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, Jun 7, 2021
My vehicle has a rapid delamination and paint peeling that started. There was not crash and it started over 2020. I have attached an image.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 1, 2021
After recall repairs their were no warning lights showing and diagnostics always came back clear. Car overheated in RED Hot with no engine alarms or anything. Mechanic stated it’s blown head gaskets
Structure, May 25, 2021
2014 Kia Sorento Paint is peeling off the front of my SUV!!!!!! Consumer stated following issues with vehicle oil leak, e call (emergency calll system), sun roof problem, communication module may be damaged inaccurate vehicle location.*JB
Other or unspecified, May 25, 2021
2014 Kia Sorento. Consumer writes seeking reimbursement for vehicles repairs made related to an open recall. *LD
Service brakes, May 25, 2021
Approx. 38000 miles on vehicle. Approx. 25 miles ago the ABS and the “anti skid” lights came up on the dashboard. Approx. 15 miles ago the TPMS light came on, flashed then steady. (Checked tires at a repair shop, no low tire pressure). I checked my owners manual, not an “urgent” or “immediate” situation, but contact the dealer. Through NHTSA website saw a recall and TSBs for these issues. Kia dealership saying recall isn’t for my vehicle, and the TSBs are not covered under my extended warranty. If these issues are a safety issue, should they not be covered? I just want to document these issues, the Kia dealership (Gettel in Bradenton, Fl) and KIA customer service, if something happens, damages my vehicle or causes, creates an incident I want a record to exist. Am I in danger, are other motorists?
Exterior lighting, May 22, 2021
My brake lights won’t go off unless I press the brakes and emergency blinking lights. My vehicle is stalling when I’m driving. It will just start decreasing speed like it’s trying to stop and I can only be doing 40mph. I can’t put in in gear from park if the car is still running. I have to cut it off and turn it back on to change gears and I don’t have to press the brake for it to come back on.
Other or unspecified, May 20, 2021
The "snow white pearl" paint has a defect. It peels and chips on its own.
Engine, May 5, 2021
THE CAR STARTED TO SMOKE AND STOPPED RUNNING. THE ENGINE HAS A WHOLE IN IT. THE 2014 4 CYCLINDERS HAVE A RECALL. MINE IS A V6. SURPRISINGLY, A SIMILAR SITUATION JUST OCCURRED WITH MY CO-WORKER'S 2014 V6 SORENTO AS WELL.
Engine, Apr 30, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PRICE KIA (1390 RICHMOND RD, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA 22911) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE ROD BEARINGS NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RELATED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 146,000.
Engine, Apr 28, 2021
ONE DAY I HEARD A CLICKING WHILE DRIVING 65 ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN I PULLED INTO TOWN AND SLOWED DOWN IT STOPPED. I HAD TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND WHEN I STARTED TO GO I HEARD THE CLICKING AGAIN. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AGAIN GOING 65, MY ENGINE REDUCED POWER AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS BLINKING. WHEN I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AT THE STOP SIGN AND STARTED TO GO SO I COULD PULL OUT OF TRAFFIC IT HAD A HARD TIME GETTING POWER TO GO. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I AM WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM THEN TO FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE, BUT FROM WHAT I AM READING ONLINE, IT SEEMS KIA HAS ALOT OF ENGINE ISSUES. FINGERS CROSSED ITS UNDER WARRANTY AND IT CAN BE FIXED AS I JUST SPENT $3000.00 6 MONTHS AGO FOR A NEW STRUT AND AN ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM. I ONLY HAVE $129,000 ON THIS VEHICLE. VERY DISAPPOINTING.
Engine, Apr 27, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SHIFTED TO PARK AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER NOR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER A RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
Engine, Apr 26, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT'S WIFE OWNS A 2014 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ENTERPRISE KIA (1509 E. PARK AVE, ENTERPRISE, AL 36330, (334)417-4444) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL.. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 134,000.
