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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 987

Of the 2014 reports, 23 involved a crash and 46 involved a fire. 24 people were injured and 1 person died.

Primary concernEngine388 reports · 39% of complaints
Owner complaints987Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship6 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Engine388
  2. Structure160
  3. Electrical system153
  4. Other or unspecified147
  5. Exterior lighting86
  6. Service brakes84
  7. Power train72
  8. Air bags51

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  1. Structure, Other or unspecified, Oct 9, 2020

    PEARL WHITE PAINT ON MY 2014 KIA SORRENTO IS DECLAMINATING OR RAPIDLY PEELING OFF IN SEVERAL PLACES. TWO SPOTS ARE ON THE HOOD AND THE BIGGEST IS ON THE SUPPORT BETWEEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND THE WINDSHIELD. WILL COME OFF WHILE DRIVING, PARTICULARLY ON THE INTERSTATE. NOT DUE TO ROCK OR WRECK. HAVE HAD SEVERAL ESTIMATES ABOUT RE-PAINTING.

  2. Structure, Sep 29, 2020

    THE PAINT IS DELAMINATING AND QUICKLY CHIPPING AWAY IN MULTIPLE AREAS OF THE CAR, BUT STARTED ON THE WINDSHIELD PILLAR. THE BODY SHOP INFORMED ME THEY HAD SEEN THIS EXACT THING ON OTHER KIA SORENTOS AND SUGGESTED I CONTACT KIA. THEY ESTIMATED $2,700 TO REPAINT. MY BODY COLOR IS PEARL WHITE.

  3. Structure, Other or unspecified, Sep 28, 2020

    THE PAINT HAS CHIPPED OFF IN A LARGE PORTION OF THE HOOD. IT IS NOT A NORMAL PAINT CHIPPING BUT RATHER A LARGE PIECE/SECTION JUST CAME FLYING OFF DURING DRIVING TIME, APPROXIAMTELY 50 MILES PER HOUR.

  4. Structure, Service brakes, Sep 26, 2020

    PEARL PAIN IS PEELING AND CHIPPING. WENT THRU CAR WASH AND IT CHIPPED HOOD CAR WASH PAID FOR IT TO BE REPAIRED. THEN ON 9/15/20 IT WAS RAINING AND THE RAIN CHIPPED THE PAINT ON THE DOOR FRAME. NOTHING HIT IT OR DAMAGED IT I WAS DRIVING BUT THE RAIN PEELED MY PAINT. THAT'S WHEN I DECIDED TO DO SOME RESEARCH BECAUSE THERE IS NO REASON WHY MY PAINT SHOULD CHIP LIKE THAT AND FOUND OUT THAT THE PAINT IS FAULTY. I ALSO DISCOVER THERE WAS A RECALL DUE TO FAULTY BREAK LINES AND LEAKS AND I BELIEVE I MAY HAVE A BREAK LEAK BECAUSE EVERYTIME ITS TIME FOR AN OIL CHANGE THE BREAK LIGHT COMES ON AND ONCE THEY PUT FLUID IN IT IT GOES OFF. MY UPKEEP HAS BEEN IMMACULATE SINCE OWNING THIS CAR AND ALL OF THESE ISSUES I BELIEVE ARE DUE TO FACTORY DEFECT.

  5. Structure, Sep 21, 2020

    THE PAINT ON MY 2014 KIA SORENTO JUST STARTED BUBBLING UP AND PEELING OFF IN LARGE SWATHS ALL OVER THE ROOF, DOORS, HOOD, ECT. IT HAS NOW STARTED RUSTING EXTREMELY BAD ON THE ROOF AND AROUND THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD.

  6. Structure, Sep 16, 2020

    THIS PAINT IS PEELING OFF IN LARGE SHEETS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, STARTING ON THE WINDSHIELD SUPPORT AND NOW ABOVE THE SECOND ROW DOOR ON PASSENGER SIDE.

  7. Structure, Sep 9, 2020

    I HAVE A 2014 KIA PEARL WHITE THAT HAS MAJOR PAINT PEELING ON DRIVERS/PASSENGER DOOR PANELS & HOOD. THIS ISSUE CONTINUES TO GET WORSE. I HAD THIS CAR FOUR YRS & IT STARTED AFTER THE FIRST YR. CONTINUES TO GET WORSE.

  8. Structure, Sep 4, 2020

    I HAVE A PEARL WHITE 2014 KIA SORRENTO PURCHASED IN APRIL OF 2017 WITH AROUND 70,000 MILES ON IT IT HAD NOT A SCRATCH OR DENT. AROUND 9/2017 AT AROUND 80,000 MILES, I STARTED NOTICING SMALL CHIPS OF PAINT MISSING. IT WAS PEELING AND DELAMINATING FROM THE BODY OF THE CAR AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THEY HAVE EVOLVED INTO VERY LARGE SPOTS OF CHIPPED PAINT AND RUSTING ON TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD, ON THE SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND ON THE HOOD. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THINNING PAINT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR.

