10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 6
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 17,855 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
I called Kia to replace fuse per their safety recall information. They are really uninterested in fixing these recalls or allowing me to speak to a manager to fix the issue. What's the point?
- Liverpool , NY, 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
I was driving down the road and heard a grinding noise from engine. I pulled over to check under the hood for fluid leaks or check engine lights which everything checked out good temp gauges and everything giving normal readings. I then proceeded to keep traveling my route and about 5 minutes in I was loosing power and my car wasn't accelerating any more. I contacted the dealership I received my car from letting them know of these problems and informed them of a recall that was in affect a couple years back and also about the recent one I then asked if they fixed this problem or had any Knowledge of these defects which they stated it's not on them I have to take it up with the manufacturer even though I wasn't informed of these problems before my vehicle purchase. I then contacted the manufacturer and let them know of the troubles and got them in contact with the mechanic that was in charge of my diagnostic at the time and they did an investigation and turned out the recall caused this problem but since the problem already occurred they can't help me with repairs. This shouldn't be on me when they sold me a faulty vehicle without disclosing the recalls that needed attention which in return could've cost me or someone's life that day.
- Dowagiac, MI, USA
While driving at highway speed, the battery light and oil light came on and the throttle became unresponsive. The driver pulled over safely. The vehicle had to be restarted before the throttle became responsive again. The vehicle was taken to Maguire Kia Service (Ithaca, NY), where the engine was subsequently replaced.
- Ithaca, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the exterior lights failed to operate as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the headlamps and brake light bulbs had been changed approximately 2 - 3 times per year. Additionally, the horn failed to sound off while being depressed. The contact stated that the oil pressure warning light failed to illuminate to notify the contact that the oil level was low. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was jump started. The vehicle was started and there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that there was no oil in the engine. The mechanic performed an oil change on the vehicle. The cause of the failure with the exterior lighting was not yet determined. The contact stated that the bulbs were replaced at Walmart. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.
- Crete, IL, USA
Headlights drop out without notice, most noticeable when it-??s dark! Happens often
- Lancaster, PA, 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
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
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
Ignition switch/steering column lock/anti-theft device. It is widely known key start KIA-Hyundai vehicles are easy to steal due to lack of sufficient steering column/ignition switch/anti theft device which makes these high risk vehicles for theft which also puts owners and bystanders at unreasonable risk of violence. These same vehicles sold in Canada and elsewhere are equipped with different parts making them much more theft resistant. KIA-Hyundai therefore made a decision to NOT install on US market vehicles, deliberately indifferent to safety of owners, occupants, and others of violence and of increased vehicle theft.
- Bumpass, WA, USA
A couple of months ago, we parked the Kia in the garage and the next morning, went to start the vehicle and attempted to put it in gear and the shifter button would move depress. We ended up replacing the brake switch but the problem remained. We took the vehicle to our local mechanic who ran a number of tests and determined the fault to be within the BCM module. Tests performed. They measured the voltage from the brake switch and validated the proper voltage was there. They went to the interlock solenoid at the shifter and verified the solenoid is functioning properly when provided ground. They went to the BCM (Body Control Module) connector and provided ground from the connector to the solenoid to validate there's no problems with the connectors or wire and this worked. Based on these tests, they have determined the BCM module to be at fault, either not detecting the brake is depressed or the BCM is detecting it, but it's not providing the ground needed to the solenoid. At the moment, we have resorted to pressing the shift lock release to operate the vehicle.
- Parker, CO, USA
in August of 2021 I received a mailer notifying me of a recall & software update to prevent my engine from blowing up. I immediately scheduled the software update for the begining of September and that was completed. In October of 2021 I was driving the vehicle when it began to make an odd noise. No dashboard lights were triggered -so I tried to get to my next stop to evaluate, on the way the vehicle remained on but the ability to use the gas and actually increase speed ceased. It was sputtering when I was able to pull off into a parking lot and the check engine light finally appeared. We evaluated the oil and it was dry. No oil lights ever appeared. Had this occurred on a highway or busy roadway this could have had a tragic ending. The vehicle was regularly serviced per service schedule. The vehicle had a recent oil change before the software update and a multipoint inspection with the software update. The vehicle had to be towed and evaluated at the dealership which determined it was covered under the new warranty due to class action lawsuit on the faulty engines. Repairs took almost a month and the warranty coverage was denied and argued repeatedly.
