10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 13
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 22,400 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Test#5 - excessive oil consumption testing. Mileage 61,719 - down 1 quart of oil at 1030 miles (from Mar. 09 2020 work order.) we had to remove the zip tie morning of 4/19/2020 in order to check oil consumption. My husband had a medical emergency and I did not want to be stranded in case the engine seized up, caught fire, as the dealership service manager told us it will do if no oil in engine. The Kia dealership in gainesville, ga does not approve of removing seal, the oil testing has a 'protocol'. the oil testing protocol is more important to them then the coronavirus protocol. I did not cancel my oil consumption testing, I will continue to monitor engine oil every 1000 miles and report oil consumption. Kia motors knows of the four consecutive tests that the dealership did, oil consumption down 1-2 quarts every 1000 miles. This vehicle is garaged, garage attached to home, if vehicle catches fire, there may be serious injuries or deaths. It's a 2 family duplex.
- Dahlonega, GA, USA
I go the car 2018, I had the car for 13months,2019 I got my oil change in york kai, pa. The car had a recall on it: Kia installed a 21513 23001 gasket- oil plug, 26300 35504 filter assy - engine O. now 12mos. Later I need a new engine, I had 2 diag>done and both place said I need a new engine, the 4ring faulty.I feel like know one is trying to help me to replace this engine.I need help, not fair to me 2017 car new a new engine, I only had it for 13mos.the car shakes when I stop, it slows down when driving.thank you for taking the time to read my letter. I hope I can get some help.
- Baltimore, MD, USA
I have been trying to get the Kia dealership in gainesville, ga to postpone the oil consumption testing due to the coronavirus concerns my husband and I have. The manager of the dealership said that the oil consumption testing has a protocol, the testing cannot be cancelled. I keep telling everyone, the dealership, Kia motors, that I did not say to cancel the testing, just to postpone it. The same as the United States supreme court did, they put their work on hold due to concerns of the coronavirus concerns. I cannot check my oil consumption because the oil dipstick is sealed, if I remove it the manager of the dealership said I would void my warranty and it would be my responsibility, my liability if something goes wrong. This dealership put the seal on the dipstick, this dealership needs to remove it. I will continue the testing after the coronavirus concerns are over. The dealership nor Kia motors will authorize me in writing that it is okay for me to have the seal on the oil dipstick removed and that I will not void my warranty. Nhsta please help me !!
- Dahlonega, GA, USA
We returned to Kia dealership 3/9/2020. We were low on oil again. This was after they told us this on our previous visit 2/7/2020 it was our last oil consumption testing. Kia did a full oil and filter change at 60,689 miles. They started another 1000 mile 'oil consumption test' and sealed the dipstick, secured it with a plastic strap attached to the manifold, which the manifold gets extremely hot and could cause the strap to melt and or cause a fire.
- Dahlonega, GA, USA
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to greenway Kia West palm beach located at (735 S. military trl, West palm beach, fl 33415), where the engine was replaced. About six months later, the vehicle stalled and lost power and was taken back to the dealer. The dealer replaced the wiring harness. The failure recurred and the same dealer replaced the knock sensor. The failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer who kept the vehicle for a couples of weeks and was unable to repair the failure. The better business bureau told the contact that as a second owner, the vehicle did not qualify for a lemon law protection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and filed a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.
- Haverhill, FL, USA
The car stalled while I was driving. No warning lights (no check engine light, temp, etc.) or warning. I pulled over, turned it off then back on and started to hear a low knocking in motor. It ran for a few miles, then stalled at a light. I turned off then back on then made it home. At home my husband checked the oil and it looked "milky". when he tried to drive it to the Kia it made a loud noise in the motor and died. We towed it to Kia. Kia tells us that because the oil is ""murky" they will not uphold the 100,000 warranty (under 80,000 miles on the car). We believe the change in oil is due to a defect.
