NHTSA Complaint #11491685 — 2013 KIA SORENTO

Driving on the highway, the engine began “knocking” then the engine seized up without a check engine light or any other warnings. Steering and brakes did not work. We were lucky to get off the highway without an accident. Regarding the recall, it was over a month’s wait at three different dealerships at three Ohio locations. The first available appointment was October 7th. The engine failure was September 17 before the recall repair appointment. Per a local mechanic, the engine threw a rod and the engine was not repairable. Kia charged $6500 for a replacement engine because they would not honor the engine recall replacement. The engine they sent to the local mechanic was the incorrect engine. Further investigation revealed the correct engine was discontinued. Kia failed to remedy the recall because of their scheduling problems, put our lives in danger by losing steering and brakes at a high rate of speed when the engine unexpectedly seized up. The Kia Sorento is still sitting at the mechanic with no working engine while we are paying car and engine loans.