10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 7 / 29
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 9 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 68,750 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
After driving 8 miles to my destination I parked the car and turned off the engine. I immediately saw and smelled smoke coming from under the hood. I got out, called 911, and began to see flames. The police arrived in less than 5 minutes but by then the hood of the car was on fire and by the time the firefighters arrived the car was completely in flames. There was never a warning light on the dashboard to indicate anything was wrong. We always take it in for all its routine maintenance and checkups with the Kia dealer. It was just into the dealer 2 weeks ago.
- Chanhassen, MN, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that a metal banging noise was heard underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the motor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer opened case number: K3454763. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.
- Perry, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. While driving 55 mph, the engine stalled and the warning indicator illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,752. Consumer stated new engine installed 4/18/17, also, the air conditioning does not work because of engine replacement. Updated 9/27/18
- Hughesville, PA, USA
The engine began to be hard to start leaving work for home. Then the next morning it was hard to start and would almost stall at idle. After parking at work I attempted to start it and drive to the Kia dealership for diagnosis, it would not keep running more than a few seconds. The engine has suffered a catastrophic failure. The dealer says that it is likely that the crank shaft bearings failed, or possibly the connecting rod bearings. The engine needs to be replaced.
- Hubbardston, MA, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact noticed smoke coming from the vehicle and discovered that it was low on oil. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the bearing was faulty and caused an oil leak. There was sludge in the motor, which needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campiagn number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling) as a possible solution to the failure; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000.
- Weslaco, TX, USA
On February 27, 2017, my 2011 Kia Sorento's engine died. I had only one warning that there was a problem and that was a lack of power. I was going up a slight hill and I had to floor the gas pedal to maintain 20mph up it. I went out at 830pm that night to take it to my mechanic and my Sorento would not start. I had it towed to gorring automotive at 1030pm. On March 1, 2017, Mr. Gorring called and told me I would need a new engine. I contacted century 3 Kia and spoke to the service manager dan. He stated that I needed to bring it back to the dealership to have it looked at. I also contacted Kia consumer number and spoke to eric. Eric told me the same information and I stated I did not want to pay for the diagnosis again. I had my Sorento towed to century 3 Kia on March 1, 2017. Dan stated that he was surprised that my VIN was not on the extended warranty list. On March 3, 2017, dan from century 3 Kia called me and said that I did need a new engine. Charles from Kia's consumer number and dan from century 3 Kia both stated that if I was the original owner they would replace the engine at no cost to me but since I am the second owner of the Sorento, it would be my responsibility. I inquired at the cost of labor and was told 15 hours at $108 an hour. I have looked around and found that most engines with roughly the same mileage as mine are around $2,500. The total cost will roughly be between $4,500 and $6,500 total with all the fluids and other parts needed to return my Sorento to a functional state. I purchased the Sorento with 53,857 miles on it and had it for one year. I put 12,000 mile on it roughly. My Sorento had roughly 65,500 miles on it when this happened. I have done some research and found this to be a common problem with the 2.4L engines. If this is true, why has Kia not done anything about it.
- Mckeesport, PA, USA
The car was not always responding to me when I wanted to accelerate, I would hear the rpms going up but the car would not go faster, then a puff of white smoke would come out the tail pipe. Then one day, I was driving the car and it started making a clanking noise when I would push the gas pedal. It sounded like the noise a roller coaster makes when you are clanking up the hill at the beginning. Took the car to the dealership and they took the engine apart to find the problem. The car has an engine defect that was diagnosed by a Kia dealer as a manufacturers defect. Now the car is not drivable and Kia is refusing to pay for a new engine. Kia needs to recall all vehicles with these engines. They are built by Hyundai and they recalled their vehicles with the same engines.
- Colorado Springs, CO, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that an unknown warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the intake manifold failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000. The VIN was not available.
- Coraopolis, PA, USA
2011 Sorento shift really hard, sometimes I have to force it to shift by lowering speed, sometimes it does not want to shift at all and then my engine light comes on, then shifts really hard and wants to stop on me as I am driving. Sometimes at a light it does die, but then start back up. One time it would not go even with pushing the gas all the way down.
- Kansas City, KS, USA
Engine was making a cyclical clicking/knocking noise. We took the vehicle to Kia dealership and they said they could not find any issues with the car. About a week later the car broke down while driving at highway speeds. After having it towed to an independent garage, we were informed the engine had a connecting rod failure. This is the exact same problem the Hyundai sonata has with the exact same theta 2.4 liter engine. Hyundai has issues a recall but Kia fails to acknowledge the issue.
- Mooresville, NC, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. While driving various speeds, the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle failed to accelerate when depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact coasted the vehicle over to the side of the road, restarted the vehicle, and resumed driving. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed, but the failure could not be found. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
- Lake Worth, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. While driving approximately 40 mph, an abnormal vibration emitted from the vehicle. In addition, the RPM's went to zero. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,000. The VIN was unavailable.
- San Antonio, TX, USA
At 68,000 miles the oil pressure sensor (part #94750-37100) failed and caused a sudden and immediate loss of all engine oil. In the half mile it took us to safely pull over the oil pressure light activated and the dip stick read bone dry. I have researched the issue and found it to be a common problem with Kia's, a recall should be issued to replace the part with a better engineered version. Had we not been alert / aware of what was going on the engine could have seized and all power could have been lost while in motion.
