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.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 31
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
71,630 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
We experienced literally everything described on the last letter for the recall on our 2013 Kia Sorento's ECU, including the vehicle shutting off in the middle of active intersections, highway, and normal driving operation(s). My wife and I own a vehicle (2013 Kia Sorento), that is the subject of your "voluntary service campaign to update the engine control unit (ECU)". after the ECU unit was replaced we received the attached letter from Kia that states he has a warranty on the engine for as long as we own the vehicle. Despite this letter, we've been told by Kia usa corporate and lithia Kia of anchorage that our vehicle is no longer covered by a warranty due to mileage. I expect someone in a higher level management to explain, asformerly requested. As of December 23, 2019, we had our vehicle towed to lithia Kia of anchorage to attempt to have the vehicle diagnosed, and communicate with Kia usa. Kia has decided to stop communicating with us and will not share any information with our law firm, per their own guidance. We are hoping this will complete this tedious method of vehicle repair(s). Kia needs to explain to us why it will not honor the warranty as stated in the letter. I am a retired disabled veteran and can be reached at any hour. Per my law firm's instruction(s), we have contacted and filed a claim through the state of Alaska attorney general's office as well.
I have taken my 2013 Kia Sorento to my local dealership after the latest engine recall. They upgraded software but gave no further explanation. Everytime I get my oil change its almost empty. The past 2 oil changes there has been almost no oil. Yesterday, I was driving, on the highway and check engine, oil, battery, light came on flashing and the car stalled in the middle lane of the highway. I was able to pull over and call a tow truck. I turned the vehicle off and 15 min later while waiting for tow truck I tried to turn it on and it came one. I canceled the tow and I am at the dealership today. My car is not leaking oil anywhere and I know there has been a engine recall on my make, model and year. I am afraid of the cost of the repair and the safety of a vehicle that stops in the middle of the highway.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. While driving approximately 10-15 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle lost electrical power. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and then to kearny mesa Kia (7303 clairemont mesa blvd, san diego, ca 92111, (858) 365-8763) where it was diagnosed that the engine seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. While driving, the vehicle stalled in the middle of the road. The contact received assistance with pushing the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the engine seized and needed to be completely replaced. The contact called the manufacturer and received a case number. The contact scheduled to have the vehicle towed to Carolina Kia of high point (2445 N main St, high point, nc 27262, (866) 824-7081). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000.
I have taken my 2013 Kia Sorento to my local dealership after the latest engine recall. They replaced the dipstick, .no explanation why but the level lines are different. Recently took it back to the dealership for a grinding, vibration noise in the front end, no issue reported. The past 2 oil changes which I do every 3K.miles there has been no oil. Yesterday, I was driving, still had about 1K miles left before the 3K mile oil change and my oil light started flashing. Immediately took it to my mechanic who again said there was no oil. My car is not leaking oil anywhere.
- Dawsonville, GA, USA
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I already filed a claim the other day, but now my 2013 Sorento has gotten even worse! my car stalled on the highway going around 65-70 mph, and power steering and acceleration completely ceased. After getting home and calling to report this, I took it for a test drive, and my engine has a very loud knocking sound coming from it, and it drives extremely rough. I never had any warning signs prior to this, and now my check engine light has been blinking. I have always kept up with the maintenance and oil changes on my vehicle, and now it is throwing a "P1326" code. It stalled twice prior to this while driving. I don't understand how my engine wasn't recalled prior to this when there was an engine recall on my exact year and model for rod bearing wear! this is my only form of transportation, and Kia is aware of these problems but just keeps throwing bandaids on the actual problem! when is this going to end? engines are catching on fire, people (including myself) are stalling at high speeds on the road due to their faulty craftsmanship! I want answers!! how many people will have to die before they do something about this" I either want a recall on my engine, or I want a warranty to cover the problem they are already aware of! I refuse to put mine or my daughter's life in jeopardy because Kia does not want to own up to their problem! there are thousands of complaints, when will this end"! I'm still paying on a car I can't even drive due to manufacturer error!! this is ridiculous! I will never own another Kia due to their safety violations, and I can't wait until I can get rid of this car and not have to worry about our safety any longer. I want something done now! I will not stop until something is done about this.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. While driving approximately 65-70 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power, including power steering, braking, and acceleration. The contact was able to coast the vehicle off the road to a stop. The vehicle restarted on the first attempt. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred once. The dealer and manufacturer were not informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
I was driving my 2013 Kia Sorento yesterday on the highway going about 50-55 mph when all of a sudden it stalled and the engine stopped. I pulled over immediately and noticed it was extremely hot and out of oil. I still had 1,000 miles to go according to the oil change sticker from the mechanic. No oil warning light ever came on to indicate low fuel. There are also no signs of oil leaking in or around the vehicle. It was actually driving great the day before when I drove 50+ miles on mostly highway. I had my 2013 Kia Sorento towed to a local mechanic and just informed me the engine will need to be replaced. I did some research because I'm confused to what happened here and found that I'm not alone. Many other Kia & Hyundai owners have experienced this same issue. "the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reportedly states that more than 6 million Hyundai and Kia vehicles have been affected by the engine defect since 2015". what are my options" I am currently looking at an estimate of $6220 to install a new engine. I need help. What are my options"
Driving to work this morning and my 2013 Kia Sorento stalled. Pulled to the side of the road and was able to restart the vehicle. Engine began a clanking noise. Had vehicle towed to my mechanic and they haven't reported back yet. Recall notice was never sent to me. NHTSA recall number: 7V224 recall date: March 31, 2017 manufacturer recall number: SC147
Driving on the highway and then lost power and the engine light came on, exited the highway, went into a parking lot and then turned car off. Started car again and drove several blocks and car starting knocking and then shut off. Car would not start again.
