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: exterior lighting
125 reports, newest first. Show all
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, 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!
Exterior lighting, Oct 25, 2021
when driveing at night the head lights are very very dim and the kia dealership can not adjust the head lights any more it is very very bad driveing at night what can you do to fix this problem.
Exterior lighting, Oct 14, 2021
Headlamp Multifunction Switch set to "AUTO", while using the Turn Signal (either direction) the Headlights will suddenly TURN OFF... while driving at night this is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND DISORIENTING... ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. To correct this, I had to jiggle the switch or turn it to Manual ON.
Exterior lighting, Sep 27, 2021
While driving at night (appro 9:00 PM) the headlights went out for several seconds the came back on. When I got home I googled the year and make to find a few entries with people reporting the same occurrences. KIA dealership found multifunction switch to be defective
Exterior lighting, Sep 6, 2021
When the light selection is set to AUTO the headlights will periodically shut off while driving at night. At other times, the light will turn on when the car is parked and no key or occupants are in the car.
Exterior lighting, Aug 16, 2021
daytime driving lights turn on after vehicle completely off, hours later and can drain the battery if not caught in time. also while driving at night, lights go completely off by themselves and have to manually try to turn on, very dangerous and someone is going to die if not recalled.
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.
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.
Exterior lighting, Mar 26, 2021
HEADLIGHTS AND DASH BOARD SHUT OFF RANDOMLY IN AUTO MODE DURING NIGHT TIME DRIVING WHICH CAUSES IMMEDIATE CONCERN, FEAR OF ACCIDENT, AND UNWANTED REACTIONS SUCH AS LOOKING AWAY FROM ROAD TO FIND LIGHT STALK AND FIDDLE WITH IT TO GET LIGHTS TO TURN BACK ON. IMAGINE DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT AT 50 TO 70 MPH IN VARIOUS TRAFFIC CONDITIONS WHEN YOU ARE SURPRISED BY THIS PROBLEM AND WHAT THE TO DO WHEN IT HAPPENS! I HAVE OVER 49000 MILES ON THIS CAR BUT THE PROBLEM WHICH I HAVE DOCUMENTED TWENTY FIVE INSTANCES HAS BEEN IN TO SEVERAL KIA DEALERSHIPS WITH EACH TIME BEING TOLD IT IS NOT A COMMON OCCURANCE AND THAT THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A COMMON RESPONSE AND DODGE OF THE ISSUE. NATURALLY THEY CANNOT RECREATE PROBLEM AS THIS OCCURS DURING THE NIGHT WHEN DEALERSHIP IS CLOSED TECHS ARE AT HOME. GIVEN THAT THERE SEEMS TO BE MANY INSTANCES OF THIS PROBLEM REPORTED IT SEEMS NHTSA IS NOT DOING ENOUGH TO PRESSURE KIA TO FIND A CAUSE AND RECALL 2017 SORENTOS FOR A FIX THAT IF IT HASN'T HAPPENED YET SERIOUS DAMAGE OR DEATH IS BOUND TO OCCUR. PLEASE PAY ATTENTION AND START SOME ACTION BEFORE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES OCCUR!!!
Exterior lighting, Jan 12, 2021
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, AND ALSO WHEN STARTING CAR AT NIGHT. I LEAVE MY LIGHTS ON AUTO. LATELY MY LIGHTS HAVE BEEN TURNING OFF, WHILE DRIVING ON BACK ROADS AND ON INTERSTATE. I HAVE TO TRN LIGHT SWITCH TO OFF THEN TURN TO ON.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 20, 2020
HEADLIGHTS INITIALLY WERE JUST FLICKERING ON OCCASION NOW HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNING OFF WHILE DRIVING. SOMETIMES THEY GO BACK ON AND SOMETIMES THEY DON'T. WARNING ⚠️ COMES ON AND DASH DISPLAY ALSO INDICATES A HEADLAMP ISSUE. SOMETIMES TURNING THEM ON AND OFF HELPS.BEEN GRADUALLY GETTING WORSE. NOW ALL LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN ON INCLUDING BRIGHTS. HORN ALSO NOT WORKING. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES AT NIGHT ON BUSY CITY STREETS.
Exterior lighting, Dec 8, 2020
HEADLIGHT KEEP BLOWING
Exterior lighting, Nov 13, 2020
SINCE AUGUST 2019, I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHTS FAILURE WHILE DRIVING AND THE HEADLIGHTS WAS SET ON AUTO. THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD SHUT OFF FOR 5-10 SECONDS UNEXPECTEDLY AND WILL TURN ON AGAIN. WHEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN THIS PAST SATURDAY (11/7) , I NOTICED WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF, ONLY THE HEADLIGHTS SYMBOL WAS LIGHTED ON THE DASH. NORMALLY, WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WERE SWITCHED ON AUTO BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR TAILLIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS SYMBOL WOULD BE LIGHTED ON THE DASH. I HAVE SPOKEN TO FAIRFAX KIA SERVICE TECHNICIAN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT SINCE THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED, HE WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. IN REVIEWING YOUR SITE, IT APPEARS OTHER OWNERS OF 2017 KIA SORENTO HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE HEADLIGHTS SHUTTING OFF WHILE USING THE AUTO HEADLIGHTS FEATURE. I FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, THEREFORE, I AM HOPING YOUR AGENCY WILL INITIATE AN INVESTIGATION ON THE MATTER TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR DIE AS A RESULT OF THIS ISSUE.
