general problems of the 2014 Kia Motor Sorento - part 1

I am filing an official safety complaint against the manufacturer for refusing to perform federally mandated safety recall repairs on my vehicle. My vehicle is impacted by critical safety recalls involving high-severity fire risks, specifically the hydraulic electronic control unit (hecu) electrical short circuit risk. Corporate customer care and my local authorized dealership have officially refused to schedule or perform these safety recall repairs. The representatives explicitly stated that my vehicle is denied service because I purchased it used from a third-party private owner, and because I do not possess complete historical maintenance records. The manufacturer is conflating civil class-action lawsuit requirements with federally mandated safety recalls. Under the national traffic and motor vehicle safety act, a manufacturer cannot legally condition or deny an active, free safety recall repair based on a vehicle's third-party purchase history or maintenance records. Due to poorly trained employees at both the dealership and customer care offices, I have faced constant misinformation that has wasted an immense amount of my time. Because this non-compliance has caused a severe safety hazard to drag on for an extended period, I am also requesting that a loaner vehicle be provided immediately until this vehicle is made safe to drive. The manufacturer has logged these denials and communications under an active corporate file, which I can provide directly to investigators upon request. I request that the NHTSA investigate this non-compliance and instruct the manufacturer to immediately authorize the local service center to perform all open fire safety recall remedies without cost or penalty.

This is a follow up submission to NHTSA case #xxx. Organization under complaint: hutchinson kia, [xxx] complaint summary: the dealership is utilizing unfair and deceptive financial gating practices to avoid its legal obligations under a federal safety recall. The dealership refuses to look at or evaluate a vehicle subject to an urgent fire-risk hecu safety recall unless the consumer first authorizes a $189. 00 diagnostic fee. The dealership refuses to give a firm, legally binding commitment that this fee will be waived for a confirmed recall component. Instead, they require the consumer to assume all financial risk upfront, stating the fee will only "likely" be waived based on their own internal, unverified findings. This creates a high-pressure trap where the consumer is forced to sign away financial rights to access a free, federally mandated safety remedy. The dealership is weaponizing a acute shortage of independent import and specialized repair facilities in the macon, GA market. They are aware consumers have almost no local alternative venues to get an independent, affordable cross-check scan, and are using this regional monopoly to coerce consumers into signing open-ended diagnostic authorizations. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

This is a follow up of NHTSA case# 1840444. Complaint description: vehicle exhibited active can-bus communication timeout code dtc c1642 targeting the hydraulic electronic control unit (hecu). Following the official technical safety guidelines established under NHTSA campaign 20v519000 (kia sc197), an isolated parasitic current draw test was performed between the engine junction box positive power post and the abs2 circuit terminal. Testing across three independent iterations utilizing a digital multimeter confirmed a continuous localized parasitic draw of 218. 6 ua. This dramatically exceeds the manufacturer's maximum safety engineering threshold of 70. 0 ua by over 312%. This quantified excessive amperage draw conclusively isolates an internal circuit board short-circuit condition caused by a failure of the internal hecu brake fluid seals. The vehicle presents an immediate network communication failure, brake malfunction, and thermal/fire risk. Kia corporate must be compelled to immediately authorize an expedited, zero-cost component replacement under the active safety recall mandate.

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.

The contact owns a 2014 kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the contact stated there was condensation coming out of the exhaust pipes. The contact was stopped by another driver and was informed that the condensation coming out of the exhaust smelled like a bakery. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not inspected. The contact was informed that a diagnostic test was needed and was provided with the cost of the diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA campaign number: 17v224000 (engine and engine cooling) and NHTSA campaign number: 21v331000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that a diagnostic test needed to be performed and that there was a cost for the diagnostic test. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

I have had nothing but issues with my kia since I purchased it may 30th, 2023. It's continually stalling, completely looses power, sometimes won't operate at all. My kia is very unsafe and completely unreliable. I had to have it towed to the dealership before my first payment was even due. My kia has has to be taken to the dealership a total of 5 times and still nothing has been resolved, other than oil change, diagnostic testing, spark plugs replacement, "fuel system service", hecu fuse installed. As of today's date (June 19th, 2025) I still owe close to $12,000 on it. This is utterly ridiculous and needs to be resolved ASAP. It has been continual issues from may 30th, 2023 through current date (June 19th, 2025). In 15 months I have only been able to drive it 4,876 miles. That's how unreliable it is. I need help getting these issues resolved ASAP.

