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.
The paint started peeling from the hood of my car 2 years ago. It started as small cracks, so I ordered paint repair pens from Kia and tried to repair it myself, but it did not work. Now it has expanded to bigger areas. Afraid to wash the car because all the paint may peel off.
Tailgate electric release fails to unlatch the tailgate. Pulling the emergency release does not open the tailgate either. A warning appears in the gauge cluster suggesting that the tailgate is not closed, and the vehicle does not signal that all doors are completely locked after attempting to lock the vehicle. This issue has been previously repaired by a Kia dealer.
Rear power lift gate door are not working properly. Doors not opening when trying to open using key fob, inside button or rear on door button car is parked and not moving. Doors trying to open but giving up and staying closed. I found that this is a problem with that mechanism and numerous owners has same problem and complaining about it on many forums and car dealers web pages. My car was at the dealer and he recommended to change latch assembly not covered by warranty.
Door handle fell off in my hand. I cannot open door from inside or outside due to child locks being engaged. Vehicle was stationary I was just opening the door like usual and it broke off.
- Chicago, IL, USA
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I have owned this car for one year. The lamination and paint are bubbling up for no reason. I take good care of this car and it is not old enough that the paint should be failing. I believe the Kia paint is defective. The paint is bubbling up on the rear hatch and roof, as well as on the driver's side passenger door. I found numerous accounts of this happening to other Kia owners for no reason, and found out that there are class action lawsuits for Kia paint defects.
Exterior right rear handle snapped off when attempting to open it on stationary vehicle. The specific piece that broke off is plastic. This piece attaches the main component that holds the entire door latch assembly to the door.
The passenger door does not open from the exterior. This a serious safety issue if one needs to get into vehicle immediately. The door does open from the interior. This is a common complaint on message boards at www.cargurus.com. I will submit a 'repair invoice later as the Sorento is in the dealership now getting this repaired. I stared having this issue in April 2020 and it progressed until it was a total failure by August 2020
My 2016 Kia with pearl white paint is peeling very badly on my hood and roof. This is obviously a major problem or defect with the paint. I thought at first it was a rock chip but it was not. It is spreading all over the hood and roof.
Pearl white paint on 2016 Kia Sorento is rapidly peeling off since March 2020. One huge spot on drivers side bumper is the biggest and has huge chunks that peel off. There is another spot on the passages side bumper and a few other spots on bumper and hood that are starting to bubble up.
Rear tailgate latch will not lock, the actuator has stop working. I hear the clicking but nothing moves. I called the dealer and of cause no information that this exists or has happen to anyone else, why because they want you bring it in to then charge the customer $450 parts and labor. I'm sure that I am not the only one.they also won't give any information that you can do e.g. the smart operation check, etc....this happen to me while traveling from key West back home to St. Louis.
I bought my 2016 Kia Sorento on 06/17/2020. By 06/20/2020 when I got home and tried locking my car, my trunk door would not lock. It will open and close but anybody can access my vehicle through the trunk. And because it will not lock its keepin my dashboard flashing.
While driving on highway we were alerted by other drivers that there was fire and smoke coming from the engine compartment. We pulled over immediately and within minutes the entire vehicle burst in fire. We contacted Kia motors regarding this and they simply denied responsibly for this, deeming the cause of fire to be unrelated to faulty engine components.
The front passenger side door handle does not open after using the key fob to unlock the door or using the key to unlock the door. After using the key fob, you must use great force to open the door and close it securely. When this vehicle was purchased, we were told that a recall had been completed to correct this safety issue, however I doubt that. Once a door is unlocked it should not take great force to open it. My fear is that while driving this door may disengage and open while in transit. This has been an ongoing problem since this vehicle was purchased & the dealer is clueless as to how to address/correct the problem.
2016 Kia Sorento power liftgate will not always open when keyfob or button inside the car is pushed. I have to manually open it and then it will work fine for a few days. Problem has existed for a few years. Dealership cannot replicate the issue, so they note it but nothing has been done to fix it. I have read about many other Sorentos with customers making the same complaint. Vehicle is always stationary when this occurs.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Marietta, GA, USA