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 #37

Jul 192018

Sorento

  • 92,000 miles
My 2015 Kia, has always make some engine noise, I did not buy it new brand and always checked out ok when I had the maintenance done on it. The noise was getting louder and more noticeable. I took it into be checked and they said my engine is failing. Kia says since I wasn't the 1 first owner on the vehicle they will not cover it, I took out an extended warranty and they are now giving me trouble about covering it since I haven't found every maintenance record, but most of them.

- Canal Winchester, OH, USA

problem #36

Jul 012018

Sorento

  • 5,000 miles
I have 2 concerns, 1 mainly I have a newer 2015 Kia sorrento with under 25K miles, owned it about 2 years ever since I owned it there has been a ticking in the engine and white smoke blowing out the exhaust. Which should not be thecase with a newer car, after taking it to the dealership they said nothing was wrong. Additionally when I turn on the air conditioner it smells like vinegar or dirty socks an aweful smell, once again the dealership stated nothing wrong with the car. It sounds like Kia is covering up old deficiencies with their engines as it said engines manufactured into late 2014 were recalled how is the 2015 Kia, which was manufactured in 2014 not on the recall list? additionally there have been many many other people listing the engine seizing up. My wife drives this car with my small children im writing this retractively in case something happen. Additionally we get regular oil changes done. I think this engine model should be recalled. As a newer engine should definitely not be blowing white smoke out of the exhaust nor ticking like the components are displaced.

- Alsip, IL, USA

problem #35

Jan 022018

Sorento

  • miles
My Kia Sorento 2015 started making a noise when I would try to accelerate it started burning look and I took it to Kia where the technician told me that my car was having the same problem from all of the Sorentos 2014 that had been recalled, I contacted Kia and they denied my repairs now I'm stuck paying for a car that doesn't work. My car has only 68,000 miles

- Alhambra, CA, USA

problem #34

Jul 102018

Sorento

  • 102,000 miles
I was driving to work yesterday morning (7/10/18) on route 15 in sussex county. My speed was approximately 65-70 miles per hour. I heard a knocking sound, which alarmed me. It went away, and came back, off and on, while driving, a sound that I have never heard before with this vehicle, ever. No lights came on, no indicators, etc. I contacted newton Kia, where the vehicle was purchased, and was told that they couldn't fit me in until Friday. I made an appointment, but after doing this I decided to contact one closer to where I work, which is on rt. 10 in denville, NJ. Gateway Kia. I brought the vehicle in and had them check out the noise. I was contacted and told that it was the engine, that it would cost $7100. The way I was notified was as if I have $7100 just sitting around, which I don't. the engine, the engine, no warning, no nothing. I picked up the vehicle, and drove it home, still hearing the knocking noise off and on. I attempted to go to work today, 7/11/18. The noise became worse about a block from my home. I turned around and came home, shut the car off, smoke came out from the engine area. Let me make something very clear to whomever reviews this information. I am not paying for this repair, Kia is. First thing you are told that you are over your warranty. I just turned 102,000 miles, have had no prior issues. This happened out of the blue, no prior noise or problems. I am now driving a rental, I need to get to work, I need my Sorento fixed, and I am not paying for it. I am also going to be reimbursed for this rental. I, again, have had no prior issues with my vehicle. I am very upset about this, so what is going to be done about it.

- Sparta, NJ, USA

problem #33

Jul 052018

Sorento

  • 88,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. While driving 75 mph, there was a knocking noise coming from the engine and the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to family Kia of St. Augustine (2665 U.S. highway 1 South, St augustine, fl 32086, (904) 808-0542) where it was diagnosed that the engine was destroyed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.

- Elkton, FL, USA

problem #32

Jun 112018

Sorento

  • miles
Went to turn on the car the car had accelerated while in park. From there the same that the electrical part in the car stop working. The tire sensor was also on the engine sensor was also on major issues

