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, Sep 10, 2020
ENGINE IS MAKING VERY LOUD NOISE AND NOT DRIVABLE. WHEN TOOK TO KIA DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THAT SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED TO GDI 4 CYL ENGINE AND IT WAS RECALLED BUT NOT THE 6 CYL EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEMS ARE THE SAME DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I CALLED KIA AMERICA AND THEY SAID THAT THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING.
Structure, Sep 9, 2020
I HAVE A 2014 KIA PEARL WHITE THAT HAS MAJOR PAINT PEELING ON DRIVERS/PASSENGER DOOR PANELS & HOOD. THIS ISSUE CONTINUES TO GET WORSE. I HAD THIS CAR FOUR YRS & IT STARTED AFTER THE FIRST YR. CONTINUES TO GET WORSE.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Sep 8, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT STARTED SMELLING FUMES INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE, SHE CONTINUED TO SMELL THE FUMES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED WHILE IN USE THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS LEAKING ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V907000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE). THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,700,
Other or unspecified, Sep 6, 2020
MY 2014 KIA MY A CLICK SOUND AND IT HAD STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY PULLED OVER TO SAFETY AND IT STOP
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 5, 2020
MY HEADLIGHTS CONTINUE TO BLOW OUT EVERY 2 MONTHS, NO MATTER WHAT KIND OF BULB I REPLACE THEM WITH. BOTH HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT, BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ALSO BLOWING OUT EVERY 1.5 MONTH. I BROUGHT IT TO MY DEALER: KIA OF VENTURA,CA ATTENTION BUT THEY KEEP DISMISSING IT AS NOTHING IS WRONG. I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER TWICE SO FAR THIS YEAR FOR BOTH BREAK STOP & HEADLIGHTS BLOWING OUT AND NOT WORKING DURING NIGHT TIME ROAD TRAVELS ACROSS STATES. I FEEL THIS IS. VERY DANGEROUS. APPARENTLY, THIS ISN'T AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AS I HAVE COME TO KNOW OF 50+ KIA SORENTO OWNERS FACING SIMILAR ELECTRICAL SAFETY ISSUES. ALSO, EVER I BOUGHT THE CAR THE MILE PER GALLON THE CAR IS SUPPOSEDLY TO GIVE ISN'T CORRECT, IT ONLY AVERAGES ABOUT 12-14 MPG. PLEASE LOOK INTO BOTH OF THESE SAFETY ISSUES AS I DRIVE WITH TWO UNDER 5YRS KIDS AND ELDERLY MOTHER. WHAT IS THE NHTSA WAITING FOR? MULTIPLE DEATH FATALITIES BEFORE YOUR ORGANIZATION TAKES ACTION..DO IT NOW PLEASE. ANY RESULTING FATALITIES WILL MAKE YOU LEGALLY LIABLE FOR FAILING TO TAKE ACTION AFTER SOO MANY COMPLAINTS.
Structure, Sep 4, 2020
I HAVE A PEARL WHITE 2014 KIA SORRENTO PURCHASED IN APRIL OF 2017 WITH AROUND 70,000 MILES ON IT IT HAD NOT A SCRATCH OR DENT. AROUND 9/2017 AT AROUND 80,000 MILES, I STARTED NOTICING SMALL CHIPS OF PAINT MISSING. IT WAS PEELING AND DELAMINATING FROM THE BODY OF THE CAR AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THEY HAVE EVOLVED INTO VERY LARGE SPOTS OF CHIPPED PAINT AND RUSTING ON TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD, ON THE SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND ON THE HOOD. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THINNING PAINT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR.
Structure, Sep 3, 2020
KIA SORENTO PEARL WHITE PAINT PEELING CHIPPING AND DELAMINATION. PAINT ON ROOF OF CAR HAS BEEN RAPIDLY CHIPPING PEELING AWAY AND IS NOW RUSTING. THE STREAK HAS GROWN ABOUT 2 INCHES IN THE PAST WEEK AND A HALF. CONCERNED THAT IT WILL NOT STOP AND IS DEFECTIVE AND HAVE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FOR KIA SORENTO PEARL WHITE PAINT.
Structure, Sep 3, 2020
THE PAINT ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF WINDSHIELD STARTED PEELING OFF. I WAS ABLE TO STOP ONE SMALL SPOT FROM SPREADING BY USING THE KIA PAINT PEN, BUT ANOTHER AREA OPENED UP. WIND FROM HIGHWAY DRIVING HAS STARTED TAKING OFF MUCH LARGER AREAS OF PAINT. MY CAR IS KEPT IN A GARAGE SO WEATHER DAMAGE IS NOT THE CAUSE.
Air bags, Sep 3, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAGS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER NAPLETON'S KIA OF ELMHURST LOCATED AT 727 W. GRAND AVE, ELMHURST, IL 60126, (630) 530-6866 AND THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,800.
