10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
39,342 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.

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problem #39

May 132024

Sorento

  • miles
Every light is on in the dash compartment. Power steering goes in and out. Brake lights not working even after being replaced. Car stuck in park unable to put into reverse. ABS/ Airbag light showing- ABS Sensor replaced and still not working Recall in 2022. Kia repaired vehicle and now that same issues are occurring Kia refuses to even look at vehicle without payment of $180 to just LOOK!

- Saint Petersburg , FL, USA

problem #38

Sep 112023

Sorento

  • miles
Replaced engine 1/31/23 had open recall per 21v331was not repaired even though they wasn-??t suppose to return vehicle according to recall. They said It would be safe to drive.Said they had no remedy to fix they would call me. Few days car stalls alternator was hanging had to replace. They didn-??t replace properly. With in a month cars brakes were acting weird took in for diagnostic back brakes no remedy. Call Kia still no parts for recall. Sept 11,23 was pulling off expressway during 5 o'clock traffic my brakes locked up I had no control. Towed to Kia they wanted 75. to look at it then 2700. to fix the brakes. And stated I had no brake fluid. Which was just checked. They said recall did not cover the repairs Neither the engine recall nor the brake, hecu, abs, stability control recall. I contacted Kia they told me they would get back to me. As of Oct.31,23 they had not done any repairs or response from Kia. So I traded my car back to Kia so I would have a vehicle for school and work. I-??ve tried to get reimbursement from Kia. For rental car etc. And keep getting the run around. I have towing, rental, and repairs that they are refusing to reimburse me. I drove the recalled vehicle for 9 months and could have been killed myself, my daughter, as well as others. Kia could care less! I traded vehicle 10/31 the recall was cleared on my 2014 Sorento on 11/4 according to Nhtsa.gov 3 days they clear it so they could sell it. I m really disgusted with Kia. I-??m out thousands of dollars for their neglect. They couldn-??t repair the recall for longer than 9 months for me. But as soon as I trade it to them it-??s repaired or they are lying just so they can sell it. Just like when they sold it to me with 2 open recalls without telling me it had them. What do I need to do" Suggestions" I do have more receipts and documents

- Bayside , TX, USA

problem #37

Jul 232023

Sorento

  • miles
On 06/23/2023 i went to team Nissan located at 70 Keller st. took it in while purchasing new tires from tire warehouse told me about repairs that needed done that was still under warranty with team Nissan. when i took it to team Nissan they refused my warranty by telling me my car issuer was not any issue that they repaired back in July of 2022 for the amount of over 2thousand dollars. team Nissan lied to me let me leave their shop knowing the dangers just because they did not want to grant my warranty which where brakes outta tie Rodes and rear light INOP charged me 45 for en inspection to deny my warranty. I still can't drive my car because team Nissan wanted me to repay for pairs that was still covered under their own warranty my vehicle only has 120 thousand miles i was still in my year frame and way less than the miles. i prefer to bring in my documents if not i must downmload at another time cant take pic ith desktop

- Concord, NH, USA

problem #36

Sep 142023

Sorento

  • miles
1. Kia sold me the car with open recalls. And did not disclose this. 2. I-??m still paying on it and they had to replace the motor on 01/31/23 recall. 3. They again sent the car home with an open recall sc212 because they didn-??t have the part to remedy the recall. (Brakes) 4. My brakes went out luckily in the parking lot. 5. Called Kia Customer Service they gave me the run around hung up on me left me on hold 27 minutes first. But I finally spoke to a supervisor and they agreed to have it towed to Mike Shaw Kia were I had purchased the car and who had done all maintenance and recall work. 6. Mile Shaw called me and now wants $75 to even look at my car. I have a11 yr old daughter and myself I have to take to school and work. This is a major recall I refuse to jeopardize my child-??s life in this vehicle but I cannot afford to pay them anything plus the car payment insurance. And now I-??m walking on top of all this.

- Bayside , TX, USA

problem #35

Jul 112023

Sorento

  • miles
We bought the car 6 months ago from a dealership and since then the breaks are bad the engine makes this strange noise it always smells like oil is burning. The seat belts don't stay latch and I hr suspension is all over the place.

- Santa Paula , CA, USA

problem #34

Dec 102022

Sorento

  • miles
I was taking my daughter to school and the car stalled and died I restarted it but it wouldn-??t accelerate and I could hear rattling in my engine so it took me a minute but I got it back to my driveway. The Abs and traction control lights where on and low tire. No check engine lights or oil low. I called my friend Jeff who is a mechanic and he came and checked oil and it was a quart low and he said the motor was shot that the blow by when he took the oil cap off he stated it sounded like a wrisp pin loose in my motor I called Kia and they told me I had to have it towed they don-??t provide that service. Doesn-??t know if I am covered under warranty or not. Even though they-??ve done several recalls on my car for things to do with my engine. And yesterday when I looked my car vin # up it said I had a recall. This morning I was gonna print it out and it was gone. Which I found weird. The only people I spoke to was the mechanic where I bought my car and my mechanic friend about there being a recall on my car. So I can-??t put my vin # in on Kia-??s website it say it doesn-??t recognize it. But it recognizes it here on this site. And I-??m concerned they are trying to get out of fixing it just by the way the mechanic was talking to me. I bought my car there and I-??m still making payments. But their website doesn-??t recognize my vin and it-??s the Kia dealer I bought my vehicle from" Plus I paid $3200 For extended warranty that they state ran out 2 weeks ago. Even though I have two years of payments to go to pay my car off. Isn-??t an extended warranty suppose to begin when the manufactures warranty runs out? Not run concurrently with the manufacturer-??s"

