10.0

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

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #200

Jan 052022

Sorento

  • miles
For several months I have been adding 1 quart of oil to my 2014 sorento bi-weekly there is no evidence of an external leak, residue or smoke coming out exhaust. When I don-??t add the oil the car stalls, shutters and makes sound during acceleration. I have taken in to dealership but they could not see any issues.

- West Henrietta, NY, USA

problem #199

Aug 012021

Sorento

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle overheated without warning. The contact added coolant. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer Nationwide KIA (1600 York Rd, Lutherville-Timonium, MD 21093, (410) 561-9000) where it was diagnosed that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The contact sent an email to the manufacturer however, they failed to respond. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

- Olney, MD, USA

problem #198

Oct 122021

Sorento

  • 144,688 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving in the city at an unknown speed, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact restarted the vehicle and drove home. The contact then drove the vehicle to a dealer where she was informed that the engine block had cracked which resulted in engine failure. The contact stated that prior to the failure, she had maintained pristine care of the vehicle. Additionally, a month prior to the failure, the same dealer informed her that the engine was in great shape after a routine oil change. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 144,688.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #197

Nov 022021

Sorento

  • miles
I was driving on the high way and took an exit. I started to smell something from my car so I turned it off at a stop light. I looked briefly at the dash but no lights where on. Then I saw smoke coming from the hood of my car. So I put my emergency flashers on and got out within seconds of getting out the smoke turned to flames so I called 911. Entire front of my car was in flames and a couple small explosions happend I believe the first one was the air bags but the second sent my hood flying upwards. My entire inside of the car was chard by the time the fire rescue showed up. There was a line of traffic behind me that stretched close to a mile since it was during traffic night. I didn-??t have enough time to pull the car over safely without the risks of being inside the car while it had fully ignited. The fire men had to get people and cars away from my car. I don-??t know what failed or what happens but the fire started from under the hood. The car is pretty badly burnt so I don-??t think there-??s a way to examine anything. It is a total loss. Upon googling I-??ve noticed a few more reports of Kia 2014 Sorentos catching fire. I don-??t know which component caused it so I can-??t say if it had been examined at all. It also happens extremely fast and I didn-??t have any warning as to a fire breaking out. If I had stayed in the car to drive it to a safe clearing I would have been caught in the blaze. The only light that came on was tier pressure, which had come on a few days prior. No other warning lights came on. Not even during when the smoke appeared. The only thing that warned me was a strange odor right before I saw the smoke.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #196

Oct 012021

Sorento

  • 143,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 40 - 50 MPH, the vehicle decelerated inadvertently and was shaking. The vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with an engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.

- Lynnwood, WA, USA

problem #195

Jul 242021

Sorento

  • miles
When starting up the vehicle it has a cold start & the cold start can last longer then the vehicle warming up. You can hear the engine components inside while it-??s warming up. After staring it up it seems like there is no oil in the vehicle, which it eats oil up which is uncommon

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #194

May 012019

Sorento

  • 45,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, a knocking noise was present coming from the engine and the engine experienced excessive oil consumption. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure and an oil consumption test was performed but no failure was identified. The failure mileage was 45,000.

- Downers Grove, IL, USA

problem #193

Jul 262021

Sorento

  • miles
Engine seized on the PA turnpike leaving my daughter stranded. Dealer repair costs 19k to replace an engine. Apparently there is a defect that causes a bearing to fail causing major engine damage. There apparently was a class action lawsuit that was settled for the r act problem that I have but just not for my motor. My motor was last serviced by a Kia dealer.

