Kia Sorento Complaints

10,397 consumer complaints on file.

#11434029September 23, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
Paint continues to peel on the hood and a pillars of the vehicle. Issue seems to be common enough that something needs to be done. My vehicle will not pass for a safety inspection once its starts to rust/rot due to the loss of paint. The uploaded quote and pictures is for the a pillar peeling, I put a bug reflector over the hood to try to cover it and stop the peeling.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11434044September 23, 2021
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, there was a knocking sound coming from the vehicle when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with complete engine failure from the engine block. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11434099September 23, 2021
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento SX. The contact stated while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently became overheated and he saw smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who informed the contact that the head gasket or the engine would need to be replaced. Then, the vehicle was towed to a second dealer(Matthews Kia of Cartersville 595 E Main St, Cartersville, GA 30120) who diagnosed that the engine bolts were backing out of the engine block allowing the exhaust to be released into the cooling system. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that they could not assist as the vehicle was out of warranty. A case was opened and the contact was awaiting a call back from the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000. The service manager at Matthews Kia said he was replacing seven engines per week and that this was a manufacturers defect from the factory that affected early 2016 models. He also said that the defect normally occurs between 100,000 miles and 120,000 miles, just as the vehicle goes out of warranty. Consumer purchased an enhanced warranty at the time of purchase of the automobile. There were no warning lights or codes thrown when engine failed. The service manager said there was nothing consumer could do to prevent this because it is a manufacturing defect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11433963September 22, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
White pain is chipping off passenger and driver side.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11433975September 22, 2021
ENGINE
This vehicle has an oil consumption problem. It has shown on separate oil consumption tests from the dealer, that the vehicle is consuming oil at an abnormal rate. The vehicle does not have any visible oil leaks. I feel unsafe driving this car because in the past, I've experienced shakiness on the freeway and loss of acceleration, which forced me to quickly exit the freeway.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11433816September 21, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving, when my car started making an unfamiliar sound. I have never heard of it before because I have never had problems with my car so I decided to pull over on the side of the road. Before I was able to do so, another driver rolled down her window and yelled, “you know your car is on fire!” Realizing my safety was at risk, I immediately merged to the right side of the road and noticed flames igniting from under the hood. I put the car in park and jumped out of the car and called 911. Within minutes, the Whitley County Sheriff’s and Fire Department arrived. I am unsure the specifics on what caused the fire. Luckily enough, no other vehicles were involved. My car was inspected by Geico Insurance Fire Adjuster and his lack of communication with Kia Motors of america, they were unable to inspect the car. According to Kia Settlement, I am unable to receive money but I do not understand because this was a situation that I had no control of and I am at a loss of money because I was not been able to get all of my personal belongings recovered and had to put an additional down payment on another car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11433845September 21, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When I am driving at night the dashboard, media system/radio, and headlight go out randomly. It is really scary at night because I cannot see where I am driving. My kids are in the car with me and this has been happening for the past 3 years. If I take it to the dealership they cannot find the issue or refuse to even look. They said it is out of warranty and too bad. Why build vehicles so dangerous?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11433874September 21, 2021
ENGINE
The cars engine started knocking while we were in a family vacation. Before we started driving I checked the oil and it was at the acceptable level. We turned around and began to drive home. When we reached the town next to home the engine started knocking horribly and stalled and stopped running. We had the car towed to a repair shop. They told us that the engine is dead and we will need a new one. The car has 116000 miles on it. The warranty goes to 100000 miles. There is also a class action lawsuit against Kia for these defective engines. Apparently the cut off date to file a claim was august 1st Please help
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11433902September 21, 2021
ENGINE
