What 976 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Kia Sorento Phev

The contact owned a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 10 MPH, smoke emanated from the vehicle's hood. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact coasted to a driveway and attempted to open the hood when the vehicle became engulfed in flames. The vehicle was consumed by the fire. There was no injury sustained. The local Fire Department was contacted and extinguished the fire, and a fire report was filed. The fire report was provided. The vehicle was towed to the tow lot and deemed a total loss. The contact stated that the dealer was not contacted. The contact was provided notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); by the Fire Department. The contact notified the manufacturer about the failure stated in the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer sent a technician to inspect the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.

NHTSA ODI 11742183

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would jerk. The check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent dealer, where it was diagnosed with an unknown engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired due to cost. In addition, the contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, black smoke was seen coming from under the hood, and the contact managed to pull over to the shoulder of the road, safely exit the vehicle, right before the engine caught on fire. The local fire department arrived on scene to extinguish the fire. The contact sustained PTSD; however, no medical attention was sought. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard and deemed a total loss by the insurance provider. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown NHTSA Campaign; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

NHTSA ODI 11733577

The car engine started on fire while I was driving after all the recalls were fixed and new engine installed. The car was completely destroyed the whole engine compartment was completely burned. Kia says it was an oil leak but that’s not true the car oil change was done regularly and was serviced within 3 months of the engine fire. I also had this vehicle parked inside my garage for 5 years and not a single drop of oil in the garage floor. Kia is also refusing to send me a full report of their findings from the fire inspection. Kia adjuster is acting in bad faith by not providing the fire report. The car engine was replaced new due to an earlier recall and within 10,000 miles the new engine caught fire. They don’t want to be liable for this engine fire but cars don’t just burn without any reason. The refusal of KIA adjuster to release the findings in the fire inspection is very concerning to other people driving this vehicle in the public. Where engine fire can cause their deaths and their families deaths. This is a safety problem

NHTSA ODI 11698658

Backup camera doesn’t work properly it gives a blank screen

NHTSA ODI 11693668

Unknown

NHTSA ODI 11674829

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH the check engine light suddenly illuminated and the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power and reduced speeds. Smoke and flames were also present coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was driven to the side of the road before it stalled. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was later towed to the home. Fire report information was unavailable. The cause of the failures was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 147,000.

NHTSA ODI 11646281

The contact owned a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, it had caught fire causing the entire vehicle to burst into flames, from the front end to the rear end. The fire department was called and extinguish the fire. The fire department determined the fire had started from the engine. A police report was filed. There were no injuries and no medical attention needed. The fire caused damage to both vehicles on each side of the vehicle, the parking space, and the building the vehicle was parked in front of. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 101,430.

NHTSA ODI 11631558

The contact's wife owned a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 33-35 MPH, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact's passenger side fender hit a pole, the vehicle continued to a hill, and the vehicle's front passenger side crashed into a utility pole where the vehicle came to a stop. The contact mentioned the first pole that was crashed into was very close to the roadway. The contact stated that the steering wheel air bag deployed, but deployed partially. The contact sustained a concussion, left arm burn, swollen left knee, and foot injuries that required medical attention via the hospital which confirmed the contact had a mild concussion. An ambulance provided medical attention on the scene but the contact declined to be transported to the hospital however took himself to the hospital a couple of days after the impact. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a lot where it was deemed totaled. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA ODI 11621016

The Kia one morning were I were at stop just turned off power completely disconnected/dead . I turn the key before I moved the stick to park and turn off the car than waited 3seconds and started the car. It turned on were I pulled to the side to park five foot to the left side and turn off the car to check what happ. It would’nt click or turn on dead car than help arrived and the battery I charged immediately underneath the lot started burning and smoke fire let dead that out.

NHTSA ODI 11576326

2014 Kia Sorento was very very slowly being driven into a residential garage. Suddenly the car accelerated although the car was being driven very slowly. Driver hit brake hard. Car rammed into the garage wall creating a very large hole. Objects in front of the wall prevented worse damage. The car itself had only dust from drywall and a few minor scratches.There were no warnings prior to the failure. The driver's safety was at risk. This is 2/10/2024. The local KIA dealer cannot inspect the vehicle until late this coming week. I am afraid to drive this car. We have had it services regularly by KIA thru out the warranty and beyond.

