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: fuel/propulsion system
39 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 14, 2023
i HAVE A 2017 KIA SORENTO i PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE SEPTEMBER 2021. SINCE PURCHASING THIS TRUCK i have had problems with oil consumption.the engine constantly burn oil. I have taken to king KIA in Gaithersburg md . where I'm now being told it keep failing the oil consumption test. and that a combustion cleaning need to perform. AS I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUED I WAS SHOCK TO SEE THAT THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM AND THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS WITH KIA. kia need to be held responsible for these problems NOT THE CONSUMERS. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL.
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 11, 2023
The shift release has been replaced for 2017 kia sorento but now it is traffic light switch causing one of my car problems. In gas I spend 40 dollars a day for less than 110 miles of driving even with an full synthetic oil change just done is problem two. The speedometer is off by 3 to 5 I have had bmv and officers do their test on vehicle along with the head and tail lights being replaced every 6 to 8 weeks what am I to so with a vehicle that I am still paying on.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 5, 2023
We had two issues develop. The first issue developed about 30k miles after purchasing it new. The car would accelerate unevenly and after long drives the car would lurch during acceleration after starting from a stop. The lurching would continue for a few days before disappearing. No tech could reproduce it. They tried multiple times to reset the software and found no other issues. After a normal fuel injection cleaning at 100k miles, the lurching eased, but still remained. The issue was never resolved. The second issue came up at 108k. We heard a strange noise from the front right of the car when accelerating, but no indicators. The next day the engine light starts flashing and the car is vibrating, so we take it to the dealer the next morning. The engine oil is extremely low and the engine needs to be replaced because 3 valves are miss firing!!!! We had an oil change at 100.8k. We were well within the time for another oil change...a change, not a complete refill!!! There was never an oil indicator light. The engine was clearly burning oil too quickly and the indicator was not warning correctly.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 1, 2022
Vehicle shuttered and died while driving 65mph down highway. Dealer service indicated cause was due to fuel pump failure.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 27, 2022
My car has repeatedly completely run out of oil after going 2500 of 5000 miles and the oil leaked into different parts of the car. The car is not drivable and shakes and the engine rattles. None of the dashboard indicators illuminated to indicate an issue, until after the car shut off as I placed it in drive and was trying to accelerate, on 9/24/22. I have only owned the car since 10/2021. This car’s repairs should be covered under NHTSA Recall #20V750.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 30, 2022
High pressure fuel pump leaking gas into oil. University Kia of Durham NC says it will cost me $1250.00 to repair this issue. My car has 60,905 miles on it. I see recalls on this issue? I have not had the repair done yet.
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 13, 2021
Strong gasoline odor was noticed coming from the rear of the vehicle. Took it to the dealership where they replaced the gas cap assuming that was the problem. Gasoline odor progressively increased. Took the vehicle back to the dealership. Diagnostic tests were performed. Inspection found fuel pump leaking fuel. No warning lamps, messages, or symptoms of the problem prior to the failure were ever displayed. This could have been extremely dangerous putting our family at risk. It also should have been covered due to being a safety risk.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 24, 2021, fire
On May 18,2021 my Kia Sorento SXL AWD V6 caught on fire for unknown reason. I was driving with windows open sunroof open and cruise set. Not a single warning light or any weird sounds at all. A car pulled up yelling at me that my car was on fire to pull over off the interstate. I saw nor smelled any smoke anywhere but then I saw a cop had someone pulled over so I figured it would be safe since I was an alone female and it was car of males yelling at me to pull over. As soon as I got out and walked to the front of the car there was still no smoke but flames and what I assumed was plastic dripping from the entire underneath. At this time flames shot out from all around the hood and up the windshield as it instantly shattered. As I ran for my life as stuff kept exploding the state trooper had already called for help so fire department arrived in less then 3 min but my car was gone in less than 45 seconds after I stepped out. I am mentally and physically hurt but luckily only a burn the size of a quarter on my wrist but due to shock while watching my car burn and explode my legs gave out and I sat down hard so 5 days after the fire my legs have recovered from running up an incline for my life but my back pain has only increased. But insurance only covers injuries from the car so running from exploding cars and getting injured is not their problem. Just like Kia allowing all of us Sorento owners to drive our family and loved ones around on a bomb waiting to blow at any moment isn’t their problem either. I have now seen at least 8 2017 Sorento sxl unexplained fire complaints all ending in total loss while only looking on this site and one other site. I have pictures and videos of the fire and how close I was to being in the car as u can see my hoodie laying in front of the car on fire too. Fire started on passenger side of motor just like the defect they supposedly fixed in 2014. If anyone else especially the grandchildren that can’t get themselves out of would have died
