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, Feb 4, 2023
On Saturday, January 21st my Sorento started to make a strange noise. On Sunday, January 22 my check engine light came on. I took my vehicle to my normal mechanic first thing Monday, January 23rd morning. He said the check engine light was on because I needed an oil change. My most recent oil change was just over 3,000 miles ago using synthetic oil. When they performed the oil change they found that there was only a half a quart of oil in the vehicle. My mechanic made me aware of issues that Kia has been having with over consumption of oil and told me to contact the Kia dealership. My Kia ran normally the duration of Monday. Tuesday, January 24th when i went to take my kids to school the vehicle went into limp mode and would not go over 20mph. The Kia dealership is taking no ownership of the issue regarding the over consumption of oil due to the GDI engines. Something needs to be done for all of the people suffering financial hardship due to engine failure not To mention being without a vehicle for an undetermined amount of time.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 26, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle overheated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the thermostat was replaced twice; however, the failure recurred. The contact related the failure to TSB: SC147. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by a dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000.
Engine, Jan 26, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving and attempting to make a turn, the vehicle temporarily lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the cause of the failure could not be determined since there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH uphill with her daughter in a car seat in the rear seats, the vehicle lost motive power, stalled, and failed to restart. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to push the vehicle to the front of his residence with the assistance of her husband. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000. The contact stated that other 2014 Kia Sorento vehicles are included in the recall for faulty engines but for some reason their vehicle does not apply.
Engine, Jan 23, 2023
As I was driving vehicle suddenly started knocking and came to a hault. Battery was completely dead and I was no longer able to restart. Repair shop has confirmed engine is no good. My vehicle only has 81,000 miles no understanding how my engine has seized when I have had frequently oil changes. I'm am very frustated.
Engine, Jan 20, 2023
I dropped my daughter off school, upon leaving and heading toward the freeway, I was unable to accelerate past 20mph, had a vehicle behind me almost hit me and my child because I lost forward acceleration and was unaware and could only use my hazards to signify that something was wrong and I wouldn't be able to make it up the hill. I then turned the vehicle off when I reached a safe place to pull over. Let it sit for 5 min, as this happened last year and was informed it was the throttle body, which was replaced. Upon turning vehicle back on, all seemed well, I drove toward the freeway again amd within 3 minutes the check engine light turned on and I lost power again. Was unable to drive more than 20mph We recently dealt with this exact issue with our 2013 kia Optima and it was due to a recall and they replaced the engine as it was malfunctioning.
Engine, Jan 18, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 121,461.
Engine, Jan 16, 2023
Car has around 90,000 miles and is consuming excessive oil. Original Mechanic ran diagnostics and notes that the gaskets are deteriorating and metal shavings are present in the engine, which could cause it to seize. Check engine light has been on, and an error message from the auto diagnostic system came on saying there might be an engine problem. Car is now at the dealer.
Engine, Jan 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact was able to coast off the nearest exit onto the side of the roadway. The vehicle failed to accelerate and was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000.
Engine, Jan 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle started stalling with the check engine warning light flashing. The contact was able to pull over and had the vehicle towed to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The check engine warning light was reset; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 210,000.
Engine, Dec 16, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, the contact stated that he was left on hold. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000.
Engine, Power train, Dec 15, 2022
I have had a lot of issues with my engine. Took it to different shops had crankshaft position sensor changed, coil packs and spark plugs changed several times in consecutive intervals trying to sort out the issues. Multiple diagnosis fees, and am still having issues. Kia said the can’t help me until the code P1326 comes up.
Engine, Firerelated, Dec 15, 2022, fire
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while parking the vehicle in a driveway, black smoke was coming out of the vents of the vehicle. Once the contact exited the vehicle, flames started coming from under the hood of the vehicle causing the vehicle to burst into flames. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire and a report was filed. No one was injured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 144,000.
Service brakes, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 11, 2022
I was taking my daughter to school and the car stalled and died I restarted it but it wouldn’t accelerate and I could hear rattling in my engine so it took me a minute but I got it back to my driveway. The Abs and traction control lights where on and low tire. No check engine lights or oil low. I called my friend Jeff who is a mechanic and he came and checked oil and it was a quart low and he said the motor was shot that the blow by when he took the oil cap off he stated it sounded like a wrisp pin loose in my motor I called Kia and they told me I had to have it towed they don’t provide that service. Doesn’t know if I am covered under warranty or not. Even though they’ve done several recalls on my car for things to do with my engine. And yesterday when I looked my car vin # up it said I had a recall. This morning I was gonna print it out and it was gone. Which I found weird. The only people I spoke to was the mechanic where I bought my car and my mechanic friend about there being a recall on my car. So I can’t put my vin # in on Kia’s website it say it doesn’t recognize it. But it recognizes it here on this site. And I’m concerned they are trying to get out of fixing it just by the way the mechanic was talking to me. I bought my car there and I’m still making payments. But their website doesn’t recognize my vin and it’s the Kia dealer I bought my vehicle from? Plus I paid 3200.00 For extended warranty that they state ran out 2 weeks ago. Even though I have two years of payments to go to pay my car off. Isn’t an extended warranty suppose to begin when the manufactures warranty runs out? Not run concurrently with the manufacturer’s?
Engine, Dec 8, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while pulling out a gas station, the vehicle was making a loud clicking sound and the vehicle would not accelerate as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact checked the oil level and noticed there was no oil in the engine. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was contacted and notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 153,007.
Engine, Nov 30, 2022
While over taking a tractor the engine looses power with most dash lights going on, I pull over and turn the car off, and finally the car would not start.
Engine, Nov 26, 2022
Car infotainment center reported a possible engine condition, the next day we brought into dealership fir a full diagnostic of engine, they said it was just low on fluids, after filling up with fluids we left. The next morning, engine seized in middle of road.
Engine, Nov 21, 2022
My check engine light is still on after having my thermostat and gasket replaced for the engine cooling system. My mechanic looked up the information online and saw that there is a recall for this issue for 2014 Kia Sorentos. When I called my local dealership they said the recall does not cover my VIN number. It would seem that recall reference # 17V224000 needs to be extended. Thank you.
Engine, Nov 18, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated 35 MPH the contact heard knocking noising from the vehicle, the contact felt an explosion coming from under the vehicle and a black cloud came from under the vehicle and no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over and examined the vehicle and saw apart of piston coming out the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and they stated that the vehicle needed a new engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and they stated that the vehicle was not under the recall NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The failure mileage 111,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 18, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle a knocking noise was present coming from the engine compartment with the check engine warning light illuminated. Upon inspection it was discovered that the engine oil level was extremely low; however, no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who performed an oil consumption test and diagnosed that the engine rod bearing, and cylinders were faulty causing permanent damage to the engine and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Engine, Sep 10, 2022
On 2/4/2022 a member of my family was driving the vehicle and the vehicle started making knocking sounds without any warming lights so the car was immediately pulled over. The car was then towed to Homestead auto in Eagan, MN and they told us that the oil pressure switch failed and all of the oil drained out of the car and the engine needed to be replaced. The Kia dealership in Bloomington MN was contacted via phone and they did not have an engine and would not be able to get one for 2-3 months. I then called other auto part and repair places to find an engine and a reasonable bid for the service to replace the engine. The engine was replaced on 2/25/22 by ATR Repair. In April we received a letter from Kia stating that Kia was extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage for repairs that may be necessary to address an Oil Pressure Switch leak in 2014-2018 MY Sorento vehicles from 5 years/60,000 miles to 15 years/150,000 miles. We then submitted all of the invoices, inspection notes form the Kia dealership in Inver Grove Heights, and credit card statements proving payment to Kia with a claim request for reimbursement for the engine replacement in the amount of $8,519. The request was denied in August. Not only is the situation of the oil draining out of the car without warning extremely dangerous, the financial impact to our family is also significant and unjust.
Engine, Sep 7, 2022
Driving through town on the way to take my daughter to school, the car suddenly lost power without warning. The engine seized and the car would no longer accelerate. There were no warning lights on the dash. The engine light came on after I was able to pull the car into a parking lot.
Engine, Sep 2, 2022, fire
My Kia Sorento while parked in front of house caught fire and burned, Total loss.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 26, 2022
I was driving and my car started acting like it was stalling out. I pulled over and put it in park and turned off the engine. I tried to restart, didnt restart. Let it sit a minute, and tried to restart again, it did. I drove straight back home about 2 miles away and didn't drive it further. There were no indicator lights on, so we had no idea what had just happened. My husband checked the oil, everything was ok. Drove it a few days later, was driving around just fine for about 30 minutes, then the same thing happened, I heard a clanking/stalling noise coming from the engine, and it was stalling out. Thankfully, I was able to pull over to a residential street and had to get it towed to my mechanic. Again, NO senor lights were on. My mechanic looked at it, and was baffled, because he said basically my engine is shot. I have always maintained my vehicle with oil changes, and tune-ups, and everything else, there were no indicator lights telling me something was wrong. I am completely upset and baffled at how my motor just stops working for no reason at all!
Engine, Other or unspecified, Aug 26, 2022
Use’s oil one quart every 1000 miles or less. 124.000 miles no smoke or leaks. Kia knows about it but no recall.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 25, 2022
The oil in my car is disappearing biweekly. I have to fill my car up with oil almost every two week or it will make a horrible grinding noise in the engine. The oil isn’t leaking any where and I don’t think it’s burning because I don’t smell it when the car is running. I took it to my dealership where I get my oil changed they said they don’t know what the problem is and if I wanted it to be checked they were gonna charge me $700+ just to look and see why it’s disappearing. They then proceeded to tell me to let all of the oil drain and run the car until it dies and then put oil in it before it gets towed. This is a huge safety hazard because I have done some research and people who unknowingly had the same problem, had their engine catch on fire or their car would seize on them. I travel a lot and that would be a major hazard for people around me if my car were to catch fire or seize on the highway. There are no warning labels that will pop up to notify me my oil is low the grinding noise I hear in my engine is the only thing that lets me know I need to fill my car back up with oil. The oil disappearing started in October 2021 I have gone to two different mechanics and they told me they don’t know what is wrong unless they take apart the whole engine. I feel with as many people as I have read online about having the same issue there should be a way to know what is wrong without having to take apart the whole engine. I would opt to get a new car, but I am a college student and am currently paying on student loans so a new car is not an option right now for me.