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
804 reports, newest first.
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
Engine, Apr 1, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING AN ABNORMAL SOUND. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO DESTINATION KIA (760 CENTRAL AVE, ALBANY, NY 12206) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TEST DRIVEN TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. UPON TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN AND THAT SHE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
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!!!
Other or unspecified, Mar 22, 2021
DRIVING AT ABOUT 75 MILES PER HOUR AND SUDDENLY THE HOOD POP OPEN FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO STOP ON TIME AND PREVENT SOMETHING MAJOR HAVE TO NOTE THAT THERE WAS NO TOO MUCH TRAFFIC.
Engine, Mar 17, 2021
FOLLOW UP TO LAST TWO COMPLAINTS. MAR 16 KIA SERVICE CALLED TO SAY A PART IF ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED A CYLINDER. ORIGINAL PROBLEM BEGAN 2/7/2021
Engine, Mar 17, 2021
AFTER COMPLAINT # 1399932, KIA SERVICE CALLED ME MARCH 5TH TO SAY THE TURBO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
Structure, Mar 16, 2021
AUTOMATIC REAR LIFTGATE CLOSED ON MY HAND AND DID NOT RELEASE. SENSORS DID NOT ACTIVATE. CAR WAS PARKED ON A DESERTED RESIDENTIAL STREET, ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING.I COULD NOT REACH HATCH TO OPEN THE DOOR. FORTUNATELY, I HAD SOMEONE WITH ME. I HAD TO SEEK MEDICAL SERVICES AND PHYSICAL THERAPY. HAND INJURY WILL RESULT IN LIFELONG DISCOMFORT. KIA WAS NOTIFIED AS WAS MY AUTO INSURANCE COMPANY. I WAS ADVISED TO GET A SAFETY CHECK AT THE DEALERSHIP, BUT BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC I AM ISOLATING AND AVOIDING EXPOSURES.
Engine, Mar 15, 2021
MY CAR DIED GOING 50MPH AND WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED. I BOUGHT THE CAR A YEAR PRIOR INSPECTED AND HAD THE OIL CHANGED. I ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR A YEAR.
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.
Seat belts, Mar 6, 2021
RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER SEAT HAS NOT WARNING/SOUND TO REMIND PASSENGER TO FASTEN SEAT BELT. SPOKE WITH DEALER AFTER PURCHASE AND WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE I PURCHASED ONLY HAS A REMINDER SOUND FOR DRIVER SIDE ONLY. DOES NOT SEEM TO COINCIDE WITH REQUIREMENTS FOR SEAT BELT NOTIFICATION.
Engine, Mar 1, 2021
MY 2017 KIA SORENTO HAS HAD REPEATED OIL LEAKS DUE TO MULTIPLE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH ASSEMBLY FAILURES. AT 27,000 MILES MY KIA EXPERIENCED A SIGNIFICANT OIL LEAK (IDENTIFIED BY ME DUE TO THE STRONG SMELL OF OIL BURNING COMING FROM THE A/C.) KIA REPLACED THE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH PART #94750-37100 AT THAT TIME. AGAIN AT 60,000 THIS SAME PART FAILED (AGAIN IDENTIFIED BY THE STRONG SMELL OF BURNING OIL COMING FROM THE ENGINE) AND ONCE AGAIN KIA REPLACED THE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH (PART #94750-37100.) HAVING THE SAME PART FAIL TWICE IN 60,000 AND HAVING OIL LEAKS REPEATEDLY IS NOT ONLY A FIRE HAZARD (I WOULD POINT YOU TO A SIMILAR PROBLEM YOU FORCED GM TO PERFORM A RECALL IN 2015) BUT THIS COULD SEVERELY SHORTEN THE LIFE OF THE CAR ENGINE AS WELL.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 25, 2021
WHITE SMOKE IN EXHAUST AND LOUD GRIND WHEN COLD START. PAINT IS PEELING IN THE BACK
Steering, Engine, Visibility/wiper, Feb 25, 2021
ENGINE BURNS UP OIL VERY QUICKLY WAY BEFORE 3,000 MILES AND THERE ARE NO ALERTS THAT THE OIL IS LOW. STEERING GETS "STUCK" AT TIMES FOR BRIEF AMOUNTS OF TIME AND NEEDS TO BE READJUSTED IN THE ROAD. THIS HAPPENS ON STRAIGHT HIGHWAYS AND IN CURVE. WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID FUNCTION DOES NOT WORK.
