10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 31
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
71,737 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #327

Jul 082020

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
We were driving back from a post op surgery appointment when the check engine light started flashing. It has never gone off before. We stopped at the nearest auto shop and the connecting rod bearing is bad in the engine and a while new engine is needed. This is a known recall for this car, make, model, and year. Somehow it does not include my VIN number in the recall, but we are having the same exact problem. I have invoices stating this from the auto shop I can email.

- Oconomowoc, WI, USA

problem #326

Jun 062020

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 101,000 miles
Engine starting knocking/ticking. Car then stalled on the highway. Was able to restart & drive to exit. Car was towed to dealer where per test, engine locked up. Dealer informed needed new engine. Not covered by recall as not gdi engine but Kia would not answer why only gdi engine even though same block(2.4).

- Marion, IA, USA

problem #325

Jun 172020

Sorento

  • 145,000 miles
When driving on the freeway my vehicle started making a clicking noise and seized up myself and my two children where on the freeway driving about 55mph when this happened, thankfully I was close by a offramp to pull off of the freeway to the side of the road. There was no prior warning no lights that came on, I had the car towed home and the battery replaced but when car was turned on it made a loud knocking noise, vehicle was towed to the mechanic who can not get a reading or diagnostic reading from the car to see what or why it seized up, thank god we were able to exit the freeway without getting hit this was a terrifying experience and I cannot believe it did this, I've kept up the maintenance and my car was in great shape, I contacted Kia for recalls I find it ironic that numerous customs with a 2013 Kia Sorento and the same issues yet we are not ousted for the recall under our VIN. This could of resulted in a detrimental loss and now I am being told the engine was not supposed to do that and that this should of been part of the recall, I will continue to reach out and try to get help now that I'm being told it is safest to replace the engine, at this point I am extremely uncomfortable even operating a Kia vehicle given all the research I've done and how many issues they have and continue to have with the engine, this will be my biggest regret purchasing this vehicle especially because Kia is very aware of the issues yet it doesn't seem like they care, as many reports as I have seen with this identical issue all 2013 Sorentos should of been replaced due to the accidents that the engine can cause, a car should never shut off on you when your driving.

- Peoria, AZ, USA

problem #324

Jun 262020

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 130,761 miles
I was driving down I70 West in Missouri I got to mile marker 83.8 and I hear tink think and as I'm pulling over I see my control steering light flashing and all sudden boom and then nothing. Won't start, won't turn over. Nothing. I was driving my 2013 Kia Sorento down the highway at about 72 miles an hour.

- Blue Springs, MO, USA

problem #323

Jun 172020

Sorento 6-cyl

  • 40,000 miles
Rear main seal started leaking profusely at 40K miles. Vehicle has been towing trailer that's 2000lbs but has tow capacity of 3500lbs. Concerned that the tow capacity is overstated as the rear main seal shouldn't be a problem in a newer vehicle. Looking at a $1200 fix for a problem that shouldn't have happened.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #322

Dec 122018

Sorento

  • 55,000 miles
While driving engine oil lamp lights and since I was less than 2000 yards from home, I costed into driveway. Engine off, I lifted hood and checked oil and it showed nothing. Looking behind car, I notice oil all over back of car rear and some on road and driveway. Filled oil and restarted only to see oil being pumped seemingly out of rear main and front of trans. Took to nearest dealer who fixed problem under 50K warretee. It was oil sending switch located under intake manifold. Seal between metal body of switch and electric connection of same blow out. Seems like epoxy did not hold. Less than 17 K miles later, same thing happens on highway exit ramp had towed 85 miles back to local area since Kia couldn't find mechanic to work on it during hunting season. 1500 dollars later after showing mechanic links to the oil leak fix... they fix again the same oil sending switch. Some people have had it replaced 3 to 4 times. Canada has this part as a recall. Why not the usa yes I paid for it as warrantee expired due to 5 years.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #321

Jun 022020

Sorento

  • 112,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was jump started however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to Kia of West nyack (250 N. rte 303, West nyack, NY 10994) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.

- Spring Valley, NY, USA

problem #320

Jun 052020

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 125,000 miles
2013 Kia Sorento engine making noise like sewing machine. Brought to Kia dealer. After 3 hours was told nothing wrong with engine. Try high test gas. Brought car home and the engine blew. We told dealer about the recall again there is nothing wrong with your vehicle. It has a good strong engine. I have contacted the dealership and Kia manufacturer. Waiting for callbacks. This happened today 6/5/20.

- Valatie, NY, USA

problem #319

May 152020

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 100,006 miles
I purchased the vehicle in 2017 with 60,000 miles. The truck just hit 100,000 miles not to long ago. While leaving the bank, I accelerated, and while doing so the truck just shut off on me, no warning lights and it did not overheat. I managed to get to the side of the road (thank god because it was a busy road and I had my two kids with me) and tried to start the car again and nothing. I had the car towed to the dealership that I bought it from where they stated the engine was locked. I still owed money on the car, so I had to get a brand new car with my negative equity and am now stuck with extremely high payment. After the incident I researched about the Kia Sorento S and see that many people have this same problem. I had routine oil changes, but because they weren't at the dealership they stated there was nothing they could do. Something has to be done about this. Me and my children could have been involved in a very serious accident by the truck just shutting down. I would like to open a small claims case, as I was put in a bad predicament.

- Davie, FL, USA

problem #318

May 192020

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 124 miles
I was driving to houston on 288 highway at a speed around 60..65mph and the engine just die I pull over try to start SUV back on and the engine light come on flashing so I tow the vehicle to my house Y put a $20 dollars code scanner on it and a P1326 code come up ( knocking sensor) so I check on line to see some options and I read that they have some recall..

