowns or unexpected losses of propulsion. The dealership’s inability to reproduce this intermittent problem should not be considered proof that the vehicle is safe to operate.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11774130October 28, 2026
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal cranking and popping sound. Upon researching the failure online, the contact learned that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V480000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773901October 27, 2026
Carry Handle, Shell, Base
I am submitting this complaint regarding the August 2026 recall of the Evenflo Revolve180 LiteMax NXT infant car seat and rotating base system. I purchased the Revolve180 LiteMax NXT travel system along with an additional rotating base for use in a second vehicle. I subsequently learned that my car seat and at least one of the rotating bases were included in the recall affecting products manufactured before April 1, 2025. According to Evenflo, certain affected products failed to meet federal safety performance requirements due to a calibration issue with the level indicator. This raises concerns about the ability to properly position and install the car seat, potentially compromising child passenger safety. Although Evenflo has acknowledged the issue and provided temporary installation alternatives, a permanent repair kit has not yet been made available. I was advised that repair kits are expected to begin shipping in November 2026, but no confirmed date has been provided for when my affected products will be remedied. I have contacted Evenflo repeatedly over several weeks requesting clarification regarding the affected products, the repair timeline, and available alternatives. Despite multiple follow-ups and requests for management escalation, I have not received a satisfactory response addressing my concerns. The affected products remain available for inspection upon request. To my knowledge, they have not been physically inspected by the manufacturer or another agency. I am requesting that NHTSA review the availability and timeliness of the recall remedy, as well as the manufacturer's handling of consumer concerns regarding the affected products.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773979October 27, 2026
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while stopped at a light or making a left or right turn, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that seconds later, the vehicle responded, and the vehicle hesitated and moved forward independently. The contact stated that during the failure, there was a vibration coming from the rear passenger’s side wheel, and the vehicle lost motive power while driving. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The battery and all four tires were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failures had occurred several times over the past two years. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and stated that the VIN was not under recall. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11774014October 27, 2026
ENGINE
My Car started to have extreme oil consumption around 100,000 miles I was able to keep it maintained by adding oil frequently but finally part of my motor stopped functioning and I was forced to replace my motor. I got my car back June 22,2026 but the new motor also has had the same issue. I did purchase a warranty for 3 years but unfortunately it only covers one replacement. This motor did not even last 6 months.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773626October 26, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, AIR BAGS
The dash is split all over the soft padded dash from the heat started with 1 small split grew larger and all over the dash even with a windshield shade and dash mat heat cracks could affect the passenger side dash airbag brought the vehicle new has just over 40000 mi photo enclosed show just a few cracks the whole dash is affected
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773631October 26, 2026
STEERING
The Steering binds/ sticks at the 12 o’clock position on the highway, requiring sudden extra physical force to break free, which causes the vehicle to oversteer left to right. For record, Auffenberg Kia verified a steering torque measurement of 7.3 Nm (failure limit: 4.5 Nm) per TSB CHA060, but denied warranty repair under WTY023 solely because the instrument cluster lamp was not illuminated. I paid $163.69 and the dealer released an unsafe car back to me.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773695October 26, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Vehicle caught on fire when driving, putting my mother's life and her passenger at risk. My mother is an elderly Deaf woman, but was able to pull over in time for Fire Department to help contain fire. There were no warning lamps or messages of any problems with car, the car started smoking (smoke also entered cabin) and they pulled over where there was a fire under hood and bystander call emergency services. The car is currently at a tow lot and should be available for inspection upon request. We are waiting for car to be inspected by insurance.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773710October 26, 2026
POWER TRAIN
On [XXX], a 2022 Kia Sorento with 37,971 miles displayed "Transmission system error! Check transmission oil immediately." The vehicle is currently drivable, with no crash and no injury reported, but the driver is concerned about a potential loss of drive power while driving. Pride Kia of Lynn, 793 Lynnway, Lynn, MA 01905, confirmed an appointment only for December 1, 2026 at 8:00 AM, 36 days later, and refused to advance the inspection. A VIN recall check on October 26, 2026 showed 0 unrepaired recalls for this vehicle, including no open SC250 transmission recall. 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
#11773876October 26, 2026
POWER TRAIN
When driving between 10 to 50 mph with foot on gas pedal my car won’t jerk sputter and lose complete loss of power while making a turn. I have to release my gas pedal and push back down and it takes a solid couple seconds to get any power back. I’ve been almost hit a couple times in the last two weeks because as I’m turning my car just loses all power.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773405October 24, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
