10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 25
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
57,799 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #91

Dec 122018

Sorento

  • 60,000 miles
I filed below complaint number 11229677 and have heard nothing. So trying again. Last fall I received a letter and had a ksds sensor installed to detect and prevent engine failure. In Mar the ksds kicked in and the car was difficult to drive. Luckily my wife was only 2 miles from home. If this were to happen on the highway seems like a major hazard. Having the engine seize with the real issue is probably worse. We took the vehicle in immediately to the dealer, who gave us a loaner, then called us back the next day to say the vehicle was covered for the extended warranty and the engine would need replaced. Several weeks later we checked on when the veh would be fixed, we were told they were done with our vehicle. They did something to the wire harness and a test on the engine to say the vehicle was ok. I would like an explanation on the situation and why it is safe to drive the vehicle. 1.why did the ksds kick in and why is my vehicle ok now? 2.did they do something (disable) to prevent the ksds from kicking in again" 3.did they enhance it to better detect a more serious problem? what exactly did they do with the wire harness/ksds? 4.can you explain the engine test done that verifies my engine is ok, and for how long does this apply? 5.how quickly can the real issue happen? 6.will my car still be covered by the lifetime warranty? 7.is it safe to drive on the highway"

- Chantilly, VA, USA

problem #90

Aug 012019

Sorento

  • 151,000 miles
On 8/1/19 while driving on a road in stamford ct, the car turned completely off. I had to slam on the brakes and attempt to stop the car. Once the car stopped, I put it in park and turned the key to the off position. I waited for 3-4 mins and then turned the car back on and it started without an issue. This was the second time that this has happened this year, the other time was about 2 weeks prior in monroe NY. In Sept 2018, the car engine was completely replaced because the engine had failed. The car turning off while driving was the first indication - it happened multiple times prior to Sept 2018, and since the dealer was unable to replicate, they deemed that nothing was wrong. In August 2018, the car turned off again while driving on the highway and did not turn on again. It had to be towed from madison, ct to stamford ct where it was determined that the engine failed. I had to wait almost a month for a new engine and now we are experiencing the same issues. With the exception of 8/1/19, every single time the car has turned off, I have been driving with my young children in the car - they are now 5 and 8. this is incredibly frightening to be on a highway and the car turn off. In 2018, I would only drive in the far right lane near the shoulder in the event that this situation would happen again. I will begin driving once again in the right lane only because I do not wish to be in an accident because of this car's continued faulty engine issues.

- Stamford, CT, USA

problem #89

Jul 152019

Sorento

  • 130,000 miles
In motion while passing another vehicle my 2014 Kia Sorento lost acceleration. When I got back in the lane on a two lane road, with my foot on the gas the car continued to decline in speed. I was not able to accelerate to continue to pass the car at which point an oncoming car was approaching, I had to coast the car to get back into my lane and eventually off the road, very scary ordeal, with the loss of power I was not sure if I was going to be able to get out of the way of the oncoming car. Once I was able to get to a safe location off the road, the car cut off. I attempted to restart the car once, nothing, twice the car started then quickly died after another moment I again tried to start the car, it started and remained started. I was able to slowly drive under 40 to an open location, at this time a knocking sound came from the engine. I did not take the chance on driving it any longer as I did not know what was going to happen. I had to call the freeway assist to tow me off the freeway road where I sat in an open unmanned field to wait for another tow truck. The whole ordeal was very scary as I am a female and alone during this incident.

- Stockton, CA, USA

problem #88

Jun 052019

Sorento

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. While driving 70 mph up a hill, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal to the floorboard; however, the vehicle started to decelerate to 40 mph or less. Also, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the bearing rod inside the engine failed and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and was towed to jim shorkey Kia (located at 12900 us-30, irwin, pa 15642, (724) 241-0176) where it was diagnosed that the bearing rod inside the engine failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: 13201482. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

- Jeannette, PA, USA

problem #87

May 012019

Sorento

  • 125,000 miles
On several occasion's the engine would just cut out altogether while driving. A couple of times I have even smelled fuel.

