What 978 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid

Car was traveling from Atlanta and the speed odometer on the car showed it was dropping then knock noise pull over then I made to exit and check oil Guage the sensor lights never showed when I had picked up the person house I took to said it was crank sensor and started it heard knocking sound and I call NHTSA reported incident and was giving a claim number haven't heard anything since I no its recall on engine cause I had received paperwork that it was and also saw report on news

NHTSA ODI 11546204

Engine was replaced in 2021 due to oil consumption issues. After copays and having a rental car for 2 months while waiting for repairs I shelled out about 7k. Now catalytic converter has failed, about one week after last oil change. Extended coverage is just over by mileage according to dealership and unsure if Kia will cover, awaiting response. After researching this issue with my vehicle, I found other owners who had the same issue and suggested it should have been replaced with engine as there was a past recall for this. Others stated that Kia is not covering even though there was a recall. Even if they covered the parts that would help substantially. Car currently at service center at Kia dealership awaiting to see if Kia will assist at good will or cover under the recall.

NHTSA ODI 11543995

We bought the car 6 months ago from a dealership and since then the breaks are bad the engine makes this strange noise it always smells like oil is burning. The seat belts don't stay latch and I hr suspension is all over the place.

NHTSA ODI 11539474

After work, a severe dust storm hit. I drove to the grocery store and then home (30 miles) in the dust storm. The next morning, as I was driving to work, I heard a weird knocking noise, but no engine lights came on. My car would not start during my lunch break, nor when I got off work. My boyfriend tried to jump it off. When that didn’t work, we traded the battery out since it was still under warranty. That did not work. We went back the next day and checked my oil levels and other fluids - all were good. My boyfriend then hooked up his small code reader which didn’t read any problems. The next day my mom started the car by putting the spare key up to the start button. She took it to Gene Messer Kia about 5 miles away. She said no engine lights came on, but the engine was knocking. Once she turned it off the mechanics were not able to start the car again. They looked over it and said they could not find any reason for my engine to have died. I asked them if it could have been the dust storm. They said no; the engine was well sealed, block was not cracked, oil levels were good, etc. They quoted me $11,521 for a new engine. However, I did not want to pay that because my car was only worth $5,500-7,000 (trade-in verse private sale) according to Kelly Blue Book. I called my insurance and had an inspector come look at it hoping he would be able to say the storm caused the issue and total my car so I could pay off my loan. However, they also could not find a cause for what happened to my engine. We sold it to Peddle.com.

NHTSA ODI 11539183

Car recently hit 103,000 miles and was taken in for its scheduled oil change. Mechanic discovered that only a single quart of oil was left in the engine during the oil change despite regular maintenance. Metal flakes were found in the oil that was removed which points to a similar recall with the engine bearings identified in 2017. However, the VIN of this vehicle is not showing up in the recall list. Mechanic is recommending the engine be replaced in the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11535781

In May of 2021 my 2014 Kia Sorrento had major engine problems. I brought it to Myrtle Beach Kia immediately and after 5 months of back and forth and paying for rental vehicles, I was told that they would not cover any repairs due to the Recall! I then paid $8, 663.63 for a repair that was never fully completed. Immediately after receiving vehicle back, check engine light was on. Numerous call to the dealership and I was told dont worry it just needs to cycle through. My vehicle has NEVER been properly serviced by them. I have kept up will all oil changes and maintenance in the meantime. I was told the check engine light codes were PO335 & PO 0018. I have had the Camshaft Bank Sensor and Crankshaft sensor replaced on [XXX] and this vehicle STILL has same check engine light on and is not receiving proper power while driving. I looked up recalls and found that currently recall 21 V331000 is in effect, this recall is a major safety issue especially being that I have 3 children that I drive around in and there may be a fire! I called Myrtle Beach Kia and the earliest they can get me in to service is a month from now, on [XXX]!! I feel that especially after everything I have been put through with this vehicle and the amount of money I have put out, that a loaner car would be offered to me to drive while waiting for them to fix the safety recall. Please contact me at [XXX] or [XXX] and please contact kia to allow a loaner vehicle to be used while waiting almost 1 month for the service. Thank You in advance for hopefully your concern and remedy to this. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11533448

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that after an oil change and driving approximately 1,200 miles, there was no oil in the engine. The contact stated that there was no visible oil leak. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.

NHTSA ODI 11532370

iT APPEARS MY CAR IS BURNING OIL, THERE IS NO LEAKAGE. I KEEP OIL CHANGES ON A REGULAR BASIS AND NOW CHECKING OIL LEVELS DAILY. IT IS USING 1-1.5 QTS EVERY 2 WEEKS. THIS PROBLEM WAS FOUND WITH LAST OIL CHANGE. MY CAR NOW SEEMS TO SEIZE WHEN TAKING OFF INCONSISTENTLY. I DON'T KNOW IF TWO PROBLEMS ARE CONNECTED. THERE ARE NO WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON. I CONTACTED CARTOWN KIA ABOUT 3 TIMES BY PHONE, LEAVING MESSAGES, AND ONLINE BUT NO RESPONSE.