  9. Structure, Sep 3, 2020

    KIA SORENTO PEARL WHITE PAINT PEELING CHIPPING AND DELAMINATION. PAINT ON ROOF OF CAR HAS BEEN RAPIDLY CHIPPING PEELING AWAY AND IS NOW RUSTING. THE STREAK HAS GROWN ABOUT 2 INCHES IN THE PAST WEEK AND A HALF. CONCERNED THAT IT WILL NOT STOP AND IS DEFECTIVE AND HAVE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FOR KIA SORENTO PEARL WHITE PAINT.

  10. Structure, Sep 3, 2020

    THE PAINT ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF WINDSHIELD STARTED PEELING OFF. I WAS ABLE TO STOP ONE SMALL SPOT FROM SPREADING BY USING THE KIA PAINT PEN, BUT ANOTHER AREA OPENED UP. WIND FROM HIGHWAY DRIVING HAS STARTED TAKING OFF MUCH LARGER AREAS OF PAINT. MY CAR IS KEPT IN A GARAGE SO WEATHER DAMAGE IS NOT THE CAUSE.

  11. Structure, Sep 3, 2020

    SNOW WHITE PEARL PAINT IS FALLING OFF THE CAR. THE MOST NOTICEABLE AREAS ARE BEHIND THE SUNROOF AND OVER THE DRIVER'S DOOR.

  12. Structure, Visibility/wiper, Aug 29, 2020

    WHILE DRIVING THE HOOD UNLATCHED AND WE WERE UNABLE TO SEE

  13. Structure, Aug 26, 2020

    THE PAINT BEGAN TO RAPIDLY PEEL AND DELAMINATE FROM THE BODY OF MY CAR AFTER THE 36,000 MILE PAINT WARRANTY EXPIRED ON MY 2014 KIA SORENTO PEARL WHITE SORENTO. THE RIGHT SIDE ARM OF THE WINDSHIELD AREA RAPIDLY PEELED AND BEGAN TO RUST THEN THE LEFT SIDE ARM OF MY WINDSHIELD BEGAN TO PEEL , DELAMINATE AND RUST . AFTER THIS THE TOP OF MY ROOF AROUND THE WINDSHIELD THEN THE HOOD. THIS IS CAUSING GREAT BODILY DAMAGE TO THE SAFETY OF MY WINDSHIELD. THE KIA DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO HELP DUE TO THE MILEAGE BUT THIS IS REPORTED ON MANY ( PEARL WHITE KIA SORENTOS 2014/2015 ) I HAVE PROOF AND PHOTOS OF OVER 60 KIAS ON A FACEBOOK PAGE I CREATED TO GET THIS RECALLED BY KIA.

  14. Structure, Aug 22, 2020

    THE PEARL WHITE PAINT IS PEELING FROM THE CAR BADLY ON BOTH SIDES OF THE WINDOW SHIELD. CAR HAS NEVER BEEN REPAINTED. THE FACTORY PAINT IS PEELING EXCESSIVELY

  15. Electrical system, Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 18, 2020

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FOB AND AUTOMATIC LOCKS FAILED TO LOCK THE DOORS. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WILSON AUTO GROUP (4202 LAKELAND DR, JACKSON, MS 39232, (601) 914-4200) WHERE THE KEYFOB BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE SYSTEM WAS RESET AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTHERBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

  16. Structure, Aug 16, 2020

    RAPID PAINT PEEL DUE TO DELAMINATION. IT STARTED AS A TINY DO THEN RAPIDLY BEGIN TO PEEL ON THE PANEL NEXT TO THE WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE.

  17. Structure, Aug 16, 2020

    MY WHITE 2014 KIA SORENTO STARTED SHEDDING PAINT IN HUGE SECTIONS. DELAMINATION AND PEELING EVERYWHERE. IT WASN'T CAUSED BY A ROCK CHIP. IT'S HUGE BUBBLES UNDER THE SURFACE AND IT COMES OFF IN MASSIVE PIECES. THE WHOLE CAR WILL HAVE TO BE SANDED TO METAL AND REPAINTED!!

  18. Structure, Other or unspecified, Aug 2, 2020

    ON MARCH 1, 2020, I WENT OUT TO GET IN MY CAR AND NOTICED A 10" SWATCH OF PAINT MISSING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF MY CAR BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW. APROXIMATELY 4 DAYS LATER, I NOTICED THE SAME THING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE.I WAS VERY UPSET AS IT IS ONLY A 2014, I HAVE BABIED IT AND LOVE IT. TO HAVE IT LOOK LIKE THIS IS VERY DISTRESSING AND I HAVE NOT HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ANY OTHER CAR I HAVE OWNED.

  19. Structure, Aug 2, 2020

    PAINT IS PEELING ALL OVER AND RUSTING THE CAR. PEARL WHITE COLOR.

  20. Electrical system, Structure, Jul 6, 2020

    NOTICED PEELING AND FLAKING OF PAINT ON ROOF AFTER WASHING. USED NON ABRASIVE MICRO FIBER HANDHELD CAR WASH MITT AND TURTLE WAX CAR SOAP. BACKUP CAMERA IS INOPERABLE. BOTH CONDITIONS (PREMATURE FLAKING OF PAINT AND BACKUP CAMERA BECOMING INOPERABLE) ARE KNOWN BY KIA FOR THIS MAKE/MODEL. NO RESOLUTION IS AVAILABLE OTHER THAN TO REPAINT/REPAIR THESE ITEMS AT OWNER'S EXPENSE.