- Tamarac, FL, USA

problem #31

May 042018

Sorento

  • 465,000 miles
My wife was driving home from work and while in rush hour traffic on the highway traveling approximately 50 mph the engine just stopped. She did not receive any warning, no smoke coming from the tailpipe, and none of the check/oil lights came on in the dash. She was fortunate to get it pulled over to the side of the road before it stopped. When I arrived to see what was wrong there wasn't any oil in the engine. I had just checked the oil 10 days prior while filling up for gas and the oil was full. I added oil and tried starting the car and it would not start. Towed the vehicle home and discovered the battery completely died. I replace the battery and the engine started but I was hearing a constant tick-tick-tick and once putting the car in gear there was a very loud rattle, then it almost died. Next day I contacted Kia to have it towed to a local dealership and they opened the engine. The head mechanic told me that it was a sign of lack of maintenance because there was massive amounts of sludge and Kia warranty would not cover it. I informed the mechanic that I complete all my oil changes but don't save the receipts and couldn't produce them. Suggested by the mechanic to call consumer line and I received a bunch of run-around and said since I don't have maintenance records they will not honor their warranty. After detailed research I have found numerous complaints of exactly the same issue from other consumers that own a 2015 Kia Sorento as well, including this site. I believe a complete recall is in order for all 2015 Kia Sorento's for engine trouble and Kia needs to honor their warranty!

- Arvada, CO, USA

problem #30

May 062018

Sorento

  • 100,700 miles
Vehicle was under light load travelling approximately 55 mph on level ground on a state route and suffered catastrophic engine failure. It had a load banging/clacking sound and screeching then seized up bringing vehicle to a stop before I could safely pull off the roadway. Mileage at the time was approximately 100,700. Vehicle was towed to the dealer, and service determined the engine repairable and in need of complete replacement. Warranty coverage has been denied. Cost to replace the engine are $5000 for a used engine to over $6000 for a rebuilt/re manufactured replacement.

- Springfield, OH, USA

problem #29

Apr 202018

Sorento

  • 53,500 miles
Been having problems with the car for over 8 months. Eats oil like no ones business. White smoke coming out of the exhaust. Every time I run the on board diagnostic, it has always said no problems exist. Today, my husband comes home from an appointment, and tells me the vehicle was running really rough, shaking the entire car. We check the oil everyday and we've tried going to two different Kia dealers for our oil changes, and they never tell us anything is wrong. Now, this comes up today. I do the on-board diagnostic and it reads. "possible condition(s) with your engine control system has been detected." Schedule a full system check with your nearby Kia dealer soon. The car shakes horribly. Up until this time, no shaking, some white exhaust when starting the car, but no major problems. No engine lights on, until today. We have had regular maintenance on the vehicle. It even passed smog testing. So now, after reading similar complaints, I worried, I won't be getting my car fixed.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #28

Mar 292018

Sorento

  • 69,000 miles
While driving at 60 mph, car decelerated and the engine stopped working. Able to pull off to side of road. Engine is being replaced under 100K warranty.

- Alden, NY, USA

problem #27

Apr 022018

Sorento

  • 92,000 miles
When my wife and I started our family we were so happy to purchase the 2015 sorrento, 92,000 miles and 3 years later the engine locks up out of nowhere. I was going about 60 on the expressway and the engine started making a weird rattling noise less that 10 seconds later the car lost power steering the brakes were not very responsive. After a near death experience of trying to navigate to the safety of the emergency lane, I began to look up this issue. Kia had a recall on the engines from 2011-2014 for the same issue. Every post or review I read, the customers had experienced the same issue as my 2015. The people that had 2015 or newer who experienced these same issues was told that the best warranty in the business will not apply unless you have had all oil changes done at a Kia dealership or have all receipts of maintenance done to the car. If they did have all receipts they were told because the oil changes were not done by Kia the warranty will not apply. Catch 22? my 2005 Expedition has 218,000 miles and still runs great. My 93 Cadillac sedan Deville have 157,000 miles and stills runs great. But some how the non american car I purchased died in 3 years and 92,000 miles. As a high school teacher every student I come in contact with for the next 15 years will be scared away from this company. Im downtrodden because I know that the corporate entity called Kia is going to fight tooth and nail to say there engine in the 2015 in not faulty and I almost died because they have faulty engines. I made sure to always change the oil in this car before the due date because it transported my wife and child. My family has had a lot of cars from all sorts of makes, never seen this happen to a car so quickly and without warning!

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #26

Mar 242018

Sorento

  • 59,081 miles
Driving on highway, I stopped at a traffic light, my engine stalled, I was unable to get engine restarted. Was towed to dealer, was told they would check car on Monday.on Monday was told engine needs replacement.it is well known that Kia theta 2 engines have bad crank shafts, causing engines to fail. I want my engine replaced at no cost to me, because of their mistake.

- Dickson City, PA, USA

problem #25

Mar 232018

Sorento

  • 166,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the driver was driving at approximately 60 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to coast to the side of the road. The driver turned off the engine. The vehicle was restarted two hours later and was able to drive. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed but no failure code was found. The failure recurred a second time. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where a second diagnostic testing was completed with results that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 166,000.

