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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 987

Of the 2014 reports, 23 involved a crash and 46 involved a fire. 24 people were injured and 1 person died.

Primary concernEngine388 reports · 39% of complaints
Owner complaints987Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship6 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Engine388
  2. Structure160
  3. Electrical system153
  4. Other or unspecified147
  5. Exterior lighting86
  6. Service brakes84
  7. Power train72
  8. Air bags51

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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: electrical system

153 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Electrical system, Oct 30, 2013

    THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE IS A SMALL RED LINE WHICH IS INVISIBLE IN EITHER SUNLIGHT OR WITH DRIVER WEARING SUNGLASSES. THERE IS NO WAY TO SEE WHAT MY SPEED IS. ESPECIALLY A PROBLEM SETTING CRUISE CONTROL AS I HAVE TO REMOVE MY GLASSES, TAKE MY EYES OFF THE ROAD, TO SEE HOW FAST I AM GOING IN ORDER TO SET THE CRUISE CONTROL. THIS ISSUE IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON KIA SORENTO FORUMS. PLEASE REQUEST KIA COME UP WITH A SOFTWARE UPDATE TO CHANGE THE COLOR OR INTENSITY OF THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE. *TR

  2. Electrical system, Sep 26, 2013

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SORRENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE COULD SEE THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NEEDLE WAS THE WRONG COLOR AND IT MADE IT DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE THE SPEED BEING TRAVELED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180.

  3. Electrical system, Sep 9, 2013

    CPSC:X1380106A. 2014 KIA SORENTO. CONSUMER STATED THE CONCERN IS NOT BEING ABLE TO READ THE ELECTROLUMINESCENT SPEEDOMETER IN THE DAYLIGHT. *LN THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SEE HOW FAST HE WAS GOING. THE SUNLIGHT GLARE MADE IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE AND IT REQUIRED HIM TO TAKE HIS EYES OFF THE ROAD FOR UP TO FIVE SECONDS.