10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 28
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
25,743 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #249

Aug 042022

Sorento

  • miles
The engine consumed the oil prior to the recommended regular oil change without any warning or indication. This has resulted in the need for a total engine replacement uncovered by Kia.

- Salisbury, NC, USA

problem #248

May 232022

Sorento

  • miles
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

problem #247

Jun 242022

Sorento

  • miles
My car began knocking and then it slowed down. It stalled as I pulled off the road and won't start. I had it towed and the mechanic said there was "glitter in the oil". He called our local Kia dealership, gave them the VIN number and was told there was a recall on my engine. I researched your website and it does not show a recall. I found two other individuals who wrote owner reviews in May and June 2022 who had the same problem.

- Abilene, TX, USA

problem #246

Jul 092022

Sorento

  • miles
I was on the interstate going 65 mph and my engine stopped shifting it suddenly decreased in speed and I made it off the interstate barely any power to get safely off the interstate.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #245

Mar 152022

Sorento

  • miles
The car was running hot. The repair shop was suppose replace the thermostat..We received the car back the same day and it was still doing the same thing.. The repair place told us to put water in it when it cools down and continue on our merry way!! The car ran hot, started smoking and now it won-??t crank

- Indianola, MS, USA

problem #244

Jul 112022

Sorento

  • miles
Vehicle lost power on highway going 70mph. Driver was able to safely exit to roadside. Popped hood and oil covering the engine bay. Lots of smoke. Upon further inspection, it appears as though a wrist pin dislodged from connecting arm and went through the front of the engine block. Oil was everywhere and is a fire risk! Also, vehicle only has 107, xxx miles on it. Kia refuses to tow vehicle at their expense to shop even though in speaking with dealership, engine should be covered under Theta II class action suit.

- Chemult, OR, USA

problem #243

Jul 032022

Sorento

  • miles
7/3/22, 71,500 miles accrued on vehicle. While operating the vehicle, on an uphill grade after 5.7 miles of driving, sudden and abrupt knocking noise occurred. Knocking was intensified during acceleration. At this time, dramatic loss of power occurred. Attempted to "coast" downhill for the remainder of the trip. After another 2.2 miles, a very loud "bang" noise occurred, the driver in fear part felle from the vehicle. Knocking noise intensified, and the vehicle then stopped responding. Displayed oil pressure, check engine and check battery lights. Violent shaking and vibrating occurred. Driver was able to coast the vehicle off the roadway to the right shoulder for safety so as to not become a traffic hazard. Smoke was visible and heat was felt from the engine bay of the vehicle. Driver of the vehicle was in fear of fire occurring imminently. Vehicle was shut off for safety. After smoke dissipated and engine cooled, a restart was attempted but failed. Vehicle would not respond. Nothing was visible from the top of the engine bay. Vehicle was moved to a local repair shop adjacent to the location where it was stopped. On inspection, the engine block cracked adjacent to the connecting rod producing knocking noise and releasing all oil from the engine block. The local automotive shop confirmed the engine/powertrain failure similar to the previous recall: RQ17-003 NHTSA Recall No. 17V-224 on "GDI" engines. Kia corporate was contacted. Kia has not inspected the vehicle but was informed. Kia replied they would NOT replace or reimburse due to recall only being applied for 2.0 and 2.4 liter engines. This vehicle was fitted with a 3.3 liter "GDI" engine produced in the same facility as reported in RQ17-003 NHTSA Recall No. 17V-224. Local mechanics report the engine may be replaced by the dealer with enough complaining, however, the dealer states "no recalls for this vehicle" and will not take action.

