Kia Sorento Complaints (2023)

167 consumer complaints on file.

#11615113September 17, 2024
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
I had just entered the highway and reached highway speed of 70 mph. Without any warning, the engine died, all of the dashboard lights came on, and I was unable to accelerate. Thankfully I was in the right-hand lane and there was an exit ramp a short distance ahead. The car decelerated as it had no power, and cars behind me were honking. I was able to exit the highway and coast into a parking lot just off the frontage road. Had I not been able to get off the highway, the vehicle would have been stalled in fast-moving traffic, and a pile-up could have easily occurred. I turned the car off using the push button start/stop, waited several minutes, and restarted the car. The check engine light was on and the car diagnostics system reported an issue with the "engine management system." Upon clicking the details link, the diagnostics system further stated "A possible condition with your Engine Control System has been detected. A full system check is recommended to be done soon. Please contact your local dealership to schedule an appointment." I took the car to a local Kia dealership, and they stated they could not recreate the problem. They reported they "inspected the vehicle for DTC's and found code PO65312 in history." They cleared the code and reported, in writing, that "no issues found during test drive, vehicle currently operating properly, no further action taken" and gave the car back to me without fixing anything. They stated it may need to be diagnosed for longer ext diag time. The vehicle is available for inspection, and I would appreciate any help I can get as I got no help at the dealership.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11611286August 27, 2024
STEERING, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
When attempting to start the car, the engine will not start and every alert system and dashboard light turns on. The car is undriveable when it does this. It takes 5-10 minutes of turning the car on and off before it stops and is drivable again. It does not happen every time and seems to be random. This has happened 5 times. An additional 6th time this same issue happened while I was driving - all of the dashboard lights went on, and every alert / warning turned on (forward collision, lane warning, etc). The steering wheel also became stiff and extremely difficult to turn. I have been attempting to work with 2 different Kia service departments and their corporate escalations department without luck. They are unable to replicate the issue and are planning to give the car back to us. After seeing so many similar or same issues reported on various forums I am filing a NHTSA claim. (One forum example here: [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
#11608380August 14, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
The vehicle was purchased new. From day one, there were issues. When it was delivered from the factory, it was discovered to be partly unpainted. This raised quality concerns. So far, the most serious has been that the motor blower failed at approximately 29,700 miles. This resulted in the vehicle filling with noxious fumes. It then had to be abandoned on the side of the highway. This led to a fire dispatch and later urgent care visits. Prior to towing, it was discovered that the AC was not working and the engine coolant reservoir was at ~ 1/4 of the minimum line. Ultimately, the vehicle was towed to King KIA. They held the vehicle for 2 weeks. They drove the vehicle 16 miles. However, they did not diagnose the problem. The only action that they took was to refill the engine coolant reservoir. Prior to pick-up, we notified the KIA Customer Service Escalation Case Manager in writing that the vehicle had not been fixed and continued to represent a safety risk to our family. They took no further action. After pick-up, the vehicle was driven approximately 35 miles before the smoke started to fill the engine cabin. It was taken to two independent mechanics along the side of the highway. One was Vienna Auto Care and the other was Jiffy Lube Auto Care. Both identified that the motor blower resistor had likely failed. The JLAC manager also identified white material on the engine manifold believed to be engine coolant. All was documented in writing. The vehicle was towed back to King KIA. Prior to towing, the JLAC manager told us that melted motor blower casing was highly toxic. (Later, the KIA Case Manager informed us that he would admit that our family was put at risk by being told to pick-up the unfixed vehicle.) He also told us that if the motor blower failed then it likely was not an isolated case. This time, the motor blower failure was reproduced. However, the engine coolant issue has yet to be resolved. We are now being instructed to pick-up the car again.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11605389July 30, 2024
ENGINE
This was an alarming situation. I was taking my wife for a cancer treatment in our 2023 KIA Sorrento with 2600 miles on it. The instrument panel showed a A with a circle around it, blinking continuously. I was going up a grade in a town and the car would not accelerate. All of a sudden the engine SURGED the brakes would not stop the car, I put it into neutral and went into a parking lot. If there would have ben a car in front of me or no place to pull over there would have been a serious accident. I called the KIA dealership and took it in for a diagnostic test. Nothing wrong with car was their answer. In the mean time I am afraid to drive the car. I am [XXX] and reflexes are not as good as they were [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