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.
Steering, Jan 20, 2021
WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION A RED WARNING LIGHT APPEARS IN THE SHAPE OF A STEERING WHEEL AND THE STEERING BECOMES VERY STIFF. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY AFTER PUTTING IT TO GEAR AND DRIVING FORWARD OR BACKING OUT AND IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED WHILE HIGHWAY DRIVING. LUCKILY THESE INCIDENTS HAVE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT AND OCCURS FOR A SHORT DURATION. IT IS CONCERNING FROM A SAFETY STANDPOINT. I BROUGHT IT IN TO A KIA DEALERSHIP AND IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE ELECTRONICS IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THEY HAVE NO RECALL LISTED AND IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE OUTSIDE THE 50K BASIC MILEAGE WARRANTY WHICH OURS IS SINCE WE TEND TO PUT A LOT OF HIGHWAY MILES ON OUR VEHICLE. IT ISN'T TOO MUCH OVER THOUGH AND WE TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF IT. I WOULD FIND IT VERY HARD TO BELIEVE IT THAT IS CAUSED FROM WEAR AND TEAR BUT MORE LIKELY TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT.
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
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.
Engine, Jan 11, 2021
MY CARE BURNS OIL YO ALMOST EMPTY BEFORE THE 3000 MILE OIL CHANGE
Engine, Jan 11, 2021
ENGINE LIGHT IS ON TRY TO DRIVE IT'S STOPPING AND IT'S A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE
Engine, Dec 31, 2020, fire
WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET ENGINE STARTED TO MAKE LOUD NOISE AND STALLED COASTED TO A PARKING LOT. NOTICED SMOKE GOT OUT TO FIND THE ENGINE ENGULFED IN FLAMES.
Other or unspecified, Dec 31, 2020
VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. REAR LIFT GATE WAS ACTIVATED BY OWNER WITH KEY FOB. GRANDCHILD RAN UNDER THE LIFT GATE. OWNER PULLED CHILD FROM REAR LIFT. GATE BRUSHED CHILD'S BACK AND CONTINUED TO CLOSE . OWNER THEN PLACED SEVERAL INAMINATE OBJECTS UNDER REAR OF CAR PROTRUDING FROM CARGO HOLD AND ENGAGED THE LIFT GATE. GATE CLOSED EACH TIME UNRESTRICTED TRAPPING THE OBJECT. CALLED KIA REPORTED PROBLEM.
Steering, Dec 29, 2020
THE STEERING ON MY SORENTO EX FEELS 'STICKY' AND UNSAFE. WHENEVER DRIVING, WHETHER IN THE CITY, ON THE HIGHWAY, OR IN A NEIGHBORHOOD, IT FEELS AS THOUGH THE STEERING WHEEL IS CONSTANTLY GETTING STUCK FOR HALF OF A SECOND AND NEEDS CONSISTENT READJUSTMENT. THE PROBLEM IS ESPECIALLY EVIDENT WHEN DRIVING AROUND A TURN, BUT IT IS VERY NOTICEABLE EVEN WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT ROAD OR HIGHWAY.
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.
Engine, Dec 10, 2020
OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, MY ENGINE HAD BEEN BURNING OIL EXCESSIVELY. I HAD TO ADD 5 QUARTS OF OIL EVERY 1-2 WEEKS. 3 WEEKS AGO, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY CAR BEGAN TO SLOW, THE LIGHTS ON MY DASH WERE BLINKING AND THE CAR WAS NOT ACCELERATING. WHEN I WAS IN A SAFE AREA, I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE CAR AND IT DID NOT START. KIA DIAGNOSED THE CAR WITH WORN BEARING RODS. THE CAR IS 4 YEARS OLD AND HAS 136,000 HIGHWAY MILES.