- Linwood, NJ, USA

problem #192

Sep 262021

Sorento

  • miles
Car ran out of oil within 4,000 of oil change upon purchasing car. No indicator light came on ever for low or no oil. It cut off at 70 mph on highway. I got on shoulder, turned key off then restarted. Upon doing so every time the car gets to rpm level for gear shift it starts knocking. So if the cars engine is knocking the knock sensor should through service engine light which it did not. I have a) the dealer who rode with me to show him and it started to knock and shut off with him in the car with no check engine light on. Got back to their repair shop to which both mechanics witnessed the engine knocking with no check engine lights (MIL. Malfunction indicator light. Failure)

- Bangor, ME, USA

problem #191

Sep 182019

Sorento

  • miles
Pearl white paint is peeling from vehicle from above windshield and along frame.

- Simpsonville , SC, USA

problem #190

Aug 212021

Sorento

  • miles
While driving car at normal speeds under normal conditions, ball bearing and connecting rod blew through engine creating a large hole in bottom of engine block, thus, causing entire engine to be blown. There is only 139k miles on vehicle. There is a safety recall for this very reaon on CERTAIN 2014 Kia Sorrentos. That recall is 17V224000. Upon calling Kia customer service, they claimed my vehicle was exempt frim this recall, however, this very issue happened to my well-maintained vehicle.

- Madison, NC, USA

problem #189

Jul 102021

Sorento

  • miles
Engine locked up while driving on expressway. Car would not accelerate and became very difficult to control. One of the recalls stated that "bearings could slip and cause engine to seize up." Driver was able to safely get the car back, but car is disabled. Airport Kia, in Naples, FL where the car was purchased, was notified of the problem and the recall for this specific problem, but have been unwilling to help. If she was unable to control the car, could have killed herself or other drivers. Car has not been inspected because Kia dealership said she must have the car towed to dealership. On a recall problem, dealership should be responsible for the tow, but I feel they are bullying her because she is a 16 year old girl. This happened with no warning.

- Fort Myers, FL, USA

problem #188

Jul 172021

Sorento

  • miles
Recall notices have been sent to us regarding possible airbag deployment, electrical issues, and now HECU controls and the ABS system. Each time we get a notice, we contact the Kia dealerships in our area for repairs. Every time we have tried to bring in our vehicle for safety recall repairs, the dealership has made it impossible to do so. For example, when we called to make an appointment for one recall notice, we were told that no action was needed unless we heard a loud banging noise coming from the engine. We stated that we heard weird noises but not a loud banging. We were told that the dealership cannot do repairs unless we show evidence of the banging. Also, there have been electrical problems with the car since we bought it -?" the buttons malfunction, the airbag light is always on, etc. This was not regarded as evidence of need for repairs. For another recall notice, we were told that the repairs could not be completed because they didn't have the parts. We received the Safety Recall Number 21V331 on Friday July 17 and have tried repeatedly to contact Kia of Cerritos in order to make an appointment for repairs. The dealership does not answer their phones in the service department. At 2:30 July 19, I got through to someone in the service department. He said he would make an appointment to complete recall repairs but instead put us on hold and transferred us to a full voicemail box. We are very worried about the safety of our Kia Sorrento. This is our family car. Given the ongoing recalls and history of Kia failing to provide safety repairs, I think this may qualify for the Lemon Law. This recall notice indicates that an engine fire may occur. The airbag light is continuously on. I am concerned for the safety of my family. We do not feel safe. I have contacted KIA Consumer Assistance Center and opened a Case #14271977 but they have failed to reply.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #187