#11604657July 26, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
Twice while driving on the highway the engine power went off and all the safety lights flash and I could not accelerate. I was able to pull Over in neutral and restart the engine. When taken in for inspection, no problems were found. It happened again in June after the 7500 mile inspection on May 9th. This issue is life threatening as it could easily cause a fatal crash if I was not in the right lane, on flat ground, with a shoulder. There was no warning light.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11604155July 23, 2024
ENGINE, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
The blind spot assist warning came on, with no other cars around, and then the engine seized. This Sorento is a 2023 and only had 29000 miles. The engine is now destroyed and kia is not upholding the warranty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11602343July 15, 2024
VISIBILITY/WIPER
On the morning of July 14, 2024 I noticed a crack on the driver side on the window. The crack appeared on the bottom of the window and travel upwards where it ended. This morning July 15, 2024, the crack spread across towards the passenger side of the vehicle. Nothing hit the window for it to develop a crack as my car was parked in the driveway and there were no markings on the window. I do put on the window sun visor to keep the excessive heat out of the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11600604July 9, 2024
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the engine START/STOP feature was malfunctioning. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the engine START/STOP system caused the vehicle to restart, and then to stall, nearly causing a crash. The battery warning light was illuminated and the message "Shift to Park to Start Vehicle" was displayed. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,200.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11597689June 29, 2024
SEATS
THIS IS THE SECOND REPORT I AM MAKING. As in my last report this involves the driver’s seat and changing profiles on the infotainment system. - The driver’s seat/profile will keep my settings for a few weeks or months and then it randomly forgets and resets to the factory settings. - On June 18, 2024 the infotainment profile was set for my husband. I switched to my profile and was backing out of my garage and the seat switched to factory settings while the car was actively in reverse. I am short and could not reach the break or gas pedal! - The dealer has not had any other complaints like this.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11597574June 28, 2024
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
This is the third time my car has had code p0171 and p0191 pop into the system of the car. I just picked up my car on [XXX] and after I left the parking lot it didn't feel right. I had to press the gas pedal a lot harder to get it to move. This is after they replaced the high pressure fuel pump twice within a week and I believe under 200 miles of driving the car. Luckily Florida is a pretty flat state so the hill I have between my work and home isn't very steep but I go from 40 mphs down to 30 once I reach the top of it. I'm supposed to be going from Florida to North Carolina and I don't know how it's supposed to climb the mountains. The first time my car had this problem was [XXX] the second time [XXX] and the third time was [XXX] and the last issue was [XXX]. The first 3 times it went into limp mode where it won't run the components completely. The last time I had to press the gas pedal all the way so I wouldn't be hit by other vehicles. I only had warning lights the one time but error codes on 3 of the 4 times with last time barely leaving the dealership so I wasn't able to check. It's a safety issue when you have to pray that it gets enough to merge into traffic or to stay ahead of cars where it cause cars to slow down or possibly hit me if they think I would be going faster. 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
#11596208June 24, 2024
WHEELS
The wheels provided with the new vehicle are not the correct wheels for the car. On page 639 of the owners manual: "2023 Sorento PHEV OM 10.pdf" Section 9 "Specifications, Consumer information and Reporting safety defects", page 6. The paragraph with title Tires and Wheels, has two tables; "For hybrid vehicle" and "For plug-in hybrid vehicle". The new vehicle was delivered with tires: P235 55R19 101H (listed in the table for hybrid vehicle) The manufacturer specifies P235/55R19 105V for the PHEV. On this same page there is a CAUTION paragraph: "when replacing tires, use the same size originally supplied with the vehicle. Using tires of a different size can damage the related parts of make it work irregullarly." I asked the dealer, Grand Kia of Thornton Colorado, about this. They said that these are the correct tires. I talked to the salesman, who said he called several dealers who agree that the hybrid tires are the same for the PHEV. I opened a case with Kia Care (Case # XXX) who sent me to the dealer to inspect and document the tires. Peak Kia of Colorado Springs points to a section of the manual "Tires and Wheels"; where there is an example of how to read a tire, using P235/55R19 101H as the example. They said this is the evidence that I have the correct tire! Kia said the dealer determines if action is required. the dealer ignores the "Specifications" part of the Owners Manual, which I referred and sent copies to them. I am concerned that the vehicle may have adverse results from the lower load rating and speed rating, which could be a danger to occupants and other cars, in an emergency maneuver or when fully loaded. 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
