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.
I see no oil leaking from my car, but I have to add 3_quartz of oil every 2,000 miles. Now I bought this car from private seller. Now I have researched this problem and think this car is in service oil check because it has an orange dipstick. However I don't know how to verify this
While driving on the freeway the engine seized and would not move.luckily there hasn't been a lot of traffic lately because of the covid -19.I was able to pull over safely.
2/11/20: Driving North on I-55 when the car suddenly started hesitating as if it wasn't getting fuel, I pulled over & heard a crack noise, car stalls, smoke coming from inside the hood, engine, oil, battery & trans dash lights lit up after the noise & smoke, but oil gauge never ever got hot (even before this) I opened hood & saw liquid had exploded under the hood. I tried to start the car & it wouldn't. the next day, had it towed to a shop, the mechanic said: 'engine is blown & no clue why, there's a hole in the engine block & nothing you could've done to prevent it, it definitely seems like a mechanical defect & it was just a matter of time before it blew.' So imagine my confusion when my 2013 vehicle's engine (maintained perfectly as I had free oil changes through Kia so I got them done regularly & it's all in their system) randomly blows & mechanic has no idea why. I researched & 0 open recalls, Kia headquarters said it's my responsibility as my VIN not included on recall detailing my exact complaint because it didn't have a gfi engine. This is obviously a mechanical defect and Kia should be held accountable and responsible for replacing the defective engine on my car!! I'm now without income due to the coronavirus pandemic happening, so I can't afford the car pmt that I'm responsible for a vehicle I just purchased 12/2018!! this is horrifying that Kia refuses to replace my engine. I'm a single mom with 2 kids (8 & 9) trying to survive & they refused to even give a loaner while I try to raise the money to pay for a used engine to be put in. This has put me in a horrible financial situation as I rented a car for a month before the lockdown & could have used the $ towards repairs but I had to work so I had no choice, but now can't afford anything so I'm just stuck with no help at all for something that is not my fault. Kia is responsible & I'm out of options & help.
Driving on interstate about 70 heard a loud knock in the motor immediately lost power talk to the mechanic he said bearings were worn out and it threw a rod 114,000 miles on car own car since it was brand new cat maintenance on it change the oil every 3000 miles Kia says it's not in the recall number sc147but it says all 2013 Kia sorrento's
Driving to work, the engine seized at a red light. Manage to roll to parking lot. Lost steering and braking. My shoulder still hurts from pulling on steering wheel so hard. Very scary as was on very busy 2 lane (each way) in morning rush hour traffic. Called aaa immediately. They towed the car to our mechanic. Mechanic said bearing/engine locked and would need to be replaced. Sorento had 103K miles so not worth the expense. Radio/blue tooth, etc. Hadn't worked for long time. Sold Sorento to salvage yard that same day. They towed the vehicle off our mechanic's lot. I was told about the related recall afterwords. Haven't contacted Kia yet but just found this #, 800-333-4542, which I can try to ask them about this situation. Documents: I have receipt from the salvage yard. Aaa didn't give me any paper work but I'm sure this can be documented. My mechanic felt bad and didn't charge me since he couldn't fix and didn't give paperwork.
- North Wales, PA, USA
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The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine bearings failed and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer doral Kia (10155 nw 12th St. Doral fl) and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA campaign number 17V224000 (engine). The failure mileage was 67,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. While driving 30 mph there was an abnormal knocking noise detected and vehicle loss motive power and stalled. The contact shifted the vehicle into neutral. There were no warning lights illuminated, the vehicle was towed to rick case Kia located at (3190 satellite blvd, duluth, ga 30096, (678) 321-1590 where it was diagnosed that cylinder three failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The warranty company was informed of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,000.
My car stalled going around 65-70 mph on the highway, and power steering and acceleration completely ceased. After pulling over I waited a minute and tried to start it again 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. I had it towed to my house to prevent further damage or possible accident!
