2017 Kia Sorento complaints

This 2017 Kia Sorento with the 3.3L V6 Lambda II engine appears to have had possible rod bearing failure or connecting rod failure. This vehicle has 107,987 miles on it when the incident happened. 2 hours into a drive on the highway, the car began to sound like it had a possible exhaust leak, however this was followed shorty by knocking which prompted us to pull over and just as we made the shoulder as the engine quit and began to smoke heavily. Went to quickly open the hood and the smoke died down in about a minute. Most likely due to the oil hitting the exhaust from the hole the rod left in the block. There were no oil lights or other indications that anything was going to happen prior to this. The vehicle has been maintained meticulously with all maintenance items. This vehicle is available for inspection. Let me know if this needs to happen prior to KIA getting ahold of it. Our entire family was in the car (5 people including our dog) and we were at highway speeds when this happened. Fortunately we were able to get over just before the engine blew. Also fortunate enough to open the hood fast enough to get it cool before it started a fire. We are going to take it to the dealer for inspection, however both the dealership and Kia Customer Care said this is not currently under any warranty for engine failure. I have yet to inspect myself to take pictures from under the car, so no inspection has been thoroughly performed. As previously stated, there was no warning lights, the

On 8/16/2025 my 2017 Kia Sorento experienced major engine failure which resulted in loss of power and severe engine misfiring. I submitted a warranty claim with full maintenance documentation to Kia cooperation but was denied coverage on 8/27/2025. This denial is improper because 1.The engine type is covered under recalls and/or the Kia Engine Class Action Settlement, which extends coverage to 15 years / 150,000 miles and my vehicle currently has 94423. 2.I complied with all maintenance requirements and have already provided numerous records. 3.Engine failure presents a serious safety hazard and has been widely reported.

Valves are knocking and rattling. Engine sometimes stalls out. The knocking and rattling will not go away. It is getting worse everyday to the point that I am scared to drive it because it will stall out on me somewhere and leave me stuck on the side of the road. Been doing this for a couple of months now.

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the contact heard a clicking and banging sound coming from the engine. The contact mentioned that while looking through the front driver's side mirror, she noticed smoke coming from the engine. Several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled over to the right side of the road, turned the vehicle off and then exited the vehicle and opened the hood of the vehicle and noticed flames coming from the engine. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention. The contact dialed 911, but there was no police report filed. The fire chief showed up at the scene and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was not destroyed. The vehicle was towed to a collision center. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.

Engine seized Kia denied warranty extension b/c of maintenance records changed oil myself had 3 years of receipts for oil and filters

I don’t understand how my 2017 Kia sorento doesn’t have a recall on its engine. I bought the car in cash and 1 month the car doesn’t want to start.. I don’t understand I wasted money… I need engine replaced and don’t have $10000

I was driving and out of no where the battery light pop up and than car turns off on in the middle of traffic.. surprisingly there was no accident it was scary I had my two babies in the car with me. There’s no recall it’s a safety hazard ..

Headlights turn off at night when set in the auto position and turn on when the car is off

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that on several occasions, while checking the engine oil level, after driving 600 miles, the dipstick indicated that the engine oil level was extremely low. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and the contact was informed to monitor the oil level to determine if the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that the engine was flushed twice. The contact stated that the symptoms of oil consumption were mild, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer where it was diagnosed, and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

My 2017 Kia Sorento has developed intermittent safety-related engine issues that have resulted in loss of acceleration and stalling. December 2024: After a two-hour drive, the vehicle stalled and would not restart. Roadside assistance confirmed the engine oil level was low, despite no external leaks. After approximately two hours, the vehicle restarted. [XXX]: After driving about 30 minutes and parking for 10–20 minutes, the engine started with loud rumbling/knocking noises, and the accelerator was unresponsive. The problem resolved only after shutting the car off and restarting. Video is available. The Kia dealer performed a rod bearing test which passed, but the symptoms match early failure stages of the known Theta II engine defect covered under Kia’s lifetime warranty (PI1802 settlement). Kia attributes the issue to “low oil” as a maintenance problem, but the oil consumption appears to be internal and abnormal. This defect creates a serious safety risk because it causes sudden loss of power, which could lead to an accident if it occurs while driving in traffic. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The engine locked up. The engine only had 80,000 miles. The car stopped in the middle of traffic. The dealership refused to take responsibility. KIA also declined warning coverage. I had to pay to replace the engine.

