Kia Sorento Complaints (2023)

167 consumer complaints on file.

#11658457May 2, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
Critical Issue: Gasoline leaks into engine. That causes increasing engine oil level significantly and mixed with engine oil. I dropped off me car (mileage: 11731) at Kia Pro in Glendale, CA on 5/1/2025 as soon as I confirmed that engine oil level exceeds the maximum (twice of max) and smelled Gasoline from the dipstick. The service advisor and a tech confirmed that the excessive engine oil level and gasoline smell. However, they refused to repair it under warranty because they don't see any physical leaks and error codes. In addition to that, they told me that the car is not good to drive as is because Gasoline is mixed with engine oil. In my opinion, this can cause critical powertrain failures or possible life-threatening damages if that initiates fire from engine. Car maintenance history: at 6312miles, 1 oil change change at Kia in Alhambra, CA I have attached the service receipt on 5/1 for your reference. That shows that the dealership confirmed the issue but they didn't try to resolve the issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657484April 29, 2025
SEAT BELTS
We were involved in a T-bone type accident at highway speeds. I am filing a complaint because I feel Kia Of America did not pursue potential safety issues with the seatbelts. I called them to inform them of the issue to see if there was any other similar trending reports. they stated that they would send an inspector out which they never did. I believe that the seatbelt failed due to the nature of my injuries and discussion with medical experts. I was sitting behind driver. The accident resulted in a fractured sternum and rib injuries, injuries to both of my shins and injury to my coccyx. Most significant is that there was no seatbelt bruising on my chest. All suggestive of hitting back of front seat.I have pix. Also, upon attempting to exit the vehicle post impact, the seatbelt was fully extended, as I got tangled up in it trying to exit. Also to note the driver’s seatbelt was fully extended also however they were protected by airbag deployment. The front and rear passenger seatbelts were not extended and those passengers had only minor injuries. My wife’s, the driver, injuries were much more serious and has resulted in permanent damage. I contacted Kia of America to report the concern and they assured me they would send an engineer out to provide an inspection. They had multiple months to do this, and I followed up multiple times as to the status of this inspection. During that time the car switched insurance carriers hands however there was ample time to perform the inspection. After a couple months, I followed up again and they informed me that the car was destroyed. I informed them that was not satisfactory and please escalate this. They did and a gentleman called me and left a voicemail. I returned his call 4 times and left voicemails but again no follow up. I feel that this attention to a potentially significant safety issue has been neglected and I ask you to further investigate. I have emails and timelines of conversations documented. Thank you.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
4
Deaths:
0
#11654744April 15, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
All safety features disabled, srs light turns on, vehicle shuts off when driving, guage cluster is inop doesn’t show speed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11652948April 5, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Vehicles instrument cluster goes black at times ( speedometer, tach and all exterior lights and turn signals are inoperative during this time) I took it to the dealership and they said they couldn’t duplicate the problem
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11650217March 24, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The USB ports disconnect intermittently cause maps and phone calls to disconnect temporarily. Sometimes not connecting again until I turn off and on the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11648005March 12, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle gear slipping acceleration loss with difficulty in proper control of the vehicle. Vehicle has a consistent noise that comes from the accelerator as if something was loose and vibrating. The wheels don’t seem to be moving at the same time and feels like the cars slightly moves side to side as if something in the structure of the vehicle has como off loose with sounds/ rattle coming from the passenger side and back. The vehicle has have wheels aligned and checked more than 6 times with continuous problems and no real solution from the dealers. The dealer has stated everything is fine and to go back if a light sensor turns on. They have said every excuse possible, from telling me that I don’t know to drive the vehicle to having the cops called on me to be removed from the premises . To the dealership telling me they will not check the vehicle. I have gone to 5 different dealership and they refuse to acknowledge my concern with the vehicle. I went ahead and place the vehicle on a lemon law and settled with Kia stating they would validate the warranty. The problem is the dealership have told me that they have to do lots of paperwork and they have to replicate the problem, but have me drive the vehicle instead of them . They stated they only drive the vehicle for about five minutes. The service advisor at time have requested authorization from me inorder for them to drive the car. When asked for a mechanic to do the testing, Ive been told they are may no be available and are working on other vehicles.I have stated the vehicle starts presenting the problem after it has been driven for a while. Again the dealership dismisses all of my claims. The vehicle doesn’t feel safe to drive and I fear a collision may happen putting my life and others at risk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11646037March 3, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Was driving up a hill when the 'Auto-Off' light started flashing on the driver display. Car would not accelerate above 20mph. At the top of the hill, I switched gears to neutral and the car began operating as expected; however, the same behavior occurred again at the next hill. Pulled over and restarted the car. Car worked as expected after restart. This is dangerous. I was taking my daughter to school in morning rush hour traffic. We live in a very hilly area and I'm terrified to drive the car. I dropped it off at the dealership almost 2 weeks ago and they have yet to identify the issue. I do see similar complaints on this site so I'm hoping that you are investigating.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11640108February 1, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
While I am driving and try to give the car gas to speed up quickly it loses all power and won’t go faster, to speed up I would have to slow down and slowly gain up to the desired speed. It gave me a warning message that I need to park and charge the battery. I don’t have a spot to charge the battery.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11633311December 31, 2024
ENGINE
Engine consuming excessive oil between oil changes.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11631957December 21, 2024
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
When trying to accelerate from a standing stop, there is a one or two second delay, once the accelerator pedal is depressed, before the car moves. Extremely dangerous when pulling out into traffic. I had it back to the dealership to address this problem but they found nothing wrong. I guarantee you , the problem continues to exist.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11630256December 11, 2024
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