- Hudson, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the service engine warning light randomly flashed. While the vehicle was in park or in gear, there was an abnormal noise heard near the engine. The contact stated that there was a build up of sludge near the axle and it was uncertain what type of fluid may have been releasing. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V258000 (power train). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V626000 (power train). The approximate failure mileage was 91,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
- Boynton Beach, FL, USA
On 1-31-16 heard a pinging noise on the highway; then the car stalled at the exit light; started it again and loud bang blow a rod after getting back on the highway to drive it to a shop. Died on the side of the highway and had to have it towed to Kia in auburn wa. Kia stated they will not fix under the warranty because the wrong oil filter was installed and I didn't provide proper maintenance; which I took it in each and every time for oil changes to my auto shop. Same oil filter has been put into my car since 2011. Went back to my auto shop informed them they started the process of sending the oil filter in to be checked for defects, also found on 3 different web sites the filter can be used for my make and model. Now Kia want fix my car; it has been 3 weeks without a vehicle and no word from Kia; not even from their headquarters. Kia will not provide the work order stating they are not allowed to give to third party.
- Pacific, WA, USA
The check engine light came on due to a issue with oil control valves and cvvt continuous variable valve timing. Seems like a known issue of Kia, I would think Kia would do the right thing and fix it under warranty or offer some sort of customer assistance for the $4800 repair peoria Kia quoted for the job. 3 Kia owner..not any more!!
- Glendale, AZ, USA
The contact a contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. While attempting to park, the brake pedal was engaged and the gear was shifted into park. The vehicle abruptly moved forward and crashed into a cement wall. The contact was unable to remove the key from the ignition switch. The contact suffered injuries to the left knee that did not require medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was repaired, but the details were unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. A police report was not filed. The approximate failure mileage was 86,614. Updated 1/15/16; updated 04/20/18
- Phoenix, AZ, USA
On 06/15/2015, drove my car to the barn, then it will not start. I thought it's battery problem. Battery is only 1 year old. So I charged the battery. Didn't work. So I jumped it, it had a hard time starting. It finally started after 3 attempts. I got a new battery for it. Then it happened again two days later, got it started after a few attempts.took it to Kia service. They said oil ring has slow leak. Dealer changed O ring, and then several days, it had issues starting. The dealer kept my car for two days to listen and fix the knocking noise. Finally on Friday 06/27/15, it won't start at all. It has this grinding, hard start. I called the # 800-333-4542. Since it is still under warranty, they had my car towed for free, and dealer gave me a loaner car. I called Kia at # 678-385-8540 and ask what's going on as the dealer said they are waiting for Kia support team approval to test the engine. After two weeks, Kia called and told dealer to test engine. It has issues with low compression on 2 chambers and finally the decision was to replace the engine. On 7/11/2015, dealer submitted an order to have Kia ship engine. I was told, next week, I should hear from them. Nothing happened. I called the 678 # again, and was told by Ms. Kushell that she's contacting the regional manager to give priorities to my case.that it should be taken care of between 7/20 to 7/25. This morning, 7/17/15, I got a call from the dealer that the eta for engine arrival will be 7/31/2015, as there are no engines anywhere in the U.S. to date (7/17/2015), the car has been at the Kia dealer service for almost a month now. I have pending trips that I kept postponing to accommodate the issues. But this is getting out of hand, as I am getting the round around talks. Ms. Kushell said, they can ship my car to the place I'm going, but what am I supposed to do, walk the 1500miles?
- Port Saint Lucie, FL, USA
On 06/15/2015, drove my car to the barn, then it will not start. I thought it's battery problem. Battery is only 1 year old. So I charged the battery. Didn't work. So I jumped it, it had a hard time starting. It finally started after 3 attempts. I got a new battery for it. Then it happened again two days later, got it started after a few attempts.took it to Kia service. They said oil ring has slow leak. Dealer changed O ring, and then several days, it had issues starting. The dealer kept my car for two days to listen and fix the knocking noise. Finally on Friday 06/27/15, it won't start at all. It has this grinding, hard start. I called the # 800-333-4542. Since it is still under warranty, they had my car towed for free, and dealer gave me a loaner car. I called Kia at # 678-385-8540 and ask what's going on as the dealer said they are waiting for Kia support team approval to test the engine. After two weeks, Kia called and told dealer to test engine. It has issues with low compression on 2 chambers and finally the decision was to replace the engine. On 7/11/2015, dealer submitted an order to have Kia ship engine. I was told, next week, I should hear from them. Nothing happened. I called the 678 # again, and was told by Ms. Kushell that she's contacting the regional manager to give priorities to my case.that it should be taken care of between 7/20 to 7/25. This morning, 7/17/15, I got a call from the dealer that the eta for engine arrival will be 7/31/2015, as there are no engines anywhere in the U.S. to date (7/17/2015), the car has been at the Kia dealer service for almost a month now. I have pending trips that I kept postponing to accommodate the issues. But this is getting out of hand, as I am getting the round around talks. Ms. Kushell said, they can ship my car to the place I'm going, but what am I supposed to do, walk the 1500miles?
- Port Saint Lucie, FL, USA
- Puyallup, WA, USA