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: other or unspecified
147 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Other or unspecified, Feb 24, 2022
After about 59,000 miles I noticed that the paint on my vehicle began to bubble and chip then rapidly began peeling off. Over the years this has gotten progressively worse and has now moved to different parts of the vehicle. I have included images of the vehicle and all of the locations it is peeling. I also included an image of water pooling between the paint and vehicle. This is a great concern as my vehicle is still is continuing to peel and the entire paint job is now compromised and leading to rust and damage to the body. The various parts of the vehicle that are peeling are the roof, the driver and passenger sides above the windows, as well as now the diver's side fender. Pretty soon my entire vehicle is no longer going to be white but rather be rust colored. This is unacceptable and needs to be fixed as this is not normal for a vehicle's paint to peel this quickly and in giant pieces.
Other or unspecified, Feb 15, 2022, crash, fire
Side impact collision on driver side rear quarter panel; vehicle consumed by fire; all three passengers received burns; serious burns to passenger in rear seat on driver side, and driver .
Other or unspecified, Feb 8, 2022
2014 sorento- exterior lights very dim. Dangerous and hard to see they go out weirdly often and randomly. replaced lights and driver side turn signals now not working or the led strip lash out as well. Pearl white paint is chipping/peeling on hood and pillars. Emailed kia support have not heard anything back.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Jan 28, 2022
1. My headlights tends to keep going out, I’ve replaced them 3 times since getting the vehicle. The most recent change was a month ago. Also my car keeps making this weird humming/ purring sound which started 3months ago and is very unsettling. I had to get a new engine last February after my car cut off on me and the kids heading to my family out of town.
Other or unspecified, Jan 14, 2022
The problem with my car is the peeling of the paint, it started happening in the front hood then it’s on my over my windshield by the roof and on the driver side also peeling never seen this on any car that I’ve ever owned I’ve also seen a lot of Kia‘s on the road with the same problem are you guys doing anything about this problem I’m sure I’m not the first one to report it
Other or unspecified, Dec 22, 2021
The paint began peeling approximately 2 years ago and Kia refused to cover the repair fee.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Nov 17, 2021
Pearl White paint delaminating on A-pillar of vehicle.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Nov 5, 2021
THE PAINT IS COMING OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE PAINT PEELS OFF IS NOT BONDING TO THE METAL AT ALL.. COMES OFF IN SHEETS . RESULTING IN BARE METAL THAT CAN RUST AND CAUSE VEHICLE TO DETERIOATE. VEHICLE IS PEARL WHITE IN COLOR AND THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ON GOING ISSUE WITH THIS COLOR AND THIS MANUFACTUER OF VEHICLES
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 3, 2021, fire
I was driving on the high way and took an exit. I started to smell something from my car so I turned it off at a stop light. I looked briefly at the dash but no lights where on. Then I saw smoke coming from the hood of my car. So I put my emergency flashers on and got out within seconds of getting out the smoke turned to flames so I called 911. Entire front of my car was in flames and a couple small explosions happend I believe the first one was the air bags but the second sent my hood flying upwards. My entire inside of the car was chard by the time the fire rescue showed up. There was a line of traffic behind me that stretched close to a mile since it was during traffic night. I didn’t have enough time to pull the car over safely without the risks of being inside the car while it had fully ignited. The fire men had to get people and cars away from my car. I don’t know what failed or what happens but the fire started from under the hood. The car is pretty badly burnt so I don’t think there’s a way to examine anything. It is a total loss. Upon googling I’ve noticed a few more reports of Kia 2014 Sorentos catching fire. I don’t know which component caused it so I can’t say if it had been examined at all. It also happens extremely fast and I didn’t have any warning as to a fire breaking out. If I had stayed in the car to drive it to a safe clearing I would have been caught in the blaze. The only light that came on was tier pressure, which had come on a few days prior. No other warning lights came on. Not even during when the smoke appeared. The only thing that warned me was a strange odor right before I saw the smoke.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 8, 2021
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, there was an abnormal fuel odor detected coming from the vents. The contact pulled over and inspected under the hood of the vehicle and saw that there was a leak coming from the high-pressure fuel pump. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that there was a leak coming from the damaged high-pressure fuel line. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact had an engine replacement under warranty in May 2021. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V907000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine). The failure mileage was 60,800.
