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.
Suspension, Power train, Dec 9, 2020
I HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL ON MY PASSENGER SIDE. I HAD TWO ESTIMATES DONE WAS TOLD IT'S HARD FOR THAT TO GO OUT. I ENDED PAYING TO HAVE IT REPLACED SINCE THE SUV WAS NOT DRIVABLE.
Engine, Dec 9, 2020
ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON NOT THE OIL LIGHT WHEN IT'S TIME TO FILL. ONCE I HAVE OIL CHANGE IT GOES OFF OUT THE NEXT DAY. MY ENGINE LIGHT CURRENTLY REMAINS ON AND I SMELL A BURNING FROM MY ENGINE AND MY VEHICLE DRIVES AS IF SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE OR IT STRUGGLES TO CHANGE OVER.I'VE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW WITH MY ENGINE SMELLING AS IF IT'S BURNING.
Engine, Dec 9, 2020
THERE HAVE BEEN AT LEAST TWO TIMES WHEN SERVICE FOR SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE WAS DUE AND THE SHOP SAID THE ENGINE HAD ALMOST NO OIL. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SAME SHOP ON A DIFFERENT OCCASION AFTER HEARING RATTLING NOISES AROUND THE MOTOR WHILE DRIVING AND THE SAME ANSWER WAS GIVEN ABOUT VERY LOW ON OIL LEVEL. THIS WEEK THE CAR STALLED WHILE ONE OF MY KIDS WAS DRIVING AND I PICKED THEM UP WHERE THEY WERE LOCATED. I ASSUMED IT WAS THE BATTERY BUT AFTER AAA TOWING CAME THEY SHOWED ME THE BATTERY HAD FULL CHARGE AND PULLED THE OIL DIP STICK AND SHOWED ME NO OIL MARKING. THE CAR IS A 2014 SUV WITH 155,950 MILES. THERE WERE NO SERVICE ENGINE LIGHTS OR ANY KIND OF INDICATORS WARNING THAT OIL WAS LOW OR COMPLETELY DRIED OUT. THE CAR DOES NOT TURN AND IS AT THE SHOP. THE SHOP PREVIOUSLY DID SOME COSTLY WORK AS THEY REPAIRED AN OIL LEAK BUT THAT HAS BEEN ABOUT 1 YEAR TO 1.5 YEARS AGO AND I'VE NOT NOTICED ANY LEAKAGE. I CAN PROVIDE RECEIPTS IF NEEDED. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING.
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Dec 8, 2020
VEHICLE IS NOT BEING DRIVEN BECAUSE THE AXLE IS BUSTED. WE ARE NOT SURE WHY HIS HAPPENED. WHEN I DRIVE THE SORENTO, IT PULLS TO THE RIGHT VERY STRONG. I AM NOT SURE HOW LONG IT TAKES FORT THAT TO HAPPEN, BUT IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE CAR REACHES A FULL STOP. ALSO, WHEN I MANEUVER AND MAKE. TURN TO THE LEFT, IT SOUNDS LIKE IT POPS. IT'S A SCARY FEELING.
Service brakes, Dec 7, 2020
THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT (HECU) ASSEMBLY CONTROLS THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM(ABS) ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM (ESC) AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (TCS) IN YOUR VECICLE. BRAKE FLUID MAY LEAK INTRNALLY INSIDE THE HECU,WHICH,OVERTIME,CAN RESULT IN AN ELETRICAL SHORT.AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE HECU INCREASES THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. KIA SAYS THEY INSPECTED THE UNIT INDICATED"NO ELECTRICAL DRAW AT THIS TIME". I WOULD PREFER THE UNIT BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE.
Engine, Nov 29, 2020
CAR STARTED MAKING KNOCKING NOISE WITH LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING ON 45MPH ROAD. CHECKED OIL, NO OIL. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME IN DASH PRIOR OR CURRENTLY INDICATING LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE OF CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.
Structure, Nov 27, 2020
THE PAINT IS PEELING IN LARGE PIECES FROM THE HOOD AND DOORS. IT HAPPENED BOTH TIMES JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THERE ARE SEVERAL SPOTS ON THE VEHICLE THAT ARE BUBBLING AND WILL EVENTUALLY PEEL AS WELL.
Structure, Nov 17, 2020
I OWN A KIA SORENTO, PEARL WHITE, 2014, WHICH JUST RECENTLY STARTED TO CHIP AND NOW PEEL THE PAINT ON THE SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. ITS GETTING WORSE AND WORSE EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY ONLY TOLD ME WARRANTY IS UP, NOTHING WE CAN DO. THE VEHICLE HAS APPROX. 85000 MILES ON IT RIGHT NOW. I ALSO HAVE A LITTLE SPOT CHIPPED ON THE HOOD OF THE CAR. I HAPPEN TO CATCH 2 PIECES OF PAINT IN MY YARD. ITS NOT JUST LITTLE PIECES THAT COME OFF, ITS REALLY LIKE SNAKE SKIN PEELING IN BIGGER PIECES AND ITS GETTING REALLY BAD.
Service brakes, Nov 16, 2020
THIS CAR HAS HAD NUMEROUS RECALLS INCLUDING A MAJOR ONE IN WHICH THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE (THEY DID IT ON THIS CAR). NOW I HAVE THE ABS, ESC AND TIRE PRESSURE LIGHTS ON (WITH TIRE PRESSURE AT THE CORRECT READINGS) WHICH I BELIEVE IS RELATED TO THE LATEST ABS RECALL THEY HAD. UNFORTUNATELY, MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED ON MARCH 2013, THEIR LATEST ABS RECALL (WHICH MAY START A FIRE) ONLY INCLUDES THIS MODEL AND YEAR STARTING JUNE 2013. I BELIEVE, MY CAR SHOULD ALSO QUALIFY FOR THIS RECALL. THANK YOU
Exterior lighting, Nov 16, 2020
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE DANGEROUSLY DIM. I HAVE TRIED MULTIPLE DIFFERENT BULBS (LED AND HALOGEN), WITH NO CHANGE. THEY ARE DIM ENOUGH THAT THERE IS A SHADOW OF MY CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHEN THERE IS ANOTHER CAR BEHIND ME AT NIGHT.
