10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
17,501 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #32

Apr 042023

Sorento

  • miles
Vehicle is consuming oil at an extraordinary rate. About 1qt per 750 miles. There are no oil leaks present.

- Thornville, OH, USA

problem #31

Mar 232023

Sorento 4-cyl

  • miles
On 3/23/2023, the Oil Pressure Warning Light flashed on and off. I was lucky to be near a gas station that could check my oil and determined there was less than 2 quarts left. They added almost 4 quarts of oil and told me to immediately contact my Kia dealership because I could have an oil consumption issue. I researched the issue online and found that there is a class action lawsuit over Hyundai-Kia oil consumption defect. On 3/28/2023, I brought my vehicle to Mastria Kia to have an oil change and have it checked for an oil leak. There was no oil leak. Thus, they told me to return in 1,000 miles (oil consumption test). If it passes the oil consumption test, they told me that they could do a combustion chamber cleaning for over $500, which I was also told does not fix the defect. They also informed me to check my oil level regularly and add oil as needed. The vehicle is not reliable or safe to drive. I was lucky that I was near a gas station, and I saw the warning light that flashed only once. This is a safety issue and this vehicle's reliability is questionable. I hope that NHTSA can help not only myself, but other Kia owners that are experiencing the same engine defect.

- North Attleboro, MA, USA

problem #30

Mar 092022

Sorento

  • miles
My car is using 5 quarts per oil every 250-500 miles. Which means my car can blow up with me in it. I took it to the dealer and even though there is a tsb on this and it is a known issue they are telling me kia will not cover it I have to replace it out of my own pocket. When this occurs no oil lights or engine lights come on.

- Cape Coral, FL, USA

problem #29

Feb 222023

Sorento

  • miles
Catastrophic engine failure with no signal or warning from the car after being well maintained for 5 years. This occurred while driving 60 mph on a desolate stretch of VT highway while on a trip from our home in NJ. Engine died with no warning and we coasted to a dangerous narrow shoulder of RT 9 and were almost killed by a truck. We also had no cell reception to even call for help. The engine then started to smoke and burn and I was forced to put my two children out on a snowy embankment for 30 minutes risking hypothermia. We bought this 2018 Sorento new and only discovered the vast extent of Kia-??s engine defect after this experience on 2/22/23. I am in complete awe and shock that your agency has allowed them to continue putting people in grave danger. I want to understand how Kia is not applying a more exhaustive effort to notify customers and rectify a deadly product defect that they are well aware of. I would like to direct your agency to a very active Facebook page called -??Engine Failure - Kia-?? that contains a plethora of stories just like ours. This company does not care about the safety of families, nor do they have any interest in making this right. In an effort to reduce the expense of their deadly mistake, they choose to victimize their customers again by declining valid claims for an engine replacement if all service documentation is not available. They are fully aware of their responsibility and choose to act like corporate criminals. It is up to agencies like the NHTSA to address this behavior and prevent further injury and death.

- Caldwell, NJ, USA

problem #28

Feb 222023

Sorento

  • 101,300 miles
2018 Kia Sorrento died suddenly on the highway. We heard a loud rattling noise, then a pop followed by the engine stopping with some smoke coming out under the hood.

- Caldwell, NJ, USA

problem #27

Dec 142022

Sorento

  • miles
My vehicle had 4 recalls on it and caused engine to blow. The dealer I purchased car from would not fix recalls, so had it towed to a Kia dealer, my car has been there since dec long story short recalls fixed but they won't replace engine, nor will dealer I purchased it from. So they're saying over $8000 that I would be responsible for

- Jamesville , NY, USA

problem #26

Oct 242022

Sorento

  • miles
Fuel expired much quicker than should be, and burned on to the dip stick before oil was due to be changed. Then the engine failed while driving, causing my vehicle to lose power on a left turn on a 55 mph road, nearly causing my children and I to be hit by another vehicle. I could not accelerate, but still had power to steer and brake. After having the gas pedal fully extended, I resumed power to 30 mph (this was described as engine knock sensor decreased power). We are hearing that 14 million Kia vehicles are experiencing this. There are 46 cars ahead of mine to be repaired for the failed engine and oil problem at that dealership as of today. They are not offering loaner vehicles.

- Kenockee, MI, USA

problem #25

Sep 292022

Sorento

  • 78,500 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot. The vehicle failed to restart after several attempts. The vehicle remained parked in the parking lot. The contact notified the local dealer and other unknown dealers of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 78,500.

- Reading, PA, USA

problem #24

Sep 132022

Sorento

  • miles
Shortly after fuel oil and filter change at ~75,000 miles, engine light came on and car engine stopped. Oil pump failed and cracked through housing. Major damage. Repair shop indicates engine needs to be replaced.

