Kia Sorento Complaints (2016)

1,262 consumer complaints on file.

#11516399April 10, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle overheated. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer and was informed that there was no failure with the engine. The contact stated that the failure was ongoing. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and determined that the thermostat needed to be replaced. The water pump and engine were pressure tested. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure had reoccurred. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11515527April 5, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
Rapid Delamination and paint peeling.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11515656April 5, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:IMMOBILIZER/PROXIMITY:KEY/SENDER
In March of 2023, my 2016 Kia Sorento was stolen in Shorewood, Wisconsin as several teenagers broke the window and ripped open the ignition system. Due to a design flaw in the ignition system and no immobilizer in Kia vehicles that were created from 2011-2022, theft became very easy and a widespread problem ensued in the Milwaukee area as well as other cities in the Midwest. The vehicle was stolen by these teenagers and ultimately crashed and totaled. Law enforcement officials in Milwaukee, WI were able to apprehend the teenagers but this was after they had crashed and totaled the vehicle.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11515350April 4, 2023
TRAILER HITCHES
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11515467April 4, 2023
ENGINE
At an intersection, the vehicle’s engine died unexpectedly without warning. No lights or alarms. The vehicle would not start. Once towed to the repair shop, I was told that the engine had seized and that the engine would need to be replaced at a huge cost. The vehicle had only been driven 1500 miles since last oil change. No oil light or check engine light ever went on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11515285April 3, 2023
ENGINE
Excessive oil consumption. Less than 3,000 miles between changes, consuming roughly 2 quarts less than 3,000 miles. Up on reading others having same engine experiencing same problems. My car serviced religiously. Still runs, now going to dealer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11514731March 31, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I was driving down the road and heard a grinding noise from engine. I pulled over to check under the hood for fluid leaks or check engine lights which everything checked out good temp gauges and everything giving normal readings. I then proceeded to keep traveling my route and about 5 minutes in I was loosing power and my car wasn't accelerating any more. I contacted the dealership I received my car from letting them know of these problems and informed them of a recall that was in affect a couple years back and also about the recent one I then asked if they fixed this problem or had any Knowledge of these defects which they stated it's not on them I have to take it up with the manufacturer even though I wasn't informed of these problems before my vehicle purchase. I then contacted the manufacturer and let them know of the troubles and got them in contact with the mechanic that was in charge of my diagnostic at the time and they did an investigation and turned out the recall caused this problem but since the problem already occurred they can't help me with repairs. This shouldn't be on me when they sold me a faulty vehicle without disclosing the recalls that needed attention which in return could've cost me or someone's life that day.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11514761March 31, 2023
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
While daughter driving home on interstate, Sorento started losing power and slowing down, no warning lights turned on. She pulled off interstate when she noticed it was missing and cut the car off. When trying to start the vehicle again, engine light came on, but the car was missing so bad, we had it towed home. Next day had it towed to auto repair, was told it was losing compression in one and two cylinder and coming out tailpipe. The oil was checked and good and the vehicle did not have any warning lamps, even when it failed her on interstate. The vehicle never register or run hot. No lights came on until after pulled over and turned off and then on again. Had the knock sensor installed for recall when received in mail and it was updated. Vehicle has not been repaired because I can't find anyone that will work on a Kia! Making payments & Insurance on a car that cannot drive.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11514886March 31, 2023
STEERING
Sticky Steering It can be felt at any speed but especially on the highway when turning left. I can feel the steering sticks briefly then the wheel jumps. So I have to make constant unnecessary corrections.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11514360March 29, 2023
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My engine stalled while Driving, There was no warning it just cut off. The car would not turn over to start only a click. I held the key in the start position it started, the engine shook and it cut off immediately. What is wrong with my car ???? The oil is good, the coolant is good etc.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11514216March 28, 2023
ENGINE
My vehicle abruptly went into catastrophic engine failure 01/03/23. After diagnostics run by both a third party repair shop and a Kia dealership, we were informed that a knock sensor failure had led to the lack check engine light as the problem was evolving. This knock sensor is a known defect in Kia's product and has previously been labeled a "product improvement" issue. I was not notified of this product improvement recommendation and could therefore not reconcile it. I contacted Kia directly who state a letter was sent in December 2018 and June 2019; these communications were absolutely never received. This issue directly led to a serious safety event of the vehicle and therefore for my family. As a "product improvement" this known defect is not searchable through the NHTSA or Kia website for consumers awareness. This issue needs to be escalated to a product safety recall to prevent further serious safety events
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11513937March 27, 2023
ENGINE
It started making a knocking noise, checked the oil and there was none in it. No warning light came and I was not due for an oil change.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11513940March 27, 2023
TRAILER HITCHES
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact received recall notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V703000 (Trailer Hitches); however, the part to do the repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11513953March 27, 2023
ENGINE
The motor oil is disappearing at a rapid rate and I have to fill up the engine oil every week because they just disappear. A few weeks ago my vehicle started jumping while on park and when I took it to the mechanic he said the oil is leaking out to the coils and there were several misfires. It cost me over $200 to repair it and I am still filling up the engine oil every week. This issue is showing up in other similar models as well.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11513616March 24, 2023
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
While driving at highway speed, the battery light and oil light came on and the throttle became unresponsive. The driver pulled over safely. The vehicle had to be restarted before the throttle became responsive again. The vehicle was taken to Maguire Kia Service (Ithaca, NY), where the engine was subsequently replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11513321March 22, 2023
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
I was driving my Kia Sorento and the check engine light came on. Took to Autozone to scan the code. And it came back as a KNOCK SENSOR CODE. It went to LIMP MODE I couldn’t accelerare and Was so slow. And consuming oil. And the engine had a knock. Problems with the shift gear. I took it to GREENBRIER KIA DEALERSHIP IN CHESAPEAKE VIRGINIA. They told me that it just need it a software update. I told them that I hear many owners having the same issues. Now they did a diagnostic for $199 dollars. They told me it needs a new knock sensor. The total I will have to pay is close to $600 dollars. I told them if they do ROD BEARINGS TEST. They say they do. I’m just frustrated because it seems like the engine needs to be replaced. The technician told me my Kia Sorento was not on the knock sensor recall nor engine recall. I can’t drive the car and still making payments on it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11512941March 21, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power and stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced with a refurbished engine. Approximately three years later the engine began to leak oil. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the replacement engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 84,994.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11513061March 21, 2023
ENGINE
The cooling system was not heating or Cooling and the car was shaking when turned on. There was also fluid leaking from under the car. The mechanic reported that the head gasket is loose and leaking coolant and engine oil. He stated this is been a common problem with Kia sorento's and it is a manufacturer defect during the installation of the engine. The bolts are loose which causes the gasket to come loose which causes the leaking. He advised me not to drive the car because it could cause the engine and the head gasket to blow completely and possibly even start a fire.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11512848March 20, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES
The brake is not sending a signal to the switch. When I try to switch out of park, It will not move. My car is a great car. I have no other problems besides trying to switch out of Park. I had the vehicle checked out and everything is in order. I was told the problem might be behind the Body module of the car...Please help me with trying to find out what is going on. My car has less than 79k miles and this should not be happening. Please call or email [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
#11512899March 20, 2023
ENGINE
Oil consumption problem with GDI engine. No leaks, it is burning oil on a weekly basis and the oil light does not come on. There are several online blogs and YouTube videos of people with the same issue but no fix. I am constantly having to add oil. This is a known issue with GDI engines.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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