Home · 2014 Kia Sorento Phev · Complaints

What 976 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Kia Sorento Phev

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (976)Crash / fire / injury (70)Engine (384)Body & structure (159)Electrical system (150)Lights (86)Brakes (78)Transmission & drivetrain (68)Airbags (51)Fuel system (50)Steering (35)Speed control (31)

35 of 976 complaints match · Steering · clear filters · page 1 of 2

May 21, 2026Steering

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and steering left or right, the steering wheel would seize. The contact would have to maneuver the steering wheel back and forth for it to unlock and continue driving. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed a notch in the lower steering shaft as the cause of the steering failure. The steering joint assembly was replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 132,538.

NHTSA ODI 11739208

Nov 10, 2025SteeringEngineFuel systemFire

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

Mar 14, 2025SteeringBrakes

All of it. Car randomly shuts off and lose power steering. No. Dealership has inspected. ALL the lights in the dash light up, screen says battery discharge warning, car shuts off and lose power steering while driving down the road.

NHTSA ODI 11648264

Nov 8, 2024SteeringEngine

My vehicle has always been well-maintained with the dealer with regularly scheduled oil changes. On the captioned date, my vehicle failed the state emissions test. Immediately after leaving the testing facility, the check engine light came on and the engine began to rumble. The vehicle barely made it to the Kia dealership. Kia told me the entire engine needs to be rebuilt for $6,500 and that may not even solve the “timing” issues.

NHTSA ODI 11624268

Aug 18, 2024Steering

Steering column vibrates when on uneven surfaces. Also makes noise when turning wheel. Shakes when braking. I believe it is a problem with the steering column coupling. The MDPS Steering Coupling is probably worn. This is an ongoing problem with kia vehicles such as this.

NHTSA ODI 11609283

Jan 16, 2024SteeringElectrical systemWheels

The component that malfunctioned was the dashboard. The dashboard began flashing and caused the wheels on the KIA Sorento to lock while on the highway. The car also had a burn smell. The car was turned off and then I was able to drive normally. A couple of weeks later the Malfunction Indicator Light has turned of intermittently. The electrical issues are causing the cars blind spot warning system to not work properly and as well as seats to stop moving in the car. I have reached out to KIA Customer care line so that they could tow the vehicle once the MIL came on and they said they I would have to pay out of pocket since the recall is in the "interim" phase. I called Southern KIA in Chesapeake, VA and they stated the car would have to be evaluated but that they do not have appointments any time soon.

NHTSA ODI 11565772

Dec 22, 2023Steering

The vehicle clicks when turning.

NHTSA ODI 11561567

Aug 24, 2022Steering

The component that malfunctioned was the steering wheel. The steering wheel locked up while driving. The problem has not been reproduced by the dealer or independent service. We have taken in to the dealership 2 times already and they cannot find any error codes from the event. Therefore, they say the car has no issues. The problem has not been inspected by manufacture, police, insurance or others. There were no warning signs before it happened. There were small glitches that we noticed on the monitor prior to the incident occurring but no check engine lights turned on. When the event occurred all warning lights turned on and the computer system wanted to shut off the car while drive mode.

NHTSA ODI 11481079

Aug 5, 2022Steering

I have taken my truck for repair for shacking/rattling when put truck on drive its more louder all they say they didnt find any issue what else can i do if they don't want to fix my truck.

NHTSA ODI 11477856

Aug 5, 2021SteeringService Brakes, AirTires

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the traction control, ABS and the tire pressure warning lights remained illuminated. Additionally, while operating the vehicle, the power steering inadvertently deactivated and the steering wheel would become difficult to turn in either direction. During the failure, the power steering, battery, and air bag warning lights were illuminated. The cause of the failures was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were both notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11427887

Apr 13, 2021Steering

WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN MY STEERING WENT OUT IN THE CAR. I COULD NOT TURN THE VEHICLE AT ALL AND COULD ONLY PROCEED STRAIGHT. I CAME REALLY CLOSE TO A HEAD ON COLLISION. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND STOP THE CAR AND WAIT FOR HELP. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AS IT RANDOMLY DOES THIS WITH THE STEERING. OUR MECHANIC STATES THAT IT IS THE ELECTRICAL STEERING THAT HAS TO BE REPLACED IN THE CAR WHICH IS $2,000 +/-. I RESEARCHED AND DO NOT FIND ANY RECALLS CONCERNING THE ELECTRICAL STEERING.