NHTSA ODI 11531991

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power, stalled, and shut off. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to safely pull over on the side of roadway. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle restarted rough, but then started operating normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis, but no cause for the failure was found. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 41,000. The contact went to the dealer who was going to charge 1hr out of 3hrs, if they found anything wrong with the vehicle. They didn't find anything and released the vehicle to the contact stating they would not take off immobilizer, now and go do what u have to do. The contact stated because of this the vehicle was traded in.

NHTSA ODI 11531349

My son was driving the vehicle and was luckily stopped in traffic at a stop light. All of a sudden the RPM's dropped and the engine shut off. The car would not start and had to be pushed to the side of the road in heavy traffic. While waiting for a tow truck, we noticed the engine oil was completely dry. There had been no warning such as oil lights, engine lights, burning oil smells or leaking oil. The oil had just disappeared without warning. After the vehicle was towed to the local KIA dealer, we were told that the engine had seized. This vehicle has been maintained consistently since the day it was bought brand new. We have records from all maintenance that has been done on this vehicle. The local dealer told us it would cost $11,000 to replace the engine. Unfortunately, that was an expense that we could not afford so the car sits in non working order.

NHTSA ODI 11531225

Engine seized. No check engine lights on. Was driving and it made an awful noise and that was it. We have not drove it since. Took it to our local auto mechanic he refused to touch it. Told us it needed a new engine. We are an hour and half a way from a kia dealership. We can't afford to have ot towed that far. I am making payments on a car that i can not drive. I have called kia many times to see what to do. They said to have it towed to a dealership. We live on a limited income. I keep checking to see if my car is on the recall list it is not but should be. It has done what all the other engines that have been recalled have done.

NHTSA ODI 11528166

Kia Corporate Complaint No. [XXX] We bought a used but Kia certified 2014 Kia Sorento with 29K mileage in Jul 2017. Ran great but check engine light came on 3 times. Well before 100K mileage, we took it to dealer service department and we’re advised it was an ‘electrical problem’ that reported a false code. Each time the check engine light was reset. Car ran great except for the false trouble lights. We were told that if the light did not blink, not really a problem. At 120K mileage, we got a code and took car to local garage. Mechanic changed 6 plugs but advised that No. 6 coil may need to be replaced. At 122K miles, 3 weeks ago, we got a solid check engine light but with a serious female voice and pop up screen advising we get to Kia dealer. This time code was run by our local mechanic for clogged catalytic converter. We drove to Kia dealer and they ran code for fouled fuel injector for cost of $1,000. We left car parked at dealer and called Kia USA Corporate in CA. We got a complaint number with assurance Kia would contact us. Nothing in 3 weeks. Local dealer says no recalls of V6 engine but we see reports on line of a known fire problem. We fear driving car should the catalytic converter catch fire. Help! [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11527235

Engine control module when it fails vehicle will lose power and drops engine compression causing a danger to other traffic. I was on I-10 on Sunday morning at 60 mi. when all of a sudden it slowed down to 20mi causing other drivers too maneuver around me to avoid from colliding into my SUV. Had engine control module checked out and was advised me to take in to dealer to have it reprogramed or replaced. Either will be an expense I just cant afford replacing it would cost me over 2000.00 and reprograming any where from 200 to 500. If Im not wrong a recall for software added to engine control module was done around 2020 didnt that up.

NHTSA ODI 11525627

UNKNOWN. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF. WHEN I TRIED TO START IT I COULD NOT. TRIED TO JUMPSTART BUT STILL WOULD NOT START. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC AND HE ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED AND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS. RECALL #SC 147.

NHTSA ODI 11524627

Knocking Sensor Detection. Loud knocking noise associated with flashing check engine light.

NHTSA ODI 11523277

On 5/8/2023 I was driving on the freeway going about 70 to 75 MPH. All of a sudden the car stopped accelerating and the engine just stopped working. I costed somehow to the side of the freeway until a tow truck could arrive. There was no warning, until this happened. Car was running perfect up to this point. By the grace of God, I wasn't hit and no one was hurt. I honestly thought I was going to die and or take others with me. There was quite a bit of traffic and everyone had to swerve out of the way to avoid hitting me. This is a 2014 Kia Sorento that has been well cared for with 140K miles. Now I have no car. Being told I need a new engine that could cost up to $ 10K. This car is not worth that much.

NHTSA ODI 11521183

The contact’s son owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while his son was driving 65 MPH, the vehicle shuddered, and the engine seized. The check engine and the low oil pressure warning lights were illuminated. The contact’s son was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 91,089.

