2014 Kia Sorento
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 987 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 23 Sorento model years with reports.
Of the 2014 reports, 23 involved a crash and 46 involved a fire. 24 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideSep 25, 2023
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Campaign 23V652000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideMay 10, 2021
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will install a new multi-fuse, and inspect the HECU for leaks, replacing the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 2, 2021. This recall supersedes previous NHTSA recall number 20V-519. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC212.
Campaign 21V331000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideAug 27, 2020
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HECU for leaking brake fluid and replace the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. The recall began October 20, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC197.
Campaign 20V519000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsDec 19, 2018
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
Campaign 18V907000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engineMar 31, 2017
Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.
Campaign 17V224000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, axle assembly, axle shaftAug 13, 2013
Kia Motors Corp. is recalling certain model year 2014 front wheel drive Sorento vehicles manufactured January 7, 2013, through March 12, 2013; and equipped with 2.4 liter engines. Due to a manufacturing issue, the right front axle shaft may fracture.
A fractured front axle may result in a loss of power to the wheels. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked without the parking brake applied, it may roll away. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle shaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2013. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542 . Kia's recall number is SC099.
Campaign 13V356000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
51 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Seats, Jul 29, 2019
GOT IN MY CAR AND THE DRIVER SEAT BROKE. IT SITS SIDEWAYS AND CAN'T ADJUST SEAT. THEN I STARTED MY VEHICLE AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND HASN'T WENT OFF.
Air bags, Jul 26, 2019
AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND KIA SAYS THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE
Air bags, Jul 14, 2019
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION A FEW MOMENTS AGO. I HAVE SEEN QUITE A FEW OTHER KIA SORENTO 2014 OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUES.
Electrical system, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 1, 2019
MY REARVIEW CAMERA WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO. (IT DOESNT WORK MORE THAN IT ACTUALLY WORKS). THE CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL ARE SCRAMBLED EX. I PREE THE VOLUME UP OR DOWN, AND THE VOICE COMMAND ACTIVATES, I CAN'T EVEN MUTE THROUGH THE BUTTONS ETC. THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM ALSO CAUSES THE TAIL LIGHTS TO WORK/NOT WORK AND CONSTANTLY HAVE TO CHANGE THE BULBS BECAUSE OF THE BURNOUT. I'VE BEEN PULLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS. THE OTHER ISSUE IS THAT NOW THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON, SO I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S A GENERAL MALFUNCTION OR A RESULT OF THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. ALSO, THE A/C DOESNT WORK
Air bags, Jun 1, 2019
GEORGIA .... THE SRS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. THE ONE THAT LOOKS LIKE A PERSON IN A SEATBELT WITH THE BIG RED CIRCLE (AIRBAG) IN FRONT OF THEM.
Air bags, May 16, 2019
MY AIRBAG LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF . UPON RESEARCHING I HAVE COME ACROSS MANY PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME COMPLAINT YET NO RECALLS. IT ALSO SEEMS TO BE A COSTLY FIX. FOR A SAFETY PROBLEM.
Suspension, Air bags, Apr 29, 2019
MY AIRBAG LIGHTS GOING ON AND OFF WHEN IT WANTS TO , SOMETIMES WHEN STARTING IT WILL STAY ON , OR YOU WILL DRIVING IT WILL COME ON , WHEN YOU TURN THE WHEEL IT COMES ON, ALSO MANY TIMES BEEN REPORTED TO DEALER A POPPING NOISE GOING ON, DEALER SAYS THEY CANT FIND ISSUE '..
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Jan 29, 2019
TENSIONER BELT FOR AIR BAG RANDOMLY WENT OUT. ALSO BREAK LIGHTS CONSTANTLY STAYING ON. T GT EY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHY AT DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE WAS PARKED
Air bags, Dec 13, 2018, crash
TAKATA RECALL ON 12/6/18 I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MILES PER HOUR WHEN I REAR ENDED A STOPPED OR SLOW MOVING VEHICLE ON THE EXPRESSWAY. MY CAR WAS HEAVILY DAMAGED BUT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ISSUE.
