10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 4 / 4
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 4 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 25,266 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.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while pulling the gear shift lever to shift the vehicle into reverse, the lever then would not shift into drive or any other gear. The check engine warning light illuminated but turned off after a couple minutes. The contact noticed that the gear shift lever was locked and placed a screwdriver into the shifter lever lock and the contact was able to shift the lever to reverse and drive. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 190,000.
- Panther, WV, USA
Engine Failure - 3.3L Head Bolts Backed Out of Block Emissions Seeping In to Cooling System (coolant blowing out of reservoir tank) Dealer Verified Issue and Know this to Be an Issue (with various 3.3L cars) Overheating Claimed to Be the Cause - Car Maintenance By Dealer Only on Routine Basis Vehicle Driven Around Town - Not Pushed Beyond Local Driving Internet Search Shows Others with Same Problem Reports from Mechanics of Blocks with Poor Castings and Material/Quality Issues 119,000K miles with no prior mechanical issues Dangerous Issue Repair Estimate $10000 - Unethical, Unsafe, Predadatory for those who Still paying off vehicles
- Aliso Viejo, CA, USA
Car will not drive, sputters and will not accelerate at all. Car shakes and then loses power.
- Ontario, CA, USA
My gear shift locks in place unless the shift lock release is pressed. Multiple other vehicles of this same Make and Model have a recall for this same issue but my car isn't on the list for it's vin number so the dealer wants to charge $950 for the BCM to be replaced first before then moving to the shifter and components which will total almost another $600. My sister's 2016 Kia Sorento is also experiencing the same issue. I don't understand how my vehicle has the same issue but they want to charge me to correct an issue that manufacturing causes in so many of this Make and Model. Side note: after recall for anti theft system was "fixed" my steering wheel controls for menu settings and stereo no longer work.
- Kinston, Nc, NC, USA
Most recently the engine burned up the oil prior to my next service date. After oil was added and the engine drove fine. The next day the engine ran fine and after driving through an intersection 1/2 mile from my house the car died. It lost complete power, putting myself and my family in danger. (Thank God we were able to get off to the side of the busy roadway safely). At that moment, a battery light came on first, then an oil and engine light illuminated at the same time. The car wouldn-??t start and had to be towed off the side of the road. The mechanic that looked at it said it needed an engine. Due to lack of maintenance records, the extended warranty company chose to deny my claim. The dealer has my car and will do a diagnostic test. About a year ago I had the transmission looked at for hard shifting into first and the dealer said it needed a flush. The problem continued not too long after they flushed it. It only happens if you release the brake and push to start too quickly and put in gear too quickly. No recalls I-??m being told for that issue as well. ZERO indicators on dash prior to any issues happening that would have given me the opportunity to maintenance/service my vehicle before resulting in engine failure and potentially costing my thousands I don-??t have. I love my Kia and want my baby back in great working order but I-??m afraid I won-??t be able to have her back if the repairs are more expensive than the cars worth. I-??m still financing this vehicle as well. Please KIA/Hyundai I need your grace and good faith to repair my vehicle under warranty.
- Flanders , NY, USA
While daughter driving home on interstate, Sorento started losing power and slowing down, no warning lights turned on. She pulled off interstate when she noticed it was missing and cut the car off. When trying to start the vehicle again, engine light came on, but the car was missing so bad, we had it towed home. Next day had it towed to auto repair, was told it was losing compression in one and two cylinder and coming out tailpipe. The oil was checked and good and the vehicle did not have any warning lamps, even when it failed her on interstate. The vehicle never register or run hot. No lights came on until after pulled over and turned off and then on again. Had the knock sensor installed for recall when received in mail and it was updated. Vehicle has not been repaired because I can't find anyone that will work on a Kia! Making payments & Insurance on a car that cannot drive.
