general problems of the 2015 Kia Motor Sorento - part 1

My kia Sorento has the pearl white paint that began peeling 4 years ago. That is a known issue for kia vehicles made between 2013 and 2019. [xxx] . While this is not necessarily a safety issue, it is common problem that kia knows about. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

My car has been giving me problems for about three months now and we’ve changed about four or five parts on the engine/transmission and it’s still acting up. We’ve called the kia dealership several times to alleviate the problem but they are giving us the runaround about the three recalls that pulled up for the 2015 kia sorrento and they saying that we have to pay $150 for diagnostic per recall, which I don’t understand that if it’s not our fault then they should cover the diagnostic and the recall. We’ve contacted them on several occasions about the situation with my brake lights being on after I turn my car off and they stay on until my battery is almost dead. They don’t want to fix the hecu I believe the electric short that kia have been experiencing. This car is the worst car I’ve ever had. I’ve never had to experience anything close to what I’m experiencing with kia. They are an absolute disgrace it’s almost like they’re trying to pocket diagnostic money for themselves because there’s no way I have to pay almost $500 for three recalls, that’s no fault of our own. If I had the money to get another car, I would. They told us that we can trade it in if we come with a higher down payment, but I’m not able to do that right now so I’m just trying to get my car fixed until I’m able to do so. Please help us get our car fixed and the recalls serviced because andrew at kia country of savannah sounds like he’s irritated because we’re trying to get down to the bottom of them getting the recalls done. It’s like he’s just telling us anything to try to avoid doing the recalls. They also stated that when the car was dropped off, they didn’t find anything pertaining to the recalls whether y’all find anything or not you know that there are recalls for that particular car just fix it. Please help. We are not gonna stop until the car is fixed. I’m gonna keep reaching out. I’m gonna keep calling up there to see when it can be done because it’s costing us money that we don’t have.

I was on the highway with my family, when we started to smell smoke,and the car began to slow down I proceeded to get off the highway to pull over to the side the of the road oil light came on and some more signal came on . So my son told me to open the hood it was dark so I could not find the latch so he bent his head down and that’s when he seen fire he told everyone to get out the car. !,,,and we got away from the car that’s when the whole car blew up. Very dramatic night in which I had my grand babies,the fire fighter believes it was electric all,my insurance I missed my payment day. . So I had no insurance and I have no car.

Check engine light started coming on at about 39,000. Miles took to local mechanic who preformed lots of repairs and called kia for information concerning engine issue. Received notice of recall from kia on the hecu -instructing me to park truck away from home due to fire. Check engine light back on again at 41,000 miles, took to dealership where they replaced the hecu and fuel pump and fuel lines. Picked up truck and noticed when braking the truck shook all over and seem to almost stall when taking off. Check engine was back on and the alert of the system telling me I had an engine failure. Took truck back next day, again repairs of the pvb valve was done. Someone drove the truck of 180 miles on a check engine light and unplugged the battery. Got truck back and within 10 minutes the check engine light was back on and the system telling me engine failure and truck was unsafe to drive. Truck now at another kia dealership, after many conversation with kia the representative instructed me to tell the dealership where the truck was that the truck had a recall (supposedly) fixed. Called the dealership now tells me there is no fix for the hecu issue and they can not tell me the truck is safe to drive. I have not had the truck for now 4 months and kia doesn't know how to fix it. I have filed 4 cases against kia, they have not offered me a rental car or loaner and they do not have any expected date for me to get the truck back. I have files but it won't let me upload them for the receipts/ information from kia.

Driving at night on an unlit rural road with the high beam lights engaged, a car was coming in the opposite direction, at which point the headlights were switched to low-beams to not impact the visibility of that driver. The headlights and lighting of the cluster turned completely off for a few moments before the low-beam headlights re-engaged and remained on for the remainder of the trip. The headlights throughout the trip were turned on by having the auto function engaged. This has happened a few times before, but the possibility of having reduced/no vision while driving prompted taking it to a mechanic to be checked out. The issue has not been replicated by a mechanic, and to date has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. No warning signs had been present before this and other instances where the lights cut out as headlights are switched from high to low beams or vice versa. The vehicle has also been experiencing a battery drain that has yet to be identified. This has occurred within the last month, and two batteries have been drained within a month.

Engine seized while I was driving.

Lights are very dim, had to put in a brighter lightbulb. All of the sudden today the radio fm/am satellite and blue tooth stopped working. 12/22/22 - driving home the lights stopped working and I was driving in the dark with no lights.