Structure, Sep 3, 2020
SNOW WHITE PEARL PAINT IS FALLING OFF THE CAR. THE MOST NOTICEABLE AREAS ARE BEHIND THE SUNROOF AND OVER THE DRIVER'S DOOR.
Steering, Suspension, Service brakes, Sep 2, 2020
THE SUSPENSION IN THE SLIGHTEST BUMP THAT FALLS, IT DOES NOT PROTECT IT HITS DRY IT HAS NO SUPPORT, THE STEERING WHEEL FROM ZERO MILES IS A RATTLE EVEN THOUGH WE TAKE IT TO ITS GUARANTEE THEY NEVER FIXED IT, IN THE SAME WAY THE BRAKE DISCS TO THE EMERGENCY BRAKING AS THEY SKID, SWEEP; YOU HAVE TO STEP ON THE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES FOR IT TO RESPOND ...
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Aug 29, 2020
WHILE DRIVING THE HOOD UNLATCHED AND WE WERE UNABLE TO SEE
Structure, Aug 26, 2020
THE PAINT BEGAN TO RAPIDLY PEEL AND DELAMINATE FROM THE BODY OF MY CAR AFTER THE 36,000 MILE PAINT WARRANTY EXPIRED ON MY 2014 KIA SORENTO PEARL WHITE SORENTO. THE RIGHT SIDE ARM OF THE WINDSHIELD AREA RAPIDLY PEELED AND BEGAN TO RUST THEN THE LEFT SIDE ARM OF MY WINDSHIELD BEGAN TO PEEL , DELAMINATE AND RUST . AFTER THIS THE TOP OF MY ROOF AROUND THE WINDSHIELD THEN THE HOOD. THIS IS CAUSING GREAT BODILY DAMAGE TO THE SAFETY OF MY WINDSHIELD. THE KIA DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO HELP DUE TO THE MILEAGE BUT THIS IS REPORTED ON MANY ( PEARL WHITE KIA SORENTOS 2014/2015 ) I HAVE PROOF AND PHOTOS OF OVER 60 KIAS ON A FACEBOOK PAGE I CREATED TO GET THIS RECALLED BY KIA.
Structure, Aug 22, 2020
THE PEARL WHITE PAINT IS PEELING FROM THE CAR BADLY ON BOTH SIDES OF THE WINDOW SHIELD. CAR HAS NEVER BEEN REPAINTED. THE FACTORY PAINT IS PEELING EXCESSIVELY
Electrical system, Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 18, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FOB AND AUTOMATIC LOCKS FAILED TO LOCK THE DOORS. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WILSON AUTO GROUP (4202 LAKELAND DR, JACKSON, MS 39232, (601) 914-4200) WHERE THE KEYFOB BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE SYSTEM WAS RESET AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTHERBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
Electrical system, Aug 17, 2020
SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL NOT START. YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE TRANSMISSION OUT OF PARK AND PLACE INTO NEUTRAL, THEN PLACE BACK INTO PARK AGAIN IN ORDER FOR CAR TO START. I HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO FAIRFAX KIA MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT THEY SAY NOTHING IS WRONG. I AM ALSO ABLE TO PLACE CAR IN NEUTRAL WITHOUT PRESSING ON BRAKE.
Structure, Aug 16, 2020
RAPID PAINT PEEL DUE TO DELAMINATION. IT STARTED AS A TINY DO THEN RAPIDLY BEGIN TO PEEL ON THE PANEL NEXT TO THE WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE.
Structure, Aug 16, 2020
MY WHITE 2014 KIA SORENTO STARTED SHEDDING PAINT IN HUGE SECTIONS. DELAMINATION AND PEELING EVERYWHERE. IT WASN'T CAUSED BY A ROCK CHIP. IT'S HUGE BUBBLES UNDER THE SURFACE AND IT COMES OFF IN MASSIVE PIECES. THE WHOLE CAR WILL HAVE TO BE SANDED TO METAL AND REPAINTED!!
Other or unspecified, Aug 11, 2020
MY CAR JUST SHUTS OFF DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD .WAS ON INTERSTATE 81 WHEN IT JUST CUT OFF LOST ALL CONTROLS THANK GOODNESS I WAS IN RIGHT LANE AN DRIFT TO SIDE THIS INTERSTATE IS VERY BUSY WITH TRACTOR TRAILERS. IT STARTED BACK UP AN MADE TO A EXIT AN IT DID IT AGAIN .HAVE SENT TO GARAGE AN FIXED A CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR HOPING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM BUT IT WASN'T. STILL DOING IT. VERY DANGEROUS THIS CAN CAUSE A VERY BAD ACCIDENT I WAS LUCKY THAT I COULD GET OUT OF WAY OF TRAFFIC .I JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE.ALSO WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON
Structure, Other or unspecified, Aug 2, 2020
ON MARCH 1, 2020, I WENT OUT TO GET IN MY CAR AND NOTICED A 10" SWATCH OF PAINT MISSING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF MY CAR BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW. APROXIMATELY 4 DAYS LATER, I NOTICED THE SAME THING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE.I WAS VERY UPSET AS IT IS ONLY A 2014, I HAVE BABIED IT AND LOVE IT. TO HAVE IT LOOK LIKE THIS IS VERY DISTRESSING AND I HAVE NOT HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ANY OTHER CAR I HAVE OWNED.