The vehicle was coasting down an exit ramp of a bridge when the engine stalled. The vehicle would not restart. It acted as if the battery didn't have enough power to turn the engine over. The vehicle was towed home. Battery tested good. Coolant and oil were full. Belt was removed. All pulleys turned freely. Spark plugs removed to alleviate compression. Attempted to turn engine over by crank bolt. Took over 150 lb. Ft. to turn engine. Removed oil pan and found bearing material in bottom of oil pan.
The motor failed while on the road traveling at about 45 miles per hour under normal load, causing the driver to have to immediate pull to the side of the road. Kia diagnosed the issue as an internal failure, however they deny that this is a systemic problem with this particular motor and were unwilling to fix it as it is not under recall. I am writing the NHTSA to make you aware of this issue for your records as I have seen there to be a number of similar issues related to Kia Sorento motors.
Have not had any problems other then having to put 2 quarts of oil in the motor every other day and it stalling to the point of almost cutting off when I start to take off. I got up put oil in the car started my day as usual, ran errands and the parked the car as usual. Went to get in it the next day and the engine light was on. Started to drive it and it made the sound as if it was misfiring. Later that day had my mechanic look at it and he said what I thought it was plugs. So I changed the plugs and coil packs and it did not change a thing. Still had that noise and when you are going down the road it will start shaking and have to gear down. Called Kia customer service they said it was part of the 147 recall even though it showed that it had been fixed in 2018. I explained that it shook when driven that plugs and coil packs have been changed, had to fill up on oil instead of gas and that the oil had gas in it. Told me it would cost me 230 out of pocket to have it towed. Next day took it too Kia dealership who said I would have to wait until the motor locked up before they could do anything. Finally got them to look at it and they said the motor was bad. It was not safe to drive it anymore because it could caught fire or cause an accident. But yet not part of the recall said I would have to pay for all the repairs out of pocket. Not only did Kia customer service and NHTSA both said it was part of the 147 recall. I am with out a vehicle and still have to pay for one that I can't even drive or get fixed.
Engine has knocking sound. Gets worse with A/C on seems and when put in reverse. Mornings the loudest. Gets louder on and off. I recently bought the vehicle.
It started making a knocking and loud tapping noise when I was driving down a city streed. It kept getting louder and worse when I tried to accelerate.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the rpms dropped all the way down and the traction indicator illuminated and remained lit. The vehicle shook while traveling and also quickly surged forward and then slowed down. The vehicle also shut off while driving around a corner. Spradley Kia (2145 hwy 50 West, pueblo, co 81008, (719) 543-6710) performed a diagnostic test, but no codes were found. An appointment was scheduled for a more extensive diagnostic test for next week. The contact called the manufacturer and was given a case number. The contact researched the failure online and discovered many similar failures. The failure mileage was 103,000.
Per the mechanic, metal chips in the oil, radiator over heated and cracked the engine this sounds exactly what was recalled for the 2.5 engine..while driving car started overheating
The engine is making an unusual amount of noise in the engine. It also is burning up to 3 quarts of oil between changes. I know that there is a recall on this vehicle. I have had it back to the dealer four or five times for this problem with no help. They tell me if it locks up they will fix it but not until. This is not acceptable. What do I do?
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to Nissan Kia of middletown (4961 NY-17M, new hampton, NY 10958) where it was diagnosed that the starter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the mechanic noticed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Jber, AK, USA