10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 25
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
56,781 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.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2014 Kia Sorento:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #300

Dec 182023

Sorento

  • 162,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment, and the vehicle then lost motive power. The contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway; however, the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 162,000.

- Cordova, TN, USA

problem #299

Oct 152023

Sorento

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the check engine, the MIL, and the ABS warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Fleming Island, FL, USA

problem #298

Dec 052023

Sorento

  • miles
The shop I took it to tested the compression and 3 cylinders were out. They said I need A new engine at 120k miles on it.

- Battleground , WA, USA

problem #297

Sep 012021

Sorento

  • 0 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to coast off to the side of the highway and then noticed smoke coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact did not open the hood and had the vehicle towed to an unknown dealer. The contact stated the dealer advised that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Auburn, WA, USA

problem #296

Sep 012023

Sorento

  • miles
Fuel pump/engine began failing before the engine locked up. I was driving down a country road and lost power. When I floored it the top speed was approx. 7 MPH. I did not have anywhere to pull over. It has been inspected by the manufacturer and they said it needs a new engine. There were no warning signs or anything. I don't know how to answer if the problem has been reproduced. Via Kia forums, this is a common issue that is usually handled with the extended warranty. I've contacted Kia and they admit I'm having issues. Quote from their email "We apologize about the issues you are having with your engine and fuel pump in your 2014 Kia Sorento."

- Florence, KY, USA

problem #295

Dec 012023

Sorento

  • miles
The vehicle shows that it is running hot but when I check there is coolant in the reservoir but then when I check the radiator there is little to no coolant in

- Brandon , FL, USA

problem #294

Nov 132023

Sorento

  • 174,530 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine oil light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with excessive oil consumption and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised that the engine would not be replaced until the rod bearings had failed unless she wanted to pay for the replacement of the engine. The contact stated that she had recently experienced an additional failure with the vehicle. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the service engine light, ABS, traction, and tire pressure warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed rear wheel speed sensor. The contact was informed that the rear wheel speed sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that soon after the repair the check engine warning light illuminated and had been illuminated for several weeks. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 174,530.

- Lexington Park, MD, USA

problem #293

Sep 012023

Sorento

  • miles
The engine randomly around 45,000 miles started using large amount of oil. The engine started ticking. It is available for inspection, upon request. The safety of myself and others is put at risk as the engine is a ticking time bomb to blow up. When it first starts happening, you do not notice, as you get regular oil changes at the dealership and they never once say that your oil was dangerously low when you brought it in. The problem has been expressed to me by independent service shops as a gdi issue. I called the dealership and they said the only thing they can do is an oil consumption test for $600. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer. There are no warnings lamps that come up at all, not for low oil or anything.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #292

Sep 122023

Sorento

  • miles
Car timing failed on the 3.3 and stalled car in the road. This is a very common problem and these need to be fixed. These cars randomly jump timing with no warning what so ever. Kia knew these were an issue and should replace the engine in my car along with everyone else that has this issue. Car is at a shop now with a confirmed jumped timing.

- Benson, NC, USA

problem #291

Oct 162023

Sorento 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I have a 2014 Kia Sorento with a 3.3l engine. There was a catastrophic blow of the head gasket that resulted in engine temperatures spiking while driving on the interstate. This led to excessive deceleration and stopping on the side of the interstate. After researching, this is an ongoing problem with this vehicle. It even has a nickname, "Soft Block", from KIA using substandard materials to build their engines. I submitted a complaint against Kia through the NHTSA website on November 10th. Since that time, I have come to realize that Kia has issued a warranty extension for 2016-2017 Kia Sorento's with the 3.3l Lambda engine for cooling leaking and head gasket issues. What would be the process for expanding your open investigation (NHTSA Action Number: PE23019) to include the 2014 and 2015 model years of the Kia Sorento with the 3.3l engine? This is the exact same engine, and these exact same issues are prevalent in these years as well.