- Bayside , TX, USA

problem #33

Jul 242022

Sorento

  • miles
Multiple electrical issues throughout the car that come and go. The door locks will stop operating when using the key FOB and lock/unlock switch on the driver and passenger doors, the only way to unlock them is manually. Window operating switch at all four doors stops working. The control buttons on the steering wheel are malfunctioning (volume up button decreases volume, volume down button activates voice control). Car stereo will call phone contacts via bluetooth without prompting. Had front and rear brakes replaced in April. There was shaking from the passenger side when brakes were depressed. Had brakes rechecked and it was determined the rotors need to be turned. Had the mechanic complete the repair. Now, in July, the brakes sound as though they need to be replaced (again) and the shaking has gotten worse. Will be taking to another mechanic. I have not had the electrical problems reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or service center yet. Vehicle and components have not been inspected. There have been no warning indications prior to or during electrical problems.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #32

May 062022

Sorento

  • miles
I had 2 HECU repairs done on the vehicle per the recalls. A year after the ABS, Anti Skid and Low tire warning light indicator came on suddenly and there was a "burning odor" noted. I went to the dealership immediately and they were unable to take a look at it for almost 1 week. I took the vehicle to a brake shop and they identified the ABS was on even when the vehicle was turned off. They stated this could cause a fire, but they weren't able to repair as KIA vehicles have require programming when the system is installed/modified. The brake shop strongly encouraged me to remove the fuse for the ABS to decrease the risk of fire, part away from other vehicles and structures--which I agreed to. I made an appointment with the KIA dealer for their next available date...which was 10 days out. At the service desk I explained everything and told them the fuse was not in due to the risk of fire. 1 1/2 hours later they called to tell me the issue was that the fuse was not installed!! I restated what I told them originally...they said they needed the fuse to troubleshoot the issue. They then informed me they did not have any fuses---which seems to be an issue. I called the brake shop and they gave me 2 fuses and I took to the dealer. The dealership evaluated and said the ABS module was defective and since the car was out of warranty, I would need to pay for the repair. I asked about the recall, but was told that KIA would not pay for it. I paid for the part, they ordered it...and the first new ABS was installed and was defective, they ordered a second ABS and it can in defective as well. The 3rd ABS arrived almost 1 week later and fortunately this was good. Since most of our travel is on I-95 or turnpike the ABS could have locked up and caused the vehicle to stop instantly as I have been told. This could have causes a severe accident. Given that 2 new ABS Modules were delivered...this indicates that KIA has a further issue with their brake systems.

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #31

May 252022

Sorento

  • miles
ABS warning light & Traction Control warning light illuminated. Next time vehicle was used, it was found that the ABS hydraulic pump was running continuously and would not turn off even after key was removed from ignition. Pump motor was warm & due to fear of overheating & possibly starting a fire, power was disconnected. After power was restored, ABS pump motor turned on again & would not turn off. Due to unsafe feeling of possible accident, vehicle is being park until repair parts can be obtained & replaced.

- Gretna, LA, USA

problem #30

Feb 152022

Sorento

  • miles
On 2/15/22, I accelerated to pass another car while driving home from work. As soon as I accelerated, my car stopped running. I coasted to the next turnoff from a busy street (about 1 block) and stopped at the curb in a residential area. The control panel/dashboard was completely dark, then suddenly lit up again. I tried to start the car but couldn't because I was unable to depress the brake. I waited a few minutes and tried again and a small amount of smoke came out from under the hood. In a minute that went away. At this time, I was very near my house and walked home. When I got there I called the Kia dealership (local) and described what happened. They asked if there had been a 'check engine' or other warning message before this happened and I told them there had not been. I said I guess I would have to have the car towed in to them to see what was wrong. I was told they would call back. While waiting for someone to call back, I walked back to my car. (All of this took less than 10 - 12 minutes.) As I turned the corner I saw police cars and a firetruck where my car was parked. The fire had been put out and there was only a shell of the car left; the entire motor and everything inside was destroyed. Later, my insurance company declared it a total loss. A neighbor saw flames and had called the fire department. There was some damage to the neighbor's yard - grass and shrubbery. The police called a wrecking service to tow the car. It was later picked up by my insurance co. No one was injured, thankfully; but I can only imagine what would have happened if I had made it home and parked in my garage. The local Kia dealership never called back. I called a week or so after this happened and was told they would have someone call me and no one called (again).