Bought the car last month had it put on a diagnostic machine 2 times took a trip lasted one week now it's in the shop days bad motor engine light came on @ parked it right then they told me that it ended a engine it run perfect then it wasn't it is a 2017 Kia Sorento it's only 8 yrs old is there any manufacturer warranty or coverage of any kind for that yr it ran really good for a minute then it wasn't it's still in shop being looked @ I have exstended warranty. They want me to pay 2.700 for tear down @ they can't say if they fix it then after I'm outa pocket I had to leave it in another state I seen online recalls on that make yr @ model can you give advice thanks

Motor uses 6 guarts of oil in 3000 miles. No leaks. The dealer has done the oil consumption test. And it failed every time. Kia denied claim to replace engine. They stated that it passed the bearing test. This is crap.

We purchased a 2017 Kia Sorrento AWD 3.3L V6 153,000 on May 9 2025. We made our 2nd payment on July 11th & on July 17th @5am we went and filled it up and got on the highway to head to work. We didn't even drive ½ a mile when all of a sudden it lost all power at 73mph. No warning lights nothing. Dash said "key fob not in vehicle". We had it towed to Kia which cost almost $350 for them to call & tell us we need a new engine. No codes nothing. Also almost $200 for them to diagnose that. And that it will cost over 10k to fix. We paid under 10k to begin with. They are saying it isn't covered under any warranty. It's our only vehicle that we can drive in winter. We literally had the Kia just over 2 months.

Unknown Engine stopped in the middle of driving. The engine has a bad bearing. Caused the starter wire to be burned so can’t start vehicle what so ever. Chunks of metal in the oil.

Oil consumption

Oil consumption

While driving, the engine warning light suddenly turned on and the vehicle began shaking violently. I was forced to pull over, and the car had to be towed. The dealership diagnosed engine failure caused by excessive oil consumption. Despite routine maintenance, the manufacturer refuses to cover repairs under warranty. This creates a serious safety hazard, as engine components like spark plugs can fail without warning, potentially leaving drivers stranded or causing accidents.

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle stalled and failed to respond as intended. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle had failed to respond as needed while depressing the accelerator pedal. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an inspection station, where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 150,000.

I have a 2017 Kia Sorento. On Sunday [XXX], I was driving on [XXX] in Oklahoma when I started hearing a weird knocking noise and was having difficulties accelerating. I was in the car with my mother and [XXX] son just between Guthrie and Edmond OK which is a very heavily trafficked area. My car suddenly shut off, I coasted to the side and put my hazards on. After 2 hours waiting for a tow truck to tow my vehicle back to my home town a mechanic informed us the engine was blown and could be apart of their lawsuit against engines. After reading many many other peoples encounter with Kia, Kia acknowledges issues with the engines and were placed in a lawsuit however they find every way out of responsibility for replacing the engines that are faulty. Not only did this put others in danger while I was driving UNDER the 75mph speed limit but it is July in Oklahoma and in the upper 90’s but feels like the hundreds placing myself, my mother and child at risk of heat exposure due to this faulty engine and having to wait 2 hours for a tow truck. I purchased the vehicle in 2020 during Covid when many business’ were shut down and more difficult to receive oil changes properly, and many people reported that since the engine was faulty it was eating away at the oil faster meaning oil did not go as far as it should. This company should replace ALL faulty engines REGARDLESS of their oil change reports and software updates as this is a massive safety feature and puts lives at risk on the road.

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was oil intrusion that caused the engine to fail. The contact was told that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact was informed that documents of past maintenance records were incomplete, and the warranty had expired. The contact stated that in the past, the vehicle consumed an excessive amount of oil. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 65 MPH, the contact heard a thumping sound coming from the engine. No warning light was illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired; however, the engine had been replaced one time before. The contact related the failure NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000( ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING ); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by the AG Office. The manufacturer denied the claim and refused to repair the vehicle. The failure mileage was 243,000.

