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.
Service brakes, Oct 20, 2016
PROBLEM: WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN VERY SLOW STOP AND GO TRAFFIC THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED. I WAS UNABLE TO DISENGAGE THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE BY PRESSING THE BUTTON. TO GET THE CAR TO MOVE FORWARD I HAD TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON. CONCERNED THAT THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE COULD ENGAGE ON ITS ON AT ANY TIME AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS ALSO RELATED TO THE ISSUE WITH THE SMART CRUISE CONTROL. THE SMART CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON, BUT THE DASHBOARD DID NO LIGHT UP AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT TURN OFF AS IN MY PREVIOUS COMPLAINT. THINK THERE IS A CHANCE THIS IS A SEPARATE ISSUE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Oct 20, 2016
PROBLEM: INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH ADVANCED SMART CRUISE CONTROL AND AUTONOMOUS BRAKING ON A NEW 2017 KIA SORENTO WITH LESS THAN 1100 MILES. WHAT HAPPENED: WHEN USING THE ADVANCED SMART CONTROL FEATURE, THE SMART CRUISE CONTROL WILL SHUT DOWN RANDOMLY. ON FOUR OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING WITH SMART CRUISE CONTROL, ON A HIGHWAY ON A CLEAR DAY, MY KIA'S DASHBOARD LIT UP WITH "CHECK SMART CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM." THESE ADDITIONAL WARNING LIGHTS LIT UP ON THE DASHBOARD: ANTI-LOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT, ELECTRONIC BRAKE FORCE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT, MASTER WARNING LIGHT, AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL INDICATOR LIGHT. THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT WORK AND ALL LIGHTS STAY ON UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON. AFTER ONE OCCURRENCE, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. AS THIS ONLY HAPPENS RANDOMLY THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO NOT STORING ANY DIAGNOSTIC CODES. AFTER THE 3RD TIME IT WAS IN THE DEALER FOR THE SAME ISSUE THEY SAID A CODE WAS STORED. THEY SAID IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE CAMERA MOUNTED ON THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE SERVICE TECH DISCONNECTED AND RECONNECTED THE CAMERA WITH THE THOUGHT THAT IT MIGHT BE A LOOSE CONNECTION. THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN AFTER THEY ADJUSTED THE CAMERA. THEY HAVE A NEW CAMERA ON ORDER BUT IT IS NOT IN STOCK ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. I CONTACTED KIA MOTORS CONSUMER AFFAIRS SEVERAL TIMES, AND THEY JUST SEND ME BACK TO THE DEALER. PROBLEM IS STILL UNSOLVED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Oct 19, 2016
PROBLEM: INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH ADVANCED SMART CRUISE CONTROL AND AUTONOMOUS BRAKING ON A NEW 2017 KIA SORENTO WITH LESS THAN 500 MILES. WHAT HAPPENED: WHEN USING THE ADVANCED SMART CONTROL FEATURE, AS EXPLAINED TO ME BY THE DEALER, THE MANUAL, AND KIA VIDEOS, THE CAR WILL STOP AUTONOMOUSLY WHEN APPROACHING A CAR AT A STOP LIGHT. MY KIA STOPS AUTONOMOUSLY MOST OF THE TIME, BUT NOT ALL OF THE TIME. ON THREE OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING WITH SMART CRUISE CONTROL, ON A STRAIGHT ROAD ON A CLEAR DAY, MY KIA SLOWED DOWN BUT DID NOT STOP, CAUSING ME TO TAKE EMERGENCY EVASIVE ACTION AT THE LAST SECOND. AFTER TWO OCCURRENCES, I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND ASKED TO SIMPLY HAVE THE SYSTEM CHECKED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY DO NOT HANDLE SAFETY CONCERNS, AND DIRECTED ME TO CALL KIA, WHICH I DID MORE THAN A MONTH AGO. THE KIA REP TRIED TO TELL ME THAT THE VEHICLE CANNOT STOP WHILE USING ADVANCED SMART CRUISE CONTROL, DESPITE THEIR TV ADS, INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS, AND MY OWN EXPERIENCES WHICH SAYS THE CAR DOES INDEED STOP IN THE SMART CRUISE CONTROL MODE. THE KIA REP SAID SOMEONE FROM KIA WOULD FOLLOW-UP, BUT THAT NEVER HAPPENED. SO, AFTER WAITING MORE THAN A MONTH, I AM FILING THIS REPORT TO SEE IF OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THIS CRITICAL SAFETY TECHNOLOGY. OTHERWISE, THE KIA OPERATES NORMALLY AND IS A VERY NICE SUV. I JUST WANT MY SORENTO CHECKED OUT BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURS. *TR
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.