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, Visibility/wiper, Oct 18, 2018, fire
COMPLAINT NO.WHILE TRAVELING DOWN HWY 377 TOWARD GRANBURY, TEXAS. THE UNDERSIDE OF MY CAR BURST INTO FLAMES. FORTUNATELY I WAS TRAVELING AT 70MPH AND THE PERSON WHO WITNESSED THE FLAMES BEHIND ME, RAN UP TO MY CAR WHEN I STOPPED AT A RAIL CROSSING TO TELL ME WHAT HAPPEN. I WAS LUCKY I WAS DRIVING 70MPH AND IF I HAD STOPPED WHILE IT WAS BURNING THE CAR WOULD HAVE BURNED UP. IT LOOKS LIKE THE PLASTIC PANELS WERE IGNITED BY THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER.. COMPLAINT NO.2 WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF IMPACT, NEAR THE REAR VIEW MIRROR, A CRACK APPEARED FROM THE TOP EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD DOWNWARD ABOUT 2.5" LONG. SINCE IT IS NEAR THE REAR VIEW MIRROR I KNOW IT APPEARED WITHOUT ANY FLYING OBJECT HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. SINCE IT IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TOP EDGE, I'M WONDERING IF IT IS A STRESS CRACK AND OTHER KIA OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME EVENT.
Structure, Feb 12, 2018
THE RIGHT HAND SIDE PASSENGER DOOR PANEL HAS COME AWAY FROM THE DOOR FRAME AND NOW THE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS FIRST REPAIRED BY KIA WHEN I LEASED THE CAR AND THE SAME PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED BUT THEY WILL NOT MAKE THE REPAIR.
Structure, Oct 17, 2017
THE PAINT ON THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FROM DAY 1 PRACTICALLY, AND KIA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS. WE TAKE GREAT CARE IN OUR CARS AS WE KEEP THEM FOR THE LIFE OF THEM, AND THUS KEEP IT MOSTLY GARAGED WHEN NOT IN USE, AND ESPECIALLY DURING ANY POTENTIALLY ADVERSE WEATHER. FROM DAY 1, ANY HARD BUG, TINY PEBBLE, ETC WOULD CASE THE PAINT ON THE BUMPER TO CHIP OFF AND SUBSEQUENTLY CRACK AND FLAKE. PROBLEMS SEEMED TO HAPPEN EVEN IF WE HADNT DRIVEN IT. AS THE WHITE ONE WE OWN HAS A BLACK PLASTIC UNDERBODY, IT CONSTANTLY LOOKS LIKE OUR CAR IS BUGGY/DIRTY AND HAS ACNE. UPON TAKING TO THE DEALER, AROUND MONTH 4, THEY GAVE ME A PAINT PEN TO HANDLE IT, SAYING IT WASNT EBOUGH OF A PROBLEM. AS IT WAS ONLY ON THE PLASTIC BUMPER, I CHALKED IT UP TO "JUST THERE." NOW, AT 4 YEARS AND 3 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP, AFTER 1 LONG CAR TRIP IN THE RAIN (ABOUT 13 HOURS OF DRIVING) THE PAINT ON THE TOP METAL ROOF IS PEELING LIKE TIGER STRIPES AND ITS BEGINNING TO ALONG THE EDGES WHERE THE DOORS MEET THE BODY AND THE HOOD. KIA, EVEN AFTER THEIR DEALER RECCOMMENDED LOCAL PAINT REPAIR SHOP, STATE FARMS INSPECTORS, AND THE LOCAL DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAVE ALL INSPECTED IT, ARE CONTINUING TO DENY THE PAINT DEFECT, AFTER ALL THOSE ENTITIES HAVE CONFIRMED IT IS A MANUFACTURES DEFECT. NOW, IT LOOKS LIKE WE WILL BE ON THE HOOK FOR OVER $5000+ TO REPAIR THE PAINT BECAUSE WE ARE NOW OUTSIDE OF THEIR WARRANY PERIOD. ITS AWFUL OF KIA TO ADVERTISE A 10YEAR/100K WARRANTY WHILE NOT MATCHING THE INDUSTRY AVERAGE 10YEAR/100K MILE PAINT WARRANTY. THIS IS NOT MY FAMILIES FIRST KIA, BUT THIS EXPERIENCE IS MAKING US RETHINK OUR LOYALTY, AND IT MAY BE OUR LAST KIA.