Mar 012021

Sorento

  • miles
Kia refused to issue a recall for a known problem & refuses to fix vehicle & reimburse for unnecessary repair costs--have contacted their consumer center many times but they will not address problem--below is initial complaint I made on 06-09-2021, the first of many & all ignored to date: 06/09/2021 06:45:06 I have unnecessarily spent about $1000 replacing original factory equipment that was not faulty/not the problem all because you knew about the problems on the 2014-15 Sorentos but chose not to issue a recall to correct (as told by Master Tech at the local dealership)! Labor & parts bought/replaced: alternator, starter, relays. A few mths ago vehicle would start up fine on 1st drive of the day but after 1st stop of the day (as little as 5 mins!)vehicle would not even attempt to start up again! This happened multiple times & I found myself stranded in an essentially still new vehicle (note low miles for a 7 yr old vehicle)! All in all I replaced the above mentioned parts but problem continued so finally took it in to dealership for diagnosis, which they found no codes or problems! A service mgr mentioned that Nissan had similar problems (but they issued recalls unlike Kia!) where the frequencies would interact/interfere with those of neon stop lights"?? Cars would simply shut down on the road/busy intersections--danger!!! I noticed that this happened most when I am at my mail center which is close to a medical clinic & at the bank--both of which have high frequency medical equipment/security systems??" I am a disabled vet on a fixed income & to have spent money unnecessarily when YOU KNEW OF THE PROBLEM & REFUSED TO ISSUE A RECALL you are liable to reimburse me in full for all the money I am out & the emotional/physical distress caused by your product & decisions! FIX MY CAR!

- Shreveport, LA, USA

problem #186

Jun 292021

Sorento

  • miles
Upon driving home from a family road trip, I was flagged down on the highway by a fellow driver saying my car was on fire from under the passenger backseat. There were no warning lights or alarms from the inside of the car, or on the dash. I pulled over and the fire engulfed the engine and soon the whole car. It burnt down to the frame, with absolutely nothing left inside but twisted metal. It was deemed a total loss. The fire inspector and police on the scene believe there was an issue with the electrical system that caused the fire. There is a report available with the Florida Highway Patrol. There are NO active recalls for the vehicle, but I was told by Kia there have been several fires in their 2014 models, including some when the vehicles weren't even on. The car was deemed a total loss and has been released to the insurance inspector and has over $14000 in damages to repair. It will not be repaired. My mother was in the front passenger seat, and my 6 year old son was in the passenger backseat, above where the fire began. Thankfully, we are all uninjured, but there is lasting mental trauma on all three of us.

- El Rito, NM, USA

problem #185

Jul 152020

Sorento

  • 126,000 miles
The contact's fiancé owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated the vehicle engine had been misfiring and the brake fluid had been leaking onto the fuse block. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where they had replaced the spark plugs however, the failure continued. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with the fuse box and power relay control was needing to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not provide any assistance as a case was opened. The vehicle was not repaired due to the fact that the contact would be responsible for the repair cost. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.

- Hamilton, MT, USA

problem #184

Jun 012021

Sorento

  • miles
After recall repairs their were no warning lights showing and diagnostics always came back clear. Car overheated in RED Hot with no engine alarms or anything. Mechanic stated it-??s blown head gaskets

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #183

Apr 302021

Sorento

  • 106,000 miles
The car started to smoke and stopped running. The engine has a whole in it. The 2014 4 cyclinders have a recall. Mine is a V6. Surprisingly, a similar situation just occurred with my co-worker's 2014 V6 Sorento as well.

- New Franken, WI, USA

problem #182

Apr 212021

Sorento

  • 146,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to price Kia (1390 richmond rd, charlottesville, va 22911) where it was diagnosed with the rod bearings needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 146,000.

- New Canton, VA, USA

problem #181

Apr 272021

Sorento

  • 1 miles
One day I heard a clicking while driving 65 on the highway. When I pulled into town and slowed down it stopped. I had to stop at a stop sign and when I started to go I heard the clicking again. A couple of days later I was on the highway again going 65, my engine reduced power and my check engine light came on and was blinking. When I stopped the vehicle at the stop sign and started to go so I could pull out of traffic it had a hard time getting power to go. I had to have the vehicle towed to the dealership. I am waiting to hear back from then to figure out the issue, but from what I am reading online, it seems Kia has alot of engine issues. Fingers crossed its under warranty and it can be fixed as I just spent $3000 6 months ago for a new strut and an entire exhaust system. I only have $129,000 on this vehicle. Very disappointing.

- Oskaloosa, KS, USA

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