**Suspected Sudden Unintended Acceleration – 2020 Kia Sorento EX V6** On October 24, 2026, the driver of a 2020 Kia Sorento EX V6 experienced two episodes of suspected sudden unintended acceleration. The vehicle reportedly accelerated unexpectedly while in Reverse (R), causing it to collide with an apartment building. Following the initial collision, the driver shifted the transmission into Drive (D), at which point the vehicle reportedly accelerated forward unexpectedly. According to the driver, both incidents occurred so quickly that she was unable to apply the brakes. The collision caused significant damage to the apartment building, including structural damage requiring reinforcement, and damaged two other vehicles. The airbags did not deploy. No injuries to the driver have been reported. The driver also recalls receiving a previous recall notice for a vehicle component that was not repaired. The specific recall has not yet been identified. The vehicle has been towed and is being preserved for a potential independent investigation, including examination of the Event Data Recorder (EDR). We request that NHTSA review this incident as a possible vehicle safety defect. The cause of the unexpected acceleration has not yet been determined.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773210October 23, 2026
ENGINE
My check engine light came on. I took my vehicle to AutoZone so that they could tell me what the code read. The code read, cylinder 2 and cylinder 3 misfire. I replaced all 4 cylinders and spark plugs. 6 months after replacing all the parts, I had the check in light come on (flashing) while driving out of town. I was able to drive the vehicle back to town and after the vehicle sat majority of the day, it cleared on its own. Almost a year to the original date, I had my check engine light come back on. I took my vehicle back to AutoZone and the code read, cylinder 3 misfire. They were able to clear the code but it came back on within 30 seconds.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773283October 23, 2026
AIR BAGS
I was rear ended and my car slammed into the car in front of me and the air bags did not deploy. Instead my head slammed into the steering wheel.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11773291October 23, 2026
ENGINE
The engine failed due to a manufacturing defect that is well known in the company but they aren't calling it a recall, they are calling it an improvement and therefore my car isn't qualifying and isn't being repaired
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773314October 23, 2026
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle experienced a slight loss of automotive power and the vehicle decelerated to 35 MPH. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 28,448.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773067October 22, 2026
ENGINE
I bought a used 2020 Kia Sorento LX 2.4L in 2022. It had 15,000 miles on it. AT 50,000 miles I noticed it was consuming oil. I have been changing the oil at 5,000 mile intervals even though the manual calls out to do it every 7,500 miles. I have records of the maintenance for every oil change done on this vehicle. I kept a log and now at 54,740 miles it is consuming 1 quart every 500 miles or so. I took it to the dealer on 10/19/2026 and was told that since I was not the original owner there was no warranty coverage on it. So that nullified the 10 year/100,000 mile warranty. I was told they could do a chamber cleaning for $800.00 and if that failed I would need to replace the engine at an out of pocket cost to me of $9,000.00 to $10,000.00 I have to monitor the oil level constantly to avoid the engine seizing and breaking down in traffic . This auto is used by my spouse to drive my grand kids to and from school. There are no warnings or messages on the oil level so it is driven with uncertainty .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11772639October 21, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Subject: Request for Review of Potentially Related Electrical Overheating – Kia Sorento HVAC Harness Recall SC351 / NHTSA 25V649 I am requesting that NHTSA review an electrical overheating issue involving my Kia Sorento and consider whether it could be related to the existing HVAC blower-motor resistor harness recall, SC351 / NHTSA 25V649. My vehicle experienced overheating at a terminal on the main relay in the under-hood fuse box. The overheating spread to and melted part of the fuse box. Kia inspected the vehicle in person and informed me that the overheated relay terminal belongs to a different circuit from the HVAC resistor harness involved in the recall. I understand Kia's position that these are separate circuits. However, I have not received a detailed technical explanation identifying the root cause of the relay terminal overheating or explaining the basis for ruling out any relationship to the recalled wiring defect. Kia has offered approximately $2,200 toward an estimated $3,900 repair through a goodwill program, leaving me responsible for approximately $1,700. I am concerned about both the safety implications of the electrical overheating and whether the problem could be related to a known wiring-harness defect. I am not asserting that the recalled HVAC harness definitively caused the damage. I am asking NHTSA to consider whether this incident warrants further review, whether similar failures have been reported by other Kia Sorento owners, and whether the existing recall adequately addresses the relevant safety defect. I can provide the vehicle identification information, recall information, photographs of the damage, Kia's written communications, and the repair estimate. Thank you for reviewing this potential safety concern.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11772685October 21, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION
Please see attachment
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11772760October 21, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The contact’s daughter owned a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and idling, while shifting from park(P) to drive(D) and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle suddenly unintendedly accelerated and crashed into the window of an office building. During the crash, the contact sustained lacerations to both legs and arms, neck and shoulder. The driver was transported to a nearby hospital. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The failure mileage was 22,560.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11772767October 21, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
Paint is peeling.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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