CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2nd generation Sorento (2011-2014) has just too many engine problems at early mileage, year after year.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 9
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
37,499 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.

2014 Kia Sorento electrical problems

electrical problem

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2014 Kia Sorento Owner Comments (Page 3 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #94

Jun 292021

Sorento

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Upon driving home from a family road trip, I was flagged down on the highway by a fellow driver saying my car was on fire from under the passenger backseat. There were no warning lights or alarms from the inside of the car, or on the dash. I pulled over and the fire engulfed the engine and soon the whole car. It burnt down to the frame, with absolutely nothing left inside but twisted metal. It was deemed a total loss. The fire inspector and police on the scene believe there was an issue with the electrical system that caused the fire. There is a report available with the Florida Highway Patrol. There are NO active recalls for the vehicle, but I was told by Kia there have been several fires in their 2014 models, including some when the vehicles weren't even on. The car was deemed a total loss and has been released to the insurance inspector and has over $14000 in damages to repair. It will not be repaired. My mother was in the front passenger seat, and my 6 year old son was in the passenger backseat, above where the fire began. Thankfully, we are all uninjured, but there is lasting mental trauma on all three of us.

- El Rito, NM, USA

problem #93

Jun 012021

Sorento

  • miles
After recall repairs their were no warning lights showing and diagnostics always came back clear. Car overheated in RED Hot with no engine alarms or anything. Mechanic stated it-??s blown head gaskets

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #92

Jan 012021

Sorento

  • 110,000 miles
My Sorento has started burning oil. It makes a terrible noise when running. Sometimes the lights for my backup camera doesn't work nor my radio. Sometimes the radio if on, station can't be changed. It is like it is in a frozen mode.

- Garner, NC, USA

problem #91

Apr 042021

Sorento

  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My Kia Sorento was purchased from Kia in 2018 - 1st - I had to take the car back to check the rear breaks due to a shaking of the car that happens when going over 50mph. The driver side head light goes out every couple months. Recently the battery light came one, after the battery was swapped (the car still wouldn't power on)- they ran a few tests and discovered an electrical issue. I have tan my VIN for the recall but my car doesn't seem to be eligible for any recalls that mention an electrical issue with the Kia

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #90

Oct 012019

Sorento

  • miles
Automatic door locks quit responding to the remote unlock button and also the interior switches. The only door that works with the remote or on the interior switches is the driver's door, all others must be opened by climbing into the car and manually unlocking. I have been told by the dealership it is an issue with a bad relay and the entire unit will have to be replaced, costing $1500+ to repair. In researching online I have found this is a recurring issue with Kia Sorento's made in the 2014 time period. I feel this is a defect and should be recalled and repaired by Kia at no expense to owners.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #89

Jan 292021

Sorento

  • 104,000 miles
Engine is failing and burning excessive oil, need oil change every 1K miles. Currently complying with oil consumption testing, however sensors are going on and I believe its due to excessive heat emitting from the engine. Service advisor submitted a goodwill claim for the ABS, traction control, tire pressure & E-brake sensors and Kia denied it. I just paid off my car, which is in great condition, and never had these issues. Kia just keeps doing oil changes and telling me to return every 1K miles. Also having ac issues, I recently found out my suction hose was leaking and had to replace it, after paying $160 for ac diagnosis. Broke down and paid $471 (originally $541 before discount) for a plastic hose and was told it would take 2-3 days to get here. About 27 days later, the part finally comes in, while my car happened to be at the dealership for a week unexpectedly. After getting 2 oil changes $140 in one month and driving for the first 1K miles after starting the oil testing, I went in at 8:30am to get an inspection on 3/15/21. I was informed that they would need to keep my car, and had to wound up getting a rental car. Another $239 I don't have. I then had to pay for labor and freon $286. After all the waiting and trouble I went through, suffering with no ac in fl, and spending a total of $1,296; they tell me after installing the part my ac compressor is bad and it would cost $905. So I still don't have ac! at this point, the engine needs to be replaced, I would like to be reimbursed for rental expenses while doing the oil testing, future rental/loaner accommodation because I know they will keep my car again, and assistance with the compressor and sensors. Being I paid for an overpriced hose, and the engine is failing. Now since last oil test, gas gauge does not match electronic range reading. Not sure if gas is full or not. When seatbelt dings speed gauge jumps.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #88

Mar 112021

Sorento

  • 66,380 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

ABS, traction, and tire warning lights all come on at same time, the tire warning light blinks for a minute or so. I checked for low pressure in tires and it was not the problem vehicle seems to function fine no traction issues no ABS issues that I can see or feel in driving, saw the recall for the AWD but mine is fwd.

- Macon, GA, USA

problem #87

Aug 212020

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 131,000 miles
I have a 14 ki Sorento LX the electric system faulty and caused my vehicle to catch fire in one cabin near the gear shift the computer has shut down no longer recognizing the chip and the vehicle is fully disabled.

- Northeast Houston, TX, USA

problem #86

Mar 012020

Sorento

  • miles
My headlights keep blowing out. I have been changing them every 2-4 months for the past year. They suggested I check for recalls and nothing. This could be very dangerous and buying headlights every 2-4 months gets expensive

- Waukegan, IL, USA

problem #85

Oct 152020

Sorento

  • miles
I rcv'd a letter from Kia re the hydraulic elec cntrol unit that it may leak fluid and result in a fire. Ltr dtd Oct 15, '20; rcv'd @ mid Nov. Have tried telephonic contact w/local dealer many times and get nowhere- no return calls, no commo whatsoever. Ltr states Kia has advised dealers to inspect, but no interest from viva Kia, el paso.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #84

Dec 172020

Sorento

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I'm the first and only owner of a white 2014 Kia Sorento. The paint is chipping off on the hood, bumper and door rail/column. After doing plenty of research this seems to be a common problem with white Kia Sorentos. On social media there's a facebook group (Kia Sorento pearl white paint peeling chipping and delamination). This group is filled with hundreds of Kia owners who have this issue.