- Farley, IA, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH the vehicle experienced an unknown electrical failure and was taken to an unknown dealer; however, the mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and stated that no issues were found. On another occasion while driving 35 MPH and depressing the brake pedal while she was approaching a STOP sign, the vehicle jerked abruptly, stalled, and lost electrical power. The contact stuck her arm out of the window to notify the vehicle behind her. The contact depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle but it felt rigid and failed to respond. The vehicle continued to roll until coming to a complete stop. The contact stated that the vehicle restarted independently. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact then continued to drive the vehicle; however, the vehicle was jerking while driving. The contact pulled into a local Pep Boys for an oil change and continued to drive. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
- Fort Mill, SC, USA
Unknown. The blind spots warning sometimes works and sometimes it doesn-??t. The same goes for the backing warning. The car will not lock itself with the key control or manually. This problem has happened a few times already. One of the lights at the driver side isn-??t working. (Inside light)
- Stockton , CA, USA
The engine is failing with the light on. It is not getting enough power and is a safety risk. I only have had the car for a year and a half and the dealership I have gotten it from won't do anything. It has had a air compression test, new spark plugs, and has been reviewed by multiply parties saying it is not deem road safety. I called the Kia dealership and it says all the recalls were done but it doesn't seem like it. They are saying i pretty much need a new engine, I have not even had the car that long.
- Niagara Falls, NY, USA
I was driving my vehicle up a hill. I accelerator a little. The car picked up speed then my oil light flickered and then stayed steady, along with the battery indicator. At this point my engine shut down and the car began to slow down. I came up on a side street that I turned into, because at this point the car was slowing down and loosing power and the breaks were not functioning, I would have either stalled and rolled backwards, or myself and my child would have been rear-ended. All the lights still work and everything come on, so I know its not the battery. My oil light flickered a little when I went around a turn a few times prior to this day, but never steady. No other indicator lights came on. The car is at my mechanics, who advises me the engine has seized and the vehicle has no oil. My last oil change was 3.5 months ago and according to the counter I'm only 99 miles over, which should not have caused this. Even though I was told I had up to 4,000 miles before I needed an oil change again. All of my fluids were checked at this appointment and this is the first major issue with my vehicle.
- Downingtown , PA, USA
There are two major issues with my 2016 Kia Sorento LX (that I-??ve just bought less than a year ago). 1- There seems to be some sort of electrical problem going on as my radio and headlights randomly go off when driving. While driving at 70 mph on the interstate AT NIGHT, my headlights when off and I couldn-??t see anything! Thankfully I was able to get them back on because I had my children in the car with me. This could have caused us to drive right off the road or worse, hit/be hit by another vehicle. Unfortunately, I have not had a chance to get this looked at due to a bigger issue at hand. Which brings me to-?? 2- The most expensive and frustrating issue. The engine has seized up, which has been confirmed by a local service center. I have kept up the maintenance on my vehicle since I got it at the beginning of this year. Regular oil changes with full synthetic oil. While driving, again on the interstate, RPM jumped over 4 then down to 0, oil and battery lights came on, and vehicle was disabled. Waited 3 weeks to have it looked at to find that I-??m just out of luck. Vehicle is not covered under warranty and there seem to be no open recalls, which I don-??t understand given this is a painfully common issue with these models. So I either get to foot the $7,000+ bill for a new engine (which I can-??t afford) or continue paying for a vehicle that I can-??t even drive. To say that I am dissatisfied with my KIA would be a GREAT understatement.
- Poplar Bluff, MO, USA
While my Kia Sorento had a chattering noise. When leaving home for an appointment l took the interstate and the chatter sound got louder about 10 minutes into driving. As I increased acceleration, the check engine light began to flash quickly and immediately The SUV started losing power and the engine stalled coasting long enough for me to pull to side of road. I tried to re-start the engine but it would not turn over to start. Twice in the past my husband took the SUV to Kia of Dayton Because car was losing oil with no warning light indicating it was low on oil. The mechanic explained there was a problem, he said that it had to be proven after a couple of oil changes and same problem occurred, which it has repeated twice. They said then they had to contact Kia for further instructions on how to proceed. The danger that affected my 91 year old Dad and myself is that we were stranded on a busy highway with no heat on a cold winter day. I had to find transportation to get my Dad home, because he takes blood thinner which causes him to get cold very easily.
- Dayton, OH, USA
Engine failed while driving. No warning lights. Have to purchase a new used engine. Fan blower resister: only blows at high or not at all. Has been fixed once and is now an issue again.
- Grand Rapids, MI, USA
- Brookfield, WI, USA