2014 KIA SORENTO Complaints

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the traction control, ABS and the tire pressure warning lights remained illuminated. Additionally, while operating the vehicle, the power steering inadvertently deactivated and the steering wheel would become difficult to turn in either direction. During the failure, the power steering, battery, and air bag warning lights were illuminated. The cause of the failures was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were both notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Approximately 8 months ago noticed while driving that the headlights didn’t appear to be on while driving with normal low beam lights. High beams worked fine. Replaced both low beam light bulbs with Sylvania standard Kia recommended replacement. 1-2 months later after driving at night, lights still dim. Replaced with $90 Halogen set, still not illuminating road. Took to Kia dealership (where purchased) to have them check lights, said that entire headlight assembly for both lights need replacement for $2,489.00. Aftermarket priced at $335/ea!!! Service manager confirmed apparent problems with burned out headlight assemblies.

Recall notices have been sent to us regarding possible airbag deployment, electrical issues, and now HECU controls and the ABS system. Each time we get a notice, we contact the Kia dealerships in our area for repairs. Every time we have tried to bring in our vehicle for safety recall repairs, the dealership has made it impossible to do so. For example, when we called to make an appointment for one recall notice, we were told that no action was needed unless we heard a loud banging noise coming from the engine. We stated that we heard weird noises but not a loud banging. We were told that the dealership cannot do repairs unless we show evidence of the banging. Also, there have been electrical problems with the car since we bought it – the buttons malfunction, the airbag light is always on, etc. This was not regarded as evidence of need for repairs. For another recall notice, we were told that the repairs could not be completed because they didn't have the parts. We received the Safety Recall Number 21V331 on Friday July 17 and have tried repeatedly to contact Kia of Cerritos in order to make an appointment for repairs. The dealership does not answer their phones in the service department. At 2:30 July 19, I got through to someone in the service department. He said he would make an appointment to complete recall repairs but instead put us on hold and transferred us to a full voicemail box. We are very worried about the safety of our Kia Sorrento. This is our family car. Given the ongoing recalls and history of Kia failing to provide safety repairs, I think this may qualify for the Lemon Law. This recall notice indicates that an engine fire may occur. The airbag light is continuously on. I am concerned for the safety of my family. We do not feel safe. I have contacted KIA Consumer Assistance Center and opened a Case #14271977 but they have failed to reply.

Pealing paint on roof at windshield and along passenger pillar. Reported same to Kia dealership at which they confirmed the paint pealing is an issue, but they would not repair due to vehicle being outside paint warranty period. There is currently no safety concern, however if the roof at the windshield rusts through, the structural integrity of the vehicle will be compromised.

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking, and a loud knocking sound was coming from the engine. The contact pulled over on the side of the road and the vehicle loss motive power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed that there was rod bearing wear and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was 123,000.

2014 KIA SORENTO EX was manufactured w/ poor to very low headlights. The required bulb for the standard headlights is the H7 bulb on this vehicle... It is NOT ACCEPTABLE and the driver cannot see with any distance at all and turning is a complete hazard and accident waiting to happen as the lightning is so poor you can't see anything when turning. I have studied, reviewed, read and worked to try and ensure we got the best possible light and there simply is a poor electrical wiring design for this specific vehicle. I adjusted the Headlights UP as far as I could and it still made no difference at all in my viewing field. How could the NHSTA allow KIA to get away with coming to market w/ these POOR Headlights? We have to drive around at night now w/ the High Beams On at all times in order to see properly. That is unacceptable! The Driver should not have to purchase an LED Bright Light Kit and have to Re-Wire the vehicle because of being provided a lightning system that doesn't work and is an extreme danger. KIA should have to recall every single one of these vehicles and provide " sufficient " lighting that meets SAFETY protocols for headlights and the field that is to be illuminated. How is nobody aware of this and why hasn't it been addressed? It's outrageous and I've never heard of any vehicle having to use High Beams to see driving down a straight road let alone in heavy traffic and or or on a winding road. Is anyone listening and or are Safety Standards now a thing of the past. Shame on KIA, they know of the problem and have done NOTHING to correct it. KIA Brake Speed Sensors fail routinely and should also be a RECALLED Item. We've had all of the Brake Speed Sensors fail on the vehicle and now we've had to pay out of our pocket to replace these faulty items. It's ridiculous....they were covered under warranty until 60k but that is NOT sufficient! There has been about three (3) separate recalls for this vehicle relating to brake issues.

During the spring of 2019 the paint above my passenger side window began chipping and peeling. As of 07/23/21 there are now addition spots above the windshield, frame of windshield, and hood that have began to chip and peel. The first area is now rusting and I am unable to get a carwash without having big chunks from the roof peel. I did get a quote from a Kia dealership for the paint repair since it is beginning to rust. I will upload that quote.

The headlights are so dim that it is extremely dangerous to drive at night. I went and bought the $50 bulbs and it still looked like I didn’t turn my lights on. It looks like I drive with candlelight. Also the bulbs burn out about 3-4 months.

Kia refused to issue a recall for a known problem & refuses to fix vehicle & reimburse for unnecessary repair costs--have contacted their consumer center many times but they will not address problem--below is initial complaint I made on 06-09-2021, the first of many & all ignored to date: 06/09/2021 06:45:06 I have unnecessarily spent about $1000 replacing original factory equipment that was not faulty/not the problem all because you knew about the problems on the 2014-15 Sorentos but chose not to issue a recall to correct (as told by Master Tech at the local dealership)! Labor & parts bought/replaced: alternator, starter, relays. A few mths ago vehicle would start up fine on 1st drive of the day but after 1st stop of the day (as little as 5 mins!)vehicle would not even attempt to start up again! This happened multiple times & I found myself stranded in an essentially still new vehicle (note low miles for a 7 yr old vehicle)! All in all I replaced the above mentioned parts but problem continued so finally took it in to dealership for diagnosis, which they found no codes or problems! A service mgr mentioned that Nissan had similar problems (but they issued recalls unlike Kia!) where the frequencies would interact/interfere with those of neon stop lights??? Cars would simply shut down on the road/busy intersections--danger!!! I noticed that this happened most when I am at my mail center which is close to a medical clinic & at the bank--both of which have high frequency medical equipment/security systems??? I am a disabled vet on a fixed income & to have spent money unnecessarily when YOU KNEW OF THE PROBLEM & REFUSED TO ISSUE A RECALL you are liable to reimburse me in full for all the money I am out & the emotional/physical distress caused by your product & decisions! FIX MY CAR!

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle needed a jumpstart for the vehicle to start-up on several occasions. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.