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: other or unspecified
104 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Jul 25, 2017
SIDE LANE WARNING SYSTEM DETECTS A VEHICLE WHEN THERE IS NO VEHICLE THERE. APPLE CARPLAY SYSTEM CAUSES AN EXTREME ECHO ON REMOTE PHONE, THEREFORE HANDS FREE CAR PHONE IS NOT POSSIBLE. IT IS DANGEROUS TO HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE PHONE FROM THE USB CORD AND CALL PEOPLE MANUALLY.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 5, 2017, fire
AFTER 650 MILES: MERGING ONTO A HIGHWAY: ENGINE RATTLED. ENGINE DIED. WE COASTED TO THE SHOULDER. WE STOPPED. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. LOOKING UNDERNEATH, WE SAW THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. INITIALLY THE FIRE WAS UNDER THE ENGINE. WE GOT AWAY FROM THE CAR AND CALLED 911. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT IT OUT. BY THIS POINT IT BURNED THE FRONT 2/3 OF THE CAR. THE CAR GOT TOWED TO AN AUTOMOTIVE TOWING PLACE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 23, 2017
THE COLLISION WARNING AND AUTONOMOUS EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEMS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE TOTALLY INOPERATIVE AND HAVE BEEN SINCE VEHICLE DELIVERY. VEHICLE NOW HAS ABOUT 1800 MILES ON IT. IT HAS BEEN TO TWO DEALERS FOR REPAIR AND BOTH SAY THEIR TESTS DO NOT INDICATE ANY FAILURE
Other or unspecified, Sep 21, 2016
SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY IMPLODED WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEED ON NEIGHBORHOOD STREET. A BRIEF INTERNET SEARCH HAS INDICATED THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT ON SORENTOS AND HAS HAPPENED TO NUMEROUS OTHERS. THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY 2 MONTHS OLD.