Kia Sorento Complaints

10,397 consumer complaints on file.

#11626196November 19, 2024
POWER TRAIN
I had a catastrophic engine failure on the interstate right before rush hour traffic WITHOUT ANY warning. I was driving on [XXX] and heard a noise (sounded like something fell). Steering was a little wobbly then seemed ok for about 1min. Went to accelerate and could hear engine trying but could not accelerate. Shortly after the check engine light was flashing, oil light and battery light was on. I lost power. Thankfully I had started to move over to the farthest right lane and was able to get over to side of road before car stopped. This was around 2:50pm on a Tues right before Chicago rush hour traffic. Had to tow car to my mechanic who said a rod blew through engine and there is a piston in the oil pan. My mechanic recommended I have it towed to dealership for engine warranty. It's currently at Castle Kia in McHenry IL. They agreed a rod went through engine and there is a piston in the oil pan. Now dealership wants me to pay $1500 for diagnostics and to tear down the engine to see if it qualifies for an engine replacement. (said I wouldn't have to pay if under warranty, but they claim they can't determine unless engine is broken down). It was at my mechanic 1 week prior for an oil change. 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
#11626294November 19, 2024
ENGINE
In our experience, roughly 1 quart of oil is displaced per 500 miles. Kia corporate stated that the vehicle does not display any safety concerns and would not honor the recent 150k warranty. After speaking with the service manager and consulting with the Kia dealership mechanics for proper diagnosis, the manager shared that there are several premature failures with engine components. They will not honor a repair. It is obvious that Kia has significant issues with their GDI engines. A simple search on the internet provides overwhelming evidence of this. Who is holding Kia accountable?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625948November 18, 2024
LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Multifunction front camera unit part number 95740-c6560. Warning lights come on every day. They continue to alert while driving causing issues with attention to the road. The high beams will not work unless the lights are set to on instead of auto. Vehicle was taken to a Kia dealership, and they diagnosed a complete failure on the part. This part operates several of the safety functions of the vehicle. There have been several people who have had this issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11626020November 18, 2024
ENGINE
Engined failed in the middle of the highway at 100,800 miles. Engine has had horrible oil consumption issues for a long time, despite regular oil changes and checking the oil levels. KIA already has a 150k class action settlement for engine failure due to connecting rod bearing failure, but have denied warranty and wanted out of pocket $7600 for full engine replacement.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11626035November 18, 2024
ENGINE
ENGINE STARTED MAKING LOUD SOUNDS AFTER OIL CHANGE AT 128, 000 MILES AND BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN WHILE DRIVING HAVING A HARD TIME ENGAGING TO NEXT GEAR. ENGINE LIGHT DID COME ONE And STOP AT CLOSES ATUO PARTS STORE TO HAVE IT CHECKED FOR ENGINE LIGHT TEST. SAFETY RISK TO DRIVE AND PASSAGERS IF CAR FALL TO MOVE ON HIGHWAY CAUSING ACCIDENT. PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO KIA AND WE WERE TOLD TO BRING IT IN AND IT WOULD BE LOOKED AT FOR 200 DOLLARS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11626045November 18, 2024
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I have been having excessive oil burning for months. When I took it to the Kia dealer, this was a known issue. They told me I'd need to continue to regularly top off my oil (way over the recommended amount) or risk my engine blowing. Just over the warranty at 102,114 miles the car seized. The repair shop diagnosed it as a valve/cylinder head issue, but the engine has not been working as it should since long before before the 100,000 warranty mark. It is documented at my Kia service center. My car is useless, not even drivable now. This is a known issue (the burning of oil) and Kia isn't upfront about this issue. While there was a class action lawsuit for other engine issues in this model, there is no accountability for the issues we face. My car is worthless and at only 102k miles. I've taken great care of this vehicle, but it is poorly made. [XXX] lists 339 complaints about the 2017 Sorento's engine, with engine failure being the most significant issue. I feel I was taken advantage of by trusting Kia that this was a solid investment. The cost of repair is $5,000-10,000 depending on if the 5k does the job - it was suggested that the repair doesn't always work without a full engine rebuild. 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
#11626060November 18, 2024
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
Fuel pump malfunction. It is available for inspection. My safety was put at risk and others because the car stalled abruptly while driving and would not accelerate. Yes the dealer was able to recognize fuel pump issue. No other symptoms.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625752November 17, 2024
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My engine was replaced and the fuel line was reported "mangled" by Kia of Coatesville where I took my car in after an engine replacement. One in which emissions codes were still going off. The car still smelled like fuel and it was then found that the fuel pump was leaking. To further this when we got the car back, the csr still smelled like fuel. The car was yet again taken in and found to have a crack in the fuel rail.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625713November 16, 2024
ENGINE
