10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 26
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
56,086 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #114

Dec 122019

Sorento

  • 85,000 miles
Motor locked up with 85000 miles. Entering interstate on a on ramp at 55 miles per hour and car just shut off and mechanic said motor is locked up. There was metal in the oil.

- Waynesburg, OH, USA

problem #113

Nov 012019

Sorento

  • 106,000 miles
Purchased a used 2014 Kia Sorento showing 106K miles. Test drive with the salesman for about 6 miles various types of roads. Very impressed with the car, performed well. Purchased it Saturday afternoon just prior to the used car dealer closing. After paperwork and plates done, drove it toward home. About 4 miles from dealer (interstate highway) saw the temperature guage climbing into the hot area. No other errors or lights came on. Let off on gas to pull over and temp guage came down to normal. Continued with caution thinking this was a faulty guage or sender unit. Limped home slowly. Noticed going up hills and pulling hard temp would climb. Letting off gas temp would drop to normal. Long story short got the car to a very reputable and experienced garage. Engine couldn't be repaired economically. Dealer did offer money back. As much as I didn't want to, wound up having to install another used low milage V6 engine. During the month in the garage I had done much research & digging & talking often with the very experienced mechanic in charge of the job. Coolant was low and all but two of the head bolts were more than finger tight !! how this engine was running was beyond me, it was! during all this research I read of many head gasket problems and leaks had been reported. The thing that was really concerning was the number of engine fires that had no real cause reported afterwards. My concern is if I had continued driving this car hard, could a leaky head gasket cause a fire under the hood" I learned from the mechanic all these head bolts stripped the threads from the block. I also learned there is another 1.5 inches of unused threads inside the block! my suspicion is Kia skimped on the length of all these head bolts to save a buck putting the reliability and safety at the customers risk. Is my safety at risk? where is my recall for this car engine" 12/09/2019 dd.

- Woodbury, CT, USA

problem #112

Jun 212019

Sorento

  • 135,000 miles
Power ports keep blowing fuses, rear hatch quit opening, engine surging, speedometer bouncing, temperature gauge sometimes bounces, white cloud of exhaust sometimes, A/C don't blow cold even when charged

- Rigby, ID, USA

problem #111

Nov 092019

Sorento

  • 101,000 miles
Purchased vehicle a year ago and already problems with engine. Several months ago while on highway my engine began to seize and I had to coast the vehicle carefully to the side of the road. Thought problem was resolved then again as preparing to turn onto my street through an intersection the engine seized again. When this happens I cannot accelerate. This was very scary as I had my 2 young girls in the car with me the second time this happened. I quickly put the car in park, turned off ignition and turned back on after a few seconds. The car started up right away but then a loud clicking/rattling sound began and has not stopped making sound since. At this point I believe it is a problem with the engine which I have been reading is a common problem with Kia.

- Brandon, FL, USA

problem #110

Nov 062019

Sorento

  • 85,000 miles
Malfunction indicator light has ignited 3 times, blinking continously, placing my vehicle into limp home mode. Kia refuses to replace the knock sensor or engine.

- Cordova, TN, USA

problem #109

Oct 042019

Sorento

  • 1,001,049 miles
My wife and I were on the 91 freeway in light traffic and came to the end of the freeway which becomes artesia blvd in gardena, ca. We were sitting at the light at the end of the freeway and we heard this really loud knocking noise so I shut the engine off. I restarted the engine and it was ok for several minutes then all of a sudden we heard this really loud noise like the engine was being opened with a can opener and this was while in motion on surface streets going about 45 miles an hour. (that's what we thought to best describe the noise). When you press the accelerator it becomes much worse and the car shakes so we parked it and towed home due to the time. I have yet to have it towed to the dealer due to it being late and the weekend. But a friend of mine who's a mechanic said it's definitely the engine and he's leaning towards the barrings and pistons somewhere along those lines. I have kept regular maintenance on it since we got it like changing of fluids, oil things like that since we purchased it on 04/17/2019. We have had other minor things like the locks on the driver side door you have to do manually and the rear hatch doesn't lock and you can open it even with the alarm on, suspension system is a little loose and probably has issues also. Transmission is slipping also. There's all of the same year same model same engine that are on the recall list but from what we're gathering ours isn't. I am not quite understanding this because we're positive this is the same issue as the other ones recalled.

- Lomita, CA, USA

problem #108

Oct 292019

Sorento

  • miles
Loud knockin/ticking noise when the vehicle is on. Backup camera malfunction, loose grip on the steering & at times, wheel does not turn on its own after turning. Oil is dirty & smells like gasoline. Purchased vehicle on 10/28 with about 70K miles. Here at the dealership to address these issues.

- Chelmsford, MA, USA

problem #107

Oct 162019

Sorento

  • 108,000 miles
10/16/2019 I was driving at highway speed when I heard a loud thunk or bang. My car lost power and I pulled to a stop on the side of the highway. As I was stopping the engine and oil lights flashed on. There was smoke coming from under the hood and within 5 minutes, the smoke had increased and flames were coming from under the hood. I was able to escape before the entire car was engulfed in flames. The fire department extinguished the fire and the car was towed to salvage where insurance called it a total loss

- Lawrence, KS, USA

problem #106

Oct 202019

Sorento 4-cyl

  • miles
The car was running perfectly fine never had an issue with it. It randomly started knocking/ making a loud noise from the engine and shut off as I was D with my two kids. When I tried to start it back up it continually shut off, it would not stay running. It was running at normal temperature when I pulled over and turned the car off then turned the ignition back on then it showed hot on the temperature gauge. This all started in san bernardino California. I did not understand what the problem was, so I started looking up problems with a Kia Sorento and found this form. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

- Highland, CA, USA

problem #105

Sep 252019

Sorento

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to king Kia (953 N frederick ave, gaithersburg, md 20879, (301) 948-3333) where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, a week later, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed back to king Kia where the engine was replaced again. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Boyds, MD, USA

problem #104

Sep 012019

Sorento

  • 100,999 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. When the vehicle was started, a rattling noise was heard from the engine compartment. While driving 50 mph up a hill and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate and struggled to go up the hill. Once the vehicle was up the hill, a rattling noise occurred. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to nalley Kia (7849 mall pkwy, lithonia, ga 30038, (678) 374-3820) where it was diagnosed that the bearing fell into the engine and a new engine was needed. The vehicle was not repaired and still remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,999.

