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.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
I experienced a deceleration when I stepped on the gas pedal to accelerate on the interstate. I was going 65mph at the time. The emission control warning light came on so I pulled off the next exit and called the Kia dealer. I turned around and headed back to take it in for diagnostic service and repair when it started making noises so I pulled off onto an exit and the engine stopped shortly afterwards. I could turn the engine on but it would not go so I called AAA to have it towed to the dealer. The steering was difficult as well. The dealer said the engine needed to be replaced and the clock spring needed to be replaced (air bag warning light was on). This experience was dangerous and I was fortunate not to be in heavy traffic and in an area where there was a safe enough place to pull over. The car had 132,000 mi on it. The engine was replaced with a rebuilt 2014 engine but now the emissions control light just came on - not even a month has passed since replacement. I will take it in tomorrow for a diagnostic.
- Gaithersburg, MD, USA
While I was driving on the highway, my engine suffered a catastrophic failure without any warning. Luckily I was close enough to an exit so I was able to pull off to safety. When I stopped, fluids gushed out of the engine compartment and there was white smoke everywhere. One of the hoses to the engine had completely ruptured. I had the vehicle towed and have had it looked at by three different mechanics who came to the same conclusion - that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced, but they couldn't figure out what caused the failure.
- St Cloud, FL, USA
The car has 107,000 miles on it, and has recently started making a strange noise and it died on 2 separate occasions. I took it to a mechanic, who thought it might need a new engine. I did a little online research and all of these engine problems for Kia Sorento's popped up. I took it to a Kia dealership, to get their view on it. They confirmed it needs a new engine, but that they don't know why. I have changed the oil regularly, and maintained the vehicle properly and I don't know how a car with that few of miles on it can need a new engine, without having an underlying issue.
- Plano, IL, USA
Engine stalling. While driving to work about 45 minutes away my 2014 Kia Sorento stalled at a light. I put it in park, and it started right up. Coming home from work it stalled again after coming off the bridge in my town along with the check engine light on. Tried to start it and it would start and then stall and was idling really rough. Had it towed to my mechanic he said it was the VVT sensor according to the codes and that I had very little oil. My oil light would also come on way before the time to have the oil changed. He did an oil change and fixed the sensor $140 later after picking it up it stalled again on me 6 times. Left it at the mechanic again. $191 same codes told me the sensors in the engine had a lot of metal on them. They cleaned the sensors the drove my car for 20 miles no issues. Took my car to work the next day again 45 minutes away from home and it stalled again in the middle of the highway. Had it towed back to the mechanic which cost me $245 because with AAA I was already over the allowed miles and tows. If this car needs a new engine, I am not replacing it. Never again buying a Kia!! When I first bought the car a few years later I had received a recall notice about the engine and supposedly the dealership fixed the issue. I really don't think they did anything. Needless to say, I have already spent $450 on this car in a matter of 2 weeks. Let's see how much this last repair will be because it will be the last time I fix it. I will not be replacing the engine on this car. I can't afford that or to buy a new car at this time.
- Somerset, MA, USA
Engine locked up while driving. It just stalled when in motion. Now the engine will not turn over. Mechanic says it has to be replaced.
- Ball, LA, USA
Vehicle engine shut down while I was driving on the highway situation was very dangerous other vehicles had to take evasive maneuvers in order not to collide with me I was very scared as I had my grand children with me the vehicle is currently at auto nation in keennesses Georgia it is available for inspection there were no warnings or other indications
- Stone Mountain, GA, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard a knocking sound coming from the engine. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that an unknown fractured part failed; however, the contact stated that the diagnoses was incomplete. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacture was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
- Punta Gorda, FL, USA
The oil light started to turn on and I still had 2000 miles to go to my next oil change. When we checked, we had no oil in the pan and had to add our own oil. I went to Kia Willowbrook dealership to file a complaint and get my oil changed. I was told that Kia will not do anything for oil consumption or engine replacement unless the engine seizes or stops working. This is telling me that I need to wait until my family is injured in a car accident when my car fails or my car starts on fire in order for Kia to do anything. I was also told, that I will need to get oil changes more frequently. That is the workaround. When I asked if an oil consumption test can be done, I was told that it will not help. This car is a safety risk to myself, my family and the public on the road if this is the advice I am getting from Kia.