- Seville, OH, USA

problem #86

Mar 222019

Sorento

  • 58,900 miles
Last fall 2018 I received a letter and had a ksds sensor installed 28 Dec to detect and prevent engine failure. 22 Mar 2019 the ksds kicked in and the car was difficult to drive. It completely stalls then lets you accelerate a little and drive really slow. If you accelerate too much it again stalls for a few seconds. Luckily my wife was only 2 miles from home traveling ~40 on a side road (not highway). If this were to happen on the highway seems like a major hazard. Having the engine seize with the real issue is probably worse. We took the vehicle in immediately to the dealer, who gave us a loaner, then called us back the next day to say the vehicle was covered for the extended warranty and the engine would need replaced. Couple weeks later we checked on and we were told they were done with our vehicle. They did something to the wire harness and a test on the engine to say the vehicle was ok. I asked the dealer and Kia ca for the following explanation: 1.why did the ksds kick in and why is my vehicle ok now? 2.did they do something (disable) to prevent the ksds from kicking in again" 3.did they enhance it to better detect a more serious problem? what exactly did they do with the wire harness/ksds? 4.how quickly can the real issue happen? 5.will my car still be covered by the lifetime warranty? 6.is it safe to drive on the highway? got a run around and no answer. After several weeks I took the vehicle back. I won't drive on the highway, especially the wife, kids, grandkids. I found the tsb 1802W/X and 1803W/X and it indicates interference on the w/H and was replaced. So did my ksds kick in because of interference and not the real problem? regardless is it safe to drive on the highway with this ksds" whatever help you can provide would be appreciated, thanks.

- Chantilly, VA, USA

problem #85

Jun 092019

Sorento

  • miles
After getting an oil change in March my check engine light went on in early June. The dealership is stating that the engine will seize and there was no oil. My car did not burn or leak oil. The dealer is stating it's an open recall but Kia is denying.

- West Seneca, NY, USA

problem #84

Jun 012019

Sorento

  • 70,000 miles
Driving on the highway my car lost power at 11pm on a Saturday nite. It would only go aporox 40mph w the the gas petal to the floor. No check lights came on until aporox a few min from home. Only the check engine light. No overheating no smoke. I took it to my mechanic who determined it was the same issue the 2.4 engine that was recalled. I have the 3.3. also the Kia mechanic said the same. Only 70000 miles on the car. Kia at this point is refusing to acknowledge this is a manufacturing issue. They have had my car for 3 weeks and as of yesterday still no answer. I even left a voice mail for sean yoon the CEO. I tried to call mr yoon yesterday but got redirected to thir consumer dept. They said it takes 2-3 days to determine a decision. So im paying for a car and a rental when they already know what the issue is. One consumer dept employee I spoke w said she hasnt had very many complaints about the 3.3. well that right there is a red flag! I just want them to do the right thing. They also tried to tell me that because im the second owner and I was past the 60000 mi service warrenty I had no coverage and the 100000 was only for first owner. Its a manufacturers defect not anything we did. We have been loyal Kia customers for over 10 years. I feel like because we didnt buy another new Kia we are being punished. This cars defect could of seriously injured a lot of people if this would of happened during a busy time of day. I know they are busy taking care of other complaints but to wait 3 weeks is a bit unnerving.

- Jeannette, PA, USA

problem #83

Mar 152019

Sorento

  • miles
While driving home from baltimore, all of the warning lights on my car turned on and the car started decelerating. I pulled over to the side of the highway to park the car and it would not move at all after that. I charged my phone and the car battery died as I waited for a tow truck. I got it towed to my mechanic who said it was the engine and would be covered under the recall Kia currently has. I got it towed again to Kia on the boulevard on March 20th. They lied to me and said they were working on my car only to find out March 29th they never looked at my car and had lost my key. I had to wait for them to order a new key and then send pictures to get the warranty approved. They advised me they would not give me a loaner or help with a rental but I could be reimbursed after all repairs are made. I received a voicemail April 1st saying my car was done when the warranty was not approved yet. They have repeatedly told me different lies and advised they rushed the order of my engine and it would be there by May 10th. A new engine has still not arrived for me, I called the number they gave me for Kia's "corporate office" and was advised a rush was not placed until May 15th and they still do not know when the engine will be delivered. I am in the process of buying a house and I fear I'll be spending thousands of dollars in rentals without reimbursement for who knows how long. I've already spent over $500 as a result of this. I have tried to be patient but the blatant lies and irresponsibility is baffling.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #82

