10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 29
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
24,817 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #157

Nov 182021

Sorento

  • miles
have a 2016 kia Sorento, 4 cylinder, 2.4 L engine with 74.5k miles. The ecu upgrade was performed in 2019. This month while driving, the engine lost power and the car would shudder. The oil dipstick showed no oil and the oil light and check engine lights were illuminated. The car was towed to the local dealership. The dealership mechanic found that cylinder #2 had only 30psi of pressure and 90% leakage and a possible burnt exhaust valve. Error code P030200 was also present. Their recommendation was to replace the engine. HOWEVER, they say these repairs are NOT covered by my extended warranty OR the lifetime warranty coverage resulting from the Kia Theta II class action lawsuit. I feel this engine failure is covered by the Kia engine class action lawsuit and the dealership and warranty company are not honoring the class action settlement.

- Bruceton Mills, WV, USA

problem #156

Dec 032021

Sorento

  • miles
Oil burns fast into catalytic converter. Dealer and corporation know of problem bit won't recall. Many people are complaining about the same thing. It's a safety fire Hazzard ??"?

- Pleasant Hill, CA, USA

problem #155

Dec 022021

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 57,000 miles
My wife was driving to work when the engine lost power and started making a rattling noise. I took the vehicle to my trusted mechanic who informed me that the engine needs to be replaced due to excessive oil consumption. Not once did I receive any type of oil warning light on my dash informing me of an oil issue. My vehicle has almost 1,000 miles left before the next scheduled oil change. My engine is destroyed and it is going to cost 4,500 dollars to replace with a [XXX] engine from a SALVAGE YARD. But I have no other option because I cannot afford anything more. In December, three weeks before Christmas. This is unreal that this vehicle consumes that much oil. My car has 57,000 miles on it. It's basically new. Now I have to depreciate its value and probably reliability with an engine from a totaled car. Despicable. There NEEDS to be a recall on this and reimbursement to those who had to buy a new engine. Safety concerns: My wife drives my children to school every day in that car. Luckily it failed when they weren't inside. My wife had to drive the car miles home at an unsafe slow speed causing a road hazard. Components have not been inspected by the manufacturer yet but will be sent to Kia by my mechanic. NO WARNING LAMPS UNTIL MY ENGINE WAS TAKING ITS LAST BREATH ON THE WAY TO THE MECHANIC. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Warminster, PA, USA

problem #154

Nov 172021

Sorento

  • miles
The 2016 Kia Sorrento we drove for 6 months, odometer reading under 82 000 mi had complete engine failure with no warning. It started to rattle when shifting to a new gear and completely broke down on the way to the dealership the next day. The Kia Dealer has confirmed the engine failed. We had no warning of engine issues.

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #153

Nov 262021

Sorento

  • miles
My children and I were on the freeway, and when I pushed the accelerator, nothing happened. No rpm increase, no engine change-??nothing. I have had my car looked at and diagnosed, and nothing alerts to being wrong. The screen said Engine Control System, the engine light came on, and I had to pull all the way over across 4 lanes of traffic on the freeway, without being able to accelerate. I pulled over, put the car in park, and waited about 10 minutes. I turned the car back on and everything was fine. I do not understand. This is a safety hazard!

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #152

Nov 072021

Sorento

  • miles
My vehicle without any warning whatsoever, completely shut down while driving in interstate traffic. This was a very dangerous thing to happen while driving on a busy interstate. I was able to get to the side of the road but the vehicle would not start. I had my vehicle towed to my mechanics shop where he determined that the motor had failed due to cylinder/piston damage. I was denied coverage by KIA so my only choice was to pay my mechanic to replace the motor with a remanufactured motor at a cost of $9000.

- Hudson, FL, USA

problem #151

Nov 102021

Sorento

  • miles
I just bought my car in March of this year. It started overheating so I brought it to the mechanic where I was quoted $9,000 for a new motor. I still owe $17,000 on it. Was completely disrespected at the dealership by the service department. So now I-??m stuck with a car that doesn-??t drive and a huge loan I have to pay out. I was told that the oil level in my car was extremely low. I just recently had it changed and wasn-??t due for over a month for another. No light sensor or anything went off.

