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.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Dec 8, 2018
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR GOING 50MPH OR 60MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR SLOWED DOWN WHILE I HAD MY FEET ON THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY WHEN IN TRAFFIC. I CUT THE CAR OFF AND LET IT SIT FOR A COUPLE OF MINS AND WHEN I CUT IT BACK ON IT SOUNDED LIKE THE CAR WAS IDILED TO HIGH. I TRIED TO DRIVER AGAIN ONLY FOR THE CAR TO JERK AND SEEMED LIKE IT WAS DRIVING ITSELF ONLY TO SLOW DOWN AGAIN TO ONLY 10MPH WITH MY FEET ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL.
Exterior lighting, Nov 28, 2018
THE HEADLIGHTS ARE DANGEROUS! THERE IS A DARK SHADOW LINE DIRECTLY IN THE SIGHT LINE OF THE DRIVER THROUGH THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD THAT I FIND MYSELF DUCKING DOWN TO TRY AND SEE OUT THE WINDOW BUT THAT DOES NOT HELP. I CANNOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT IT IS VERY DISTRACTING AND DANGEROUS. IT HAS SEVERELY IMPACTED MY CHILDREN'S LIFESTYLE AS WE CANNOT GO OUT AS THE DARK ROADS IN NEW JERSEY ARE EVEN MORE DANGEROUS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS NOT WORKING PROPERLY.
Power train, Nov 14, 2018
OUR 2017 KIA SORENTO V6 WITH MILEAGE OF 54,882, UNDERWENT A MULTI-POINT INSPECTION ON MON., 10/08/2018 AT LUTHER KIA OF BLOOMINGTON AND WAS TECH DRIVEN FOR 2 WKS IN AN EFFORT TO DUPLICATE THE UNINTENDED, UNEXPECTED AND UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION OF MY VEHICLE. UNFORTUNATELY, THEY WERE UNABLE TO VERIFY THE PROBLEM. THEY WERE APOLOGETIC IN BEING UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND RECOMMEND WE COME BACK IF THE ISSUE RE-OCCURRED. THE SERVICE MANAGER ALSO SUGGESTED WE NOT USE OUR GPS HUM LOCATOR UNIT/OBD READER WHICH CONNECTS INTO THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSTIC PORT. WE AGREED AND DID NOT RECONNECT IT. FIVE WEEKS LATER, THIS AFTERNOON, TUESDAY, NOV 13, 2018 AT 3:30 PM AT THE CORNER OF 36 & WHITE BEAR AVE AT A RED LIGHT, I ONCE AGAIN EXPERIENCED SUDDEN HIGH POWER ACCELERATION. MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE IS 56,574 MILES. I WAS DRIVING ON HWY 36 E AND EXITED THE WHITE BEAR AVE EXIT. I APPLIED THE BRAKE AT THE RED TRAFFIC SIGNAL . THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STANDSTILL. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I SLOWLY ACCELERATED AND AS I WAS TURNING RIGHT ONTO WHITE BEAR AVE, I COULD FEEL THE GEARS SHIFTING AND THE VIBRATION CAME UP THROUGH MY FOOT. I SPOKE OUTLOUD, THE CAR IS GOING TO DO IT AGAIN. THEN THE MOTOR TOOK OFF ?A HIGH REVVING -RACING?. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE HEAVILY AND THE CAR CONTINUED REVVING UP. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND IT DIDN'T CHANGE ANYTHING. IT CONTINUED AN UNCONTROLLED HIGH POWER ACCELERATION. I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AS IT IS THE ONLY THING THAT ? STOPS IT! I RESTARTED THE CAR AND CONTINUED HOME WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. IT IS FRUSTRATING. THIS IS THE 5TH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED AND EACH TIME THE SAME PASSENGER WAS IN THE CAR AND CAN VERIFY THIS SUDDEN HIGH POWER ACCELERATION. I AM WRITING BECAUSE I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO REPORT THIS PROBLEM TO YOU. *TR
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Engine, Oct 31, 2018
I WAS DRIVING MY 2017 KIA SORENTO ABOUT 30MPH EARLY TODAY GOING ABOUT 30MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A LOUD CLUNK FROM THE REAR END AND THE ENGINE, ALL LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL, POWER STEERING AND BRAKES JUST SHUT OFF. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP PUT THE CAR IN PARK. I THEN RESTARTED IT AND IT WAS FINE. THE DEALER COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM GOING 70 MPH AND THE CAR SHUTS DOWN LIKE THIS. SINCE THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE EVENT THERE IS NO SOLUTION.