Feb 152019

Sorento

  • 102,000 miles
The engine blew after a few days when warrenty expired after a dealer sent the car home saying unless we could prove or show a maintenance history of the car they would not do warrenty work. The car was bought used so we could not provide a long repair or maintenace record of the car. However we bought a extenended warranty that was not entered correctly in the system and the car was still sent cleared as being ok to drive even though the engine blew within a few days of dealer service in offallon il.every sorrento other than this year has been recalled for engine problems so why not ours.

- Smithton, IL, USA

problem #81

Mar 112019

Sorento

  • 46,060 miles
Lack of acceleration from a stop. When starting from a stop, the vehicle will very slowly move forward with the RPM stalling at approximately 1500 RPM and further depressing of the gas pedal fails to allow it to accelerate further. Wife had issue with trying to get on the freeway when this occurred, it was a safety issue, she was trying accelerate on the on ramp, almost hit from behind. She managed to get to the shoulder and get to the side road. After getting to destination and stopping for awhile, the car started and operated normally to get home. Back to Kia, after test drive they were able to duplicate once. There were no warning lights or failure codes. They kept car for six weeks trying to see issue again. We now have a flight recorder installed for a week recording any issues. If we see issue, we have to activate recorder by pushing a button, taking attention off of road. Wife will not drive car unless just around the block.

- Ewa Beach, HI, USA

problem #80

May 012019

Sorento

  • 68,500 miles
Engine dies when driving. Rpms are at 0 when my speed will be 60 mph. I have to pull over, turn my car off then turn it back on to start the engine again. This happens 7-14 times a week. It happens in the city, country roads, going fast or slow. I am going to get in a wreck if this is not fixed.

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #79

Mar 012018

Sorento

  • 151,000 miles
Takata recall I purchased my Kia index 2014. Immediately the paint started bubbling and then peeling around the windshield and hood. We called Kia and they said this is not covered. Also we get recalls about the engine. I never had a problem until I took it in. The first recall I got they drained the oil and took oil pan off my car. The second one not sure what they did to it but it was about. The engine. Now I have to put oil in my vehicle about once a week. The door locks don't work the keyless entry will let you in but you have to lock all your doors by walking around the vehicle. The headlights keeps, blowing. I have probably put 10 headlights in my car over the past year. Now my ABS traction control and low light for tires is on and will not go offf it amazes me that there are no open recall on thus vehicle I am sure it will not last me until I pay it off. This is the worst vehicle I have ever owned

- Fort Valley, GA, USA

problem #78

Mar 082019

Sorento

  • miles
I brought the car into dealership service department for an issue with the heat. The heat was not warming the car consistently during the winter months, and by the end was not working at all, also had experienced overheating approximately three times within the weeks before I brought it in. I was told by the service department that I needed a new engine.

- Bryn Mawr, PA, USA

problem #77

Apr 092019

Sorento

  • 65,000 miles
Takata recall my 2014 Kia Sorento SUV AWD engine it ried to stalled in the middle of the highway on me as I was driving on the highway at 65 mph at the exit it stopped at the light. Even though I took my Kia in the dealership to have a software updated (ksda) in the begining of this year 2019. I was all most in a car crash from this. Becasue cars on the highway were coming my way to get off I was so scared. I called Kia dealership. I was told that my truck was not on the recall list. I knew it was becasue my truck had all the symptoms. I was told to drive it to the dealership even through I express my concern that it was something wrong with the engine I was still told to drive the truck in. The person on the phone did not even care I could have been in a really bad accident as cars were drving 65mph. So I asked my husband to take it in. He did. Kia said that they will look at it and let me know by the end of the day. Day 1 no one called day 2 I called kiaa tech said someone will call me mid afternoon. After day 2 no one called mid afternoon of day 2 so on day 3 I had to call to see what was going on then I was told Kia would replace my engine with a brand new engine not a refurbuised engine. But I dont think that will fix the problem.. I saw these recalles months before this happened for other SUV's like mine. I looked everyday on the website starting in Jan 2019 with my VIN # nothing I am concern becasue after reserach I noticed that even though Kia fixes the problems of the engine it stalked again on other customers. I am so scared to get back in that truck. I also had an appiontment schedule to fix the door locks due to recall not unlocking or locking on the recall webiste before all this engine stuff. I mention this to the Kia tech which he said do not worry we will fixed that too..

