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: engine
402 reports, newest first. Show all
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Engine, Feb 1, 2017
15-DEC-2016: TRAVELING APPROX. 50 MPH DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC IN MARIETTA, GA, THE VEHICLE HAD A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER THEREFORE PREVENTING THE OPERATOR OF SAID MOTOR VEHICLE TO HAVE COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, (MYSELF) THUS, ILLUSTRATING A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT. THIS ISSUE COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY, THE LOSS OF LIFE OF MYSELF OR OTHER MOTORIST, AND OR A CATASTROPHIC EVENT TO PROPERTY AND INFRASTRUCTURE. THE ENGINE LIGHT DID COME ON DURING THIS INCIDENT AND EVER SINCE I HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY FEARFUL TO OPERATE MY VEHICLE EVER SINCE. 2. 22-DEC-2016: ENGINE LIGHT, RPMS ACCELERATE, WHILE VEHICLE IS IN PARK/ DRIVE. I WAS PARKED AND THE RPMS ACCELERATED FOR NO REASON. I HAVE VIDEO FOOTAGE OF THIS INCIDENT. 3. 05-JAN-2017: ENGINE LIGHT, RPMS ACCELERATE, WHILE VEHICLE IS IN PARK/ DRIVE. VEHICLE WANTED TO ACCELERATE WHILE PARKED. VEHICLE JERKED WHEN SHIFTING INTO PARK OR DRIVE. VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT APPLYING ANY THROTTLE. ACCELERATED VERY FAST HAD TO HOLD BRAKES WITH SIGNIFICANT FORCE TO PREVENT FROM ACCELERATING. I HAVE VIDEO FOOTAGE OF THIS INCIDENT. 4. 16-JAN-2017: ENGINE LIGHT, RPMS ACCELERATE, WHILE VEHICLE IS IN PARK/ DRIVE. VEHICLE SEEMS TO SKIP A GEAR WHEN STOPPED AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE. 5. FRONT OF VEHICLE SHOOK AND HAS PROBLEMS ACCELERATING COMING FROM A COMPLETE STOP OR UP A HILL. FEELS LIKE IT MISSES A TRANSMISSION GEAR WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. 0-10 MPH OK BUT 10-35 YOU HAVE TO PRESS ACCELERATOR SIGNIFICANTLY, THEN OVER SPEEDS. 3 DIFFERENT KIA DEALERSHIPS INCLUDING 5 INCIDENTS HAVE TAKEN PLACE AND AND EACH HAVE FAILED TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM OR MAKE REPAIRS. KIA CORPORATE TOLD THE LAST DEALERSHIP TO PARK VEHICLE AND NOT MAKE AN ATTEMPT TO REPAIR. VEHICLE HAS BEEN INOPERABLE FOR 31 DAY TOTAL IN KIA'S CUSTODY (SERVICE REPAIR CENTER). LEMON LAW PROCEEDINGS PENDING.
Engine, Feb 1, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 52 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RPMS MALFUNCTIONED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,700.