Kia Sorento Complaints

10,397 consumer complaints on file.

#11531702July 11, 2023
ENGINE
My engine has been consuming oil at an usual rate. I have been experiencing this issue since I bought the car in August 2021, but it is slowly getting worse, especially during the summer. I have to constantly check my oil level to ensure it isn’t running low. I got my oil changed last month, around June 15th or so, with a 3000 mile interval. After ~1400 miles, when I checked my oil, there were little oil on the dipstick (below the low line) along with small metal bits on the end of the dipstick with the oil. As usual, I have checked the oil color to make sure it wasn’t mixing with something in the engine, and checked the drain plug to make sure it was tight. I genuinely cannot tell where this oil is going or how it is being burned. This is the only issue I have encountered with this car. I have no warning lights, but my miles are high at about 144,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11531500July 11, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Regularly the head light’s randomly turn off as well as the tail lights and break lights. This is absolutely terrifying! It has been happening for over a year and know one can fix it. This is a huge problem across 2017 & 2018 Sorrentos. There are multiple forms for it as well as mechanic discussion groups trying to solve the problem. This NEEDS to be a recall and fixed immediately before some gets hurt or worse!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11531574July 11, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owned a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH and accelerating uphill, the vehicle rapidly decelerated, and lost motive power before reaching the top of the hill. The contact was able to safely exit the freeway but was afterwards unable to reach RPM's above 2,000. The check engine warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a general engine failure. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer for a second opinion, which confirmed the engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 122,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11531627July 11, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 45-55 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the knock sensors were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was a hole in the piston and there was no compression in the valves. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11531286July 10, 2023
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
was driving at 11mph and car would not Accelerate almost causing and accident issues with engine sparking flames fuel system problems, transmission issues when putting the vehicle into park. Engine problems check engine light keeps blinking on an off system says park vehicle do to diagnosed problems. suspension issues afraid to drive vehicle do to so many safety problems.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11531349July 10, 2023
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power, stalled, and shut off. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to safely pull over on the side of roadway. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle restarted rough, but then started operating normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis, but no cause for the failure was found. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 41,000. The contact went to the dealer who was going to charge 1hr out of 3hrs, if they found anything wrong with the vehicle. They didn't find anything and released the vehicle to the contact stating they would not take off immobilizer, now and go do what u have to do. The contact stated because of this the vehicle was traded in.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11531462July 10, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
The body of vehicle has paint chipping away in large pieces for no apparent reason. The color is a pearl white
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11531186July 9, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
My kia Sorento is severely peeling paint. it comes off in chunks. Since it has starting peeling above the passengers side door, it has not stopped. I saw that several other people have had this complaint and Kia has not fixed it yet. Kia will not agree to fix the paint job. My car has a SWP color on it and won’t stop peeling.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11531225July 9, 2023
ENGINE
My son was driving the vehicle and was luckily stopped in traffic at a stop light. All of a sudden the RPM's dropped and the engine shut off. The car would not start and had to be pushed to the side of the road in heavy traffic. While waiting for a tow truck, we noticed the engine oil was completely dry. There had been no warning such as oil lights, engine lights, burning oil smells or leaking oil. The oil had just disappeared without warning. After the vehicle was towed to the local KIA dealer, we were told that the engine had seized. This vehicle has been maintained consistently since the day it was bought brand new. We have records from all maintenance that has been done on this vehicle. The local dealer told us it would cost $11,000 to replace the engine. Unfortunately, that was an expense that we could not afford so the car sits in non working order.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11531006July 8, 2023
ENGINE
On Fathers Day, my 2016 Sorento had a flashing check engine light. I pulled it over and had it towed to the dealer I purchased it from. While they thought it was a knock sensor, they could not ensure that would fix the problem. I then had it towed to another mechanic who diagnosed it as a bad connecting rod in the motor. . It was at this time that they told me there was a recall for this type of engine, which is the 2.4 TDI. After contacting 4 dealerships, Kia of Lanham agreed to look at it but I must show proof of the last 10 oil changes. Fortunately, while I just purchased the truck in December 2022, the Carfax report detailed that the SUV had been serviced by a Kia dealership in VA. I have incurred 3 towing charges, 2 diagnostic fees plus a 2 week car rental until I could purchase another vehicle. Finally, it is well known by many mechanics that Kia’s customer service is often poor and st times, quite arrogant. If my 7 year old, 114k mile Sorento is not repaired, I will NEVER buy another Kia or Hyundai product again.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11531029July 8, 2023
ENGINE
