CarComplaints.com Notes: There are just too many engine stalls or shuts down while driving reports to feel good about the Sorento. Especially when those things happen, on average, at just over 32,000 miles. Hopefully things will change.
Headed I-95 North to Jacksonville, Fl. when we heard a loud snap and metal flying off car (speed about 70mph). Smoke then started rising from engine which rapidly became black smoke and engine started losing power. We were in a middle lane on a divided highway, but luckily were able to pull the car to the right side off road, while it continued to smoke....noticed oil leaking undo the ground below and a trail of oil behind the car (after we stopped the car and got out.) It was dead.
We opened the hood as it cooled down. could see nothing. Looking under the car a big pool of oil was collecting. The car was not driveable. When the tow truck driver arrived he examined the car and exclaimed we were luckily to get off the highway, a few more minutes and it would have caught fire...it was that hot.
The car was towed to the nearest Kia dealer in Jacksonville which was closed that night..but they agreed to look it over and find out what was the problem. We had to head home (Port Saint Lucie, Fl.) so we rented a car. Thinking the car was still under the original warranty we didn't worry and the service agent at the Kia service department felt it would be covered and so would the rental.
We headed home. Got a call from the service department, don't worry looks like it was an internal part which failed and should be covered. After about a week we called them for progress report...they were going to order a new motor for it--the old one was "toast". We we waited another week an called them back and was told they were waiting for the motor. Going into the 3rd week my husband called them but no progress was made on the repair so my husband called the manufacturer and was given an order number.
Not hearing from the dealership we called them back only to be told that the Kia manufacturer denied the claim stating it was caused by sludge accumulation due to poor maintenance. What???? We only had the car 8 months and we had it in the shop 2 times both times it was checked out. On 05/09/16 the oil was changed.
We purchased the car 11/23/15. It was serviced in 12/15 and 1/16. The rental car cost us over $1000 in addition to the fact that now the Sorento is still not fixed and claim denied so the extended warranty will also not cover the damage and it is still in Jacksonville.
I don't really want Kia to put in a new motor in, after reading these complaints, I fear the new motor will also have problems. We continue to pay for a car we cannot use or get fixed. Any suggestions on how to proceed? Know a lawyer in the Port Saint Lucie area? Anyone else having this problem with Kia? Love to hear from you. How do I get a copy of this complaint.?
I started to hear a chatter in the engine as I drove - it only happened at around 4000 RPMs/40 mph. After a couple of days, it got louder and progressed to a clattering sound. So, I took it to the Kia Dealer and they informed me that the engine was about to blow and I should leave it to be checked out. They informed me that indeed, the engine was no good and needed to be replaced. It was covered under warranty but only if I could produce all the service records and oil changes, which I did. They agreed to replace the engine.
BUT I wouldn't get a loaner car until another one was returned. I did get one in about a week, a 2016 sportage which I get to drive until my car is returned.
AND that the new engine would not be available for a couple of months due to the shortage of spare engines.
Although I've had a few problems with the car, I still like the Sorento. It's been a very comfortable and dependable vehicle. It never conked out or gave me mechanical trouble for over 60,000 miles.
Also, the engine was just replaced and runs fine again. It's great to have my car back.
Got no warning buzzers, lights, nothing. Didn't know there was a problem with the motor or engine until the car just shut down on highway. Let me go back... the car had a continuous (relay switch) problem. They keep replacing the relay switch that was killing the battery out of the blue, then the motor went without notification.
Engine blew on highway going 60 mph. Started rapping then died. Coasted to stop and then tried re-starting. Checked the oil and was three quarts low. Had just had an oil change three weeks earlier. Oil light never came on.
Well we had another Kia that we had no problems with ever so we decided to trade it in for a newer model. We got a 2013 and the motor just blow. The KIA dealership in Elizabethtown, Kentucky stated that they would not do a thing to help us. It was only through my Father that I learned that they have been having this problem with the vehicle blowing up. KIA is not standing next to there product of 100,000 mile warranty.
I will be looking into the law suit that is a class action one and will be adding my name to it. Possibly get something done that way. Do not Buy A KIA Because they do not stand behind their warranties.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Headed I-95 North to Jacksonville, Fl. when we heard a loud snap and metal flying off car (speed about 70mph). Smoke then started rising from engine which rapidly became black smoke and engine started losing power. We were in a middle lane on a divided highway, but luckily were able to pull the car to the right side off road, while it continued to smoke....noticed oil leaking undo the ground below and a trail of oil behind the car (after we stopped the car and got out.) It was dead.
We opened the hood as it cooled down. could see nothing. Looking under the car a big pool of oil was collecting. The car was not driveable. When the tow truck driver arrived he examined the car and exclaimed we were luckily to get off the highway, a few more minutes and it would have caught fire...it was that hot.
The car was towed to the nearest Kia dealer in Jacksonville which was closed that night..but they agreed to look it over and find out what was the problem. We had to head home (Port Saint Lucie, Fl.) so we rented a car. Thinking the car was still under the original warranty we didn't worry and the service agent at the Kia service department felt it would be covered and so would the rental.
We headed home. Got a call from the service department, don't worry looks like it was an internal part which failed and should be covered. After about a week we called them for progress report...they were going to order a new motor for it--the old one was "toast". We we waited another week an called them back and was told they were waiting for the motor. Going into the 3rd week my husband called them but no progress was made on the repair so my husband called the manufacturer and was given an order number.
Not hearing from the dealership we called them back only to be told that the Kia manufacturer denied the claim stating it was caused by sludge accumulation due to poor maintenance. What???? We only had the car 8 months and we had it in the shop 2 times both times it was checked out. On 05/09/16 the oil was changed.
We purchased the car 11/23/15. It was serviced in 12/15 and 1/16. The rental car cost us over $1000 in addition to the fact that now the Sorento is still not fixed and claim denied so the extended warranty will also not cover the damage and it is still in Jacksonville.
I don't really want Kia to put in a new motor in, after reading these complaints, I fear the new motor will also have problems. We continue to pay for a car we cannot use or get fixed. Any suggestions on how to proceed? Know a lawyer in the Port Saint Lucie area? Anyone else having this problem with Kia? Love to hear from you. How do I get a copy of this complaint.?
- Toni S., Port Saint Lucie, FL, US