Electrical system, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Oct 9, 2018
STEERING WHEEL ELECTRONIC CONTROLS(SPEED CONTROL, RADIO, ). AIRBAG LIGHT ON WITH NO COLLISION HAVING OCCURRED, REPLACED HEADLIGHTS TWICE IN LAST YEAR, BRAKE LIGHTS REPLACED ONCE
Air bags, Oct 1, 2018, crash
THIS IS A RESENT OF A PREVIOUS REPORT DATED 9/25/2018 COMPLAINT # 11131590. I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL TODAY 10/1/2018 @ ABOUT 3:10 PM FROM ALI SATING I SHOULD REFILE. ON OR ABOUT 8/15/2018, 11:45 AM I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR DEER ACCIDENT. A SMALL HEARD OF DEER BOUNDED OUT OF THE WOODS FROM MY LEFT, ONE DEER JUMPED OVER THE HOOD OF THE CAR. I WAS AT A SPEED AT ABOUT 40 / 45 MILES PER HOUR. I SWERVED LEFT AND HIT A TREE HEAD ON. THE CAR CONTACTED THE TREE ON THE INSIDE OF THE PASSENGERS HEADLIGHT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I CONTACTED KIA OF AMERICA TO ENTER A COMPLAINT. THE BOTTOM LINE HERE IS; KIA, A MR.JEFF STROUP, A COMPLAINT SUPERVISOR, HAS STATED THAT KIS HAS REFUSED TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY AND STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND HELP ME OUT WITH THIS COMPLAINT. IN MY REQUEST TO KIA I ASKED THEM TO SENT OUT A RESPONSE TEAM TO RECOVER THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE IT IS DEFECTIVE, UNSAFE AND A DANGER TO PUT BACK ON THE HIGHWAY. I TOLD KIA THAT THERE IS NO WAY I'M NEVER GOING TO PUT MY WIFE AND / OR OUR FAMILY, CHILDREN, BACK IN THAT VEHICLE.
Air bags, Sep 25, 2018, crash
ON OR ABOUT 8/15/2018 @11:45 PM I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR / DEER ACCIDENT. A SMALL HEARD OF DEER BOUNDED OUT OF THE WOODS AND ONE JUMPED OVER THE FRONT OF MY CAR. I SWERVED RIGHT AND HIT HEAD ON WITH A TREE AT ABOUT 45/50 MPH. THE CAR CONTACTED AROUND THE INSIDE OF THE PASSENGERS HEADLIGHT. "THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY". I CONTACTED KIA OF AMERICA AND SPOKE WITH A MR. GUSTAVO. A CLAIMS PERSON, AND OF COURSE TOLD HIM THE WHOLE STORY OF THE ACCIDENT. HE ASKED ME WHAT I WANTED TO HAPPEN / DO. I EXPLAINED THAT I WANTED KIA TO SENT OUT A RECOVERY TEAM TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT IS DEFECTIVE, UNSAFE AND A DANGER TO DRIVE AND THAT THERE WAS NO WAY I WAS GOING TO PUT MY WIFE AND CHILDREN BACK INTO THAT CAR. THEN ON OR ABOUT 9/6/2018 @12:08 MR. GUSTAVO CALLED ME AND INFORMED ME THAT KIA, MORE OR LESS, REFUSED ANY RESPONSIBILITY AND THEY WERE NOT GOING TO DO ANY THING TO HELP ME OUT WITH THIS VEHICLE. I ASKED TO BE PUT THRU TO A SUPERVISOR AT THAT POINT WHO IS A MR. JEFF STROUPA, CLAIMS SUPERVISOR # 949-468-4620. I EXPLAINED THE WHOLE SITUATION TO HIM AND THAT MY WIFE IS COMPLETELY AFFAIRD TO DRIVE THE CAR AND REFUSES TO PUT OUR CHILDREN IN THIS VEHICLE AS IT IS DEFECTIVE, UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY AND THAT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE DESTROYED. I ALSO TOLD HIM I WANTED HIM TO SENT OUT A RECOVERY TEAM TO PICK UP THIS VEHICLE. HE ASK ME TO SEND HIM PICTURES AND I DID SO ON OR ABOUT 9/18/2018. I ALSO HAD TO SEND MR. STROUP ANOTHER MESSAGE ON OR ABOUT 9/24/2018 @ 8/30 PM, MY TIME, BECAUSE I HADN'T HEARD BACK FROM AFTER I SENT THE PICTURES. I STILL HAVE NOT HEARD FROM HIM TO DATE, 9/25/2018 @ 248 PM.
