10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
49,175 miles

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problem #323

Feb 252025

Sorento

  • miles
UNKNOWN. My engine light comes on often. When I had my oil changed the professional indicated that my car is burning oil. When reviewing online, it appears that this is a common issue for Kia Sorento and specifically the engine that is installed in my 2015.

- Woodbury, MN, USA

problem #322

Apr 012024

Sorento

  • miles
The oil pump quit and Kia had a service bulletin that indicated that the oil pumps were defective and 10 years or 180k they would repair. Not may case.

- Richland, MO, USA

problem #321

Mar 012025

Sorento

  • miles
My car started shaking and making knocking sounds, pulled over and turned it off, tried to turn it back on and it shut off, had it towed to a family/friend mechanic he says my engine needs to be replaced. I-??ve never had issues up until now.

- Shepherdsville, KY, USA

problem #320

Jan 012025

Sorento

  • miles
Kia had a class action lawsuit for rod bearing failure. The settlement appears to require a KSDS (knock sensor) software update. This was a 'Product improvement campaign', which would extend the warranty to 15yr 150k miles. Kia mailed the letter to a previous address, failing to notify the owner. This should have been a recall. Engine has seized, warranty claim denied. Estimated repair over $9,000. Kia failed to notify owner of the defect, only sending one letter, to a bad address. Kia is dodging it's responsibility, the warranty claim is denied. This reeks. Looking up on their website for recall information, it says 0 incomplete campaigns for vin number.

- Leeds, AL, USA

problem #319

Nov 142024

Sorento

  • miles
September 2024, the engine cooling fan began staying on after shutting off the vehicle, and October 2024, we began to hear unusual engine noises and a bubbling sound from behind the dashboard. November 2024, we began to see intermittent poor performance with the HVAC system, and then on [XXX], the temperature gauge climbed to H. We called Matthews Kia of Greece, 4321 W Ridge Rd, Rochester, NY 14626, and brought the vehicle in on 11/15/2024. Matthews Kia had the vehicle from 11/15 to 11/29/2024. They reported performing a coolant pressure test and block test but found no signs of a coolant leak. They opened a tech line case under warranty extension WTY039, and they were told to release the vehicle. Matthews Kia informed us that the coolant reservoir appeared to have -??an odor of alcohol-?? and some contamination, so we paid for a coolant flush at 140,438 miles (previous coolant flush was completed at 127,057 miles). We drove the vehicle for two more weeks. During that time, the check engine light turned on, and the temperature gauge would rise to H and then slowly descend back to standard operating position. We returned the vehicle to Matthews Kia on 12/13/2024, with 141,266 miles. They reported not being able to identify the source of overheating, and they indicated that the vehicle did not meet qualifications for the extended warranty under TSB #254. Matthews Kia suggested replacing the thermostat. This was replaced, and motor oil and coolant were topped off on 1/3/2025 with 141,280 miles. Within ten miles of leaving Matthews Kia on 1/3/2025, the check engine light came back on. During the following week, HVAC system also stopped blowing hot air and would frequently only blow cold air. The temperature gauge began rising to the H mark repeatedly on short trips (7-10 miles). We spoke with Matthews Kia on 1/16/2025, and returned the vehicle to them for further evaluation. The service dept at the dealer said they have no explanation and cannot diagnose the problem. FORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMA

- Pittsford, NY, USA

problem #318

Jan 222025

Sorento

  • miles
Coolant and oil are mixing. Coolant was over flowing from the reservoir. High oil consumption. Oil was just topped off about 1000 miles ago and is very low on the dipstick now. Coolant mixing with oil seems like the issue the 2016-17 3.3 V6s are experiencing with the stripped head bolts. HEAD GASKET/ENGINE FAILURE is imminent. Extend the warranty to all 3.3 liters not just 2016 and 2017 (15 years/180,000).

- Blaine , MN, USA

problem #317

Aug 082024

Sorento

  • miles
I don-??t know why, but I keep losing oil somewhere. I do my oil changes on time regularly and they said it-??s burning oil fast and that that-??s an issue with all Kia.

- Alhambra, CA, USA

problem #316

Dec 242024

Sorento

  • miles
Engine seized up. Apparently it is common with Kia engines

- Jupiter, FL, USA

problem #315

Nov 182024

Sorento

  • miles
Was driving on the freeway and vehicle shut off doing 70 miles per hour. Had to pull over in the dark on the side of the freeway and car would not start. Has never had any problems with this before. I drive it to work and back everyday and no issues. It was very scary to sit on the side of the freeway for over two hours and 50 miles from home in the dark. I had to car the car towed to our home cost me almost $200. Mechanic looked at it and believes it is an engine failure. There are metal shavings in the oil. I can not drive my car it is in my driveway and will not stay on. Never had anything like this happen before. It is a 2015 with 106,000 miles.