Exterior lighting, Nov 16, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND WERE REPLACED SIX TIMES. ALSO, THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE ACCENT LIGHT LOCATED ABOVE THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED AND NO LONGER WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.
Electrical system, Nov 14, 2020
CAMERA, RADIO, LIGHTS ON ONE SIDE AND POWER LOCKS ALL STOPPED WORKING
Seats, Nov 14, 2020
THE SKIRTING AROUND MY SEAT HAS BEEN BROKEN SINCE ABOUT 2015. THIS WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP. NOW THE SEAT IS NOT ADJUSTING CORRECTLY CAUSING IT TO BE HARD TO REACH THE PEDALS SOMETIMES.
Exterior lighting, Nov 12, 2020
LOWBEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE DANGEROUSLY DIM. UNABLE TO SEE PAST 5 FEET IN FRONT. CAN'T TELL WHEN THEY ARE ON MOST TIMES.
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.
Structure, Nov 10, 2020
THREE YEARS AGO WHEN OUR KIA WAS AT ABOUT 60,000 MILES THE PAINT WHICH IS PEARL WHITE, AROUND THE WINDSHIELD STARTING PEELING OFF AND SINCE THEN HAS PEELED OFF IN MULTIPLE AREAS EXPOSING THE BARE METAL LEADING TO RUST. THE FORMING AROUND THE WINDSHIELD IS CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD TO WEAKEN. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER KIAS WITH THE SAME ISSUE OF PAINT PEELING AROUND THE WINDSHIELD AND AM AFRAID THAT THE PAINT USED FOR PEARL WHITE KIAS WAS DEFECTIVE.
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.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Nov 5, 2020
I BEGAN NOTICING PAINT CHIPS IN 2019 ON A 5 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. THESE SPOTS HAVE BECOME LARGER AND LARGER IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS ON THE CAR PRIMARILY THE HOOD, A FRAME, AND ROOF. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THIS SAME ISSUE WITH OTHER KIA SORENTO'S THAT ARE ALSO PEARL WHITE. THERE SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE PAINT. I KNOW THAT ALONE MAY NOT BE A HUGE ISSUE BUT WHAT IF IT CONTRIBUTES TO ANOTHER ISSUE? THERE ARE ALREADY SEVERAL SERIOUS RECALLS. IF THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE PAINT, WHAT HAPPENS IF IT GETS TOO HOT OR SOMETHING?
Exterior lighting, Nov 5, 2020
I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, MY HEADLIGHTS ARE EXTREMELY, DANGEROUSLY DIM. I HAVE CHANGED THE BULBS, AND I CAN STILL BARELY SEE IN FRONT OF ME WITHOUT CLICKING ON THE HIGH BEAMS. WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS ISSUE? I AM SO TERRIFIED TO DRIVE AT NIGHT, I ONLY GO FIVE MINUTES AWAY FROM MY HOUSE IF NECESSARY. I'M ALSO AFRAID I WILL GET A TRAFFIC CITATION FOR DRIVING WITH HIGH BEAMS ON, BUT SOMETIMES IN MY AREA WITH POOR LIGHTING, I HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE. I'M DRIVING AT NIGHT BUT DEPENDING ON THE CAR BEHIND ME TO GIVE ME MORE LIGHT, WHICH ISN'T GOOD. IF THERE'S NO TRAFFIC BEHIND ME, I'M DEFINITELY FORCED TO PUT ON THE HIGH BEAMS.
Service brakes, Nov 3, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, AND THE ANTILOCK BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL WHEN DRIVING AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO BE UNABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO STOP IN A TIMELY MANNER. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENGAGE BRAKE WITH FORCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, FAILURE WAS CAUSING THE TIRES NOT RESPOND IMMEDIATELY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 20V519000 (HYDRAULIC ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT MAY SHORT). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FUCCILLO KIA OF CAPE CORAL FLORIDA 404 NORTH EAST PINE ISLAND ROAD CAPE CORAL FLORIDA 33903 PHONE 239-242-7000, FOR THE RECALL REPAIR AND THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, AND ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM, WILL ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALLED NEEDED TO ALSO INCLUDE THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE, AND THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO WANTED TO STATE THAT THE VEHICLE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT OPERATING AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,467. *DT *TR
Engine, Nov 1, 2020
THE ENGINE MAY STOP WORKING ENTIRELY WITHOUT WARNING. SHUT OFF AND WILL NOT PROVIDE POWER, MAKING KNOCKING SOUNDS.
Structure, Oct 29, 2020
DELAMINATION OF PAINT ON OUR 2014 KIA SORENTO. WE FIXED THE DRIVER SIDE THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED IN 2018 AND NOW IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE 102820
Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 29, 2020
2014 KIA SORENTO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE DOOR HANDLES. CONSUMER STATES THAT DOOR HANDLES WILL NOT OPEN. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE WILL NOT OPEN ON THE INSIDE NOR OUTSIDE. *JS
Exterior lighting, Oct 28, 2020
HEAD LIGHTS KEEP BLOWING OUT AND WILL NOT STAY AJUSTED