NHTSA ODI 11407842

Dec 8, 2020SteeringSuspensionWheels

VEHICLE IS NOT BEING DRIVEN BECAUSE THE AXLE IS BUSTED. WE ARE NOT SURE WHY HIS HAPPENED. WHEN I DRIVE THE SORENTO, IT PULLS TO THE RIGHT VERY STRONG. I AM NOT SURE HOW LONG IT TAKES FORT THAT TO HAPPEN, BUT IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE CAR REACHES A FULL STOP. ALSO, WHEN I MANEUVER AND MAKE. TURN TO THE LEFT, IT SOUNDS LIKE IT POPS. IT'S A SCARY FEELING.

NHTSA ODI 11378503

Sep 2, 2020SteeringSuspensionBrakes

THE SUSPENSION IN THE SLIGHTEST BUMP THAT FALLS, IT DOES NOT PROTECT IT HITS DRY IT HAS NO SUPPORT, THE STEERING WHEEL FROM ZERO MILES IS A RATTLE EVEN THOUGH WE TAKE IT TO ITS GUARANTEE THEY NEVER FIXED IT, IN THE SAME WAY THE BRAKE DISCS TO THE EMERGENCY BRAKING AS THEY SKID, SWEEP; YOU HAVE TO STEP ON THE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES FOR IT TO RESPOND ...

NHTSA ODI 11352681

Jul 19, 2020SteeringSuspensionBrakes

WHEN BRAKING, BRAKES GIVE OUT AND CAR SKIDS. ON TURNS, I HAVE TO PUMP BRAKES TO TRY AND REGAIN CONTROL.

NHTSA ODI 11340215

Feb 12, 2020Steering

MY 2014 KIA SORENTO HAD 38,283 MILES ON IT AND THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PRIOR TO TAKING INTO THE MECHANIC FOR REPAIR I NOTICED A CLICKING/POP SOUND WHEN I WOULD TURN MY STEERING WHEEL. I WAS ADVISED BY THE MECHANIC THAT IT WAS FAULTY PART AND WORE OUT VERY QUICKLY. I CALLED KIA TO SEE WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY ABOUT IT AND THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD NO COMPLAINTS WITH THIS ISSUE. I WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT IT ABOUT 3-6 MONTHS AND I MAY NEED TO REPLACE ANOTHER PART OF THE STEERING BUT AT THIS TIME IT IS WORKING WITHIN MANUFACTURERS SPECS. THANKS FULLY I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT COVERED THE REPAIRS, HOWEVER I STILL BELIEVE THAT KIA SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS.

NHTSA ODI 11308788

Jan 28, 2020Steering

THE STEERING COLUMN RATTLES AS THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.

NHTSA ODI 11302556

Nov 2, 2019SteeringSuspensionEngine

MY WIFE AND I WERE ON THE 91 FREEWAY IN LIGHT TRAFFIC AND CAME TO THE END OF THE FREEWAY WHICH BECOMES ARTESIA BLVD IN GARDENA, CA. WE WERE SITTING AT THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE FREEWAY AND WE HEARD THIS REALLY LOUD KNOCKING NOISE SO I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND IT WAS OK FOR SEVERAL MINUTES THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WE HEARD THIS REALLY LOUD NOISE LIKE THE ENGINE WAS BEING OPENED WITH A CAN OPENER AND THIS WAS WHILE IN MOTION ON SURFACE STREETS GOING ABOUT 45 MILES AN HOUR. (THAT'S WHAT WE THOUGHT TO BEST DESCRIBE THE NOISE). WHEN YOU PRESS THE ACCELERATOR IT BECOMES MUCH WORSE AND THE CAR SHAKES SO WE PARKED IT AND TOWED HOME DUE TO THE TIME. I HAVE YET TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALER DUE TO IT BEING LATE AND THE WEEKEND. BUT A FRIEND OF MINE WHO'S A MECHANIC SAID IT'S DEFINITELY THE ENGINE AND HE'S LEANING TOWARDS THE BARRINGS AND PISTONS SOMEWHERE ALONG THOSE LINES. I HAVE KEPT REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON IT SINCE WE GOT IT LIKE CHANGING OF FLUIDS, OIL THINGS LIKE THAT SINCE WE PURCHASED IT ON 04/17/2019. WE HAVE HAD OTHER MINOR THINGS LIKE THE LOCKS ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR YOU HAVE TO DO MANUALLY AND THE REAR HATCH DOESN'T LOCK AND YOU CAN OPEN IT EVEN WITH THE ALARM ON, SUSPENSION SYSTEM IS A LITTLE LOOSE AND PROBABLY HAS ISSUES ALSO. TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING ALSO. THERE'S ALL OF THE SAME YEAR SAME MODEL SAME ENGINE THAT ARE ON THE RECALL LIST BUT FROM WHAT WE'RE GATHERING OURS ISN'T. I AM NOT QUITE UNDERSTANDING THIS BECAUSE WE'RE POSITIVE THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE AS THE OTHER ONES RECALLED.

