10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
33,273 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.

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problem #18

Sep 052024

Sorento

  • miles
ABS light and Traction Control light are coming on intermittently-noticed that when vehicle is in park the needle on the mph will jump-nothing has really happened yet-it-??s just intermittent. I have researched and noticed quite a few others have had the same instances

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #17

May 132024

Sorento

  • miles
In April 2022, I received a letter dated April 7, 2022, informing me of an extended warranty coverage for the Oil Pressure Switch leak in 2014-2018 Sorento vehicles equipped with the 3.3L GDI Engine, extending from 5 years/60,000 miles to 15 years/150,000 miles. Additionally, I was notified of an Important Safety Recall (NHTSA Recall Number: 22V612) indicating a defect that could lead to vehicle rollaway, significantly increasing the risk of a crash and injury. The letter assured me that Kia would inspect and, if necessary, replace the shift lock lever and holder at no cost. I took the vehicle in for inspection in May and the vehicle has not been returned to me yet. the vehicle has been at the dealership with no indication on when the issues would be remedied. The vehicle is used for services to minority and low income youth and it appears that the company does not care about BIPOC safety.

- Far Rockaway, NY, USA

problem #16

Apr 082023

Sorento

  • 122,357 miles
After parking and turning the car off, when restarting the vehicle the shift lock would no longer release to shift out of park. In order to shift out of park it requires the shift lock clip to be removed, a screw driver placed down and pressure applied to release the shifter. The vehicle was taken to the dealership to be assessed and owner was told it was the BCM and the entire component would need to be replaced as it is not sensing that the brake is being applied. There are no service or warning lights. The BCM controls several other safety features including park assist, the heated seats, and other electrical components Serious safety concern if the computer system within the vehicle is not able to detect that the brake is being applied. It could also lead to other electrical failures throughout the vehicle.

- Fort Pierce, FL, USA

problem #15

Nov 162022

Sorento

  • miles
the anti lock button does not work, kia will not fix it, they stated that there recall on it was for locks that can move the car forward and backwards. I've never used my anti lock button its down beside the gear shift so the only way I can drive my suv to put my car in drive, reverse etc to use the gear shift is by holding a screwdriver down in it the whole time and I complained to kia about that knows that but they won't do anything about it unless I pay out of pocket for something I've never even used since I had the vehicle/I'm not at fault for. I suddenly could not put my suv back in drive after cutting my car off at my daughter school in 2022 bc of the anti lock button being stuck or something of that nature and kia done nothing about it since, they turned my down to fix n/or replace it. And my dashboard is cracking by the airbag on passenger side from the top all the way down unknowingly on its own. Also my engine light suddenly comes on and stays on for days then goes off and that happened on several occasions/ twice so far, kia was notified about it and said if its not jumping or flashing I'll have to pay to get it checked.

- Shorter , AL, USA

problem #14

Jun 022023

Sorento

  • miles
I was traveling on the interstate, I heard a slight tapping noise, after about 5 miles, there was no warning light indicators, the car just died, I lost all power, there were no brakes, I was able to get pulled off the highway to the warning track that helped slow the vehicle down, smoke was coming from under the hood & into the cabin, then I saw flames, at about 20mph I knew I had to get out so I put it in park & it finally stopped. I had just enough time to grab my purse & suitcase out of the back & it was in engulfed in flames immediately. I had just had the car serviced 1 month prior for oil change & Anti theft recall but was advised that recall wasn't being done at this time. The engine light had came on the day before I took it in for the oil change, they reset it stating it was a CO2 sensor & if it came back on to let them know. It did not. It has been reported to my insurance& deemed total loss, I filed a claim with Kia & have not heard back, the Kia service dept. where it was taken said there was nothing they can do, that it will have to be investigated by insurance.

- Chapel Hill, TN, USA

problem #13

Jan 032023

Sorento 6-cyl

  • miles
The brake is not sending a signal to the switch. When I try to switch out of park, It will not move. My car is a great car. I have no other problems besides trying to switch out of Park. I had the vehicle checked out and everything is in order. I was told the problem might be behind the Body module of the car...Please help me with trying to find out what is going on. My car has less than 79k miles and this should not be happening. Please call or email [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Middletown, NY, USA

problem #12

Oct 172022

Sorento

  • miles
Brakes applied but vehicle does slow down but not stop. In a few seconds brakes do stop. This problem was intermittent but getting worse. Confirmed operation by others driving vehicle and at the auto dealers service department. Vehicle was declared a safety hazard until problem solved. Service record indicates check valve replaced and vacuum pump service. No dash warning lights indicated a problem. Replaced part was not inspected but the problem has returned 10 days after repair, it is back at the dealer. Cost $1100

- Hot Springs Village, AR, USA

problem #11

Jul 062022

Sorento

  • miles
El mes de 01\22\2022 compre un beiculo y el primer problema que tube fue como alas dos semanas de tenerlo con migo y fue con los frenos y lo lo llebe a que lo areglaran pero el gran problema bino con el motor que se quemo cuando iba de camino a mi trabago y apenas tenia dos meses con el beiculo y en el lote cue la compre ni mis aseguransas que le puse al beiculo quieren alludarme

- Waller, TX, USA

problem #10

Sep 152021

Sorento

  • 31,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle had experienced unintended acceleration causing the RPMs to increase and the vehicle to suddenly drive forward and almost crash. The contact indicated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure and no problem was found. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 31,000.

