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 brought my vehicle to the dealership Dec 09 2019 (mileage 56176) as instructed by service tech in order for them to check reason this vehicle is using a lot of oil in between oil changes. Service tech checked oil and found oil was down 1.25 qts. Service tech opened tech line case and sent pictures to Kia. I was instructed to return to dealership to recheck oil level in 1000 miles. Today, Dec. 30 2019, (mileage 57231) I returned to dealership. Oil was down 1 qt. After 1055 miles. If you do the math, engine only holds 5.5 quarts of oil, if I go the entire 7500 miles in between oil change(as per owner manual) I would be out of oil.service tech added 1 qt. Oil and put in a sealed dipstick so I cannot check oil level. How am I to know oil level" I park vehicle in my garage. When I questioned tech about this he said it was on Kia's liability if something were to happen. I would know when the engine is out of oil, the engine will start knocking, and he made the knocking sound on the counter. That is really helping my husband and I comfort level, if someone gets hurt or killed, what does it matter" there are other people on the roads that could be injured or killed if something happens to my vehicle. My vehicle could catch on fire, cause injuries or death to us and / or others. Service tech would not say what Kia is doing about this matter when I asked him. He just said Kia is looking into it. He gave my husband and I the impression he knows what is going on, he said he was not at Liberty to discuss any further. The service tech also stated that it is up to the owners to check their own oil levels. Now I cannot check the oil level, it has a sealed dipstick. He is contradicting himself, make no sense.
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. While driving 35 mph, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning indicator flashed. The contact took the vehicle to metro Kia of madison (5442 wayne terrace, madison, wi 53718) and was informed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V907000 (fuel system, gasoline, engine). The dealer replaced the knock sensor. On another occasion, while traveling 45 mph, the same failure occurred with the check engine warning indicator flashing. The contact returned the vehicle to the same dealer and was informed that the VIN was included in a new unknown recall. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
December 19,2019 our 2017 Kia sorrento with 37K miles on it would not start. The temperature was below zero and thought that has something to do with it. Initially the car tried turning over but after a few attempts, it stopped doing anything. We worked through a number of problem solving steps and after a while called roadside assistance and they towed the car to the Kia dealership where we leased it from. On December 23, we called for a status and were told the engine is seized. The service department said the oil drained was black and sludge. They went on to say we did not change the oil and will be responsible for a new engine and labor. The oil was changed on time as the Kia reminds you of the service. There was no notice or indication that there was an issue, just seized. At approximately 20,000 miles on the car, the transmission blew and needed that repaired as well. Seeing others describe a similar issue makes me think this is a design flaw. Kia should make this a recall and provide restitution.
On October 10 2019 my wife was driving the kids to school in our 2017 Kia Sorento and before she could get out of the neighborhood the car started to jerk uncontrollably and lost all acceleration before it cut off. She then tried to restart the car several time but was unsuccessfully it it starting back up before it stalled out. After the car was left alone for a while I went out to the car and it started back up and seemed like it drove fine. We did not take it to the dealership that time. After that my wife said that she felt the vehicle was not driving like it should. She said that you basically had to floor it for it to get up to cruising speed. Approximately 6 weeks later my wife started to have more problems with the vehicle. She stated that the acceleration problem was very noticeable and was scaried that it was going to stall out again before she could get home that day. She was able to get home safe that time. Later on that day she had to go back out and she said that it started up fine and drove fine until with out warning it just shut off while she was driving in the middle of business intersection. The car started up just fine once it shut off and my wife drove it to a nearby parking lot where it sat until it was towed to the dealership. The dealership has had the vehicle about 3 weeks now and are unable replicate the problem. The dealership said that they have done everything possible to see if there was a problem with the car. Since they cannot replicate the problem and there is no codes then they think that the vehicle is fine. Sin E the car cut off on my wife twice in six weeks she is scared to drive the car in fear that it will shut off on her again. This is a major safety concern that needs to be addressed by Kia. I am not the only one complaining about this problem with this car this could have very easily resulted in a major accident
8/19/19 I had a scheduled oil / filter change at dealership, mileage 50280. 10/11/19 I checked my oil and there was no oil on the oil dipstick. There were no leaks, no oil on garage floor, no oil warning light. I brought it to the dealership same day, 10/11/19, I thought maybe the tech did not put correct amount of oil, I only had an addtl. 2700 miles and was not scheduled for an oil change yet. One of the techs put about 1 1/2 - 2 quarts of oil in it and told me to keep an eye on it. Saturday, 12/07/19, it happened again, no oil was showing on the dipstick. I was going to have dealership do the oil change, I was close to the mileage to get one, but not quite, but instead of dealership doing oil change, he said to bring it back Monday 12/09/19 to have a 'tech line' opened. I am the original owner of this 2017 Kia Sorento and it is still under warranty.
