9.0

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
22,900 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (4 reports)
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problem #4

May 302020

Sorento LX 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

Was traveling on a highway at 60 miles per hour when I lost all acceleration and noticed that the vehicle stalled. No traffic was able to put in neutral and restart while coasting.

Later that night while returning home I was accelerating up a hill. The engine light came on a the engine started making a pinging noise and losing acceleration.

I made it home and immediately check the oil. It was bone dry!!! Checked under the vehicle and in the engine compartment and could not find any oil leaks.

Have replaced the oil and will be taking to the dealer on Monday for repairs.

- John W., Pittsburgh, PA, US

problem #3

Jan 012018

Sorento SXL 2.4L 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles

I was looking online to see if there have been any reports of a Kia stalling. I have a 2016 SXL and after 12K miles I randomly would have the car stall at accleration while driving. I thought it was a fluke. I took it in after it happened on 3 separate occassions (second vehicle so do not drive daily). It was really scary because it happens while in traffic. They were not able to fix as they could not duplicate it in Jan 2017 but there was a service recall and they thought that would address it.

Then at May 2017 at 16K it happened again but this time back to back while on a bridge. I was fortunate to coast over to the side and avoid getting hit. When the car began to accelerate I got over into traffic and it happened again. Took it in and they had it for 2 weeks, never offered rental, and was able to duplicate it this time. They said it showed no error codes which was odd but Global Kia IT had them reset the computer as somehow its adaptive program was off.

It seemed to run better overall after that until Jan 2018 when it stalled while turning on the highway with semis behind me. People swerved to avoid hitting me. Kia was not able to reproduce it after a week, which is not surprising since it doesn't happen all the time, and unwilling to buy the car back. I am going to get rid of it and do not recommend this car to anyone. They only offered to sell me a car to replace one I paid for in cash. Such a joke.

- Bianca P., Indianapolis, IN, US

problem #2

Sep 292016

Sorento SX 3.3L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles

My 2016 Sorento goes into a forced idle when trying to move forward after a stop. Very, very dangerous when trying to enter into cross traffic, like making a left turn. Disappointed that our Kia dealer checked car twice and said there is no problem, other than all new cars are programmed to do this if the driver is using his left foot for braking????? Interesting that after my second visit to the dealer, my car did drive better for several months. Now it is back to its old pattern of stalling at the worst times...without any warning noise, etc. Would trade in for a new vehicle if I could afford it. Kia Corporation has issued a safety recall #SC115 which I believe covers my problem. My 2016 Sorento was actually manufactured on Oct. 27, 2014 and is covered by this recall. It says the dealer should replace the accelerator pedal assembly at no cost to me. I plan to take this document with me and try one more time with the local dealer. If no luck, I may try more desperate means.

- Rynell N., Denton, TX, US

problem #1

Apr 042017

Sorento SX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 14,510 miles

this happened twice 4/2/17 and 4/4/17. first time when going about 30 mph on freeway I attempted to change lanes and accelerate hard into the adjacent lane, as I depressed the throttle to the floor the car stalled, like the engine cut out totally, it took about 2 to 3 seconds for the engine to regain power. The second time this occurred I was going slow, like 10-15 mph, I depressed the accelerator to the floor and the engine stalled. It again took 2 to 3 seconds for the engine to regain power.

- Emil E., Renton, WA, US