While accelerating on the turnpike after going through the tollbooth the engine seized with no warning. We were stranded. My family including my two small children were in the vehicle at the time. It has been confirmed by the repair shop. No lights appeared on the dash in relation to the vehicle stalling.

- Parma, OH, USA

The coolant system depressurizes due to steel head bolts into the aluminum block. While driving, the coolant system released all pressurized coolant out of the coolant overflow tank. The engine began to overheat without warning in the middle of traffic while transporting children. Kia has sent out an Extended Warranty to all 2016-2017 Sorento owners to attempt to remedy the issue. Our dealership was able to reproduce the issue. We're being advised a 60-90-day wait on the engine/parts to resolve the claim. This should be filed as a recall and resolved promptly. 2-3 months for a nationwide extended recall is an absurd amount of time without a vehicle.

- Ringgold, GA, USA

Blown head gasket.. needle went to H.. no warning lights came on dash.. white smoke from tail pipe.. coolant smell inside car.. about 8 months ago.. talked to Kia then.. 108000 miles.. warranty expired.. has been parked secondary Kia wanted a lot of money..told to hang on to it cause lots of complaints about head gaskets..thank you..warranty extended.. at Kia dealership in ft smith ar.. probably be there a year cause they don-??t seem to known much and have that reputation.

- Charleston , AR, USA

Oil consumption with no low oil light.

- Killeen, TX, USA

The engine died as I was driving on the freeway at 70 mph. My safety was at risk. I thank God the other drivers on the freeway were paying attention and as I slowly made it to the side of the freeway before it completely stopped rolling. The vehicle is still at the Kia dealership. The vehicle had been burning through oil very badly.

- Stockbridge, GA, USA

I am experiencing coolant leaks possibly due to head gasket or engine bolt malfunction. I have received and extended warranty letter from kia but the dealers are saying kia has not provided a solution. The extended warranty is for 15 year/180,000 miles. I am currently at 172,000 miles and am concerned by the time a solution is provided to the dealer i will be out of the warranty period.

- Highlands Ranch, CO, USA

We were driving on us 40 West bound, engine slowed, and stopped, engine light came on, full of oil was just changed, was not low, temp was not hot, towed home aaa. We were in the middle of traffic, just luckey we were not killed in that heavy traffic

- Bybee, TN, USA

Head bolts come lose causing head gaskets to leak. Vehicle is losing coolant internally. My safety is at risk for now I have no vehicle to drive to get me to and from work, in order to afford food and housing, causing me to have a poor mental state, of which may or may not have a negative effect on my well-being. Poor design and quality is to blame and a large corporation such as Kia needs to be held accountable. I have no idea what other domino effects this poor design may have on other engine parts/failures. The contact is respectfully asking for this complaint to be listed as part of the investigation PE23019.

- West Manchester, OH, USA

There are many complaints about head gasket leaks. I have a head gasket leaks with 150,000 miles.

- Farmington, CT, USA

Complete engine failure. Palmen Kia of Kenosha mechanics say it is an ongoing issue with this type of engine that Kia is fully aware of and that it should be covered by the factory Powertrain warranty but the company refuses to fix it. I also own an additional extended warranty through Educator-??s Credit Union which won-??t fix it for me.

- Kenosha, WI, USA

On January 17 2024 as I am making my usual drive to work on a very busy interstate highway my 2016 Kia SORENTO EX V6 FWD AUTO 3.3 liter engine completely seizes up and so begins my nightmare. The same nightmare I am seeing time and time and time again reported on this site, and every site you do a simple search on 2016 KIA Sorento's for. As a result of the catastrophic engine failure, I (a female, original owner of the KIA, ) was left in a very dangerous position to try and maneuver through and not be killed by oncoming cars and further not get jumped in a very bad part of the metro. (this is not my personal assessment, this is the highest crime area in our city) Car was towed to dealership where I originally purchased it and today I received the diagnosis report indicating Alternator Replacement $1,283.94, Head Gasket $4,276.92, Body Control Module/ ECU $1,030.35 (an issue that I raised when the car was under the manufacturer warranty, and was ignored by the service team and results in me using a screw driver to even get the car out of park) I want answers as do all of the other impacted customers as to WHAT MORE IS NEEDED TO PROVE THAT KIA ENGINES ARE DANGEROUS AND NEED TO BE TAKEN OFF THE STREET!