I was driving on the highway when my vehicle started sputtering, acceleration response declined, and the check engine light started flashing. This was a huge concern as I was in the area of the highway where there are multiple logging trucks and could not accelerate if I needed to get out of the way. I pulled off the highway into an Autozone and my vehicle shut off, I attempted to start it and it would not stay running. I pulled the spark plugs and noticed the cylinder four plug was coated in oil. I had previously told a Kia dealership I was experiencing high oil consumption and was told Kia was aware of this issue and was doing nothing about it at this time. I was told, "run the car till the engine dies and Kia will replace it." Once at the dealership Kia performed a connecting rod bearing test but stated it was unable to be completed due to cylinder two failing. They pulled the head and found the exhaust valve to cylinder two had a piece missing. This was sent to Kia elevated claims through consumer affairs who advised me it would not be covered. They stated the exhaust valve likely broke due to carbon build-up. I explained the carbon build-up was due to burning oil which was likely caused by a worn connecting rod bearing. I was told burning oil would not cause carbon build-up and they would not do a good faith repair on my vehicle. I contacted the service manager of the dealer and explained this. He stated the consumer affairs person was not correct and these items were linked. I contacted Kia consumer affairs supervisor and explained my situation again, stating the service manager at the dealership would like to speak with him. He denied my claim again and stated he would "absolutely not speak with the service manager." He told me to refer him to a district manager and still denied any issues with Kia relating to oil consumption causing this engine failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11433687September 20, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Paint (Snow White Pearl) Delamination on right side A-pillar and center of hood near the grill. A-pillar peeling happened in January 2021. Hood peeling happened in July 2021 during a windy monsoon rainstorm. Both paint issues were fixed at owner's cost.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11433727September 20, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
The body of the car is undergoing paint delamination. This begun at 70k miles on the roof and now rust is beginning. Then the hood. Then one side around windshield. Then the other side around the windshield. There was not any incident that triggered the paint delamination.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11433425September 18, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
The paint is peeling away on the hood, around windshield. Also the luggage racks paint is peeling off. The hood started as a simple little paint chip then exploded will paint bubbling up then peeling off. Around the windshield started with a crack in the paint them just explored in full paint peeling. I can no longer use a drivethru car wash . I must hand wash or the Jetta just peel more off. It’s so frustrating cause I strive to take exceptional care of my vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11433479September 18, 2021
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Tail light continues to blow. Changed both bulbs twice in a week. The left socket has burn mark, and light blows immediately after replacing bulb. This has been continously over the past 2 years.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11433326September 17, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Pearl white paint is peeling from vehicle from above windshield and along frame.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11433393September 17, 2021
ENGINE
While driving the vehicle it felt smooth and after a while a clicking sound started very faintly. I stopped at a red light and when I tried to accelerate at the green light the engine stalled and wouldn't power the vehicle. Everything worked well except the engine, it was locked. My safety and my passengers safety were put at risk because I was driving the vehicle on the street and it could've gave out while driving causing a major accident by an intersection. The issue has been address by an independent mechanic who stated a full engine is needed. The vehicle is currently on its way to a Kia dealership. There were no other lights or signed of engine failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11432916September 14, 2021
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
When driving at night my headlights flicker off and on for about 3 seconds, also when I attempt to use my turn signal, the lights will blink out and I have to jiggle the handle to get the lights to come back on. Sometimes when I turn the corner the head lights will blink off and then come back on and this takes about 3 scary seconds. Unable to drive in an unfamiliar or dark area because the lights are subject to go out. There is no warning light, message or other symptom to address the problem. I was told that there might be a recall on this issue. Is there any technical service bulletin addressing this issue. Please advise as this can be a very dangerous situation
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11432985September 14, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
Pearl White Paint peeling and delamination from multiple areas of vehicle. Began in 2017 with right windshield pillar now both pillars, hood, fenders, doors, hatch all have paint peeling.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11432697September 13, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
Hood opened twice on me while I was driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11432773September 13, 2021
ENGINE
I doing oil change every 3 month. The engine light was on and lost power immediately when I was driving on the road. Brought to auto shop, they told me the engine oil was leaking pretty bad , and it will cost me $7k to put a new engine in. I’m at a tough situation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11432847September 13, 2021
ENGINE
We bought this 2012 Kia Sorento on November 2018, never miss a oil change. But The engine light was flashing and lost power immediately when I was driving on 09/10/21, my husband and me bought it to auto shop they told us the oil was leaking caused the engine problem, and we’ve to replace the engine. They also mentioned kia is recalling 2012 Kia Sorento because engine problem. We called Kia customer service but they said we haven’t upgraded a software which we just received a software update notification on 09/06/21, so they couldn’t fix this problem for free. Shall NHTSA help me figure out is it my problem or their? Thank you very much!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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