- Walden, NY, USA
Feb 07 2020 - mileage: 59,211 - this is my last 'excessive oil consumption' test with dealership. My 2017 Kia Sorento was down 1.7 quarts of oil (more like 2 qts as the engine was hot and the tech agreed, more like 2 qts.) after 1002 miles, that averages out to about 1 qt oil every 500 miles. The tech said he would submit all testing results to Kia motors. He also said to check oil every 1000 miles and to add oil if needed, do not let it run out of oil. My next oil change is sch at 61176 miles, that's about 1965 miles, I will probably have to add 3.93 qts before my sch oil change if still 1 qt. Every 500 miles still applicable. The original dipstick was yellow, they replaced it with an 'orange' one ever since the testing began. They said the original dipstick was not reading correctly and all Kia having this 'excessive oil consumption' problem will have dipsticks replaced with the orange ones.
- Dahlonega, GA, USA
January 17, 2020, I am still under the excessive oil consumption testing. I went to the dealership as they told me to on Dec. 30 2019, I met my 1000 miles, it was down 1 qt. Of oil. The dipstick is 'sealed' to the electric harness, they claim it will not catch on fire. Hopefully it won't. so far with the testing, the oil is down 1 quart every 1000 miles, the engine only holds abt. 5 1/4 quarts of oil. The manufacturer recommends oil change every 7500 miles. The service tech said they are having excessive oil consumption problems with the 2.0 and 2.4 engines, I have a 2.4 engine. This vehicle is scary, I feel unsafe driving it, it may catch on fire. Service tech told me it will take a total of 4 sealed dipstick testing, I have two more to go.
- Dahlonega, GA, USA
I brought my vehicle to the dealership Dec 09 2019 (mileage 56176) as instructed by service tech in order for them to check reason this vehicle is using a lot of oil in between oil changes. Service tech checked oil and found oil was down 1.25 qts. Service tech opened tech line case and sent pictures to Kia. I was instructed to return to dealership to recheck oil level in 1000 miles. Today, Dec. 30 2019, (mileage 57231) I returned to dealership. Oil was down 1 qt. After 1055 miles. If you do the math, engine only holds 5.5 quarts of oil, if I go the entire 7500 miles in between oil change(as per owner manual) I would be out of oil.service tech added 1 qt. Oil and put in a sealed dipstick so I cannot check oil level. How am I to know oil level" I park vehicle in my garage. When I questioned tech about this he said it was on Kia's liability if something were to happen. I would know when the engine is out of oil, the engine will start knocking, and he made the knocking sound on the counter. That is really helping my husband and I comfort level, if someone gets hurt or killed, what does it matter" there are other people on the roads that could be injured or killed if something happens to my vehicle. My vehicle could catch on fire, cause injuries or death to us and / or others. Service tech would not say what Kia is doing about this matter when I asked him. He just said Kia is looking into it. He gave my husband and I the impression he knows what is going on, he said he was not at Liberty to discuss any further. The service tech also stated that it is up to the owners to check their own oil levels. Now I cannot check the oil level, it has a sealed dipstick. He is contradicting himself, make no sense.
- Dahlonega, GA, USA
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. While driving 35 mph, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning indicator flashed. The contact took the vehicle to metro Kia of madison (5442 wayne terrace, madison, wi 53718) and was informed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V907000 (fuel system, gasoline, engine). The dealer replaced the knock sensor. On another occasion, while traveling 45 mph, the same failure occurred with the check engine warning indicator flashing. The contact returned the vehicle to the same dealer and was informed that the VIN was included in a new unknown recall. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
- Stoughton, WI, USA
December 19,2019 our 2017 Kia sorrento with 37K miles on it would not start. The temperature was below zero and thought that has something to do with it. Initially the car tried turning over but after a few attempts, it stopped doing anything. We worked through a number of problem solving steps and after a while called roadside assistance and they towed the car to the Kia dealership where we leased it from. On December 23, we called for a status and were told the engine is seized. The service department said the oil drained was black and sludge. They went on to say we did not change the oil and will be responsible for a new engine and labor. The oil was changed on time as the Kia reminds you of the service. There was no notice or indication that there was an issue, just seized. At approximately 20,000 miles on the car, the transmission blew and needed that repaired as well. Seeing others describe a similar issue makes me think this is a design flaw. Kia should make this a recall and provide restitution.