We purchased our 2016 Kia Sorento brand new in 2015. From the start, we had problems with the car burning oil at a rapid rate. We would get an oil change and less than 2,000 miles later the oil would be very low. After one year oil was low after 1,000 miles or less. No oil light warning would ever come on and there were times when the dipstick had no oil on it. I called Kia customer care several times over the years regarding this issue and was told there was nothing Kia could do unless the engine blew due to the connecting rod and the engine needed to be replaced. We are now well past the 100k warranty and have dealt with this problem for the last 9 years. 2 weeks ago the engine started making a knocking noise and would not accelerate. We checked the oil and it was low and the coolant was also empty. We took it into the Kia dealership and we were told the radiator was empty and burning and that the coolant was leaking into the cylinder and that the engine needed to be replaced. Never once did an engine light, oil light or coolant light come on. There were no visible leaks. The car never overheated and the temperature gauge never changed from the middle. This engine has had constant problems with burning oil from the start. I have done my part to reach out to Kia customer care numerous times. This model Kia has had known problems with oil consumption and coolant leaks. I know there is a reported problem with the 2016 Kia Sorento V6 regarding coolant leaking into the cylinder heads, while I do not have a V6 I had the same problem. This engine has multiple problems which lead to its failure not just the coolant leak. Oil consumption, coolant leak and worst of all there was no warning that there was a problem with the engine (i.e) no engine, oil or coolant light. While there is a lifetime engine warranty on the rod bearing failure which I believe we had along with the coolant leak. Kia is not honoring this warranty and will not reimburse us.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625135November 14, 2024
ENGINE
March of 2022 the engine stalled out and found out due to coolant leaking from head gasget area. Put new engine in and July 2024 the new engine started stalling and knocking. No warning lights. In middle of busy traffic and died. Rod bearings failed and metal shavings appeared in engine. Need another engine but can't afford it. Dealership said its manufacturer problem. I know other kia engines were covered under the problem with rod bearing but ours wasn't. This should be included
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625192November 14, 2024
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine was knocking before the engine seized. The contact stated that due to the failure, the vehicle side-swiped a concrete mailbox. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. In addition, the contact was informed that the engine rod had fractured the oil pan. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that in June 2018, the engine was replaced; however, in April 2019 the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was informed of an unknown expired recall repair however, the VIN was not included. The contact was informed that the recall repair might have prevented the failure; however, the contact stated that the recall notification was not received. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625242November 14, 2024
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel had seized and there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 76,800.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625301November 14, 2024
ENGINE
I was driving down the interstate and my car made a loud noise and then it lost power. I was able to steer it off the exit. Tried to start it it turned over but wouldn't start . Before this happened my car was using up oil like crazy I took it to a mechanic and he said it wasn't leaking it and it isn't burning it so where is it going? I paid 10,000 cash for this vehicle and was only able to drive it 2 months the engine is gone. No warning, nothing... Kia needs to replace my engine along with all the other people that are having this problem, it's obviously kias fault too many of these 2016 serentos are having the same issue. I found out about all the other cars when I put it on the market place trying to sell it as is two different people told me that Kia had a recall and replaced their engines . How do you fix some and not all that are having the same issue?
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
#11624906November 13, 2024
ENGINE
I have noticed at around 36,000 miles excessive oil consumption and knocking sound in the engine.I know the have this problem with older models, but you get the push around from dealership and Kia corporate. Thanks
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11624916November 13, 2024
ENGINE
We were driving down [XXX] near Toledo Ohio during rush hour on our to Michigan, when the car, with no warning at all, stopped running. There were no lights on the dash, no warning at all. The car just stopped. We were able to steer it to the shoulder and stop. There was no indication of what was wrong. After having it towed to the Kia dealership I was informed the engineer blew. There was no knocking, no oil use, no indication at all that there was anything wrong with the car. I had to rent a hotel until my son could come and get me and then the next day. 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
#11624978November 13, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
When the headlights are on the "auto" setting they will sometimes turn off when driving. Speed or driving conditions do not seem to be a factor. There have also been 2 separate incidents where the headlights are on in the morning. This occurred when Noone had been in the car for hours and the keys were inside my home.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625065November 13, 2024
POWER TRAIN
I experienced a loss of drive power while on a busy street. Often while shifting into gear, the transmission will not engage. Luckily, this hasn't happened on a freeway. I have brought the vehicle into my dealership, however they can't replicate the issue, therefore, I feel unsafe continuing to drive. There was a recall on this issue, but I've been told my VIN is not effected by this recall. I understand that, however I am experiencing the issue of losing drive power, which can cause a serious incident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11624790November 12, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the message "Battery Not Fully Charged" was displayed. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine wiring harness was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 12,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11624501November 11, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have a pearl white 2018 Kia Sorento, and the paint is peeling off the hood. This is a factory defect, and I need to get it fixed before the rest of the paint comes off the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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