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: structure
160 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Jun 8, 2023
The Paint above the front windshield is chipping and continues to get worst with rust and paint. I've seen multiple Kia Sorento just like my model with the same issue. My paint began peeling in a tiny spot I thought was a chip from a rock but rapidly began peeling all over. KIA SORENTO SNOW WHITE PAINT PEELING CHIPPING AND DELAMINATION. I believe the ENTIRE kia needs to repainted and fixing one spot is not the solution!! This includes the top of the car and racks on top, Mine are silver and peeling .
Structure, May 17, 2023
The paint is peeling off of the car. My safety is not at risk but this is a serious manufacturer defect. The defect has been confirmed by the dealer but they are now refusing to repair the paint. The pint has been inspected by auto repair shops and it is called delamination where the paint peels off the primer in sheets. There were no warnings but the paint began peeling in 2018.
Structure, May 12, 2023
Paint is flaking off.
Structure, May 7, 2023
The paint is chipping significantly in the area on both sides of my windshield and starting to continue down into the rest of the car. I have a snow white car and my research has shown this make, model, year and color has been reported of having the same problems. It really affects the look of the car. This paint chipping has been going on for the last 5 years or so. I purchased this vehicle used but in 2014 and it is a 2014 so I've owned it for 9 years and it continues to get worse and worse.
Air bags, Structure, Apr 10, 2023
I have not had my car a year and the seatbelt light came on 2 days ago. I am keeping the services up and all of these things were supposedly passed during the inspection before I purchased my car. Also, the paint is peeling off the car. There are so many cars that has peeling paint when passing. Paint should not peel like that. I've never had this problem with any car I have purchased.
Structure, Apr 8, 2023
I own a 2014 Kia Sorento that the peeling is rapidly peeling off ( or what the body shops call Delamination ) . My paint began peeling in a tiny spot I thought was a chip from a rock but rapidly began peeling all over. The vehicle is hand wash and the peeling continues, any water pressure continues to peel the paint including natural weather rain conditions. Mileage of vehicle is 113,000. This is very upsetting as you can wash the vehicle weekly or as needed as it would in race the delamination.
Structure, Mar 14, 2023
Delamination of body paint
Structure, Mar 6, 2023
The paint peeling is seriously dominate in PEARL WHITE and that needs to be addressed!! We have seen peeling in other colors as well. We want this to lead to a investigation.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Feb 27, 2023
Paint is delaminated and pealing off. Paint type Pearl Snow White. After researching online it seems this is happening to hundreds of 2014 Kia Sorentos.
Structure, Feb 25, 2023
Paint on the vehicle is delaminating. Starting on the hood an "A" pillars. It is the snow pearl color and is a wide spread problem.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Feb 3, 2023
Paint peeling on hood. Does not look like it came from a stone chip.
Other or unspecified, Structure, Jan 31, 2023
The Snow white pearl paint on my 2014 Kia Sorento has started de-laminating and peeling. It became noticeable on the driver's side door post, which has peeled and grown to a substantial area since I first noticed it. Smaller areas can also be identified on the back bumper, the hood, and several other panels of the vehicle. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The problem has been confirmed by a certified body shop (Caliber Collision in Happy Valley Arizona). Please contact for additional details if needed. Attached photos are of the damage as of 1/30/2023. Paint condition continues to deteriorate and more photos will be available tracking the progression of the de-lamination.
Structure, Jan 19, 2023
I have the Pearl White color and it is peeling off everywhere! My hood is almost completely gone and it’s now starting to chip on the side near the drivers door. It started off as little chips but now it is in clumps. Somebody told me it was delaminating and a ton of other pearl white kia drivers are reporting this.
Structure, Nov 28, 2022
2014 KIA Sorento; at 80775 miles the passenger side pillar by the front windshield the Pearl White Paint has peeled off. There was no impact. The paint code is SWP. I see that this is a wide-seen condition of this paint color; Pearl White with the KIA vehicles. I can see other spots on the car that appear to be weak and ready to peel.
Structure, Nov 5, 2022
Paint chipping Delamination On the pillar of the suv! I painted once on the driver side now the passenger side is peeling. Defective
Structure, Oct 30, 2022
Began in august as a minor paint chip to rain. Has continued to progress and flake off more, to now triple the size within three months on the drive side door panel. Chipping has now began on the hood as well. Was informed that this is paint delamination due to poor adhesion of paint.
Structure, Sep 22, 2022
The paint is delaminating . It is peeling off down to the primer. This is a know problem with Kia. The Kia service manager stated Kia would not make good for the repair stating it has been more the 36 months and the warranty has expired. A heavy rain furthers the peeling. Under the right circumstance in the rain with the peeling sticking to the windshield could cause limited vision during driving and could be hazardous.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Aug 24, 2022
We have a 2014 Kia Sorento SLX Pearl white and the paint first started coming off in the front on the hood and bumper cover which we had repaired for a ridiculous amount of money. The body shop said it would be cheaper to just order a new bumper cover and paint it instead of stripping away all the paint on the old one and then painting due to the amount of labor hours required to do so. I have the bill. Then It started coming off around the door/pillar area on the driver side which we then paid again to have repaired. Now as of this week a large piece of pain has just peaked away around the size of a dollar bill on the passenger side pillar above where the door closes into. This is ridiculous that for no reason the paint is just coming off in large sections without any manipulation at all. If it's not fixed( whole vehicle being painted) the paint is just going to keep coming off until their is nothing but bare metal. I should not have to keep having all these place repaired and matched up each time more comes off. Kia should be responsible for getting this repaired.
Structure, Aug 20, 2022
Several spots of paint peeling off of the vehicle, all mainly around the windshield area on the top and sides as well as a few spots on the hood
Structure, Aug 18, 2022
The paint is pealing around the front door pillars, on the hood and on top in the back of the car. The paint has started to bubble on both sides of the car just behind the back doors. In the attached pictures I try to point out several of them but not all. I have seen so many Kia's with the same peeling issues around town and online.
Structure, Aug 3, 2022
2014 Kia Sorento in Snow White Pearl. PAINT FAILURE The paint is rapidly delaminating from the hood and rails, as well and new areas on the back of the vehicle. The bare metal is exposed. It is beginning to rust. This began in 2019 at around 80k miles. I've reported it to 3 different dealerships and all have dismissed my complaints, citing the expired factory warranty. This is a known issue and Kia is not addressing it.
Structure, Jul 31, 2022
The body is experiencing rapid delamination and paint pealing. The paint color is pearl white. The problem began in May 2019. At first, the roof began to peal and now the a-post is pealing on the driver's side. It leaves the bare metal exposed.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jul 28, 2022
Paint delamination at multiple locations from manufacturing defect(s) not man made or acts of nature damage
Structure, Jul 25, 2022
Purchased 2014 Pearl White KIA Sorento LX 4/2014. 4/2017 - paint bubbled and chipped on left A pillar. Dealer repaired paint under warranty. 12/2018 - paint continued to bubble and chip on hood and roof. Took to dealer but told would not cover under warranty. Complaint not noted on invoice 7/2020 - paint repaired on left A pillar in 2017 started chipping again. 1/2022 - 13"x3.5" paint section on right A pillar came off. Paint chipping on roof racks. 6/2022 - right front fender bubble and chip. Dealer/Service center - Southwest KIA Round Rock has repaired and looked a paint issue as noted above. The areas where the paint has chipped and not repaired by KIA is rusting due to metal exposure to environmental elements. The rust will weaken the body of the vehicle if not repaired immediately. No warning or messages for this problem.
Structure, Jul 15, 2022
Paint peeling