10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
38,044 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #41

May 012015

Sorento

  • miles
Since I purchased my vehicle in 2015 with around 45,000 miles, I noticed paint chipping off the roof where it meets with the windshield. Now, I have large chunks of paint chipping away on the hood and on the panel between the door and windshield, exposing metal frame. After searching online, I noticed many people with this exact same problem with their Kia Sorento; same year and same pearl white color. I have taken it to a paint shop, and they said it's a "delamination" problem, and it's a defect in the manufacturer's paint. It will only continue to worsen. I took it to Kia (after having my engine replaced due to engine failure and seizing on the highway), and I was told that I would have to cover all expenses to fix it. Not only are large chunks of paint chipping off, but all the areas are becoming severely rusted. This should not happen!! not only is it a paint defect that Kia should cover, but it can become a safety hazard when it begins to weaken around the windshield! I have had to have my engine replaced (which I had to fight for as well before almost causing a major accident on the highway once my car seized at 70 mph) and my paint is coming off in large quantities and rusting, depreciating the value and safety of my car, and it's not even 10 years old!!! I've had nothing but problems since I started financing my car. Kia knows this is a problem, yet will not do anything about it. I want something done! a recall should be set in place, especially after hundreds of consumers have had the same problem!!

- Altamonte Springs, FL, USA

problem #40

Nov 142020

Sorento

  • 118,153 miles
First, the brake lights kept going out. Finally found a loose wire. Then, the ABS, downhill, skid lights all came on at the same time. Found one wheel where it is not reading speed. Next, the gas cover does not open now. There has been one issue after another with this car. I get it serviced, monthly. It is up to date on oil changes, inspections, fluid and I am about to replace all brakes, pads, rotors and tires. I feel like this care, which I have only had for four and a half years, is done.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #39

Oct 192020

Sorento

  • 104,017 miles
Vehicle was stationary after pulling into my garage, turned vehicle off - key would not come out of ignition, restarted car, backed up, pulled straight forward, made sure wheel was straight, placed in park, turned off ignition, key would not come out of ignition. Restarted car, backed up, pulled forward again and parked, finally able to remove key from ignition. Thankfully I was home and was able to remove key. This has happed many times on this vehicle, some of which I have reported already.

- Lexington Park, MD, USA

problem #38

Jul 222020

Sorento

  • 100,000 miles
Door handles from the inside stopped working.

- College Park, MD, USA

problem #37

Aug 282020

Sorento

  • 130,000 miles
This as happened 3 times..while driving car it will mysteriously staul..last time on interstate then after hours of sitting it will start with no codes and be fine til next time

- Dover, OH, USA

problem #36

Jul 032020

Sorento

  • 117,000 miles
July 3, 2020 car caught on fire. Engine replace 2017. Less than 40,000 miles on new motor. 2019 high pressure fuel pump recalled. It was inspected and replaced.

- Chardon, OH, USA

problem #35

Jul 132020

Sorento

  • 103,000 miles
While driving on I 81 in shenandoah county va my Kia started losing power, lowing the speed I could do and the rpms right in front of a semi truck. It has happened since then and actually before then but was never as scary. The dealership has not been able to duplicate the issue or find any codes in the computer.

- Edinburg, VA, USA

problem #34

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 #33

Dec 042019

Sorento

  • 73,000 miles
After driving to an appointment and parking, I attempted to open my driver's side passenger door to get my service dog out when the door handle cover popped off and handle came off in my hand. Upon inspection, I noticed there was no damage to the handle itself, but the door handle cover had snapped where the screw from the door is meant to secure the piece to the door. When I went to Kia, they explained Kia had acknowledged a problem with these particular handles breaking, and the fix was a new door handle assembly; however, even though many people have had this problem, Kia has not issued a recall or offered an extended warranty to those individuals and require those affected to replace them at the owners expense, which is over $150 without labor cost included. This issue is a safety hazard (without the handle, you can't open the door from the outside) and many Kia owners have complained about this very issue via online forums, and yet Kia still refuses to offer a recall or warranty extension! the fact they don't offer a replacement handle cover, because it would continue to pose this problem, and state the fix being a new complete door assembly should merit their extending a warranty fix or recall.

- Vacaville, CA, USA

problem #32

Nov 202019

Sorento

  • 120,000 miles
I already filed a claim the other day, but now my 2013 Sorento has gotten even worse! my car stalled on the highway going around 65-70 mph, and power steering and acceleration completely ceased. After getting home and calling to report this, I took it for a test drive, 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. It stalled twice prior to this while driving. I don't understand how my engine wasn't recalled prior to this when there was an engine recall on my exact year and model for rod bearing wear! this is my only form of transportation, and Kia is aware of these problems but just keeps throwing bandaids on the actual problem! when is this going to end? engines are catching on fire, people (including myself) are stalling at high speeds on the road due to their faulty craftsmanship! I want answers!! how many people will have to die before they do something about this" I either want a recall on my engine, or I want a warranty to cover the problem they are already aware of! I refuse to put mine or my daughter's life in jeopardy because Kia does not want to own up to their problem! there are thousands of complaints, when will this end"! I'm still paying on a car I can't even drive due to manufacturer error!! this is ridiculous! I will never own another Kia due to their safety violations, and I can't wait until I can get rid of this car and not have to worry about our safety any longer. I want something done now! I will not stop until something is done about this.

