10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 13
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
23,631 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.

2017 Kia Sorento engine problems

engine problem

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2017 Kia Sorento Owner Comments (Page 1 of 15)

problem #281

Sep 192024

Sorento

  • 110,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

- Coatesville, PA, USA

problem #280

Aug 112024

Sorento

  • miles
Vehicle over heated on vacation trip. Had mechanic check out vehicle to get it moving again. They removed the thermostat in hopes of a stuck thermostat. Once we arrived at our vacation house I set up appointment with KIA dealership to have them make repairs. I informed them that the thermostat was removed. They came back with it having a blown head gasket and it needed engine replaced. It took them 3 weeks to replace engine by that time we had to rent a vehicle and go back home. I had to pay over 1000 out of pocket for the temp repair, rental, and to have the vehicle shipped back to my home. Finally got the vehicle back and the check engine light was on and it was running rough. It would not reach operating temp. I knew that they must have not put a thermostat on with the new engine. Took it to my local dealership with the issue. They charged me 295 to tell me that it was a issue with the thermostat. They wanted 360 to put a thermostat in it. I declined. I put the new thermostat in and that took care of the check engine light and coolant temp problem but it is still leaking coolant and runs rough. I spoke with KIA and they are unwilling to help. They said the replaced the engine but the thermostat is not covered. That is like saying we replaced the engine but the coolant that leaked out is not covered so we won't replace that.

- Delta , PA, USA

problem #279

Sep 092024

Sorento

  • miles
This 2017 Kia Sorento is using an excessive amount of motor oil and looking online regarding this issue, there have been many complaints about this. The vehicle has just over 61K miles. The engine light came on (9/10/2024) and we pulled over. Unsure of what to look for, I checked the oil level and there was barely any oil on the dip-stick. The oil was changed this past May (2024) and should not be using this much to where its not registering. There doesn't seem to be any recalls for this but only complaints from other owners and not much help from KIA Corp. I'm not sure if there's any recourse here.

- Maynard, MA, USA

problem #278

Jun 112024

Sorento

  • miles

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

Car was burning oil rapidly. While driving heard loud noises, shaking, smoke started coming through vents and car turned off. Kia is stating that there are many recalls on vehicle, but the only recall I received is for a tow hitch. I don't have a tow hitch. Very dangerous if I was going somewhere with a higher speed limit. Kia dealership is saying corporation won't offer extended warranty due to recalls not being completed. Again the only recall is for a tow hitch. Kia dealership has quoted me over $10000 to fix a vehicle that is suffering from known manufacturer failures.

- Columbus, GA, USA

problem #277

Aug 262024

Sorento

  • miles
On August 26, 2024, my Kia Sorento failed to start. While driving it, the vehicle started to make a noise so we pulled off the road and shut it off. When we tried to restart it, it made only clicking noises but would not start. There were no warning lights indicating any issues; no oil light, no check engine light, nothing. It ran fine the day before, the last oil change was May 1st and the vehicle was running fine. When the vehicle arrived at my house we checked the oil, and there was barely any oil in the car - we put oil in it and tried to restart it, but it failed to start - only clicking noises. I recently put a brand new battery in it. If the indicator warning light would have been working as it should have been, I would have known the oil was low. I saw no leakage anywhere that would have indicated a problem - now I have no running vehicle. The Kia is our only means of transportation for me and my family. After much research, I have found other Kia Sorento owners with the same engine and indicator light issues. I am seeking resolution to this problem as soon as possible. I am the original owner of this vehicle and I've never had any issues until now. Please provide assistance as soon as possible.

- Glenwood, GA, USA

problem #276

Aug 132024

Sorento

  • 111,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard a loud knocking sound coming from the engine. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

- Goshen, IN, USA

problem #275

Aug 072024

Sorento

  • miles

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

Car turned off when making a full and complete stop. Would burn oil faster than usual. Car does not stay on.

- San Bernardino, CA, USA

problem #274

Mar 272024

Sorento

  • miles
Cylinder #1 exhaust valve burnt

- Overland Park, KS, USA

problem #273

Jul 272024

Sorento

  • miles
We were driving on the highway and the engine started to shudder and the check engine light came on. We pulled off and had the car towed to a Kia dealership. Their report indicated that cylinder #3 had a burnt valve caused by excessive heat and there was scoring on the cylinder wall. They deemed it a total engine failure and quoted us a new engine for $9800!!!

