10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
17,855 miles

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problem #95

Aug 202025

Sorento

  • miles
My headlights flicker when the left turn signal is used. I have taken this vehicle to the dealership previously for headlight flickering issues. I have owned it since 2019. When the lights flicker at night driving at highway speeds, it is dangerous for me and other drivers around me. The Ray Skillman Kia dealer has confirmed these issues and offered fixes that have not lasted. the most recent flickering did not come with warnings or messages prior to malfunctioning.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #94

Apr 152025

Sorento

  • miles
This scenerio happened and fire resulted with total loss. Fuel system, gasoline: Delivery: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings Recall date 2018-12-18 Recall no. 18V907000 Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak. Hide details Recall consequence A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. Recall action Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.

- Surprise, AZ, USA

problem #93

Jul 012021

Sorento

  • miles
The specific issue I-??ve encountered is that the vehicle intermittently becomes stuck in -??Park-?? and cannot be shifted into -??Drive-?? or any other gear using normal methods. The only workaround has been to manually engage the shift lock override by inserting a screwdriver or similar tool into the override slot near the gear shifter. This is not a normal or acceptable method of operating the vehicle and clearly indicates a failure of a system that should function reliably. Upon further investigation, I discovered that this problem is not isolated. Hundreds of Kia Sorento owners from various forums and complaint boards (including Reddit, Kia owner groups, [XXX], and even other reports on NHTSA.gov) have documented the same problem with identical symptoms: the gear shifter becomes stuck in Park, the brake lights do not illuminate, and in many cases, this is traced back to a faulty Body Control Module (BCM). Many owners have noted that when they contacted Kia corporate or their dealerships, the representatives either acknowledged the issue was known but not recalled, or simply claimed there was no current recall to address it. This is disappointing and raises serious questions about Kia-??s willingness to take accountability for systemic flaws in their vehicles. I respectfully request that NHTSA: 1.Initiate an investigation into the prevalence and root cause of BCM-related failures in the 2016 Kia Sorento, particularly those that result in gear shift locking and/or brake light malfunction. 2.Evaluate whether this issue meets the criteria for a safety-related recall. 3.Require Kia Motors to issue a recall and provide cost-free repairs or replacements of the affected components to all impacted vehicle owners. 4.Monitor any further consumer complaints to determine the full extent of the issue across other model years, trims, or vehicles using the same BCM design. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Martinez, GA, USA

problem #92

Mar 152025

Sorento

  • miles
While I am driving it can be jerking anytime and also the slippery light come on the dashboard.Sometimes the engine light come on too.

- Santa Ana, CA, USA

problem #91

May 292025

Sorento

  • miles
Vehicle stuck in park. Able to use emergency procedure to drive. Repair of fault would have cost $1600 if not covered by my extended warranty. There is a similar recall for not requiring brake to be applied before the shifter can select a gear. This is caused by the BCM body control module. I believe that most of these units are failure prone and they control a number of functions that are related to safety.

- Tampa , FL, USA

problem #90

Mar 012023

Sorento

  • miles
I own a Kia Sorento with a recurring electrical wiring failure that affects the passenger-side blinker and hazard lights. The issue has been -??repaired-?? multiple times, but it returns within a day. This prevents me from safely signaling lane changes or using hazard lights in dangerous situations. The wiring becomes loose or faulty repeatedly, creating a persistent safety hazard. This defect has not been permanently resolved despite multiple service visits. I am concerned for my safety and the safety of others on the road.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #89

Nov 052024

Sorento

  • miles
The shift interlock system stopped allowing the car to come out of park however the vehicle would still roll when in Park, have to do a manual override to take it out of park but it will hesitate on the highway. I have had too many near miss accidents with this vehicle. Especially due to my break lights working intermittently although they've been replaced. I'm not sure if it's electrical (my locks would randomly lock and unlock) or due to the shifting gear.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #88

Mar 092025

Sorento

  • miles
Engine blew. Getting on interstate, vehicle blew when accelerating on interstate and died right before getting on. Could have been very dangerous if it had made it on the interstate itself. No warning lights or indication ther was a problem. It was maintained regularly. It had 125000 miles on it. A/c fan quit working due to electrical issues. Drivers side brake light blew several times. It was life changing and not for the good. There have also been a few other minor problems.

- Spartanburg , SC, USA

problem #87

Mar 012025

Sorento

  • miles
The instrument cluster blacks out in the middle of a drive or will not come on when initially started. Seems to work when it wants to. Yes, vehicle is available for inspection and we have a video of this defect. Yes, this is a safety issue because no other warning lights or warning system can work. Sometimes the speedometer shows 60mph while sitting still or 0mph while driving. This glitch makes it impossible to verify the speed, if lights and signals are working, airbags active, etc The dealership was advised but nothing done and was told no recalls so can't help without having to come out of pocket. At first it would flicker and get lines like a broken TV screen. We bought car in 2023 about 6 months in is when flickering started. It stopped for awhile. It is on more than off but presents a safety issue for my 18 yr old daughter who it was purchased for.

