Kia Sorento Complaints

10,397 consumer complaints on file.

#11566564January 19, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the check engine light warning was illuminated. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 137,513. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11566569January 19, 2024
ENGINE, STEERING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
On January 17 2024 as I am making my usual drive to work on a very busy interstate highway my 2016 Kia SORENTO EX V6 FWD AUTO 3.3 liter engine completely seizes up and so begins my nightmare. The same nightmare I am seeing time and time and time again reported on this site, and every site you do a simple search on 2016 KIA Sorento's for. As a result of the catastrophic engine failure, I (a female, original owner of the KIA,) was left in a very dangerous position to try and maneuver through and not be killed by oncoming cars and further not get jumped in a very bad part of the metro. (this is not my personal assessment, this is the highest crime area in our city) Car was towed to dealership where I originally purchased it and today I received the diagnosis report indicating Alternator Replacement $1,283.94, Head Gasket $4,276.92, Body Control Module/ ECU $1,030.35 (an issue that I raised when the car was under the manufacturer warranty, and was ignored by the service team and results in me using a screw driver to even get the car out of park) I want answers as do all of the other impacted customers as to WHAT MORE IS NEEDED TO PROVE THAT KIA ENGINES ARE DANGEROUS AND NEED TO BE TAKEN OFF THE STREET!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11566603January 19, 2024
ENGINE, STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving my car to work when my check engine light came on and starting flashing. I made it to work just unable to go over 30MPH because it felt like it was in fail safe mode. That afternoon I spoke with KIA Affairs and the lady advise me to go to autozone and get it diagnosed after work. Well after work I went to go to autozone and barely made it half a mile before it felt like it was going to die. so i turned to go back to turn around to back to work in the parking lot next door. When I turned it felt like i had no control over where my car was going like i had no traction control even though i did not hit any patches of ice.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11566607January 19, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY
Color pearl white. Abnormal peeling of paint despite not having any damage to initiate. Along the front and all edges where the doors curve to meet the windows. When there is damage from a rock from the road whole sheets will lift and peel off. This was a defective paint job and should be remedied by Kia.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11566425January 19, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS
My car will not turn on, there was no warning light or maintenance required message. Also the two passenger seats recline back but will not go back to forward position.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11566460January 19, 2024
ENGINE
Cruise control was set on 60, went up a non steep incline I drive everyday and vehicle suddenly stopped functioning properly. Took off the cruise, step on the accelerator, no power and no response. Also no warning lights are on, no dash lights came on until I was able to stop the vehicle and shift to park. Turned off the engine and it never turned over again. My safety was put at risk and others on the road due to there being no warning to this happening and lack of control I had over the vehicle. I have had it inspected by my mechanic and he is telling me it was a catastrophic failure and the engine blew. Cost of repair isn't much less than a new vehicle. I have no trade in value on a car I purchased brand new 7 years ago. I have to scrap a vehicle I should be able to trade in for 5K at least. According to an article I found from Nov 2023 this has recently been found to be an issue with these models. I took really good care of this vehicle, it still blew up on me, and put me in danger.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11566472January 19, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY
My 2016 Kia Sorento started about 2 months to peel, it was a quarter size spot and now is getting bigger every day !!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11566493January 19, 2024
ENGINE
Engine seized while driving. Had to be completely replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11566188January 18, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. 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. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11566198January 18, 2024
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving. Without any warning or any noticeable prior issues my car was smoking very bad from the hood. Once parked I opened the hood but can not tell where it is coming from. When I crank it the smoke starts again.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11566267January 18, 2024
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal ticking sound. The contact was able to pull over safely. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined there was a hole in the engine block. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the repairs were not covered under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000. The VIN was not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11566291January 18, 2024
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
On 12/15/23 my wife was driving her father to a dental appointment and when trying to pass a slower moving vehicle on a rural stretch of our highway system. The car died after she accelerated to pass the slower vehicle. She was in the oncoming lane of traffic when she lost engine power, power steering, power brakes and electronics. The car she was passing slowed down to allow her to get over, as a semi truck had now appeared on the horizon. Without any power, she could not complete the pass and had to force the car back into the correct lane where the car came to a stop partially in the roadway. Two vehicles behind her witnessed the issue and could tell she was having vehicle problems and helped push her, her dad, and the car to the side of the road into an orchard for safety. There were no warning symptoms, no loud sounds, nothing, just the control panel flashing intermediately after the car died. The car was towed to a local shop that thought it was possibly an electrical issue and replaced the battery (as that somehow died during the incident) but they soon identified the motor had seized and we should have it taken to a Kia dealership for a known issue with the 2.4L engines. The Kia dealership advised that a "Product Improvement Campaign", not a Safety Recall, had not been performed on the vehicle and that Kia had a class action lawsuit for this exact issue. Kia claims that postal notifications were sent to the previous owner, but had our information on file and registered as an owner through the Kia Owner web portal. Kia is refusing to cover the repair costs because the original owner never had the work completed, and as a second owner, we were never notified of the Knock Sensor Software Update that needed to ensure the car would go into limp mode before a total engine seizure. We never took the Kia to an actual dealer, as we had all maintenance done at various oil change locations, and an independent auto repair shop do the milestone services as recommended.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11566324January 18, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
i was out door dashing on monday january 15 2024. i went into panera to pick up order. came outside to my car and it looked like it was smoking. i popped the hood and was about to put my hand in there to lift the hood when i realized it was hot. i looked under and it was on fire.. everything is melted.. there wasnt any warnings at all. now i have know car..
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11566400January 18, 2024
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Driving to the store and l smell smoke. Pull up to Walmart entrance because l seen a fireman going in. So, l got out to ask him to come help me l smell smoke by time l got back to the car fire started. He was able to put it out but my vent in my second row is burn, side my driver seat a burn a little and rug on the floor. And now my engine stop working mechanics said it a recall on these vehicles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11566365January 18, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY
Pearl white paint completely peeling off.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11565915January 17, 2024
ENGINE
My car has less than 62,000 miles on it and is burning through all oil every 2000 miles. My engine is completely out of oil. I only know this because I checked it...no lights or any warning signs that it is out. I am worried my engine will seize at any given time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11565935January 17, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact smelled a burning odor with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available. The contact states all lights still stay on even after her husband disconnects the censor from lighting up and reconnects it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11565955January 17, 2024
ENGINE
With no warning the Kia suddenly started shaking and shuddering and white smoke started coming out of the exhaust while driving down the freeway. There were no symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. Took it to a mechanic and he said the car has a blown head gasket. A second mechanic confirmed the diagnosis.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11565965January 17, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
(January 11,2024) my wife had an accident while driving a 2012 Kia Sorento vehicle. She was waiting to enter a parking space at the Laurel Mall that someone was backing out of, when the space was clear to enter, she took her foot off the brake and proceeded to enter the space. It seems that the Sorento went full throttle on it's own and proceeded to smash into 3 other parked cars. I read that Kia has a problem with faulty acceleration on 2009 thru 2015 with the Sorentos. I reported this incindent to my insurance and they recommended that I contact Kia Motors Direct. I have reported this to Kia Motors Customer Care, (January 12, 2024) I am waiting for their reply to this situation. There were no warning lights nor any warning of a failure with the vehicle. To date, the Sorento has not been repaired nor checked by a mechanic.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11565995January 17, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact's husband owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall 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. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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