- Stow, MA, USA

problem #272

Jul 172024

Sorento

  • 68,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, an audible message indicated that there was engine failure, and the infotainment screen displayed the option to send an engine failure report. The vehicle then shuddered and made an abnormal sound. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, but the abnormal sound persisted. The vehicle was shaking, and the contact detected an abnormal odor inside the vehicle. The contact parked and turned off the vehicle. Additionally, the headlights failed to illuminate while driving at night. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with multiple cylinders misfire. The dealer determined that the spark plugs and headlights needed to be replaced, as well as an induction cleaning and oil change. The dealer replaced the spark plugs and headlights but discovered that the fuel pump was leaking fuel into the engine. The contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The contact declined to have the induction cleaning, the oil changed, or the fuel pump replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V907000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and Technical Service Bulletin: 073 (Ball Joint Replacement); however, the VIN was not included in the recall and the vehicle was not covered under the TSB. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

- Lynchburg, VA, USA

problem #271

Jul 092024

Sorento

  • miles

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

Bought car from Bill bird kia in panama city Florida with 38k miles and at 41k miles we went for oil change the oil was extremely low and from that day we have kept record of every oil change 1k miles into every oil change the oil is gone and was told kia won't reach engine until the engine blows up so with 115k miles on it kia diagnosed our engine with cylinder #1 low compression due to lack of oil and it was not time for a oil change.. kia has refused to replace the engine. So I have had to spend $4950 on a remanufactured engine plus paying $2000 for labor

- Riverside, AL, USA

problem #270

Mar 162023

Sorento

  • miles
My Kia has been burning oil for about a year. My local Kia dealership was unable to verify if I had a warranty since I didn-??t purchase it from them. I had to start going to Jiffy Lube for my oil changes since they offer free top off service because I was spending $15 every week to add oil to my engine. Currently, my engine light is constantly illuminating even with oil, change, maintenance and top offs.

- Spokane, WA, USA

problem #269

Aug 012023

Sorento

  • miles
The component That failed. Was the engine the engine blew at 120ish thousand miles. The problem has been taken to a dealer as well as an independent service station. Both confirmed that the engine blew because one of the Pistons exploded. Both confirmed that there is no reason for this. Other than it seems the oil thing did not ever tell anyone that the oil was running. There was no warning. No systems that came up nothing. We were driving and it lost power. I have spoken to Kia. I have spoken to the dealership I bought it from. Both have confirmed that Kia is known to have these issues with their engine but they are not doing a recall because it would be too expensive. When I spoke to Kia they told me that because my Kia specifically wasn't in the engine recall, I was out of luck. I still have it and they are welcome to inspect it. I have been holding out Hope that there is a recall because I spent my livelihood on this to give my kids a car. I had it for 2 years. It was maintained like a baby but because it's over 120,000 MI they will not do anything. I do have some paperwork I can send later if you'd like? It will take a bit to pull it out

- Northern Cambria , PA, USA

problem #268

Jun 182024

Sorento

  • miles
Engine seized

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #267

Jun 072024

Sorento

  • miles
No oil with no idication and no warning light. Extremely rough idling stalling possible complete engine failure.

- Middleburg , FL, USA

problem #266

Jun 022024

Sorento

  • miles
I have owned this KIA for 2 years and put 7000 miles on it. It has excessive oil consumption, currently using 1.5qt of oil every 200 miles. I have had 2 engine flushes and switched to Mobil 1 synthetic oil. KIA dealerships as well as KIA CORP have told me they will do nothing until the engine seizes and then it may or may not be repaired. I am the parent of 5 adopted special needs medically fragile children who should this vehicle seize and catch fire would perish in a burning vehicle. The dealership has told me to "drive it like I stole it and let it blow" I tried to trade out of vehicle and the dealerships call it a "COVID CAR" when the could charge excessive prices for used cars. I owe $21k on the vehicle. Owned 2 years and put 7000 miles on it and they will give me $8k for a trade. NOBODY wants it. I rely on transportation to get my medically fragile children safely to doctors and hospitals. I have all service records since I have had the car but no records from previous owner. Please tell me if there is a way you can help me. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Bellevue, NE, USA

problem #265

Feb 252023

Sorento

  • miles
Engine Knocking, all spark plugs cracked, burning excessive oil. Very dangerous for myself, passengers, and all on the road. In Feb 2023 was on NY interstate when vehicle shacked violently and I started losing control. Luckly, I was able to bring the vehicle safely to the side of the road and wait for it to be towed to Kia dealership. This problem was confirmed and reproduced by the Kia Kingston NY dealership. They just said it was the spark plugs and everything was ok. It was inspected by dealership. They said no major engine issues, but the car keeps getting worse. Now it's having an engine failure code of values misfiring. It's nowhere to be safe to drive now. No warning lights when engine knocking happend and lost control of vehicle in Feb 2023. Oil light turned on due to excessive burn just a few days after an oil change. Check engine light turned on for values misfiring.

- Highland Lakes, NJ, USA

problem #264

May 242024

Sorento

  • miles
Driving down interstate with cruise control at 75 mph. Car suddenly started decelerating, causing a hazard attempting to get to the shoulder.

- West Fargo, ND, USA

problem #263

Apr 262024

Sorento

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while his son was driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled, lost motive power, and failed to exceed 40 MPH. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Copperas Cove, TX, USA

problem #262

Apr 212024

Sorento

  • miles
Vehicle has excessive oil usage which made a carbon build up and the engine blew. I was told by my Kia dealer when I first started burning oil that this is a known problem and my engine would eventually blow a piston and not work. Unfortunately this happened. Knowing this was a problem Kia is aware of and not fixing is wrong.

- Floyd , VA, USA

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