10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
10,890 miles

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problem #31

Mar 062025

Sorento

  • miles
I was driving my daughter to school and heard 2 popping noises under the car. The car started smoking as I was driving. I pulled into the parking lot and the car wouldn-??t stop. I pressed the break multiple times before it eventually stopped. The car was completely smoking from the hood and then caught fire as I got me and my children out of it. The fire department came and successfully put the fire out after about 30 minutes of continuous flames. It was a total loss

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #30

Oct 082024

Sorento

  • miles
Trunk latch won-??t latch, Looked into it and other 2018 Kia sorentos gave the same problem. I called to check for a recall as I bought the car less then a year ago and was told nothing. This is a problem I barely used it and it won-??t close now. Just pops back open and will start alerting me that it-??s open and won-??t latch. Meaning the car will keep beeping that it-??s open and then will eventually drain the battery due to the alert going off the whole time (it won-??t relatch) it took 8 hours for it to latch to close. This is the Manuel trunk.

- El Cajon, CA, USA

problem #29

Dec 242024

Sorento

  • miles
I am experiencing a serious issue with my 2018 Kia Sorento AWD related to the AWD coupling. During normal driving, the vehicle does not perform as expected, and the AWD system feels compromised, making the car unsafe and unreliable. While the vehicle doesn-??t stall, it struggles to function properly, which is a major concern. I took the vehicle to the dealership, where they diagnosed the problem as a malfunctioning AWD coupling. However, they informed me that this issue is not covered under warranty or any recall program. This response is both frustrating and concerning, especially since AWD functionality is a critical part of the Sorento-??s design and intended use. After researching, I found that many Kia Sorento owners have reported similar problems with the AWD coupling, indicating that this may be a widespread issue across multiple model years. If this is a known defect, it is troubling that Kia has not offered a recall or extended warranty to address the problem. Customers should not be left to bear the financial burden of repairing what seems to be a common and significant defect. I am requesting further clarification and assistance. I need to understand why this issue is not covered, particularly if it affects other Sorento vehicles as well. If this is a systemic problem, Kia should take responsibility to resolve it fairly and promptly. The AWD system is essential for safe driving, and as a loyal customer, I expect Kia to stand behind its product and ensure my safety and satisfaction.

- Northampton , PA, USA

problem #28

Jul 012023

Sorento

  • miles
I have a pearl white 2018 Kia Sorento, and the paint is peeling off the hood. This is a factory defect, and I need to get it fixed before the rest of the paint comes off the car.

- Merrillville, IN, USA

problem #27

Oct 012024

Sorento

  • miles
I was driving my 2018 Kia Sorento up a hill going about 40 mph. It suddenly lost power and I had to pull over. No lights showed up on the dash warning me anything was wrong. I was draining oil like crazy and it was all over the engine. I had it towed to a mechanic and then the dealership. A bolt from inside the engine blew and tore a hold in the valve and head gasket. That-??s all I know now. I had purchased my vehicle pre owned certified, and Kia is not honoring the warranty even with extended warranties. This happened at 87,000 miles. I have seen other reports of Kia Sorentos having issues with their engines. Please help.

- Bremerton, WA, USA

problem #26

Sep 102024

Sorento

  • miles
Car won't start system doesn't recognize key. And when I use the other key ams drive the car doesn't recognize the key and keeps showing No key I'm vehicle

- Oakland, CA, USA

problem #25

Aug 292024

Sorento

  • miles
Trunk latch stopped working.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #24

Aug 132024

Sorento

  • miles
Trunk open signal not turning off and trunk won-??T close. Dealer said its the trunk latch that needs to be replaced.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #23

Jun 242024

Sorento

  • miles
On multiple occasions our headlights will turn on by themselves without the car being on: for example while we are sleeping in the middle of the night we get a call from our neighbor that our car lights are on. Also while driving at night they will turn off by themselves. On all occasions the light are in AUTO mode, meaning the lights should turn on/off themselves when necessary but only when the key is in the car and the car is

- Olney, MD, USA

problem #22

Mar 022024

Sorento

  • miles
My vehicle is consuming a lot of oil. At my previous oil change I mentioned this to the dealer as I had to put in 5 quarts of oil. The oil canister light came on which I believed was just warning me to my upcoming oil change but my dipstick indicated otherwise when I checked. The light would only come on when I made turns in the road. It did not stay on consistently. As I was driving my engine sounded bad and I was worried something more was wrong which is why I checked the oil. When I brought it in for the oil change, the service advisor said they would check for leaks which was not located. I asked them to set my oil change for 3k miles instead of the 5k miles they have been setting it as I was worried about engine damage. The oil canister light came on recently once again (still only when I take turns on the road) with still 1100 miles left in the current oil change and when I checked there was no oil in the engine reflected on the dipstick. I gradually added oil and had to add 5 quarts of oil once again. I set up an appointment for further investigation but I fear that by the time they run their tests my vehicle will surpass any warranty. I-??m currently at 77700 miles. This much oil consumption is not normal and I shouldn-??t have to keep a constant stock of oil available to fill up every 2k miles. I understand a little bit of oil but having to add 5 quarts of oil at a given time is way too much.

- Leominster, MA, USA

problem #21

Apr 022024

Sorento

  • miles
Vehicle seems to be stalling when you stop and then try to pull out. It takes minutes to accelerate after stopping.