Traveling back from panama city beach, on 10/14/2022 florida with a destination of 354 foster drive, ringgold, georgia 30736. At approximately 2:15pm, I had to pull off on the median of interstate 65 north bound at mile marker 123 in greenville, alabama due to mechanical failure of my 2015 kia Sorento. The vehicle was smoking/caught fire and had become inoperable. I had my kids get out a. S. A. P. A good citizen called for help. Two law enforcement cars and a fire engine arrived. Due to the trauma it caused on my kids a police officer provided transportation for us to the quality inn hotel in greenville, alabama. Later that evening we ordered a pizza from papa john’s for something to eat (receipt information included along with bank transaction page). We attempted to leave greenville, alabama and return home in a rental car while repairs were done to the kia. We were informed by enterprise rental in greenville, alabama that they were closed over the weekend and would not have anything available until Monday, October 17th, 2022. Unfortunately enterprise rental was the only rental car business in greenville, alabama and we would be stuck at the quality inn until Monday, October 17th, 2022. It was at that point that amy my father drove down from ringgold, GA to pick my kids up and take them home while I waited for repairs to be done to the kia or to get a rental car, whichever would come first. On Monday, October the 17th, I was informed that repairs to the 2015 kia Sorento would be prolonged. I then obtained a rental car from enterprise rental in greenville, alabama , and I continued onto to my original destination towards ringgold, GA. I arrived at our intended destination late on the night of October 17th, 2022. During our trip home, we were advised that the 2015 kia Sorento would be towed to brewbaker kia at 222 eastern blvd, montgomery, al 36117.

Unknown.

The engine started to sound weird and stopped in the middle of the road that couldve created an accident should there have been other vehicle iw as pregnant at that time we contacted kia and they wouldnt change the engine since we didnt replace the knock sensor but we never received the mail and they confirmed thag mail was not sent to us.

My vehicle was stuck in park. I noted that module 2 fuse was blown. I replaced the fuse and smelled smoke. I took my Sorento in to the local kia dealership for diagnosis. It was determined by a technician that the headlight level sensor and harness pigtail were both significantly melted. It was suggested by the tech to remove the level sensor and that has created a safety issue with the headlights pointing significantly low. The level sensor or headlight leveling system and harness connection are a potential fire hazard and if the component fails, this creates an additional unsafe driving condition with the headlights aiming low.

The running lights on the front and rear drivers side work half of the time, the plate light seems to turn off when they do. They'll come on for a split second and then go out, or on a good day they'll stay on. Seems like a short in the wiring. It could be a safety issue at night!!!.

Almost all of my tire/brake lights are on my dash, dealership said its the speed sensors in my back tires. A week later (with those lights still on) my parking brake light came on while driving and started a dinging noise, parked turned it off and back on the noise had stopped but all lights were still on. Dealership said speed sensors arent a serious issue to fix, however, my uvo diagnostics says its my abs/ebs system. Ive already had a blown engine and now have a lifetime warranty but, they are picking and choosing whats covered and what isnt.

Hello. Prior to receiving the recall letter around mid-July 2021, we had complained to the dealership about the engine humming after a ride and ac going on and off on July 17, I was scheduled to visit the dealership and take care of the recall. Although, I was scheduled for an appointment, nothing happened! the dealership did not have the component required for the recall. We then left and insisted to return the following day and requested that a diagnostic be conducted in addition to the recall on July 23. Following the diagnostic, the dealership told us we needed a new engine. It was a big surprise and a shock that a car which was serviced twice a year at this dealership, had 104, 000 miles and was only 5 years old, had a complete failure. The dealership provided a quote for the repairs and never mentioned the recall or how it could be related to the diagnostic they had just made. Upon consulting with my insurance company, usaa, their adjuster was able to establish that the mechanical failure my car was facing was closely related to the recall. Based on the assessment made by usaa on August 4, 2021, we now know the dealership knew that failure to receive the recall caused the mechanical failure. The quote the dealership presented me included and was consistent with damages reported in the recall. Why don't they contact kia, which is clearly liable, and want me to pay for a new engine? I need help to unpack this issue that has strained my resources, time and brought stress to the family car. A major risk associated with this overheating is fire. In light of this new information, I have contacted the dealership to discuss August 8, 2021. I also contacted kia USA on July 28 prior to establishing the connection between the recall and the mechanical engine. No response. I need help as school is reopening. We need the car to go the work. No help has been provided. Dealership is southwest kia#451/ lithia 39650 lbj, freeway south, dallas, TX 75237, tel: 469-772-7252.

Upon receiving recall notice , vehicle is a fire danger and I can not drive it. Living in the middle of the forrest makes having this vehicle in this high fire danger town for 2 months put not only my family and home in danger but my entire fire vulnerable community at risk. The company headquarters or dealership would not loan me a safe car nor remove this fire hazard from this community.

