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, Oct 25, 2021
Snow pearl white paint is peeling rapidly all around vehicle.
Structure, Oct 19, 2021
At first, I thought it was due to normal wear on the vehicle. And would need a touch of paint job. I started seeing other vehicle with the same areas of paint issues on the road as mines. 2014 Kia Sorento LX - Pearl White paint peeling around windshield and off hood. Bubbles started forming form under paint and paint blisters and peels away quickly in large chunks from vehicle. Went to dealership and they told me paint is only under warranty for 36k miles, but after seeing all the complaints online with white Sorento, I realized there is a problem with KIA paint. However, they suggested calling Kia directly. When calling them they have no recall for this paint issue that has been caused by a defect in the paint that for some reason happens after their 36k miles warranty.
Structure, Oct 13, 2021
Paint is just falling off the vehicle
Structure, Sep 23, 2021
Paint continues to peel on the hood and a pillars of the vehicle. Issue seems to be common enough that something needs to be done. My vehicle will not pass for a safety inspection once its starts to rust/rot due to the loss of paint. The uploaded quote and pictures is for the a pillar peeling, I put a bug reflector over the hood to try to cover it and stop the peeling.
Structure, Sep 14, 2021
Pearl White Paint peeling and delamination from multiple areas of vehicle. Began in 2017 with right windshield pillar now both pillars, hood, fenders, doors, hatch all have paint peeling.
Structure, Sep 5, 2021
We purchased 2014 Kia Sorento, within the first year it began experiencing “Rapid delamination and paint peeling” on the hood, roof and bumper of our Pearl white Kia Sorento. I have talked with the dealership at every visit and have made many complaints to management. We were advised to contact customer service at Kia.
Structure, Sep 3, 2021
Chunks of my paint have begun rapidly peeling off of my vehicle. This can lead to structural integrity problems as moisture can penetrate and lead to rust and other damage. There hasn’t been any incidents to the vehicle to cause this.
Structure, Sep 2, 2021
My pearl white paint is chipping off of my 2014 Kia Sorento.
Structure, Jul 26, 2021
Pealing paint on roof at windshield and along passenger pillar. Reported same to Kia dealership at which they confirmed the paint pealing is an issue, but they would not repair due to vehicle being outside paint warranty period. There is currently no safety concern, however if the roof at the windshield rusts through, the structural integrity of the vehicle will be compromised.
Structure, Jul 23, 2021
During the spring of 2019 the paint above my passenger side window began chipping and peeling. As of 07/23/21 there are now addition spots above the windshield, frame of windshield, and hood that have began to chip and peel. The first area is now rusting and I am unable to get a carwash without having big chunks from the roof peel. I did get a quote from a Kia dealership for the paint repair since it is beginning to rust. I will upload that quote.
Structure, Jul 15, 2021
The pearl white paint is peeling severely off the body. It is falling off in huge pieces.
Structure, Jul 8, 2021
Color: Pearl white Paint is peeling
Structure, Jul 3, 2021
Pearl White paint peeling rapidly. Started in a few minor spots (roof) within last two years, now is rapidly peeling around windshield and hood. Although it is garage kept, now rusting in original spots. The quality of paint is horrible.
Structure, Jun 27, 2021
The paint is chipping all over the vehicle. There has been no damage to the vehicle to warrant the paint peeling
Structure, Jun 7, 2021
Kia Sorento 2014 is peeling ridiculously! The car is been well kept and maintenance up to date, almost all services at Kia dealership.
Structure, Jun 7, 2021
My vehicle has a rapid delamination and paint peeling that started. There was not crash and it started over 2020. I have attached an image.
Structure, May 25, 2021
2014 Kia Sorento Paint is peeling off the front of my SUV!!!!!! Consumer stated following issues with vehicle oil leak, e call (emergency calll system), sun roof problem, communication module may be damaged inaccurate vehicle location.*JB
Structure, Apr 16, 2021
OUT OF NO WHERE PAINT STARTED CHIPPING THEN PEELING OFF ON DRIVER SIDE UPPER PANEL ABOVE WINDOW . THEN IT STARTED TO PEEL OFF ON FRONT END DRIVER SIDE. THE CAR HAS RUST SPOTS AND CHIPS. LOOKS LIKE THE ROOF WILL BE NEXT. THE PAINT IN CONTINUING TO PEEL. IT'S EXTREMELY THIN PAINT AND SEEMS VERY DRY. THE CAR ALSO MOLDS EASILY IN THE TRUNK AREA.