My 2017 Kia Sorento is not included in the engine safety recall regarding the crankshaft failure in the engine. But I am experiencing the exact same problem so I do not see how it is not included in the recall. I am requesting the recall be expanded to include more vehicles because it is not safe to drive and is currently being held hostage by the dealer who wants $10,500 to repair my engine. I refuse to pay for negligence on the part of the manufacturer. Kia corporate has been very dismissive and not helpful. Please advise

For several months, there has been a noticeable smell of gas fumes coming from my 2017 Kia Sorrento EX. Recently, smell has been getting much stronger and cause for concern. I have discovered a visible gas leak dripping from the gas tank area. This could likely or possibly be related to a recall engine replacement last year. The website mentions issues with the fuel pump, which is a The website mentions issues with the fuel pump, which is very concerning. I am attaching photos and video. Please advise.

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the check engine and low oil pressure warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where an oil change was performed; however, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the nearest dealer for an unknown recall repair, and the contact was informed that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the maintenance records needed to be reviewed to repair the vehicle under recall. The contact provided the maintenance records that the dealer sent to the manufacturer. The manufacturer later informed the dealer that the vehicle was not eligible for an engine replacement based on the maintenance records. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that the engineers had determined that the vehicle was not eligible for engine replacement and no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.

To whom this may concern, I'm having to replace an upper module fuel pump that goes into the top of the tank. This part is being recalled on several other Kia vehicles but not mine. The car was stalling and had a heavy smell of gasoline. I was told by my repair shop not to drive this car until repaired due to gasoline fumes having the potential to be ignited and cause a fire. I was told by Kia customer care (Sandra) on 6-30-25 @ 655am MST that my Vin number was not a part of this recall. I explained my car was experiencing the same issue and required the same repair as other recalls for Kia and I was directed to file a formal complaint with nhtsa for assistance. Can you please assist with a formal recall. This is a very dangerous situation with flammable fumes escaping. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Paint peeling on hood and roof

Engine failure. Hyundai and Kia Theta Engine Class Action Settlement 2017 Kia sorento 2.0 vin [XXX] . vehicle has the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Update which extends engine coverage to 10 years/150k miles for rod bearing failure. the vehicle has 118k miles and is at a kia dealership. They denied coverage due to no present codes related to the knock sensor and being that it has low compression on one cylinder. My 2017 Kia Sorento experienced a serious engine failure related to rod bearing wear, a known issue in the Theta II 2.4L GDI engine. The engine began making a loud knocking noise, which is a classic sign of rod bearing failure. They just so happened to left that out of their diagnosis that it has rod bearing noise and are using only the fact that low compression and no code related to the bearings to deny the coverage. When rod bearings wear out, they allow excessive play in the connecting rods, leading to unstable piston movement. In interference engines like this one, that instability can cause the piston to travel too far upward and strike open valves during operation. This can result in bent valves, valve seat damage, low cylinder compression, and repeated misfires. In my case, the engine was diagnosed with low compression and misfires consistent with this kind of internal damage. This isn’t just a wear-and-tear issue. it’s a known design flaw that leads to catastrophic engine failure and a serious safety risk. Kia denied coverage, despite this exact failur

While traveling about 30 miles per hour a car in front stopped. When I applied the brakes the abs locked up and caused my car to skid in to car in front. I had plenty of room to stop but as the policy report shows there was kid marks and car did not stop .

Upper fuel pump module is defected and will malfunction. This leads to a fuel leak inside the vehicle. You will be able to see the leak if you remove the back seat and you will be able to smell the fumes of the fuel inside and outside the vehicle. This has occurred twice to our vehicle. First time, the vehicle had 72000 miles and the 2nd time is 130 000. The kia dealership repaired it the first time and has acknowledged the leak both times. This is dangerous as the vehicle can burst into flames by a spark or flame. We did not receive any warning lights regarding the fuel leak. The leak was determined by the smell and the reduced miles per gallon.