Exterior lighting, Nov 13, 2020
MY 2017 KIA SORENTO HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF FOR NO REASON WHEN I AM DRIVING. WHEN THEY ARE IN AUTO MODE THEY WILL TURN OFF FOLLOWED BY A WARNING ON MY SCREEN SAYING THEY HAVE SWITCHED FROM AUTO TO MANUAL. I HAVE TO TURN THE KNOB TO OFF THEN BACK ON. THEY ALSO SHUT OFF IN MANUAL MODE. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND FRIGHTENING,ESPECIALLY WITH MY TODDLER IN THE BACK SEAT. I AM TOLD A TSB HAS BEEN STARTED AND POSSIBLY A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. WHEN WILL KIA DO A RECALL? ONE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT COULD BE BECAUSE IT HASNT HAPPENED TO THEM, ANOTHER DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF IT BUT ARE WILLING TO TAKE A LOOK TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIX THIS BUT I WILL HAVE TO PAY. THIS IS NOT RIGHT SINCE THIS IS A KIA DEFECT WITH MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS.
Exterior lighting, Sep 11, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTO LIGHT SWITCH FAILED TO TURN OFF THE LIGHTS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHUTOFF. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON ONE OF THE OCCASIONS IT RAINED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE GATEWAY KIA OF NORTH BRUNSWICK NJ DEALER LOCATED AT 720 CAROLIER LN, NORTH BRUNSWICK TOWNSHIP, NJ 08902, AND WAS INFORMED TO TURN THE AUTO SWITCH TO THE OFF POSITION. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 43,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 25, 2020
WHILE IN THE AUTO POSITION AT RANDOM TIMES ALL MY EXTERIOR LIGHT WILL TURN OFF. I DRIVE A LOT FOR MY JOB. THE LAST TIME MY LIGHTS TURNED OUT WAS LAST NIGHT ON THE FREEWAY IN A RURAL AREA COMPLETE BLACK OUT. I QUICKLY TURNED THE SWITCH TO THE OFF POSITION AND THEN BACK TO AUTO. THIS HAS HAPPENED FEW TIME WITH IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS. A FEW MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR, I NOTICED THE TURN SIGNAL WOULD SWITCH TO THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AFTER I COMPLETED MY TURN. THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH WOULD BE IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THIS ALSO HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY, WHILE DRIVING CITY OR HIGHWAY. I CAN NOT TURN IT OFF. I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL IT STOPS ON ITS OWN, WHICH LUCKILY HAS JUST BEEN THE SAME LENGTH OF TIME AS A LANE CHANGE.
Exterior lighting, Aug 20, 2020
IN AUTO MODE WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS TURN OFF WITHOUT WARNING.
Exterior lighting, Aug 11, 2020
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT I ATTEMPTED TO DIM LIGHTS FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN MY LIGHTS WENT COMPLETELY OUT.
Exterior lighting, Jul 31, 2020
AT RANDOM TIMES, ALL AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE DAY, MY EXTERIOR LIGHTS WILL TURN OFF ON THEIR OWN. I ALWAYS KEEP MY LIGHTS SET TO AUTO. THIS HAS HAPPENED QUITE A FEW TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, WHICH HAS ALMOST CAUSED A FEW ACCIDENTS WHEN I FIND MYSELF IN THE PITCH BLACK, WHEN I WASN'T AROUND ANY STREET LAMPS. SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS WILL COME BACK ON WHEN I SWITCH THE LIGHTS TO OFF AND THEN BACK TO AUTO. BUT NOT ALWAYS.
Exterior lighting, Jul 17, 2020
I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR TWO YEARS ON ONE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF I TURNED SWITCH TO OFF THEN BACK TO AUTO AND THE LIGHTS CAME ON. ON TWO OCCASIONS THE LIGHTS WERE ON AFTER THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF, PARKED AND LOCKED PRESSING THE REMOTE LOCK BUTTON SHUT OFF THE LIGHTS. ON ONE OCCASION THE PARKING LIGHTS TURNED ON AT 2AM (NEIGHBOR'S CAMERA PICKED IT UP) PRESSING REMOTE LOCK BUTTON SHUT OFF THE LIGHTS ANOTHER OCCASION I TRIED STARTING THE CAR IN THE MORNING AND THE BATTERY WAS DEAD, I SUSPECT THAT THE LIGHTS TURNED ON AT NIGHT AND DIDN'T SHUT OFF.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 6, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WITH THE HEADLAMP SWITCH IN THE AUTO POSITION. THE TURN SIGNALS WERE ALSO INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HEADLIGHT SUGGESTED MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLAMPS OPERATED AS DESIGNED WITH THE HEADLAMP SWITCH IN THE ON POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GREENWAY KIA WEST LOCATED AT (8701 E COLONIAL DR, ORLANDO, FL 32817) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000.
Exterior lighting, Jun 25, 2020
2017 KIA SORENTO, AWD, MILEAGE ~30K. WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE SET TO "AUTO", THEY WILL RANDOMLY TURN OFF, USUALLY WHEN I ACTIVATE A TURN SIGNAL. IT HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS, ON ALL TYPES OF ROAD, MOST OFTEN WHEN I'M TURNING. I'VE HAD SEVERAL 'CLOSE CALLS' AT NIGHT. OBVIOUSLY, IF THE LIGHTS TURN OFF UNEXPECTEDLY, NOT ONLY CAN I NOT SEE MY PATH FORWARD, BUT OTHERS CAN'T SEE ME EITHER. THIS IS SERIOUS ISSUE, WELL KNOWN TO KIA AND SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE DIES OR IS SERIOUSLY INJURED. IT HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES, MOST RECENTLY ON THE DATE SHOWN BELOW. *TR