Kia Sorento Complaints (2017)

808 consumer complaints on file.

#11684548September 2, 2025
ENGINE
This 2017 Kia Sorento with the 3.3L V6 Lambda II engine appears to have had possible rod bearing failure or connecting rod failure. This vehicle has 107,987 miles on it when the incident happened. 2 hours into a drive on the highway, the car began to sound like it had a possible exhaust leak, however this was followed shorty by knocking which prompted us to pull over and just as we made the shoulder as the engine quit and began to smoke heavily. Went to quickly open the hood and the smoke died down in about a minute. Most likely due to the oil hitting the exhaust from the hole the rod left in the block. There were no oil lights or other indications that anything was going to happen prior to this. The vehicle has been maintained meticulously with all maintenance items. This vehicle is available for inspection. Let me know if this needs to happen prior to KIA getting ahold of it. Our entire family was in the car (5 people including our dog) and we were at highway speeds when this happened. Fortunately we were able to get over just before the engine blew. Also fortunate enough to open the hood fast enough to get it cool before it started a fire. We are going to take it to the dealer for inspection, however both the dealership and Kia Customer Care said this is not currently under any warranty for engine failure. I have yet to inspect myself to take pictures from under the car, so no inspection has been thoroughly performed. As previously stated, there was no warning lights, the car did sound like it started to have an exhaust leak no more than a minute or two before the knocking started.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11683784August 28, 2025
ENGINE
On 8/16/2025 my 2017 Kia Sorento experienced major engine failure which resulted in loss of power and severe engine misfiring. I submitted a warranty claim with full maintenance documentation to Kia cooperation but was denied coverage on 8/27/2025. This denial is improper because 1.The engine type is covered under recalls and/or the Kia Engine Class Action Settlement, which extends coverage to 15 years / 150,000 miles and my vehicle currently has 94423. 2.I complied with all maintenance requirements and have already provided numerous records. 3.Engine failure presents a serious safety hazard and has been widely reported.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11683525August 27, 2025
ENGINE
Valves are knocking and rattling. Engine sometimes stalls out. The knocking and rattling will not go away. It is getting worse everyday to the point that I am scared to drive it because it will stall out on me somewhere and leave me stuck on the side of the road. Been doing this for a couple of months now.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682931August 25, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the contact heard a clicking and banging sound coming from the engine. The contact mentioned that while looking through the front driver's side mirror, she noticed smoke coming from the engine. Several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled over to the right side of the road, turned the vehicle off and then exited the vehicle and opened the hood of the vehicle and noticed flames coming from the engine. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention. The contact dialed 911, but there was no police report filed. The fire chief showed up at the scene and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was not destroyed. The vehicle was towed to a collision center. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11681546August 19, 2025
ENGINE
Engine seized Kia denied warranty extension b/c of maintenance records changed oil myself had 3 years of receipts for oil and filters
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11681432August 18, 2025
ENGINE
I don’t understand how my 2017 Kia sorento doesn’t have a recall on its engine. I bought the car in cash and 1 month the car doesn’t want to start.. I don’t understand I wasted money… I need engine replaced and don’t have $10000
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11681436August 18, 2025
ENGINE
I was driving and out of no where the battery light pop up and than car turns off on in the middle of traffic.. surprisingly there was no accident it was scary I had my two babies in the car with me. There’s no recall it’s a safety hazard ..
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11681150August 17, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Headlights turn off at night when set in the auto position and turn on when the car is off
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680737August 14, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that on several occasions, while checking the engine oil level, after driving 600 miles, the dipstick indicated that the engine oil level was extremely low. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and the contact was informed to monitor the oil level to determine if the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that the engine was flushed twice. The contact stated that the symptoms of oil consumption were mild, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer where it was diagnosed, and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680110August 12, 2025
ENGINE
My 2017 Kia Sorento has developed intermittent safety-related engine issues that have resulted in loss of acceleration and stalling. December 2024: After a two-hour drive, the vehicle stalled and would not restart. Roadside assistance confirmed the engine oil level was low, despite no external leaks. After approximately two hours, the vehicle restarted. [XXX]: After driving about 30 minutes and parking for 10–20 minutes, the engine started with loud rumbling/knocking noises, and the accelerator was unresponsive. The problem resolved only after shutting the car off and restarting. Video is available. The Kia dealer performed a rod bearing test which passed, but the symptoms match early failure stages of the known Theta II engine defect covered under Kia’s lifetime warranty (PI1802 settlement). Kia attributes the issue to “low oil” as a maintenance problem, but the oil consumption appears to be internal and abnormal. This defect creates a serious safety risk because it causes sudden loss of power, which could lead to an accident if it occurs while driving in traffic. 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