Engine, Apr 25, 2021
2.4L ENGINE STARTED USING OIL AT 100,000MILES AND REPLACED PCV VALVE AND NO CHANGE. ENGINE NOW AT 120,000 MILES USES MORE OIL. THIS OCCURRED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. IT NOW USES 3 QUARTS BETWEEN OIL CHANGES.
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.
Air bags, Seats, Engine, Apr 20, 2021
I'VE ONLY HAD MY 2014 KIA SORENTO FOR A YEAR, FROM 2020-2021. I'VE NOTICED THESE PROBLEMS IN THE BEGINNING AND ASSUMED THEY WOULD WORK ITSELF OUT BECAUSE THE DEALER MENTIONED THAT THE CONDITIONS WERE MINOR BUT THEY ONLY PROGRESSED. I'M PUTTING OIL IN THIS VEHICLE EVERY THREE TO FOUR DAYS BECAUSE THE OIL STICK IS CLEAN ( INDICATING NO OIL). THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS ALWAYS BEEN ON. I'VE TAKEN IT TO SEVERAL MECHANICS, INCLUDING THE MECHANIC THAT WORKS DIRECTLY WITH THE DEALERSHIP IN WHICH I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME BACK AND WHENEVER IT STARTED TO BLINK IT WOULD CAUSE MY VEHICLE TO JERK EXCESSIVELY AND FORCEFULLY WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND MAIN HIGHWAYS EACH TIME CAUSING THE SPEED TO DECREASE . SAME THING WITH THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT, IT'S ALWAYS BEEN ON AND I WAS TOLD TO IGNORE IT. AND THE DRIVER SEAT DOES NOT MOVE, I WAS TOLD A SIMPLE SMALL GREEN FUSE (30) WOULD FIX THAT AND I PURCHASED SEVERAL AND EACH TIME THE MECHANIC WOULD INSERT ONE OF THE FUSES, YOU COULD HEAR A POP. I WAS TOLD NOT TO TOUCH IT OR IT COULD START A FIRE (THE FUSE BOX AREA). AS OF TODAY (APRIL 20, 2021) MY 2014 KIA SORENTO STILL HAVE THESE DANGEROUS ISSUES. VERY DANGEROUS AND SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY NOT RIGHT UNDER THE HOOD.
Structure, Apr 16, 2021
OUT OF NO WHERE PAINT STARTED CHIPPING THEN PEELING OFF ON DRIVER SIDE UPPER PANEL ABOVE WINDOW . THEN IT STARTED TO PEEL OFF ON FRONT END DRIVER SIDE. THE CAR HAS RUST SPOTS AND CHIPS. LOOKS LIKE THE ROOF WILL BE NEXT. THE PAINT IN CONTINUING TO PEEL. IT'S EXTREMELY THIN PAINT AND SEEMS VERY DRY. THE CAR ALSO MOLDS EASILY IN THE TRUNK AREA.
Exterior lighting, Apr 15, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS APPEARED DIM, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO DRIVE WITH THE HI-BEAMS ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT BULBS WOULD BURN OUT EVERY 4-6 MONTHS. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOE MYERS KIA (16484 NORTHWEST FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77040) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 103,000.
Engine, Apr 14, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SOUND AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA CHULA VISTA (540 AUTO PARK DR, CHULA VISTA, CA 91911) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE ENGINE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER STATED DURING THE INITIAL INSPECTION THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE POWERTRAIN.
Structure, Apr 13, 2021
PAINT ON OUR 2014 WHITE SORENTO PEELED OFF BOTH A PILLARS AND THE ROOF AND WE HAD TO GET THE TOP HALF OF THE CAR REPAINTED. PAINT PEELED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE BARE METAL PICTURE I PROVIDED ONLY GOT WORSE FROM THERE AND PEELED ALL THE WAY UP.
