2017 Kia Sorento
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 804 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 23 Sorento model years with reports.
Of the 2017 reports, 13 involved a crash and 32 involved a fire. 17 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Trailer hitchesPark outsideSep 19, 2022
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
A 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 inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
Campaign 22V703000 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, engineSep 21, 2017
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017 Sorento vehicles equipped with 3.3L engines. The engine crankshaft may have been improperly heat treated and may fail.
If the crankshaft fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A failed crankshaft also increases the risk of a fire.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the crankshaft, and, as necessary, replace the engine sub assembly, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC153.
Campaign 17V586000 on NHTSA.gov
Trailer hitchesNov 30, 2016
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to August 25, 2016, and 2017 Sportage vehicles manufactured December 10, 2015, to August 26, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer tow hitch harness, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC142.
Campaign 16V862000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
95 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Sep 21, 2022
There is an electrical problem with the Kia Sorento. I had the battery and Alternator replaced when the vehicle shut down and locked up on me. This is the second time in a few months it just shut down while I was driving.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 14, 2022
While in Auto Lights mode, the headlights will randomly turn off while driving. Also, while in auto mode, while the car is parked the lights will randomly turn on- causing the battery to die within a few days of the car not being used. It appears to be the Auto lights mode that causes the problem. This is extremely dangerous to this car and other cars on the road, for obvious reasons. Issue has been noted to Kia dealer 2-3 times over the last 2 years. They are not able to replicate the issue. No errors in the computer.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 6, 2022
Headlights go off without warning while in auto driving at night . Has occurred 2 in the month of August 2022. Can be turned back on by twisting the control nob to on. Poses a dangerous situation on the dark county roads that we drive if not quick enough to manually turn back on.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 5, 2022
The "auto" headlight function keeps malfunctioning. It will randomly shut off the headlights and not turn back on. Numerous forums have reported the issue. This is extremely dangerous when driving at night.
Electrical system, Jul 26, 2022
My headlights are randomly turning on and off while I drive. Also when the car is parked and off for hours, the headlights turn on by themselves.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 20, 2022
When driving down the the interstate at night, my headlights just turn off while driving. They are on Auto. This has happened multiple times while driving. I have not took it to be looked at yet. There is no warning light or anything else that lets you know that there is a malfunction. The lights just go off. For them to come back on, I have to manually turn it off and back on again, and they will come back on.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 12, 2022
My car started running badly with a knocking noise at the start. The knocking noise got worse, I so pulled over and checked the oil and there was virtually no oil in the engine. I filled it with oil and the knocking continued and got worse as I drove it to the dealer for service. The engine failed before I could make it to the dealer. It now needs a new engine. The Car was serviced regularly. NO LOW OIL ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TO NOTIFY ME OF LOW OIL. NO LEAK WAS DETECTED.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 10, 2022
When “auto” for headlights the lights won’t turn on at night time unless I manually switch it or the lifts will be on and then go off on their own during the night.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Seat belts, Jul 1, 2022
Passenger seat belt not on warning no longer works when car is running or not running. Passenger can forget to put on seatbelt and no reminder chime. Problem is continuous. No warning lamps. Has been inspected but not repaired. Headlights come on and go off intermittently. Headlights come on when vehicle is off and not running Draining the battery down. Hard to duplicate. Has not been duplicated or repaired as it's intermittent without warning.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 6, 2022
Car lights come on when the car is not in use. Car sporadically does not start. New battery installed in February and car wont start in May.
Electrical system, Air bags, Engine, Apr 18, 2022
4/18/22 While making a right turn in a residential neighborhood, the car abruptly stopped and engine shut down. The stop was so abrupt that it threw my body forward and now have shoulder and neck pains. No warning lights were illuminated prior to this incident, however, after the engine shut down, the airbag light was lit. I drove it home slowly, called the Kia dealership in Manteca, CA. Making arrangements to have the vehicle towed and have it examined. Two days prior, the ! light came on. I noticed that the passenger side headlight was out. That same evening when I started the vehicle up, the ! light was gone and the headlight worked. I addition, when having the light control kept on Auto, the headlights remain on all the time. If this had happened in traffic or on the freeway, it may have had a different outcome.
Electrical system, Mar 29, 2022, fire
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the ABS warning light and other unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the contact noticed that the exterior of the driver's side mirror housing had melted. The contact stated that shortly after she could no longer lock or unlock the doors of the vehicle using the driver's side power door lock switch and the key fob. The contact was also unable to roll down the windows using the window switches. The contact stated that the instrument cluster had also failed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that an electrical fire had occurred in the driver's side mirror housing. The independent mechanic disconnected the electrical wiring system of the driver's side mirror housing. The contact stated that she could no longer adjust the driver's side mirror as needed and it could no longer turn in when the vehicle was parked. The contact stated that she was still experiencing electrical failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 28, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering assist and seized without warning. The contact was able to safely guide the vehicle off the roadway. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that there was a mechanical defect in the steering assembly and had to be addressed by a dealer. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the battery and a faulty ball joint replaced. The dealer stated that the failure was not due to the steering. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 17, 2022
Left low beam bulb went out. The right side was rendered inoperable. Had no operational low beam, just parking and high beam lights. Safety issue, generated a dangerous and lot of irate drivers in on coming vehicle’s, with inability to lower the high beams. Once the left low beam bulb was replaced right side became operable full low beam was operating. Don’t know if this a fluke with this vehicle or engineering problem. Created a high stress situation!