- Columbia, TN, USA
I was driving my Kia Sorento and the check engine light came on. Took to Autozone to scan the code. And it came back as a KNOCK SENSOR CODE. It went to LIMP MODE I couldn-??t accelerare and Was so slow. And consuming oil. And the engine had a knock. Problems with the shift gear. I took it to GREENBRIER KIA DEALERSHIP IN CHESAPEAKE VIRGINIA. They told me that it just need it a software update. I told them that I hear many owners having the same issues. Now they did a diagnostic for $199 dollars. They told me it needs a new knock sensor. The total I will have to pay is close to $600 dollars. I told them if they do ROD BEARINGS TEST. They say they do. I-??m just frustrated because it seems like the engine needs to be replaced. The technician told me my Kia Sorento was not on the knock sensor recall nor engine recall. I can-??t drive the car and still making payments on it.
- Virginia Beach , VA, USA
Would not shift out of park Dealership repair cost $1000 - told -??not part of transmission so not under the warranty -?? - now reading online and on recall site lever and linkage column shift issue but now dealership says -??not the same-?? but reading lots of Kia owners reporting same problem? Should be a recall!!
- Waynesburg, KY, USA
Car started to make a knocking noise especially when accelerating, however no lights on dash indicated anything was wrong. Car started fluttering and engine died. Started the car again, more knocking and fluttering before the engine died. Pulled over and checked oil. It was low so had someone bring me oil. Put in 3.5 quarts and got the car started again. The car was still making the knocking sound but was able to drive.5 mile to the closest mechanic. They said it is a serious engine problem from the sounds of it and instructed me not to drive it but to get it towed to the dealer.
- Yardley, PA, USA
Car started to make a knocking noise, however no lights on dash indicated anything was wrong. Checked oil and the oil was low, had to add 4 quarts of oil, checked for leaks and nothing was leaking. Two weeks later noticed the car was driving a little different, checked oil and had to add two more quarts of oil.
- Inman, SC, USA
Twice now my 2016 Kia GDI has had the same problem as many others. I had my oil changes made and they said there was no oil in the car. the oil light never came on. I am afraid to drive my car. Has there been a recall on this. or for a engine recall. My car is under warranty.
- Gardner, KS, USA
i was merging into traffic on the expressway and when i stepped on the gas the vehicle wouldnt accelerate and died on me, i was able to coast to the side of the expressway, the vehicle sputtered when i attemted to restart, and when i put in drive it died. once it was towed home, i was able to start it and back it up to the garage like 3 feet. but it was sputtering and shaking. this vehicle was purchased used, and the dealership replaced the headgasket approximately 3 months ago. i purchased it 4 months ago. now i'm having problems again and don't know how i'm going to fix this on going problem.
- Milwaukee, WI, USA
We bought our vehicle in April of 2020. In July 2020 our car broke down and Kia replaced the engine due to a recall that caused the engine to fail. We continued to get our oil changed per the recommended miles. In August of 2022, our turbo failed. We brought it into the dealership and were advised that the engine was bone dry of oil. There has been no oil leaks, nor was our oil light on. After some research we discovered despite this being a common issue with this motor that there is not a recall. Our turbo was replaced and now our entire engine of only two years old needs to be replaced again.