Structure, Apr 13, 2021
VEHICLE HAS LARGE CHUNKS OF PAINT THAT FALL OFF AND MAY CAUSE A DRIVING HAZARD FOR OTHERS. THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF PAINT FALLING OFF PEARL WHITE SORENTO VEHICLES. WHILE THIS IS MAINLY A COSMETIC ISSUE, DEBRIS CAN BE AN ISSUE AS PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED LARGE PAINT CHUNKS BECOMING AIRBORNE FROM THE HOOD AREA.
Structure, Apr 13, 2021
THE PAINT IS PEALING OFF OF THE BODY OF THE CAR IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS, MOST NOTABLY ON EITHER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THIS IS CAUSING THE THE BODY TO RUST IN THOSE LOCATIONS WHICH COMPROMISES THE INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE.
Steering, Apr 13, 2021
WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN MY STEERING WENT OUT IN THE CAR. I COULD NOT TURN THE VEHICLE AT ALL AND COULD ONLY PROCEED STRAIGHT. I CAME REALLY CLOSE TO A HEAD ON COLLISION. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND STOP THE CAR AND WAIT FOR HELP. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AS IT RANDOMLY DOES THIS WITH THE STEERING. OUR MECHANIC STATES THAT IT IS THE ELECTRICAL STEERING THAT HAS TO BE REPLACED IN THE CAR WHICH IS $2,000 +/-. I RESEARCHED AND DO NOT FIND ANY RECALLS CONCERNING THE ELECTRICAL STEERING.
Structure, Apr 9, 2021
AROUND FEBRUARY 5TH THE PAINT ON MY PEARLE WHITE 2014 KIA SORENTO STARTED PEELING. AS TIME WENT ON THE PAINT CONTINUED TO FLAKE OFF OF MY CAR ON BOTH PILLARS AND THE HOOD OF MY VEHICLE ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE BASE OF THE CAR. AS I RESEARCHED THIS DEFECT I CAME ACROSS MANY OTHER CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME ISSUES AND IN THE EXACT SAME AREAS ON THEIR KIA SORENTO SPECIFICALLY THE 2014 MODEL. THE PAINT CONTINUES TO COME OFF IN THE RAIN, WIND, AND EVEN A SIMPLE CAR WASH.
Power train, Apr 9, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD DRAG AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,000.
Structure, Apr 8, 2021
PAINT BUBBLED UP TWICE AFTER RAINY DAYS THEN WOULD GO DOWN AND LOOK NORMAL LIKE IF NOTHING HAD HAPPENED AFTER THE RAIN. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE FRONT MIDDLE SECTION ON MY HOOD STARTED PEELING, DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT SINCE IT WASN'T TOO BIG. A COUPLE WEEKS LATER THE SIDE OF MY WINDSHIELD STARTED PEELING THE SAME WAY (WHERE IT WOULD BUBBLE UP AFTER THE RAIN) IT STARTED PEELING OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS A PAPER SINCE IT SOUNDED SIMILAR TO WHEN A FLYER IS LEFT ON WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING, AFTER GETTING TO MY DESTINATION I NOTICED THAT THE PAINT HAD STARTED PEELING OFF ON THE DRIVER SIDE, NEXT TO THE WINDSHIELD. I STOPPED BY KIA DEALERSHIP TO BE TOLD THAT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO KIA'S WITH THE SAME PAINT COLOR AND THAT THEY JUST HAD A 2020 CAR THAT WAS GETTING RUST DOTS, THE GUY AT THE DEALERSHIP LOOKED AT MY CAR AND SAID I HAD RUST DOTS IN MY TRUNK DOOR, RIGHT NEXT TO THE SIDES OF THE KIA SIGN. I LOOKED CLOSELY AND HE WAS CORRECT, NOW I'M AFRAID IT WILL START PEELING THERE AS WELL. WHILE THERE THEY CHECKED MY WARRANTY AND WAS TOLD THAT THAT MY PAINT WARRANTY WAS OVER.