Exterior lighting, Oct 16, 2018
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH HEADLIGHTS IN AUTO POSITION, LIGHTS WILL RANDOMLY TURN OFF FOR SECONDS BEFORE TURNING BACK ON. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, YOU CAN SEE THE CHANGE ON THE DASHBOARD ALMOST LIKE IT WAS MANUALLY BEING TURNED OFF, BUT IT WAS NOT BEING TOUCHED. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN ONE MONTH. SO FAR THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPLICATE THIS ISSUE. IT IS AT THE DEALER NOW FOR THE SECOND TIME.
Other or unspecified, Oct 12, 2018
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, SUNNY DAY TODAY. I HAD MY 6 MONTH OLD BABY IN HIS CAR SEAT, WHEN I HEARD A HUGE EXPLOSION. AT FIRST I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. I LOOKED UP AND THE SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. IT SOUNDED LIKE WHEN GLASS IS PUT INTO A FIRE THEN EXPLODES. MY SON WAS COVERED IN TINY PIECES OF GLASS. I LOOKED ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THIS HAS HAPPEN TO AROUND 150 OTHER DRIVERS SINCE 2012, BUT KIA HAS ISSUED NO RECALL OR WARNED ITS DRIVERS. THE EXPLOSION ALONE WAS ENOUGH TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, AND MY SON COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. I HOPE KIA WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY SO NOTHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS TO ANYONE ELSE.
Electrical system, Oct 11, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA SORENTO WITH A TRAILER IN TOW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE TRAILER REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA FORT WALTON BEACH (LOCATED AT 343 MIRACLE STRIP PARKWAY, FORT WALTON BEACH, FL 32548, (850) 275-2206), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V862000 (TRAILER HITCHES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 12835928. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,100.
Engine, Oct 8, 2018
VEHICLE WAS SLOWED TO A STOP FOR A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. THE VEHICLE THEN LUNGED FORWARD IN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION REQUIRING MAXIMUM BREAK PRESSURE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE WAS ACCELERATING SO THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK AND TURNED OFF. WAITED 30 SECONDS AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE WITH NO FURTHER PROBLEMS.
Electrical system, Sep 27, 2018
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH LIGHTS IN THE "AUTOMATIC" POSITION, THE HEADLIGHTS WILL RANDOMLY SWITCH TO PARKING LIGHTS AS INDICATED ON THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY AND BASED ON WHAT I CAN SEE OUT THE WINDSHIELD. AFTER 5 TO 10 SECONDS THE LIGHTS WILL TURN BACK ON AS INDICATED BY THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY AND WHAT I CAN SEE. THE PROBLEM IS MOST COMMON AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS BUT HAS OCCURRED ON CITY STREETS AS WELL. IT USUALLY OCCURS WITHIN THE FIRST 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING. IF THE HEADLIGHT CONTROL SWITCH IS TURNED MANUALLY TO THE "ON" POSITION, THE LIGHTS WILL FUNCTION CORRECTLY.
Power train, Sep 18, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE AND AUTONOMOUS FUNCTION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE REGAINED NORMAL FUNCTION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BEYER KIA (1125 WEST BROAD STREET, FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA 22046, 703-349-0806) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INHIBITOR SWITCH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND MENTIONED AN UNKNOWN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING THE INHIBITOR SWITCH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,532. *TT CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO GEAR INDICATOR, EPB LIGHT, AEB ICON LIGHT, ORANGE SAFETY TRIANGLE, CHECK AEB SYSTEM, CHECK BSD SYSTEM, AND THE VEHICLE AUTO TRAN WAS SHIFTING CRITICALLY WHEN CONSUMER GOT TO A RED LIGHT, GEAR WAS STUCK IN PARK. UPDATED 11/27/18*JB
Engine, Sep 4, 2018
THERE HAS BEEN TWO OCCASIONS IN WHICH THE CAR TURN OFF. LUCKY IT HAS BEEN WHILE THE CAR WAS PARK. ONE OF THE OCCASION WE HAD JUST PULL OVER WHEN SUDDENLY THE CAR TURN OFF. I FIND THAT UNUSUAL SINCE THIS IS A NEW CAR AND IT SHOULD BE HAPPENING. HAS THERE BEEN ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS MODEL? I WOULDN'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO ME WHILE DRIVING.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 31, 2018
I CRANKED MY CAR, PUT IT IN DRIVE, AND STARTED TO PULL OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN MY CAR SHOOK AND STALLED. ALL OF MY LIGHTS CAME ON. I THEN TRIED TO RESTART MY CAR BUT IT CONTINUED TO CRANK OVER WITHOUT STARTING. I GAVE IT A MINUTE AND TRIED IT AGAIN. THE CAR STARTED, I DROVE AWAY, STOPPED AT THE STOP SIGN, AND THE CAR STALLED AGAIN. I CRANKED THE CAR AGAIN, PUT IT IN REVERSE, IT CHUGGED BACKWARDS, AND THEN STALLED ONCE I GOT BACK INTO MY DRIVEWAY. I LET IT SIT FOR 5 MINUTES, CRANKED IT AGAIN, THEN IT WAS FINE.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 31, 2018
AFTER USING CRUISE CONTROL FOR APPROX. 4 HOURS, THE COMPUTER IN OUR CAR SUDDENLY SHUT OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL ON ITS OWN AND THE PARKING BREAK LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON OUR DASH PANEL. BRAKE HOWEVER WAS NOT ENGAGED. ANOTHER AMBER COLORED WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED BUT I CAN'T RECALL WHAT IT SAID. WE PULLED OVER, TURNED CAR OFF AND WHEN WE STARTED IT BACK UP, THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ON AND WE WERE ABLE TO RESUME USING CRUISE CONTROL. THERE WAS A PREVIOUS INCIDENT WHERE THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATED ITSELF WHILE DRIVING BUT NOT SUDDEN STOPS INITIATED IT OR WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON WHEN THIS HAPPENED.
