Kia Sorento Complaints

10,397 consumer complaints on file.

#11769048October 5, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking abnormally and the engine seized, causing a crackling sound and a fuel leak. The contact stated that the engine warning light was illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the vehicle was diagnosed with a fuel leak. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) as a possible cause for the failure; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 184,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769090October 5, 2026
ENGINE
1) The engine control system / KSDS knock sensor system triggered safety recall code P1326, accompanied by a flashing check engine light. The vehicle and components are currently at the dealership available for inspection under RO #148484 (Issued on October 2) 2) A flashing check engine light and active P1326 code indicate a potential severe engine failure or severe misfire risk while driving, forcing the vehicle to lose power and rendering it unsafe for operation on public roads. 3) Yes, the vehicle was towed to an authorized Kia dealership on September 24th; however, the dealer initially refused to generate a Repair Order or diagnose the safety recall for over a week until corporate intervention forced RO #148484 to open on October 2nd. It is currently awaiting diagnostic testing. 4) No. It has only been towed to the authorized dealer facility where it awaits initial diagnostic testing under the active safety recall. 5) Yes. A flashing check engine light and code P1326 appeared immediately prior to towing the vehicle to the dealership on September 24th.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769133October 5, 2026
ENGINE
On [XXX] at [XXX], while driving northbound on [XXX] in Montgomery County, MD, just before Exit [XXX] (about 10-15 minutes after leaving home), the engine overheat warning came on. My child was in the vehicle with me. I pulled over to the shoulder briefly. Thinking it might be a temporary error, I resumed driving, but the same overheat warning came back almost immediately, so I pulled into a nearby restaurant parking lot and stopped the vehicle. I checked under the hood and found the coolant reservoir nearly empty. Because the vehicle was not safe to drive, I had it towed that evening to King Kia (Gaithersburg, MD). Next day on Monday morning, the dealer diagnosed that the Exhaust Heat Recovery System (EHRS) had failed internally, causing coolant to leak into the exhaust system, and recommended replacing the EHRS at a cost of $1,475.55. The vehicle has approximately 61,000 miles, just past the 60,000-mile basic warranty, so the dealer stated it is not covered. This failure caused sudden engine overheating while driving on a highway with a child on board, creating a serious risk of engine damage, stalling, and a crash. Kia Customer Care case number: [XXX]. 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
#11769185October 5, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I parked my car in the driveway and about 10 min later my car just ignited into flames from underneath the vehicle by the gas tank and i have video from 3 different angles on my security cams that show when i parked the vehicle there was no fire or flames or smoke and about 8 min later you can see a single flame just ignite under the car, and watch it spread and the location of the flame is in back driverside by gas cap and tank
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768451October 2, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The car loses power, the transmission shutters and slips at low speeds
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768490October 2, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Transmission failure at 99,000 miles Replaced by dealer under warranty
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768378October 1, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I purchased my 2023 Kia Sorento in 2024 from Rohrman Kia in Lafayette, Indiana. At the time of purchase, the vehicle had approximately 9,000 miles and had previously been utilized as a dealership loaner vehicle. Since purchasing the vehicle, I have experienced recurring mechanical concerns involving the vehicle’s auto start/stop system and a significant, unexpected loss of engine power. During an occurrence, the auto start/stop indicator (A) began flashing on the instrument cluster, and the vehicle experienced severely reduced acceleration, limiting my ability to travel above approximately 15 mph. This malfunction presents a substantial safety concern, particularly when operating the vehicle in traffic or on roadways where maintaining an appropriate speed is necessary. An unexpected reduction in power compromises my ability to accelerate normally, merge safely, maintain the flow of traffic, or respond appropriately to surrounding vehicles, potentially placing myself, my passengers, and other motorists at risk. I have returned the vehicle to the authorized Kia dealership for a year and a half now, regarding recurring mechanical concerns. Despite these service visits, I have been informed that the dealership has been unable to reproduce the reported malfunction, and that the vehicle is throwing no codes during its diagnostic inspections. To my knowledge, the underlying cause has not been conclusively identified or permanently corrected. The warning symptom I observed was a flashing auto start/stop (A) indicator accompanied by a substantial reduction in vehicle power. I cannot confirm which specific mechanical or electronic component is responsible for the malfunction. I have also escalated my concerns to the general manager of Rohrman Kia due to the recurring nature of these issues and the lack of a satisfactory resolution. I am requesting that this safety concern be formally documented and investigated to determine whether a defect exists.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768394October 1, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