On June 23rd my 2015 kia Sorento with a 3. 3 l engine v6 started making noises and I called a dealership and they asked if it sounded like knocking noises and I said no it sounded more like exhaust noise within an hour my car was losing power it was idling very rough and I took it into the dealership and they said that I need ed an entire new engine. However I had been in there on June 14th and they told me that my oil level was good and there were no leaks but on June 23rd suddenly I had 0 oil in my engine and they were claiming that it was my issue however it is the exact issue that kia has had with this model and make but different engine. My car has 91000 miles on it I use full synthetic oil I had it changed 6000 miles ago it was fine then I have had the maintenance done on my car and there were 0 warning lights on my - for either oil or engine that is why I checked electrical I was told by the dealer that there oil lights and engine lights often don't come on when they have a problem with the car. This is a huge safety issue and if it's starting to happen on the 3. 3 engine this needs to be looked at immediately I know someone who owns the exact same year exact same engine and they have been dealing with this type of thing as well.

This is a continuing problem. I have previously reported this issue to kia and it has fallen in silent ears. For whatever reason my vehicle has been bone dry of oil. There is no warning that the oil is low. No indicator comes on. , nothing! this can happen immediately after an oil change. The oil does not leak on the ground and it is known where the oil goes. The only way I know that there’s is no oil is that the car smells as though something is burning. I have spent hundreds of dollars in oil trying to keep up with when it dry’s out. Also, the rear brake light (right) burns out at least twice a month. At one point the light burned into the housing unit and had to be pulled out with needle nose pliers. I have again spent a lot of money on replacing bulbs. This car is extremely unsafe and I feel at anytime the car will catch on fire.

While operating my vehicle I experienced sluggishness and power failure. Sorento became disabled on main road while driving to work. Vehicle was towed to the closest kia dealership where they performed a diagnostic test. Maintenance test and parts department revealed the that the power shortage was possibly from a brake fluid leakage inside the hydraulic electronic control unit (hecu). This also caused the engine to seize and the only remedy was a new engine. He also stated that the repair was not covered under warranty due to the open recall that was not completed. I did explain to the repair center that I was never made aware of any on going recalls from the dealer where I purchased the vehicle either by mail, phone call or email as well as from kia corporate. The parts department provided me with the contact information for kia headquarters to assist me. Kia headquarters provided me with a case number 14188680 and that they would contact the dealer and get back to me. After a couple days with no response, I called back with the case number, however, I got a new customer service rep. Who said that nothing has been completed yet. This went on for a couple weeks with me calling to try to get updates and contacting the dealership parts department who said that their headquarters has not contacted the dealership and that according to their policy with kia corporate the replacement of the engine would be at my expense. The estimated cost was quoted at about $8,000. 00 dollars. I told the parts department at the dealership that I did not understand, how could I be responsible if the engine was a defect and I received no word of a recall from kia. The parts department response was that is kia headquarters policy that they recall had to be completed or kia was not responsible.

While driving my car down the freeway going 77mph my car failed to shift while going up a hill and started making a knocking noise while in cruise control. Then out of cruise control the car made a loud bag and pop and smoked. We pulled over and the car motor had then been seized and would not start. Kia motor is declining to replace my motor based on the product improvement campaign of 18v907000 because they state that I failed to have the car inspected with this campaign. Kia motors told me that they sent the product improvement campaign notice to the previous owner in 2018 but that it was still my fault that the inspection was not done and the knock sensor wasn't added. I let them know I knew nothing about this because I never received the letter because it was not sent to me and I was not notified and the consumer affairs supervisor said it was still my fault for not calling kia when I purchased the car in 2015 to let them know I am the new owner and to give them my information.

Cut off in middle of the interstate start smoking.

Monitor that displays defogger & defroster is not displaying information. . . . . . . . . . This monitor is part of the vehicle's "multimedia system". . . . . . Which displays :: gps, radio channels, heating, air conditions, defrosting-defogger. . . . . I paid $700. 00 & $65. 10/05/2018 to replace this same "navigation/ multimedia system". . . . . Vehicle mileage then was 48,600. . . . This unit stopped working/ no longer displaying information January 2021. Then mileage of 87,000. . Elk grove kia said I would have to personally pay to have the multimedia system replace. The new system only lasted approximately 1 year, 6 months. . . . . I asked the kia dealership to replace or offer discount to replace this needed system. . . . . The answer was no ! I said to kia dealer that obviously the product installed was inferior. . (lasting less than a year. . . . The reply was the dealer is not responsible for the products installed in kia vehicles. I made a complaint to the bbb national programs- auto line. . . Kia2115737. . . . Bbb said my complaint does not qualify per their guidelines. . I am still without visual assist of the "multimedia system". . . . . Defogger/ defroster. . , gps,.

I purchased this vehicle less than 2 months go. I was driving on the highway and came to a red light. The car jerked and did not want to move when the light turned green. I came to a second red light and the light turned green as I press the gas the car shut off in the middle of heavy traffic. I could not get the car to crank again. I finally got help from someone who help push the car to a near parking lot.