- Ballston Lake, NY, USA
On October 10 2019 my wife was driving the kids to school in our 2017 Kia Sorento and before she could get out of the neighborhood the car started to jerk uncontrollably and lost all acceleration before it cut off. She then tried to restart the car several time but was unsuccessfully it it starting back up before it stalled out. After the car was left alone for a while I went out to the car and it started back up and seemed like it drove fine. We did not take it to the dealership that time. After that my wife said that she felt the vehicle was not driving like it should. She said that you basically had to floor it for it to get up to cruising speed. Approximately 6 weeks later my wife started to have more problems with the vehicle. She stated that the acceleration problem was very noticeable and was scaried that it was going to stall out again before she could get home that day. She was able to get home safe that time. Later on that day she had to go back out and she said that it started up fine and drove fine until with out warning it just shut off while she was driving in the middle of business intersection. The car started up just fine once it shut off and my wife drove it to a nearby parking lot where it sat until it was towed to the dealership. The dealership has had the vehicle about 3 weeks now and are unable replicate the problem. The dealership said that they have done everything possible to see if there was a problem with the car. Since they cannot replicate the problem and there is no codes then they think that the vehicle is fine. Sin E the car cut off on my wife twice in six weeks she is scared to drive the car in fear that it will shut off on her again. This is a major safety concern that needs to be addressed by Kia. I am not the only one complaining about this problem with this car this could have very easily resulted in a major accident
- Dunn, NC, USA
8/19/19 I had a scheduled oil / filter change at dealership, mileage 50280. 10/11/19 I checked my oil and there was no oil on the oil dipstick. There were no leaks, no oil on garage floor, no oil warning light. I brought it to the dealership same day, 10/11/19, I thought maybe the tech did not put correct amount of oil, I only had an addtl. 2700 miles and was not scheduled for an oil change yet. One of the techs put about 1 1/2 - 2 quarts of oil in it and told me to keep an eye on it. Saturday, 12/07/19, it happened again, no oil was showing on the dipstick. I was going to have dealership do the oil change, I was close to the mileage to get one, but not quite, but instead of dealership doing oil change, he said to bring it back Monday 12/09/19 to have a 'tech line' opened. I am the original owner of this 2017 Kia Sorento and it is still under warranty.
- Dahlonega, GA, USA
Was driving from work to home. (approximately a 10 mile trip.) there was no indication of engine trouble or any warning lights on at all. About half way my car began to rumble and not shift. Now an engine light indicates along with an oil pressure gauge. As I find a safe place to pull over my car shuts down. There was no prior indication that my car needed oil or service.
- New Florence, PA, USA
After oil change, within 1500miles missing 2 quartz of oil. Not normal.
- Manalapan, NJ, USA
I was stopped at a red light on a city street and struck head on by another vehicle. The damage is shown below in the uploaded image. My airbags did not deploy.
- Bel Aire, KS, USA
Car stalls for no apparent reason while driving. The dealer can't find anything wrong because it's not showing any codes. First time car was towed to dealership. Second time the car started back up so I drove it to the dealer. This can cause a major accident.
- Lindenhurst, NY, USA
Bought the car in 2018 March I have a 2017 Sorento. Have done regular 5000 oil changes. Kia said it was sludge in engine, however there are metal shaving inside the the oil and sludge caused by crank shaft. As of now no recall. Out of warranty by 5000 miles. Current situation waiting for "good faith" help appeal. Was denied stating not maintaining oil changes. Got proof provided to service dept and waiting for decision. This could have gone real wrong. No engine warning light no oil lights ever came on. Thankful I was not driving on highway( with baby )and engine could have shut down. I heard knocking and took it directly to Kia.they Kia service dept advised not to drive so I left it there. I have a rental and its been a week today. Still waiting for answer. The whole reason buying this Kia was for a reliable car for my family. It is 2 yrs old no reason engine failure. My problems are similiar to other reports I have read so there is a major issue with Kia motors.
- Garland, TX, USA
We drove home from a weekend out of town. The trip took 5 hours. When we arrived home I let the dogs out of the car, grabbed two suit cases and brought them into the house. When I went outside to finish unpacking the car (5 minutes later) the car was completely engulfed in flames at this point I had my wife call 911 and tried to get things out of my car this was impossible. We lost the Kia and another car it was parked next to as well as significant damage to our home. The car was parked in the driveway and was turned off 5 minutes prior to discovering the fire. Within 15 minutes both cars and my garage were in flames.
- Elsberry, MO, USA
- Dahlonega, GA, USA