#11595544June 20, 2024
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle, but the failure persisted. The contact stated while attempting to drive the vehicle the following day the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where a diagnostic result was undetermined. The dealer stated that while attempting to drive the vehicle, there were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 19,700.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11594602June 16, 2024
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
I was driving home from work when I felt my car was in a limp like a previous problem I had except this time I had a check engine light come on. I was almost home and I had a check hybrid system pop up on my dash and the car basically stopped driving. Luckily I was on a side street. I had a p0171 code on both of my issues . I had it fixed about a month and half ago the first time but couldn't say what caused the issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11593144June 7, 2024
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
While driving on 3 separate occasions the AEB engaged causing vehicle to stop completely in the middle of the roadway with nobody in front or on the side and Im not too sure if anyone was behind. Vehicle was going 50mph on two occasions and 35mph on the third occasion. Took to dealership was told there is nothing they could do about it unless the vehicle is giving off code(s). Called the dealership again when incident occurred told me the same thing, finally when the third time it happened I contacted KIA Corporate made a case and now waiting for a call back. Very concerning safety issue that needs to be recalled
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11590775May 25, 2024
ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES, POWER TRAIN
CURRENT MILEAGE 6,776 miles -Purchased the vehicle and on two occasions the AEB Emergency brake system came on twice without any cars around- Also, twice the engine shutdown light came on and acceleration has stopped on me and the vehicle stalled, which is dangerous if Im on the parkway or road where I cant pull over like a bridge. NICE LOOKING CAR BUT DONT BE FOOLED- A 🔴RECALL NEEDS TO BE SENT TO PROTECT OTHERS FROM A CRASH IMMEDIATELY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11590626May 24, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I bought a 2023 Kia Sorento SX with 11 miles on the vehicle in June of 2023, On 7/17/23, within a month and a half of driving it, it would lose all power and would not respond to excelleration, whereby coasting to the side of the road. All warning lights would come on, 3 codes popped up, one of which is the malfunction of the engine. I would turn it off and back on to reset the computer and it would drive. I took it to my local Kia service department and they cleared off the codes and couldn't recreate or duplicate the problem. On 8/23/23 I experienced the exact same experience the same scenario, but this time I could barely pull over it had loss of power and I was about to drive through an intersection. Took it back to service they performed a complete check without success they kept it for 2 weeks to try and duplicate the problem, wasn't fixed. The 3rd time on 5/06/24, same problem, they still don't know what causes the car to lose power. I am concerned that the car will cause a fatality to myself, my family, or to another motorist. This car is not safe to drive because the computer systems shut down while driving and it is sporadic and unnerving when it happens.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11587476May 7, 2024
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
The forward collision warning system and emergency braking were engaged when no forward object was present. Amount of times 2 Driver side rear quarter panel falsely detected a car swerving into my lane and engaged an emergency maneuver to avoid collision even though there was no car there. Amount of times 1
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11586001April 30, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
As I was driving the car it suddenly lost power… then all warning and sensor lights came on in the dash. I pulled the car over and restarted and the engine turned on but would not engage to drive. It was stuck. Multiple engine and transmission warning codes appeared on my Kia app for the car. Kia’s response to resolve has been non existent. I am fearful for my safety if this happens again. It’s the second time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11582975April 15, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
Engine light came on and I don’t have 30,000 miles on my car. The service tech informed me that they’ve seen this and Kia had not issued a recall
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11579472March 26, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, several unknown warning lights and messages flashed on the instrument panel. The contact was forced to pull over and restart the vehicle due to the failure. The failure was intermittent. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer on multiple occasions; however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a claim was filed. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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