Other or unspecified, Sep 22, 2021
White pain is chipping off passenger and driver side.
Other or unspecified, Sep 20, 2021
Paint (Snow White Pearl) Delamination on right side A-pillar and center of hood near the grill. A-pillar peeling happened in January 2021. Hood peeling happened in July 2021 during a windy monsoon rainstorm. Both paint issues were fixed at owner's cost.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 17, 2021
Pearl white paint is peeling from vehicle from above windshield and along frame.
Other or unspecified, Aug 6, 2021
While driving alone at night a on dark two lane highway, both low beam headlights went out at the same time leaving me in the frightful and dangerous situation of not being able to see where I was headed. I was however able to safely stop on the side of the road and do some troubleshooting. All the other lights (high beam, turn, parking, fog, etc.) worked perfectly. The instrument panel showed that the low beams were still on. No warning of any type of malfunction was indicated or shown. I have not contacted KIA about the problem yet, but I am sure they are aware of the problem. I have read multiple blogs online and this appears to be a common problem, and has been for a long time, with multiple KIA models and generations. My suspicions are the problem may be in either the multi-position switch, airbag clock spring, or cable harness, or any combination of the three. It is my understanding the fuses and relays for the lights are side related ( all either on LH or RH). I checked fuses and relays even though I find it hard to believe both sides would go bad at the same time, and all were good. There is a long history of this electrical problem in these vehicles that needs to be found and fixed before someone needlessly loses their life. Who knows, maybe someone has already been killed. Lights go out, they go off the road and hit a tree. The instruments would show the headlights are on, but they were not. Now its hard to prove with the head lights totally destroyed.
Other or unspecified, Jul 15, 2021
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle needed a jumpstart for the vehicle to start-up on several occasions. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Other or unspecified, Jul 12, 2021
A few months ago I noticed a chip in the white pearl paint of my 2014 KIA Sorrento. Since then, the paint has continued to chip and there is now a big spot on my drivers side panel by the windshield that does not have paint. In addition, I have noticed chips on my hood that will probably do the same thing. I tool my car into a body shop to see if they can repaint it and I was told that this has happened to many KIA's that have the white pearl paint. In addition, I called my local KIA dealer's shop and was told the same thing. He even guessed the color before I could tell him.
Other or unspecified, Jun 8, 2021
Big paint chip
Other or unspecified, May 25, 2021
2014 Kia Sorento. Consumer writes seeking reimbursement for vehicles repairs made related to an open recall. *LD
Other or unspecified, May 20, 2021
The "snow white pearl" paint has a defect. It peels and chips on its own.
