Kia Sorento Complaints

10,397 consumer complaints on file.

#11610117August 22, 2024
ENGINE
With regular maintenance, at 138,000 miles my engine has a crack in the block and an inner oil leak that hadn't been previously detected during oil changes, which may have been a result of the check engine light that read camshaft issues just before it happened. All the other recalls and problems these kia engines have had I'm sure I'm not the only one with this issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11610257August 22, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
See attached document for complaint.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11610163August 22, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Kuat notified me of a recall on this bike rack. I submitted a claim immediately after being notified, and they mailed me a part that arrived 2 weeks later. The part arrived with incomplete instructions, but I figured out how to remove the old part and install the new part. The new part is loose and rattling, making it look and sound less stable than the old part they claim was unstable. I am not confident using the rack with this new, inferior part. I have tried tightening it as much as possible with the included tools, but I am a [XXX] and hand-tightening the part is extremely difficult. I have asked them for a refund since i only bought the rack 4 months ago (denied because i bought it from a licensed retailer instead of directly from them). I have now asked them to send me a new rack with the part correctly installed, and I have not heard back on this request. 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
#11609928August 21, 2024
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle stalled and failed to return to normal operation. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rear sway bar link needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure occurred. The contact researched and became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V907000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11610048August 21, 2024
STEERING
Steering motor and controller failed at 53000 km . The steering light and traction control came on and no power assist to the steering in any way . It requires considerable force to turn the steering wheel. Took it to a certified KIA dealer and was told the steering motor and controller needs to be replaced. KIA CANADA refused to fix this issue insisting that the warranty is for 5years or 100,000 km.(bought brand new ,single owner) I do understand the business part and I will take my business elsewhere in the future. Consumers should be aware that such a critical part of their vehicle can fail with no warnings whatsoever. Imagine driving on the highway and your steering fails....
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11609330August 19, 2024
ENGINE
See attached document for complaint
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11609343August 19, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the “Low Oil Pressure” warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that there was engine oil leaking underneath the vehicle. The vehicle had been taken to a certified mechanic where it had been diagnosed that the oil pressure switch had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V388000 (Electrical System). The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact was referred to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall or in the Technical Service Bulletin with the manufacturer ID number 026 and NHTSA ID Number: 10235099 (Electrical System). The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a safety complaint. The failure mileage was 170,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11609424August 19, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I bought my 2011 Kia Sorento used from a dealership. The Air Bag Warning light was on & I insisted that they inspect car before I buy it, which they did. I go to pick the car up & the Air Bag Warning light is still on. When I questioned it, I learned that, for SOME REASON, a car's #1 safety feature, the Air Bags, is NOT part of PA's Safety Inspection!! A couple months go by and 1 by 1 the Bluetooth/Audio controls on the steering wheel stop working. So, after reading the Owner's Manual & finding that there is no fuse for the steering wheel controls, I go online to see if I can find the cause &/or how to fix it. That's when I run across hundreds of posts/blogs from other 2011 Sorento owner's saying the exact same thing happened to them and all the replies say that it's caused by the Clock Spring and upon replacing it, all their Bluetooth/Audio controls on steering wheel worked again. I then remember the letters regarding the Clock Spring in with the car's Owner's Manual. I have 2 letters, 1 from 2017 & 1 from 2019 saying that Kia Extended the Warranty on the Clock Spring to 15 years. To take the car to a Kia dealership and have the Air Bag Warning light diagnosed & if it's determined that the Clock Spring is reason it's illuminated, Kia will pay to fix it. What I don't understand is if Kia saw fit to issue TWO identical letters TWO years apart from each other, why didn't they just issue a recall? They obviously knew it was a problem that effected most, if not all of the 2011 Sorento's manufactured. And the real reason I'm writing? Since my research on the internet TWO EXTREMELY DANGEROUS things have happened. 1)my horn no longer works! At 1st it worked when it wanted to but now it doesn't work at all! I've almost gotten in 3 accidents because of it & my car will NO LONGER PASSES INSPECTION and 2) Now the Air Bag system cannot detect when someone is in the passenger seat, so their Air Bags never turn on!! The Extended Warranty expires in 2024 & NO RECALL!????
