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: engine
406 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 19, 2024, fire
The contact owned a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, it had caught fire causing the entire vehicle to burst into flames, from the front end to the rear end. The fire department was called and extinguish the fire. The fire department determined the fire had started from the engine. A police report was filed. There were no injuries and no medical attention needed. The fire caused damage to both vehicles on each side of the vehicle, the parking space, and the building the vehicle was parked in front of. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 101,430.
Steering, Engine, Nov 8, 2024
My vehicle has always been well-maintained with the dealer with regularly scheduled oil changes. On the captioned date, my vehicle failed the state emissions test. Immediately after leaving the testing facility, the check engine light came on and the engine began to rumble. The vehicle barely made it to the Kia dealership. Kia told me the entire engine needs to be rebuilt for $6,500 and that may not even solve the “timing” issues.
Engine, Oct 18, 2024
Our 2014 KIA Sorento keeps burning through oil. We were told by the dealership to have an oil combustion chamber cleaning. We had bought the extended warranty and have maintained the recommended maintenance on this vehicle. This is a $700.00 (maintenance not covered by warranty). Come to find out, this cleaning might not solve our engine issue and our vehicle might continue to burn through oil. Or even fail the test, and we are the ones responsible for fixing the problem.
Engine, Oct 15, 2024
My check engine light came on so I took it to the dealership (10/02/24) and the code was P2190. They did the recall for the 23V652. It was completed and light was off. The light came back on that Thursday evening with the same code. I took it back to the dealership on Friday morning. They kept it over that weekend. It was first the fuel injector but they wasn't sure so decided to keep it and check it again when it was cool. I called Saturday for an update and stated they needed to keep it til Monday. I called on Monday and received a text that I didn't have any oil in the car. Which was not accurate because everything was checked with them on Tuesday and they had the car the entire weekend. They stated they replaced the oil and the engine light was off. They said the car was burning oil and I needed to replace the engine for 10k. None of this made any sense. The light came back on a few days later and I have been checking the oil every day and oil is still in the car. The same code had been displayed for the check engine light. "System too rich at Idle Bank 2". I have not had any problems in this car since I had. I am still checking the oil because I am nervous it will blow up while driving but this is my only transportation. I just wanted you all to look into it before I have to give this car up. Thanks (I paid $180 for a diagnostic with no resolve).
Engine, Sep 17, 2024
head bolts broke and ran hot,
Exterior lighting, Engine, Sep 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the headlights failed to function properly. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was also illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 174,000.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 7, 2024
Left out for work one morning as normal. Everything was ok no lights no warnings no problems. I was driving approximately 25-30 mph when my speed began to decelerate, a knocking noise, the check engine and oil light came on and my vehicle just stopped. After about 10-15 mins I could restart the car and drive to a safe parking lot off the street. When I started the car back up the knocking sound was even worse. In the parking lot, all the fluids were checked and there was not one drop of oil in the engine. I took the vehicle to the shop and was told the engine was done. It would need to be replaced. The mechanic explained that there had been a problem with the engines burning up oil in the 2011-2014 Kia's. Thankfully, I was on a local road during morning travel, not the highway. I shudder to think of what may have happened if I suddenly started to decelerate at highway speeds and was hit by another vehicle.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 2, 2024
when I purchased the vehicle the check engine light came on the day after. It would come on and off as I would start and turn off the vehicle. The salesman told me that the check engine light was still on because they had just serviced it and it needed to be reset. No driving problems occurred until a year later. I took the vehicle to be diagnosed three times by three different auto mechanics. There was a recall on the vehicle that is no longer a recall. The Kia dealership service department told me that I would have to pay thousands of dollars to do a engine breakdown to see what the root problem is. The vehicle will not drive far anymore so I do not drive it and I'm still paying for it.
Engine, Aug 31, 2024
Check engine light started blinking then a lot of knocking started from the engine. How it won’t stay started and the knocking it’s a lot louder. Someone told me sounds like the engine bearings
Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 26, 2024
Whilst driving on the interstate,the vehicles engine shut off with no warning. Rpm and everything was as normal and the vehicle shut off with no gas power, nothing. Engine and oil lights started flashing heavily, engine started rattling. Upon checking battery all was normal, car started smelling of burning under the hood
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil. While approaching a stop, the vehicle shut off. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the engine oil was backing up through the muffler and the vehicle was losing motive power. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the failure was due to the battery, alternator, and starter, and that an oil consumption test was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact removed the battery. The contact noticed that rodents had been chewing on parts in the vehicle. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 22, 2024
See attached document for complaint.
Engine, Aug 19, 2024
See attached document for complaint
Exterior lighting, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 24, 2024
Coolant, oil compression, runs hot, to over headlights need replaced frequently
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 12, 2024
I was driving on the freeway in traffic with my 3 children returning home from a holiday weekend vacation, it was high 90's so the A/C was running and I had devices charging on the ports. We were 1.5 hrs into our drive and the vehicle failure came out of nowhere. Car has been in good condition and normal operation previously. Suddenly the entire dash flashed, flickered off then came back on with check engine light illuminated and battery symbol also on (very faintly), felt a minor kickback and car started slowing down until it stopped. I was able to get over and pull off to the shoulder to avoid incident but this could have easily turned into a very bad crash with a less experienced driver behind the wheel or if we had been going faster. Prior to this happening there was no warning of an issue with the vehicle - temperature check was in center between C and H, oil pressure was normal, no warning lights on dash, plenty of fuel and car was not due for an oil change for another 40 miles. Once I pulled over and stopped, turned off the car, it would not restart. Not enough power to turn over the engine. We had to call AAA and have the car towed home 35 miles. I had the vehicle towed to the Kia dealership and they are stating that it is not covered under a current recall or warranty extension and are seeking over $12,000 to replace the engine. I feel like my vehicle 2014 Kia Sorento SX V6 with 3.3L engine needs to be looked into for recall and warranty extension on the engine.
