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.
My 2016 KIA SORRENTO consumed all oil resulting in engine (3.3L Lambda II) failure within 72 days (3,442 miles driven) of Kia dealer service department complete inspection and service (including oil).
Around 140k miles the engine started to randomly overheat. We changed the serpentine belt as well as all hoses. The engine then started to burn large quantities of oil. At 142k miles it failed all together and we are now looking at having to purchase a new engine or a new vehicle. After doing some research I read that this was a common issue with the 3.3L V6 Motors and felt the need to provide my case as well.
The engine failed. Had a new engine put in the car. Driving the car home the car lost power on the interstate causing me to almost get hit by a semi trailer. Called Kia Dealership and was told to bring car back. They said it had a bad high pressure fuel pump. I had it replaced, same issue. They said they would not fix the engine to take it somewhere else. Called Kia of north America to report the safety issue and I didn't feel safe driving the car. I wanted the car to be bought back. They denied it and would not honor the warranty. They said i could not file a lawsuit against them? Engine is bad. I sent a written statement to Kia of American with all paperwork notarized.
- Elizabethton , TN, USA
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The intake valve cam Engine Variable Valve Timing (VVT) Sprocket pin wasn't properly seated in the phaser and worked its way out. Additionally, the corresponding hole in the camshaft was machined too deep, allowing the pin to completely depart the phaser and move into the camshaft. This resulted in no control over valve timing and the Bank 2 camshaft over-advancing the intake valves to 63 degrees from standard. This is under-engineering of critical engine parts and poor quality control by Kia. It caused the engine to go into "limp home mode" with a significant reduction in power and a flashing check engine light. Had this happened towing a trailer, or in poor driving conditions, the vehicle may have been difficult to control and put occupants in danger. The pin was found completely inside the camshaft. There seems to be low quality engineering with this manufacturer, as there are many reports of these known problems.
While driving the vehicle started making loud engine noises. Contacted the extended warranty department and got the car in the shop. The engine had blown and had metal in the oil pan and oil filter. The car had a fresh oil change and showed to have a clean maintenance history. Just purchased the car a month prior. Warranty covered the replacement of the motor.
I am receiving an engine problem on uvo. I took it to autozone to run a diagnostic test and states cam sensor engine problem. It is using excessive oil. I keep my engine oil changed consistently on time. It is not making it to the next oil change date before I have to add oil. This is my main source of transportation and I am on social security and cannot afford engine failure repair. This should not be happening since I have my oil changed consistently. Please advise.
My KIA, engine just died. I was at a stop light, the light turned green I pressed on the accelerator to go and at the middle of the intersection the engine died. Not certain what had happened or why the engine would die. After a week I had the vehicle towed to a car shop. The same shop that had just done a maintenance on the vehicle in July 2025. I have attached the copy of receipt from the work that the shop had done. When they looked at it they thought at first it was the key fob, so a new key fob was done, it still did not start. Then it was thought to believe it was the starter, so a new starter was installed, vehicle still did not start. At that time I was advised that it was the engine that had siezed. My complaint is that there was no warning signs or signals in the vehicle of anything mechanical going wrong or needing any kind of attention. No warning light displayed on the dash. I drove the vehicle not knowing why would my engine just die, my miles is between 175,000 - 178,000 so the last thing I would think to happen is my engine siezing up on me. Warning lights give you something needs to be looked at and figured out. But as a safety you get nothing displayed then your engines just dies, anything could happen when you are in the middle of traffic, highway or even if it was in the middle of the train tracks. I had spoken to KIA Dealer Service and he advised my vehicle does not have an engine recall but there were a recall in the past for engines such as mine. The KIA Dealer Service advised that they would have to do an inspection, at a cost of $270 dollars, and unfortunately it would have to be towed. Advised me that if I wanted to get a new engine it would cost $12,000. The vehicle is available for inspection just need to be towed.