#11680237August 12, 2025
ENGINE
The engine locked up. The engine only had 80,000 miles. The car stopped in the middle of traffic. The dealership refused to take responsibility. KIA also declined warning coverage. I had to pay to replace the engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11679849August 11, 2025
ENGINE
Bought the car last month had it put on a diagnostic machine 2 times took a trip lasted one week now it's in the shop days bad motor engine light came on @ parked it right then they told me that it ended a engine it run perfect then it wasn't it is a 2017 Kia Sorento it's only 8 yrs old is there any manufacturer warranty or coverage of any kind for that yr it ran really good for a minute then it wasn't it's still in shop being looked @ I have exstended warranty. They want me to pay 2.700 for tear down @ they can't say if they fix it then after I'm outa pocket I had to leave it in another state I seen online recalls on that make yr @ model can you give advice thanks
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11679913August 11, 2025
ENGINE
Motor uses 6 guarts of oil in 3000 miles. No leaks. The dealer has done the oil consumption test. And it failed every time. Kia denied claim to replace engine. They stated that it passed the bearing test. This is crap.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11678906August 6, 2025
ENGINE
We purchased a 2017 Kia Sorrento AWD 3.3L V6 153,000 on May 9 2025. We made our 2nd payment on July 11th & on July 17th @5am we went and filled it up and got on the highway to head to work. We didn't even drive ½ a mile when all of a sudden it lost all power at 73mph. No warning lights nothing. Dash said "key fob not in vehicle". We had it towed to Kia which cost almost $350 for them to call & tell us we need a new engine. No codes nothing. Also almost $200 for them to diagnose that. And that it will cost over 10k to fix. We paid under 10k to begin with. They are saying it isn't covered under any warranty. It's our only vehicle that we can drive in winter. We literally had the Kia just over 2 months.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11678145August 4, 2025
ENGINE
Unknown Engine stopped in the middle of driving. The engine has a bad bearing. Caused the starter wire to be burned so can’t start vehicle what so ever. Chunks of metal in the oil.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11678077August 3, 2025
ENGINE
Oil consumption
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11677743August 1, 2025
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Oil consumption
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11677521July 31, 2025
ENGINE
While driving, the engine warning light suddenly turned on and the vehicle began shaking violently. I was forced to pull over, and the car had to be towed. The dealership diagnosed engine failure caused by excessive oil consumption. Despite routine maintenance, the manufacturer refuses to cover repairs under warranty. This creates a serious safety hazard, as engine components like spark plugs can fail without warning, potentially leaving drivers stranded or causing accidents.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11677280July 30, 2025
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle stalled and failed to respond as intended. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle had failed to respond as needed while depressing the accelerator pedal. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an inspection station, where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump had failed and 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 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11675981July 24, 2025
ENGINE
I have a 2017 Kia Sorento. On Sunday [XXX], I was driving on [XXX] in Oklahoma when I started hearing a weird knocking noise and was having difficulties accelerating. I was in the car with my mother and [XXX] son just between Guthrie and Edmond OK which is a very heavily trafficked area. My car suddenly shut off, I coasted to the side and put my hazards on. After 2 hours waiting for a tow truck to tow my vehicle back to my home town a mechanic informed us the engine was blown and could be apart of their lawsuit against engines. After reading many many other peoples encounter with Kia, Kia acknowledges issues with the engines and were placed in a lawsuit however they find every way out of responsibility for replacing the engines that are faulty. Not only did this put others in danger while I was driving UNDER the 75mph speed limit but it is July in Oklahoma and in the upper 90’s but feels like the hundreds placing myself, my mother and child at risk of heat exposure due to this faulty engine and having to wait 2 hours for a tow truck. I purchased the vehicle in 2020 during Covid when many business’ were shut down and more difficult to receive oil changes properly, and many people reported that since the engine was faulty it was eating away at the oil faster meaning oil did not go as far as it should. This company should replace ALL faulty engines REGARDLESS of their oil change reports and software updates as this is a massive safety feature and puts lives at risk on the road. No warning lights went off until the engine already shut down. They need to accept responsibility on these models as this is a major cost in a time many people cannot afford repairs for something that should be safe to drive. 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

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