NHTSA ODI 11277728

Oct 29, 2019SteeringEngineFuel system

LOUD KNOCKIN/TICKING NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ON. BACKUP CAMERA MALFUNCTION, LOOSE GRIP ON THE STEERING & AT TIMES,WHEEL DOES NOT TURN ON ITS OWN AFTER TURNING. OIL IS DIRTY & SMELLS LIKE GASOLINE. PURCHASED VEHICLE ON 10/28 WITH ABOUT 70K MILES. HERE AT THE DEALERSHIP TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI 11276896

Sep 25, 2019SteeringEngineFuel system

ENGINE LEAK FROM UNDER THE MOTOR. THAT WAS SUMMER TIME 2019

NHTSA ODI 11258239

Sep 2, 2019SteeringEngineFuel system

WHEN TRAVELLING ON A HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS OF 70-73 MPH, AFTER 45 MINUTES TO ONE HOUR OF DRIVING THE CAR SHUTS ITSELF OFF. THE CAR STOPS COMPLETELY, THE ENGINE SHUTS ITSELF OFF, THERE IS NO POWER STEERING, AND NO AIR CONDITIONING AND NO LIGHTS. THE RADIO CONTINUES TO WORK, WHICH OF COURSE IS THE LEAST OF MY CONCERNS. AFTER PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAITING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES THE CAR WILL START BACK UP AGAIN...UNTIL IT DOESN'T. THE KIA DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.

NHTSA ODI 11252773

Sep 2, 2019Steering

HEARING CLICK WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL WHEN DRIVING TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM SEEMS LIKE IT'S GETTING WORSE EVERY DAY WE PAID LOT OF MONEY FOR THIS VEHICLE AND IT'S EVERY DAY CAR WE ARE SO AFRAID FOR OUR SAFETY IS NOT TIE ROD OR AXLE WE ASK OTHER MECHANIC DEALER TOLD US THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH OR SUV BUT I PROVE THEM THAT CAR IS MAKING BIG CLICK ONCE WHEN YOU TURN THE WHEEL IT DOES IT ON BOTH SIDES CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP US! IT'S BEEN GOING ON SINCE WE BUY IT BUT IT'S GETTING LOUDER AND TO BE HONEST DOESN'T FEEL SAFE OR COMFORTABLE SPECIALLY DRIVING IT WITH KIDS IN IT WE ARE THINKING TO GET A LAWYER AND SUE THE DEALER WE HAVE NO CHOICE WE PAID THIS CAR LOT OF MONEY AND WE EXPECTING TO BE SAFE FOR OUR FAMILY WHY YOU SELLING SOMETHING IF IS NOT SAFE FOR OTHERS TO USE SOMEBODY HAS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT !

NHTSA ODI 11252805

Aug 2, 2019SteeringElectrical systemAirbags

THERE IS AN APPARENT ISSUE WITH THE STEERING COLUMN CAUSING THE AIRBAG TO NOT FUNCTION. IT IS ALSO CAUSING ALL OF THE CONTROL SWITCHES ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, INCLUDING THE CRUISE CONTROL. IT CAME ON WHEN SET BUT THEN WOULDN'T GO OFF USING THE CANCEL BUTTON. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. THE ESTIMATED COST FOR REPAIR IS $1700.

NHTSA ODI 11241249

Jul 18, 2019Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO PRIDE KIA OF LYNN (793 LYNNWAY, LYNN, MA 01901, (781) 596-1010) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING MODULE AND STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 11233194

Apr 25, 2019SteeringSuspension

MY 2014 KIA SORENTO STARTED HAVING AXIL PROBLEMS JUST RECENTLY. I AM WELL AWARE THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH FRONT WHEEL DRIVE AND THEIR WERE RECALLS OF THAT SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL. MINE IS AWD AND THIS SHOULD BE INCLUDED AS THIS ONLY STARTED HAPPENING AT 60K.

NHTSA ODI 11203811

Sep 21, 2018SteeringSuspensionElectrical system

BACK UP CAMERA STOPPED WORKING AND JUST SHOWS A BLACK SCREEN SENSORS STILL WORK BUT THAT IS ALL. ALSO WHEN I TURN THE CAR HARD RIGHT OR LEFT IT SOUNDS AS THOUGH THE TIRES ARE HITTING THE WHEEL WELL WITH A LOUD CRUNCHY THUD

NHTSA ODI 11130554

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Working with the data? Download all 976 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 14, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2014 Kia Sorento Phev verdict →