While driving on the freeway, I was getting over into the next lane. I was half way over and there was no one in front of, next to or behind me from any direction, I was traveling an open road. The closest vehicle to me was 2 lanes over and 5 to 6 car lengths behind me, my car began to beep rapidly and immediately activated the automatic emergency breaking system. It slammed on the brakes, jolting my 2 daughets and me forward. All 3 active seat belts locked and caused pain in my chest. There was not a car near me at all. It was a hard slam and then immediate release. I have not yet reported this to Kia, I have never had this happen to me, therefore, there has never been an inspection initiated by myseld of the ABS. There are no systems failure lamps or warning lights activated. If someone was behind me, we would have surely been rear ended. I am terrified to drive this vehicle now.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11767936September 30, 2026
POWER TRAIN
I noticed my car having a delayed engagement whenever i put it in reverse. I had to wait a couple of seconds before it would go in reverse. As i was leaving my job there is a hill and i noticed jerking when trying to accelerate up. As i made if past the hill i stop at a light,upon takeoff i noticed my car wouldn't accelerate but the RPM gauge spiked.i turned it off and then back on and it did the same only this time the check engine light came on. The issues i am having with my car fits the description of what the recall is for and i can't believe my car isnt part of the recall! The same make,model,year and engine(turbo). The car isn't even drivable and i will have to have it towed to a dealership and it could be days before they can look at it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767672September 29, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH and exiting the freeway, the vehicle failed to accelerate and decelerated. While slowing down and driving onto the shoulder a second vehicle crashed into the rear of the vehicle. During the crash the contact sustained a mild neck injury. Medical attention was sought. Additionally, the vehicle had experienced auto stop failures and the engine failed to automatically restart when the brake pedal was released. Recently the vehicle was jerking while accelerating and merging into traffic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11767733September 29, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
I am the original, single owner of a 2016 Kia Sorento in Snow White Pearl. My vehicle currently has approximately 96,000 miles on it. Roughly one year ago, the factory paint began catastrophically peeling, flaking, and deteriorating in large sheets on the roof and near the passenger-side door. This damage is not the result of environmental wear, stone chips, or poor maintenance. It is a documented, widespread manufacturing defect—specifically, a factory primer-adhesion failure (delamination)—that uniquely impacts Kia and Hyundai vehicles painted in this specific Snow White Pearl finish. I contacted Kia Consumer Care to resolve this issue and was assigned Case Number 26409995. Despite my status as a loyal, original owner of a vehicle under 100,000 miles, Kia issued a blanket denial of assistance. Kia is well aware of this systemic manufacturing defect, as their sister company Hyundai has previously extended paint warranties to 10+ years for identical white paint delamination issues. Kia’s refusal to remedy this known defect constitutes unfair and deceptive consumer business practices under California law. My vehicle specifically features Kia’s "Snow White Pearl", which is widely documented to have a latent factory defect. The core issue stems from an original chemical failure where the white base paint layer did not properly bond or fuse to the factory primer layer. Over time, exposure to atmospheric heat, rain, or vibration causes the top layers to completely delaminate and flake off in massive chunks, often exposing the bare gray primer underneath. When multiple panels peel, it presents a safety hazard if paint flakes off into the vision of drivers behind me.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767829September 29, 2026
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
This is my third report regarding a dangerous loss of drive power on my vehicle, which completely matches NHTSA Recall 22V760000. Kia of Rainbow City in Alabama diagnosed the failing transmission oil pump in March 2026 but refused to honor the recall because a software patch was previously marked 'complete.' The dealership has since deactivated my digital access to the inspection report. The manufacturer is actively leaving a verified, life-threatening safety defect on the road.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767550September 28, 2026
ENGINE
