KIA Complaints

I own a 2017 Kia Sorento SX 3.3L V6 FWD with 68,000 miles and full documented service history. The HECU (Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit) failed, disabling the ABS and electronic stability control system. This is a known defect covered under Kia's settlement for some Sorento vehicles with identical HECU components. Despite the same defect occurring on my 2017 model, it was excluded from the settlement without justification. I paid out of pocket for the HECU replacement which cost $2645. This is a serious safety defect affecting the braking system. I am requesting NHTSA investigate whether the some additional 2017 Sorento models should be included in the existing settlement or subject to a separate recall given the identical nature of the defect across model years.

Vehicle caught fire while idling unattended with seat warmers activated. The driver seat ignited and fire spread across the seats to the headrest in the backseats and sunroof area. No one was inside the vehicle at the time. Multiple eyewitnesses confirm no one was near the vehicle. Surveillance footage captured the incident. Police report confirms no arson or external cause. A campus officer noted the fire may be related to the seat heater system. Vehicle is currently undrivable due to severe interior fire damage.

Seats allow drivers to save seating positions for different drivers. Seats automatically return to the last used saved position when the vehicle is turned on. This seat movement cannot be stopped or overridden without finding and activating the seat position controls on the left side of the seat base. If the driver does not find these controls in time, they can become crushed against the steering wheel or other surfaces. Seats do not respond to resistance and motors continue increasing torque until the controls are activated or the final saved position is reached. Problem is easily reproduced and may be related to recent fatality in Hyundai Palisade which likely shares components from Hyundai Motor Group.

3 times my car has been in for rotors my car is not even a year old 10/25 resurfaced rotors 1/26 brand new rotors 3/26 rotors warped having to resurface the new rotors this shouldn’t be happening on a new car I don’t ride my breaks I have had new cars all my life never had break issues

1/24/26 -- While driving ~25-30mph (~2 miles from start of trip) car produced “Engine Management System error” and within a minute or so “Check Hybrid System. Stop Safely” warning and went into electric only mode, limp mode. Turning off the car and turning back on temporarily enabled the gas engine to run. Dealer reviewed fault codes and stated vehicle was now running correctly. ~800 miles and less than 30days later the same problem occurred again. 2/17 – While driving ~30mph (~1mile from start of trip) the car produced a “Engine Management System error”. At this point I was approaching a traffic light and stopped at the red light. Decided to return home and attempted to turn right on red at the light. When I hit the gas to turn, the gas engine did not engage, the car limped forward a few feet in electric mode, and the car started beeping with the “Check Hybrid System. Stop Safely” warning. If I had less less space when turning right, or the car would have a moved a few feet farther, I would have been hit in the intersection by an oncoming car. Thankfully I had left a lot of space and my car did not pull that far into the intersection. I turned the car off, when I turned the car on again, the gas engine engaged, and I was able to slowly drive the 1 mile home. Car was then towed to the dealer 2/18 for repair. As of 3/17 dealer still has the vehicle (so do not have a second repair invoice) and waiting on an Customer Care escalation from KIA as dealer recalibrated the Hybrid module but can't recreate the issue after driving 400miles. This issue leaves the car in a limp mode with a significant chance of causing a accident, I was almost hit, when there is loss of ability to accelerate at any meaningful rate or drive any sustained distance.

The instrument cluster software on this 2023 Sportage Hybrid EX AWD was never updated prior to sale. Software version USA.S5W_M.V008.001.220504 (dated May 2022) was confirmed via the vehicle system information screen on March 17, 2026. A Kia Consumer Affairs supervisor confirmed on a recorded call the same date that this version predates recall SC270 by approximately one year, and that the vehicle is missing all software updates from fall 2022 through 2024. The supervisor further confirmed the OTA system cannot bridge this gap and dealer intervention is required. The vehicle was purchased from the selling dealer on June 13, 2025 — over two years after SC270 was issued in May 2023. The dealer had software update capability since spring 2024 per Kia's own records. The recall has not been completed as of the date of this filing. Safety risk: instrument cluster may fail to display tire pressure, warning lights, and critical safety indicators upon startup per the recall description.

The ICCU unit failed and the car first slowed and then stopped. I was able to pull off the road at an intersection. A tow truck had to jump charge the battery to allow the car to be shifted into neutral in order to pull it onto the tow truck.

Was trying to drive EV. As soon as I pulled out of driveway it gave me a warning sign; to check electrical system/stop vehicle and check power supply. I couldn't drive car anywhere, had to get it towed to dealership. When tow truck arrived we couldn't turn car on, it had no power. Mind you, I had full charge on EV.

The car had a complete engine failure at 92,000 miles. I was the second owner so this was not covered by any warranties. Well serviced and maintained vehicle.

Eccessive oil consumpion. I related it to the dealir who did not want yo do anything about it. I present this problem yo the dealr beginning of 2024 and sid not wanted to do anything but instructed me yo gather my receipt and come back. By yhe time i pulle all my record 10 yaer of car maintenanxe iy took me yime and i was necer told yhat after 10 yers yhw warrant will expire and thw miles qhere noy valid anymore. I went by the miles knowing that i could do somwnthing about unyil 100,000 miles. When i went back to my dealer, the dealwr had cl9sed down so i yook yhe cae yo anoyher dealer and was yold couldnt do noti g and i should i called costumere caee. I have been calling molyiple yime but no cooperarion on their hand. Knowing yhat i went thwr early yo rwport thw issue thwy are srill noy taking reapo sability. I am reaxhing out for hwl as the car consume an eccessive amount it keep smelling brurning smell and oild needs to be added ever 1000 mile. Please guide me o. How to proceed 8184724019 if u need to reach me. Thanks for ur help in this matter.