- Macon, GA, USA

problem #20

Dec 102023

Sorento

  • miles
The exterior paint of the vehicle is peeling off to the point where the metal of the car is visible. The vehicle has the Special White Pearl SWP paint code, and it is peeling off in different areas all across the vehicle. Also, the dash has cracked, in both the driver and passenger's side. The use of those foil accordions to protect the dash has been in use since purchased back in 2018, but it still cracked.

- Carolina, PR, USA

problem #19

Nov 102023

Sorento

  • miles
I had the anti-theft update installed in August which was supposed to prevent the car from being stolen by lengthening the alarm and making it so the car would not start without the key. My car was still stolen in November.

- San Lorenzo, CA, USA

problem #18

Oct 042023

Sorento

  • miles
My vehicle gets stuck in park and I have to use the release button to put my car in gear

- Staffors, VA, USA

problem #17

Aug 302023

Sorento

  • miles
I recently found out via social media that my 2018 Kia Sorento is under recall. I have received zero communication from Kia corporate in regards to next steps to fix my current recall. To make matters worse, my husband just blew at right at 100,000 and Kia refused to offer us any financial assistance since it was -??no longer under warranty.-?? My husband and I spent $5347 out of pocket and an additional $500 on rental cars while our car was being serviced. Again, Kia received to take any blame and refused us any financial assistance. In May of 2022, my husband-??s 2013 Kia Optima-??s engine blew and we were out of a vehicle for 12 weeks. Kia refused to supply us a rental so we had to borrow family member-??s cars while our car was being serviced. Kia did financially assist us with the 2013 Kia Optima-??s engine because it was under warranty. Kia has no clue how to create a dependable, working engine and doesn-??t have any decency to take initiative of their faulty engines. My husband and I are now in extreme car debt with my 2018 Kia Sorento, owing $8400 and we just spent an additional $5347 on a brand new engine. As of yesterday, 10.3.2023, my car battery was fried and needed to be replaced. This costs my husband and I an additional $200. I-??m reaching out because I firmly believe Kia owes us financial assistance and I demand for Kia to be held accountable of their corrupt customer service.

- Dora, AL, USA

problem #16

Nov 012021

Sorento

  • miles
The cruise control has been fixed once. It was not fixed. Same problem still happening. Sometimes it works, more than not it does not. Sometimes you can-??t shut it off. They also have not come up with a fix for the new hitch recall problem that results in fires.

- Bradenton, FL, USA

problem #15

Sep 032022

Sorento

  • miles
My 2018 Snow White Pearl Kia Sorento is experiencing paint failure on the hood and rear hatch. The manufacturer notified me that they identified this as a problem with 2011-2014 models and, at this time, are not offering a remedy for a 2018 model.

- Franklinton, LA, USA

problem #14

May 112022

Sorento

  • miles
The car makes a loud noise like I hurt a bump, the engine light comes on. I brought the car to the Kia dealer and They told me everything was OK. I took the car home and continued to experience the same problem but this time the car decelerate even if I am driving in the freeway. At that time I cannot accelerate. I brought again the car to the same Kia dealer.They told me they drove the car 19 miles and did not have any problem ! I went and took the car and believe what I was told but this time the wheel blocked and I could not turn, the engine turn itself off. The oil engine and battery lights come on in red and the engine light in yellow. It is very scary and unsafe I had to tow this car to the dealers without my concerns being addressed.

- Hayward, CA, USA

problem #13

Feb 022022

Sorento

  • miles
This is with regards to a major safety incident that could have been fatal for my wife and others on 2/2/2022. My wife parked her 2018 Kia Sorento on our driveway picked up her belongings and closed the door of the car. As she was about to enter the house it felt to her that the car was still running. So, she went to the car again opened the drivers side of the door and reached out and pressed the "Start/Stop" button thinking if the car's engine is still "ON" it will turn it "OFF". As soon as she hit the button the car started rolling backwards and my wife got entangled in the door. She got knocked down to the ground sustaining a concussion on her head and deep bruises on her legs and shoulder. The car went to neighbor's front yard across the street and was stopped by the curb and the snow bank on neighbor's yard. After I tended to my wife I went to fetch the car I double checked and saw that the gear shifter was in "Parking" position. The mystery is how the car moved backwards while the car was in "Parking". It's not a steep hill and the way car rolled it felt to my wife as the car was in "Neutral". There is no warning lights or any other failure indications. We took the car to local Kia dealer for thorough inspection but they couldn't find anything. We are quite scared to drive the car. I am hoping a very through investigation of the car and get to the bottom of the issue. We complained to Kia, they reached out once after almost a month and now radio silence on the issue.

- Nashua, NH, USA

problem #12

Dec 152021

Sorento

  • miles
2 Recent incidents: SUV was parked on a driveway with slight incline overnight in park and ended up at the bottom end of driveway in the morning. With car running on a friends driveway with an incline, I had car in the park mode and was going to depart car to quickly knock on door and car very slowly proceed backwards while in park mode. I called KIA dealership on 12/22/2021 where I purchased car they stated they never heard of this & could be icy driveways..I stated they were not iced over at the time and I-??m very concerned for everyone-??s safety with this situation. They dealership service department stated it will be a diagnostic charge due not any service or engine lights -??on-?? at this time.

- Woodbury, MN, USA

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