- Keedysville, MD, USA

problem #242

May 132022

Sorento 4-cyl

  • miles
Sometime Mid May 2022 I was driving back from Tri City Washington. As I was passing a semi truck I noticed my car was losing some power. I ten was able to to get in front of the semi when I seen a place to pull off. During this time I noticed my dash lights were coming on. Engine light. I was lucky enough to pull off where on a side road in Warden, Washington. My car then ceased and would not start. I had to have it towed in my home town of Moses Lake, Washington to a auto mechanic by my resident. The name is Customs Auto on Broadway. They said it needed to go to a Kia Specialist/Mechanic for repairs. So I then had it towed to Over Turf Kia Dealership in Tri City, WA. where my car has been sitting since the end of May 2022. Nathan from Over Turf said I needed to replace my engine and quoted me at $6300 which is what I owe my bank loan with Wells Fargo. I only had 135,000 miles on it and not sure why all of a sudden my engine ceased. Now I have filed a complaint with NTSB they gave me a complaint #11466956 on Kia and their recalls. I had a recall repair on it September 2017 and had contacted Kia out of Wenatchee, WA where the recall was done. But they are closed down because of the covid. I am lost to what to do at this point. I was given an email address to send an email of pictures or important documents pertaining this problem. I am asking for any direction as to what to do or who to contact. If you need to call me please fill free at [XXX]. Thank You! Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Moses Lake, WA, USA

problem #241

Jan 312022

Sorento

  • miles
I reported a complaint on 1/24/2022. I had to replace my engine. I actually had to borrow the money. I went on Kia-Consumer-Assistance-to file a claim for reimbursement. They sent me a denial letter on 6/30/22 stating I did not have the knock sensor detector. Well I would have if I received the notice. I bought my car used. The dealership didn't have any recalls and I did not receive anything until May 2022. Kia emailed me about the knock sensor detector. Although I replaced my engine I had it installed on 6/17/22. How could have known about something that I never received. I didn't even know there was a class action lawsuit until I went on line to find Kia Corporate information. I emailed several people and nit one person emailed back. I was asking for assistance but I guess they delete it but I still have it. I feel like this is an ongoing issue with Kia and they need to reimburse everyone that has had engine failures due to THEIR NEGLIGENCE. Does someone have to be driving and the car turns off and they get hit because of the engine failure. This is a sign of bad business. My reimbursement for the engine needs to be approved. Kia has more than enough money. If they would have tested the GDI engines first before releasing them to the public they probably would not have half the complaints. I think another class action lawsuit should be filed against them. Not only has this impacted me financially but it has impacted me emotionally.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #240

Jun 292022

Sorento

  • miles
Engine failure at 85,500 miles an hour into a road trip. Just had an oil change on it a few days prior. No warning lights came on before the engine started to rattle at 3000 rpms. Engine still rattles while car is idling.

- Goose Creek, SC, USA

problem #239

Jun 192022

Sorento

  • miles
Wife and I where driving on the highway when we she pointed out a tapping noise. About twenty minutes later our vehicle lost all power. Dumbfounded because no safety function signaled there was any possibility of over heating or oil pressure I pull off and inspect under the hood. When I pulled the dipstick there was absolutely no oil in it and the oil on the dipstick was burnt. I only have 74,000 miles on the thing and the engines blown. And Kia won't help with anything even knowing this is a major issue.

- Perkasie, PA, USA

problem #238

May 242022

Sorento

  • miles
I was driving my 2016 Sorento when I noticed a knocking coming from the engine. I took it to get serviced the next day and the check engine light came on as I was driving to get the oil changed. Mechanic at the oil change establishment checked the code and told me that it said the cam shaft was out of alignment. Their shop refused to work on it because of the difficulty in working with Kia's and their computers. I called my local Kia dealer and they had no idea what the warning was but that it would be 20-25 days before they could look at it. My daughter was driving the car than night and the car stopped in an intersection and starting making a horrible clanking sound. I had it towed to Kia and when they got to it they told me that the engine was blown and it would be $8,000 to $11,000 to repair it. There is an extended warranty on the oil pressure switch, but they assured me that it was not the cause of the malfunction. They told me that it was most likely lack of maintenance on my part or the wrong oil being used. I have owned the car for about a year and a half and had it maintained regularly by a reputable mechanic. I have talked to multiple people and been told that Kia has a real problem with engines blowing up on them.

- Ellettsville, IN, USA

problem #237

Jun 162022

Sorento

  • miles
Oil gets low without the warning light coming on and has contributed to a burnt valve or broke ring. This has caused irreversible engine damage.

