Defect petition says Kia Sorento oil pressure switches cause V6 3.3L Lambda engines to fail.

Posted in Investigations

Kia Sorento Oil Pressure Switch Recall May Be Necessary
Defect petition says Kia Sorento oil pressure switches cause V6 3.3L Lambda engines to fail.

— A Kia Sorento oil pressure switch recall is allegedly necessary based on a petition sent to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The agency says the petition seeks a Kia Sorento oil pressure switch recall because 2015-2017 Sorentos are at risk of complete engine failures.

About 160,000 model year 2015-2017 Kia Sorentos are equipped with 3.3L V6 "Lambda" engines that allegedly burn up from oil starvation from the defective oil pressure switches.

The petitioner owns a 2016 Kia Sorento that leaked an excessive amount of oil. According to the owner, the dip-stick was completely dry and it was determined the oil pressure sensor was the problem. A mechanic confirmed it and replacement parts were about $14.

The petition alleges numerous complaints show a Sorento engine will fail from the oil loss and the warning light will not illuminate to alert the driver to low oil levels.

According to the petition:

"It should not cost you $400 in repair cost to replace a part that cost $14.00. If you don’t catch this issue in time and the engine fails that same $14.00 part will cost you $6100 for an engine replacement. This is an issue that KIA has been aware of for over 7 years that has not been addressed. This should be #1 on the NHTSA RECALL list."

The Kia Sorento petitioner says the oil pressure switch monitors engine oil pressure and is supposed to activate a warning light when low oil pressure is detected.

NHTSA hasn't opened a formal Kia Sorento oil pressure switch investigation, but the agency will evaluate the allegations in the petition to determine whether a defect investigation or recall is warranted.

CarComplaints.com will update our website with NHTSA's decision.

  • Check out what Kia Sorento owners say about their engines for model years 2015, 2016 and 2017.

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