Kia Sorento Complaints
10,397 consumer complaints on file.
- #11449832February 1, 2022ENGINE
December 28, 2021 On Hwy 85 right next to Auburn, Alabama, on my way to Houston, Texas, I began to notice that as I accelerated with my 2015 KIA Sorento there was a sound as if my muffler had a hole in it. Within just a couple of minutes, the car wouldn’t accelerate well. I then pulled off the highway onto a ramp and at the intersection the oil indicator light lit up and then the engine light and then there was a rattling noise and then the car quit. I checked the oil and it was a little bit low….not much though. A passerby took me in his car to an auto parts store where I purchased two quarts of oil. I put in the oil and started the car. The oil indicator light was now no longer on but there was a little bit of a rattling sound or knocking sound. The passerby said he knew a mechanic that was just a quarter mile down the road at a full auto service shop and that he would follow me if I wanted to take the car there. It was very close so I drove there. As I got closer the rattling/knocking sound got a little louder and then as I was about ready to pull in to the shop the car shut off and wouldn’t turn on. I had the car pushed the rest of the way into the auto shop. The mechanics looked at it and said it was “locked up” and would need a whole new engine. One mechanic said that KIA engines sometimes do this with little to no warning. I was shocked. I had never had any problems with my 2015 Kia Sorento before. It had now 96,000 miles on it and I only really had to do the oil changes every four months or so. A few hours later I had it towed to the KIA dealership in Auburn and they looked at it and determined it needed a whole new engine and new starter. The price would be $9,700 dollars. The KIA service people mentioned a Theta Engine Class Action Lawsuit that I might be eligible for. I filed a claim and the website showed that my VIN indicated I was eligible for this claim. I have been told KIA will make a determination on the claim in 60 days.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11449686February 1, 2022EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Occasionally when using the left turn signal the Right turn signal will turn on after turning left. Vehicle has not been inspected
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11449694February 1, 2022ENGINE
Excessive Oil Consumption, internally burning oil. No Smell, just oil gone very quickly even after an oil change. Others have complained about the same issue with the 2017 sorento, Kia is doing nothing about it.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11449549January 31, 2022UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have the Sorrento with the white pearl paint for last couple years I’ve had small flakes come off and I’ve tried to cover them up with the ink pen. But the spots are just getting bigger. So Disappointed. This is my second Kia I did not have a problem on the black when I had before this
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11449586January 31, 2022EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Both low beam headlights no longer work although all fuses and bulbs have been verified to work. The high beam headlights do work. This appears to be the identical issue that 2011-2013 owners were dealing with. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10159259-0001.pdf. In this instance, the headlight connectors required replacement and Kia extended the warranty to cover that work. Kia will not extend the warranty to 2015 model owners who are having the same problem and the dealership quotes a price of $1880 for just the parts alone.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11449630January 31, 2022ENGINE
Kia is refusing to replace my engine related to a product improvement issued in 2018. I never received a notice about the required product improvement. The vehicle simply failed while I was driving. I was luckily able to get to safety. There were no warning lamps or messages or symptoms. The vehicle has been inspected by Kia and a Kia dealer.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11449644January 31, 2022UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My vehicle was sitting for 4 hours and suddenly caught on fire…drivers side.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11449222January 28, 2022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1. My headlights tends to keep going out, I’ve replaced them 3 times since getting the vehicle. The most recent change was a month ago. Also my car keeps making this weird humming/ purring sound which started 3months ago and is very unsettling. I had to get a new engine last February after my car cut off on me and the kids heading to my family out of town.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11449248January 28, 2022ENGINE
Our 2018 Kia Sorento seized, stalled, in the middle of the road, smoked, then nearly caught fire with our young daughter in the car and 19 year old son driving. We reported it to Kia. They agreed to reimburse our rental car IF we sign a settlement agreement/hush order regarding it our vehicle and to get reimbursed.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11449304January 28, 2022ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 10 MPH, he heard knocking sounds coming from the engine. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact continued to drive the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving at 50 MPH and the vehicle stalled. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine seized and that the rod bearing might have failed. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in any recalls related to the failure. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact stated that he was able to start the vehicle, but he would still hear abnormal sounds coming from the engine. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer also referred the contact to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,062.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11449065January 27, 2022VISIBILITY/WIPER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1. ABS SYSTEM- ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM SENSORS GOES OUT AND NOT WORKING CORRECTLY READING WHICH CREATES SAFETLY HAZARD IN PREVENTING POSSIBLE COLLISIONS 2. LIGHTING-INTERIOR INSTRUMENT PANEL-LIGHT DIMS AND OR GOES OUT COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING WHICH CREATES SAFTELY HAZARD IN VEHICLE OPERATION. 3. WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM AND RESERVIOR DEFECTIVES- WIPER MOTOR ISSUES AND LEAKAGE FROM FAULTY TUBING AND RESERVIOR LEAKAGE ISSUES.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11449102January 27, 2022STRUCTURE:BODY
