10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
85,817 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #57

Jan 112019

Sorento

  • 7 miles
While driving on highway car lost power and cut off, was able to start again and get to dealer maintaining speed roughly 45 mph

- Frederick, MD, USA

problem #56

Feb 122019

Sorento

  • 41,000 miles
Sitting at a red light I noticed my check engine light flashing. The light turned green and when I pushed the accelerator I had zero power. It was able to go up to 20mph and I was able to make it up the hill and into my work parking lot. I called Kia and luckily was able to get towed to the dealership. They stated its probably an engine misfire, we'll have you up and running in no time. The next day, I called the dealership (bc I didn't hear from them) and was told "were ordering you a new engine". 6 days later I called again because I still haven't a reason as to why.. I was informed the update they did on my computer did something to my engine and thats their only solution. Mind you the vehicle only has 41K miles on it! apparently that happens alot to Kia's but I wish I knew before I purchased this vehicle! total piece of junk and I don't feel safe. Side note: My transmission has always shiftted very hard in the morning (even after a 20min warmup) their looking into that now.

- Essex, MD, USA

problem #55

Oct 102016

Sorento

  • 20,000 miles
We had a 2015 Kia Sorento that was burning through very high amounts of oil when driven on the highway. The dealership could not find a problem but asked us to supply all oil change records which we did not have available, the car was under lease. When we brought it back to Kia, on lease, we were told we had to pay over $6000. We have not paid at this point.

- Halifax, AR, USA

problem #54

Jan 152019

Sorento

  • 50,000 miles
Was driving on a busy intersection on 1/15/2019 around 2:30 pm and doing around 40mph the check engine light began flashing. A short while after the cel began flashing the car rpms slowed down even though the car was in motion & I was pressing on the accelerator. The car behind me began honking their horn because my vehicle was slowing down. I tried to find a street where I could safely pull over. After dodging cars while the car was in a slow rpms motion I pulled over to a side street & shifted the gear to park but kept the engine running and tried to calm down. I decided to head home, after shifting from park to drive I stepped on the accelerator and the car was in motion but the rpms only reached 10mph even though I kept my foot on the gas. And slowly but surely the speed increased. The slow acceleration from a park and stop mode the car was slow to accelerate. The state of my component part or system is unknown. Googled recalls for 2015 Sorento's and found several websites pertaining to a recall on Kia Sorento's. however after contacting Kia (1-800-333-4542) the representative informed me that my 2015 Kia Sorento was not part of the recall. Since my car was only around 50,000 miles she informed me that it's still under warranty. I contacted my local Kia dealership (1450 E camelback rd, phoenix, AZ 85014 602-388-1276) about the issue I am having. The service advisor erik informed me that he would have my car towed to their dealership and check out the issue. Stated "it" "should be" covered since I was under 60,000. I'm waiting on what the mechanic finds and if the issue will be covered.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #53

Jan 192019

Sorento

  • 150,000 miles
We went to get oil changed and they said if they change oil the engine will exploed. They said our vehicle had recall on

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #52

Aug 182018

Sorento

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact purchased the vehicle on August 15, 2018. A couple of days later, the check engine indicator illuminated, the vehicle would not accelerate on the highway, and the vehicle shook. Galeana Chrysler Jeep Kia (180 greystone blvd, columbia, SC 29210, (803) 779-7300) performed a diagnostic test and cleared some of the codes that appeared; however, the failures recurred. On another occasion, when the vehicle was started, a booming sound was heard from the engine compartment. An independent mechanic stated that some screws detached from the cam timing shaft and the vehicle was leaking oil. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer, but they stated that they could not assist since the vehicle was out of warranty. The contact was referred to the manufacturer who also stated that the vehicle was out of warranty since it had over 60,000 miles. The dealer stated that the vehicle had a history of code misfires and needed a new engine. The failure mileage was 70,000.

- Cayce, SC, USA

problem #51

Dec 222018

Sorento

  • 57,000 miles
After Kia dealership installed the knock sensor software update in October 2018, the engine went into limp home mode with engine light blinking in the month of January 2019. Dealership advised me engine failed and would be replaced under Kia warranty for this issue. Vehicle has 57,000 miles on it. Problem now is dealership says new engine won't be sent to them for 3-4 weeks. Then additional week to install. It's already been there over two weeks. They did provide loaner. Correction this occurred in December 2018, not January 2019.

- Loudon, TN, USA

problem #50

Dec 222018

Sorento

  • 100 miles
We were driving and hear a rattling noice and all of a sudden our vehicle started shaking and we pulled over. This was about 3 hours after we had an oil change at the dealership. This was the second time after an oil change we had issues. We attempted to turn on the car to get it to safety but could not power on. We had to get towed and a mechanic advised us we would need a whole new engine

- Irving, TX, USA

problem #49

Dec 132018

Sorento

  • 90,600 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. Ever since the contact purchased the vehicle six months ago, there had been an abnormal tapping sound coming from the engine. Also, the steering wheel made a loud popping noise that caused it to vibrate. The failures occurred upon starting the vehicle. In addition, the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to friendly Kia (5819 us-19, new port richey, fl 34652), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The staff stated that they were too busy to assist. The manufacturer advised the contact to call NHTSA. The failure mileage was 90,600.