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a strong gasoline odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the gasoline odor had become stronger. The contact stated that upon removing the rear seats, the contact became aware there was gasoline continuously leaking into the vehicle while the vehicle was started. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an unknown repair was performed; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the upper fuel pump module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to TSB Number: WTY033. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the repair could not be covered because the vehicle was out warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The mechanic replaced the air filter, brake fluid, serpentine belt, accessory belt, performed tire rotation, replaced the power steering fluid, and performed an oil change. The check engine warning light illuminated again. The vehicle was returned to the mechanic who replaced the ignition coil and spark plugs. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed the diagnosis. The dealer replaced the valve cover gasket, fuel pump gasket, and coolant, performed a 3-point GGI induction service, refilled the brake fluid, and replaced a carbon air filter. The failure persisted and the vehicle was returned to the dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that piston #3 had failed, and a spark plug was burned and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. While the contact’s husband was driving approximately 65 - 70 MPH, the vehicle began to shake aggressively, and the engine had seized. There was no warning light during the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The driver had coasted to the side of the road where the vehicle was towed home with open fuel injectors and piston failure. The manufacturer was informed

Strong smell of gas while driving and under the hood of car with no visible leaks.

When I drive at night with the headlights on, sometimes the headlights will all go off until I click the button a couple of times then they will come back on, and this scares me because it can cause a wreck when I can’t see

The car is a 2017 Kia Sorento with approximately 73,000 miles. We have always had the oil changed at the Kia dealership. A month after the last time I had it changed (1/2025) we were going on a trip so my dad checked the oil. There was no oil in it. Since then we have been having to put oil in it about once a month or so because it runs out. It is not leaking anywhere and no oil light comes on when it does run out. The oil is disappearing. The oil is burning internally. I am having difficulties with the dealership in addressing the oil consumption issue, even when it's a known problem. This last time I spoke with Robert at Kia Ramada in Shelby NC. They want me to pay for them to look at it and then said they would write up a report to see if corporate would cover it. I feel like since this is a known issue I shouldn’t have to pay for them to look at or diagnose it. He said it would not be covered unless the engine locked up. Well if I keep driving it and don’t keep putting oil in it, it will lock up. I’d rather you fix the issue than have to put in a whole new motor. Please get in touch with me asap so I know what further actions that I will need to take to resolve this matter.

I am unsure what component system failed or malfunctioned. The car is in the toe place. It's a total loss burned from front to back my safety was put at risk by no indication of any lights coming on my dashboard. By the time I stopped the whole front into my car was on fire. It burned from from 2 back within 8 minutes. It has not been inspected by insurance. The police were there when the fire was put out along with the fire department. There were no warning lights or lamps of any indication of a problem. I was driving down the road and I seemed small but I had no lights on my dashboard. Indicating anything was wrong? So I drove as soon as I started to slow down at the stoplight. Flames started coming out of the driver's side of the hook. But I turned the corner and stopped the car and the whole front end.By the time I stopped was on fire.I contacted the fire department and within 8 minutes.The car was a total loss

In April 2025 the check engine light came on. The engine had been replaced in February 2025 so I immediately took the vehicle to Safford Kia Dealership in Fredericksburg, VA. (NOTE: The engine was replaced at Jacksonville Kia, Jacksonville, NC as the issue with the engine happened while I was away working at that location.) A few days after dropping the vehicle off I was notified by the service writer there that the catalytic converter had gone bad which was a common issue after problems with the engine. Specifically, I was told the engine dumps oil into the catalytic converter therefore ruining it. The new engine has been driven about a 1000 miles (give or take) as the vehicle was picked up from the dealership in Jacksonville, NC and driven to Fredericksburg, VA on 1 March 2025 with minimal normal driving before the check engine light came on.

Sticking steering wheel at speeds around 60 mph on slight turns been happening over a year took it to dealer said they couldn’t get it to do it.

The steering is sticky. When on the highway you have to keep correcting the steering because the wheel seems to be sticking then moving. As a result you can not just go straight down the road but have to keep putting in steering corrections!!!!! This needs to be addressed! This is an ongoing problem , not just on one date.

Above the windshield on the driver's side, paint is progressively peeling away with regular operation of my pearl-white 2017 Kia Sorento. What began as a very small and barely noticeable chip in the paint has progressed to a large paint-less spot. On the hood and surrounding areas, paint chips are appearing as well. According to the auto body repair shop I received an estimate from, this is referred to as "delamination" and is a result of poor quality paint or craftsmanship in the manufacturing process. The auto body shop said this is a recurring issue in WHITE Kia Sorentos specifically. Many other owners of white Kia Sorentos have reported this same issue.

Engine blew at 175000. It is not one of the vehicles that is covered under the class action lawsuit but the vehicle itself just blew an engine after an oil change. One of the Pistons let go.

