Engine Failure Problems of Kia Motor Sorento - part 1

Coolant and oil are mixing. Coolant was over flowing from the reservoir. High oil consumption. Oil was just topped off about 1000 miles ago and is very low on the dipstick now. Coolant mixing with oil seems like the issue the 2016-17 3. 3 v6s are experiencing with the stripped head bolts. Head gasket/engine failure is imminent. Extend the warranty to all 3. 3 liters not just 2016 and 2017 (15 years/180,000).

See all problems of the 2015 Kia Motor Sorento 🔎.

2017 kia Sorento. Consumer writes in regard to engine failure.

See all problems of the 2017 Kia Motor Sorento 🔎.

Engine shut off without warning while driving. My wife was driving and was able to roll off road thankfully. She was on a very busy road and was in serious risk of injury along with the cars behind her. Did not start back up. Battery had power. Found out engine failed! verified by mechanic. Called kia corporate customer service number and was told the engine will not be repaired. 125,000 miles. No warning lights came on. This is absolutely wrong of kia! shame on them!.

My daughter was driving on the highway and the car stalled scaring everyone in the vehicle. When I took it to the dealer they said there is a misfire and most likely the piston ring is bad and engine needs to replaced . The vehicle was consuming alot of oil prior to engine failure .

2/26/21 engine failure cylinder 4 loss of compression possibly due to debri in the engine during assembly. P0304 code misfire in cylinder 4. I have called other kia dealerships to ask if anyone else had this same issue and they told me yes. Johnstown PA, team kia where I was towed to informed me of the same issue involving cylinder 4. I was driving to pittsburgh, PA on the PA tp absolutely loss power climbing the mountain. I was going approx 70 mph in the left lane with cars and tractor trailers behind me. Luckily I was able to get to the right side to pull over and check out the codes. I always carry a engine code reader in my car. I had researched the multiple issues with the 2. 4 liter engine associated with debri in the engine. I feel this failure has something to do with that. I have done my maintenance on my vehicle since I drove it off the lot in 8/2012. I have all repair and recall records associated with my vehicle, I have done all the recalls associated with my SUV. I have all receipts for oil changes, transmission & front and rear differential changes. I have used bg-44 products to keep my engine valves clean and clear of any deposits. I have used super unleaded to clean the fuel system, at every oil change I pull the throttle body off and clean it thoroughly. There is no way that everything I have done could have caused this failure with cylinder 4. I do believe there is a breakdown in workmanship with this engine. I am having my mechanic tear it apart and check to see if the cylinder wall is scored from debri at the time of assembly and push this back on kia for reimbursement of the engine. I will update this safety complaint as I find out from my mechanic.

See all problems of the 2013 Kia Motor Sorento 🔎.

It started like a low sound from the engine when I tried to speed up three days before Monday. And this noise was growing while driving on road. The car slowed down gradually and stopped the engine. The mechanic helped me reach my apt and parked after he changed only the starter, he said engine failure due to defeated bearing.

See all problems of the 2011 Kia Motor Sorento 🔎.

The engine failed in the middle of the freeway all of a sudden with fumes coming out of the bonnet.

See all problems of the 2016 Kia Motor Sorento 🔎.

Tl- the contact owns a 2013 kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 60 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic where they diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The mechanic then printed out information about NHTSA campaign number: 17v224000 (engine and engine cooling) which the mechanic linked to her failure. The contact then called NHTSA where she was informed that her vehicle was not included in the recall. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. Jo.

Engine trouble. Engine failure and stalling problems.

See all problems of the 2019 Kia Motor Sorento 🔎.

At 103,000 miles, my 2011 kia Sorento had catastrophic engine failure with no warning. It was deemed to be an internal engine failure, known by kia, however they refused to include my VIN in the recall. I paid 2700 for a replacement through the kia dealership. 2 years later, at 1240,000 miles, the second engine failed. Again, no warning lights, simply driving forward at 60mph when it stopped. Kia refuses to cover anything again.

In 2018, while driving, my 2011 kia Sorento with 101,000 miles, the engine completely stopped with zero warning. It was deemed an internal engine failure and while kia had a known engine issue, they refused to include my VIN in the recall. I paid out of pocket to have the kia dealer install a kia supplied engine. 2 years later, with 20,000 miles, the same issue happened again. While driving at 70 mph, the engine failed. Fortunately I was able to get to the side of the highway and good samaritans stopped to help push me out of harms way. Again, kia will not cover the repairs. Fortunately I could smell the hot engine and immediately called for a tow rather than try to restart the engine, after learning the engines burst into flames.