- Altamonte Springs, FL, USA

problem #31

Oct 142019

Sorento

  • 100,000 miles
My vehicle starts hesitating than shakes and stalls. I wait and start it up. It has done this and I see recalls for Kia and stalling issues. I am afraid I'm gonna get into an accident

- Prospect, PA, USA

problem #30

Oct 232019

Sorento

  • 71,000 miles
Have not had any problems other then having to put 2 quarts of oil in the motor every other day and it stalling to the point of almost cutting off when I start to take off. I got up put oil in the car started my day as usual, ran errands and the parked the car as usual. Went to get in it the next day and the engine light was on. Started to drive it and it made the sound as if it was misfiring. Later that day had my mechanic look at it and he said what I thought it was plugs. So I changed the plugs and coil packs and it did not change a thing. Still had that noise and when you are going down the road it will start shaking and have to gear down. Called Kia customer service they said it was part of the 147 recall even though it showed that it had been fixed in 2018. I explained that it shook when driven that plugs and coil packs have been changed, had to fill up on oil instead of gas and that the oil had gas in it. Told me it would cost me 230 out of pocket to have it towed. Next day took it too Kia dealership who said I would have to wait until the motor locked up before they could do anything. Finally got them to look at it and they said the motor was bad. It was not safe to drive it anymore because it could caught fire or cause an accident. But yet not part of the recall said I would have to pay for all the repairs out of pocket. Not only did Kia customer service and NHTSA both said it was part of the 147 recall. I am with out a vehicle and still have to pay for one that I can't even drive or get fixed.

- Stuart, VA, USA

problem #29

Oct 072019

Sorento

  • 109,000 miles
Two leaking radiators replaced in two years, antifreeze leaking in the driveway; two batteries replaced in two years.vehicle was parked in driveway in all instances. Working on getting proof for last year.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #28

Sep 282019

Sorento

  • 135,000 miles
Sunroof shattered for no apparent reason while driving down the highway.

- Raymore, MO, USA

problem #27

Sep 032019

Sorento

  • miles
Received extended warranty information regarding my airbag light brought this in to have the clock assembly spring reviewed and it was replaced but then was told I had to pay $2000 to have the passenger seat change to have the sensor go off.

- Saint Paul, MN, USA

problem #26

Jul 152016

Sorento

  • miles
I bought my car new off the lot back in 2013, the stereo stopped working in 2016. I had all the fuses checked and they're all good, speakers are fine. They said the whole stereo needs to replaced and quoted me over $500 to replace it. Only three years into owning my new car. It was working perfectly then all of a sudden it just stopped. The light come on and the controls work but they said it's not connecting to the car.

- Mashantucket, CT, USA

problem #25

Jun 162019

Sorento

  • miles
ABS, tracksion control and hill crest lights want turn off...

- Decatur, GA, USA

problem #24

Jun 212019

Sorento

  • 96,000 miles
Driving down the road and all of a sudden our Kia started making a knocking sound in the engine. We slowed down and started to pull over when we hear pieces of our car breaking off and saw a huge cloud of white smoke. When we pulled over and got out of the car, the whole underneath of the engine was on fire. The engine was seizing and caused the bearing to punch a hole into the engine. The parts we hear flying off were actually pieces of the engine exterior, which caused sparks and ignited the fire when the engine oil started pouring out. This happened without warning and we have kept up on maintenance. Less than 100K miles. VIN is not part of engine recall, however it is clear upon little research that Kia knows about this problem, they don't care, and they are doing little to fix it. It's obviously a huge safety issue, these are people's lives we're putting at stake and these cars need off the road. They are not safe. Please help the public do something about this.

- El Mirage, AZ, USA

problem #23

Apr 142014

Sorento

  • miles
No notification of the following recall: Manufacturer recall numbersc124 NHTSA recall number15V626 recall statusrecall incomplete summary Kia motors America is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured October 19, 2009 to January 31, 2013. In the affected vehicles, if excessive force is applied to the gear shift lever, the brake-shift interlock mechanism may chip or crack allowing the transmission being able to be shifted out of "park" without the brakes being depressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "theft protection."

- Hendersonville, NC, USA

problem #22

Feb 072019

Sorento

  • 111,000 miles
Computer needs to constantly be reset

- Sunrise, FL, USA

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