- Freeport, TX, USA

problem #317

May 112020

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 106,000 miles
While driving on the highway a clicking loud clicking began. Several dash lights flashed. The vehicle was pulled on to the shoulder and turned off. The car refused to start. Several attempts to jump the battery were made. The car was towed to a mechanic who diagnosed the issue as engine failure, specifically the engine rapidly consuming the oil.

- Tuckahoe, NY, USA

problem #316

Jun 012017

Sorento 6-cyl

  • 114,000 miles
My 2013 Kia Sorento is using an excessive amount of oil in between oil changes. I haven't found any oil leaks. Upon starting the Kia there is a lot of white smoke coming from the tail pipe. Also has a rough idle. Currently in an independent mechanic shop and they aren't finding an oil leak either. Has been doing this for the 3 years I've owned it. Purchased from a car dealer. Have had regular oil changes.

- Richland, MO, USA

problem #315

May 172020

Sorento

  • 125,500 miles
I was driving my car and all of a sudden it started to reduce in speed, I saw the engine light come on, then as I tried to push the accelerator the cars RPM would no go past 2, so I drove to a auto zone and rhey checked the error, that said they did not know what it was, so as I was driving home the car started making a noise as id there qas metal on metal, I stopped my car and had to call a tow truck to bring home, after doing some research I found out the code was for some bearings.

- Palm Coast, FL, USA

problem #314

Sep 282018

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 165,000 miles
Was driving around 70 mph on the highway and the engine locked up, thankfully was able to pull over on the side of the road. Smoke came from the hood. Had aaa tow my car to local mechanic zeilkes, was advised engine was blown. Bearing went bad. Clearly all the signs from recalled motors, but mine was not on list. Kept regular oil changes but was told out of luck. Still paying on my SUV to date (2020). And not fixed. With 4 kids. Had to purchase a cheap little vehicle to get around, which we hope will last till I'm paid off. Just thankful my kids were not in the car and it wasn't busy! but come on Kia you clearly have an issue!

- Benton Harbor, MI, USA

problem #313

May 072020

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 140,000 miles
I was on a highway getting ready to exit and the my motor just quit. No signs of anything wrong. No warning lights at all. Oil is always changed and I do not travel a lot.

- Middleburg, FL, USA

problem #312

Apr 132019

Sorento

  • 113,265 miles
I see no oil leaking from my car, but I have to add 3_quartz of oil every 2,000 miles. Now I bought this car from private seller. Now I have researched this problem and think this car is in service oil check because it has an orange dipstick. However I don't know how to verify this

- Massillon, OH, USA

problem #311

Apr 242020

Sorento

  • 120,000 miles
While driving on the freeway the engine seized and would not move.luckily there hasn't been a lot of traffic lately because of the covid -19.I was able to pull over safely.

- Buena Park, CA, USA

problem #310

Feb 112020

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 140,000 miles
2/11/20: Driving North on I-55 when the car suddenly started hesitating as if it wasn't getting fuel, I pulled over & heard a crack noise, car stalls, smoke coming from inside the hood, engine, oil, battery & trans dash lights lit up after the noise & smoke, but oil gauge never ever got hot (even before this) I opened hood & saw liquid had exploded under the hood. I tried to start the car & it wouldn't. the next day, had it towed to a shop, the mechanic said: 'engine is blown & no clue why, there's a hole in the engine block & nothing you could've done to prevent it, it definitely seems like a mechanical defect & it was just a matter of time before it blew.' So imagine my confusion when my 2013 vehicle's engine (maintained perfectly as I had free oil changes through Kia so I got them done regularly & it's all in their system) randomly blows & mechanic has no idea why. I researched & 0 open recalls, Kia headquarters said it's my responsibility as my VIN not included on recall detailing my exact complaint because it didn't have a gfi engine. This is obviously a mechanical defect and Kia should be held accountable and responsible for replacing the defective engine on my car!! I'm now without income due to the coronavirus pandemic happening, so I can't afford the car pmt that I'm responsible for a vehicle I just purchased 12/2018!! this is horrifying that Kia refuses to replace my engine. I'm a single mom with 2 kids (8 & 9) trying to survive & they refused to even give a loaner while I try to raise the money to pay for a used engine to be put in. This has put me in a horrible financial situation as I rented a car for a month before the lockdown & could have used the $ towards repairs but I had to work so I had no choice, but now can't afford anything so I'm just stuck with no help at all for something that is not my fault. Kia is responsible & I'm out of options & help.

- Plainfield, IL, USA

problem #309

Apr 042020

Sorento

  • 114,000 miles
Driving on interstate about 70 heard a loud knock in the motor immediately lost power talk to the mechanic he said bearings were worn out and it threw a rod 114,000 miles on car own car since it was brand new cat maintenance on it change the oil every 3000 miles Kia says it's not in the recall number sc147but it says all 2013 Kia sorrento's

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #308

Mar 042020

Sorento

  • 103,351 miles
Driving to work, the engine seized at a red light. Manage to roll to parking lot. Lost steering and braking. My shoulder still hurts from pulling on steering wheel so hard. Very scary as was on very busy 2 lane (each way) in morning rush hour traffic. Called aaa immediately. They towed the car to our mechanic. Mechanic said bearing/engine locked and would need to be replaced. Sorento had 103K miles so not worth the expense. Radio/blue tooth, etc. Hadn't worked for long time. Sold Sorento to salvage yard that same day. They towed the vehicle off our mechanic's lot. I was told about the related recall afterwords. Haven't contacted Kia yet but just found this #, 800-333-4542, which I can try to ask them about this situation. Documents: I have receipt from the salvage yard. Aaa didn't give me any paper work but I'm sure this can be documented. My mechanic felt bad and didn't charge me since he couldn't fix and didn't give paperwork.

- North Wales, PA, USA

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