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 bought this car in October of 2019 off of the show room floor and around July 15, of 2022 the paint on the hood of my car just started peeling for no reason. Over time the peeling has increased rapidly. I would like for this to be fixed. The color of my car is pearl white.
I was driving down the road, no service lights were on and my car backfired twice and was engulfed in flames within seconds. My car completely burned, it was a total loss, but I-??m being told my vehicles vin wasn-??t included in the recalls when it very well should be.
The paint on the hood and roof have been peeling and metal is now exposed. There appears to be a primer or paint defect. This occurred 4 years into owning the vehicle. Kia connect and dealership refuse to do anything since they said paint warranty is only for 3 years or 36,000 miles. But this is negligence from the manufacturer.
As I was merging off of a ramp onto the expressway my sunroof exploded causing glass to go everywhere almost causing me to crash the vehicle. No cars were present around me to kick up debris to hit the vehicle, and there were no potholes or anything for me to hit.
- Portage, IN, USA
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My wife was driving and this is what she had happen-?"I was at the atm, put my car in park. I was to short to reach the atm so I cracked the door open just enough to reach out to the atm to do what I needed to do, when the car jumped out of park into somehow it rolling forward.I then fell out of the car head first, smashing my knee and arm in the ground, then getting run over by the Kia. I was also smashed between the cement pulled the curb and door when it smashed shut My arm leg foot ankle all got run over. I then had to somehow manage to get up and run after the moving car open the door jump into the living car to hit the break to stop the car from causing an accident on a busy road. I then came home.the pain over took my body and I needed up so my husband pulled me up and took my kids to my in-laws house to have them watch the kids so I could be checked out. I then knew I needed help as the adrenaline wore off it was bad, we called an ambulance to come get me and take me to the hospital.
Engine Trouble: 1. Throttle Actuator Control (past issue, not sure if problem still exists). 2. Combustion Issue: (past and present) engine consuming excessive amounts of oil. Needing additional oil between oils changes. Dealer claimed -??Combustion Cleaning-?? was performed April/May 2023 and issue was resolved. I have had to add oil twice since then. Oil Lamp indicator would signaled, or engine would sound loud and over worked. I would then check the oil and add oil as needed. 3. Driving Mode: The vehicle can on be driven in -??Comfort-?? mode. If I drive in -??Sport-??, specifically, the car will start to malfunction and stall. When driving in any of the other modes the engine will become sluggish and eventually malfunction and stall. All of these problems occurred this year, 2023. I have service documents from the dealership. My cell phone is old and doesn-??t take clear photos so I can-??t upload them. I can provide the documents later if requested. Please contact me by email as I am in the process of moving.
Unknown, heard a pop when starting the vehicle, got out to look under the hood, and found smoke and then fire coming from under the hood. Fire report was filed and insurance claim was made. Insurance company deemed it a total loss.
Paint is chipping and peeling off, we notified Kia and they did an estimate and told us it was out of warranty. We took the vehicle to another body shop who told us that they were seeing many of these Kia's with the same issue. They told us that it is due to UV rays penetrating the paint and causing the primer to get chalky, which causes the paint to delaminate chip and peel. Their estimate was $6566.86, due to having to take the vehicle apart, sand down the vehicle reprime and paint. This estimate was from Stingray Chevrolet in Plant City, Florida
2019 KIA Sorento SXL SPONTANEOUS SUNROOF EXPLOSION, 05/06/13 Car is still under warranty. Conditions: --Open, well maintained highway, nothing nearby (overpass, trees, traffic, etc) to suggest the sunroof was damaged by any foreign object. --Clear, dry, predominately straight roadway, time of day about 7:30pm, temperature about 70?, very light traffic. Was driving south on Maryland Route 6, a 4-lane divided state roadway, when suddenly and without warning the sunroof exploded. Both the sunroof and the interior sunshade were closed at the time. The incident began with a very loud BANG!, followed immediately by the sounds of rushing wind, and the rattling of broken glass on top of the sunshade. A very startling event. Immediately pulled over to the shoulder and found about 60% of the sunroof gone, with some glass debris on the sunshade. The missing glass was from the center of the sunroof, while some glass, though cracked, remained in the frame of the sunroof, on all sides. Drove home at a slower speed and parked car in the garage. Monday, 05/08/23, contacted [XXX], service manager at Bayside KIA of Waldorf. Described the event to [XXX], who immediately indicated the sunroof repair would most likely not be covered under warranty because there would be no way to prove the sunroof damage was the result of a manufacturing defect. He did, reluctantly, offer to examine the damage if I brought the car in to their service department, but the earliest service opening would be on 05/19/23...11 days away! When asked if the dealership could/would provide a loner vehicle in the interim, [XXX] advised all of their loner vehicles were currently in use. Because I need the car repaired as soon as possible, I am working with my insurer who has agreed to cover the repair under my comprehensive coverage (though I, of course, will have to pay the $100 deductible). INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
UNKNOWN: Rapid DELAMINATION of paint (Snow White Pearl). Metal that is not protected, will lead to accelerated and premature rusting. Many Kia owners with Snow White Pearl paint have been encountering the same problem.