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 5, 2022, fire
I WAS LEAVING MY COUSINS APARTMENT COMPLEX WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. I ATTEMPTED TO TRY TO START THE VEHICLE AGAIN BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. ALL THE LIGHTS IN THE VEHICLE WERE ON AND THE RADIO WAS STILL PLAYING SO IT DID NOT APPEAR TO BE THE BATTERY. I ATTEMPTED TO TRY AND START THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND NOTICED GRAY SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I THEN BEGAN TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING, SO I EXITED THE VEHICLE AND POPPED THE HOOD. I THEN NOTICED A FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE BEHIND THE AIR FILTER COMPONET. ABOUT 10 SECONDS LATER I HEARD A POP AND TOOK OFF RUNNING TO A SAFER LOCATION AND CALLED 911. THE FIRE THEN BEGAN TO GROW BIGGER AND THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS THAT CAME ON. IF I HAD NOT EXITED THE VEHICLE WHEN I DID I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN SEVERLY BURNT AS THE WHOLE FRONT WINDSHIELD SHATTERED AND THE DASH WAS MELTED AND FRONT SEATS WERE BURNT.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Jun 29, 2021
While driving with the headlights in the "Auto" position, when a turn blinker is used the headlights will randomly turn off for about 10-15 seconds. Not much of an issue during the daytime but certainly a major safety concern at night. This problem can be replicated during the daytime by watch the dash lights switch from "Auto" to "Off" on the driver's dash. Moving the switch from the Auto to On has no effect on the lights. This problem occurs about 30% of the time when using the turn signal.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Jun 14, 2021
I have complained since 2020 about the noise in the rear area, this started when the right rear light was rewired. I can't pinpoint what triggers the noise to start, sometimes it happens when the SUV is off ,and idling and driving but not consistently. I left with an unresolved issue. I went to the dealership today( 05/14/2021) @ 11:00 @ Greenway Kia West 3407 West Colonial Drive Orlando Florida 32808, to complain that my oil is running completely out of the engine and I was told all the fees I will have to pay in order to check this problem, I didn't say I had a leak or noise but disappearing. This is a manufacturers issues , and the warranty should cover. I told them my windshield is bubbling at the top and maybe separating , and still again all I heard was fees , I purchased a Kia Sorrento based on the good warranty and the place I felt very safe. I am very very disappointed in the dealership and my safety is at risk and I hope nothing happens before something happens.
Power train, Electrical system, Jun 1, 2021
When pressing on the brake pedal, the transmission will not shift out of park. The only way to shift out of park is to depress the transmission shift override. A new brake light switch did not correct the issue. To date, the vehicle has not been repaired, inspected by dealer, manufacturer, police or insurance representative. No warning lamps, message or other symptoms of the problem occurred prior to the failure.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 4, 2021
WHEN THE CAR'S HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS SET TO 'AUTO', THE HEAD AND TAILLIGHTS WILL TURN ON AND OFF AT RANDOM, REGARDLESS OF LIGHTING CONDITIONS. THE LIGHTS RANDOMLY TURN ON WHILE THE CAR IS OFF AND STATIONARY AND HAS RESULTED IN A DRAINED BATTERY ON THREE OCCASIONS. . THE LIGHTS TURN ON AND THEN BACK OFF WHILE IN MOTION DURING DAYTIME DRIVING (AS INDICATED BY THE DASHBOARD INDICATOR). WHEN ON AND WHILE IN MOTION AT NIGHT, THE LIGHTS TURN OFF, RESULTING IN ZERO VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING.