- Springfield, MA, USA

problem #9

Apr 082021

Sorento

  • 76,555 miles
There are numerous safety issues I have found with this car I just financed. First, at random many different lights just blow, then on my dash various warning lights will go on and off, on top of that my ABS and traction control is off for no reason and so are my passenger air bags. My brakes scream somedays and are touchy others ive replaced the battery twice and only owned it 3 months. I have brand new tires yet the suspension is awful the fuel is going fast and my oil needs changing very often and it is under 100000 miles.

- Odenville, AL, USA

problem #8

Mar 112021

Sorento

  • 63,000 miles
The ABS and traction control light has been coming on and off my dashboard for a few months now. It will be on one day and then off the next or on for a few days then shut off. I looked online and seen that I am not the only one having this issue.

- Port Saint Lucie, FL, USA

problem #7

Apr 152019

Sorento 6-cyl

  • 20,000 miles
Kia kearny mesa, ca dealership performed a class III trailer hitch tow package installation with VIN purchase that included part numbers C6061-adu00 and recalled part number C6061-adus9. The California law required electric brake controller was excluded. I completed the class III tow package myself for ~$500 parts charge and used it as a legal tow vehicle with a 3000 # rv for about 5 months then experienced the trailer light SC142 failure. I replaced the SC142 recalled part number C6061-adus9 with an etrailer company part number tekonsha 118269 successfully and found out about the recall later. I provided the receipt of dealership installed incomplete tow package part numbers and the etrailer part installed to both the dealership and Kia corporate customer care without resolve for over a year. I request the Kia dealership and/or Kia corporation reimburse $500 parts and current labor costs for neglect to install a complete class III tow package at time of purchase and denial of reimbursement for recalled part number replacement costs.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #6

Nov 062020

Sorento

  • 69,000 miles
I was driving on the highway and when the vehicle in front of me stopped short my Kia would stop I had to swerve to the side of the road to stop. I noticed smoke from the hood so I waited until it stopped and slowly moved into the already slowed traffic and went home park the vehicle and reported to Kia but they continue to give me the run around and not offer repairs unless I paid for

- Union City, GA, USA

problem #5

Nov 062020

Sorento

  • 69,000 miles
While driving on the highway a person suddenly brakes in front of me driving normal speed of about 35- 55, miles per hr, , I slammed on my brakes and my SUV, did not stop, I merged to left not to hit the car in front of me, god did the rest. I slumped over with my anxiety out of the roof, I realized it was smoking so I turned off, the engine, , there was grid lock traffic ahead, waited until I and it cooled down, calmly I realized there was no more smoking, drove home safely, this happened multiple times and each time, they Kia dealer and Kia consumer service said, there was no recall and there was no guarantee they would repair the vehicle and I was responsible for the towing and findings at this point there is no recall on my vehicle 2016 Kia sorrento, please help I am on anxiety medication increase, I am afraid to drive however no one is taking responsibility through Kia, as of today, I appreciate all your assistance

- Union City, GA, USA

problem #4

Feb 102020

Sorento

  • miles
My ac/heater fan is no longer blowing out air. In addition, while braking, the brakes have always seemed to have not been performing as it should.

- Wilmington, NC, USA

problem #3

Aug 172019

Sorento

  • 62,000 miles
While driving our Kia Sorento at 45 miles per hour, all systems shut down and the brake engaged briefly.

- Leander, TX, USA

problem #2

Jul 042019

Sorento

  • 76,000 miles
I was getting over into the turn lane to the hwy the brakes locked up and I couldn't push on the brakes they were really hard to press down it was like a stone that I was trying to push on the car wouldn't stop I had two choices run into the vehicle in front of me or run over a curb full of rocks so I chose the rocks I had no brakes

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #1

Nov 012015

Sorento

  • 10,000 miles
You can shift the car from park to reverse/drive without putting enough pressure on the brake peddle to actually engage the brake pads to the brake rotors. If you aren't pay attention to how hard you are pressing on the brake peddle, the call will start to move at a normal speed. I have taken the car to two Kia dealerships and I have been told this is normal and safe. I feel that this is a huge safety issue. One dealership even checked other 2016 Sorentos on the lot and it was the same for them as well. This happens every day.

- San Angelo, TX, USA