- Raymore, MO, USA

Cruise control was set on 60, went up a non steep incline I drive everyday and vehicle suddenly stopped functioning properly. Took off the cruise, step on the accelerator, no power and no response. Also no warning lights are on, no dash lights came on until I was able to stop the vehicle and shift to park. Turned off the engine and it never turned over again. My safety was put at risk and others on the road due to there being no warning to this happening and lack of control I had over the vehicle. I have had it inspected by my mechanic and he is telling me it was a catastrophic failure and the engine blew. Cost of repair isn't much less than a new vehicle. I have no trade in value on a car I purchased brand new 7 years ago. I have to scrap a vehicle I should be able to trade in for 5K at least. According to an article I found from Nov 2023 this has recently been found to be an issue with these models. I took really good care of this vehicle, it still blew up on me, and put me in danger.

- Nashport , OH, USA

On 12/15/23 my wife was driving her father to a dental appointment and when trying to pass a slower moving vehicle on a rural stretch of our highway system. The car died after she accelerated to pass the slower vehicle. She was in the oncoming lane of traffic when she lost engine power, power steering, power brakes and electronics. The car she was passing slowed down to allow her to get over, as a semi truck had now appeared on the horizon. Without any power, she could not complete the pass and had to force the car back into the correct lane where the car came to a stop partially in the roadway. Two vehicles behind her witnessed the issue and could tell she was having vehicle problems and helped push her, her dad, and the car to the side of the road into an orchard for safety. There were no warning symptoms, no loud sounds, nothing, just the control panel flashing intermediately after the car died. The car was towed to a local shop that thought it was possibly an electrical issue and replaced the battery (as that somehow died during the incident) but they soon identified the motor had seized and we should have it taken to a Kia dealership for a known issue with the 2.4L engines. The Kia dealership advised that a "Product Improvement Campaign", not a Safety Recall, had not been performed on the vehicle and that Kia had a class action lawsuit for this exact issue. Kia claims that postal notifications were sent to the previous owner, but had our information on file and registered as an owner through the Kia Owner web portal. Kia is refusing to cover the repair costs because the original owner never had the work completed, and as a second owner, we were never notified of the Knock Sensor Software Update that needed to ensure the car would go into limp mode before a total engine seizure. We never took the Kia to an actual dealer, as we had all maintenance done at various oil change locations, and an independent auto repair shop do the milestone services as recommended.

- Willows, CA, USA

My car was overheating and no coolant was leaking. Took it to a Kia dealership and they said that it was due to failed head bolts warping the heads and damaging the block. They said they need to replace the engine and that this is an issue with 2016-2017 Kia Sorento.

- Blaine, MN, USA

Engine replacement needed due to faulty engine. Dealer confirmed faulty bolts in head gasket causing leaks. No signs of critical issue. The vehicle was taken in for a regularly scheduled oil change when the dealership discovered the leak and subsequent issue with the head gasket threads being striped requiring a full engine replacement. The manufacturer(KIA/Hyundai) should in good faith provide restitution for this issue as it has devalued the vehicle in the public market and is a public safety issue to have the potential for engines to fail without warning. The manufacturer, should also extend and fully cover future engine issues, not just the boilerplate 12k mile warranty on "new" engine replacements. Replacing one faulty engine with another does not negate the root issue and does not provide a good faith solution. The contact stated after being assured by the service department that the new engine would be free of defects the vehicle was driven roughly 300 miles when the warning lights for electronic steering, ABS, and traction control which was immediately followed by a burning smell in the cabin. When safely pulled over there was smoke coming from under the hood. Upon inspection there was almost no coolant left.