Exterior lighting, Jul 12, 2018
THE HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF DURING NIGHT-TIME DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING. THE DASHBOARD INDICATOR SHOWS THAT THE HEADLIGHTS ARE OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED A TOTAL OF 6 TIMES WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE IN THE "AUTOMATIC" POSITION. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON A COMPLETELY DARK ROAD, AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON A LIT HIGHWAY, IN PARKING LOTS, AND IN THE VILLAGE AT 30 MPH. WE ARE USING MANUAL HEADLIGHT MODE AT NIGHT UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS RESOLVED. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IS UNKNOWN.
Electrical system, Jun 23, 2018
TAKATA RECALL THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR SHOWS AS "OPEN" ON THE DASH SCREEN EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OFF. THE DOOR IS CLOSED AND SHOWS AS OPEN WHEN DRIVING ELIMINATING IMPERATIVE ON-SCREEN NOTIFICATIONS.
Service brakes, Jun 12, 2018, crash
ON MAY 9, 2018 I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE WHEN FOR NO REASON AT ALL THE AEB SYSTEM ALARM SOUNDED AND LOCKED UP ALL 4 WHEELS. THE ROADS WERE WET AND IT WAS RAINING LIGHTLY. I WAS TRAVELING APROX 40MPH AND WAS NOT BRAKING AT THE TIME. WHEN THIS HAPPENED I COULD NOT GET THEM TO RELEASE. I TRIED ACCELERATING WHICH ONLY REVVED THE ENGINE. I ALSO TRIED TAPPING THE BRAKES WHICH DID NOTHING. THIS RESULTED IN SOMEONE REAR ENDING ME. WHEN THE VEHICLE REAR ENDED ME THAT IS WHEN THE BRAKES RELEASED.I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT FROM. SINCE THEN THE DEALERSHIP HAS INSPECTED IT PER KIA'S INSTRUCTION AND KIA SENT AN ENGINEER OUT ON JUNE 7TH TO RETRIEVE THE DATE FROM THE EDR. I WAS TOLD BY AN INDIVIDUAL AT THE BODY SHOP FOR THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE EDR SHOWED NO INFORMATION AND THAT THE TECHS HAVE FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. I HAD BEEN IN COMMUNICATION WITH A MAN NAMED ALEX VILALPANDO FROM KIA USA PRIOR TO THEM SENDING SOMEONE OUT AND HAVE LEFT HIM SEVERAL MESSAGES TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. I AM ALSO AWARE OF 2 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS REGARDING THE AEB SYSTEM BUT WAS TOLD BY THE AUTO BODY WORKER THAT THEY SAID THEY DID NOT APPLY TO WHAT HAPPENED. I AM SKEPTICAL TO TAKE THIS VEHICLE BACK FOR FEAR THAT IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. THERE IS NO POSSIBLE WAY THAT THE VEHICLES COMPUTER SYSTEM OR EDR SHOWED NOTHING WHEN ITS OBVIOUS SOMETHING HAPPENED. I ALSO REQUESTED A COPY OF THE EDR FINDINGS AND HAVE YET TO RECEIVE ANYTHING.I AM GETTING NO HELP OR ANSWERS FROM KIA AND DONT KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. I HAVE PAID OUT OF POCKET FOR A RENTAL CAR AND AGAIN AM GETTING NO HELP FROM KIA. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND NO ONE IS GIVING ME ANY ANSWERS. I TRIED CONTACTING KIA AGAIN TODAY AND EACH TIME I GOT SOMEONE ON THE PHONE AND THEY STARTED READING THE NOTES I WAS HUNG UP ON THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES.