Electrical system, Structure, May 18, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SORENTO. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE KEY FOB FAILED TO PROPERLY OPERATE THE HATCH AND WOULD OPEN OR CLOSE INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. ON ONE OCCASION, THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY OPEN THE HATCH AND THE HATCH INDEPENDENTLY CLOSED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY DUE TO THE FAILURE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
Visibility, Structure, Feb 3, 2015
DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THIS MORNING I HEARD A VERY LOUD NOISE AND THEN MY SUNROOF SHATTERED. IT WAS THE BACK PORTION OF THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF AND IT COMPLETELY SHATTERED. SOME SMALL GLASS PARTICLES FELL INTO THE CAR, BUT MOST OF THE GLASS STAYED ATTACHED. I PULLED OVER AND CALLED HWY PATROL THINKING SOMEONE MUST HAVE THROWN SOMETHING AT MY CAR. I WAS NOT CLOSE TO ANY OTHER VEHICLES. MAYBE IT WAS ALREADY COMPROMISED BY A ROCK CHIP OR SOMETHING?? THANK GOODNESS MY BABY WAS NOT WITH ME AS HER CAR SEAT IS DIRECTLY BELOW THE SUNROOF. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WILL COST $2300 TO FIX. I AM NOW IN A RENTAL FOR 4-5 DAYS WHILE IT IS REPAIRED. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Jan 28, 2015
WE WERE DRIVING WHEN SUDDENLY THE SUNROOF EXPLODED VIOLENTLY AND ALL GLASS FELL ON US. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Apr 13, 2014
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH NO OTHER CARS NEAR, THE GLASS SUNROOF ABOVE THE DRIVERS HEAD EXPLODED LEAVING A BOWLING BALL SIZED HOLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GLASS TOP. NOTHING HIT THE TOP, IT EXPLODED OUTWARD WITH FORCE....UPDATED 04-30-14 *BF UPDATED 10/1/2014 *JS
Structure, Tires, Wheels, Seats, Apr 9, 2014
2014 KIA SORRENTO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THE DRIVER SEAT, ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VERY LARGE SEATS WERE A PROBLEM FOR HER, AS THEY WERE HARD TO ADJUST. THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, IN THE MOST FORWARD AND HIGHEST SEAT POSITION, WAS SO GREAT, SHE WAS ONLY ABLE TO ENGAGE THE PEDALS WITH HER TOES. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE COULD BARELY SEE THE HOOD AND COULDN'T SEE OR DISTANCE THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THEREFORE, SHE WAS FORCED TO USE BOTH A MANUFACTURER'S VEHICLE SEAT CUSHION AND A THICK CHAIR CUSHION UNDERNEATH THAT, TO BE ABLE TO RAISE HER BODY UP AND CLOSER TO THE DASH. ALSO, THERE WAS AND CONTINUES TO BE A SUBTLE, CHIRPING, RHYTHMIC SOUND COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE OR WHEEL WELL. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED HE DID NOT HEAR A NOISE. THE TRACTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE TIRES HAD NO TRACTION, AS THEY DID NOT GRIP THE ROAD PROPERLY. SHE WAS INFORMED THE TIRES WERE INFERIOR, SO SHE WAS FORCED TO PURCHASE 4 NEW WINTER TIRES AT A COST OF $ 657.18. *JB UPDATED 04/21/14. *JB
Visibility, Structure, Oct 30, 2013
THE TWO REAR, FIXED WINDOWS LEAKED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN A TOUCHLESS CARWASH. THE DEALERSHIP AND SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AND ARE HAVING A GLASS EXPERT INSPECT THE TRIM AND SEAL. THE CAUSE OF THE LEAKS IS CURRENTLY UNKNOWN. *TR
Structure, Sep 12, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE LIFT GATE BY PRESSING THE CLOSE BUTTON, BUT WHEN IT CLOSED IT OPENED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE IT MANUALLY BUT THE LIFT GATE WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 525.