- Colebrook, NH, USA

problem #24

Oct 102017

Sorento

  • miles
2015 Kia Sorento. Consumer writes in regards to engine issues. The consumer stated the engine seized due to a sludge build-up inside the valve cover.

- Congers, NY, USA

problem #23

Dec 212017

Sorento

  • 63,000 miles
Todays date: 12/21/2017. Purchased vehicle 11/9/2017. Approx. 61,500 miles. I check equipment fluids regularly. While driving, the oil indication light illuminated. I pulled over, checked. Almost bone dry. No forewarning of any kind. The dealer serviced it prior to my purchase, so, I have had no reason to schedule vehicle service yet. Vehicle was manufactured March 5, 2014 ( 3/5/2014 ).

- Owasso, OK, USA

problem #22

Nov 212017

Sorento

  • 61,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. While driving approximately 65 mph, the check engine and check oil warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle started to slowly decelerate until it stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (parkside Kia in knoxville, Tennessee) where it was diagnosed that the engine seized because of sludge, and a new engine was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 61,000.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #21

Oct 142017

Sorento

  • 42,000 miles
"takata recall" we have around 41000 miles on our 2015 Kia sorrento. My husband took a position working approximately 2.5 hours away from our home and making a daily commute of 5 hours each day to work. We have never had any trouble out of our Sorento. In Saturday, October 14, 2017 after a long day at work he was traveling home and was about 1.75 hours into his 2 hour commute when our Sorento started making a terrible knocking noise. No light indicators came on to indicate what could possible be going wrong at the time. He got over in the slow lane and dropped his speed to approximately 30mph. Before every trip he made a point to check the oil and that morning was no diffetent. All oil levels were fine. After a few minutes the oil light came on. He got off at the next exit and put in around 1 quart of oil.. still no lights but the terrible knocking noise coninured. He sat for a bit and let the new oil run through and started to make his way home at which time the engine light and the oil light came on. He then pulled over and called a tow truck and had our car towed home. Our engine is completely blown. Upon starting it makes a terrible knocking noise and after 15 to 20 seconds turns off. A mechanic checked our car over and said there was metal shavings in our oil. We have contacted Kia but they we are not willing to do anything as we did not get all services and oil changes at the dealership.

- Asheville, NC, USA

problem #20

Aug 272017

Sorento

  • 28,249 miles
I experienced a sudden engine failure on August 27, 2017 on my 2015 Kia Sorento LX with 28K miles. The engine type is a theta II 2.4L gdi. The complete engine failure happened without warning while driving 65 mph on an interstate. The car immediately lost all acceleration capabilities. There were no warning displays or unusual noise/movement beforehand. It was a very dangerous situation and fortunately I was able to get to the shoulder and avoid any severe safety issues. The car was towed for a nearby Kia dealership in New Jersey and they diagnosed the engine failure. Kia has acknowledged this engine problem and they paid for a remanufactured engine and car rental costs for a nearly two-week period. The newly installed engine is only under warranty for 10 years from the original purchase date, not the date of the remanufactured engine installation. The car's service has been up to date and I've had no previous issues with the car. Why has this engine problem not yet been recalled for 2015 Sorentos" it's likely a very similar problem to the Kia engine recalls earlier this year. The Kia dealership in New Jersey indicated that they replace dozens of new engines a month, including on many new 2017 and even 2018 models. Does someone need to be killed for action to be taken"

- Wilmington, DE, USA

problem #19

Aug 092017

Sorento

  • 104,000 miles
Vehicle engine stopped on freeway, causing me to have to lose power brake and power steering ability, was barely able to get vehicle off freeway and stop without causing major accident to several other vehicles. Engine exhibits same symptoms are previous model year recall from Kia and hyundia but dealer fails to acknowledge issue in same exact engine, but one year later model. There is a recall under SC147 for 2012-2014 Kia Sorento and like type vehicles, however mine is a 2015, and as mentioned has the same exact symptoms as previous year engines. Requesting SC147 to be extended into model year 2015 and 2016 vehicles to have cars serviced before this causes injury or death in other motorists.

- San Ramon, CA, USA

problem #18

Jul 062017

Sorento

  • 73,864 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. While driving approximately 10 mph, the vehicle shut off and the oil warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (myrtle beach Kia in myrtle beach, SC) where it was diagnosed that the failure was due to an internal engine failure. The dealer recommended that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the warranty applied to the original owner only. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 73,864.

- Laurel, MD, USA

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