I am writing to bring to your attention a concerning issue regarding the instrument panel of the 2016-2020 Kia Sorento. My car - 2017 Kia Sorento. In approx. 2021, I noticed a small 2 cm crack resembling a razor blade cut on my instrument panel (Part Number: 84710-C5000WK, also 84710-C6000WK and 84710-C6001WK). At the time, I did not find this defect alarming as it was minor and located far from the airbag area. However, over time, the situation has deteriorated significantly. The small crack has now developed into three substantial cracks measuring between 6 to 8 inches, with some of them encroaching upon the airbag area. I am increasingly concerned that these cracks may impact the airbag deployment mechanism and potentially result in fragments from the panel flying out during a collision, an issue that has been documented in other vehicle brands in the past. After conducting some research, I found that this problem appears to be common among the Kia Sorento models manufactured between 2016 and 2020. Numerous sources online indicate that these dashboard cracks pose a safety hazard. I have made attempts to address this issue directly with Kia. However, I was informed that the initial inspection fee is $150, and the estimated cost for part replacement and installation is approximately $3,959. This amount is quite significant. I urge your organization to investigate this matter further and consider providing a remedy for affected customers. Thank you for your attention to this

When my head lights are on automatic, they will cut on and off on their own while driving at night! Completely off! My break lights also come and go. I have had the bulbs replaced and still have the same issue

This is the third time I’m having to take my SUV to the Kia dealership because my check engine light begins flashing and then my car has a hard time accelerating when it gets to certain speeds. It shakes but will not go over 68 mph although it is covered under a warranty, it is very frustrating. Having to keep take my car to get fixed. There should be a more permanent solution.

Engine failed, leaving me stranded at a stop light. I was finally able to get it started, but it ran terribly and didn't have the power to go uphill, almost rolled back into the vehicles behind me. Had to have it towed. No warning whatsoever, engine stalled and engine light on. I got it fixed at dealership I purchased from, then it did the same thing a week later. I will NEVER purchase a KIA again. Almost every shop I inquire about service won't even service KIA engines anymore because of the problems. I'm left with a car payment and no vehicle.

Severe oil spill from engine and is spilling out into the car tires and the side doors and comes through the muffler and my back window and it’s stalling my car and I have been left stranded on the side of the road and I had it diagnosed at the dealership I bought it and I need my car fixed due to faulty issues of the vehicle not my fault please and thank you

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the gear shifter was stuck in park(P). The contact stated that once the vehicle was parked, the gear shifter remained stuck in park(P). The contact manually depressed the button under the gear shifter to move the gear shifter. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that after the first failure, the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that an unknown part in the gear shifter had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

1.Component/System Failure: The issue involves a recurring failure of the oil pressure switch, which is part of the engine’s lubrication monitoring system. This malfunction has resulted in an oil leak that subsequently damaged a major wiring control harness and the associated control module. The affected components are available for inspection by an authorized service center. 2.Safety Risk: The oil leak poses a safety risk by potentially compromising the vehicle’s engine performance and electrical system integrity. While there has been no direct incident of injury, the malfunction increases the risk of unexpected vehicle failure, which could endanger the driver and others on the road. 3.Confirmation of the Problem: The recurring issue was initially diagnosed by an authorized dealer. After the first repair under warranty, the same problem reappeared, and an independent service center later confirmed that the oil pressure switch was leaking excessively. This repeated diagnosis supports the conclusion that the component is defective. 4.Inspections Conducted: The vehicle has been inspected by both the authorized dealer and an independent service center. Additionally, the previous repair under warranty was conducted with oversight from manufacturer representatives. There has been no involvement of the police or insurance representatives regarding this incident. 5.Warning Lamps or Symptoms: There were no specific warning lamps or error messages that appeared before the failure. The

Car shut off and the radio kept going on and off red light on dash board and steering was hard

[XXX] the engine on my 2017 Kia Sorento seized up due to severe oil leak. There was a recall earlier in the year for oil pressure gauge which I had replaced. This seems to be a common problem in Kias as there is the class action law suit for this very problem however my car does not qualify but after reading many forums this is still a common problem in Kias that are not covered in this class action. I am now left with an inoperable car and nothing to show for it. I have been in touch with Kia Corporate with no help, lawyer, Office of Attorney General and MyCarVoice.com. Hoping you all can add some advice or answers. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)