Kia Sorento Complaints

10,397 consumer complaints on file.

#11418620May 26, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The driver's side rear exterior door handle fell off in my hand. In the event of an emergency, this prevents me from accessing the backseat without going to the opposite side of the vehicle. Upon a google search, there are countless others who have experienced this same issue. I have contacted my local Kia dealership to have this replaced, pending the part is in stock.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11418694May 26, 2021
ENGINE
in 2019 our car's engine was replaced due to a engine recall. The recall pertained to engines seizing, locking up, catching fire all due to excessive oil consumption and connecting rod bearings. In the fall of 2020, early 2021, we noticed that the newly replaced engine was using excessive oil. On one instance, the dash oil light came on after having oil changed and drove 200 miles. Checking dipstick, no oil was registering. We put 5 qts oil in car. We then took the car to the dealership. The dealership informed us to perform a factory certified oil change, do a diagnostic testing for 1000 miles, bring back to dealership for further evaluation. we reluctantly did this test as we were concerned that the engine would lock up, catch fire, leave us stranded. Upon returning to dealership, further testing showed excessive oil consumption of this newly replaced engine and that it needed to be replaced yet again.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11418471May 25, 2021
SERVICE BRAKES
Approx. 38000 miles on vehicle. Approx. 25 miles ago the ABS and the “anti skid” lights came up on the dashboard. Approx. 15 miles ago the TPMS light came on, flashed then steady. (Checked tires at a repair shop, no low tire pressure). I checked my owners manual, not an “urgent” or “immediate” situation, but contact the dealer. Through NHTSA website saw a recall and TSBs for these issues. Kia dealership saying recall isn’t for my vehicle, and the TSBs are not covered under my extended warranty. If these issues are a safety issue, should they not be covered? I just want to document these issues, the Kia dealership (Gettel in Bradenton, Fl) and KIA customer service, if something happens, damages my vehicle or causes, creates an incident I want a record to exist. Am I in danger, are other motorists?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11418479May 25, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2014 Kia Sorento. Consumer writes seeking reimbursement for vehicles repairs made related to an open recall. *LD
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11418538May 25, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
2014 Kia Sorento Paint is peeling off the front of my SUV!!!!!! Consumer stated following issues with vehicle oil leak, e call (emergency calll system), sun roof problem, communication module may be damaged inaccurate vehicle location.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11418554May 25, 2021
ENGINE
2012 Kia Sorento, approx. 135,000 miles, driven by my daughter who is away at college. Vehicle is rapidly losing oil, but it is not leaking/dripping or smoking. At a recent regularly scheduled oil change (which was done sooner than recommended) the mechanic advised that no oil drained out. Over the next several days and 550 miles later, my daughter needed to add two quarts of oil just to get the dipstick level to "low". I have read numerous complaints from Sorento owners with the same issue, who have been told they need a new engine. Our vehicle is no longer under warranty, but that may be a moot point as I have also read that Kia is somehow not repairing the ones that are still under the original manufacturer warranty. I am concerned about the safety of my daughter driving a car that may experience sudden engine failure. For now, she is adding oil every week until we can get the car diagnosed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11418407May 24, 2021
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
On May 18,2021 my Kia Sorento SXL AWD V6 caught on fire for unknown reason. I was driving with windows open sunroof open and cruise set. Not a single warning light or any weird sounds at all. A car pulled up yelling at me that my car was on fire to pull over off the interstate. I saw nor smelled any smoke anywhere but then I saw a cop had someone pulled over so I figured it would be safe since I was an alone female and it was car of males yelling at me to pull over. As soon as I got out and walked to the front of the car there was still no smoke but flames and what I assumed was plastic dripping from the entire underneath. At this time flames shot out from all around the hood and up the windshield as it instantly shattered. As I ran for my life as stuff kept exploding the state trooper had already called for help so fire department arrived in less then 3 min but my car was gone in less than 45 seconds after I stepped out. I am mentally and physically hurt but luckily only a burn the size of a quarter on my wrist but due to shock while watching my car burn and explode my legs gave out and I sat down hard so 5 days after the fire my legs have recovered from running up an incline for my life but my back pain has only increased. But insurance only covers injuries from the car so running from exploding cars and getting injured is not their problem. Just like Kia allowing all of us Sorento owners to drive our family and loved ones around on a bomb waiting to blow at any moment isn’t their problem either. I have now seen at least 8 2017 Sorento sxl unexplained fire complaints all ending in total loss while only looking on this site and one other site. I have pictures and videos of the fire and how close I was to being in the car as u can see my hoodie laying in front of the car on fire too. Fire started on passenger side of motor just like the defect they supposedly fixed in 2014. If anyone else especially the grandchildren that can’t get themselves out of would have died
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11418133May 22, 2021
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
My brake lights won’t go off unless I press the brakes and emergency blinking lights. My vehicle is stalling when I’m driving. It will just start decreasing speed like it’s trying to stop and I can only be doing 40mph. I can’t put in in gear from park if the car is still running. I have to cut it off and turn it back on to change gears and I don’t have to press the brake for it to come back on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11418174May 22, 2021
ENGINE
I AM 70 YEAR OLD WOMAN. NOT A SPEEDSTER . wHILE DRIVING ENGINE BLEW ON THE FREEWAY DOING 65 MPH. CAR IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH 124,000 MILES ON IT. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE ENGINE BLOWING UP. OIL WAS CHANGED EVERY 3000 TO 5000 MILES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11418048May 21, 2021
ENGINE