Engine, Apr 28, 2018
WHILE DRIVING 70MPH ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE STARTED TO HAVE KNOCK IN ENGINE I PULLED OFF AT NEXT EXIT AND AS I WAS EXITING VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STOPPED. KNOW WARNING OR INSTRUMENT LIGHTS LIT UP BEFORE OR AFTER ENGINE FAILURE. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 10,100 MILES, LAST OIL CHANGE WAS AT 7,100 WITH RECOMMENDATION FOR OIL CHANGE AT 10,194 MILES. CALLED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY WERE RUDE AND NOT HELPFUL AT ALL.
Other or unspecified, Apr 19, 2018
WHILE DRIVING(60MPH) ON I10 WEST BOUND IN NEW ORLEANS, LA AT AROUND 7:45PM ON APRIL 18TH, 2018 THE SUNROOF OF MY 2017 KIA SORENTO EXPLODED. IT WAS A CLEAR EVENING AND ONLY A FEW CARS AROUND ME ON THE HIGHWAY. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICES PARTS ASSOCIATE "IT WAS ROCK" AS IF HE WAS TRAINED TO AUTOMATICALLY SAY THAT WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING AT THE VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Apr 5, 2018
VEHICLES RANDOMLY DOES NOT WANT ACCELERATE. SEEM MOST OFTEN ON TURNS IN TO ON COMING TRAFFIC BUT NOT ALWAYS. SOME TIME'S IT IT WILL DO IT JUST GOING FORWARD. I HAVE ALMOST BE CREAMED TWICE BECAUSE OF THIS. TOOK IT TO DEALER. THE SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THIS HAS ALSO HAPPEN TO FIANCEE. THIS DANGEROUS AND UNACCEPTABLE.AND SO WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE?
Steering, Mar 19, 2018
A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE 2017 KIA SORENTO WE BEGAN NOTICING STEERING ISSUES. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT APPEARS TO HAPPEN AFTER THE CAR WARMS UP. YOU MUST CONSTANTLY ADJUST THE STEERING TO DRIVE STRAIGHT. THE CAR WILL DRIFT TO THE LEFT AND WHEN YOU TRY TO CORRECT, THE CAR FIGHTS YOU. ALL OF THE SUDDEN, THE STEERING RELEASES AND THEN THE CAR DRIFTS RIGHT AND THE STEERING FIGHTS YOU TRYING TO ADJUST LEFT. IT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE DRIVING STRAIGHT EVEN ON STRAIGHT, FLAT ROADS. I STATED BELOW THAT IT HAPPENED ON MARCH 6, 2017. THAT WAS THE FIRST DATE THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE BUT THE ISSUE HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE BEFORE THAT DATE.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 19, 2018, crash
THE VEHICLE DID NOT FUNCTION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AT 60 MPH. THE ENGINE RPM'S DROPPPED FROM 4,000 TO 1,000 AND THE ACCELERATOR AND TRANSMISSION WAS NOT RESPONDING. THE VEHICLE TOOK MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO BE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE THE CONDITION UPON A TEST DRIVE BY THEIR TECNICIAN. THIS FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. NOTE: ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA, THIS IS THE EXACT SAME THING THAT HAS HAPPENED AND BEEN REPORTED BY OWNERS OF KIA OPTIMAS. THE DEALER ORDERED A HOSE ASSEMBLY AIR INTAKE PART TO BE INSTALLED UPON ARRIVAL UNDER SA303 PROCEDURE BUT DENIES IT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM.
Exterior lighting, Feb 26, 2018
WHILE ON AUTO, HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF WHEN THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE. TWO TIMES DURING DUSK/TWILIGHT, AND ONCE DURING THE NIGHT WITHIN A THREE WEEK PERIOD. THE TIME IT HAPPENED AT NIGHT, AND THE ONE TIME DURING TWILIGHT WAS ON AN UNLIT RURAL ROAD . THE OCCURRENCE DURING DUSK WAS AT A LIGHTED RURAL INTERSECTION.
Steering, Feb 1, 2018
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON ANY ROAD (CITY OR HIGHWAY) IT WANTS TO DRIFT TO THE SIDE AND WHEN YOU GO TO CORRECT THE STEERING IT FEELS STICKY, FOR LACK OF BETTER WORDS, AND THERE IS A DELAY IN THE RESPONSE. SO I END UP OVER CORRECTING, AND I'M ALL OVER THE ROAD. THIS CAR IS SO UNSAFE AS IT IS RIGHT NOW. I'VE TAKEN MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE, CALLED CONSUMER ADVISORS FOR KIA, HAS A TECH GO FOR A TEST DRIVE, AND SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. WHILE THEY CAN VERIFY THERE'S AN ISSUE, THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING TO FIX IT.
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 25, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY AFTER IT WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOU SOBH KIA (1135 BRUFORD RD, CUMMING, GA 30041), BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE A SECOND TIME WHILE DRIVING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
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.