  21. Structure, Jun 10, 2019

    I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS, AND HAVE BEEN NOTICING THE PAINT IS FLAKING OFF. IT'S JUST BEGINNING FOR ME, BUT I DID SOME RESEARCH AND NOTICED THAT ALL THE PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ISSUE ON VARIOUS KIA MODELS HAD TRI-COAT PEARL WHITE PAINT. I HAVE TO IMAGING THIS CAN'T JUST BE COINCIDENCE. ON THIS ONE WEBSITE ALONE THERE ARE 11 COMPLAINTS ABOUT JUST THIS SPECIFIC YEAR AND MODEL. HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/KIA/SORENTO/2014/BODY_PAINT/PAINT_PEELING.SHTML I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME, THANKS!

  22. Structure, Service brakes, Engine, May 7, 2019

    TAKATA RECALL I PURCHASED MY KIA INDEX 2014. IMMEDIATELY THE PAINT STARTED BUBBLING AND THEN PEELING AROUND THE WINDSHIELD AND HOOD. WE CALLED KIA AND THEY SAID THIS IS NOT COVERED. ALSO WE GET RECALLS ABOUT THE ENGINE. I NEVER HAD A PROBLEM UNTIL I TOOK IT IN. THE FIRST RECALL I GOT THEY DRAINED THE OIL AND TOOK OIL PAN OFF MY CAR. THE SECOND ONE NOT SURE WHAT THEY DID TO IT BUT IT WAS ABOUT. THE ENGINE. NOW I HAVE TO PUT OIL IN MY VEHICLE ABOUT ONCE A WEEK. THE DOOR LOCKS DON'T WORK THE KEYLESS ENTRY WILL LET YOU IN BUT YOU HAVE TO LOCK ALL YOUR DOORS BY WALKING AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE HEADLIGHTS KEEPS,BLOWING. I HAVE PROBABLY PUT 10 HEADLIGHTS IN MY CAR OVER THE PAST YEAR. NOW MY ABS TRACTION CONTROL AND LOW LIGHT FOR TIRES IS ON AND WILL NOT GO OFFF IT AMAZES ME THAT THERE ARE NO OPEN RECALL ON THUS VEHICLE I AM SURE IT WILL NOT LAST ME UNTIL I PAY IT OFF. THIS IS THE WORST VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED

  23. Structure, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 15, 2019, fire

    ENGINE FIRE!! WHILE TRAVELLING DOWN HIGHWAY PASSENGER NOTICED SPARKS LEFT REAR OF CAR. PULLED OVER TO CHECK CAR, LIFTED HOOD ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. DRIVING NORMAL RATE OF SPEED IN NORMAL CONDITIONS. NO COLLISION OR ACCIDENT INVOLVED. TRAVELLING US-71 SOUTH IN VERNON COUNTY MISSOURI INCIDENT NUMBER 190140035. FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT FIRE OUT. CAR TOWED TO TCB TOWING AND AUTO SERVICE 205 N BARRETT ST NEVADA MO 64772

  24. Structure, Mar 6, 2019

    THE DELAMINATION OF PEARL WHITE PAINT BEGAN AT 50,000K MILES WITH A SMALL PIECE BUBBLING AND THEN CHIPPING AWAY. THE PAINT ON AREAS ALONG THE WINDSHEILD AND ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD ARE NOW COMPLETELY READY TO PEAL. YOU CAN NOT STOP THIS PROCESS BY FIXING ONLY THE DAMAGED AREAS. ALL AUTO BODY SHOPS STATE IS MUST BE ENTIRELY REPAINTED. THE PAINT IS DELAMINATING AT A FAST RATE, ALL MY PAINT IS GONE ON THE PASSAGENGER SIDE WINDOW ARM AND MY ROOF WHERE THE WINDSHIELD MEETS THE PAINT IS MOSTLY BUBBLING AND RUSTED. THE KIA DEALERSHIPS ARE AWARE THAT THIS PARTICULAR COLOR , MADE AND MODEL KIA HAS THIS PROBLEM. I CAN NOT WASH THE EXTERIOR OF MY CAR WITHOUT LOSING MORE PAINT. IN THE SUNLIGHT YOU CAN SEE WHERE THE PAINT IS NOT LONGER BONDED TO THE CAR. MY CAR IS EXPECTED TO BE WITHOUT PAINT ON MY ROOF, HOOD AND SIDES OF WINDSHIELDS WITHIN ONE YEAR IF NOT REPAINTED PROPERLY.

  25. Structure, Jan 24, 2019

    PAINT COMING OFF A BRAND NEW CAR. I AM ORIGINAL OWNER AT ONLY 39,000 MILES PAINT STARTED COMING OFF MY CAR. I ALWAYS PURCHASED NEW VEHICLES NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THE PAINT IS ONLY COVERED TO 36,000 MILES. NOT LIKE THE SONG THEY SING WHEN SELLING YOU THE CAR.