- Ball Ground, GA, USA

problem #83

Aug 012019

Sorento

  • 75,000 miles
I have been locked out of car due to keyfob not working. I have had trouble ooening the hatch and sunroof. Preset comfort settings ie seat, mirror, door and window locks have reverted to ones previous to what I put in for myself. The gps kept getting stuck on the dealerdship address. I had starting issues. Now I often have stopping (turning off everything) issues so then have to keep turning the car on and off to finally get the electrical things (lights, radio) to turn off. Its scary. I also have the worst gas mileage. I started iff at 12 miles. After servicing, it went down to 8mi per gallon. If it gets to 14mi and I get the car serviced, it immediately drops back down. There are serious electrical issues with these Sorentos. This is a 2014 and I just got a recall. The recall work wss done and I experienced the whoke electrical craziness again with the trunck, lights, and clock. Eventually all the lights except one came on. Dealership swears it is just a coincidence. They akso have no answer for the clock being 2 hours behind ehen thd car was returned. They ssid that checking the hecu had nothing to do with the lights, or the clock. I suspect no recalls on the ekectrical system or poor mileage will come out until the car is 10 yearx old. Vehicle is stationary most of the time. I do not drive that much

- Sun City, AZ, USA

problem #82

Dec 302020

Sorento

  • 115,000 miles
Cluster lights turned off while driving air bag light stays

- Auburn, AL, USA

problem #81

Apr 142020

Sorento

  • miles
Camera, radio, lights on one side and power locks all stopped working

- Coventry Twp, OH, USA

problem #80

May 052020

Sorento

  • 60,000 miles
My headlights continue to blow out every 2 months, no matter what kind of bulb I replace them with. Both headlights will go out, brake lights are also blowing out every 1.5 month. I brought it to my dealer: Kia of ventura, ca attention but they keep dismissing it as nothing is wrong. I have been pulled over twice so far this year for both break stop & headlights blowing out and not working during night time road travels across states. I feel this is. Very dangerous. Apparently, this isn't an isolated incident as I have come to know of 50+ Kia Sorento owners facing similar electrical safety issues. Also, ever I bought the car the mile per gallon the car is supposedly to give isn't correct, it only averages about 12-14 mpg. Please look into both of these safety issues as I drive with two under 5yrs kids and elderly mother. What is the NHTSA waiting for? multiple death fatalities before your organization takes action..do it now please. Any resulting fatalities will make you legally liable for failing to take action after soo many complaints.

- Oxnard, CA, USA

problem #79

Jun 152020

Sorento

  • 126,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the key fob and automatic locks failed to lock the doors. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to wilson auto group (4202 lakeland dr, jackson, ms 39232, (601) 914-4200) where the keyfob battery was replaced. The system was reset and diagnosed that the motherboard needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 126,000.

- Vicksburg, MS, USA

problem #78

Aug 162020

Sorento

  • 90,000 miles
Sometimes the car will not start. You have to take the transmission out of park and place into neutral, then place back into park again in order for car to start. I have taken vehicle to fairfax Kia multiple times, but they say nothing is wrong. I am also able to place car in neutral without pressing on brake.

- Manassas, VA, USA

problem #77

Jul 032020

Sorento 6-cyl

  • 91,000 miles
Noticed peeling and flaking of paint on roof after washing. Used non abrasive micro fiber handheld car wash mitt and turtle wax car soap. Backup camera is inoperable. Both conditions (premature flaking of paint and backup camera becoming inoperable) are known by Kia for this make/model. No resolution is available other than to repaint/repair these items at owner's expense.

- Medina, OH, USA

problem #76

May 242020

Sorento 6-cyl

  • 78,500 miles
I was driving straight down a 2 lane highway at approx. 55 mph and the engine abruptly shut off. However, all electrical components still worked, including the A/C, lights, and the navigation screen. I didn't even have time to think about what I needed to do, but I was able to pull into someone's driveway, as there was no shoulder on the highway that I could pull over onto. After pulling off of the highway, I placed the vehicle in park and I turned it off. I tried to restart the vehicle and every light on the dash was illuminated, but it would not start. None of the electrical components worked now after shutting the car off. Heard a clicking sound when brakes were applied. I checked oil on dip stick and oil was fine. The vehicle had over a quarter tank of gas. No lights appeared on dash before it abruptly died. Called tow truck to come get it and take it to repair shop. Mechanic says it is showing the problem could be in the main brain of the vehicle, and I will have to have it towed to nearest Kia dealer which is 2 hours away. I just purchased this vehicle approx. 3 months ago with roughly 75K miles on it. I am the second owner with no prior accidents. I am greatly concerned about this issue with my 2014 Kia Sorento sxl, due to the fact that it could have caused an accident and someone could have been seriously injured due to the engine just abruptly dying. This needs to be recalled asap!

- West Plains, MO, USA

problem #75

May 242020

Sorento 4-cyl

  • 162,000 miles
Unfortunately while driving my vehicle on the highway it shut off abruptly.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

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