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 #307

Mar 102020

Sorento

  • 50 miles
When I was driving on a highway, car suddenly stopped with big noise and now leaking oil from engine and not able to start my car

- Laurel, MD, USA

problem #306

Mar 082020

Sorento

  • 67,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine bearings failed and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer doral Kia (10155 nw 12th St. Doral fl) and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA campaign number 17V224000 (engine). The failure mileage was 67,000.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #305

Feb 252020

Sorento

  • 108,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. While driving 30 mph there was an abnormal knocking noise detected and vehicle loss motive power and stalled. The contact shifted the vehicle into neutral. There were no warning lights illuminated, the vehicle was towed to rick case Kia located at (3190 satellite blvd, duluth, ga 30096, (678) 321-1590 where it was diagnosed that cylinder three failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The warranty company was informed of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,000.

- Loganville, GA, USA

problem #304

Feb 272020

Sorento

  • 119,300 miles
My car stalled going around 65-70 mph on the highway, and power steering and acceleration completely ceased. After pulling over I waited a minute and tried to start it again and my engine has a very loud knocking sound coming from it, and it drives extremely rough. I never had any warning signs prior to this, and now my check engine light has been blinking. I have always kept up with the maintenance and oil changes on my vehicle, and now it is throwing a "P1326" code. I had it towed to my house to prevent further damage or possible accident!

- Waco, TX, USA

problem #303

Feb 122020

Sorento

  • 147,000 miles
Feb12, 2020morning, my son and his girlfriend were driving my car to work. He called me and said the car had stalled out and won't start. I asked all the questions related to an alternator issue like did radio turn off lights get dim. No was response, said car would surge increasing speed then if took foot off accelerator would drastically slow down. When approaching stoplight just cut off. No warning no lights, wouldn't start. Thankfully the traffic wasn't heavy and a nice person helped them get it off the road. Had it towed home then to the mechanic for what we thought was alternator only to get disturbing call saying the motor is shot. I had the same tow truck driver pick it up and take it to mechanic and he kept asking if I was sure it was the alternator, he had told me he thought the engine had seized by how it sounded when he tried to start it to try and position it better for the roll back, I had hope he was wrong.there were regular oil changes done and I have checked my VIN against the recall and although the year and make are correct my VIN is not included. I operate a cleaning service and desperately need my car. In fact we were searching for my son a car as he had graduated and became employed and now instead of looking for one we've got to get two. And still make pymts on this one to save my credit. It's really sad that Kia is doing valuable customers like this. People need their cars. Last year I tried to trade it in they offered such a low value for mine I can't help but believe they knew it's a problem car. This is a real problem, I have read so many issues with this year and make and Kia is not offering assistance. I'm going to try them and hope and pray they will help.

- Greensboro, NC, USA

problem #302

Feb 212020

Sorento

  • 69,873 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle was consumed an excessive amount of oil. The contact did not notify a dealer and the vehicle was not diagnosed by an authorized dealer. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was inspected for external leaks however, no leaks were found. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 39,873.

- Spokane, WA, USA

problem #301

May 032019

Sorento

  • 90,000 miles
I was diving as usual, taking my kids to school and the car suddenly gave up. With very loud rattle, had to stop, thought car was going to explode. So, I got it towed and looked at by auto mechanics. Took it to 2 mechanics to verify. I have all docs to corroborate that the engine gave up completely. Had to replace engine. Called Kia to ask if there was a recall on my vehicle. The man said "no." But I am sure, they will be recalled soon..

- Valencia, CA, USA

problem #300

Feb 042020

Sorento

  • 120,000 miles
Was driving car straight down city street when it suddenly lost power and engine shut off. Was able to restart and it kept doing same thing and made a clicking noise from engine. Took it to shop and battery and alternator fine, they are telling me that engine is seizing up.

- Fort Smith, AR, USA

problem #299

Jun 192018

Sorento

  • 80,000 miles
The contact called on behalf of his daughter who owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered while the accelerator pedal wass depressed without warning. The vehicle was taken to bulldog Kia located at 4305 atlanta hwy, athens, ga 30606 (888) 348-8159 where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine control unit (ECU) needed to be reprogrammed. The software was updated however, the failure recurred. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Rutledge, GA, USA

problem #298

Jan 312020

Sorento

  • 186,000 miles
My daughter was driving on the interstate going 65 mph when she heard a helicopter like noise and the motor shut off. She was in heavy traffic and just managed to cross 2 lanes of traffic and get off the road. Car does not even crank over. Mechanic says motor is seized up.

- Fair Play, SC, USA

problem #297

Jan 232020

Sorento

  • miles
I was driving on the interstate and at 70 mph I had sudden power failure and the the engine completely died. After about 30 minutes it started up just long enough to go a half a mile and it did the same thing. 10 hrs later it started up again and we were able to have a diagnostic reading done which showed nothing. The battery and alternator were tested and are both working completely fine. Later on it ran fine for about an hour and then suddenly did the same thing again.