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 27, 2021
I HAD MY KIA FOR 32 DAYS WHEN I WAS LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP FROM PICKING UP THE TAG FROM SOUTHEASTERN AUTO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ALL OF A SUDDEN. WE WERE GOING DOWN A VERY CURVY HIGHWAY RUNNING 45 TO 50 MPH. MIND YOU, NO PROBLEM UNTIL THEN. WE MADE 5 MILES WHEN IT LOST POWER. IT WOULDNT GO OVER 35MPH. WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD TO STOP AND TURN IT OFF AND BACK ON, AS IT MAY BE IN LIMP MODE. AFTER WE DID THAT WE WERE HEADED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHEN IT COMPLETELY LOST ALL POWER, THEN IT SOUNDED LIKE GRINDED UP METAL AND SPIT IT OUT. THEN IT SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT CRANK. WE WERE RIGHT ON THE ROAD, IN A CURVE THAT WAS UP HILL. WHERE TRAFFIC WAS VERY FLYING BOTH DIRECTIONS. IT WAS TERRIFYING WAITING FOR THE TOW TRUCK THE DEALERSHIP SENT. THEY SENT IT TO THEIR MECHANIC IN WILKESBORO, WHO DETERMINED IT THREW A ROD THREW THE MOTOR. NOW IT'S BEING TOWED TO A KIA DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO PUT A NEW MOTOR IN IT FOR $300BFROM
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 3, 2021
THE FLASHING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON MY 2017 KIA SORENTO, THE CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE, AND WOULD NOT DRIVE OVER 20 MPH. I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE AT THE TIME, AND IT WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO CROSS TWO HIGHWAY LANES AT 20 MPH TRYING TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO BURNS AUTO SHOP. THEY PULLED UP CODE P1326 AND SAID THIS WAS A KNOWN KIA ISSUE AND A KIA DEALER SHOULD FIX IT FOR FREE. MY CAR HAS 35,000 MILES AND IS STILL UNDER THE 10 YEAR/100,000 MILES KIA WARRANTY. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO FRED BEANS KIA DEALER IN LANGHORNE, PA, WHO REFUSED TO CHECK IT FOR 10 DAYS. KIA REFUSED TO PAY FOR A RENTAL CAR (EVEN RETROACTIVELY) UNTIL THE MECHANIC CHECKED IT - A HUGE INCONVENIENCE TO MY FAMILY OF 6 WHO HAD TO USE 1 CAR FOR 2 WEEKS. WHEN FRED BEANS FINALLY CHECKED THE CAR, THEY CLAIMED TO NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE CODE. THEY CONCEDED THAT WHAT HAPPENED IS A KNOWN KIA ISSUE AND COULD HAPPEN AGAIN AT ANY TIME. IT'S TERRIFYING TO KNOW MY CAR COULD AT ANY TIME SLOW DOWN TO 20 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. DESPITE KIA'S CLAIMS THAT THE CAR COULD DRIVE UP TO 55 MPH WITH THE CODE ON, MY SPEED PLUMMETED TO 20 MPH WITHIN SECONDS AND WOULD NOT GO UP DESPITE PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. KIA SAID MY CAR'S VIN WAS NOT AMONG THOSE AFFECTED BY THE RECALL. YET, SINCE THE P1326 ISSUE DID HAPPEN TO MY CAR, MY VIN SHOULD BE INCLUDED. DESPITE KNOWING OF THE ISSUE, KIA AND ITS DEALERS REFUSE TO TAKE MY FAMILY'S SAFETY SERIOUSLY. THEY BOTH SUGGEST I KEEP DRIVING 'UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN'. AFTER READING ONLINE REVIEWS, IT'S CLEAR KIA AND ITS DEALERS ROUTINELY TRY TO AVOID FIXING PROBLEMS COVERED BY WARRANTY. KIA CLAIMS THEY HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALERS. YET, IT'S KIA'S RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY FOR ISSUES COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I'D LIKE KIA TO FIX THE KNOWN CODE P1326 PROBLEM, SO I CAN ENJOY FULL USE OF MY CAR WITHOUT EXPECTING IT TO MALFUNCTION AT ANY MOMENT
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 9, 2021
ON FEBRUARY 17, 2021 A VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME ON A HIGHWAY CAUSING ME TO SLAM THE BRAKES SO HARD TO AVOID HITTING THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED ACROSS THE ROAD WHEN I TRIED TO CONTINUE FORWARD MY SORENTO HAD VERY LITTLE POWER NO MATTER HOW MUCH I TRIED TO GIVE THE VEHICLE GAS. AS I DROVE SORENTO HOME IT HAD VERY LITTLE POWER. I COULD BARLEY GET VEHICLE TO GO THE 5 PLUS MILES TO MY HOUSE TRAVELING AT LEAST THAN 25 MILES PER HOUR. POSSIBLY LESS THAN THAT AND AS I TRIED TO DRIVE UP THE HILL TO MY HOUSE I BARELY GOT THERE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE POWER TO GO UP HILL. AFTERWARDS THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND STAY ON.. I HAD IT TOWED TO KIA DEALERSHIP WHERE IS HAS BEEN FOR A WEEK.
Electrical system, Jan 26, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT JUMP STARTED THE VEHICLE AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACE THE BATTERY HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER BILL BRYAN KIA (9039 US-441, LEESBURG, FL 34788) AND WAS ADVISED TO NOT TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE VEHICLE TO PREVENT FUTURE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. AFTER FIVE DAYS, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO THE SAME DEALER TO BE REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,744.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jan 16, 2021
POWER STEERING WENT OUT. RADIO TURNS ON AND OFF GOING DOWN THE ROAD. HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF AND ON BY THEMSELF. BATTERY IS NOW DEAD. CAR WILL NOT RUN. TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON ALL IN ONE DAY..I'VE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 4 TO 5 MONTHS
Electrical system, Jan 16, 2021
IF LIGHTS ARE IN AUTOMATIC THEY WILL SHUT OFF IN THE PITCH BLACK AND YOU HAVE TO TURN THEM ON WITH THE SWITCH. THIS COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT