10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 5 / 9
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 37,499 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.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Air bag light on, headlights will turn off when in auto mode when I use left turn signal steering wheel controls not working or work improperly ie volume control will change radio station or advance track on media back up camera will black out while still in reverse
- Orlando, FL, USA
My front headlights keep going out. I've owned this vehicle for 3 years. It was purchased new. This is the 3rd time I've had this problem with this vehicle. I always drive with my headlights on, regardless if it's daytime or night. Sometimes the lights will function properly and other times the headlight(s) won't. I'd on occasion pop open the hood and using a closed fist, hit the top of the assembly and the light would go on.......now it will not go on no matter what I do. Like I mentioned earlier, this is the 3rd time this has happened. The first 2 times I had the dealership that I purchased the vehicle at repair the problem at my cost. Now I read blog pages that this is a common problem for several Kia models but no safety recall has ever been issued. How can having no working headlights not be a safety issue. ??
- Danvers, MA, USA
Passenger door locks do not unlock. They do not unlock with key fob, they also do not unlock using the unlock button on the drivers door. Even pulling the handle to open from the inside does not work, they have to each be individually manually unlocked, which mean I have to crawle in through the drivers door across to unlock front passenger door and then into the back to unlock those doors to let my 3 kids in. If we were in an accident it would take an extraordinary amount of time to safely free them. This is all the time when car is in park, when it's off and when it's running. This problem was progressive, at first just occasionally would not work, over time it has happened more and more frequently and now its always like this, for at least 6 months locks have not worked at all. I have taken it into Kia and was told they could not do anything without charging me $150-$300 just to see if they locks really aren't working, I will not pay to prove this to them, and they refuse to even watch me do it unless I pay them. Burglar alarm also stopped working when this first started.
- Manchester, NH, USA
There appears to be an electrical issue that Kia won't own up to. The battery is constantly dying after being checked and is good. Lights constantly go out I have replaced break lights headlights and taillights several times in last year. The airbag passenger side airbag does not go off. The steering panel does not control all functions. I am concerned this will lead to further difficulties with this vehicle.
- Independence, MO, USA
The doors will not unlock when I press the key fob, I've tried both key fobs and they have new batteries. Only the drivers door is unlocking all times.
- Burlington, KS, USA
In the past 3-4 months I have replaced my battery twice the 1st time I had my truck about 2.5yrs so I didn't think much of it but I had the same problem after replacing battery within 3-4 months battery would die I would get a boost after a few days same thing happen again. Electrical system seems out of wack when I use left turn signal my headlights will go off until I turn the turn signal off, also my steering wheel controls will not operate the right feature ie I would hit mute but it will not mute but act as if it is the volume down control air bag light for passenger would come on even if no one was in the seat
- Orlando, FL, USA
I purchased a 2014 Kia Sorento LX brand new from the dealer. I have maintained all necessary work and mostly done at authorized dealers. In May 2017 while driving home my instrument panel went out. Unable to see speed, safety warning lights, gas etc... I took it to two different Kia service locations to trace problem. They found a wire shorted to ground on the trailer hitch wiring which came with vehicle. They cut the wires to trailer harness and this issue also damaged my remote starter. They replaced the blown fuse with a larger fuse and said it was all set. However it happened again on 09/29/17. This time when I parked my car and tried to start again, it wouldn't come out of park so I had it towed to dealer. It is out of warranty now but they are not willing to fix this issue which is over $3,000 to fix. There is a few feet of burned and melted wiring that I have pictures of, unsure of exact wiring, but it connected to the wiring trailer hitch harness. It was apparently close to catching on fire. Since I owned the vehicle other odd electrical issues have happened, including blown headlights and brake lights on about 8 occasions. I only found one recall relating to the trailer hitch wiring harness #16V862000 however it does not include my year vehicle. In my opinion, this is a very unsafe condition and safety concern that Kia needs to research further for possible other recalls.
- New Boston, NH, USA
When you put the key in the ignition to start the car, it has power but will not start you have to keep on turning the switc until it ingages or put you foot on the brake while the ignition switch is on and take it out of park and put it in gear then put it back in park and it will crank.this is always when you first crank it.it is always sitting still.
- Columbus, GA, USA
Vehicle frequently will not start and a message pops up saying: " battery discharge warning" "please use the system when the ignition is on". it takes anywhere between 10-20 minutes before the car finally starts. Kia said they didn't know what it was, but it has happened again today.
- Selden, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the engine seized while driving 80 mph. The vehicle was towed to a dealer (the Kia store, 5325 preston hwy, louisville, ky 40213, (888) 214-1809) where it was diagnosed that the engine assembly needed to be replaced. The contact was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no solution other than the dealer replacing the part. In addition, the dealer replaced the ignition switch per an unknown recall. The contact had two keys and the dealer later provided one key, stating that the contact would need to pay for the second key. The failure mileage was not available.
- Louisville, KY, USA
Airbag safety indicator light remains on with passenger sitting on the seat: At 80,000 miles I started having problems with my passenger airbag safety indicator light. When the seat is occupied, the warning airbag light, comes on and remains on. I contacted Kia and was told it was no longer under warranty. This happened at first for a long period of time, and now it appears to be happening intermittently. Short in the electrical system. Since 60,000 miles I have had a short in the elecrical system of my vehicle. I have taken it to 2 different places to have it investigated and neither mechanic could trace the cause of the short. I have had blown fuses, non-working headlamps, front and back. No one could find the short. I keep spare fuses with me at all times now, and 100% of the time, the right rear brake light is not operational. I contacted Kia car pros in carson, California and they told me that any warranty coverage had expired at 60,000 miles. Defective auto locks my right rear passenger door will no longer open and will no longer permit ingress or egress into the back seat. The key fob will turn the locks to the open position but you still cannot open the door under any circumstances. Periodically, the door locks will go crazy and make up and down movements while the car is being driven. Occasionally, the right front passenger door will lock and not open, but then it opens. Now the right rear passenger door is permanently stuck in the locked position. Kia car pros always finds some excuse for not repairing the door under warranty. I believe it is defective and they should bear the expenses.
- Torrance, CA, USA
I received a recall letter #17V224 on my Kia. I recently took it back to the Kia dealship I leased it from and service department ran a test on it and changed the oil which was changed in April. I was advise I need to buy a cabin air filter of $60. Which I can't afford because I'm on short term on my job.I have complain about rattle noise from the engine and sounds from the bearing or axle. I lately been having problems with air blowing and only one aux plug work. I always having to get tires fix and aired up. My sister was killed last year in a SUV that had a recall on it same as my Kia does and this kindy have me nervous of driving my Kia but this is my only transportation. I asking for any help to resolve this I make my payments and need a reliable ride for me and my kids and mother.
- Clarendon, AR, USA
My 2014 Kia Sorento airbag warning light came on without being involved in any sort of accident. After that the controls on the steering wheel also started malfunctioning. This seems to be a common complaint of Kia owners.
- Etowah, NC, USA
I was driving on the highway and when I came to a point where I slowed all the way down my engine froze. Luckily it restarted but as soon as it did there was this terrible sound like a big rock was flying around in my engine. Also no check engine lights came on so there was no warning. Also the A/C stopped working about 1 yr ago. I had freon put in and it stop working about 6 months ago.
- North Richland Hills, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. On several occasions, the key fob failed to properly operate the hatch and would open or close independently without warning. On one occasion, the contact had to manually open the hatch and the hatch independently closed. The contact sustained a head injury due to the failure. Medical attention was not required. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered to have the vehicle repaired. The failure mileage was 22,000.
- Manassas, VA, USA
Unable to quickly read speedometer needle during daylight, due to lack of contrast between needle and background, resulting in dangerous period of eyes off roadway to determine one's speed.
- San Tan Valley, AZ, USA
The vehicle was in motion. Random blind spot blinking or sound when making a right turn. Repeated visits to stevenson Kia. Showed video of problem. Technician observed problem case #T3038955. Dealer says they can, T do anything to solve problem. Safety hazard when monitor sounds or blinks when there is no obstruction
- Southport, NC, USA
I was driving 70 mph down highway when car shutdown and sterling locked, unable to control vehicle. Come to find out next few days it was the accelator that caused it. I had no control and almost got killed by a 18 wheeler driving in next lane.
- Scio, OR, USA
November 6 2015 at approximately 5:15 pm my wife had an accident in our car tour of the front end took it to the repair shop in the body shop after 4 weeks we got the car back after one day the car cut off and would not start again took it back to the dealer he said it was the fuel pump that wasn't covered by the insurance but I don't understand the card never cut off before the accident so why did he cut off after the repair
- Sunrise, FL, USA
- Santa Rosa Beach, FL, USA