7.7

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,000
Average Mileage:
72,600 miles
Total Complaints:
12 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. new paint job (6 reports)
  2. not sure (6 reports)
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problem #12

Jan 012020

Sorento

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

click to see larger images

flaking, peeling paint flaking, peeling paint flaking, peeling paint flaking, peeling paint flaking, peeling paint

We have a 2003 BMW 325ci convertible and this car is over 20 years old and no where is the paint chipping. There is clearly a defect with this paint job as you can see from pictures its just chipping off. In 2020 we did have to get the door repaired and the shop said that he had to strip the entire door because the paint job was not done correctly and if he painted over it then he could not guarantee the job. Hyundai just received a settlement for the same exact problem and their specialist said it's caused from heat and the job wasn't done correctly. Hopefully Kia will address this issue soon and do a recall or we need a class action lawsuit.

- Erika G., Orlando, FL, US

problem #11

Jan 012019

Sorento AWD 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

click to see larger images

flaking, peeling paint flaking, peeling paint flaking, peeling paint

Paint is consistently peeling and getting worse. Just this week more have flaked apparently rust formed under and around wind shield and the popped off.

- Tom M., Sevierville, TN, US

problem #10

Nov 012021

Sorento SX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

click to see larger images

flaking, peeling paint flaking, peeling paint flaking, peeling paint flaking, peeling paint flaking, peeling paint

my kia as soon as it turned 100000 miles the paint on my car started to peel off to where the metal is showing. for the type of car and the cost of the car, I would expect for the paint to be of good quality. But if it strips down to the metal the paint is of poor quality. I have a 2002 dodge grand caravan and the paint has not peeled even once and I still have it, my husbands ford truck 150 2004 also does not have this issue and all my cars are white.

why is it that a nice elegant car has such a poor paint job. Please explain.

I would not recommend a Kia to my (friends) contacts please see pictures submitted.

please have my car repainted so that i can be proud to own a KIA Sorrento Also please read all the reviews on the pearl white kia's that are peeling. That does not make your company look good.

go to https://www.facebook.com/DefectiveKiaPaint 2013 Kia Sorento Flaking, Peeling Paint | CarComplaints.comhttps://www.carcomplaints.com › 2013 › body_pain there are more just google it.

- mi_alonzo, Norwalk, US

problem #9

Jun 012019

Sorento V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,000 miles

click to see larger images

flaking, peeling paint

This issue is definitely a manufacture's issue and should be recalled or costs to owners covered in full.

- Bobby A., New Bedford, MA, US

problem #8

Feb 202021

Sorento LX 3.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,756 miles

click to see larger images

flaking, peeling paint flaking, peeling paint flaking, peeling paint flaking, peeling paint

I bough this Kia of the dealership almost 2 years ago . I take good care of my car, and I paid a significant amount of money for my Vehicle. One morning early February 21 I walk to my car to find a surprise all the paint in the right side next to the windshield was gone... I call Kia and they told me, THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING THAT I WAS IN MY OWN TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

So I go to fix it and $600.00 later, and 2 weeks after if fixed that problem, I noticed that the paint in front of the hood was gone as well. This cost me another $400.00. I can’t believe a company like Kia does this to the customer, that we pay so much money for so poor quality. I hope something gets done. I know this issue is going to continue to happen but I can’t keep up with paying for this damages. I have seen pictures of other cases and I know is only going to get worse.

KIA BETTER FIX THIS.

- jluci70, Providence, US

problem #7

Oct 132020

Sorento LX 2

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

I own a 2013 Kia Sorento Pearl White pain that the peeling is rapidly peeling off (or what the body shops call Delamination). Here are some steps to follow to help to get your paint fixed and paid for by KIA. We all need to file a Paint complaint with https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/

This is extremely IMPORTANT, You will need your VIN # * PLEASE INCLUDE THE COLOR OF YOUR KIA* The paint peeling is seriously dominant in PEARL WHITE and that needs to be addressed!! We have seen peeling in other colors as well. 🏛We want this to lead to an investigation, here is what the NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION says*👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼

Any documentation you have related to your complaint, such as photos or a police report: * ALL complaints are reviewed. * Some complaints may lead to an investigation. * Some investigations lead to recalls. * Unverifiable complaints may be removed from searchable information. Note: The review and investigation process MAY take a long time, but don't worry--you will be notified if there is a recall.

Here is a Facebook page that you can also put information on: https://www.facebook.com/DefectiveKiaPaint/

- gantler12, Newport Beach, US

problem #6

Dec 052017

Sorento EX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,000 miles

For a vehicle that's 3 yrs old, the paint shouldn't be peeling off.

- Eddie M., Salem, US

problem #5

Jul 012019

Sorento ES 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,000 miles

click to see larger images

flaking, peeling paint flaking, peeling paint

My wifes 2013 Kia Sorento has a 1,5 inch paint chip on the front hood of her car. You can tell paint is not adhering to base which means there is a paint to primer non conformance issue. Her car has always been properly maintained and cleaned. <p>No way to tell what the chemical formula to primer and paint is without an initial test of product when primer and paint were first chosen to be used on their autos. It appears to be significant in the 2013 year models but others are coming forward with other year models now. They most certainly have a problem and will, as we all suspect, will do their best to defuse the issue and past the buck onto other factors that make them not responsible or negligent.