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11609283August 18, 2024
STEERING
Steering column vibrates when on uneven surfaces. Also makes noise when turning wheel. Shakes when braking. I believe it is a problem with the steering column coupling. The MDPS Steering Coupling is probably worn. This is an ongoing problem with kia vehicles such as this.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11609158August 17, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY
The paint is bubbling up and peeling/chipping off on the hood and roof. Color is snow white pearl
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11609167August 17, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was driving down the highway at night and out of nowhere my head lights turn off. Leaving me and my daughter driving blind going 60 mph. Prior to that on the same night, I picked her up from work I was turning out of the parking lot where she works and the same thing happened but very quickly corrected itself. The area was lit up so it wasn't as noticeable. This is a very dangerous problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11608969August 16, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The paint is peeling from body on the front driver’s side panel
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11609085August 16, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have the Pearl White paint on my 2016 Sorrento and the top front ,hood and pillars are all delaminating. I have tried to touch up paint some areas but it has gotten too bad to keep up. The paint is peelin g now all over the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11608633August 15, 2024
ENGINE
Two weeks ago the engine started to consume oil excessively. I had to add 1/2 quart of oil, just to have it above the low level. Last week I added 1/2 quart oil, after driving in the city a few hundred miles. There were no visible oil leaks noticed by the dealership's technician. The SUV has only 37,000 miles, and all the maintenance was done at the KIA dealership.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11608404August 14, 2024
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Bought car with 36k miles on it in July 2023. In Jan 2024, engine light came on and we noticed loss of power shifting between gears, had fuel injectors replaced/cleaned. In Feb 2024 at 51k miles, car made knocking noise, pulled over and shut car off, would not restart. Towed to KIA dealer, told the engine was seized and crankshaft snapped. I had regular oil changes every 5,000 miles as recommended by KIA. KIA dealer showed sludge in the bottom of the oil and accused me of adding oil after the engine failed -- false. KIA would not provide any remedy and is charging me $12,000 to replace engine. Seeing other complaints here for the same issue leads me to believe that this is a known issue for KIA on these engines but it has not yet reached critical mass.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11608417August 14, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle brand new, the contact became aware that the maximum battery charge was 60-70 percent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was test-driven, and the battery was charged. The dealer confirmed the failure and reported the failure to the manufacturer. The manufacturer advised the dealer to test-drive and to charge another vehicle with the same year make and model to verify whether the failure would reoccur. The dealer followed the instructions and advised the manufacturer that the failure reoccurred. The contact followed up with the manufacturer and was advised that he would be contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11608466August 14, 2024
ENGINE
Engine had catastrophic failure without warning. No warning lights or performance issues. 110K miles on it. Well taken care of and taken in for oil changes at regular intervals 6K-8K.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11608512August 14, 2024
ENGINE
I was driving in fast moving traffic on a highway when my car suddenly shook and lost power. The check engine light came on. I pulled over and turned the car off for a few minutes. restarted the car, no light came on, so I continued. After a little while the car started hesitating as I would press the gas peddle then it would rev high rpm's and then take off very fast. The engine light came back on. I was able to get to a garage where they checked it. They said it was total engine failure. A spark plug broke inside the cylinder causing internal damage. I then towed it to a KIA dealership but have not heard back from them yet what their diagnosis might be. I could have been run over from behind by a semi truck or at least hit from behind when my car suddenly slowed down. I looked on line and have seen countless failures of this same engine for various reasons. It seems to me that this engine is a lemon in many ways. KIA has a settlement in place but only if the failure is caused by one certain thing. This engine as a whole is dangerous. Reports like mine are numerous, also engines catching fire. How is this engine not recalled? 1. engine failed 2. could have been hit from behind 3. automotive garage confirmed internal damage 4. still at KIA dealership with no response yet 5. engine light came on
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
#11608340August 13, 2024
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard a loud knocking sound coming from the engine. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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