Took my car to the mechanic for a second opinion regarding low beam lights shutting off when I turn on the high beams. This occurred frequently when using high beams. Also, my headlights (low beams) consistently burnt out. Had to install 2-3 new bulbs in each headlight (within 1 yr. ). Mechanic said problem is more than just the lights, the knock sensor was bad and needed more work than what they were willing to do and recommended me going back to kia. Driving home from my mechanic, I was on the surface streets to get on the freeway, a knocking noise occurred when accelerating, sounded like it was going to throw a rod, which led me to check the oil. My oil changes are completed on schedule and was not due for another oil change for 3,000 miles. The oil was bone dry. I put in 4 quarts of oil and drove on surface streets, back to my mechanic. Mechanic said it is about to throw a rod and that I needed to drive it slowly and get it to kia. As I drove the car home on the freeway, I was in the number one lane, passing a semi-truck in the number two lane, car started shaking, all the lights started blinking, the orange steering wheel warning light went on and the entire car completely shut down. I had to coast to the shoulder on the freeway. I had no hazards or blinkers. Tow truck arrived and checked my oil, he said there were metal shavings and barely any oil. Towed the car back to the mechanic and they said I needed a new engine. Had the car towed to my home and it now sits in my driveway. Prior and during all of this, not one time did any warning lights on the dashboard go on (other than the one steering wheel light when the car shut down).

2015 kia Sorento 2. 4 has had light bulb replaced twice in the year.

Radio came on by itself, passenger driver side window went down by itself, sometimes my cruise control will work other times I have a hard time getting it to set. The vehicle was in motion on the highway. Engine oil was black even though I just had an oil change.

My steering column is off center which makes my car or tires shake unless I go a certain speed. My rear view camera never works, screen goes black, but outline shows. The electrical issues with my headlights, rear, brake and reverse lights are always going out. I have to replace them constantly. I hate going to the carwash because I fear that my lights will go out and I will have to replace the bulbs again & again.

My vehicles rear facing camera has a black screen. The lines are still there and it seems like the sensor is working but the screen is completely black. At first this seemed to be an intermittent problem only happening one or two times a week. Now it will not come on at all. The vehicle starts in park and when put in reverse the screen turns black but shows the lines for my car.

Regular driving lights are always dim making it difficult to drive in dark roads and highways. Regular lamps are constantly burning out, have replace lamps countless of times since I've owned this vehicle. In December I replaced both low beam light and I just notice both are burnt out once again.

Electrical malfunctions inside the vehicle when you start up (I. E. Driver seat heating up, panel flashing, fuel ignition taking off sparadically when the car is in motion on city street, rear brakes screehing when in motion,(city street) car constantly requiring a charge up of the battery and replacement of batteries when stationary, exterior lights remaining on excessively after car is turned off, hood of car extremely hot to touch, liquid residue on driveway from rear brakes after the car is parked after use. When the car is stationary for 1 day or more the battery shorts out. When the car is in motion on city street the accelerator has a tendency to idle up and then resume back to normal.

My 2015 kia Sorento ignition went out and I had to have it towed into the dealership and cost me right at $500 for a new ignition. Making me leave with two keys, my original key will only operated the door and then new key operates only the ignition. My factory fob is no longer a part of the working ignition. I am seriously unhappy and find this hard to believe being that my kia has less that 88k miles on it.

The low beam bulbs keep burning out in the front headlights. I've replaced them four times in the last year. I took the vehicle to a dealership to see if they could diagnose what was wrong with it. The looked at it and they told me that they found a burnt harness in the lamp assembly and that the whole headlamp assembly would need replaced at an estimated $1100.

The contact owns a 2015 kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be inspected for the tpms (tire pressure monitoring system) warning light being illuminated. The contact was informed that the tires functioned as designed and that no defects were found in the tires. Neither the manufacturer nor the dealer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

My car started stuttering and then the check engine light came on and started flashing. Got the code read at a kia dealership and it was determined through a diagnostic that we needed a new engine. We replaced the engine and the car is still stuttering and having gas mileage issues. When the check engine light flashes, my gas mileage is affected and when the check engine light stays on, my vehicle runs normal. My vehicle starts stuttering at around 30-35 mph, when it's first started and driven, it stutters. My check engine light will also randomly start blinking when driving on the freeway and loose power momentarily, then when I accelerate, it feels like it's choking or sputtering and struggling to maintain speed.

I was driving the car and then it slowed down to 40 mph and cut off on the highway. I cranked it back up and it made a weird noise. I called a tow truck. Took it to the shop and they said the engine needs to be repaired. There is no way that it should be having motor issues. The oil has always been changed on time. Also I have to change the headlight bulbs on the left and right.

Occasionally the air conditioning blows on the floor, even though the controls are set for upper vents. Seems to happen on trips more than 2 hours. Once you turn off vehicle for about a half hour and then restart it, it seems to correct itself.