NHTSA ODI 11571211

While driving at night, the instrument panel gauges and lights behind it faded away and all gauges went to 0, RPM, Gas, speedometer, temp, mileage all stopped working all at once. The headlights dimmed to almost nothing. After stopping, it was discovered that a rear sensor was basically melted off after being on fire from the inside. It put a hole right through the sensor and exposed the wire. It basically turned the sensor to ash and you can see the melted wires inside slightly poking out of the hole it melted. The radio and clock still work, so it didnt affect everything. The lights that come on when opening and closing the door were basically stuck on unless turned off manually when the car is off. (Turned off door light feature) Took me a few to figure that out. After checking fuses, the Module 3 was blown. Tried to replace the fuse but it keeps blowing because I cant currently do anything with the damaged sensor. A Kia repair guy wanted to change all the wiring, sensors, and instrument panel, costing thousands of dollars I don't have. After checking the Kia forums, this same exact issue has happened to multiple people with the 2014 Kia Sorento. If this has happened to multiple of the same vehicle, Kia should be responsible to fix it or replace the vehicle! Its dangerous! It was raining, but my car could have stayed on fire. I almost drove off the road when everything was shutting off and my headlights dimmed to nothing. The car still drives fine, so I got home, but it was hard to see and I had no idea of the speed of the vehicle. And the Kia guy said it could still catch fire again so I will have to fix it before driving it much more. I dont have the money for this or for a new car and my job is literally in my car! Check the Kia forums about the other issues and complaints, as again, this happened to multiple people and its all the same issue. Kia needs to fix this since it costs so much to fix and before someone burns up in a fire!

NHTSA ODI 11569372

Kia smelled of electrical burning/fire after driving. burning smell permeated into dwelling. Notified KIA Customer Care Center at 1 (800) 333 4542. Case [XXX] initiated day of engine burning/fire [XXX]. No response from Kia. Called to inquire on update January 16th, 2024. Spoke with Mary. Mary had no update. Asked to speak with her manager, She transferred me and call dropped. Unprofessional conduct with life-threatening Kia engine bomb sitting in my driveway. Initiated complaint on Kia's website and another case number was generated - [XXX]. Tried calling back to no avail. Call dropped five times. Initiated this NHTSA complaint immediately after last call dropped by Kia. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11565841

Replaced engine 1/31/23 had open recall per 21v331was not repaired even though they wasn’t suppose to return vehicle according to recall. They said It would be safe to drive.Said they had no remedy to fix they would call me. Few days car stalls alternator was hanging had to replace. They didn’t replace properly. With in a month cars brakes were acting weird took in for diagnostic back brakes no remedy. Call Kia still no parts for recall. Sept 11,23 was pulling off expressway during 5 o'clock traffic my brakes locked up I had no control. Towed to Kia they wanted 75. to look at it then 2700. to fix the brakes. And stated I had no brake fluid. Which was just checked. They said recall did not cover the repairs Neither the engine recall nor the brake, hecu, abs, stability control recall. I contacted Kia they told me they would get back to me. As of Oct.31,23 they had not done any repairs or response from Kia. So I traded my car back to Kia so I would have a vehicle for school and work. I’ve tried to get reimbursement from Kia. For rental car etc. And keep getting the run around. I have towing, rental, and repairs that they are refusing to reimburse me. I drove the recalled vehicle for 9 months and could have been killed myself, my daughter, as well as others. Kia could care less! I traded vehicle 10/31 the recall was cleared on my 2014 Sorento on 11/4 according to Nhtsa.gov 3 days they clear it so they could sell it. I m really disgusted with Kia. I’m out thousands of dollars for their neglect. They couldn’t repair the recall for longer than 9 months for me . But as soon as I trade it to them it’s repaired or they are lying just so they can sell it. Just like when they sold it to me with 2 open recalls without telling me it had them. What do I need to do? Suggestions? I do have more receipts and documents

NHTSA ODI 11553665

ENGINE FIRE, NO WARNING, VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE AND OFF WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE

NHTSA ODI 11549694

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the engine hood was opened and raised, the hydraulic hood lift struts failed causing the hood to close down onto the contact's right hand. The contact's hand was trapped under the hood for approximately 30 minutes before help arrived. During the incident, the contact sustained a bruised right hand which did not require medical treatment. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,000.