1. First incident occurred on 10/29/24. My wife pulled into driveway and placed car into Park. When she shifted to reverse, the transmission didn't respond and the car revved to a very high RPM when she took foot off of brake, no foot on gas. Unable to shift it to go forward or backward. She then turned car off, back on, and was able to reverse it. This situation occurred numerous times. 2. Sometimes, after this happened, she'd place it into drive, and the vehicle would only crawl (<5 mph) forward and not accelerate, though gas pedal was touching the floor of car. She'd place it back into Park (in traffic!), shut it off, then restart it. 3. Sometimes she would place it into Reverse, the dashboard would show it in R, and the vehicle would be silent and non-reactive (no back-up beep). 4. She would place it into drive, the engine would do nothing for a few seconds, and suddenly drop into gear with a loud thud. 11/11/24 took car to KIA, they said nothing was wrong. 5. On 11/29/24, she placed the car into Park, loaded passengers, and tried to place the car into reverse and NOTHING happened. The vehicle would not move forward or backward. The dashboard indicated that it was in D, the gear shift dial indicated it was in D, but nothing happened. Car was then turned off in Drive. Drive indicator ("D") was lit up on dash, gear shift dial had "D" still illuminated too. Tried to restart, dash said to put car into Park to start. Car would not go into Park. When flatbed tow truck arrived (6 hours later) the battery was fully discharged The tow truck driver was able to charge the battery with a portable charger sufficiently to start the car (if it would have been in Park), but was still unable to get the transmission to respond. The dealership claims that they can find nothing wrong and KIA won't acknowledge any issue. We have multiple videos of the issues and witnesses. There are numerous reports on Reddit of similar issues with Kia 2023 Sorento PHEVs.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11629574December 9, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? I was driving and the car completely shut down- I could not use my brakes or accelerate. I had to pull along the road in ongoing traffic to coast to a stop. I lost all control. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I was in traffic and the cars behind me had to slow down immediately, I could not speed up or even brake to come to a stop. Others around me as well as myself were in danger. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? They reviewed and said they scanned it and did a drive test and could not find the cause. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes, It was seen at the Kia dealer I bought it from. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? As soon as the vehicle lost power there was a warning sign on the dash that showed "limit" with a half circle emblem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11629564December 9, 2024
POWER TRAIN
When I start driving, there’s a lot of hesitation like it’s going to stall and it also does this going up hills or mountains? I was on the interstate and there was a line of cars behind me and my car started to hesitate and almost stall, causing all cars behind me to break to not cause a domino effect accident I have reported this to the Kia dealer and knowing that there’s a lot of DCT problems that are posted all over the Internet they are saying there is no problem with the car upon doing research again there is a lot of DCT reporting of Kia’s not just my Sorrento please do some research on this and help me. We just bought this car. There is 13,000 miles on it. It should not be doing this and again I’m going to a different Kia to see if they say the same thing. Below you ask for a date that this happened there is too many dates to enter, but I will try to enter the very first one that we experienced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11626773November 22, 2024
ENGINE
Faulty Oil filter placed in Vehicle during Oil Change at Dealership. On November 4, 2023 vehicle was taken into Rick Case Kia located at 3190 Satellite Blvd, Duluth, GA 30096. The oil was changed and vehicle driven approximately 5 miles home that afternoon, The following morning the vehicle was driven approximately 25 miles to Cobb Hospital. At no time during the ride did I note warning signals that something was wrong. At lunch I went to my car and started the vehicle and it alarmed with Engine and Oil lights. The vehicle was making a knocking noise. They added oil back to the engine and stated it was OK to drive. The manager of the dealership stated that this has happened several times.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625375November 14, 2024
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
While slowing from cruising speed to around 5 MPH, give or take, and pressing on the accelerator, the vehicle will not respond/accelerate for up to 1 second. This is dangerous because you don't know when the vehicle will respond and if you'll have the acceleration. My assumption is this is a symptom of the hybrid system trying to determine the best mode of propulsion - gas, electric only or a combination of both. We've taken it to the dealer and we were told "this is how hybrid systems work." We've owned Toyota hybrid systems and we know this is not normal. Kia/Hyundai should reprogram the hybrid system to that it responds with no delay, even if it means the fuel milage suffers as a result.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11623403November 4, 2024
POWER TRAIN
Transmission Warning Indicator appears on Dashboard Cluster and vehicle bucks and stalls and won't shift properly. Dealership found Transmission was never filled properly and below specifications according to Kia Service and was verified the fluid level was extremely low and not filled to specification from factory. The dealership filled transmission to proper level and test drove vehicle. Issue seamed to be fixed. But now a month later same transmission is is happening with Transmission warning Indicator and vehicle bucking and not shifting properly causing erratic vehicle behavior and safety issues.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11620272October 16, 2024
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While driving vehicle looses throttle power, goes into limb mode. Does not throw any codes. Turn the car off then back on and drives fine for a little bit. Has happened numerous times. Multiple trips to the dealership but since no codes pop up nothing can be fixed. Major safety issue!!!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11619729October 14, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sunroof Randomly exploded driving down the road.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11619258October 11, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Mounting bracket for the backup camera failed and caused the camera to dangle from the car. This caused me to not be able to use the camera to view objects and surroundings directly behind the vehicle. A dealer said they fixed the part back when it was originally recalled, but the new bracket broke and the dealer is refusing to fix the issue. They said the initial recall was completed and the part is now out of warranty and therefore they will not fix it, even though the exact part that was recalled originally has now failed again.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11615236September 18, 2024
POWER TRAIN
Car is a huge safety issue. Seems to be DCT transmission issue. Car gets stuck in first or second gear and revs all the way up. Happened multiple times getting on highway or at intersections. This has almost caused multiple accidents for me. You can push the pedal to the floor and it won’t do anything. The only temp fix is turning car off and back on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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