- Lemont, IL, USA
I'm still having problems with the engine after replacing it. Have had 1 fender bender, which cost me a lot of money. When it was replaced, I don't believe Kia paid for towing or car rental nor fix the other recall with the brakes. I also get a shock nearly every time I get out of the vehicle. Now facing the problem again after the engine replaced will now be the 3rd time my car needs repair due to engine. HELP!!!
- Bellevue, IA, USA
On Saturday, January 21st my Sorento started to make a strange noise. On Sunday, January 22 my check engine light came on. I took my vehicle to my normal mechanic first thing Monday, January 23rd morning. He said the check engine light was on because I needed an oil change. My most recent oil change was just over 3,000 miles ago using synthetic oil. When they performed the oil change they found that there was only a half a quart of oil in the vehicle. My mechanic made me aware of issues that Kia has been having with over consumption of oil and told me to contact the Kia dealership. My Kia ran normally the duration of Monday. Tuesday, January 24th when i went to take my kids to school the vehicle went into limp mode and would not go over 20mph. The Kia dealership is taking no ownership of the issue regarding the over consumption of oil due to the GDI engines. Something needs to be done for all of the people suffering financial hardship due to engine failure not To mention being without a vehicle for an undetermined amount of time.
- Jackson, MO, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving and attempting to make a turn, the vehicle temporarily lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the cause of the failure could not be determined since there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH uphill with her daughter in a car seat in the rear seats, the vehicle lost motive power, stalled, and failed to restart. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to push the vehicle to the front of his residence with the assistance of her husband. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000. The contact stated that other 2014 Kia Sorento vehicles are included in the recall for faulty engines but for some reason their vehicle does not apply.
- Dallas, GA, USA
As I was driving vehicle suddenly started knocking and came to a hault. Battery was completely dead and I was no longer able to restart. Repair shop has confirmed engine is no good. My vehicle only has 81,000 miles no understanding how my engine has seized when I have had frequently oil changes. I'm am very frustated.
- Chicago, IL, USA
I dropped my daughter off school, upon leaving and heading toward the freeway, I was unable to accelerate past 20mph, had a vehicle behind me almost hit me and my child because I lost forward acceleration and was unaware and could only use my hazards to signify that something was wrong and I wouldn't be able to make it up the hill. I then turned the vehicle off when I reached a safe place to pull over. Let it sit for 5 min, as this happened last year and was informed it was the throttle body, which was replaced. Upon turning vehicle back on, all seemed well, I drove toward the freeway again amd within 3 minutes the check engine light turned on and I lost power again. Was unable to drive more than 20mph We recently dealt with this exact issue with our 2013 kia Optima and it was due to a recall and they replaced the engine as it was malfunctioning.
- Lincoln, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 121,461.
- Annandale, VA, USA
Car has around 90,000 miles and is consuming excessive oil. Original Mechanic ran diagnostics and notes that the gaskets are deteriorating and metal shavings are present in the engine, which could cause it to seize. Check engine light has been on, and an error message from the auto diagnostic system came on saying there might be an engine problem. Car is now at the dealer.
- Avondale Estates, GA, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact was able to coast off the nearest exit onto the side of the roadway. The vehicle failed to accelerate and was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000.
- Macon, GA, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle started stalling with the check engine warning light flashing. The contact was able to pull over and had the vehicle towed to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The check engine warning light was reset; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 210,000.
- De Pere, WI, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, the contact stated that he was left on hold. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000.
- Louisville, KY, USA
I have had a lot of issues with my engine. Took it to different shops had crankshaft position sensor changed, coil packs and spark plugs changed several times in consecutive intervals trying to sort out the issues. Multiple diagnosis fees, and am still having issues. Kia said the can-??t help me until the code P1326 comes up.
- Rohnert Park, CA, USA
- Manchester , MD, USA