Kia needs to own up to issue and make good on reciprocating its customers by repairing or repainting these vehicles. GM had problems with their paint in late 90s and early 2000s. Not sure what resolution result was but I had a 2002 Chev Malibu and the exact issue happened with that car with their white paint. <p>Kia chose this combination of primer and paint probably without longevity testing and this is the result. The top coat of paint is rejecting the base primers chemical properties or base is expelling top paint properties. Over time and seasonal changes, those properties dysfunctionally react and begin the rejection process. Maybe really no fault of their own, but they need to be responsible, make good and honor their products and customers and repaint the vehicles, period. <p>My complaint is....You painted a Nationally Professed and Nationally Advertised Quality Product from your organization with defective material or contaminated paint products and you should be responsible and liable for whatever consequence it prevails. Repaint my wifes car !!! 2013 Kia Sorento from Warrington, PA.

Update from Jul 22, 2019: I contacted Kia Customer Care and they said I need to do one of the following:

Kia`s Cust Serv Response: Thank you for sending me the pictures. Customer satisfaction is Kia's greatest priority, and after reviewing your case we are offering 2 options we believe can resolve this matter to your satisfaction.

The first option is a one-time cash settlement based on 2 quotes to repaint the affected areas of your Kia:
One quote that you provide Kia from a body shop of your choosing and a 2nd quote provided by your local Kia Dealer.

The second option is that you may choose to have your local Kia Dealer repaint the affected areas of the vehicle and receive no cash settlement.

My experience to their response: First option - I went to my body shop I use locally from my car insurance company and got a quote. I requested a quote to repaint entire car and just the affected areas. I was pushing for entire car just because I dont want to go through this problem again. My body shop said to completely repaint car with my cars age, mileage etc, it would range from $6000 to $10,000 dollars and at which point it might be classified as totaled. Haa, this is getting interesting!! To repaint affected areas, the hood and top of car only, ($1000.00).<p> Second Option: I then contacted my local Kia Dealer, They said they do not have the facility to paint cars ( but some dealers do) and that they send them to one or two of their choice in local area. They supplied me with the contact info to the two body shops they use. I have not gone to them yet but after what MY body shop told me, I pretty much have a range of what they will charge too. So I will go to Kias body shops they use and get quotes from each and then submit all three quotes to Kia.

Kia`s Cust Serv response : They will only repaint the affected areas-period. If other areas like the rear hatch or fenders-front or back or side doors start to fail and chip, they will repaint them at that time.

Kia Cust Serv response : Please take the time to think it over and once you decide you can either email me or contact me directly at 520-770-4796 and I will let you know what the next step is and what information I need.

- Kevin G., Chalfont, US

problem #4

Jan 012017

Sorento SX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

click to see larger images

flaking, peeling paint

The paint started to peel off in 2017 1 year after we bought the car. Each year it gets worse.

- Tina D., Frackville, PA, US

problem #3

Aug 012018

Sorento LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

Kia Case # 12487927...

Paint peeling from roof, starting at top of windshield, in 2-3" wide strips. Went to a qualified insurance advised shop. Rep told me "Oh, Kia should pay for that. Obviously defective primer" So I called Kia Corporate. Flatly told warranty on paint is only 36k miles. I said it's not a warranty issue...it's verified, well noted, defective primer. No luck. Went to the dealer...they sent me to their paint shop for estimate, took pictures, sent to Kia Consumer Affairs.

After a month of calling them for an answer, I finally got a call from Consumer affairs with the same answer. And then...The told me I COULD NOT HAVE WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION OF MY CASE! I protested and protested...finally told rudely and flatly that I would have to have an attorney subpoena documentation if I wanted it. Which I plan to do. Simply unbelievable. And of course the dealer shrugs it off and makes KIA the bad guy..."It's their call"...Well, no...if you were interested in selling me another car, you'd handle it. Surely their is a class action suit being formed.

- Jim M., Ringgold, GA, US

problem #2

Aug 012017

Sorento LX 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

Paint is peeling off, on a 2013 Kia Sorento with 55,000 miles, it looks like a 20 year old car. value of car dropped so much that it's not worth it to trade it in. Kia should be ashamed of themself to put a product that at 3 years of age, it looks like a 20 years old piece of junk. My 1993 chevy blazer paint looks like a million dollars, when comparing with my 2013 kia sorento.

- rignramirez, Elmendorf, US

problem #1

Aug 012016

Sorento

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,137 miles

Paint is peeling off the roof in several spots. Dealer has said that the 2013 Kia Sorentos had a windshield that was recessed and so dust hits the roof where the windshield meets the roof and causes pitting. When water gets under, the paint peels. The new Kia models now have a windshield that covers part of the roof so it's not a problem now but he categorically refused that it was a defect in the 2013 models. Acceptable? Not to me. What next? I've called Kia Canada and they say that because we are past the 3 year, 60,000 paint warranty that nothing can be done.

I hear that this may be a result of using "self-healing" paint and that Nissan had a similar problem in the past. I've also heard that there is a class action lawsuit in California against Kia and Hyundai about peeling paint. This is a defect, plain and simple.Thoughts on what a Canadian can do? Any other Canadians out there with the same problem?

- Sabrina S., Upper Tantallon, NS, Canada