Structure, Apr 13, 2021
PAINT ON OUR 2014 WHITE SORENTO PEELED OFF BOTH A PILLARS AND THE ROOF AND WE HAD TO GET THE TOP HALF OF THE CAR REPAINTED. PAINT PEELED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE BARE METAL PICTURE I PROVIDED ONLY GOT WORSE FROM THERE AND PEELED ALL THE WAY UP.
Structure, Apr 13, 2021
VEHICLE HAS LARGE CHUNKS OF PAINT THAT FALL OFF AND MAY CAUSE A DRIVING HAZARD FOR OTHERS. THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF PAINT FALLING OFF PEARL WHITE SORENTO VEHICLES. WHILE THIS IS MAINLY A COSMETIC ISSUE, DEBRIS CAN BE AN ISSUE AS PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED LARGE PAINT CHUNKS BECOMING AIRBORNE FROM THE HOOD AREA.
Structure, Apr 13, 2021
THE PAINT IS PEALING OFF OF THE BODY OF THE CAR IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS, MOST NOTABLY ON EITHER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THIS IS CAUSING THE THE BODY TO RUST IN THOSE LOCATIONS WHICH COMPROMISES THE INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE.
Structure, Apr 9, 2021
AROUND FEBRUARY 5TH THE PAINT ON MY PEARLE WHITE 2014 KIA SORENTO STARTED PEELING. AS TIME WENT ON THE PAINT CONTINUED TO FLAKE OFF OF MY CAR ON BOTH PILLARS AND THE HOOD OF MY VEHICLE ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE BASE OF THE CAR. AS I RESEARCHED THIS DEFECT I CAME ACROSS MANY OTHER CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME ISSUES AND IN THE EXACT SAME AREAS ON THEIR KIA SORENTO SPECIFICALLY THE 2014 MODEL. THE PAINT CONTINUES TO COME OFF IN THE RAIN, WIND, AND EVEN A SIMPLE CAR WASH.
Structure, Apr 8, 2021
PAINT BUBBLED UP TWICE AFTER RAINY DAYS THEN WOULD GO DOWN AND LOOK NORMAL LIKE IF NOTHING HAD HAPPENED AFTER THE RAIN. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE FRONT MIDDLE SECTION ON MY HOOD STARTED PEELING, DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT SINCE IT WASN'T TOO BIG. A COUPLE WEEKS LATER THE SIDE OF MY WINDSHIELD STARTED PEELING THE SAME WAY (WHERE IT WOULD BUBBLE UP AFTER THE RAIN) IT STARTED PEELING OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS A PAPER SINCE IT SOUNDED SIMILAR TO WHEN A FLYER IS LEFT ON WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING, AFTER GETTING TO MY DESTINATION I NOTICED THAT THE PAINT HAD STARTED PEELING OFF ON THE DRIVER SIDE, NEXT TO THE WINDSHIELD. I STOPPED BY KIA DEALERSHIP TO BE TOLD THAT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO KIA'S WITH THE SAME PAINT COLOR AND THAT THEY JUST HAD A 2020 CAR THAT WAS GETTING RUST DOTS, THE GUY AT THE DEALERSHIP LOOKED AT MY CAR AND SAID I HAD RUST DOTS IN MY TRUNK DOOR, RIGHT NEXT TO THE SIDES OF THE KIA SIGN. I LOOKED CLOSELY AND HE WAS CORRECT, NOW I'M AFRAID IT WILL START PEELING THERE AS WELL. WHILE THERE THEY CHECKED MY WARRANTY AND WAS TOLD THAT THAT MY PAINT WARRANTY WAS OVER.
Structure, Apr 1, 2021
2014 KIA SORENTO. PURCHASED IN AUG 2020 AT 86,000 MILES. I NOTICED A SMALL CHIP ABOVE WINDSHIELD. SALESMAN SAID IT WAS A ROCK. IN JAN 2021 WENT TO WASH VEHICLE WITH A SPRAYER AND LARGE CHUNK OF PAINT CAME OFF HOOD OF VEHICLE.. SMALLER CHIPS APPEARING ABOVE WINDSHIELD NOW ALSO.. BELIEVE THIS PAINT IS DEFECTIVE BY OTHER RESPONSES I'VE SEEN. KIA NEEDS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS DEFECT.
Structure, Apr 1, 2021
PEARL WHITE PAINT IS FLAKING OFF AND HAS DELAMINATED ON THE FRONT, SIDE AND TOP. RUST IS FORMING ON THE FRONT ROOF WHERE THE PAINT HAS FLAKED OFF. THIS ISSUE WITH THE PAINT FLAKING OFF IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER 2 YEARS FROM TODAY.