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.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 16, 2020
CAR HAS HAD HESITATION SINCE BOUGHT NEW IN 2017. MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS TO DEALER. PDF'S WILL BE ATTACHED OF RO'S. STILL DOES IT. CAR DOES IT WHEN ROLLING SLOW OR PULLING AWAY FROM STOP LIGHT. WILL NOT DO IT IN SPORT MODE.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 10, 2019
ON OCTOBER 10 2019 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE KIDS TO SCHOOL IN OUR 2017 KIA SORENTO AND BEFORE SHE COULD GET OUT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD THE CAR STARTED TO JERK UNCONTROLLABLY AND LOST ALL ACCELERATION BEFORE IT CUT OFF. SHE THEN TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR SEVERAL TIME BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFULLY IT IT STARTING BACK UP BEFORE IT STALLED OUT. AFTER THE CAR WAS LEFT ALONE FOR A WHILE I WENT OUT TO THE CAR AND IT STARTED BACK UP AND SEEMED LIKE IT DROVE FINE. WE DID NOT TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT TIME. AFTER THAT MY WIFE SAID THAT SHE FELT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVING LIKE IT SHOULD. SHE SAID THAT YOU BASICALLY HAD TO FLOOR IT FOR IT TO GET UP TO CRUISING SPEED. APPROXIMATELY 6 WEEKS LATER MY WIFE STARTED TO HAVE MORE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. SHE STATED THAT THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM WAS VERY NOTICEABLE AND WAS SCARIED THAT IT WAS GOING TO STALL OUT AGAIN BEFORE SHE COULD GET HOME THAT DAY. SHE WAS ABLE TO GET HOME SAFE THAT TIME. LATER ON THAT DAY SHE HAD TO GO BACK OUT AND SHE SAID THAT IT STARTED UP FINE AND DROVE FINE UNTIL WITH OUT WARNING IT JUST SHUT OFF WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF BUSINESS INTERSECTION. THE CAR STARTED UP JUST FINE ONCE IT SHUT OFF AND MY WIFE DROVE IT TO A NEARBY PARKING LOT WHERE IT SAT UNTIL IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP HAS HAD THE VEHICLE ABOUT 3 WEEKS NOW AND ARE UNABLE REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY HAVE DONE EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. SINCE THEY CANNOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THERE IS NO CODES THEN THEY THINK THAT THE VEHICLE IS FINE. SIN E THE CAR CUT OFF ON MY WIFE TWICE IN SIX WEEKS SHE IS SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR IN FEAR THAT IT WILL SHUT OFF ON HER AGAIN. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY KIA. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR THIS COULD HAVE VERY EASILY RESULTED IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 26, 2019
ENGINE IS SEVERELY SLUGGED AND THERE WAS NO WARNING EVER. FOUND OUT AFTER AN OIL CHANGED AT 67K AT JIFFY LUBE WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE OURISMAN KIA DEALER IN CHANTILLY, VA. THERE IS NO WARNING THAT ANY OF THIS SITUATION WAS STARTING TO HAPPEN EVEN AFTER A PREVIOUS OIL CHANGE AT KIA DEALER AT 58K MILES. THE DEALERSHIP DENIED MY CLAIM WITH THE 100K MILE WARRANTY BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE PROOF THAT I DID ALL 9 OIL CHANGES. THEY PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT I NEED A NEW ENGINE BUT THAT THEY ARE ON BACKORDER NATIONWIDE AND WHO KNOWS WHAT DATE TBD THAT WILL BECOME AVAILABLE. THE REPAIR SHOP I TOOK IT TO PIEDOMONT IN HAYMARKET, VA SAYS THEY THINK IT IS SOMETHING LIKE A YEAR BEFORE IT MIGHT BE AVAILABLE. SO IN THE MEAN TIME NO LOANER WAS EVER OFFERED TO ME AND NO I HAVE A UNUSABLE VEHICLE THAT I HAVE SUBMITTED A CLAIM FOR WITH GEICO. I DO NOT HAVE FUNDING FOR A NEW ENGINE AND THE FACT THAT THE KIA MOTOR COMPANY HAS NO ENGINE TO EVEN SUPPLY TO ME IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE PRACTICE FOR A BUSINESS. ALSO 1 YEAR AGO MY BATTERY JUST DIED ACCORDING TO THE KIA DEALER DUE TO A PARASITIC DRAIN. THAT SEEMS SUSPICIOUS TO ME SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY A YEAR OLD AND HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH ONE I BOUGHT AT WALMART. ALSO, THE FUSE FOR THE DRIVER SEAT CONTINUOUSLY BLOWS.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 15, 2018
ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCASIONS THIS VEHICLE COMPLETELY DIED EACH TIME WHILE GOING DIFFERENT SPEEDS. ONE OF THESE TIMES I WAS IN HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC ON AN EXPRESSWAY, ALMOST CAUSING A WRECK. THE FIRST TIME IT DIED I WAS ON A ROAD GOING ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR, THE SECOND TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT STARTED MAKING A SURGING SOUND. THE THIRD TIME I WAS IN HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC GOING 65 AND IT COMPLETELY DIED, THE FOURTH TIME I HAD JUST STARTED DRIVING AND WAS GOING ABOUT 15 MPH WHEN IT DIED.