I noticed that the engine fan kept running occasionally when I would turn the car off. Then I noticed that the thermostat would sometimes run very hot, and that was when the engine fan would continue after vehicle shut off. I took the vehicle in to the dealer to get it checked out, and they shared that it was total engine failure due to the head studs pulling out of the engine. This was causing coolant to get into the engine and burn. The vehicle had 130,000 miles at this time. It turns out because of the head studs stripping out, antifreeze was getting into the engine. The engine needed to be replaced. Total engine failure.

I have had complete engine failure while driving and also paint chipping in several areas.

Vehicle was in motion when the engine failed on a major highway. Replaced engine 2-3 years ago for the same reason, turned into local kia dealership and they refuse to replace the engine saying its not covered under warranty. The dealership is refusing to do a full inspection of the engine. Contacted kia consumer affairs and they're also refusing to let dealership perform a full inspection of the engine to determine cause of failure. Vehicle has been at monroeville kia since 06/12/2020 and they have been extremely poor in keeping us updated of progress or not. Kia recall number sc147 NHTSA number 17v224000.

See all problems of the 2012 Kia Motor Sorento 🔎.

While driving on the highway a clicking loud clicking began. Several dash lights flashed. The vehicle was pulled on to the shoulder and turned off. The car refused to start. Several attempts to jump the battery were made. The car was towed to a mechanic who diagnosed the issue as engine failure, specifically the engine rapidly consuming the oil.

Car stopped running, while driving. Was towed to repair center. Was told engine failed and needs to be replaced at a cost of 5-10,000 dollars. This car only has 66000 miles.

See all problems of the 2014 Kia Motor Sorento 🔎.

Tl the contact owns a 2016 kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine failed and the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer kia garden grover located at 13731 harbor blvd, garden grove, CA 92843, who diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 140,000.

I was driving on the interstate at about 70 mph. The engine light started flashing and the car lost power. I was able to get to the shoulder. I tried getting to the next exit but even doing 15mph I could hear a noise in the engine. I shut the car off and called for a tow. The car was towed to my mechanic who looked at the car. He called to tell me I had engine failure. He called kia and gave them my VIN. He said they confirmed my car was included in the engine failure group. I then had the car towed to the local kia dealership. A day later they confirmed that my car needed a new engine. They submitted things to kia. Told me it would take 3 business days for an answer.

Engine stall on freeway at high rate of speed, engine light began to flash and now makes rod tap noise. Towed to mechanic who diagnosed engine failure. Stated the technical advisory on this vehicle maintains that premature engine failure remains in this year vehicle as well as prior years that have been recalled.

Total engine failure at 50 thousand miles at highway speeds. Transmission acting funny & shifting hard in weeks prior to engine failure.

At the beginning of August 2019, my air conditioner started putting out hot air. I had my oil changed at the kia dealership on 8/16 and they did the usual safety check and they didn't mention anything (I forgot to mention the air conditioning). On 8/25 I was driving home and it was very hot out and the a/c was still not working. I noticed as I pulled into the driveway at my home, the engine temp gauge was fully on "h" hot. I decided to take it back to the kia service the next morning. After they reviewied it, they determined I had "catastrophic engine failure" which was why the a/c wasn't working. My model was not specifically recalled at the time. They determined it was covered by the extended warranty and they are putting in a new engine completely. This is still a serious safety concern with kia engines overall.

Tl the contact owns a 2012 kia Sorento. While the contact's daughter was driving 70 mph, the engine completely failed without warning. The vehicle was towed to hart kia (1361 e main st, salem, va 24153, 540-444-4444) where it was diagnosed that the engine failed. The contact was also informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 17v224000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 118,000.

On 8/1/19 while driving on a road in stamford CT, the car turned completely off. I had to slam on the brakes and attempt to stop the car. Once the car stopped, I put it in park and turned the key to the off position. I waited for 3-4 mins and then turned the car back on and it started without an issue. This was the second time that this has happened this year, the other time was about 2 weeks prior in monroe NY. In sept 2018, the car engine was completely replaced because the engine had failed. The car turning off while driving was the first indication - it happened multiple times prior to sept 2018, and since the dealer was unable to replicate, they deemed that nothing was wrong. In August 2018, the car turned off again while driving on the highway and did not turn on again. It had to be towed from madison, CT to stamford CT where it was determined that the engine failed. I had to wait almost a month for a new engine and now we are experiencing the same issues. With the exception of 8/1/19, every single time the car has turned off, I have been driving with my young children in the car - they are now 5 and 8. This is incredibly frightening to be on a highway and the car turn off. In 2018, I would only drive in the far right lane near the shoulder in the event that this situation would happen again. I will begin driving once again in the right lane only because I do not wish to be in an accident because of this car's continued faulty engine issues.