- Dahlonega, GA, USA
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Was driving from work to home. (approximately a 10 mile trip.) there was no indication of engine trouble or any warning lights on at all. About half way my car began to rumble and not shift. Now an engine light indicates along with an oil pressure gauge. As I find a safe place to pull over my car shuts down. There was no prior indication that my car needed oil or service.
I was stopped at a red light on a city street and struck head on by another vehicle. The damage is shown below in the uploaded image. My airbags did not deploy.
Car stalls for no apparent reason while driving. The dealer can't find anything wrong because it's not showing any codes. First time car was towed to dealership. Second time the car started back up so I drove it to the dealer. This can cause a major accident.
Bought the car in 2018 March I have a 2017 Sorento. Have done regular 5000 oil changes. Kia said it was sludge in engine, however there are metal shaving inside the the oil and sludge caused by crank shaft. As of now no recall. Out of warranty by 5000 miles. Current situation waiting for "good faith" help appeal. Was denied stating not maintaining oil changes. Got proof provided to service dept and waiting for decision. This could have gone real wrong. No engine warning light no oil lights ever came on. Thankful I was not driving on highway( with baby )and engine could have shut down. I heard knocking and took it directly to Kia.they Kia service dept advised not to drive so I left it there. I have a rental and its been a week today. Still waiting for answer. The whole reason buying this Kia was for a reliable car for my family. It is 2 yrs old no reason engine failure. My problems are similiar to other reports I have read so there is a major issue with Kia motors.
We drove home from a weekend out of town. The trip took 5 hours. When we arrived home I let the dogs out of the car, grabbed two suit cases and brought them into the house. When I went outside to finish unpacking the car (5 minutes later) the car was completely engulfed in flames at this point I had my wife call 911 and tried to get things out of my car this was impossible. We lost the Kia and another car it was parked next to as well as significant damage to our home. The car was parked in the driveway and was turned off 5 minutes prior to discovering the fire. Within 15 minutes both cars and my garage were in flames.
While exiting a highway, heard a noise. Steering became difficult. Engine stalled, all warning lights lit up. Smoke seen in rearview mirrors. Came to a stop and discovered a fire under the engine. Car was engulfed within 7 minutes. Total loss, nothing left.
Check engine light started flashing and engine speed became restricted. Took to Kia dealership and said Kia agreed to replace engine under warranty. 2 months later ive gotten no info from Kia as to when to expect a new engine. It was 3 weeks then 6 weeks may be as long S 4 months
Engine is severely slugged and there was no warning ever. Found out after an oil changed at 67K at jiffy lube when I took it to the ourisman Kia dealer in chantilly, va. There is no warning that any of this situation was starting to happen even after a previous oil change at Kia dealer at 58K miles. The dealership denied my claim with the 100K mile warranty because I don't have proof that I did all 9 oil changes. They proceeded to tell me that I need a new engine but that they are on backorder nationwide and who knows what date tbd that will become available. The repair shop I took it to piedomont in haymarket, va says they think it is something like a year before it might be available. So in the mean time no loaner was ever offered to me and no I have a unusable vehicle that I have submitted a claim for with geico. I do not have funding for a new engine and the fact that the Kia motor company has no engine to even supply to me is completely unacceptable practice for a business. Also 1 year ago my battery just died according to the Kia dealer due to a parasitic drain. That seems suspicious to me since the vehicle was only a year old and had to be replaced with one I bought at walmart. Also, the fuse for the driver seat continuously blows.