Screen turned off and then lights on dash started flashing. ABS, power steering, blind spot warning, tire monitoring failed. Battery light was flashing. Parking break light came on. Loss of power. Now it will not turn
While traveling on the interstate, the vehicle caught fire with no warning.We were heading out on vacation, so we had lots of things packed in the car. The fire started in the rear of the vehicle, and was extinguished by a passer by with a fire extinguisher, but re-ignited. it burned VERY fast. Unknown at this time what caused the fire. It is currently in the hands of my car insurance company, so it may be available for inspection. There were NO indications of a problem prior to large flames erupting form the read of the vehicle. In the car was myself, my two adult daughters and 6 year old grandson. He was seated in the 3rd row seat. One daughter in the second row, and myself and daughter up front. Once we realized we were on fire, we attempted to get the back doors open, but child locks were engaged. The key fob would NOT work, and my daughter and grandson were trapped in the burning car. we attempted to break the windows to get them out, but that was not successful. My daughter climbed back in the burning car and somehow got a back door open and they were able to get out and run. Within a few seconds, the windows blew and the flames shot even higher. We will NEVER EVER use child locks again. The problem had not been confirmed or reproduced to my knowledge. I believe my insurance company may be looking into it. I had to have a fuel system regulator and sensor replaced on this vehicle approx two weeks before this event. I had an oil change the day before. Police and fire department were present at the scene. There were NO warnings, lights, messages etc prior to eruption of flames.
It might not seem like a big deal but I've owned a 2016, 2018 and now 2019 Kia Sorento and all 3 yrs. the luggage lamp, or (dome light), does not work. I have brought this issue up about all 3 vehicles. Nobody has ever attempted to fix it. In fact I've been told at the dealership that it's a problem and has been for quite some time. In the owner's Manuel it states this problem could be due to other electrical systems. It does not state which ones. I'm under a recall for the tow package so I'm not sure which could be the culprit when I'm towing a trailer and the fuses blow under the hood or various blinkers or brake lights quit working when towing. You don't know if people behind you are getting the turn signals or brake signals. Has led to many close calls on the road while moving various weights. Would be nice to know if it was, "other electrical issues", from the luggage lamp issues, or part of the tow package issues. I am by far not the only one who has had these issues with the Kia Sorento's. I would like to know how long these issues can go on before it's too long? Thank You
Recalled for manufacturer installed tow hitch harness that can cause fire. Causing fire to my home and other vehicles. I have had this vehicle since new and have been parking it in my garage all of these years and now Kia is just now notifying the owners. I contacted Kia dealership and twice have been told there is no fix figured out by Kia and to call back later. I wrote to Kia directly 2/12/23 Kia Customer Care - Case#[XXX] and they responded 3/20/23 - also talking about a reimbursement that may be my problem I am not sure what they are talking about. Regardless, they do not care if my vehicle might catch on fire and destroy my home or other vehicles. Dear [XXX], Thank you for contacting Kia Customer Care. At this time the remedy for the recall is not available please keep your letter with you. Once the remedy becomes available to the Kia dealerships for a repair, you will be notified. Once you have received this letter, you may contact us for a reimbursement review. At that time we will advise you of what documents we will need in order to start your process of review. Please make note, a request for reimbursement does not mean you are approved or will be approved, there is no guarantee. I also am very concerned that my auto and home insurer will dump me due to the fire hazard. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
To whom it may concern: I am sending this email as an owner of a 2019 Kia Sorento for just 15 months, yet I am already experiencing significant mechanical issues. 3 weeks ago my car stopped accelerating while driving across a bridge, began shaking a making a weird noise once idle, and as expected my engine light came on. After calling endless Kia dealers I was able to get it towed 2 weeks later to my local Kia. To my surprise it was a high pressure fuel pump issue which seems to be a common issue amongst Kia Sorento-??s. After only having this car for 15 months it should not be costing me $1,700 in repairs. I am requesting that this issue be looked into further and that Kia provides me with assistance.
While I was driving on the NJ Turnpike near Newark, NJ, I saw black smoke coming in the front windows that I had open about 3 inches each. I immediately pulled into the shoulder of the highway and turned the cars ignition off. By the time I got the car in Park and turned it off the entire front cabin of the car was so thick with smoke that I couldn-??t see or breathe. I was able to get out and away from the vehicle just as it completely went up in flames. Two truck drivers stopped and emptied their fire extinguishers on the fire but it did not help at all. By this time the NJ State Police had arrived to help with traffic and they had me sit in the back of one of their vehicles away from the heavy smoke. Prior to seeing the smoke, I had no warning lights on my dashboard, the temperature of the car never rose, and there were no emergency messages whatsoever. There also had not been any work performed on the car for at least 3 weeks prior to fire. Had I not been in a location where there was an accessible shoulder I don-??t know that I would have been able to get out in time to escape being overcome by the thick smoke. I have no idea what caused the smoke and ensuing fire and I also have no idea if anyone has inspected the vehicle since the fire. The insurance company is not paying anything because of a clause in my policy indicating they do not pay if the vehicle was being used to transport for money when the incident occurred. They also knew that I had a courier service and used this vehicle for personal and work use. When I told them I wanted an investigation to find out what happened and who is at fault (because it-??s NOT me) I was told that they don-??t have to release the vehicle for any investigation because they wouldn-??t be paying on it anyway! I believe Kia is responsible for this and I want them held accountable. There will be a police incident report but I checked on it today and it still is not ready. The vehicle was towed to Moran Towing in Kearny, NJ.
The pearl paint is chipping off exposing the metal underneath. I-??ve contacted the dealer in Clermont, Fl twice trying to receive help with no results. I-??ve also contacted KIA corporate and have been told my 2019 is no longer covered for paint. I have 40,000 miles on it and paint should not be peeling off leaving metal exposed. Obviously something was not done correctly in the setting of the paint or an ingredient left out of the mixture. I am including an image.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Hinesville, GA, USA