- Blythewood, SC, USA

My engine blew with no light to indicate there was even a problem with the engine.

- Salem, CT, USA

The car continues to have burning smell last few days and temperature Gauge past the H. Kia will not diagnose or look at for over 2 weeks and asks me to drive it with my young children. There are no rentals or loaner available while I wait to get my vehicle looked at. I do not want to be the next statistic with my vehicle burning on the side of the road. Please help.

- Montgomery, AL, USA

When taking 2016 Kia Sorento in for oil changes, I'm being told vehicle is low on oil. On Nov 6, check engine light came on, with code P0010 Camshaft position Sensor, so my mechanic replaced both Camshaft position sensors. December 3, check engine light came back on, same code, when mechanic did a further diagnostic he said it is the variable valve timing actuator which happens to be causing the oil consumption. Indicated to take to Kia dealer because they are well aware of the issues with the Gamma motors. I haven't taken it yet to the dealership, I have done some research and seen where there are thousands of Kias and Hyundais with the same issues and it seems the corporations are not doing anything about this.I am really scared to drive now not knowing if I am going to be in the middle of the interstate and my vehicle just quits and then I am in an accident. I am waiting for all documentation of all oil changes and repairs from the shop.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

Engine stalled while driving on highway. Took it to a Kia dealer and had it diagnosed as an engine block/head gasket failure. I have documentation of service. Service document reads -??owner states vehicle runs rough when first started and a/c doesnt cool properly, started vehicle, a/c is currently working normally, upon inspection, found coolant about 3/4 gallon low and has bubbles coming up in reservoir tank, topped coolant, performed engine block test, photo of yellow fluid in tester indicates combustion gases are getting into cooling system and not going out exhaust as it is supposed to, took video of bubbles coming up into tank, advise more than likely due to overheating of engine either has crack in block or warped heads or a combination of the 2, advised recommended long block replacement as tear down is not cost effective, gave estimate, owner declined repairs at this time-??. I have been made aware of other customers and people experiencing exact same issue with their Kia sorento models. We have only had this car for over a year from a reputable dealer.

- Wood River, NE, USA

To whom it may concern, I recently came across an article stating the NHTSA is investigating KIA about the faulty engine. I personally found out the hard way when my family vehicle, a 2016 KIA Sorento EX V6 3.3L V6 lost power on I75 while driving back from a trip to Disney World Orlando. I was able to pull aside but almost got hit by a speeding car. I looked in the engine bay and the coolant was overflowing from the reservoir and was very hot. I towed it back home and then followed up with my mechanic who said the head gasket was blown and that it needed to be replaced. The car is only shy of 50,000 miles and I got it with 4000 miles. I tried to get the engine replaced but KIA doesn-??t have any engines for replacement. I have been looking to buy a car to get the engine from a newer KIA because I-??m 100% sure this is a factory defect that they won-??t fix on their own. I just received a letter stating to take the car to the dealer for a diagnostic on this exact issue and that they would fix it if they found the fault. Well, they said the issue was not about the head gasket and that the motor of the cooling fan was at fault. Yet I talked in person to the tech that diagnosed the car and only VERBALLY they would acknowledge the issue is the head gasket but not only that, they even said the entire engine needed replacing. Are they trying to get away from taking responsibility" Why they wouldn't state it in the paperwork" But if I send you the diagnostic they produced it would only say yellowing tires and wiper replacement to be necessary. This confirms there is a -??cat in the bag.-?? But what they don-??t know is that there was a prior inspection at another dealer that stated the head gasket was indeed blown. You are welcome to contact me at any time. My name is [XXX]. The vehicle is under my wife-??s name [XXX]. My direct number is [XXX]. Thank you for your help and I hope you make KIA accountable for this really bad experience. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Lehigh Acres, FL, USA