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 #449

Oct 252023

Sorento

  • miles
I noticed one day when filling up my wiper fluid that the engine was just slightly below the coolant low level. I topped off the coolant and tried to see if there was any leaks under the car. I couldn't see any. I started the vehicle and noticed there was bubbling in the coolant reservoir.I called my local mechanic and scheduled an appointment to bring the car in. The car wasn't driven until the day it was going in to be looked at. When driving the car in it started rough and slugish but then went back to normal. I drove it to my mechanics and on the way the car started running very rough engine shaking and the check engine light started flashing. I was only a few blocks away from the shop so I coasted in. They took the car in said it had a code for a cylinder misfire and started the car saying it was blowing white smoke out of the exhaust. They ran a test on the car and said they didn't want to take anything apart and to tow it to Kia. The car was towed to Kia in Wheat Ridge, CO. Car was inspected and the diagnosis was that the engine had overheated. The block is made of aluminum and so is the head. The headbolts that hold the two pieces together are a different type of metal. This manufacturing defect caused the threads in the aluminum block to strip or pull and loose tension on the head gasket. This allowed coolant to enter into one of the cylinders. Kia is recommending the engine be replaced for $11,910 and change. Car was regularly serviced and drove perfectly fine up until the day it went into the shop. Dealer service dept says this is very common on Kia and Hyundai 3.3L engines. Multiple cases around the same mileage.

- Lakewood, CO, USA

problem #448

Jun 102023

Sorento

  • miles
The engine threw a rod while driving on a flat stretch of US HWY 285. The vehicle is available for further inspection if needed. The engine has 61,300 miles on it. We were forced to stop on a small 2-lane highway and wait for hours for a tow. This was inspected by the dealership and needs to be replaced for the vehicle to be safe to drive again. This is not covered under warranty as I am the second owner with a warranty up to 60,000 miles. No warning lights or messages occurred prior to the rod being thrown.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #447

Oct 222023

Sorento

  • miles
Vehicle is burning excessive amounts of oil. The check engine light nor low oil light has came on and vehicle was (4) quarts low (according to independent mechanic). Was told by KIA dealership that they would not repair unless the engine was completely blown up. I was told to add oil, get more frequent oil changes, trade vehicle, or come up with $8,500. The engine only has 61,000 miles on it and is a 2016 model. This is a widely known issue and KIA needs to admit the failures and fix the problem.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #446

Oct 212022

Sorento

  • miles
My car has been having high oil consumption. I have taken it to my Kia dealership. They informed me this is a problem with the make and model. They told me this is the beginning of an engine problem that will ultimately cause engine failure affecting connecting rods and bearings. My options are to drive the car until it fails then Kia will replace the engine. I a, so co tacted Kia corporate Customer service a d was told the same thing. I ask her to file a complaint and accelerate it. She said 5hat was. Ot he process. I am 77 year old widow. I'm active and drive my car day a night almost every day. I am usually alone. The solutions are not acceptable. There is a danger for me getting suddenly stranded alone at my age. I think the engine should be replaced now. Can you help me with this? Thank you

- Cumming, GA, USA

problem #445

Nov 102022

Sorento

  • miles
In November last year, my car caught fire while I was driving on a highway at a rate of about 70 mph. Some good Samaritans flagged me down and I was able to pull off the road and escape injury. My car was a total loss as were the contents of it. The fire department tapped out the fire. Kia admitted responsibility saying it was a manufacturing defect (I have the email conversation saved) but only wanted to pay my insurance company back and refund me my deductible. Kia would not pay for my lost iPhone and belongings because they said they could only do so if I provided a receipts for those items. Who has a receipt for everything in their car? I didn't claim to loss a Rolex or anything crazy. I refused the offer and am out for the loss of my car, deductible and its contents (though insurance cut me a check for the blue book value of my car minus the deductible). Kia is the worst.

- Flint, TX, USA

problem #444

Oct 132023

Sorento

  • miles
Car started making a knocking noise and before I could pull over the car shut off. Told now engine needs to be replaced. Kia could not look at it until November 1st and will not give us a car to use. We only have this car as a mode of transportation.

- Martinez, GA, USA

problem #443

Oct 102023

Sorento

  • miles
car has been burning oil, I'm filling it every other week and i barely drive it (less than 30 miles a week). Was driving to the dealer to have it looked at and it failed - I suddenly could not accelerate on a busy highway over 3mph! No warning lights came on at all and it is not throwing any codes. I was almost rear ended. One Kia dealership told me "just keep topping off the oil and drive it till it fails" That seems like an unsafe solution. Will Kia be responsible if I get into a collision if my car suddenly fails?

- Fort Collins, CO, USA

problem #442

Jun 032023

Sorento

  • miles
Excessive oil consumption, concerned about engine seizing while driving due to this.

- Albion, MI, USA

problem #441

Sep 122023

Sorento

  • miles
Engine burned oil with no warning lights. Engine failed on highway with no warning lights. Regular maintenance and oil change done to vehicle, this was not negligible.