- Buckeye, AZ, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at less than 10 MPH, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly without warning. The contact was able to shift into neutral (N), which stopped the unintended acceleration and caused the vehicle to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer who informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure as the vehicle had operated as designed. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the failure reoccurred without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated unintendedly at a higher speed. The contact depressed the brake pedal and pressed the ON/OFF button, however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact then drove into a vacant parking lot and shifted into neutral (N), which stopped the acceleration. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while taking the vehicle back to the unknown dealer. Upon arriving at the dealer, the contact informed the dealer that he no longer wanted possession of the vehicle as it was unsafe to drive. The dealer provided the contact with a rental vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact sent a letter to the manufacturer informing them of the failure, but the contact had not yet received a response. The contact stated that the whereabouts of the vehicle were unknown. The failure mileage was 27,093. Manufacturer Safety Recall Campaign issued. NHTSA #22V703 Recall #SC249B SC249B TOW HITCH (REMEDY NOT AVAILABLE) Status: Remedy Not Yet Available
- Spring Hill, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, his wife was unable to shift into drive (D) as the gear shifter remained stuck in park (P). The contact's wife used a screwdriver to depress a button as instructed by an online tutorial. The contact's wife was then able to shift into drive (D) and continued driving; however, the failure reoccurred whenever the vehicle was parked. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not be repair the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V612000 (Power Train) as the VIN was not included due to the manufacturing date of the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
- Little Rock, AR, USA
I have a 2016 Kia Sorento that was purchased Certified Pre-Owned on 5/18/2022. On 9/16/2022, I was driving the car at approximately 50 MPH when the care began to lose significant power. The car completely lost power making it hard to drive and adjust steering. I was able to safely pull over; however, being stranded in the dark as a woman is not safe, and I feel had another car been in front of or near me, I could have easily crashed. At that time, the car would not restart, and I noticed when I tried to start the car, smoke coming from under the hood. I sat for about 30 minutes, tried to start the car again, the car would not start. Prior to the car shutting down, there was no warning. The engine light has never been on in the car. What I did notice is the engine light flashed just before it went into this coasting mode. So, whatever was happening, happened without any warning at all. I had the car towed to my home. The tow driver parked the vehicle in a spot where I do not park; I noticed upon inspection oil had puddled on the ground. The car has never had or shown any previous leaks. I park in the same spot daily and have never seen a leak. Since having the car towed into the dealer, I have learned from Kia, the engine locked up; however, they have not been able to determine the cause as of yet. What they have shared with me is that they ran the diagnostic on the vehicle and confirmed that oil was everywhere (as I reported). They stated although the oil was dirty, the oil was full in the engine. They have confirmed the engine is locked but stated any claim with Kia against the Theta II Settlement Claim was denied because the KSDS had not been upgraded. When I asked how would I have known the car needed this recall because my car's VIN does not produce any recall notices on neither the KIA site nor NHTSA, I was told Honda (the Seller) should have performed the update before selling the car to me. So currently I am looking at $8K-$12K in repairs.
- Rosenberg, TX, USA
My 2016 Kia Sorrento is burning oil, about 1 quart every 300 miles. It only has 64,000 miles on it. We have the oil changed every 3000 miles and last time it was black and sludge like. This is not acceptable and called the dealership and they suggest paying $700 to do a carbon test. Not paying that when the car has a warranty still!!!! This issue needs to fixed!!! We have dealing with this for months!! Also the lights on dashboard flicker once in a while.
- Rochester , MN, USA
I was driving on the highway going 70 mph when my 2016 Kia Sorento 3.3L lost power and could not accelerate. I had to navigate to the side of the highway carefully and got my car towed to the closest Kia Dealership. Upon their investigation, it was a blown head gasket that required the whole engine to be replaced. I am the 2nd owner of the car and bought the car in late 2019 with 45, XXX miles on it and it currently only has 66, XXX miles. I was not covered under warranty as it expires once you pass 60,000k miles. Estimation from Kia would cost close to $10K with a new engine/labor. Contacted Kia Consumer to see if they can help and was denied. Now stuck with a dead car trying to figure out what I can do.
- Wilton, CA, USA
-I was driving my vehicle in a parking lot, stopped at the stop sign to let a car pass and hit the gas pedal and the car did not move. - My concern is what could have happened if the transmission died while I was driving. -The problem has been confirmed by the dealer that the transmission needs to be replaced. The car has less than 31,000 miles on it. I am a 2nd owner, and I only put 7,000 miles on it in 3 years but it was out of warranty. KIA even denied a Good Will replacement. - There were not any warning signs, message or symptoms. Unfortunately I have to pay $3200 to have it replaced and I spoke to KIA and they said that there was nothing they could do. It seems strange that a vehicle with less than 31,000 miles would have a transmission just die without any warnings.
- Keene, NH, USA
- Raymore, MO, USA