NHTSA ODI 11546876

Well my boyfriend and I where getting the car straightened up swept out wiped down and cleaned up and drove it from one part of our yard to the other and we had to finish what we where doing before that so and hour or so later when my. Boy friend went to go finish the car he realized there was smoke coming from the driver's side and opened the front door and the whole front driver seat was on fire so we got it put out and then we realized we needed to get the car as far away from the house as we could as soon as we got the fire out so I found a lid to it on I had to push a release button under the shifter to move it outta park and stear it away from any other houses or objects so we did that and then the lights for the heated seats on the driver's side came on again without the key that I know of being in it or nothen and it just being on fire so we u plugged to battery and called kia and a town truck

NHTSA ODI 11536733

On January 8, 2023, my 2014 Kia Sorento burnt up. I was driving down the street when I could see smoke and smell something burning. I stopped the car and got out just in time. It exploded and totally burnt. I have a video but it will not upload.

NHTSA ODI 11528365

During a moderate T-bone collision at the driver rear side quarter panel, the back seat of the vehicle almost immediately was in flame, injuring all three occupants, not fatally, fire originated underneath the rear seat near the refueling port, which had the cap in place.

NHTSA ODI 11506953

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while parking the vehicle in a driveway, black smoke was coming out of the vents of the vehicle. Once the contact exited the vehicle, flames started coming from under the hood of the vehicle causing the vehicle to burst into flames. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire and a report was filed. No one was injured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 144,000.

NHTSA ODI 11497558

The contact owned a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle accelerated to 40 MPH, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The brake pedal was depressed; however, the brakes failed to stop the vehicle. There was smoke coming from underneath the hood, and then flames came from underneath the hood. The parking brake was applied, and the vehicle was able to come to a complete stop. The contact safely exited the vehicle before the vehicle was engulfed in flames. No injuries were sustained, and no medical attention was received. The fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. Police and fire department reports were filed; however, the fire department was unable to determine the cause of the fire. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and was not yet deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

NHTSA ODI 11497440

My Kia Sorento while parked in front of house caught fire and burned, Total loss.

NHTSA ODI 11482672

The contact owned a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle a fuel odor was present inside the cabin. Days later while the vehicle was parked with the engine idling smoke and flames were present coming from the engine compartment. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. During the incident, the vehicle was destroyed. The cause of the failure was not determined. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact indicated the vehicle was previously serviced under a recall in which the engine was replaced. No further information was available. The failure mileage was 124,000.

NHTSA ODI 11465425

On 2/15/22, I accelerated to pass another car while driving home from work. As soon as I accelerated, my car stopped running. I coasted to the next turnoff from a busy street (about 1 block) and stopped at the curb in a residential area. The control panel/dashboard was completely dark, then suddenly lit up again. I tried to start the car but couldn't because I was unable to depress the brake. I waited a few minutes and tried again and a small amount of smoke came out from under the hood. In a minute that went away. At this time, I was very near my house and walked home. When I got there I called the Kia dealership (local) and described what happened. They asked if there had been a 'check engine' or other warning message before this happened and I told them there had not been. I said I guess I would have to have the car towed in to them to see what was wrong. I was told they would call back. While waiting for someone to call back, I walked back to my car. (All of this took less than 10 - 12 minutes.) As I turned the corner I saw police cars and a firetruck where my car was parked. The fire had been put out and there was only a shell of the car left; the entire motor and everything inside was destroyed. Later, my insurance company declared it a total loss. A neighbor saw flames and had called the fire department. There was some damage to the neighbor's yard - grass and shrubbery. The police called a wrecking service to tow the car. It was later picked up by my insurance co. No one was injured, thankfully; but I can only imagine what would have happened if I had made it home and parked in my garage. The local Kia dealership never called back. I called a week or so after this happened and was told they would have someone call me and no one called (again).

NHTSA ODI 11462339

I purchased a 2014 Kia Sorento on March 15, 2022. On April 1, 2022, after 2 weeks of normal driving, I was driving the car to the Kia dealership for them to inspect the smell of gasoline fumes, and suddenly, the oil light and engine light turned on, so I pulled over. I saw smoke coming out of the engine so I ran out. Then flames appeared and engulfed the vehicle while I waited for firefighters to arrive. Luckily, no one was hurt. Insurance is currently investigating the cause.

NHTSA ODI 11460306

Side impact collision on driver side rear quarter panel; vehicle consumed by fire; all three passengers received burns; serious burns to passenger in rear seat on driver side, and driver .

NHTSA ODI 11452101