- Spokane , WA, USA

problem #440

Aug 202022

Sorento

  • miles
premature engine failure due to excessive oil consumption, without indication from warning light of low oil. Checked my oil and registered 0 on the dip stick. the engine knock became present pulling into my driveway

- Winston Salem, NC, USA

problem #439

Jan 042022

Sorento

  • 71,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that the engine consumed 2 quarts of oil for every 1,000 miles driven. The dealer was made aware of the failure and performed an oil consumption test. The vehicle failed the oil consumption test twice. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.

- Monticello, GA, USA

problem #438

Sep 282023

Sorento

  • miles
Car got caught on fire while driving with my 5kids

- Chattanooga , TN, USA

problem #437

Aug 122023

Sorento

  • miles
Car ran fine until we stopped for gas, went to get back on the highway when the car wouldn't accelerate >25mphs, almost got hit from this. The car was then towed to the near by Kia dealership and they found that it was a compression issue with a known issue in the engine and now we need a new engine or scrap the car. Kia is not willing to fix their horrible product and has told us to just suffer.

- Corinth, NY, USA

problem #436

Jul 092022

Sorento

  • miles
Driving vehicle and check engine light came on, pulled over to an advance auto to have codes pulled. When lifting the hood to double check everything while waiting on codes to be pulled, I could smell a burning smell. After codes pulled, I sat in parking lot and researched codes P001100 and P208800. With codes and smell of burning, I had vehicle towed to Ferber's Tire & Auto Service, Inc. at 10383 Leadbetter Rd. Ashland, VA. 23005. They pulled codes and found that a recall was issued by KIA for this issue with CVVT Assembly. I called KIA and I was told that my VIN was not covered for this recall but that if the recall was expanded and covered my VIN that they would notify me. At this point I had no choice but to repair vehicle on my own even though KIA knew of this issue with their product. This repair is not cheap! Because of the location and what you have to do to get to part that needs to be replaced. My bill was $2,492.23 just to fix a car that KIA is aware. So aware that a recall was issued, just didn't go far enough for all the VIN. If my vehicle had caught fire or engine locked up because of the metal and plastic now sucked into the engine, I would have no car and all because KIA not doing right by the customer. I still have parts the old parts that were replaced.

- Manakin Sabot, VA, USA

problem #435

May 312023

Sorento

  • 32,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to CarMax, where the mechanic retrieved DTC code: P017 (Crank Shaft). The contact stated that unknown repairs were made to the vehicle; however, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the battery; however, the failure recurred. The dealer informed the contact that the engine had misfired, and that the engine had a crack in the manifold that had been glued together. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact that the transmission had previously been replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the top of the engine needed to be taken apart. The warranty company requested the records of all the oil changes. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.

- Senoia, GA, USA

problem #434

Jul 112023

Sorento

  • 149,286 miles
UNKNOWN Possible head gasket, radiator or water pump damage. Light smoke from engine. Constantly have to fill car up with antifreeze & water every few miles. Car is never driven over 45 mph.Car easily overheats & leaves us stranded as we live in a rural location. Have to purchase antifreeze every 3 days that we cannot afford. Have VERY LIMITED funds to assist with mechanical work, but we can contribute a little. No income whatsoever coming in due to job loss. Can't rely on car to get to work, but can work from home. Currently seeking employment, but competition has been tough. This is our only car for our family of 4. 2 kids in school age 8 & 4. No bus or friends/relatives who can help.Was referred to this program by a friend as they informed me that it offers financial assistance for some repairs. This affects the safety of the vehicle as we have small children, and the car constantly overheats leaving us stranded in areas without sufficient cellular coverage to make calls. Located in Sevierville, TN.

- Sevierville, TN, USA

problem #433

Sep 202023

Sorento

  • miles
this vehicle is a match box waiting to kill someone. I've been reporting these problems an nobody has follow up. on 08/20/2023 fuel pump had to be replaced after fumes coming into vents report one on 06/03/2023 issue happened again, 0n 09/04/2023 engine went out. after getting vehicle back catalytic converter and manifold was burnt out do to engine.had it inspected by a muffler shop. kia will not replace anything even if they are told it was caused on behalf of there produce

- Jacksonville , FL, USA

problem #432

Aug 102023

Sorento

  • 84,000 miles
My engine failed with no warning, my car shut down on the hwy. It was a safety issue because the car shut down while driving on the hwy and could have resulted in a traffic accident. This problen is all over the internet. There were no warning lights. Car ran fine up until it stalled and lost power and shut down. When towed to the repair shop, I was told it was completely out of oil, metal shavings were in the oil filter. The shop replaced oil and the car ran for a bit with knocking noise. On the way to the kia dealership, after learning this was an issue with my type of vehicle, the car shut down again and had to be towed to the dealership. My request for engine replacement was denied even though it is well within 100.000 miles and or 10yrs. It has 84,000 miles. I feel this is KIA's responsibilty to replace my engine. At this time, they are charging me $10,600 to replace my engine.

- Montgomery, TX, USA

problem #431

Sep 122023

Sorento

  • 142,281 miles
Sometimes the cruise control works. Sometimes it doesn't work. Even after vehicle is warmed up still no resolution. Engine oil disappears without notice or warning.

- Kutztown, PA, USA

problem #430

Aug 112023

Sorento

  • miles
Car shutters and stalls and metal shavings in the oil pan

- Cadiz , OH, USA

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