Structure, Aug 2, 2020
PAINT IS PEELING ALL OVER AND RUSTING THE CAR. PEARL WHITE COLOR.
Exterior lighting, Jul 31, 2020
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE DANGEROUSLY DIM. THEY HAVE ALREADY BEEN REPLACED ONCE, I DO NOT BELIEVE IT IS THE BULB AS IIHS HAS RATED THESE LIGHTS ON THIS MODEL AS POOR AS WELL. WHILE DRIVING ON ANY ROAD WITHOUT REFLECTORS OR OVERHEAD LIGHTS IN THE EVENING IT IS VERY HARD TO SEE THE PAINTED LINES. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE ON PAVED COUNTRY ROADS, EVEN ONES THAT ARE STRAIGHT FOR MILES. TURNS FEEL MORE DANGEROUS, AND THIS IS EVEN A PROBLEM ON THE HIGHWAY IN MAJOR CITIES WHERE NO OVERHEAD ILLUMINATION IS PRESENT ON THE ROADWAY.
Exterior lighting, Jul 28, 2020
I AM HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS. THE BULB HAS TO BE REPLACED AT LEAST EVERY THREE MONTHS. WHEN I TURN THE LIGHTS OFF SOMETIMES THEY DO NOT COME BACK ON SO BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE I AM FORCED TO LEAVE HEADLIGHTS ON AT ALL TIMES AND THEY STILL GO OUT AFTER A COUPLE MONTHS. OWNING THE CAR FOR 2 YEARS I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED TAIL LIGHTS TWICE AND HEADLIGHTS 7 TIMES. THERE IS SOMETHING VERY WRONG HERE, NO CAR FROM 2014 SHOULD HAVE REPLACED HEADLIGHTS 7 TIMES MUCH LESS 7 TIMES SINCE 2018!! ON JULY 22, 2020 WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT NIGHT, BOTH HEADLIGHTS BURNT OUT AT THE SAME TIME AND I WAS FORCED TO DRIVE HOME WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 20, 2020
MY VEHICLE KEEPS HAVING ISSUES WITH OIL. I GET REGULAR OIL CHANGES AN I HAVE TO PUT OIL IN IT EITHER EVERY 2WEEKS EVEN AFTER AN OIL CHANGE. I HAVE HAD AN OIL COMPSUMPTION TEST AN HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. THERE ARE NO OIL LEAKS AT ALL. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY IN CRUISE CONTROL WHEN IT ALL OF SUDDEN CAME OUT OF CRUISE CONTROL THEN I NOTICED MY RPM GAUGE WASN'T WORKING ALSO. I THEN CAME TO A LIGHT AN WHEN I STARTED TO GO I NOTICED MY CAR BEING SLUGGISH TO REACH 60MPH. I AT ONE TIME HAD MY PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. IT ALSO ACTED LIKE IT WANTED TO STALL ON ME. I MADE IT HOME AN INTO MY DRIVEWAY WHERE I TURNED IT OFF AN BACK ON WHICH AT THAT POINT MY RMP GAUGE STARTED WORKING AN THE CAR ACTED NORMAL. I HAVE ASKED KIA ABOUT THIS PROBLEM NUMEROUS OF TIMES AN I GET NO WHERE. THEY SAY WELL WE SEE THAT THE CONSUMPTION TEST CAME BACK IN THE STANDARD RANGE. I HAVE NO LEAKS AN I HAVE TO PUT OIL IN MY CAR ON A REGULAR BASES. I CAN BE ONLY 4,000 AFTER AN OIL CHANGE AN FEEL IT ACTIING UP AN THEN I CK MY OIL AN MY DIP STICK IS CLEAN NO OIL SO THEN I HAVE TO ADD MORE OIL. I AM CONCERNED THAT I WILL BE ON THE HIGHWAY AN MY CAR WILL JUST SHUT DOWN. MY CAR IS ALWAYS MOVING WHEN I HAVE THESE PROBLEMS. I KEEP GETTING THE RUN AROUND ABOUT THIS ISSUE.
Steering, Suspension, Service brakes, Jul 19, 2020
WHEN BRAKING, BRAKES GIVE OUT AND CAR SKIDS. ON TURNS, I HAVE TO PUMP BRAKES TO TRY AND REGAIN CONTROL.