- Amelia Court House, VA, USA

problem #290

Nov 102023

Sorento

  • miles
Engine seized again after the last recall and engine replacement leaving me stranded in an intersection and $416 in towing expenses transported to the mechanic and back home when told engine is seized

- Osterburg, PA, USA

problem #289

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 #288

Sep 252023

Sorento

  • miles
Engine fire, no warning, vehicle was parked outside and off when it caught fire

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #287

Jul 102023

Sorento

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at approximately 25 MPH and making a turn, the engine seized. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was an internal engine failure, connecting rod damage, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case, but no additional assistance was provided. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

- Hagerstown, MD, USA

problem #286

Jun 012021

Sorento

  • miles
Engine continues to leak oil. Cannot be driven. 2014 Kia Sorento SUV which is under recall for engine fires yet they state her particular vin is not under the recall.

- Jackson, GA, USA

problem #285

Sep 092023

Sorento

  • miles
The engine on my 2014 Kia Sorento has failed. I brought the vehicle in to Bob Sight Kia to have them diagnose the problem. They claimed that when they drained the oil, they only found 3/4 of a quart of oil and for that reason, Kia was denying the claim for a new engine. I find it hard to believe that there was only 3/4 of a quart of oil in the car as we conducted regular maintenance on the vehicle and provided all service records. When I contacted Kia, they stated that they had not received any documentation from Bob Sight Kia, and specifically no technical details why the engine had failed, or provide an estimate for repair costs. In the last three weeks that our Sorento has been at Bob Sight Kia (brought to dealer on 9-9-23), when I call to speak with the service center point of contact, I get his voicemail or someone says he is away from his desk or on leave and nobody responds to my voicemails or emails, even though I have volunteered to provide more information if necessary. There is a Facebook page with 976 followers stating why Kia has denied their claims for replacement of failed defective engines. Fortunately, in my case, I was able to drive the car to the dealership before the engine stopped working but in many cases the engines failed while people were in busy traffic, exposing them to dangerous situations. In my case specifically the engine light started flashing and the vehicle was being very sluggish, struggled to make it up hills and would occasionally stall.

- Kansas City , MO, USA

problem #284

Mar 212023

Sorento

  • miles
Car was traveling from Atlanta and the speed odometer on the car showed it was dropping then knock noise pull over then I made to exit and check oil Guage the sensor lights never showed when I had picked up the person house I took to said it was crank sensor and started it heard knocking sound and I call NHTSA reported incident and was giving a claim number haven't heard anything since I no its recall on engine cause I had received paperwork that it was and also saw report on news

- Warner Robins, GA, USA

problem #283

Sep 012023

Sorento

  • miles
Engine was replaced in 2021 due to oil consumption issues. After copays and having a rental car for 2 months while waiting for repairs I shelled out about 7k. Now catalytic converter has failed, about one week after last oil change. Extended coverage is just over by mileage according to dealership and unsure if Kia will cover, awaiting response. After researching this issue with my vehicle, I found other owners who had the same issue and suggested it should have been replaced with engine as there was a past recall for this. Others stated that Kia is not covering even though there was a recall. Even if they covered the parts that would help substantially. Car currently at service center at Kia dealership awaiting to see if Kia will assist at good will or cover under the recall.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #282

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 #281

Mar 012023

Sorento

  • miles
After work, a severe dust storm hit. I drove to the grocery store and then home (30 miles) in the dust storm. The next morning, as I was driving to work, I heard a weird knocking noise, but no engine lights came on. My car would not start during my lunch break, nor when I got off work. My boyfriend tried to jump it off. When that didn-??t work, we traded the battery out since it was still under warranty. That did not work. We went back the next day and checked my oil levels and other fluids - all were good. My boyfriend then hooked up his small code reader which didn-??t read any problems. The next day my mom started the car by putting the spare key up to the start button. She took it to Gene Messer Kia about 5 miles away. She said no engine lights came on, but the engine was knocking. Once she turned it off the mechanics were not able to start the car again. They looked over it and said they could not find any reason for my engine to have died. I asked them if it could have been the dust storm. They said no; the engine was well sealed, block was not cracked, oil levels were good, etc. They quoted me $11,521 for a new engine. However, I did not want to pay that because my car was only worth $5,500-7,000 (trade-in verse private sale) according to Kelly Blue Book. I called my insurance and had an inspector come look at it hoping he would be able to say the storm caused the issue and total my car so I could pay off my loan. However, they also could not find a cause for what happened to my engine. We sold it to Peddle.com.

- Abernathy, TX, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »