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: exterior lighting
86 reports, newest first. Show all
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
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 7, 2018
MY FRONT HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. I'VE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 3 YEARS. IT WAS PURCHASED NEW. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I ALWAYS DRIVE WITH MY HEADLIGHTS ON, REGARDLESS IF IT'S DAYTIME OR NIGHT. SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS WILL FUNCTION PROPERLY AND OTHER TIMES THE HEADLIGHT(S) WON'T. I'D ON OCCASION POP OPEN THE HOOD AND USING A CLOSED FIST, HIT THE TOP OF THE ASSEMBLY AND THE LIGHT WOULD GO ON.......NOW IT WILL NOT GO ON NO MATTER WHAT I DO. LIKE I MENTIONED EARLIER, THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST 2 TIMES I HAD THE DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AT REPAIR THE PROBLEM AT MY COST. NOW I READ BLOG PAGES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL KIA MODELS BUT NO SAFETY RECALL HAS EVER BEEN ISSUED. HOW CAN HAVING NO WORKING HEADLIGHTS NOT BE A SAFETY ISSUE. ??
Exterior lighting, Mar 21, 2018
LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. SEEMS EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS EITHER HEADLIGHTS REAR LIGHTS OR BREAK LIGHTS NEED TO BE REPLACED.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 23, 2017
THERE APPEARS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT KIA WON'T OWN UP TO. THE BATTERY IS CONSTANTLY DYING AFTER BEING CHECKED AND IS GOOD. LIGHTS CONSTANTLY GO OUT I HAVE REPLACED BREAK LIGHTS HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS SEVERAL TIMES IN LAST YEAR. THE AIRBAG PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DOES NOT GO OFF. THE STEERING PANEL DOES NOT CONTROL ALL FUNCTIONS. I AM CONCERNED THIS WILL LEAD TO FURTHER DIFFICULTIES WITH THIS VEHICLE.
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
Exterior lighting, Engine, Jul 11, 2017, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE A KNOCKING NOISE. THE CONTACT'S SON NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE LIGHTS SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A KIA AND HYUNDAI DEALER AT 601-914-4200 WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE HAD BURNED OIL AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE HEADLIGHT AND TAIL LIGHT FAILURES COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AND WOULD BE REPAIRED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 12391217. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Exterior lighting, Jul 5, 2017
I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AND THE HEADLIGHTS ARE EITHER VERY DIM OR HAVE BAD DISPLAY. I CAN'T REALLY SEE ANYTHING AT NIGHT AND DRIVE WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON AND EVEN THOSE ARE ALL THAT BRIGHT. I WAS FIGURING THERE HAS TO BE A RECALL OF SOME KIND, APPARENTLY NOT.
Exterior lighting, Jun 21, 2017
HEADLIGHTS (LOW BEAMS) WILL BLOW OUT WHEN DRIVING AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH. VERY UNSAFE WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE.
Exterior lighting, Mar 24, 2016
THE HEADLAMPS ARE FREQUENTLY GOING OUT AND REQUIRE TO BE REPLACED. I LIVE IN A STATE WHERE HEADLAMPS ARE REQUIRED IN RAIN (SO MANY TIMES I AM IN VIOLATION) AND THE ROADS ARE NOT WELL LIT AT NIGHT. EVEN WHEN THE HEADLAMPS ARE WORKING PROPERLY, THEY ARE INADEQUATE.
Exterior lighting, Aug 20, 2014
THE SPECS FOR THE ADJUSTMENT OF HID LIGHTS ARE REQUIRING THE LIGHTS BE SET TOO LOW (NOT SHINING FAR ENOUGH) THE ROAD IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE IS ILLUMINATED FOR A FEW YARDS ONLY, AND THE HIGH BEAM LIGHT SHINES ONLY AS FAR AS THE LOW BEAM OF ME PREVIOUS VEHICLES. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IF ONE DRIVES ON A FREEWAY AT THE ALLOWED SPEEDS (IN SOME STATES THIS IS 80 M/H). IN MY INCIDENT I WAS DRIVING ON I 80 IN NEBRASKA AT ABOUT 12 AM AND DID NOT SEE A CHUNK OF TRUCK TIRE LAYING ON THE ROADWAY. I DROVE OVER THE PIECE WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY WAS PROPELLED UNDER MY VEHICLE AND DESTROYED THE PROTECTIVE PLASTIC SHIELD FOR THE BRAKE LINES AND TORE OFF THE FUMES CANISTER OF THE GAS TANK. BOTH COULD HAVE ENDED UP IN A RATHER DANGEROUS CONDITION, AND ONE HAS TO ASK, IS A PLASTIC SHIELD THE PROPER PROTECTION FOR THESE COMPONENTS? THIS WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED IF THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD HAVE ILLUMINATED ENOUGH OF THE ROAD IN FRONT OF THE CAR WHICH IN TURN WOULD HAVE ALLOWED FOR AN EVASIVE MANEUVER. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 11, 2014
CANNOT READ OR EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO READ THE SPEEDOMETER IN DAYLIGHT MOST OF THE TIME. WORSE ON BRIGHTER DAYS. MUST TAKE EYES OFF ROAD FOR SEVERAL SECONDS TO FIND NEEDLE TO DETERMINE SPEED. ILLUMINATION IS FINE AT NIGHT OR IN VERY SHADED AREAS (IE GARAGE). SEEMS AS IF INSTRUMENT ILLUMINATION REDUCES BASED ON AMOUNT OF INTERIOR LIGHT, EVEN WITH ILLUMINATION DIAL ON MAX. NOT WEARING SUN GLASSES AND HAVE TRIED MULTIPLE COMBINATIONS OF HEADLIGHT/DTRL IN AN EFFORT TO FIND A WORKABLE SOLUTION. DEALER SERVICE SAYS "WORKING AS DESIGNED". THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY FLAW AS ONE CANNOT READILY DETERMINE THEIR SPEED WITHOUT TAKING THEIR EYES OFF ROAD FOR TOO LONG A PERIOD OF TIME. IN ITS CURRENT STATE THIS CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.