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
987 reports, newest first.
Engine, Mar 21, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while stopping at a red light the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was no oil in the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine, Mar 14, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V519000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, while driving 25 MPH and attempting to make a U-turn, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact pushed the vehicle to the side of the road with the assistance of a bystander. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer sent a claim to the manufacturer and was awaiting a response. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Mar 11, 2022
Headlights automatically turn off while driving.
Structure, Feb 28, 2022
The white paint on this vehicle is delaminating and peeling off in several spots, mostly on the hood door frames and the roof.
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.
Air bags, Feb 20, 2022
CHECK THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT If this occurs, Kia’s system is designed to illuminate the airbag warning light on the instrument panel to alert you of a potential problem with your airbag system so that you can have the system inspected and repaired as soon as possible. The passenger’s front airbag is a ‘low risk deployment’ airbag that complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208, meaning it has a reduced deployment strength for occupants in close proximity to the air bag. Despite being a low risk deployment airbag, if the airbag warning light is illuminated and the vehicle continues to be driven without being repaired, the front passenger airbag will deploy in a frontal impact regardless of whether the seat is occupied or not.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Feb 18, 2022
I have to replace the low beam and high beam bulbs several times a year. The low beams are SO dim, I can’t even tell if they are on- forcing me to drive with my bright lights on all the time. The bulbs blow all the time- I have driven without low beams and not none they were blown. The lights are now constantly flickering while driving. Very dangerous.
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.
Structure, Feb 6, 2022
Paint is falling off in chunks for no reason. This poses a risk to other drivers who may be negatively impacted by chunks flying off of the vehicle.
Structure, Feb 1, 2022
The paint started peeling off of my car. My car is almost always parked in my garage, especially since I began working from home in March 2020. It is rarely exposed to the elements. Nothing hit or bumped my car. All of a sudden, a huge patch of paint is missing.
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.
Structure, Jan 27, 2022
My paint has been peeling off my car the year after I got it an iwas told to contact Kia by one of my coworkers when I worked for Kia and was told because I own my car I have to pay for it out of pocket and that is not right. It is a defective paint job done on all pearl white kia's. All the paint peels down to primer and they tried to tell me it was from rocks or pebbles and that is false as well it is with all kia's and it needs to be fixed asap.
Engine, Jan 23, 2022
While pulling into my driveway, my car completely died. Shut off and steering wheel stiffened. Was able to restart it and it presented a check engine light and a knocking noise. Took it to Kia dealership and was told the engine needed to be replaced. I was quoted $15,000 for a new engine/9,000 for used. This repair is not covered in the Kia engine settlement. Vehicle is up to date on maintenance and have proof of prior maintenance. Car was brought into a mechanic within days of the knocking noise and check engine light and now it is not drive-able for fear of engine fire or explosion.
Structure, Jan 19, 2022
Paint delamination occurring on body of vehicle.
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
Exterior lighting, Jan 11, 2022
The headlights keep blowing. This is not safe nor normal.
Engine, Jan 5, 2022
For several months I have been adding 1 quart of oil to my 2014 sorento bi-weekly there is no evidence of an external leak, residue or smoke coming out exhaust. When I don’t add the oil the car stalls, shutters and makes sound during acceleration. I have taken in to dealership but they could not see any issues.
Structure, Jan 4, 2022
Snow White Pearl is peeling after 7 years with only 33200 mileage after a -25 night 12-31-2021 the picture tells it all
Engine, Dec 29, 2021
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle overheated without warning. The contact added coolant. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer Nationwide KIA (1600 York Rd, Lutherville-Timonium, MD 21093, (410) 561-9000) where it was diagnosed that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The contact sent an email to the manufacturer however, they failed to respond. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
Engine, Dec 27, 2021
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving in the city at an unknown speed, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact restarted the vehicle and drove home. The contact then drove the vehicle to a dealer where she was informed that the engine block had cracked which resulted in engine failure. The contact stated that prior to the failure, she had maintained pristine care of the vehicle. Additionally, a month prior to the failure, the same dealer informed her that the engine was in great shape after a routine oil change. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 144,688.
Other or unspecified, Dec 22, 2021
The paint began peeling approximately 2 years ago and Kia refused to cover the repair fee.
Structure, Dec 16, 2021
Paint is peeling on hood, roof and both sides of windshield supports.
Exterior lighting, Dec 13, 2021
Head lamps stopped working on low beams when driving at night, high beams still work, no warnings were indicated and lights still will not work.
Air bags, Dec 7, 2021
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that after turning on the vehicle the air bag warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed with a clockspring failure. The vehicle was repaired however, after several months the failure recurred. The contact took the vehicle back to the local dealer who inspected the vehicle and stated that the clockspring was damaged and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the part to repair the vehicle was not available and had to be ordered. The contact was concerned that the failure would recur after replacing the clockspring. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.