Kia Sorento Complaints (2016)

1,262 consumer complaints on file.

#11470386June 22, 2022
ENGINE
My family and I own a 2016 Kia Sorrento VIN [XXX] that we purchased from a dealer in August 2017. It was reliable transportation; we were very pleased with it; it was serviced with regular oil changes, maintenance, etc., and had no mechanical issues until early September 2021. The vehicle’s temperature gauge began to register hot, i.e., way over to the “H” during operation. Our regular mechanic at an AAA-registered auto care center replaced the thermostat, but the car was still overheating. After an expensive but thorough diagnosis from early November through early December 2021, the mechanics – including a Kia specialist – confirmed that the head bolts were pulling away from the engine block or the source of our problem. After searching the internet, I understand that this is not a frequent occurrence but not uncommon among the same model and year Kia Sorento's with similar mileage. Replacement engines are not available due to supply issues; there was no guarantee of success from our mechanics or the machine shop who could attempt to mill the head/engine block and drill-tap for new bolts; and the entire process was cost prohibitive. Therefore, we elected not to have it repaired. Our Sorrento that is past its engine-drivetrain warranty with 124K miles on the odometer sits in the driveway with a year’s worth of car payments remaining. 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
#11470495June 22, 2022
ENGINE
Oil gets low without the warning light coming on and has contributed to a burnt valve or broke ring. This has caused irreversible engine damage.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11469995June 19, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Paint is chipping off in large chunks on various places on my vehicle. I did see another Kia Sorento (white and same year) that had the same issue happening on their vehicle. There is clearly an issue with the white paint from that year. There has not been any incident that has caused this to occur, it seems to have happened randomly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11469711June 17, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owned a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph the vehicle suddenly lost automotive power and the check engine light had illuminated. After stopping the vehicle smoke and flames were present coming from under the hood. The fire and police departments were called to the scene and the flames were extinguished. During the incident, the vehicle was destroyed. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet notified. The failure mileage was 73,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11468679June 10, 2022
ENGINE
Last weekend we were driving our 2016 Kia Sorento with 111,000 miles on the highway. It started to lose acceleration and I had to pull of on the side of the highway. The vehicle started smoking and antifreeze leaked out all over the right side of the vehicle. This put our family at risk because there were no warning lights and it occurred on an extremely busy highway where are drive anywhere from 70-90 miles per hour. The vehicle was towed and inspected, we were told the head gasket was leaking. No other symptoms were present prior to this occurring and this is the only problem we have really had with the vehicle. All of the mechanics I have talked to about repairs refuse because these motors are known to be very risky to repair. Our local Kia dealer where we purchased the vehicle even stated that it's not worth fixing. New engine replacement are unavailable and buying a used engine is roughly $6,700 before any labor because so many of these engine issues have occurred.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11468687June 10, 2022
ENGINE
I took my vehicle to AAMCO and was told my engine has went out. The estimate to fix it is $10,000. I am currently paying on it still I called Evergreen Kia whom I got the car from and was told they have over 18+ vehicles with the same problem. I was told to call other Kia dealerships to see if i can get it repaired elsewhere. All other Kia dealerships said they were backed up as well with the same engine problems. I tried to trade it in no one wants to because the cost of repairs and the $13K I owe doesn't equal out.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11468493June 9, 2022
ENGINE
My 2016 KIA SORRENTO caught fire. I was driving off of the highway, with no issues, when i heard a tapping noise. I stopped at the light, turned right, and as I started turning it suddenly sputtered and stopped. I tried to accelerate to get the car out of the lane of traffic, when smoke started coming out from under the hood. People next to me started yelling that my car was on fire and that I should get out. At this point I got out of the car, and within minutes the entire undercarriage and front part of car was engulfed in flames. The fire dept put the fire out, and the fire marshal and my insurance is investigating.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11468158June 8, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHITE PEARL PAINT FINISH IS FLAKING OFF ON HOOD AND ALONG ROOF LINE AT WINDSHIELD. NO IMPACT OR ABRASION CAUSED THIS. FROM READING OTHER COMPLAINTS THIS APPEARS TO BE FROM INCOMPATIBLE PRIMER USED AT FACTORY
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11468210June 8, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My car has the Pearl White paint, it started peeling in 2021 and now is increasing. It mostly on the hood of the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11467721June 6, 2022
ENGINE
Vehicle cranked but didn't start after sitting for a few hours. Vehicle was towed to kia dealership. Dealer advised piston ring failed and engine lost compression. New engine was needed but was not covered by dealership nor the lifetime engine warranty. The repair cost almost 6000 dollars.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11467732June 6, 2022
ENGINE
The one cylinder went before 100,000 miles…..wasn’t too much longer till the next cylinder went and she was done….going through putting a quart of oil in it every single day for over 6 months……JUNK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11467295June 3, 2022
ENGINE
I was driving entering a highway accelerating and my car just died; the engine and oil light came on and there was no power. There were NO warning lights or indication that there was any problem. I managed to get over and off the busy highway by coasting and was in fear for my safety. Took the car to Kia dealership and was told after waiting for two weeks for the required diagnostic service. They told me there was internal engine damage due to a bearing failure. This is not covered by warranty unless I had the software upgrade that was available since 4/18. I never received that notification; I have received several other notifications, but not the one about the software upgrade. Now they state it's outside the warranty with zero coverage.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11467354June 3, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
The driver side rear door handle does not open the door. The door is able to be opened from the door handle on the inside, and it can be locked and unlocked. This could create an unsafe situation in which a parent is unable to reach a child in the second row who needs assistance. Having two methods of entry and egress (i.e. a driver side and passenger side rear door) in the second row contributes to the safety of the car, and having one entry/egress while another entry is impaired could present a safety issue. The car has not yet been brought to a service center for evaluation, and the car has not yet been inspected for the issue. There were no warning lamps or messages indicated by the vehicle. Leading up to the driver side rear door handle malfunction, the door handle was noted to have a weaker tactile "click" feeling that is typically sensed when the door's latch actuates to open it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11467185June 2, 2022
ENGINE
After only six months, my 2016 Kia Sorento suddenly lost power while I was driving on the freeway, after my trusted, local mechanic ran a diagnostic, he told me that my car was done for but Kia would stand behind their product, they have a 100,000 mile or ten year warranty for their vehicles. It was a frightening and frustrating experience but at least I was comforted when he told me Kia would take care of it. Kia is not honorable, they are not standing behind their products. Two days ago, I was told that Kia is denying my claim. How disappointing. I will pursue this matter to the end. Kia knows that their engines are prone to catastrophic failures. I was told by a Kia employee that I didn't maintain my vehicle adequately, I have records to the contrary. This is wrong.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11466956June 1, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and noticed that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and then towed to an authorized dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11466452May 27, 2022
ENGINE
A month after an oil change, I learned that the engine was extremely low on oil. I had to put 4 quarts in it. Check engine light barely came on. I’m at 79,000 miles and next oil change should be at 82,000 miles
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11466217May 26, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My paint is peeling. KIA SORENTO SNOW WHITE PAINT PEELING CHIPPING AND DELAMINATION
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11465929May 24, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
Paint is peeling while driving obstructing my view and potentially other drivers
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11465648May 22, 2022
ENGINE
My car started making a knocking and squeaking sound and was shaking really hard and the check engine light started flashing and it just shut off and when I cranked it back up if wouldn’t stay cranked
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11465400May 20, 2022
ENGINE
This car repeatedly has had issues with using oil on a weekly basis and many times it has stalled in heavy traffic, one of which almost caused a collision. I have taken this in for numerous repairs. My most recent incident I was informed by my garage that my engine was now junk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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