- Lubbock, TX, USA

problem #29

Aug 302021

Sorento

  • miles
I received notice mid August 2021 about recall and warranty repairs that needed to be made to my car. Brought it to the dealer on 8/30/21. On 8/31/21 I was given the car back and told, yes, it needed the repairs but I needed to wait for parts and they'd be in touch. I have heard nothing from KIA, despite complaining to them several times.

- Taunton , MA, USA

problem #28

Jul 152020

Sorento

  • 126,000 miles
The contact's fiancé owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated the vehicle engine had been misfiring and the brake fluid had been leaking onto the fuse block. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where they had replaced the spark plugs however, the failure continued. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with the fuse box and power relay control was needing to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not provide any assistance as a case was opened. The vehicle was not repaired due to the fact that the contact would be responsible for the repair cost. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.

- Hamilton, MT, USA

problem #27

May 212021

Sorento

  • miles
Approx. 38000 miles on vehicle. Approx. 25 miles ago the ABS and the -??anti skid-?? lights came up on the dashboard. Approx. 15 miles ago the TPMS light came on, flashed then steady. (Checked tires at a repair shop, no low tire pressure). I checked my owners manual, not an -??urgent-?? or -??immediate-?? situation, but contact the dealer. Through NHTSA website saw a recall and TSBs for these issues. Kia dealership saying recall isn-??t for my vehicle, and the TSBs are not covered under my extended warranty. If these issues are a safety issue, should they not be covered? I just want to document these issues, the Kia dealership (Gettel in Bradenton, Fl) and KIA customer service, if something happens, damages my vehicle or causes, creates an incident I want a record to exist. Am I in danger, are other motorists?

- Bradenton , FL, USA

problem #26

Mar 012021

Sorento

  • 116,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the anti-lock brakes warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who replaced an unknown part however, the failure reoccurred. The contact referenced an unknown recall related to the ABS system. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The approximate failure mileage 116,000.

- Marietta, OH, USA

problem #25

Dec 152020

Sorento

  • 120,000 miles
ABS light was going on and off, now is constantly on. Then traction control light going on and off now is constantly on. Now my brake light is on. When I start the car the tire light flashes on and off which causes my speedometer to go up and down. Headlights stopped working completely after several bulb replacements.

- Little Torch Key, FL, USA

problem #24

Oct 152020

Sorento

  • miles
I rcv'd a letter from Kia re the hydraulic elec cntrol unit that it may leak fluid and result in a fire. Ltr dtd Oct 15, '20; rcv'd @ mid Nov. Have tried telephonic contact w/local dealer many times and get nowhere- no return calls, no commo whatsoever. Ltr states Kia has advised dealers to inspect, but no interest from viva Kia, el paso.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #23

Oct 302020

Sorento

  • 59,000 miles
The hydraulic control unit (hecu) assembly controls the anti-lock braking system(ABS) electronic stability control system (ESC) and traction control system (tcs) in your vecicle. Brake fluid may leak intrnally inside the hecu, which, overtime, can result in an eletrical short.an electrical short in the hecu increases the risk of an engine compartment fire. Kia says they inspected the unit indicated"no electrical draw at this time". I would prefer the unit be replaced with a new one.

- Austell, GA, USA

problem #22

Nov 162020

Sorento

  • 142,750 miles
This car has had numerous recalls including a major one in which they had to replace the engine (they did it on this car). Now I have the ABS, ESC and tire pressure lights on (with tire pressure at the correct readings) which I believe is related to the latest ABS recall they had. Unfortunately, my car was manufactured on March 2013, their latest ABS recall (which may start a fire) only includes this model and year starting June 2013. I believe, my car should also qualify for this recall. Thank you

- Kannapolis, NC, USA

problem #21

Oct 162020

Sorento 6-cyl

  • 53,457 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle traction control light, and the antilock brake light illuminated, on the instrumental panel when driving and caused the contact to be unable to bring the vehicle to stop in a timely manner. The contact had to engage brake with force to stop the vehicle. The contact also stated that the traction control system, failure was causing the tires not respond immediately. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number 20V519000 (hydraulic electronic control unit may short). The vehicle was taken to fuccillo Kia of cape coral Florida 404 North East pine island road cape coral Florida 33903 phone 239-242-7000, for the recall repair and the dealer advised the contact that the traction control system, and antilock brake system, will also need to be replaced. The contact stated that the recalled needed to also include the traction control system failure, and the antilock brake system failure. The contact also wanted to state that the vehicle cruise control was not operating as normal. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 53,467.

- North Forth Mayers, FL, USA

problem #20

Nov 132019

Sorento

  • miles
Car brake lights stayed on and wouldn't turn off. It drained my battery. Took car to Kia dealership several times but couldn't find the problem. Dealership replaced brake light switch and sensor and still my brake lights remained on. While driving and in park. Dealership said they called Kia corporate coding and that the hecu needs to be replaced.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

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