2016 KIA SORENTO Complaints

My heated seats stopped working when my new engine was installed and I took it to the dealership and they never fix it and charged me 200.00 and then my air and heat keeps coming on and off then I got my new engine installed

As I was driving on the highway, my car began to lose speed. I attempted to accelerate but nothing happened when I pushed the gas pedal. There were no weird noises or RPM changes as if revving. I pulled onto the shoulder and slowed to a stop. If there had been more traffic on the highway I would not have been able to get to the shoulder without causing an accident. There were no warning signs or indicator lights before the loss of ability to accelerate. When I restarted the car, an "engine control" system warning appeared on the screen. I continued driving, staying in the right lane with hazard lights. The same thing happened a few more times on my drive home. I would lose the ability to accelerate, pull over, turn off the car, wait a moment, turn it back on and drive until it happened again. The car has not been expected yet but I have noticed small oil puddles when parked, which hadn't happened before this incident.

Engine started knocking after an oil change. Taken to a Kia dealership, where they are refusing to fix the car, even with the class action lawsuit with a lifetime warranty on the engine. Engine needs to be replaced. Kia will not fix with the recall completed. No recalls showing on NHTSA or Kia websites.

Kia Case #[XXX] Dear NHTSA, I am filing a formal complaint against Kia America, Inc. regarding their failure to resolve a serious safety issue with my 2016 Kia Sorento. Kia confirmed my engine failure was covered under recall due to a known manufacturing defect, yet my vehicle has remained unrepaired at Allentown Kia for over four months, with no resolution from Kia corporate. Incident Details: On [XXX], while driving on [XXX] between Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia with my young son, my engine seized without warning, leaving us stranded in heavy traffic, creating a severe safety hazard. My car exhibited no warning lights or issues beforehand. This issue stems from a known defect affecting the connecting rod bearings, which can lead to engine seizure, stalling, or even fire—a defect Kia has already acknowledged under a class-action settlement. Kia’s Negligence & Ongoing Harm: Despite multiple efforts to seek resolution, Kia has failed to act: Over 15 calls to Kia customer service with no resolution. Multiple visits to Allentown Kia with no repair timeline. Multiple written complaints ignored by Kia corporate. Still paying my car loan for a vehicle I cannot use. No loaner vehicle or reimbursement for transportation costs. Severe emotional distress, especially for my wife, who struggles with anxiety and depression. Requested Action: I demand immediate action to hold Kia accountable: A definitive resolution—either a full repair or replacement of my vehicle. Immediate provision of a loaner vehicle or reimbursement for transportation costs. Financial compensation for ongoing loan payments on an unusable vehicle. Agency Action Request: I urge the NHTSA to: Investigate Kia’s mishandling of Recall Case #[XXX]. Hold Kia accountable for failing to prioritize consumer safety. Ensure Kia provides a resolution within a reasonable timeframe. Supporting Documentation: I have attached records of my communications with Kia corporate and the dealership, al INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5

Check engine light came on again after recall for engine bearing failure and engine block was determined to qualify for replacement by home Kia dealer , est July / August 2024 in North Hampton NH . After motor block changes the engine light came on and off while in Florida vacationing . Today’s date is February 17 , 2025 and my vehicle is presently in the hands of a local independent service center here in Florida . Other indicators recently noticeable were rough idle starting in the morning . The service center initially suggested problem might be injectors , and gasoline was noticeably in the oil pan . I’m presently waiting for a further / complete diagnosis from the service center . Relative to myself and my spouses safety further research on my own fire could be a potential with injectors causing a garage to be ignited and life threatening to us .

Received a notice of extended coverage regarding engine block concerns in September of 2024 took the vehicle in regarding a constant coolant smell when driving the vehicle. At that time the dealership checked out the vehicle and then proceeded to charge us for the appointment, even though the warranty extension clearly stated there was to be no cost incurred. After receiving the vehicle back we still experienced coolant smells while driving and informed the dealer accordingly. On [XXX] while driving to Henrietta Ok, the vehicle actually overheated while driving. We had to have the vehicle towed to our home. On Monday morning I contacted our Kia dealer and let them know about the event. On [XXX] we trailered the Kia back to the dealer, after I had performed the appropriate tests the dealer would be performing to verify a block issue with the vehicle. Once the vehicle was at the dealership they performed the same test with the same results I had received. They submitted their video evidence to Kia motors , at which time Kia motors requested a second block test be completed as they questioned the results. The dealership tried to duplicate the results to no avail. At this point Kia is not authorizing an engine replacement. We are three weeks into a process that Kia is well aware of the issue, but they will not authorize a repair. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The engine failed while driving. The dealer noted in case details they observed excessive scoring on the cylinder wall and damage to the piston ring, as well as a significant reduction in compression. Despite these findings the dealer and manufacturer said the repair "would not be covered under the PI campaign for engine failure" and "was not related to an engine rod bearing failure." Note that the dealer did not inspect the rod bearings. Worn or damaged connecting rod bearings can significantly reduce compression by allowing excessive piston movement and causing a leak in the combustion chamber. Moreover, excessive scoring on the cylinder wall indicates that the metal from failing connecting rod bearings has been scraping against the cylinder wall, leaving deep scratches and grooves, likely due to excessive wear on the bearings, causing significant damage to the piston and cylinder assembly. This model vehicle should have been included in the recall concerning connecting rod bearings that affected other Kia model vehicles.

Vehicle has paint that is delaminating in numerous places. It starts as a raised area then the paint just flakes off leaving bare metal exposed. My vehicle value has gone down and the cost to repaint is over $4000 because the damage is not isolated to one area, but is scattered across all sections of the car body. The paint color code is SWP, Snow White Pearl. We have been to the Kia dealership where the car was purchased new. They said we would have to call Kia corporate, which we did, but their answer was for us to pay out of pocket for repainting and then TRY to get reimbursed from them. Corporate told us they were not taking any action for paint beyond the 3 year / 36K warranty period.

We experienced a large oil leak from the vehicle. Towing it to the dealer, we are told the oil feed pipe to the turbo charger part number 282402gta1 has failed spewing oil out of the turbo area. There are many recalls for similar parts on other Kia / Hyundai Models with 2.0T and 3.3 engine models. The dealer is telling me this is not covered by KIA. This is a safety concern of oil spewing from the engine which can get on hot exhaust components as well as burning from the engine compartment. My vehicle is currently at the dealership waiting to escalate the concern.

Driver side headlight keeps going out. Bulb doesn’t blow and fuses are fine….take the bulb out and put back in and after a couple minutes light starts working again for a couple days before it goes back out. If you go to the passenger side and pull that one out the bulb is smoking.