Just bought the car, was perfectly fine during the test drive, no lights on or engine codes present. On my way home check engine light came on showing code P0420, catalyst system efficiency below threshold (bank 1), saying the catalytic converter needs to be replaced. Did some research and found there were certain 2016 Kia Sorentos recalled for this issue, but doesn-??t show up on affected vehicles list when I look up my VIN #.
got into my vehicle pushed button to start, could hear a clicking for the first few seconds, then clicking went away. Drove off, went approximately 0.30 mile at a stop light when started to go it stalled in the the middle of an intersection. No warning light no other warning of anything wrong with vehichle, no other warning signs that there could be anything wrong. In July 2025 I had just took vehicle in for a major maintenance, oil, air filters, spark plugs, timing belt, and I checked oil and again no warning signs that there was anything wrong with vehicle. Took to a shop, mechanic believed it was the key fob, due to immobilize, had a new key reprogrammed and still not start, then proceeded to check the starter and installed a new starter still not start and found to be engine siezed.
I now believe I've had a lemon. Since I purchased my car in 2016 they have been trying to diagnose a smell from the exhaust and started replacing parts, this was in Miami. Then for a few years in Vegas the car spent months at the dealership trying to fix a burning oil issue which I've been told there is a known problem with the turbo still isn't fixed. From the first year I had paint peeling on my snow white pearl color which has numerous forums about KIA/Hyundai paint issues especially with my color. I had them repaint the hood which took twice after the bad job the first time. I saw little bumps in the paint which I thought was over-spray from that incident and now I have peeling from one of those spots which is how they form from what i read. My car is 2016 but only has 65k miles. The spot now is getting bigger by the week, the rain isn't helping. there are other spots around the edges and a big spot on the roof and others I've already filled in with a paint pen which looks ugly. If you see my car, inside and out it looks pretty close to new from the way I've taken care of the car. The paint started in August of 2016 but most recently 2025. The engine issues were day one but most recently 2024 they fixed a cylinder that got a hole in it after consuming all the oil and it seems to be headed down that path with the remedy they are offering at KIA. The engine and paint should be convered under a class action lawsuit or recall to hold them accountable and fix the issues.
The had the same oil leakage recall fixed two times by a dealership which it is still leaking BAD! That was said to be an oil pressure switch. My trunk also will not open.
My son was driving on the hwy and a banging sound started- lights started flashing on dash and it lost speed. Stranded on road. Read that 2016 KIA SORENTO v6 engines have this prob but apparently ours doesn-??t"?? According to Kia these run quite a while so 160K isn-??t many miles! And all maintenance done at same location the life of vehicle. Makes no sense that it states everywhere I-??ve read 2016 V6 have this problem, why not ours?" Now we battle with putting a new motor in a vehicle I just bought less than a year ago for the same price that I bought it for! It-??s very nice interior and body but that does me no good with no engine! UNFAIR KIA!
This scenerio happened and fire resulted with total loss. Fuel system, gasoline: Delivery: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings Recall date 2018-12-18 Recall no. 18V907000 Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak. Hide details Recall consequence A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. Recall action Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
We have been having problems with the speed control not functioning. Sometimes we couldn't set the speed or slow it down. Now it doesn't function at all! When it was working the cancel switch would also not work and we had to use the brake pedal to shut it off. Later on while driving through town with the cruise control still on, I stopped at a traffic light and the engine began to race at a high rpms. I took my foot off the gas pedal not knowing exactly what it would do and rpms settled down. Luckily the suv didn't accelerate into the vehicle in front of me. The engine has done this a couple of times with or without the cruise control on. My wife drives this vehicle with our grand children onboard and I am highly concerned about their safety.
I purchased my Kia sorento in August of 2024 in April 2025 my Kia went into limp mode p1326.? It was determined to be part of the ksds recall but all they did is replace the sensor.? Something caused that sensor to go off and I feel they just masked the problem.? ?At the same time in April I was told that there is a severe case of oil consumption that the Kia dealership requested information i do a $700 engine cleaning but actually made the oil consumption worse.? ?Also just in the last 11 months ive had excessive paint issues where overall there's random chips, then peeling on the hood, side of the windshield and top of vehicle.? I messaged Kia USA where I was informed neither situation is covered under warranty.? ?My thoughts on oil consumption is i myself and the previous owners via carfax show consistent maintenance which in turn make it seem to be a manufacturer issue.? I'm in imperial MO 63052 USA? Not sure if your company can help or refer me to someone who can.?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Ann Arbor, MI, USA