Bought the car in 2018 March I have a 2017 Sorento. Have done regular 5000 oil changes. Kia said it was sludge in engine, however there are metal shaving inside the the oil and sludge caused by crank shaft. As of now no recall. Out of warranty by 5000 miles. Current situation waiting for "good faith" help appeal. Was denied stating not maintaining oil changes. Got proof provided to service dept and waiting for decision. This could have gone real wrong. No engine warning light no oil lights ever came on. Thankful I was not driving on highway( with baby )and engine could have shut down. I heard knocking and took it directly to kia. They kia service dept advised not to drive so I left it there. I have a rental and its been a week today. Still waiting for answer. The whole reason buying this kia was for a reliable car for my family. It is 2 yrs old no reason engine failure. My problems are similiar to other reports I have read so there is a major issue with Kia Motors.

2013 kia Sorento ,,, 120,000 miles one owner, regular maintance on time. Engine failed on hyway , my mechanic said its a recslled engine. Towed to kia , after two months of back and fourth phine calls, kia said its not a recallled engine. The probkem is kia sent nobody to inspect engine , and they run you around on phone. Not happy.

2nd complain for kia engine. Dec. 2017 my engine seized. I spent on 5grand for a rebuilt engine. Original complaint was electrical system did not give me any indication that there was an issue with my oil or engine. Driving down a main street where my car suddenly died. I had to pull off to the side of the road. I was able to restart it. Once it was restarted you can hear loud clicking from the engine. Fast forward to a year and 4 months later. Rebuilt engine on Feb 2018. . Car died again on 7/16/19. Once again no indication that there was a problem with my car. No oil light. I was driving on the highway when my car was not picking up on accelerating. I decided after work I put some oil into my engine. Schedule an appt with my mechanic to have my oil changed. The next day my car would not start. Had my mechanic tow my car and later tells me that it was my engine again. Stated he could find an engine for over 3grand for me. Unfortunately I do not have the money. I am now out of a car again with a newborn and trying to find rides to and from work. I just recently moved and cannot afford this. My VIN is not listed in the recalls and it should be. Kia has faulty engines and it is not just the one engine. Last engine failure was at 65000 miles. This time it is at 69000 miles. Why are my oil lights not coming on when there is low oil? why was this problem not fixed to begin with??? other problems with my car is my handle in the back seat pulled off (I am not that strong) electrical system (oil light not coming on, cruise control knocks out while driving, volume control for radio randomly calls contacts) kia is a lemon but I don't have the money to repair a 2nd and probably 3rd engine. I don't even trust my car with my kia dealership anymore because they are crooks and liars. I still have 10grand left to pay for this car!.

Vehicle shut down while stopped at a red light and the engine began smoking. Towed to the dealership (kia country if savannah) where they had 14 other 2012 kia Sorento waiting for new engines. Major catastrophic engine failure. Slug in the engine even though there has been routine oil changes. Claimed the engine wasn't getting oil but oil had been changed the day before with no reported issues.

While driving at approximately 45 mph the car turned off with the brakes and steering wheel locking. Luckily I was able to coast down the small hill to the side of the road. This incident took place on a two-lane city road. I had two passengers in my car at the time. The vehicle was towed to a local dealership with the diagnosis of engine failure (seizing). The vehicle was just picked from service the day before and there was no indication or warning that I would experience any safety issues.

Tl the contact owns a 2014 kia Sorento. While driving 70 mph up a hill, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal to the floorboard; however, the vehicle started to decelerate to 40 mph or less. Also, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the bearing rod inside the engine failed and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and was towed to jim shorkey kia (located at 12900 us-30, irwin, PA 15642, (724) 241-0176) where it was diagnosed that the bearing rod inside the engine failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: 13201482. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

I had the motor replaced in Jan 2018 for engine failure rod knocking metal shavings on the dip stick, it just shut off going down the interstate and now its the same issue again, going down the interstate started knocking and the car just shut off. No oil on the dip stick again with metal shavings.