Air bags, Jul 3, 2018, crash
"TAKATA RECALL" ON MAY 12, 2018 I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WHEN I WAS HIT FROM THE DRIVER SIDE REAR CORNER PANEL AT 70MPH AND MADE MY CAR FISH TAIL CAUSING MY CAR TO ROLL OVER FOUR TIMES AND THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AT ALL, ONLY AIRBAGS THAT DEPLYED WERE THE CURTAIN AIRBAGS, EVEN THOUGH THE CAR HAD FRONT END DAMAGE. I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT AS WELL ASAP.
Air bags, Jun 29, 2018
I BROUGHT MY CAR TO DEALER BECAUSE AIRBAGS WARNING LIGHT WAS ON. THEY CHARGED $124 TO DIAGNOSE AND RECOMMEND REPLACING DRIVER SEAT BACK TO FIX IT. IT WILL COST $2100. I DECLINED, THEN I SAW MANY PEOPLE HAD SAME OR SIMILAR ISSUE AND COMPLAINED ON THE INTERNET. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Apr 14, 2018
AIR BAG LIGHT ON, HEADLIGHTS WILL TURN OFF WHEN IN AUTO MODE WHEN I USE LEFT TURN SIGNAL STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS NOT WORKING OR WORK IMPROPERLY IE VOLUME CONTROL WILL CHANGE RADIO STATION OR ADVANCE TRACK ON MEDIA BACK UP CAMERA WILL BLACK OUT WHILE STILL IN REVERSE
Steering, Air bags, Feb 5, 2018
AIR BAG FLASHING ON AND OFF , STERELING HAS A NOISE CLICKING
Air bags, Dec 28, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SORENTO. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED, INDICATING A POSSIBLE FAILURE WITH THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (FRANKLIN KIA IN FRANKLIN, TN) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
Air bags, Dec 26, 2017
I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN BECAUSE THE SURE BAG LIGHT WAS ON. SHORTLY AFTER, I RECIEVED SOMETHING IN THE MAIL FROM KIA ABOUT THE AIR BAG RECAPS SO I TOOK IT IN. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME MY VIN WASN'T COVERED. THEY SAID THE PASSENGER SIDE BAG IS WHAT I AM HAVING AN ISSUE WITH SO THEY TURNED OFF THE AIR BAGS AND I'VE BEEN DRIVING WITH NO AIR BAGS FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS BECAUSE THEY SAID I HAD TO PAY FOR IT. IT'S $1400 AND MY WARRANTY HAD JUST RUN IT OUT.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Nov 16, 2017
IN THE PAST 3-4 MONTHS I HAVE REPLACED MY BATTERY TWICE THE 1ST TIME I HAD MY TRUCK ABOUT 2.5YRS SO I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT BUT I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AFTER REPLACING BATTERY WITHIN 3-4 MONTHS BATTERY WOULD DIE I WOULD GET A BOOST AFTER A FEW DAYS SAME THING HAPPEN AGAIN. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SEEMS OUT OF WACK WHEN I USE LEFT TURN SIGNAL MY HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OFF UNTIL I TURN THE TURN SIGNAL OFF, ALSO MY STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS WILL NOT OPERATE THE RIGHT FEATURE IE I WOULD HIT MUTE BUT IT WILL NOT MUTE BUT ACT AS IF IT IS THE VOLUME DOWN CONTROL AIR BAG LIGHT FOR PASSENGER WOULD COME ON EVEN IF NO ONE WAS IN THE SEAT
Air bags, Nov 6, 2017
KIA HAS LOTS OF ISSUES WITH THEIR AIR BAGS. FROM CLOCK SPRING TO SENSORS IN THE DRIVER SIDE AND SO ON. COMPANY DOES NOT TAKE CARE OF IT AND COMING UP WITH CRAZY ESTIMATES TO FIX, PLEASE JUST SEE HOW MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN MADE ON GOOGLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND KIA NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF IT WITHOUT A CHARGE UNTIL THEY FIX THEIR AIR BAG PROBLEMS.