- Colrain, MA, USA

problem #150

Oct 092021

Sorento

  • miles
I was driving 85 MPH on the interstate and my engine lights started flashing (no engine light or oil light prior to this) and started slowing down. I got to the shoulder of the interstate and my car was making a terrible knocking noise. I have owned this car for 3 months. There is a little over 87K on my car. I had the car towed to the nearest Kia dealership where I was told my engine was totaled. After paying $140 for a diagnostics report and being without a car for a whole month (keep in mind this is just for the report). I was quoted a total of 6,800 for them to fix my car. After further research I have found other people with the same issues with the engine. My engine is a 3.3L V6. In the previous lawsuit for Kia it only covers 2.4L engines where my engine is having the SAME issues. I should not have to pay for a new engine when this is a big issue with other consumers with the same car and engine type. Now im stuck paying on a car I CANT DRIVE until the 6800 is paid. I owe to much on my car for me to pay it off in full. This put me as well as everyone else on the interstate at risk and would have also put my children at risk if they were in the car. I am beyond irritated. As well as a given a whistleblower just coming out to state that these engines are not safe and kia and hyundai's neglect in keep their consumers safe. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE!

- Cartersville, GA, USA

problem #149

Nov 102021

Sorento

  • miles
I just purchased my Kia Sorento in March of 2021. It doesn-??t notify you when oil is LOW or OUT. Even with proper oil changes. Also the engine randomly started to overheat regardless that it-??s barley got 107 miles on it. Of course there-??s several recalls for this particular vehicle for the same issues but not for mine specifically. Insurance won-??t cover wear and tear so now my cars in the shop for who knows how long with an extremely high bill expected.

- Colrain, MA, USA

problem #148

Nov 072021

Sorento

  • 103,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was notified about a knocking in the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.

- Fargo, ND, USA

problem #147

Oct 302021

Sorento

  • miles
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

problem #146

Nov 062021

Sorento

  • miles
Car failed while driving and now has a rod know and low oil

- Eudora, KS, USA

problem #145

Sep 052021

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 128,459 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and an independent mechanic on separate occasions. The dealer and an independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 128,459.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #144

Jul 072021

Sorento

  • miles
On Saturday 10/23/2021, I picked up my car at Kia Ron Bouchard Lancaster MA. They explained to me that warranty coverage is only extended if the problem was presented in PI1802. That wasn't my problem. I contacted another Dan O'Brien Kia dealership in Norwood MA, and found that one of the problems that might have caused my car to malfunction was a safe recall that was not made and therefore I lost my warranty. But I went to Kia several times and they always said they didn't have the parts to recall. In the document it says that my car would have the rod bearing warranty if it were failing. Asking another dealership he explained to me if when I presented the oil consumption problem on 07/23/2021 the part could already have problems. What are the symptoms of a bad rod bearing: Low Oil Pressure - Many times when a bearing is beginning to fail (or has failed), you will noticed signs of decreased oil pressure. This is usually more evident upon first starting the vehicle. In many cases, a bad rod bearing will lead to a "check engine oil" light being displayed on the dash. (Problems that were happening in my car when I was at Kia on 07/23/2021). Another explanation that the dealership gave me is that my car was showing excessive oil consumption and burning of oil and a problem that may have been caused by the defect of the part of the safe recall (E-CVVT COVER AND MOTOR PLUG REPLACEMENT) that was not made, which as a result occurred the Misfire and the cylinder lost compression. E-CVVT Cover defect could cause Late valve timing will keep the intake valve closed too long after the intake stroke has started, and will increase the vacuum in the cylinder. The high vacuum will have a tendency to suck oil up past the piston and rings into the upper part of the cylinder where it will be burned.

- Clinton , MA, USA

problem #143

Sep 072021

Sorento

  • miles
Basically my car stalled on me while driving on the feeder of the freeway. I had all three of my children inside the car so luckily nothing bad happened when my car died. I had to tow my car to a mechanic who later informed me that my engine had pieces of metal inside it. He then explained that the dealership should replace our engine since there has been recalls for this same issue on Kia Sorento. At this point, I called the dealership and they refused to replace our engine and stated that I should of done a previous recall (an upgrade). I advised them that I never received any information in regards to a previous recall and I actually had went online a few months ago and checked for any recalls. My Mom had ran across a website and we all checked all of our vehicles for recalls. My Kia Sorento had no recalls. What is my next step to get the Kia Dealership to fix my vehicle? Ive already called the main number to Kia and they were no help either. Thank you for your help!!!