Last fall 2018 I received a letter and had a ksds sensor installed 28 Dec to detect and prevent engine failure. 22 Mar 2019 the ksds kicked in and the car was difficult to drive. It completely stalls then lets you accelerate a little and drive really slow. If you accelerate too much it again stalls for a few seconds. Luckily my wife was only 2 miles from home traveling ~40 on a side road (not highway). If this were to happen on the highway seems like a major hazard. Having the engine seize with the real issue is probably worse. We took the vehicle in immediately to the dealer, who gave us a loaner, then called us back the next day to say the vehicle was covered for the extended warranty and the engine would need replaced. Couple weeks later we checked on and we were told they were done with our vehicle. They did something to the wire harness and a test on the engine to say the vehicle was ok. I asked the dealer and kia CA for the following explanation: 1. Why did the ksds kick in and why is my vehicle ok now? 2. Did they do something (disable) to prevent the ksds from kicking in again? 3. Did they enhance it to better detect a more serious problem? what exactly did they do with the wire harness/ksds? 4. How quickly can the real issue happen? 5. Will my car still be covered by the lifetime warranty? 6. Is it safe to drive on the highway? got a run around and no answer. After several weeks I took the vehicle back. I won't drive on the highway, especially the wife, kids, grandkids. I found the TSB 1802w/x and 1803w/x and it indicates interference on the w/h and was replaced. So did my ksds kick in because of interference and not the real problem? regardless is it safe to drive on the highway with this ksds? whatever help you can provide would be appreciated, thanks.

"engine failure recall" and rod bearings not properly working. Was on the highway driving when car started making a tisking noise, it would get louder as accelerating so I began to exit the highway. I became increasingly loud and the temperature starting to increase. I parked and at this time it was shaking and very loudly. Recall stated correct year and model but not covered! engine not replaced however the problem is in line with the recall.

I own a 2011 Sorento (not a gdi engine) that experienced a spun rod bearing and engine failure (engine limp). My sons were driving on the highway in our kia Sorento when without any warning, the engine failed. Thankfully, my sons were able to safely transition off the highway through high-speed traffic in "limp mode". My sons were quickly able to find online complaints and diagnostics duplicating what they had just experienced - spun rod bearing. I was instructed by kia corporate that I should tow my vehicle to a kia dealer for official diagnostics ($140). The dealer confirmed the car experience a spun rod bearing and engine failure requiring a $6,500 engine replacement. It has come to my attention that my model is not included in the kia engine recall. I don't understand the recall limits when the rod bearing defect causes the engine failure regardless of the engine type.

I took my car in to a kia dealership recently for preventative maintenance, and because I noticed that it was not driving as smoothly as usual. I was told that nothing was wrong with the car, but, there was a product improvement campaign for which software was updated on my vehicle. Approximately one month later, I was out of town in my vehicle, and all of a sudden the engine light began to flash, the rpms went down, the transmission appeared to slip, and the car was essentially disabled. The kia service department that I brought it to explained to my husband that the "product improvement campaign" -- where the software was added to my vehicle was due to the fact that kia knows that the engines have issues, and may have catastrophic failure early, and because of this, they have designed something to put the vehicle in a 'limp home mode', so that it is not further damaged. Because this has not been called a recall -- even though kia has full knowledge of engine issues -- a vast majority of kia oweners of the affected vehicles have not had this software update, and are at risk of their engine failing at high speeds, endangering themselves, their families, and others. This is an absolute public safety issue. Additionally, just replacing the engines is not enough, these vehicles need to be completely recalled. Many are still being financed, and owners owe thousands of dollars on vehicles that will have to carry a salvage tag, and be worth pennies on the dollar due to having an engine that it was not manufactured with. Please hold kia accountable for their irresponsibility, and consumer fraud.

The engine failed to start. The vehicle was parked on the street during the work day. The vehicle was towed to a kia dealership. We were initially told by the kia dealership that a new starter was needed. Once installed the dealership said the engine ceased. The engine only had 88,299 miles on it. The motor had to be replaced. There was no indication that something was wrong with the engine. Routine maintenance was made to the vehicle. Luckily we bought an extended warranty we we purchased this used vehicle and there was no out of pocket expense. However you are at the warranty company's mercy on whether or not the repair is covered. Although it took some time, we were covered.