Going on vacation with elderly disabled mother and family. Exited off highway stopped and car just shut off with lots of traffic behind me and coming. After several attempts to start vehicle it started and was really loud. Pulled out and coasted to a place I could safely pull over. Checked the oil, belts, and for leaks and no check engine light or other warnings. With no other real options, I drove with flashers on and coasted to our hotel with minimal power and the engine compartment sounding like it was coming apart. Grinding popping and knocking. Still no check engine light. Once stopped at the hotel, the car cut off in the parking lot and had a weird fumes/burning smell. With it being a holiday I had to find a shop and wait until they were back open to see if they would take my car. There were no KIA dealerships in my area. I called and had the vehicle towed to the shop. They say it needs a new engine. The car is still out of state which is going to cost hundreds just to get the car back home and not to mention the 8000-10000 in engine repair. Also we were lucky it didn't catch fire with the fumes/burning smell or be involved in a wreck due to the car just shutting off with no warnings at all.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11530983July 7, 2023
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The vehicle slows unexpectedly while driving and will not go above 2 RPM causing me to slow to below 40 mph on the highway without any warning. I took the vehicle to Kia for an airbag recall and suddenly I started to have these engine problems. They never informed me there was a recall on my vehicle or that this issue could occur. I am not the original owner and acquired the vehicle from my dad, which he purchased from someone else. I had the vehicle checked out by AAA and the knock sensor was replaced, yet the issue continued to happen. I took the vehicle back to Kia because AAA could not figure out why the car continues to have this engine issue. Kia cannot seem to figure out the issue as well but stated the engine needs to be replaced. We asked them about the recall because I suddenly received notice about the class action lawsuit, but the vehicle has 185,472 miles on it and they refused to correct the issue and said the new engine will cost $7200. The issue has almost placed me in several accidents because the vehicle abruptly slows down and I have to pull to the side of the road use a code reader to clear the code in order to drive again but it continues to happen multiple times while driving and I need to get to work. The problem has been confirmed by Kia, but they won't replace it. We were encouraged to file a complaint and see if Kia will take responsibility for their engine since it has been recalled for this issue and a lawsuit ensued. The engine light appears when the car fails to drive properly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11530648July 6, 2023
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the brakes and the steering wheel seized inadvertently, and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact stated that she attempted to roll up the windows, but the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle failed to restart after several attempts. The check engine warning light, ABS warning light, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence, and then to a Triple A certified mechanic, where the battery and the alternator were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure was related to the electrical system; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. Additionally, the contact stated that the sunroof failed to open or close unless the sunroof switch was depressed several times. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11530657July 6, 2023
ENGINE
Car turned off while stopped at red light. Would not restart. Had to be towed. Diagnostic report engine seized. Confirmed by Rick Case Kia service center. There was no warning or or warning lights. We were stopped due to a red light, but if no red light, car would have stopped while driving in rush hour traffic on a busy road. Even stopped, could have been rear-ended.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11530676July 6, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM):SOFTWARE
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while at a stop light the vehicle stalled. The contact shifted the vehicle into park(P) and was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the ECM needed to be updated and that the vehicle was experiencing the failure listed in TSB: SC106. The contact was advised to contact the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle could not be repaired under TSB: SC106. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 203,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11530565July 6, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Unknown
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11530605July 6, 2023
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:THROTTLE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the check engine warning light intermittently illuminated and while coming to a stop, the oil warning light illuminated while the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated that on several occasions, upon start up, the vehicle lost power after hearing the engine rev. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone and placed on a diagnostic machine, and it was determined that the power train, throttle pedal position sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer 3 months ago for an undisclosed failure however, after the vehicle was retrieved, the check engine warning light intermittently illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11530399July 5, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the vehicle had exceeded the warranty requirements. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 178,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11530326July 4, 2023
ENGINE
High oil consumption between oil changes. Usually add 3 quarts of oil between 5K mile oil changes.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11530205July 3, 2023
ENGINE
The contact’s stepdaughter owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while the driver was driving 10 MPH, the engine made abnormal knocking sounds. The contact was unsure if a warning light was illuminated. The driver was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) since an unknown recall for the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software update on the vehicle was not performed. However, the contact stated that he had scheduled an appointment with the dealer for Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software update prior to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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