Kia Sorento Complaints

10,397 consumer complaints on file.

#11451018February 8, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2014 sorento- exterior lights very dim. Dangerous and hard to see they go out weirdly often and randomly. replaced lights and driver side turn signals now not working or the led strip lash out as well. Pearl white paint is chipping/peeling on hood and pillars. Emailed kia support have not heard anything back.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11451039February 8, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
White pearl style paint is peeling off car. Peeling off roof and side door panel. Electrical does not work in steering wheel to control radio volume etc. electrical doesn’t work to control automatic seat adjustment option.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450763February 7, 2022
ENGINE
The car was running hot and I took it in and the mechanic said liquid was coming out of the head gasket. Kia gave me a quote to replace the engine. We were fearful the car would just shut off while driving with our infant son and hot engine air blowing through the vents. The vehicle was inspected by Greenway Kia in Franklin, Tennessee. The check engine light came on and I took it to the Kia Dealer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450777February 7, 2022
STEERING
The steering seems to stick or click at various speeds.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450778February 7, 2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The headlights are dangerously dim. Purchased this vehicle used. Only used in the daytime the first months. My son started working night shifts and that's when we noticed that it did not light up in front of the vehicle. It was very minimal. I drove the car on a rainy evening and was terrified. Could not see in front of me. Had to drive next to cars to make sure I was in my lane. We cleaned the headlights, it did not improve. We purchased new and brighter bulbs. It is still too dim. It only lights up immediately in front of the vehicle and it is a very dim light. Light barely reaches maybe three feet in front of the vehicle, maybe only two. It is VERY dangerous. I am an experienced driver and I found it frightening to drive at night. My son is recently licensed and it does not feel safe to have him operate that vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450796February 7, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving uphill at 30 MPH, the vehicle started making abnormal loud clunking sounds and stalled. The contact stated that as the vehicle started rolling backwards, he depressed the brake pedal, parked the vehicle, and engaged the parking brake. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where it was recommended to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where, it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the manufacturer denied covering the cost of the repair because the vehicle was out of warranty. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact followed up with the manufacturer but the manufacturer did not provide any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 61,139.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450884February 7, 2022
POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ON 2-7-2022 MY 2011 KIA SERENTO began to boggle out while driving it merging onto the freeway I was having a hard time speeding up to even 20mph then out of no where it was just fine again, well I went to pick my children from school about 1 1/2 hours later and the car started out driving fine until out of no where I was unable to accelerate to a higher speed once more but this time it was smelling like smoke but there was no smoke
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450662February 6, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
Paint is falling off in chunks for no reason. This poses a risk to other drivers who may be negatively impacted by chunks flying off of the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450681February 6, 2022
STEERING
Steering sticks causing over correction. The car has 76000 miles on the odometer. The steering column has to be replaced at a significant cost. This is not a new problem to Kia… they should issue a recall and pay for the cost of repair.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450581February 5, 2022
ENGINE
I purchased this vehicle 6 months ago(07/2021). I have kept up with my regular service oil changes, but it burns oil way too quick, and the exhaust spits out smoke. I have been adding oil every 3-4 days because it runs dry just that fast. I was driving on the highway, and the vehicle abruptly slowed down. The engine light blinked off and on, and then stayed on. I barely made it off the exit safely, because the vehicle would no longer accelerate. I could no longer drive it, and the sounds from the engine became increasingly louder. I had to have the vehicle towed to my mechanic, where it sits today, not able to drive, and according to him, in need of a new engine. This is very frustrating, especially since I have only had the vehicle for barely 6 months. I have all my invoices of regular oil changes, so I know this is not a problem I caused. Kia has got to do better. It's absolutely dangerous to have consumers on the road, driving in such hazardous conditions.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450596February 5, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
Paint has been peeling in multiple areas of exterior of car. I have seen other Kia Sorentos of my year and color (snow pearl white) that are peeling as well. Paint is defective, it’s a latent defect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450338February 4, 2022
AIR BAGS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I own a 2013 Kia Sorento LX FWD AUTO, granted I bought it USED in June 2020. But every since I've owned my vehicle I've had a problem with my Engine Light being on, the Driver Side Break light keeps going out and the USB and Cigarette Lighter keep Blowing the FUSES. I Love my Truck and I need to know how KIA can help to fix these problems.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450452February 4, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
My 2013 Kia Sorento SX (Paint Color: Pearl White) began to to peel pain around August 2021 with around 90,000 miles on the car. I am the original owner and it has been kept in the garage most of the time. The paint peeling happened rapidly on the painted section between the Windshield and Sunroof. I Googled the issue and apparently it is widespread since 2011 on a lot of Kia and Hyundai models especially with Pear White paint. I took it to a Kia dealer who referred me to their paint contractor (Dent Magic) co-located with them. I spoke with the team and asked for an estimated. As soon as the estimator saw it he said "Oh yes the is paint delamination, it was pretty wide spread on the vehicles a few years back. I am surprised yours took so long to peel. It was likely because you have garage kept it and it looks like you keep it in great condition. There was a manufacturing defect when they painted these cars and essentially the factory forgot to prime certain panels of the vehicles so the paint is not sticking properly. Unfortunately, Kia has not recalled this most likely because it is not a safety issue and the government has not forced them. However, if you leave it and it rusts it could cause lots of issues down the road." The gentleman then provided me with an estimate of $725.63. I then got 2 other estimates that were both over $1000. I ended up going with the Kia recommendation of Dent Magic for $725. I am hoping none of the other panels start to peel, I feel it is inevitable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450267February 3, 2022