Suspension, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 9, 2024
Was driving to the store for groceries with my 2 young children, when my car just stopped accelerating and the engine seized up on a local road. Had noticed a ticking and knocking sound when accelerating a few prior and a weird sound coming from the suspension but it was dismissed by the dealer. Had the vehicle towed to my home and had to tow to dealership as it would no longer turn over at all. Received a recall notice but apparently it doesn't apply to my vehicle because I had oil, coolant and no leaks anywhere. Only had 127,000 mold and this is the 4th issue I've had with this vehicle. 1st was rats chewing all my wires, 2nd was the rear differential, 3rd fuel pump, and now this.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 17, 2024
I own a 2014 KIA Sorento 2.4L LX FWD. I have been experiencing a problem with my car for about two years. This usually occurs when driving up a hill and the transmission downshifts and I experience a jerk, either from the transmission or engine and the rpm drops to zero. The transmission will not shift from the last shift point. Most times it will be in the drive for final gear. You can increase the vehicle speed by pushing the accelerator all the way down. We were coming back on vacation two years ago and was driving in the left lane on an interstate. I experienced the symptoms and the rpm dropped to zero. No downshift or up shift. I managed ti find an opening in traffic to get over in the right hand lane and exit. Once I came to a stop, I tried to accelerate but engine struggled. I turned off the engine and was able to restart the engine and it operated properly. Had rom, transmission shifted properly. This was an unnerving situation. I felt very fortunate that I did not have to evade a dangerous situation on the interstate since the transmission would not shift and I could press the accelerator to the floor to gain a little extra speed. Any help will be appreciated. Thank you.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle was making an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the sound was louder whenever the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced due to bearing wear. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Engine, May 30, 2024
Have already applied several times about my engine and what happened started out with crank sensor going out and cause my engine crash and stop running should have paperwork did on March 2023 applied several times still no request back from any company need hear from NHTSA not yet would like to no what was the results never heard back thank you
Other or unspecified, Engine, May 29, 2024
I took my Kia to Thomas Kia on April 12, 2023 and paid a total of $3321.93 for an oil change, fuel injection flush, engine oil flush, drive belt, oil pressure switch, front valve cover gasket, passenger brake bulb, high pressure ac line, cooling system flush, 6 spark plugs and plug assy-spark. I could not drive the car almost three months later I took my Kia back to Thomas Kia and was told it had a bad spark plug, a blown head gasket, oil leak into the cooling system and that would be an additional $6500. Are there any recalls that can help me?
Engine, May 25, 2024
My oil keeps running out. Had this problem for over six months. Took to the dealership but keep getting the run around. They said, it wasn’t a recall for that but it’s been reported that certain vehicles was having this problem.
Engine, May 18, 2024
My Grand daughter' car. May 9th 2024 discovered engine oil is in the engine coolant system. KIA tech says it a blown head gasket or the threads that were machined into bolt holes in the engine block for the head bolts are pulling out. Safety hazard, engine could have failed on interstate or in traffic and posed a threat to driver and others traveling on roadway. No warning of any type.
Engine, Apr 29, 2024
Engine failure similar to other Kia Engine Class Action Lawsuit
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 20, 2024
While driving car it suddenly lost acceleration. RMP's wouldn't go above 1.5. Speed wouldn't go above 20MPH. Check engine light came on. Was going up a hill with lots of cars behind me and suddenly could barely move. Made it to an Advance Auto and they ran diagnosis on the check engine light and it came up with 2 different codes, relating to fuel system and crankshaft. When I got the vehicle to my local mechanic they saw the codes also, and that the car had gone through 4 quarts of oil. I wasn't at the mileage for an oil change yet, so not sure why oil was almost gone. Mechanic did and oil change and issue was still not fixed. Stating engine needs to be replaced. I have several other people with Kia's who have also recently expirenced massive oil consumption and engine dying. Car was running fine prior to just going into "limp" mode randomly. However I have had a battery issue with this vehicle since day one of purchase. I have been to several mechanics including a Kia dealership with no one being able to pinpoint what is draining the battery. I have had to replace the battery 6 times in 3 years, with my vehicle being dead every other day and sometime every day from Oct-Mar.
Engine, Apr 17, 2024
My car started overheating, then started a clicking noise and smoking. Took it to the Jackson, MI KIA dealership. Service Tech said I have a blown head gasket, but KIA discontinued the V6 motor, so I can’t get a new motor. I searched online, found out the V6 motor was discontinued because of this very issue. There was a class action lawsuit/settlement, but it was before I purchased this vehicle. What if anything can be done ? I feel duped. None of the salespeople told me about this issue.