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #76

Apr 132019

Sorento

  • 130,000 miles
My engine stopped in the middle of traffic at a stop light

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #75

Nov 292018

Sorento

  • 92,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the engine stalled while making a left turn. When the contact depressed the accelerator pedal, the vehicle jerked and then operated normally. The vehicle was driven to the contact's home. The vehicle was taken to Kia country of savannah (1 park of commerce blvd, savannah, ga 31405, (912) 629-4906) for an unknown recall repair concerning the engine not cycling the oil through properly. The vehicle stalled again and lost power while attempting a turn again. The manufacturer stated that there were no recalls and advised the contact to take the vehicle back to a dealer. The failure mileage was 92,000.

- Rincon, GA, USA

problem #74

Feb 222019

Sorento

  • miles
We were driving on the highway when we noticed the temperature gauge going up. We stopped at a shop and got it looked at and they replaced the thermostat and flushed the radiator. On the highway on the way home we noticed the temperature gauge going back up and pulled over. We had it towed home. We again made the repairs and then took it to the Kia dealership for them to look it over and have any necessary repairs done and paid by the warranty we have on the sorrento. The dealership hooked up the vehicle to check the free stream data fault codes but non were present. Our sorrento got hot enough to warp the engine heads and require a new engine but never once did it trip a code/warning light on the dash. If it hadn't been for us noticing the temperature gauge going up we would have had no warning that our car was overheated to the point the radiator boiled over and warped the engine heads. Why wasn't any warning light such as check engine light or anything signaled to come on?

- Camden, AR, USA

problem #73

Feb 132019

Sorento

  • 102,000 miles
Engine started knocking while driving it. I had it towed to the dealership where they said the bearing in the engine were shot. All other makes and models are under recall for this exact smae reason. I've noted others from the internet are having the same issues as mentioned above in the 3.3 L. engine

- New Athens, IL, USA

problem #72

Oct 272018

Sorento

  • 84,000 miles
The end of October 2018 my 2014 Kia Sorento motor blew up. We heard the knocking on a weekend, Kia said to bring it in and it stalled halfway there. Had to call my insurance because Kia would not pay for towing. My Kia had been checked the year before for the engine recall, of course it passed. It took 2 months to get my car back, they did provide a rental. A month later (Jan. 2019) I smelled gasoline very strong in my car. Had my husband test drive it to make sure that is what it was because I had just put in a full tank of gas. Sure enough I called warner Kia of parkersburg again, once again refused towing even though I already knew about the issue with the fuel lines from the engine replacement. I had to call Kia Consumer Affairs to get this car towed to warner Kia. Turns out they forgot to replace a bracket during the engine replacement, not very smart in my opinion for so called certified mechanics. I got it back again Feb. 2019. Now it is March 2019, my transmission appears to be slipping, hesitating to pick up speed. I almost got hit by a semi trying to get onto the interstate because car would not go fast enough. My uncle tried to see if he could check my transmission fluid and of course it is encased, but while doing this he noticed the engine coolant was very low. The level is below L. my engine was just replaced not too long ago and it was in the shop again for more work just last month. I am beyond frustrated. I have made concerns with Kia Consumer Affairs and have not gotten anywhere. I will owe on this car for another 2 years and it looks like it won't last. Also upside down on loan. Now I am scared that my car will catch on fire or cause an accident with my children in my car all because Kia can not make better vehicles or at least try to reimburse their customers to keep them happy. I want a new car, and I want Kia to pay for it and others vehicles.

- St Marys, WV, USA

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