- Terre Haute, IN, USA

problem #296

Aug 012019

Sorento 6-cyl

  • 40,000 miles
My name is [xxx]. my daughter had a 2013 sorrento... took great care and did the scheduled oil changes... now I have the vehicle because she died 2017. Did not drive it much.. it has around 40000 miles. 2018 the engine froze up. I could start it. I had it towed to the canton Michigan Kia dealership... I was told they would put a new engine in because it's their fault. Just need to have the proper procedures to get an approval from Kia... after weeks they came back and said no unless I can prove every 6 months she and myself had scheduled oil changes. I'm 90 years old and trying to call the different Kia dealerships to get records. And I had other people do oil changes. I would not buy an sorrento. I put to batteries in it thinking my problem with the car was that. Now the car is sitting in the dealership. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Dearborn Heights, MI, USA

problem #295

Oct 142019

Sorento

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 mph, the rpms dropped to zero. In addition on another occasion, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to (nemet Kia located at 153-03 hillside avenue, jamaica, NY 11432) for a diagnosis which was inconclusive and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any resolution. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

- Queensvillage, NY, USA

problem #294

Dec 312019

Sorento

  • 104,500 miles
While driving on the interstate with my family of four, the engine seized without warning. We were taking the off ramp from one interstate to merge onto another with no power. Luckily we were in the lane closest to the shoulder and not already in the far left fast lane with little to no room to safely get out of traffic. Mechanic noted that there was adequate clean oil. Will cost $7,000 to replace engine. Though Kia has a recall for other engines, this one is not (yet) part of their recall.

- Crestwood, KY, USA

problem #293

Dec 252019

Sorento

  • 109,000 miles
The engine seized while I was driving on the interstate. The engine did have a minor oil leak since the time of purchase from the dealership, it was monitored and replinished reqularly and had been done the same day the engine seized.

- Northfield, MN, USA

problem #292

Aug 192019

Sorento

  • 116,400 miles
We experienced literally everything described on the last letter for the recall on our 2013 Kia Sorento's ECU, including the vehicle shutting off in the middle of active intersections, highway, and normal driving operation(s). My wife and I own a vehicle (2013 Kia Sorento), that is the subject of your "voluntary service campaign to update the engine control unit (ECU)". after the ECU unit was replaced we received the attached letter from Kia that states he has a warranty on the engine for as long as we own the vehicle. Despite this letter, we've been told by Kia usa corporate and lithia Kia of anchorage that our vehicle is no longer covered by a warranty due to mileage. I expect someone in a higher level management to explain, asformerly requested. As of December 23, 2019, we had our vehicle towed to lithia Kia of anchorage to attempt to have the vehicle diagnosed, and communicate with Kia usa. Kia has decided to stop communicating with us and will not share any information with our law firm, per their own guidance. We are hoping this will complete this tedious method of vehicle repair(s). Kia needs to explain to us why it will not honor the warranty as stated in the letter. I am a retired disabled veteran and can be reached at any hour. Per my law firm's instruction(s), we have contacted and filed a claim through the state of Alaska attorney general's office as well.

- Jber, AK, USA

problem #291

Dec 192019

Sorento

  • 97,000 miles
I have taken my 2013 Kia Sorento to my local dealership after the latest engine recall. They upgraded software but gave no further explanation. Everytime I get my oil change its almost empty. The past 2 oil changes there has been almost no oil. Yesterday, I was driving, on the highway and check engine, oil, battery, light came on flashing and the car stalled in the middle lane of the highway. I was able to pull over and call a tow truck. I turned the vehicle off and 15 min later while waiting for tow truck I tried to turn it on and it came one. I canceled the tow and I am at the dealership today. My car is not leaking oil anywhere and I know there has been a engine recall on my make, model and year. I am afraid of the cost of the repair and the safety of a vehicle that stops in the middle of the highway.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #290

Dec 152019

Sorento

  • 58,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. While driving approximately 10-15 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle lost electrical power. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and then to kearny mesa Kia (7303 clairemont mesa blvd, san diego, ca 92111, (858) 365-8763) where it was diagnosed that the engine seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #289

Dec 052019

Sorento

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. While driving, the vehicle stalled in the middle of the road. The contact received assistance with pushing the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the engine seized and needed to be completely replaced. The contact called the manufacturer and received a case number. The contact scheduled to have the vehicle towed to Carolina Kia of high point (2445 N main St, high point, nc 27262, (866) 824-7081). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Seagrove, NC, USA

problem #288

Nov 252019

Sorento

  • 114,000 miles
I have taken my 2013 Kia Sorento to my local dealership after the latest engine recall. They replaced the dipstick, .no explanation why but the level lines are different. Recently took it back to the dealership for a grinding, vibration noise in the front end, no issue reported. The past 2 oil changes which I do every 3K.miles there has been no oil. Yesterday, I was driving, still had about 1K miles left before the 3K mile oil change and my oil light started flashing. Immediately took it to my mechanic who again said there was no oil. My car is not leaking oil anywhere.

- Dawsonville, GA, USA

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