Feb12, 2020morning, my son and his girlfriend were driving my car to work. He called me and said the car had stalled out and won't start. I asked all the questions related to an alternator issue like did radio turn off lights get dim. No was response, said car would surge increasing speed then if took foot off accelerator would drastically slow down. When approaching stoplight just cut off. No warning no lights, wouldn't start. Thankfully the traffic wasn't heavy and a nice person helped them get it off the road. Had it towed home then to the mechanic for what we thought was alternator only to get disturbing call saying the motor is shot. I had the same tow truck driver pick it up and take it to mechanic and he kept asking if I was sure it was the alternator, he had told me he thought the engine had seized by how it sounded when he tried to start it to try and position it better for the roll back, I had hope he was wrong.there were regular oil changes done and I have checked my VIN against the recall and although the year and make are correct my VIN is not included. I operate a cleaning service and desperately need my car. In fact we were searching for my son a car as he had graduated and became employed and now instead of looking for one we've got to get two. And still make pymts on this one to save my credit. It's really sad that Kia is doing valuable customers like this. People need their cars. Last year I tried to trade it in they offered such a low value for mine I can't help but believe they knew it's a problem car. This is a real problem, I have read so many issues with this year and make and Kia is not offering assistance. I'm going to try them and hope and pray they will help.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle was consumed an excessive amount of oil. The contact did not notify a dealer and the vehicle was not diagnosed by an authorized dealer. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was inspected for external leaks however, no leaks were found. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 39,873.
I was diving as usual, taking my kids to school and the car suddenly gave up. With very loud rattle, had to stop, thought car was going to explode. So, I got it towed and looked at by auto mechanics. Took it to 2 mechanics to verify. I have all docs to corroborate that the engine gave up completely. Had to replace engine. Called Kia to ask if there was a recall on my vehicle. The man said "no." But I am sure, they will be recalled soon..
Was driving car straight down city street when it suddenly lost power and engine shut off. Was able to restart and it kept doing same thing and made a clicking noise from engine. Took it to shop and battery and alternator fine, they are telling me that engine is seizing up.
The contact called on behalf of his daughter who owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered while the accelerator pedal wass depressed without warning. The vehicle was taken to bulldog Kia located at 4305 atlanta hwy, athens, ga 30606 (888) 348-8159 where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine control unit (ECU) needed to be reprogrammed. The software was updated however, the failure recurred. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 17V224000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
My daughter was driving on the interstate going 65 mph when she heard a helicopter like noise and the motor shut off. She was in heavy traffic and just managed to cross 2 lanes of traffic and get off the road. Car does not even crank over. Mechanic says motor is seized up.
I was driving on the interstate and at 70 mph I had sudden power failure and the the engine completely died. After about 30 minutes it started up just long enough to go a half a mile and it did the same thing. 10 hrs later it started up again and we were able to have a diagnostic reading done which showed nothing. The battery and alternator were tested and are both working completely fine. Later on it ran fine for about an hour and then suddenly did the same thing again.
My name is [xxx]. my daughter had a 2013 sorrento... took great care and did the scheduled oil changes... now I have the vehicle because she died 2017. Did not drive it much.. it has around 40000 miles. 2018 the engine froze up. I could start it. I had it towed to the canton Michigan Kia dealership... I was told they would put a new engine in because it's their fault. Just need to have the proper procedures to get an approval from Kia... after weeks they came back and said no unless I can prove every 6 months she and myself had scheduled oil changes. I'm 90 years old and trying to call the different Kia dealerships to get records. And I had other people do oil changes. I would not buy an sorrento. I put to batteries in it thinking my problem with the car was that. Now the car is sitting in the dealership. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 mph, the rpms dropped to zero. In addition on another occasion, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to (nemet Kia located at 153-03 hillside avenue, jamaica, NY 11432) for a diagnosis which was inconclusive and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any resolution. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
While driving on the interstate with my family of four, the engine seized without warning. We were taking the off ramp from one interstate to merge onto another with no power. Luckily we were in the lane closest to the shoulder and not already in the far left fast lane with little to no room to safely get out of traffic. Mechanic noted that there was adequate clean oil. Will cost $7,000 to replace engine. Though Kia has a recall for other engines, this one is not (yet) part of their recall.
The engine seized while I was driving on the interstate. The engine did have a minor oil leak since the time of purchase from the dealership, it was monitored and replinished reqularly and had been done the same day the engine seized.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Massillon, OH, USA