10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 25
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
56,344 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

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

problem #94

Aug 072019

Sorento

  • 88,200 miles
Catalytic converter needing to be replaced at 88K miles. Lost power/acceleration on highway

- Clarksburg, MD, USA

problem #93

Jul 132019

Sorento

  • 60,000 miles
On several occasions my truck shuts down, basically the wheel locks and the truck loses power, and restarts by itself. Recently I was on the freeway and the engine light, oil light and traction control light came on and I lost speed, I stepped on the gas and truck was not moving, I was able to get to the shoulder and lost complete power. I did notice when I turned off the air conditioning the truck would start but as soon as I turned on the ac the same thing happened. I have had a lot of trouble with this truck since I bought it.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #92

Jul 312019

Sorento

  • 118,000 miles
Driving at a speed of 60 mph. Car suddenly starts loosing power slowing to a complete stop with no warnings. Not overheating, not out of fuel, electrical all works. No apparent reason the switches come on and work. Engine simply will not turn over. No cranking action at all.

- Freeport, FL, USA

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

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