Vehicle equipped with 3.3L V6 Lambda II engine, covered under active Kia Warranty Extension Campaigns WTY035/WTY039 for engine block head bolt/gasket failure.In July, the vehicle experienced a cooling system issue and was brought to authorized dealer Westgate Kia. Despite explicit campaign guidelines mandating a coolant pressure test and chemical combustion block test for cooling complaints on this engine, the dealership failed to follow the TSB protocol. They attributed the issue solely to an external hose, recommended unrelated peripheral repairs, and released the vehicle without performing the required campaign diagnostics.A few months later, the unchecked progressive manufacturing defect resulted in catastrophic engine failure. The vehicle exhibited intermittent overheating, blew heavy white smoke from the tailpipe (indicating a massive head gasket breach/coolant entering combustion chambers), and ultimately suffered a total loss of cylinder compression, requiring it to be towed back to Westgate Kia.The dealership is currently trying to evade the 15-year/180,000-mile WTY035/WTY039 campaign coverage. The service department is refusing to follow the mandated diagnostic flowchart to check for stripped engine block head bolts, instead claiming the failure is due to a "melted radiator." They are attempting to blame the consequences of the extreme engine overheating on peripheral parts to avoid performing the required engine sub-assembly replacement under the federal campaign.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767241September 27, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
Case number 25530365 discussed with vanguard kia. Paint not adhering. Flakes off when washing by hand.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767244September 27, 2026
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
A check engine coolant system light came on, so I took the car to the local Kia dealership in downtown LA. They checked the battery coolant level and found it was completely empty and recommended I check for leaks. I later took the vehicle to Kia of Irvine for an inspection, and they found a rock had entered through the front grille and punctured the radiator, causing the leak. The front grill is both very exposed and low to the ground without any kind of protective shield/mesh blocking ordinary road debris from entering and damaging the exposed radiator and other vital engine components. Kia denied warranty coverage, claiming this was an "outside influence". However, online I found numerous complaints by other Kia owners over this same issue, as well as class action lawsuits against other car manufacturers alleging the same issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767249September 27, 2026
ENGINE
When traveling up an incline or when gassing the car to accelerate quickly my car registers a spike in heat causing my car to go into limp mode creating a dangerous situation where I can not accelerate at the cars normal rate. When I lift off the gas the temperature normalizes and the car goes back to normal. I have taken the car to two Kia dealerships and they both charged for an assessment and gaslighted me saying they don’t see the issue even tho there are reports all over the internet with the same issue. I also presented a video showing the problem. Two years ago around 35000 miles I had the same issue and the dealership replaced the itm module which corrected the problem. The problem returned at 82000 miles and now they are saying my car is fine which it is not.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767088September 26, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Driving down the road and all of a sudden the red oil pressure light appeared then the engine light appeared. The car engine power then reduced and ultimately ended up stopping, turning the car off. The car now has a loud ticking and knock coming from engine. From previous recalls i see that this is a common problem on these cars. This was without warning and occured a couple of days after a oil change. Oil was in good condition and full. The car is drivable but not safe to do so. There's a loud rattling noise while accelarating. Leads me to believe possible lifters and rod knock.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767149September 26, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Driving at highway speed, the vehicle began to make a loud rattling noise that came from under the vehicle. A passerby pulled even with my car and began frantically gesturing. After a few seconds of confusion, me daughter said the she thought the man was saying "it's on fire." We pulled over to the shoulder of the road, exited quickly and realized there was fire visible in the engine area, seen through the grill. A good samaritan attempted to suppress the fire with an exstinguisher but moments later, it was fully engulfed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766939September 25, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving in our Kia Sorento 2025 on XXX, completely secluded from any other traffic or road hazards, the sunroof exploded outward. The explosion was very loud and startled my wife, who was driving, almost causing a single-car accident. This is the second time this has happened in our family, and KIA is refusing to acknowledge any issue and won't even return our calls. I'm very worried about this causing a serious accident or even death. Glass shop in [XXX] said they've seen it multiple times but can't fix. Kia Dealer in [XXX] (our home) won't cover it under the "bumper-to-bumper" warranty or recall. Please intervene. If you don't, nothing will change and someone will die eventually. 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
#11766965September 25, 2026
FIRERELATED
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked on the roof of a parking garage, the vehicle caught on fire unexpectedly. The emergency services were called to the scene, and the fire department extinguished the fire. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, the cause of the fire was not yet determined. The dealer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a case number. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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