We purchased our 2011 Kia Sorento when it was just about 1 and a half years old with about 32,000 miles on it. It was great until we reached the 90k mileage. For over a year now the check engine light has been coming on and off, first it was the oil control valves, which were replaced on the camshaft. After 100,000 miles then we noticed that the shifting was not working. We replaced the power steering rack and pinion, which helped a little bit. However, because the Kia Sorento requires that the vehicle run at least 1,500 RPM, the oil pressure is very low which prevents the steering wheel from being turned correctly, so it is extremely hard to turn. However, if you push on the gas and accelerate to 2,000RPM, as the oil pressure rises in the engine, the steering wheel is able to turn.

In the past 5 years I have spent at least $3000 trying to fix this thing. Even master mechanics are not able to give me exact details, because of the poor design of this vehicle. What is worse is that the dealership does not carry basic parts for the Sorento, even a $1 o-ring is not in stock and that same o-ring is used on about 23 areas of this SUV. I will never buy anything made by Kia. I just paid $420 get the spark plugs replaced, because it is a 3 hour labor job to do the spark plugs. This is the first vehicle that I have ever owned that I am not able to work on, because almost everything requires that the engine head be removed.

If anyone has a solution to fix the oil pressure, please let me know. My master mechanic has called around and no one seems to know how to fix it. The camshaft on this make was poorly engineered as described by my previous mechanic and I was told there was a bulletin to replace it.

I drove the SUV & stop at a store after coming off the Interstate I-20, went back to SUV after starting the engine light was on. Took to a store and was told that the Air Flow Sensor was sticking at which time the mechanic said that his Hyundai did the same thing. Took his car back to the Dealer & the module was replaced due to the 10,000 10year Drive train warranty.

I called the Dealership & told them my issue & the told me that since I wasn't the original owner it wasn't covered, I told him that the SUV was a Certified Vehicle & he change his tune but then told me that it was only good for vehicles with less than 60,000. I told him that it was an emission problem, again he told me that if it was an internal engine problem they would repair the SUV Sorento 4 cyl.

I cannot believe what I was hearing but I also informed him that I was in the market for a new 1 when this occurred, now I don't know about Kia's warranty claims ! He again changed his tune when I told him that & said that they would diagnose for a $150.00 charge & after that they would deduct it from the cost to replace the part. KIA, I am also getting knock in the front when it is put in drive !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BEWARE OF KIA, THEIR "WARRANTY", AND THEIR SERVICE CENTERS

I currently have a 2011 KIA Sorento (actually we own 2). A few months after purchasing the vehicle, the check engine light came on and would sporadically go on and off. I took it into the service center at the Hickory Hollow Carnival KIA in Antioch TN (where I purchased the vehicle) and they replaced the brake switch and could not find an issue with the check engine so they "cleared the codes". After traveling back to my home (approximately 40 min away) the light was back on. I called the service center and they told me to bring it back in but I was not able to at that time due to time constraints. The light went off a few days later, however, it returned again after a couple months. Again I brought my car back in and they again replaced the brake switch (not what I brought he car in for) and again cleared he codes because they could not find an issue. Flash forward about 1 year (and my car has been brought in at least 3 times for the check engine light) and now hey want to charge me to run the diagnostic (which by the way my mechanic performs for free) for the same issue I have been dealing with for over a year, because now the car is no longer within the 6,000 mile warranty. The problem is it was in warranty when he problem started, and due to incompetence the vehicle was never properly fixed.

I even went so far to get the Regional service manager involved. He called me and apologized for my inconvenience and said he would help try and resolve my issue. He told me he would set up an appointment with another service center to take care of the issue. I went for my appointment and they said they knew NOTHING about it! I drove almost an hour to have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING resolved! He basically lied to me on the phone. When I called him back (as I was trying to resolve the issue with the second service center) he told me that he can not tell the dealership (or any dealership) what to charge since they are independent franchises!! So I asked what he meant when he said he would resolve my issue and he responded with "I will look into the details of your claim to BETTER ASSIST ME" so I of course asked how he was specifically going to "better assist me" and I basically heard a lot of ums and uhs...and no real answers. I asked if I would be reimbursed for the errors of past technicians and my inconveniences but of course he "couldn't make any promises".

I bought 2 KIA Sorentos as the same time and have multiple issues with both. This will obviously be my last KIA purchase and I highly recommend others to steer clear (no pun intended). And I would definitely not recommend their service (or lack thee of) centers (especially in Antioch TN - EXTREMELY SHADY).

EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED AND FRUSTRATED KIA OWNER