Electrical system, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jul 27, 2017
AIRBAG SAFETY INDICATOR LIGHT REMAINS ON WITH PASSENGER SITTING ON THE SEAT: AT 80,000 MILES I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY PASSENGER AIRBAG SAFETY INDICATOR LIGHT. WHEN THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED, THE WARNING AIRBAG LIGHT, COMES ON AND REMAINS ON. I CONTACTED KIA AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THIS HAPPENED AT FIRST FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, AND NOW IT APPEARS TO BE HAPPENING INTERMITTENTLY. SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. SINCE 60,000 MILES I HAVE HAD A SHORT IN THE ELECRICAL SYSTEM OF MY VEHICLE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 2 DIFFERENT PLACES TO HAVE IT INVESTIGATED AND NEITHER MECHANIC COULD TRACE THE CAUSE OF THE SHORT. I HAVE HAD BLOWN FUSES, NON-WORKING HEADLAMPS, FRONT AND BACK. NO ONE COULD FIND THE SHORT. I KEEP SPARE FUSES WITH ME AT ALL TIMES NOW, AND 100% OF THE TIME, THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT IS NOT OPERATIONAL. I CONTACTED KIA CAR PROS IN CARSON, CALIFORNIA AND THEY TOLD ME THAT ANY WARRANTY COVERAGE HAD EXPIRED AT 60,000 MILES. DEFECTIVE AUTO LOCKS MY RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL NO LONGER OPEN AND WILL NO LONGER PERMIT INGRESS OR EGRESS INTO THE BACK SEAT. THE KEY FOB WILL TURN THE LOCKS TO THE OPEN POSITION BUT YOU STILL CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. PERIODICALLY, THE DOOR LOCKS WILL GO CRAZY AND MAKE UP AND DOWN MOVEMENTS WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN. OCCASIONALLY, THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WILL LOCK AND NOT OPEN, BUT THEN IT OPENS. NOW THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR IS PERMANENTLY STUCK IN THE LOCKED POSITION. KIA CAR PROS ALWAYS FINDS SOME EXCUSE FOR NOT REPAIRING THE DOOR UNDER WARRANTY. I BELIEVE IT IS DEFECTIVE AND THEY SHOULD BEAR THE EXPENSES.
Electrical system, Air bags, Jul 11, 2017
MY 2014 KIA SORENTO AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WITHOUT BEING INVOLVED IN ANY SORT OF ACCIDENT. AFTER THAT THE CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO STARTED MALFUNCTIONING. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT OF KIA OWNERS.
Air bags, Aug 3, 2016, crash
WAS GETTING READY TO MAKE A LEFT AND WAS T-BONED ON DRIVERS SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS OR SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ADJUSTER FOR INSURANCE COMPANY SAID IT LOOK LIKE THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE SENSORS.
Air bags, Oct 1, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH FROM A STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AT A LIGHT AND CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED RIB, CLAVICLE, ABDOMEN, SPLEEN, AND HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY REPAIR CENTER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.....UPDATED 10-27-15 *BF NO VIN AVAILABLE...UPDATED 4/12/18*JB *TR
Air bags, Jul 21, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH WHEN SHE BECAME INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT CRASH WITH A DUMP TRUCK THAT WAS TRAVELING 40 MPH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER WAS FATALLY INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000...UPDATED 07-08-15 *BF UPDATED 08/24/2017*CT