NHTSA ODI 11521051

In December of 2020 my vehicle stalled in the middle of turning. I lost all power and was not able to accelerate. After a tow to my mechanic no reason could be found and vehicle started and ran fine. No check engine or codes displayed. Then in July of 2021 same issue happened. I again had it towed to my mechanic who said it could be the timing but referred me over to my local dealership. At the dealership I was told it was the timing and spent over $4,000 to replace. Two days after picking my vehicle up there was oil all over my garage. Another trip to the dealer where they stated it was a faulty crankshaft seal and no big deal. A month later and I was still having issues. Prior to the work done by KIA I never had oil consumption issues. I was then told to do a combustion clean out which I did. Since then I have been dumping oil into the vehicle. fast forward to April of 2023. While on the interstate the vehicle began to shake and lost all power. After a very expensive tow home and to the dealer the diagnosis was engine failure that they are unable to tell from where specifically and again no check engine or codes displayed. I was quoted $10,000 for an engine replacement for a vehicle I still owed 4,500 on and is not worth as much as the engine

NHTSA ODI 11520594

The engine seized up. The issue may be due to a design problem with all Kia engines. Here's what the service technician at the Kia dealership told me: 1) There is a pin on the cam shaft that keeps it in place; 2) Over time it moves, and gets sheared off; 3) When the pin is sheared off, the cam shaft spins out of time; 4) That causes the valves to slam into the pistons and bends the valves; 5) After the valves are bent, the engine has no compression; 6) The engine needs to be replaced or the car needs to be junked. The service tech says he had seen it happen quite a bit with all Kia models. In other words, it's a design flaw. There are other ways to keep the cam shaft in place, which are used by other manufacturers.

NHTSA ODI 11520663

Was driving my kia sorrento and check engine light came car was acting as if it wasn't getting any gas took to autozone came bk with 2 codes and pulled out and my car basically powered down in the middle of the street a car almost ran into me...the police had to push my car down a waze so no one would hit me , my car won't start..battery was at good percentage...took it to the shop replaced starter and still nothing won't start..they figured out testing that engine was done for

NHTSA ODI 11518358

Engine overheated with no warning, Heater failed, Coolant wouldn't go through the system, replaced the T-stat, and it still continued to overheat with no warning or indication. I was driving with my 2.5year old in the middle of a busy street during the evening. Took it to a repair shop and was told they found coolant in the combustion chamber, and failed head gasket. They had to R7R both cylinder heads, replace the head gaskets, head bolts, t-stat, crank seal, oil pan gasket, timing cover gaskets and seals, Fuel injector - o - rings, fuel seals, fuel pump. They had to rethread and repair the bolts because they stripped. This was all fixed after i had to pay, $7,000. There was no warning lamps messages except for the 1 time overheating.

NHTSA ODI 11517841

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine. While accelerating, the knocking sound became louder. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was informed that the engine might have seized. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no additional assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11515401

Hi, I'm dealing with my Kia Sorento SX 2014, rpm and acceleration problems, for over two long years, sometimes shut off itself, some times codes shows up but no all the time, already changed spark plugs, High pressure fuel pump and the connector, two injectors, starter, MAP sensor, etc. My mechanic tell me today that I need to change the wiring harness, so everything is just guessing and spending crazy money, also the dealer don't know the exactly is the problem, already two years with this frustration and still don't know what to do, please I really need a very professional advice in this incredible situation, some of the codes that shows up, if I'm lucky are: P0087, P0506, P2096, P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, P0305, P0306, P0133, P0137 and so... but right now all of these disappeared, I read in the NHTSA web site about the problems with engine and electric components reported with this car in this specific year and I'm really worry about my family and my safety while I'm driving this vehicle, please, please, please... I already went to many different mechanic experts (Including the Kia dealership) and still nobody knows what's producing this lack of acceleration in the engine at the time of starting and its subsequent shutdown. Odometer: 200,000 km Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11513767

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle decelerated independently, and then failed to respond with the accelerator pedal depressed. The contact veered to the side of the road, and the engine started shaking and knocking. Additionally, the check engine and oil level warning lights remained illuminated. The vehicle was unable to restart and was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the crank shaft sensor needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the knocking sound persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

NHTSA ODI 11513230

I experienced a deceleration when I stepped on the gas pedal to accelerate on the interstate. I was going 65mph at the time. The emission control warning light came on so I pulled off the next exit and called the Kia dealer. I turned around and headed back to take it in for diagnostic service and repair when it started making noises so I pulled off onto an exit and the engine stopped shortly afterwards. I could turn the engine on but it would not go so I called AAA to have it towed to the dealer. The steering was difficult as well. The dealer said the engine needed to be replaced and the clock spring needed to be replaced (air bag warning light was on). This experience was dangerous and I was fortunate not to be in heavy traffic and in an area where there was a safe enough place to pull over. The car had 132,000 mi on it. The engine was replaced with a rebuilt 2014 engine but now the emissions control light just came on - not even a month has passed since replacement. I will take it in tomorrow for a diagnostic.

NHTSA ODI 11512298