- Port Richey, FL, USA

problem #48

Sep 012018

Sorento

  • 75,000 miles
Takata recall. I have a 2015 Kia Sorento. At about 76,000 miles, the engine began to burn oil. I had it checked for a leak, but the mechanics couldn't find anything. When I start the engine, blue smoke emits from the tail pipe. I am loosing about a quart of oil every 200 miles.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #47

Dec 092018

Sorento

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. While driving approximately 35 mph, a loud popping sound was heard from the engine area and the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was towed to Kia of orlando (9550 S. orange blossom trl, orlando, fl) where it was diagnosed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Winter Park, FL, USA

problem #46

Dec 072018

Sorento

  • 77,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to romeo Kia of kingston (111 schwenk dr, kingston, NY 12401, (845) 477-5400) where it was diagnosed that the connecting rod fractured through the middle of the engine assembly and metal fragments were present. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000.

- Redhook, NY, USA

problem #45

Dec 092018

Sorento

  • 93,000 miles
Vehicle stalls during normal operation both while moving at traffic speeds and at a stop. Initial occurance was while turning left thru an intersection. Engine rpms dropped to zero and engine quit running. Restarted after shifting into neutral. Happened 15 additional times during twenty minute drive home - while stopped at a light, slowing for other vehicles, and when not actually accelerating while driving down the road. Vehicle will not idle once restarted without stalling out. Battery connections are tight, oil levels are normal. Vehicle speed varied from stopped at a traffic light to 55 mph on open road. Stalling occurred whenever accelerator pedal was not depressed. Shifting into neutral and revving motor prevented stalling while at a stop. Unless under acceleration vehicle engine will not remain operating. I am not a qualified mechanic or safety expert, but this condition seems unsafe to me.

- Amanda, OH, USA

problem #44

Dec 012018

Sorento

  • 62,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. While operating the vehicle, the check engine indicator suddenly flashed on and off and the vehicle's speed would not increase past 20 mph. The message "limp home mode" was also displayed. The vehicle was towed to antioch Kia (119 il-173, antioch, il) where it was diagnosed that the nox sensor was faulty. The nox sensor was reprogrammed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 62,000.

- Round Lake Beach, IL, USA

problem #43

Dec 032018

Sorento

  • 80,100 miles
I was driving my car home from work and it shut off on me as I was driving on a busy city street. I tried to start it and it just kept shutting off. I had someone hook up a computer on it and it said something was wrong with my camshaft timing.I had no warnings leading up to this. It just shut off in the middle of driving it.

- Temple, PA, USA

problem #42

Sep 132018

Sorento

  • 990,000 miles
I was driving my car on the highway when my engine stop running, im told by Kia the engine seize up and it is not covered

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #41

Aug 192018

Sorento

  • 88,000 miles
Purchased a used 2015 Kia Sorento from a used car lot on February 15, 2018. I've experienced no issues with the vehicle until August 19, 2018 while driving home from work. While driving on the freeway, and accelerating, the vehicle completely stalled. We pulled the vehicle over and tried our best to get it to restart. It had to be towed home. A certified mechanic inspected the vehicle and confirmed the Kia had complete engine failure due to the engine seizing. Please contact me for inspection documentation (currently at work and unable to upload the receipt).

- Honolulu, HI, USA

problem #40

Jun 222018

Sorento

  • 60,909 miles
Purchased this 2015 vehicle from a regional pa/NJ reseller named carsense in November 2015 with 15,000 miles. Maintained regular service and oil changes, although not always with castrol oil, as required for the carsense extended warranty. Driving on the highway returning from the beach when the engine started a slight knock when accelerating. Stopped and checked the oil level which was fine. Just at 3,000 miles on the oil at the time. No check engine light. Drove further and the check engine light came on and then the engine stalled. Towed to a Kia dealer and told engine was seized. As I am a second owner the 100,000 mile warranty did not apply. Vehicle was 909 miles over the 60,000 mile warranty and not covered. Escalated with Kia Consumer Affairs who I chased for over a week with escalation requests. Final answer... we are sorry but the car is out of warranty. Would not offer any relief on either parts or labor. Replacing the engine to the tune of $5,400 including replacing a starter which mysteriously "burned up". we have found many similar stories with engine problems that are most likely related to the 2012-2014 2.4L engine recall.

- East Norriton, PA, USA

problem #39

Jul 182018

Sorento

  • 117,000 miles
Driving on a 4 lane highway my 2015 Kia Sorento died without warning and made a clicking noise when I tried to start it. I had the car towed to a local Kia dealership who advised metal shavings were found in the oil, which clogged the oil filter, restricting oil flow thus causing the connecting rod bearings to break. They confirmed there was no sludge found in the engine. The car needs the engine replaced and my extended warranty is refusing to pay citing there was not sufficient oil lubrication due to low oil which caused the connecting rod bearings to break. However, the dealership advised both myself, warranty, and adjuster the car was burning oil as no external engine leaks were found. All oil changes were completed by the Kia dealership whom I purchased the car from and records were provided. At no point did any warning lights illuminate on the dashboard to indicate low oil or to check engine. My 2015 Kia Sorento has the gdi (or theta II) engine which is named in multiple class action lawsuits for the same thing. I still owe on this car as I have only had for 1.5 years and am now looking at $5,000-$7,000 in repairs.

- Dow, IL, USA

problem #38

Jul 202018

Sorento

  • 101,146 miles
I bought a 2015 Kia Sorento with 85000 miles on it for my stepdaughters first car owned it for 6 months it was great the other day she was driving 50 mph on country road and the engine quite and siezed up no noise no warning no check engine light dealer says it needs a new engine called Kia absolutely got no we're even though there a ton off complaints about Kia engines doing the same thing they say there's no recalls on this particular vehicle.

- Eldred, PA, USA

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