POWER TRAIN
I purchased the 2013 Kia in February, 2019. In August, 2020 the "check engine" light came on and had it diagnosed as "Throttle body error"(not exact terms). I had the throttle body actuator and gasket replaced. When I questioned one of the service personnel about having to "re-learn" it, he stated "No". 1 year later (8/23/21), engine light again came on and the intake manifold was the issue. The intake manifold was replaced and I was under the belief that this would be the end of the issue. On 9/3/21 the same part (Throttle body) needed to be replaced a second time at Kia. When I questioned the service manager if the part had to be "re-learned", he said yes it does or it won't function properly and could affect the intake manifold. On 1/30/22, the check engine light again came on and this time the code was "Intake manifold Runner Performance (Bank1). This is a Motor Module-VCM which is associated with the Intake Manifold. After this was installed on 2/2/22, the car was driven home and the "check engine light" came on again(less than 15 minutes after it was taken out of the dealership. A scan check revealed that the part that controls the throttle body is now defective and needs to be replaced. This all has created unsafe road conditions due to the vehicle going into "Limp Mode", as is designed to do, however, this was experienced while driving on the Interstate. This seams to be a recurring issue with this car and I have only owned it for less than 3 years. All work was done by certified Kia technicians at the dealership.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450272February 3, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:SEALS/GASKETS
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, his vehicle would overheat. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that he added water into the coolant reservoir and waited before restarting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to be diagnosed by an independent mechanic and he was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The local dealer was contacted and informed him that the head gasket was blown and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11449869February 2, 2022
STEERING
When trying to move the steering wheel, it initially sticks and requires extra force to get it to provide a steering input. Once it gets past the initial resistance, it jerks the car in the direction you are trying to go which required compensation in the other direction. Upon correction, it jerks the car in the opposite direction causing a continual need to correct the steering wheel to keep the car straight and causing the car to not be able to maintain perfectly straight travel. On large sweeping corners, this problem is even more pronounced and feels dangerous. This happens mostly on longer trips where the vehicle has been on the road more than 30 minutes.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11449990February 2, 2022
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Engine shut off without warning while driving. My wife was driving and Was able to roll off road thankfully. She was on a very busy road and was in serious risk of injury along with the cars behind her. Did not start back up. Battery had power. Found out ENGINE FAILED! Verified by mechanic. Called Kia Corporate Customer Service number and was told the engine will not be repaired. 125,000 miles. No warning lights came on. This is absolutely wrong of Kia! Shame on them!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450043February 2, 2022
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Vehicle has always been serviced through KIA service center so upon taking the vehicle into service for a sudden severe oil leak repair and to service the water pump as fluid was not circulating through the radiator, and while all the services were done they found the vehicle still over heating so they did a compression/block test and found blown head gaskets. As stated on the invoice of the service done : Vehicle Needs Engine Replacement. I paid for Labor and Parts for Services done for a total of $1539.49 and had to tow the vehicle from the KIA service center back to my residence Inoperable. It should be noted after this event I have research that the KIA 3.3L v6 engine has had this same occurrence for many KIA owners with this engine. They also have filed complaints, with no recalls from KIA on this defective engine. In all this stated above, there were no indicator lights or engine light indicating any problems with any of these situations, only my own visual inspections that noticed the sudden severe oil leak and coolant/heating problem that I brought the vehicle in for service.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11449772February 1, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The battery fails constantly, which means I am faced with a dead battery and a car that won't start. This has happened with no pattern of circumstance; for example: the battery will be dead after driving for 15 miles, parking for 10 minutes while shopping, and returning to a dead battery; or after the car has been parked all day, only to have a dead battery; or a dead battery after being parked at my house overnight (in every sort of weather condition); it is completely random...and, be assured, I do not leave ANY ELECTRICAL items (radio, temperature controls, interior or exterior lights, etc.), turned on when I park my car. Therefore, I do not feel safe driving and parking my car ANYWHERE that I am remote, isolated, or unable to get a jump. I carry jumper cables in my car at all times because I never know when I may need them. Sometimes, it takes a long time to charge the battery enough to even start my car. Sometimes the battery is so dead, that the key fob doesn't even work and I have to manually open my doors...other times it's a quick jump. I have to always park my car in a position that I'm able to access the battery for a jump, if need be. I regularly went through (high-end) batteries well before their expiration date and took my SUV into the KIA dealership for diagnostics regularly - and the only answer they had is that the cause must be a "phantom (electrical) draw," which they were never able to identify. I also took my SUV into other mechanics and battery specialists, but no one had any answers for me. Still, after 17 years, I have this same problem and burn through a lot of batteries. No answers. The dealership stopped assisting me, even when I was still on my extended warranty. No help from Corporate. Very disappointed in KIA in their response over all these years, beginning with my purchase of the brand new 2005 KIA Sorento. I have always taken my SUV into the KIA dealership for the regularly scheduled service. Have others had this problem?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11449805February 1, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
The paint started peeling off of my car. My car is almost always parked in my garage, especially since I began working from home in March 2020. It is rarely exposed to the elements. Nothing hit or bumped my car. All of a sudden, a huge patch of paint is missing.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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