- Red Oak, TX, USA

problem #86

Feb 242024

Sorento

  • miles
My heated seats stopped working when my new engine was installed and I took it to the dealership and they never fix it and charged me $200 and then my air and heat keeps coming on and off then I got my new engine installed

- Flowerybranch, GA, USA

problem #85

Dec 282024

Sorento

  • miles
The rear camera on my 2016 Kia Sorento no longer works. Over the past year, the camera images have been getting blurry and smaller. Now, there is no indication or warning of cars or people behind my vehicle, which is a safety concern. I found online that there is a recall on the rear camera for this model, but the dealership claims they haven't been informed. I'm worried about the safety risks this presents.

- Dunellen, NJ, USA

problem #84

Nov 282024

Sorento

  • miles
Unknown

- Maryland Heights, MO, USA

problem #83

Jan 022025

Sorento

  • miles
I am financing a 2016 Kia Sorrento from the Burns Ford of York by here pay here of South Carolina I had the car for less than two weeks and the car would not go in park and sometimes it would not come out of park. I am trying to find all recalls that have been fixed on the car before vin# [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- York, SC, USA

problem #82

Jul 012024

Sorento

  • miles
I am having an issue with my Kia headlights when on dim. The lights are so dim I am afraid to drive the car at night because I am scared I will hit a person, animal or object. I am replacing light bulbs frequently. Cars are flashing their lights at me (when I need to drive at night) because of the dimness. I took my car to a Kia dealer and they could not diagnosis the problem. They advised to replace the entire headlight assembly with a cost of $2,600. I am on Social Security and can't afford to have the repair made. I have read a lot of complaints of other Kia lighting issues. I feel a recall should be made immediately due to the seriousness of the issue.

- Conyers, GA, USA

problem #81

Oct 062024

Sorento

  • miles
my car is completely in good working order but i want to send it to tyro and they say i have a problem with it SC249F TOW HH INSPECT/REPLACE +FUSE: DIO (NHTSA #22V703)

- San Diego , CA, USA

problem #80

Jun 162024

Sorento

  • miles
I purchased a used 2016 Kia Sorento during the used vehicle rise in pricing back in 2021. I owned a 2012 Hyundai sonata (which also required an engine replacement), but I my grandmother's car died, and I needed a better vehicle for a new job. June 16th I was driving with my daughter at around 9am and suddenly the vehicle started to shake and loss of power with the radio system beeping all dash lights flashing "engine system component" and check engine light remained on. (very similar to how my sonata died before engine replacement). I pulled over got the vehicle towed to my house due to it being a weekend and unable to reach a shop. I have a code reader, which I read the codes. Upon getting it to the dealer they said it was the Cam Shaft Phaser and new spark plugs, costing about $4800. As a single mother and one income I need a vehicle to survive (and still owing over $6,000) and pay my bills. Now here I am September 15, and I get an "engine system component" and check engine light back on. Now I have read so many similar issues on Kia blogs and nothing is being done to fix these issue and I am stuck with a vehicle that I still owe money on and overpaid because of COVID, and continues to break down. I'm disgusted with Kia as they could care less.

- Concord, NH, USA

problem #79

Aug 172017

Sorento

  • miles
My left headlamp always goes off. The lights go off all the time. I changed the bulb but its Not it. It the faulty light cable connections. I replace higher lights 12000k and the left light cable never stays on. Cause the left light cable is crap and never probably done. So i bought a lemon new off the lot

- Hollywood , FL, USA

problem #78

May 012024

Sorento

  • miles
I keep having problems with the brake lights and all of the back lights, have fixed or replaced them 7 to 8 times in the last 2 years, and my passenger door will not lock, know another person that has a Kia that has the same problem

- North Chesterfield, VA, USA

problem #77

Jun 032024

Sorento

  • miles
The problem started after a quick stop at a convenient store on the way to work. After starting the engine the vehicle would not shift from park. I was able to bypass this after a quick Internet search by removing a small cover near the stick shut and a small straw to bypass the shift control. I've had the car twice at the mechanics without a diagnosis as to a possible cause and was able to have the mechanic permanently disabled the shift lock but was warned the vehicle could be shifted to drive or neutral at any time and moved with a key. About a month later I found myself without headlights and shortly after this without wiper controls. Another visit to my mechanic would this time show the problems, shift lock, headlights and wipers were all from a faulty PCM. My mechanic has shipped my PCM out twice for repair but both time only caused the replacement part to blow. It's not suggested they use the dealer to further repair the problem. I've been 3 weeks without my vehicle and it's another week before the earliest availability from my local dealer. I'm only hoping now it's not a long backorder to gets the parts necessary to fix my vehicle. I have also read this has been a common problem and costly repair with other 2016 Kia Sorento owners.

- East Hartford, CT, USA

problem #76

Jul 072024

Sorento

  • miles
While driving on the parkway, the vehicle would not accelerate and would stall. After pulling over, vehicle would restart but repeated the pattern. Made it to Advanced Auto who ran codes and had the camshaft modulator changed. Vehicle made it back onto parkway. 40 miles from home, the vehicle began to shake, loose power, made loud sound and died. Towed home. Mechanic said out of oil but I had oil changed less than 1000 miles ago when vehicle purchased. New codes showed crankshaft position sensor. Changed part. Replaced starter and a new battery. Still nothing. Stating probable engine failure. I've only owned this vehicle for 2 months!

- Lexington, KY, USA

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