- Princeton, NC, USA

problem #236

Aug 302021

Sorento 6-cyl

  • miles
My family and I own a 2016 Kia Sorrento VIN [XXX] that we purchased from a dealer in August 2017. It was reliable transportation; we were very pleased with it; it was serviced with regular oil changes, maintenance, etc., and had no mechanical issues until early September 2021. The vehicle-??s temperature gauge began to register hot, i.e., way over to the -??H-?? during operation. Our regular mechanic at an AAA-registered auto care center replaced the thermostat, but the car was still overheating. After an expensive but thorough diagnosis from early November through early December 2021, the mechanics -?" including a Kia specialist -?" confirmed that the head bolts were pulling away from the engine block or the source of our problem. After searching the internet, I understand that this is not a frequent occurrence but not uncommon among the same model and year Kia Sorento's with similar mileage. Replacement engines are not available due to supply issues; there was no guarantee of success from our mechanics or the machine shop who could attempt to mill the head/engine block and drill-tap for new bolts; and the entire process was cost prohibitive. Therefore, we elected not to have it repaired. Our Sorrento that is past its engine-drivetrain warranty with 124K miles on the odometer sits in the driveway with a year-??s worth of car payments remaining. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #235

May 202022

Sorento

  • miles
I took my vehicle to AAMCO and was told my engine has went out. The estimate to fix it is $10,000. I am currently paying on it still I called Evergreen Kia whom I got the car from and was told they have over 18+ vehicles with the same problem. I was told to call other Kia dealerships to see if i can get it repaired elsewhere. All other Kia dealerships said they were backed up as well with the same engine problems. I tried to trade it in no one wants to because the cost of repairs and the $13K I owe doesn't equal out.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #234

May 282022

Sorento

  • miles
Last weekend we were driving our 2016 Kia Sorento with 111,000 miles on the highway. It started to lose acceleration and I had to pull of on the side of the highway. The vehicle started smoking and antifreeze leaked out all over the right side of the vehicle. This put our family at risk because there were no warning lights and it occurred on an extremely busy highway where are drive anywhere from 70-90 miles per hour. The vehicle was towed and inspected, we were told the head gasket was leaking. No other symptoms were present prior to this occurring and this is the only problem we have really had with the vehicle. All of the mechanics I have talked to about repairs refuse because these motors are known to be very risky to repair. Our local Kia dealer where we purchased the vehicle even stated that it's not worth fixing. New engine replacement are unavailable and buying a used engine is roughly $6,700 before any labor because so many of these engine issues have occurred.

- Loves Park, IL, USA

problem #233

Jun 082022

Sorento

  • miles
My 2016 KIA SORRENTO caught fire. I was driving off of the highway, with no issues, when i heard a tapping noise. I stopped at the light, turned right, and as I started turning it suddenly sputtered and stopped. I tried to accelerate to get the car out of the lane of traffic, when smoke started coming out from under the hood. People next to me started yelling that my car was on fire and that I should get out. At this point I got out of the car, and within minutes the entire undercarriage and front part of car was engulfed in flames. The fire dept put the fire out, and the fire marshal and my insurance is investigating.

- Berryville, VA, USA

problem #232

Dec 302021

Sorento

  • miles
The one cylinder went before 100,000 miles-??..wasn-??t too much longer till the next cylinder went and she was done-??.going through putting a quart of oil in it every single day for over 6 months-??-??JUNK

- Reading, PA, USA

problem #231

Apr 242022

Sorento

  • miles
Vehicle cranked but didn't start after sitting for a few hours. Vehicle was towed to kia dealership. Dealer advised piston ring failed and engine lost compression. New engine was needed but was not covered by dealership nor the lifetime engine warranty. The repair cost almost 6000 dollars.

- Carol Stream, IL, USA

problem #230

May 202022

Sorento

  • miles
I was driving entering a highway accelerating and my car just died; the engine and oil light came on and there was no power. There were NO warning lights or indication that there was any problem. I managed to get over and off the busy highway by coasting and was in fear for my safety. Took the car to Kia dealership and was told after waiting for two weeks for the required diagnostic service. They told me there was internal engine damage due to a bearing failure. This is not covered by warranty unless I had the software upgrade that was available since 4/18. I never received that notification; I have received several other notifications, but not the one about the software upgrade. Now they state it's outside the warranty with zero coverage.

- Wake Forest, NC, USA

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