Had recall for PI1802 knock sensor update. 2 weeks later went to get up to speed on highway and went into limp mode. Told engine needed to be replaced. Wait a month and pick up car. Turns out only wiring harness was replaced. Another few weeks and I go to get on another highway in fast lane and it happens again - limp mode. Told engine not replaced, now it will be and without the car again and engine back ordered. Do not qualify for lemon law - 2 years and under 11,000 miles. How does shutting down the engine to save the engine be of higher concern than the passengers in the vehicle"??" not happy and not much I can do since lease. If and when I get it back its being traded - I refuse to sit in it again.
When driving vehicle for more than 30 minutes, engine begins to overheat. Vehicle is fine while driving but when waiting at stop sign or red light engine begins to overheat rapidly. Also, when driving uphill same engine heating problem occurs. After engine starts over heating from issues mentioned above problems worsen, after wards issues extend to engine over heating while driving in constant speed or C cruising at same speed
Received a notice for an update took the vehicle in for service because we were going to California for X-mas and wanted to make sure that my car was in good working order. While driving the vehicle it went into limp mode and the engine was making a knocking noise the vehicle stopped all together on the interstate 10 going West bound. Placed a call to Kia and arranged for a tow into the nearest Kia dealership for a loaner so we could continue our trip. This happened on December 28, 2018 and to this date I still do not have my car. In the beginning they were waiting for part numbers. The part numbers were issued on 3/19/19 but there is not an estimated delivery date.
Showing 137 miles to next service and I smelt oil burning so I had my husband check the oil and it had 0 yes 0 oil on the dipstick I had called the dealership earlier this week Tuesday the 26th to be exact and an appointment set for Tuesday April 2 as it was the earliest appointment time to get the oil changed however; after my husband checked and it showed zero oil in vehicle I took it to valvoline express care who noted oil level off dip stick on arrival and paid $66.48 to have the oil changed I had zero indications that there was no oil in this vehicle I think the only thing that kept it from locking the engine was I changed and flushed the oil and use synthetic oil to which the dealership frowned upon as it is newer car but I prefer to use synthetic oil in all my vehicles for this purpose!! I have no clue how long it was without oil and have never smelt oil burning until last night to which I took it get serviced first thing this morning and paid out of pocket when I have an agreement with the dealership that we paid extra for to have them service the vehicle at no cost when I go!!! we take care of our vehicles if I feel it is too long before Kia dealership can service the vehicle I have paid in past and always used the valvoline express care as that is where I take all my other vehicles. Please see the service comments on the attached invoice from today's service. My engine could have damage or even blown from this!!! there was no indication that it was leaking oil on the skid plate so either the dealership did not put any oil in the vehicle at my last oil change or there is something going on with my engine!!
On 3/24/2019, our 2017 Kia sorrento with 30K miles on completely shut down on the freeway. All lights went on and off, the car shook from side to side and the car shut down we lost steering and power brakes while we were going 70mph on the freeway. Luckily we were able to get to the side of the freeway. This happened 2 more times and then we had the car towed to a dealership for service. This could have easily caused a life threatening car accident and we no longer feel safe driving this Kia. Now the service dealer is not able to replicate this incident which has happened to others we are reading about so then the dealership says, "no issue." This car has been recalled for this exact issue (although not our VIN apparently). This is our first and last experience with the Kia - very disappointing. We bought the top of the line Kia because it was rated so highly for safety but now we are not even comfortable driving it. My children were in the car and lives could have been lost.
While driving my Kia Sorento around the engine rpms would rev up then drop off the transmission would not do anything. This happens while driving at 35 mph and while stopped at a traffic light. I took it to the dealer and they said they could not find the problem. Or a code for the problem. As soon as we left the dealer about 1 traffic light away the problem happened. I logged the time and date and went home.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Dahlonega, GA, USA