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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

After only six months, my 2016 Kia Sorento suddenly lost power while I was driving on the freeway, after my trusted, local mechanic ran a diagnostic, he told me that my car was done for but Kia would stand behind their product, they have a 100,000 mile or ten year warranty for their vehicles. It was a frightening and frustrating experience but at least I was comforted when he told me Kia would take care of it. Kia is not honorable, they are not standing behind their products. Two days ago, I was told that Kia is denying my claim. How disappointing. I will pursue this matter to the end. Kia knows that their engines are prone to catastrophic failures. I was told by a Kia employee that I didn't maintain my vehicle adequately, I have records to the contrary. This is wrong.

- Forest Ranch, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and noticed that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and then towed to an authorized dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.

- Moses Lake, WA, USA

A month after an oil change, I learned that the engine was extremely low on oil. I had to put 4 quarts in it. Check engine light barely came on. I-??m at 79,000 miles and next oil change should be at 82,000 miles

- Harlingen, TX, USA

My car started making a knocking and squeaking sound and was shaking really hard and the check engine light started flashing and it just shut off and when I cranked it back up if wouldn-??t stay cranked

- Orangeburg, SC, USA

This car repeatedly has had issues with using oil on a weekly basis and many times it has stalled in heavy traffic, one of which almost caused a collision. I have taken this in for numerous repairs. My most recent incident I was informed by my garage that my engine was now junk.

- Reading, PA, USA

Driving 60mph, car seemed to be stalling under acceleration. Car was making a knocking sound from the engine. I was in a construction zone, with no shoulder/no pulloff. I managed to crawl to the end of construction and pull off to the side. How I didn't die that day only God knows...Was traveling to see my mom Mother's Day weekend, had my 170lb Great Dane and 60 lb Labradoodle with me. No tow company could help with transporting my dogs; only the car and me. I ended up stranded waiting for a ride for hours. Car was towed to dealer; dealer confirms the engine and all components were a total loss (Theta II engine, 2.4 liter, GDI). Repair estimate at $8,360!!! That is more than half of what the car is worth!! Multiple attempts to have KIA acknowledge the problem, only to be told by them that it's my fault I didn't have the recall repairs made in 2018. That's funny (in an awful way), because I never received ANYTHING about a recall. EVER. Had oil change the week prior; oil lamp never came on, I was just going by the Valvoline sticker as to time to change. They told me it was bone-dry, not a drop of oil. I wish someone could help me. This will ruin me financially.

- Westerville, OH, USA

The car engine was using excessive amounts of oil at 80,000 miles. The dealer in an attempt to save the engine did a major flush. Several components failed within 10,000 miles of that service. Spark plugs, fuel pump and catalytic converter. The car would lurch forward. It stalled at 65 mph! We were scared it would start on fire or stall again. The first time it happened there were no warning lights. After the spark plugs and fuel pump were replaced there was an engine warning light on. The dealer did check it out and the latest test revealed a hole in the catalytic converter. They could not guarantee that that was the only issue. We chose not to have any additional repairs and sold the car at a loss because we were scared to have our grandkids in the car.

- Naperville, IL, USA

While driving on I-35, going 75 miles an hour the engine locked. No warning lights came on, just completely shut down. Unable to pull to the side of the highway. Very dangerous Towed to dealership, yes it-??s available to be inspected as warranty says it is not covered under a recall. Again very dangerous

- Enid, OK, USA

Car burns oil excessively at a rate of 1 quart each 300 miles. No low oil light has come on to warn driver.

- Gainesville , GA, USA

Sorento had been driving fine and then out of nowhere had engine failure. KIA is refusing to take responsibility and rectify the situation due to them saying they sent something out in July of 2018 in which I didn't even own the vehicle then. The dealership where I purchased my Sorento from never advised of there being an issue or any improvement

- Bowling Green, OH, USA

There was no indication or codes that informed us of the engine burning oil and without knowing it caused complete engine failure.

- Brookland, AR, USA

My kia started making knocking noise. NO warning light came on while driving car home check engine light came on and car just quit. Engine is seized up for no reason.checked recalls but says none. But there was a major recall on these engines but I just bought this car from dealer 3 years ago. And, when I give it gas it don't always accelerate..I can have gas pedal to floor and go nowhere then all the sudden it will finally lunge forward. I have almost been hit a few times in my car. There has to be something wrong

- Wintersville, OH, USA