- Sunnyside, WA, USA

problem #314

Jul 052024

Sorento

  • 162,645 miles
March of 2022 the engine stalled out and found out due to coolant leaking from head gasget area. Put new engine in and July 2024 the new engine started stalling and knocking. No warning lights. In middle of busy traffic and died. Rod bearings failed and metal shavings appeared in engine. Need another engine but can't afford it. Dealership said its manufacturer problem. I know other kia engines were covered under the problem with rod bearing but ours wasn't. This should be included

- Waterford, WI, USA

problem #313

Nov 022024

Sorento

  • miles
My engine is using excessive amounts of oil. I am having to fill the engine with oil in between my 3000-mile oil changes. No oil is leaking in my driveway. I just started an oil consumption test with a dealer and after driving it 1000 miles I brought it back to them as they asked, and the engine oil level had dropped by almost 4 qt. But after making some calls with KIA regional they said they my car wouldn't have the engine replaced due to it not being in the recall. KIA knows there is a problem with their engines and will not fix the problem.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #312

Oct 172024

Sorento

  • miles
While driving my 2015 Kia Sedona, was at a stop sign and began making a left turn. Half way thru the intersecion the vehicle just stopped running. I managed to get half off the 2-lane road, blocking half off the road with traffic coming both ways. I was there approximately 45 before the tow truck came to tow the car to the mechanic's shop where he confirmed the problem was a common problem with the 2015 Kia Sedona. There was absolutely no warning that the vehicle was going to become incapacitated, no warning lights or messages prior to the failure.

- Noble, OK, USA

problem #311

Oct 132024

Sorento

  • miles
I was driving and it started to make a knocking noise thays when i saw the engine light come on then my car turned off. I took it to autozone and 2 sensors are bad. I went to pep boys and they said that it needs a engine replacement and it falls under the tsd dates. I called my Kia dealership and they said that they don't see any recalls on my vehicle.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #310

Aug 052024

Sorento

  • miles
What component or system failed or malfunctioned" The engine began leaking hot air bubbles into the cooling system, causing hot coolant to leak into the harness and parts of the car. Is it available for inspection upon request? No, the manufacturer has responded that it does not cover the warranty because it is in another country, although the brand is present there. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? When heating the system there is a risk of burst hoses or catastrophic damage to the systems when driving and therefore risk of explosion or fire. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by an independent dealer or service center? Yes, through an independent service center in the country where the vehicle is currently located. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Mechanical technicians state that it is a factory defect. Were there warning lights, messages or other symptoms of the problem before the failure and when did they first appear" No warnings, just hot coolant splashing onto the engine. Kia Sorento is a family vehicle, which we could not enjoy due to engine failures. Considering the timely maintenance, the brand must respond for the risk we ran by driving a vehicle with a catastrophic engine failure.

- San Pedro Sula, TX, USA

problem #309

Dec 012020

Sorento

  • miles
In 2020, we started noticing the smell of engine coolant and the continuous running of the engine fan after shutting the engine off. The temperature gage never indicated any issue. We took the vehicle to the dealer to address the issue. Upon inspecting the vehicle, it was determined that there was a failure of one of the engine block bolts, which cause the coolant to seep in to the engine block. The dealer stated the engine needed to be rebuilt, because the bock was not salvageable. We then contacted Kia to question the failure and were told that the repair was not covered, because of the milage on the vehicle. In 2024 we received a recall notice, which stated they were now taking responsibility for the repairs and all we needed to do was submit documents showing the repairs were made. We did so, two months ago, however after submitting the documents Kia has not given us a reimbursement or provided updates on the status of our claim.

- Haslet, TX, USA

problem #308

Jul 022024

Sorento

  • miles
With regular maintenance, at 138,000 miles my engine has a crack in the block and an inner oil leak that hadn't been previously detected during oil changes, which may have been a result of the check engine light that read camshaft issues just before it happened. All the other recalls and problems these kia engines have had I'm sure I'm not the only one with this issue.

- Lenexa, KS, USA

problem #307

Jul 262024

Sorento

  • miles
The engine cut off while driving. The mechanic said the motor seized and needs $8k in repairs. Kia said I missed a software update that is needed in order to be eligible for an extended warranty and they denied the repairs. I never received notice that a software update was needed.

- Lincolnville, SC, USA

problem #306

Jun 012024

Sorento

  • 106,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the brakes locked up, the steering seized, and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that there were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact was barely able to pull off the highway. The contact was not able to restart the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

- Clewiston, FL, USA

problem #305

Sep 092023

Sorento

  • miles
I previously reported an engine complained submitted on 9/14/2023, ID 11544548. My engine started knocking while I was driving on a major highway without any warning lights or indications. a claim to Kia was made as I was told by the Kia dealership I would need engine replacement however Kia offered no explanation as to why the engine failed nor any explanation or seemed to care one bit that I was on a major highway and this occurred without any warnings whatsoever. I understand there is current recall for some v4 engines of the sorento model I had and I firmly believe the 3.3L v6 engines should be investigated.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #304

Jul 302022

Sorento

  • miles
The engine started to sound weird and stopped in the middle of the road that couldve created an accident should there have been other vehicle iw as pregnant at that time We contacted kia and they wouldnt change the engine since we didnt replace the knock sensor but we never received the mail and they confirmed thag mail was not sent to us.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

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