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.
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.
Structure, Nov 1, 2021
I have a pearl white 2014 kia sorento with 46000 miles on it and the paint is peeling off my car
Engine, Nov 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 40 - 50 MPH, the vehicle decelerated inadvertently and was shaking. The vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with an engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.
Exterior lighting, Oct 29, 2021
The lighting (headlights) on low beam are very poor. We live in a rural area and the lighting supplied by the headlights is very poor, making it hard to see items in the road and curves. Turning a corner and staying on the road can be problematic. The lighting forces driver to drive with high beams on to attain minimally sufficient lighting. The bulbs have been replaced with no increase in forward visibility. I should have reported this earlier, but now I feel unsafe in this vehicle at night and we drive it less. These are projector style and they do not go very far in front of the car. A quick check on the web, of Kia Forums show that this is a common complaint, some have the bulbs going out regularly. The Kia forums also mention changing the bulbs to non DOT approved items and other modifications.
Exterior lighting, Oct 28, 2021
the low beam headlights are so dim it is a safety concern. new bulbs do not help!
Structure, Oct 25, 2021
Snow pearl white paint is peeling rapidly all around vehicle.
Vehicle speed control, Oct 25, 2021
The white pearl paint is rapidly chipping off from the roof above the drivers seat. This is a very common and know issue on all Kia Sorento's beginning in 2011 into the latest models with White Pearl paint. There are multiple forum postings and Facebook groups discussing this issue. Separately, all steering wheel control buttons have stopped working (volume, radio tuner, cruise control, etc.). Before the controls completely went out the cruise control was extremely dangerous to use and would speed up on continuously on its own without driver input. Pressing the deceleration button would also make it accelerate if cruise control was set.
Engine, Oct 24, 2021
When starting up the vehicle it has a cold start & the cold start can last longer then the vehicle warming up. You can hear the engine components inside while it’s warming up. After staring it up it seems like there is no oil in the vehicle, which it eats oil up which is uncommon
Exterior lighting, Oct 19, 2021
I own a 2014 Kia Sorento LX and a short time ago, on a drive from NC to FL, the headlights started to fail. One day it was the low beam on the driver side and then it was the high beam on the passenger side. It varied and was random. I would have the bulbs replaced or replace them myself. After time, the "eyelash" went out on one side as well. One evening, driving home, all of the headlights went out and I drove the remaining distance with my hazards on. When I pulled into the driveway, some of the lights came back on. After this, I took it to the dealer and they it was a short and it would cost +/- $2,500 to replace the assembly on both sides. Since then, I have had 3rd parties look over the vehicle and it was always the same answer, "we have no idea of what causes this." The lights have only totally went off 2 or 3 times after the initial time. I have been replacing bulbs on a regular basis and the road does not "light up" without the high beams on, even immediately after changing the bulbs. I have even changed a bulb twice in one day.
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.
Engine, Oct 13, 2021
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, a knocking noise was present coming from the engine and the engine experienced excessive oil consumption. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure and an oil consumption test was performed but no failure was identified. The failure mileage was 45,000.
Structure, Oct 13, 2021
Paint is just falling off the vehicle
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.
Engine, Sep 28, 2021
Engine seized on the PA turnpike leaving my daughter stranded. Dealer repair costs 19k to replace an engine. Apparently there is a defect that causes a bearing to fail causing major engine damage. There apparently was a class action lawsuit that was settled for the r act problem that I have but just not for my motor. My motor was last serviced by a Kia dealer.
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 27, 2021
Car ran out of oil within 4,000 of oil change upon purchasing car. No indicator light came on ever for low or no oil. It cut off at 70 mph on highway. I got on shoulder, turned key off then restarted. Upon doing so every time the car gets to rpm level for gear shift it starts knocking. So if the cars engine is knocking the knock sensor should through service engine light which it did not. I have a) the dealer who rode with me to show him and it started to knock and shut off with him in the car with no check engine light on. Got back to their repair shop to which both mechanics witnessed the engine knocking with no check engine lights (MIL. Malfunction indicator light. Failure)
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.
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.
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.