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #142

Aug 152021

Sorento

  • miles
After accelerating from a stop, the engine started making a loud clunking noise and was losing power. The vehicle was towed to a certified Kia dealership where it was determined to be a rod bearing failure in the engine. The engine needs to be replaced and is not covered under any warranties due to a sensor not being updated. I was never notified of any recalls which the sensor update was. I have owned this vehicle for two years and was never notified of any recalls.

- Phenix City, AL, USA

problem #141

Oct 082021

Sorento

  • miles
My car had no warning light on the vehicle. However while my husband was driving 80 MPH on the engine started making a loud noise and stalled on the interstate. After research and taking it in for a diagnosis test its came back that the engine is rapidly burning oil and did not notify us when we were low on oil. Since then I have researched and found a TON of other 2016 kia Sorento having the SAME EXACT ISSUE! However there is no recall for this! This is not only EXTREMTLY unsafe but also extremely expensive to fix for something that is not our fault but rather the manufacture. My husband knows how to react in situations like that but if it was me it would have not only put me in danger but also my children and any other drivers that were near me. This needs to be recalled especially due to the abundant amount of people with the same year and make of vehicle having the same exact problem. Do something to protect us as this is absolutely ridiculous that this big of an issue is not under recall. I am now coming out of pocket to fix this issue which is alot of money.

- Cartersville , GA, USA

problem #140

May 062021

Sorento

  • miles
Excessive oil consumption, that is, more than 1 quart consumed every 1 thousand miles, beginning around 68,000 miles. At subsequent oil change (12/20, 72000), crankcase was nearly empty. Next 3000-mi oil change, engine dash indicators noted oil pressure issue - this was with 74000 miles on odometer. I added 2 quarts of oil to crankcase immediately. I took the vehicle to the dealership where I purchased vehicle (their 'service warranty' mandated I go to the original seller (Mitsuibishi)). I disagree with their findings. Mitsuibishi El Cajon performed the oil consumption test (Kia) reporting after 1000 miles, the oil consumption was in accord w Kia Technical Bulletin 222. However, I am adding 1 QT of manufacturer's recommended oil every 3 weeks and now change oil every 30 days. I cannot sell this vehicle in this state and when vehicles are in short supply. For a vehicle with currently 86000 mi, this is Unacceptable!

- El Cajon, CA, USA

problem #139

Aug 152021

Sorento

  • miles
I was driving on the highway when my vehicle started sputtering, acceleration response declined, and the check engine light started flashing. This was a huge concern as I was in the area of the highway where there are multiple logging trucks and could not accelerate if I needed to get out of the way. I pulled off the highway into an Autozone and my vehicle shut off, I attempted to start it and it would not stay running. I pulled the spark plugs and noticed the cylinder four plug was coated in oil. I had previously told a Kia dealership I was experiencing high oil consumption and was told Kia was aware of this issue and was doing nothing about it at this time. I was told, "run the car till the engine dies and Kia will replace it." Once at the dealership Kia performed a connecting rod bearing test but stated it was unable to be completed due to cylinder two failing. They pulled the head and found the exhaust valve to cylinder two had a piece missing. This was sent to Kia elevated claims through consumer affairs who advised me it would not be covered. They stated the exhaust valve likely broke due to carbon build-up. I explained the carbon build-up was due to burning oil which was likely caused by a worn connecting rod bearing. I was told burning oil would not cause carbon build-up and they would not do a good faith repair on my vehicle. I contacted the service manager of the dealer and explained this. He stated the consumer affairs person was not correct and these items were linked. I contacted Kia consumer affairs supervisor and explained my situation again, stating the service manager at the dealership would like to speak with him. He denied my claim again and stated he would "absolutely not speak with the service manager." He told me to refer him to a district manager and still denied any issues with Kia relating to oil consumption causing this engine failure.

- East Waterboro, ME, USA

problem #138

Aug 142021

Sorento

  • miles
I was driving back home when the engine cut out on Hwy 85 south outside Greensboro doing 65 mph. I took it to a shop that told me the engine was seized. I didn-??t get any oil notification or any check engine lights till the car shut off. While driving.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

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