The contact owned a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while the vehicle was stopped at a red light, she saw smoke emerging from the hood and the dashboard. Upon exiting the vehicle, the contact stated that the engine had caught on fire. There were no crash or injuries due to the fire. The air bags did not deploy. The fire department was contacted and was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle towed to a impound lot. The contact had not notified a local dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 20V750000 (Engine). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and the contact filed a complaint with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11417848May 20, 2021
ENGINE
Driving on the highway the suv completely shutted off, we almost died with my 1 year old daughter. I was able to start it again, within 2-3 minutes the engine seemed very weak, stalled again. Never had any issues prior. The only sign was the oil light was on, (it was never on before) we checked the oil, it was fine, 3/4 full. The engine is dead, with only 40k miles. I'm lucky to be alive.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11417852May 20, 2021
ENGINE
My 2016 Kia Sorento that I purchased used which had 80,000 miles on it at time of purchase on 11/6/2020. I didn’t drive it daily because I had a company car I used for work. Well on 4/28/2021 I am driving my vehicle home and I started smelling coolant so I am 1 1/2 miles from my house so drive it in and the temp gauge is now at Hot. I call towing company and have it towed to a KIA dealership 90 miles from me because no one in my town services KIA not has the equipment to put on the KIA to run report. The Kia dealership tells me that the bolts has backed out and and caused a head gasket to blow . They recommend a new engine which none are available because all being refurbished so all they can do is redo the bolts and rehex but they do not warrant their work because it’s not recommended approach . I am not original owner so the 10 yr:/100,000 mile power train does not apply and the 5/60,000 does not apply because it has 80,000mikes. I had purchased Carshield but they refuse to cover the cost because they say the head and gasket plus the reboring the holes and rebolting not part of the internal mechanism so they refuse to pay. So issues with the 3.3L V6 GDI are faulty and KIA is aware. I wAnt someone to make KIA put this on a emergency recall and need engine replaced with a new one and KIA needs to make it right immediately while it’s still in shop and been there over 3 weeks because I have been arguing with KiaCustomer Affairs, Carshield and all the other levels . We need to file a class action lawsuit . All Kia says we report the the issues but nothing gets done . I will never purchase another foreign vehicle or definitely not a KIA because any company that won’t stand behind the piece of crap power train needs to be put out of business . If they can cover 100,000 miles for original owner then they could make it a standard regardless if someone is 2nd or 3rd owner. 100,000 miles should be 100,000 miles regardless but KIA makes another excuse to avoid responsibility. Dealer said the new engines to fit vehicle whic
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11417951May 20, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The "snow white pearl" paint has a defect. It peels and chips on its own.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11417845May 19, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
When attempting to open the driver's side passenger door, the door handle came completely off the car. I therefore could not get my grandchild out of the car from that side and had to crawl over through the passenger side rear door to get her out. Apparently, this is a common problem because when I called a repair shop to ask what it would cost to replace, they told me they do these all the time and yes, it's a common problem. Found many complaints on line also. This is a dangerous situation. If there was an emergency to get someone out of a car on that side quickly you could not do it. Very disappointed in this cheap plastic handle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11417563May 18, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
Stock paint is continuing to peel off of the car for no reason. No accidents, or anything self inflicted that would contribute to the paint chipping.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11417430May 17, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
I have paint delaminating from many areas of my car. It is a Snow White Pearl 2011Kia Sorento.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11417540May 17, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Abs break
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11417367May 16, 2021
ENGINE
I have complained to Kia regarding excessive oil consumption. The dealership stated my head gasket needed to be replaced. 2 weeks after Kia replaced, I had a routine oil change at my local mechanic who regularly performs maintenance. He contacts me and has me come down to show me he did not want to do the oil change as he noticed that the gasket had not been changed as I had claimed it was when i dropped it off earlier in the day. He agreed to order the parts and when replaced gave me the parts which could not have possibly been new. I called Smithtown Kia reporting a complaint at paying nearly $500 and no repair was made to my car. At which, I was told there is an issue with the engine of my car as they received a “warning notice” from corporate. They explained I would likely need to replace the engine. They refused to refund my money for a repair not made. On 5/7/21, I was traveling to Delaware and on the NJ turnpike traveling at highway speed in the left lane, the engine decelerated and warning lights appear saying engine failure service required. Nearly being hit by cars traveling behind me and subsequently attempting to move to the shoulder was almost hit by 2 commercial trucks. A frightening experience and left stranded. The car was towed to a local mechanic who indicated the car needs to be towed to Kia as the engine is not performing. Having to wait until Monday, my car was towed to the nearest dealership In Delaware. I’m currently without a vehicle and waiting for the dealership to diagnose the issue. I’ve been told the service department will likely assess the car in 3-4 weeks due to all the engine failures they are addressing. The incident was traumatic for myself and my passenger, we could have been killed. My vehicle has always had oil changes, Car Fax and all my receipts can attest to my adherence to the maintenance of my vehicle. I’m praying this does not happen to anyone else and certainly not to an inexperienced driver as this would be a tragedy.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11416565May 14, 2021
SERVICE BRAKES
THE BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. I HAD TO PRESS DOWN EXTREMELY HARD TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP.0507
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11416574May 14, 2021
ENGINE
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V750000 (ENGINE). THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER SON WAS DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED AND REMAINED AT THE DEALER, AWAITING APPROVAL FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO AUTHORIZE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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