HELLO, THIS PROBLEM STARTED SICE 2020 WITH THE PEELING ON TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS NORMAL. THEN THE OTHER BIG ONES JUST STARTED LAST WEEK AND I WAS VERY SURPRISED BECAUSE THEYRE LIKE A FEET LONG. I WOULD LIKE TO GET IT FIX BECAUSE MY TRUCK LOOKS LIKE NEW FROM THE INSIDE BECAUSE I TAKE REALLY GOOD CARE OF IT. PLEASE LET ME KNOWIFYOU CAN HELP. ATTEN: [XXX]. 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
- #11449113January 27, 2022STRUCTURE:BODY
My paint has been peeling off my car the year after I got it an iwas told to contact Kia by one of my coworkers when I worked for Kia and was told because I own my car I have to pay for it out of pocket and that is not right. It is a defective paint job done on all pearl white kia's. All the paint peels down to primer and they tried to tell me it was from rocks or pebbles and that is false as well it is with all kia's and it needs to be fixed asap.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11449195January 27, 2022ENGINE
The purpose of this complaint is to ask for help to get my 2016 Kia Sorento engine problem fixed. The engine oil consumption issue is a known issue. My check engine light started flashing and the vehicle went into Limp Mode. I contacted the Kia headquarters (July 23,2021). My Sorento was towed to ALM Kia in Union City, GA where it sat for 10 weeks waiting for them to evaluate the vehicle. I moved my Sorento to Rick Case Kia for evaluation and repair on October 13. They change the spark plugs and topped of the oil. However, it was consuming oil at a rate of 3-1/2 quarts every 1000 miles. The Kia Dealership is reluctant to fix the engine of my 2016 Kia Sorento, and the service advisor at Rick Case Kia said make sure to keep oil in the engine. I did that faithfully. Since then I’ve had the EVAP system evaluated, replace the gas cap, the canister purge valve, and added 15 quarts of oil. After all that, my Sorento’s engine failed on December 16, 2021 on I75 in Atlanta GA. I had the vehicle towed to Nalley KIA in Stonecrest Georgia. They diagnosed the Head Cylinder as the problem and said it was not covered by KIA extended warranty. I also have “MY WARRANTY FOREVER” as a second protection product. The service manager at Stonecrest KIA contacted My Warranty Forever to open a case with them. One of the requirements from My Warranty Forever was for Stonecrest Kia to send them pictures of the parts that failed. They would cover the labor cost of breaking down the engine to obtain the pictures if the defects were covered under the warranty if not I would be responsible for the labor cost. The service manager at Stonecrest KIA said his tech was out but he had four certified technicians next door at his Hyundai dealership to do the work. I authorized obtaining the pictures however at this time nothing has not been done. The warranty company is still waiting for the pictures. In the meantime I have run out of money to rent cars to get to and from work.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11449135January 27, 2022VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
On January 17th at approximately 1 pm I was driving on Rt. 12 in Cordelia, California when I heard a loud explosion coming from the car's rooftop. I pulled over and discovered that my closed sunroof had shattered. There was no indication whatsoever that anything hit the glass. There were no vehicles in either direction less than 1200-1500 feet from my car when the sunroof class exploded. I assumed this would have been a warrantee claim as the car just approached one year old. Unfortunately, the manufacturer, Kia, denied the claim. I am now appealing the denial. Needless to say, I will never be comfortable driving this car with the sunshade open since that is what saved us from the shattered glass.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11448742January 25, 2022ENGINE
We had an oil change done, and right after there was a knocking sound on top of the engine. Then, it stalled while we were driving it. They told us to have it checked. My wife was on her way to a near Kia dealership and the engine blew. She Called the number for Kia today, and they told her it wasn't under recall, but according to recall #SC153 the make and model was under a recall for the exact issue that we ran into.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11448814January 25, 2022ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. The contact veered to the side of the road but was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that she would be responsible for the cost of the repair because the vehicle was out of warranty. Additionally, the VIN was not under recall. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11448841January 25, 2022ENGINE
Car continually trying to over-heat. Had to keep pulling to shoulder every 1/4 mile or so, and letting car cool down again. Mechanic diagnosed as a head gasket problem, but upon further research it looks like it may have actually warped the engine block itself. When mechanic calls around to multiple junkyards, found many 2015 kia sorentos, but no engines available due to the same problem. Vehicle is at approx 133,000 miles, and Kia is stating that the vehicle is not in the extended engine warranties effected by this problem (apparently happens more so in another model of kia, I believe they said Optima, but I didn't pay that close of attention since my car is a Sorento.)
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11448884January 25, 2022ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and had the vehicle towed to her residence. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11448717January 24, 2022ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
I was sold a 2016 Kia Sorento, VIN# [XXX], by salesman [XXX] and [XXX] from " Ride 4U Level up auto sales located at 5599 34th street north, Saint Petersburg FL 33714. Upon Purchase, I took the car to get an oil change and have been consistent with top offs every other week at the local Jiffy Lube. On December 15, 2021, I Was on the interstate with my kids in the vehicle. Out of nowhere, no ignition warnings or alerts, Stopped. I noticed I was pushing the gas but the car wasn't accelerating. Scared beyond measure with my kids in the car ranging from ages 16 to 11 months old, I panicked but got us over to the median lane. Once the car came to a complete stop, I called a tow company. Once they arrived, they checked the car for any codes, which showed nothing. I called [XXX], and he apologized and told me to have it towed back to them and it would be looked at the next day. Kia manufacturers have serviced and said the engine blew due to the dealership not getting a recall serviced before selling me the car. I only had this vehicle up and running for three months due to Ride 4u/ Level up failure to get Manufacturer recall did before putting me in my innocent kids in a faulty vehicle that could have been demolished by a semi truck on the interstate on December 15 when it gave out on a busy highway during high traffic hours. 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