Other or unspecified, Apr 23, 2021
MY KIA PEARL WHITE PAINT HAS BEEN BUBBLING AND COMING OFF FOR OVER A YEAR AND A HALF. I ONLY HAVE 40K MILES ON MY CAR AND I AM DEVASTATED. I DO NOT DRIVE MUCH SO THIS HAS HAPPENED SITTING IN MY GARAGE. I HAVE GOTTEN QUOTES AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THE ENTIRE THING NEEDS TO BE REPAINTED WHICH WILL COST WELL OVER $5K AND TAKE OVER 3 WEEKS WITHOUT MY CAR. MY CONCERNS OVER THE YEARS TO KIA HAVE BEEN BRUSHED OFF THAT IT IS MY PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 1, 2021
EVERY 500 MILES I AM ADDING A QUART OF OIL TO MY 2014 KIA SORENTO. PLUS THE OIL LIGHT IS NOT TURNING ON WHEN THE DIPSTICK IS SHOWING BELOW LOW ON OIL. THERE ARE SEVERAL ONLINE FORUMS THAT HAVE NOTED AS MANY OTHER KIA VEHICLES HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE: SITED REFERENCES: CAR GURUS: HTTPS://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-T57466_DS944098?SNTEMLID=5086909646#MSG1125429 KIA FORUM: HTTPS://WWW.KIA-FORUMS.COM/THREADS/2-4-OIL-CONSUMPTION.344078/ MOTOR BISCUIT: HTTPS://WWW.MOTORBISCUIT.COM/A-2016-KIA-SORENTO-OWNER-EXPERIENCED-AN-EXPENSIVE-PROBLEM-AT-THE-WORST-TIME/ I HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO A MECHANIC AND THEY ARE NOT SURE HOW TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. I ALSO BROUGHT IT TO MEDVED KIA DEALERSHIP IN WHEAT RIDGE COLORADO FOR AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST, I BROUGHT IT IN EVERY 500 MILES TO CHECK THE OIL CONSUMPTION. AFTER 3000 MILES THE OIL WAS DOWN A TOTAL 2.5 QUARTS. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US THEY CONTACTED KIA HEADQUARTERS AND SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO UNTIL THERE IS A ENGINE FAILURE, BUT OUR CONCERN IS IF SOMEONE IS UNAWARE OF THE OIL CONSUMPTION (OR IF WE FORGET TO PUT OIL IN OUR CAR AT 500 MILES) ISSUE AND THEIR ENGINE SEIZE ON THE HIGHWAY THIS COULD PUT THEM AND OTHER VEHICLES ON THE HIGHWAY IN A POTENTIAL DANGEROUS OR LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. ADDITIONALLY, THE USER MANUAL STATES (PAGE 7 | 11) UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS YOU SHOULD CHANGE YOUR OIL EVERY 7500 MILES, THE VEHICLE TAKE 5 QUARTS, SO IF WE WAITED FOR THE 7500 MILES THE ENGINE WOULD SEIZE OR EXPLODE. KIA HAS ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR ENGINE DEFECTS AND FIRES, BUT IT DOES NOT DETAIL THE OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE, I THINK THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO AS MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. HERE IS THE EXTENDED WARRANTY LINK: HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/NEWS/2020/KIA-ENGINE-RECALL-EXTENDED-WARRANTY.SHTML THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Structure, Other or unspecified, Mar 1, 2021
MY PAINT ON MY KIA SORENTO HAS BEEN CHIPPING AWAY. I'VE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN 2 YEARS, IT STARTED TO CHIP ALITTLE AROUND 8 MONTHS AGO, AND SINCE HAS GOTTEN SO BAD ACROSS ALMOST ALL THE ENTIRE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD AND SLOWLY STARTING TO CHIP ALL THROUGHOUT THE REST OF MY VEHICLE
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Nov 12, 2020
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON TODAY WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY (ROUGHLY70MPH), WILL NOT SHUT OFF, VEHICLE NOT UNDER RECALL FOR AIRBAGS AT THIS TIME. HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS RANDOMLY COME ON AND OFF, EVEN WITH BRAND NEW BULBS, HAVE CHANGED BULBS ALMOST MONTHLY IN LAST 3 YEARS. BUTTONS ON STEERING WHEEL DO NOT WORK PROPERLY - INCLUDING CRUISE CONTROL NOT WORKING, VOLUME BUTTON STARTS VOICE COMMAND, ETC.
Other or unspecified, Nov 9, 2020
PAINT ON THE ROOF IS COMING OFF... I DON'T KNOW WHEN IT HAPPENED OR HOW... I NOTICED IT WHEN I WAS WASHING IT THIS SUMMER...
Other or unspecified, Nov 8, 2020
PAINT HAS BEEN CHIPPING ON MY 2014 KIA SORENTO WHITE PEARL. I BOUGHT THIS CAR THROUGH AAA AUTO SALES AND WAS ALREADY CHIPPING. NOW I READ ONLINE THAT IT'S BEEN A BIG PROBLEM. I AM UNSURE OF THE DATE THAT IT STARTED BUT I CERTAINLY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO GET MY CAR REPAINTED AND ADVANCED AUTO DOESN'T CARRY THE TOUCH UP PAINT.