The contact owns a 2014 kia Sorento. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was a ticking sound coming from the vehicle. Later, on the same day, while pulling into a friend’s driveway, the engine began making a knocking sound. The contact decided to drive to the residence nearby, and the engine started knocking again, eventually causing the engine to fail and the vehicle to lose motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the rods had failed due to excessive rust, causing the rods to knock. The dealer stated that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not yet fully inspected or diagnosed. The contact informed the dealer that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulic) and asked that the recall repair be completed; however, the dealer had not confirmed completion of the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was 147,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

The contact owns a 2014 kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled further than normal intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the failure could not be replicated. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the hecu had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000.

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.

The contact owns a 2014 kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the vehicle stalled with the check engine and the abs warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted; however, the failure recurred. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 148,000.

The contact owns a 2014 kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and refused to schedule an appointment. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

The contact owns a 2014 kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she smelled a burning odor in the interior of the vehicle. The traction control and abs warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulic), and the VIN was included, but parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was unknown.

The contact owns a 2014 kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the abs and traction control warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The VIN was included, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 32,000.

The contact owns a 2014 kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulics); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact stated they drove the vehicle home and noticed there was gas leaking from the undercarriage. The dealer was made aware of the failure and diagnosed the failure being a crack in the high pressure fuel pump which needed to be replaced and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000  . Parts distribution disconnect.

Every light is on in the dash compartment. Power steering goes in and out. Brake lights not working even after being replaced. Car stuck in park unable to put into reverse. Abs/ airbag light showing- abs sensor replaced and still not working recall in 2022. Kia repaired vehicle and now that same issues are occurring kia refuses to even look at vehicle without payment of 180. 00 to just look!.

The contact owns a 2014 kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An unknown warning light was illuminated. An unknown local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 71,895. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2014 kia Sorento.  the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000(service brakes, hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirm parts not available.

The contact owns a 2014 kia Sorento.  the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000(service brakes, hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirm parts not available.

The contact owns a 2014 kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2014 kia Sorento sxl. The contact received notification NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the parts to do the repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs as the recall notice was received several months ago. The local dealer was notified of the recall notice and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms part not available.

The contact owns a 2014 kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000(service brakes, hydraulic); however the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2014 kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel independently turned to the left. The brakes failed to operate as needed. The vehicle slowly stalled and rolled to the shoulder of the road. The message that no key fob was detected was displayed, and the engine seized. The contact replaced the battery in the key fob. The contact started the vehicle. However, when the contact shifted the gear shifter into drive, the steering wheel independently turned to the left again with unknown warning light illuminated. The engine seized again. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2014 kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and smoke was coming from the engine before the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to move the vehicle to the shoulder and had the vehicle towed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,000.

The contact owns a 2014 kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, she became aware that the headlamps were extremely dim, severely compromising nighttime visibility. The abs warning and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulic), and the VIN was included, but parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. VIN tool confirms parts not available. The failure mileage was unknown.

The contact's husband owns a 2014 kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2014 kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2014 kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000 (service brake, hydraulics); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2014 kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact's wife owns a 2011 kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulics) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2014 kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the check engine, the mil, and the abs warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2014 kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2014 kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2014 kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2014 kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

1. Kia sold me the car with open recalls. And did not disclose this. 2. I’m still paying on it and they had to replace the motor on 01/31/23 recall. 3. They again sent the car home with an open recall sc212 because they didn’t have the part to remedy the recall. (brakes) 4. My brakes went out luckily in the parking lot. 5. Called kia customer service they gave me the run around hung up on me left me on hold 27 minutes first. But I finally spoke to a supervisor and they agreed to have it towed to mike shaw kia were I had purchased the car and who had done all maintenance and recall work. 6. Mile shaw called me and now wants 75. 00 to even look at my car. I have a11 yr old daughter and myself I have to take to school and work. This is a major recall I refuse to jeopardize my child’s life in this vehicle but I cannot afford to pay them anything plus the car payment insurance. And now I’m walking on top of all this.