- Stone Mountain, GA, USA

problem #23

Mar 092021

Sorento

  • miles
No warning before engine failed. 3/2021

- Greensburg, LA, USA

problem #22

May 272022

Sorento

  • miles
excessive oil consumption causing engine to fail. need to replace whole engine. no warning lights or gauges registered the low oil

- Altamont, NY, USA

problem #21

Apr 072022

Sorento

  • miles
This KIA Sorento was brand new and I was the only owner. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request" The engine, brake lights, charging ports and overhead lights. Yes, the vehicle is available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The engine: this puts me at risk because the vehicle stop in the middle of the highway and the rear lights was not working because I burnt harness... a Truck was coming full speed. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, several times and they failed to take responsibility. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The manufacturer and several other opinions from other reputable mechanic shops. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear" No not at all, I was driving home from work, and once I exited the highway and came to a red light it just started violently shaking. There was no sign of this issue. I thought the light going out was just regular maintenance until it we out a few days later... then again. Then I noticed it was burnt on the wiring.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #20

Apr 112022

Sorento

  • miles
My wife was taking my son to school on April 11, 2022 around 7:45am. On the way, and without warning, the engine stopped. She coasted on an exit ramp and stopped at the light. The car's engine wouldn't turn over or even click. A police officer assisted by pushing the car into a gas station parking lot. We had the car towed to the dealer in Fort Worth. After two weeks, they contacted me and said I needed a new engine, intake manifold, and starter because the engine was sized. They said there was no oil in the vehicle. They could not offer an answer as to why.. There had been no warning...no lights had come on the dash...no indication the engine was overheating....no check engine light came on...no check oil light....no limp mode activated. Until that morning, there had been no problems with our vehicle whatsoever. I filed a complaint report with Kia Consumer Affairs. Today, 6 days later, I was told that they would offer no assistance and that all repairs would have to be paid by me. It is available to inspect st the dealer. My wife and child could have been seriously hurt had they stopped in the middle of the interstate by another car running into them. Only the dealer has inspected the vehicle. Had any warning lights come on, we would have had the vehicle serviced. There was never an indication there was a problem.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #19

Apr 012022

Sorento

  • miles
While driving the vehicle there came a knocking noise from the engine. We had driven down to the beach for a work event. We decided to turn the car around and to retrieve our other vehicle from home. As we were driving back the engine was still making the knocking noise. We went over a bridge and the engine started seizing. The engine light then came on. We were able to get it to a pepboys by home lucky but barely made it. They looked over the car and determined a whole engine repair was needed. We took it to Kia dealership and they determine the same and that the bearings had failed. Our car was under warranty but do to failure of proper oil changes our warranty was voided. I understand the need for proper maintenance of the vehicle but our car had only 24000+ miles on it. When I looked up issues regarding the specific engine our car has there were many complaints of engine failure for the theta 2.4 gdi engine. This is very underwhelming and I am grateful my children were not in the car at the time of this failure and we did not get hurt.

- Wilmington, DE, USA

problem #18

Nov 262021

Sorento

  • miles
I was hit by another car in July 2021 which totaled the lovely suv I owned. I decided to buy my 2018 KIA Sorento (from a different state) in August 2021 because I thought KIAs were safe and reliable cars. My KIA began to oil leak right before September 2021. I had it checked for oil leak and got my oil topped off. There was no oil leak detected. In November 2021, my engine light comes on. I believed it to be an indication it was time for an oil change. The night before I could even make it to the car shop my KIA begins to make a loud knocking sound. I got my oil change and the knocking still persist. The mechanic gentlemen tell me that I needed a crankshaft position sensor replacement. I drive my KIA to the nearest KIA dealership and they keep my KIA Sorento over the weekend because of the shortage in workers. The following Monday KIA dealership calls to say I needed a full replacement engine (motor). I haven't had my KIA for even four months and it is under 100,000 miles. I have never had to receive such gut wrenching news about any car I have brought! I pick up my car to park it immediately. There has been over thousands of recalls on KIA motors I was and still am frightened my engine (motor) could catch fire anytime. I am scared to even start it to keep my battery alive. KIA dealerships will not offer me any help because I am the second ownwer of this KIA. I definitely will NEVER buy a KIA car again or even HYDAUI car.

- Heiskell, TN, USA

problem #17

Feb 062022

Sorento

  • miles
02/06/2022 driving north bound on TX hwy 75 near McKinney, TX at the posted speed limited 70mph the engine suddenly quit running and the steering and brakes went out. There were no warning buzzers or lamps prior to the shut down. Traffic was light and with a lot of pumping of the brakes able to get onto the shoulder. Vehicle was towed to Kia of McKinney, TX. They stated engine bearing had gone bad, causing the engine to seize.

- Park Forest, IL, USA

problem #16

Jul 052021

Sorento

  • miles
Our 2018 Kia Sorento seized, stalled, in the middle of the road, smoked, then nearly caught fire with our young daughter in the car and 19 year old son driving. We reported it to Kia. They agreed to reimburse our rental car IF we sign a settlement agreement/hush order regarding it our vehicle and to get reimbursed.

- Stone Mountain, GA, USA

problem #15

Dec 072021

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, a loud noise was suddenly present coming from the engine before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the residence and was examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine rod bearing had failed. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacture was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000.

- Raymond, MS, USA

problem #14

Jun 152021

Sorento

  • miles
Engine started smoking and cut off. Vehicle was taken to Kia dealership but representatives do not want to honor engine replacement recall.

- Conroe, TX, USA

problem #13

Jan 292021

Sorento

  • 72,000 miles
Driving down the road the car made a ticking noise and then just shut off

- Vero Beach, FL, USA

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