- Lithonia, GA, USA

problem #103

Oct 022019

Sorento

  • 134,634 miles
My 2014 engine over heated which lead to a blown head gasket. I was on a highway and all of a sudden, the car lost power and excessively overheated.

- Woodstock, GA, USA

problem #102

Oct 032019

Sorento

  • 106,000 miles
Upon initiating and attempting to accelerate from a stopped position when a light turned green all the dash lights went berserk, there was a loud pop, followed by smoke coming from the hood of the car. The car died and was able to be restarted for a single small acceleration to the shoulder. Thick smoke then engulfed then engulfed the hood and continued for 15 mins. Upon being towed, the mechanics confirmed all fluid levels were normal however the engine is fully seized, unable to be cranked by hand. The vehicle was purchased as certified pre-owned. In fact, the dealership owner's neighbor had previously owned the vehicle and it was exceptionally maintained. Under my ownership all regularly scheduled maintenance visits have been made and the oil changed approximately every 5,00 miles. In April 2018 a knocking sound was present and the check engine light came on resulting in the dealership replacing the cvt control valve, valve-oil control, cvvt, gasket outlet and rocker covers, O-ring, bolt flanges, and more. All of which relate to the known (though undisclosed to me) issues with the gdi engines. The vehicle is currently unusable with a seized engine.

- Montara, CA, USA

problem #101

Sep 282019

Sorento

  • 78,888 miles
On Saturday 9/28 - I happen to notice some leaking near the front of my Sorento near the right wheel... I opened the hood and notice a leak all over that side of the car... took the car to mechanic on 9/29 and the mechanic stated oil is mixing into antifreeze... went to 2 mechanics and both directed me to go to dealer as this repair should be covered under warranty since it is a serious and possibly costly defect...

- Briarwood, NY, USA

problem #100

Jul 172019

Sorento

  • 65 miles
Engine leak from under the motor. That was summer time 2019

- Hampton, VA, USA

problem #99

Aug 252019

Sorento

  • 84,000 miles
At the beginning of August 2019, my air conditioner started putting out hot air. I had my oil changed at the Kia dealership on 8/16 and they did the usual safety check and they didn't mention anything (I forgot to mention the air conditioning). On 8/25 I was driving home and it was very hot out and the A/C was still not working. I noticed as I pulled into the driveway at my home, the engine temp gauge was fully on "H" hot. I decided to take it back to the Kia service the next morning. After they reviewied it, they determined I had "catastrophic engine failure" which was why the A/C wasn't working. My model was not specifically recalled at the time. They determined it was covered by the extended warranty and they are putting in a new engine completely. This is still a serious safety concern with Kia engines overall.

- Longmont, CO, USA

problem #98

Sep 032019

Sorento

  • 107,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. While driving, the accelerator pedal traveled to the floorboard, but the vehicle did not accelerate. The contact glided into a parking lot and shut off. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. An independent mechanic tested the vehicle, recharged the battery, and stated that the engine was destroyed after a loud knocking sound was heard when attempting to restart the vehicle. Battleground Kia (2927 battleground ave, greensboro, nc 27408, (336) 295-1542) was contacted and attempted to get the contact to trade in the vehicle and purchase a new one. The contact searched the VIN on the NHTSA website and did not see any recalls. The manufacturer was contacted, provided a case number, and arranged to have the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer confirmed the vehicle was not included a recall and would refer the case back to the manufacturer. The contact called back and was informed that the case was declined with no reason given and the case would be escalated to a higher level. The failure mileage was 107,000.

- Greensboro, NC, USA

problem #97

Aug 312019

Sorento

  • 86,000 miles
Kia engine recall. 2014 Kia Sorento has the 3.3 V6 lambda II engine. Driving car on freeway and suddenly loud knocking noises coming from engine that became louder with acceleration - making car undriveable. Had vehicle towed to dealership, it is currently still there - diagnosis so far is metal shavings in oil pan, engine failure. This is the same issue described in the the Kia recall with the theta II engines. Called Kia and all they said was they would only open a case number. So far they have not included this engine in the recall. Searching online, there are others with the 3.3 lambda II engine experiencing this issue. This engine needs to be included in the recall, it is a severe safety issue.

- East Bethel, MN, USA

problem #96

Aug 262019

Sorento

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. While in traffic, the vehicle decelerated and lost power without warning. The vehicle was taken to victor valley Kia (14644 valley center dr, victorville, ca 92395, (760) 955-0046) where it was diagnosed; however, the contact did not receive the results. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 70,000.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #95

May 102019

Sorento

  • 74,000 miles
When travelling on a highway at speeds of 70-73 mph, after 45 minutes to one hour of driving the car shuts itself off. The car stops completely, the engine shuts itself off, there is no power steering, and no air conditioning and no lights. The radio continues to work, which of course is the least of my concerns. After pulling over to the side of the road and waiting for several minutes the car will start back up again...until it doesn't. the Kia dealership has been unable to determine what the problem is.

- Franklin, TN, USA

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