2018 KIA SORENTO Engine Problems
93 NHTSA complaints on file
All Engine Complaints — Page 2
Engine failure
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while accelerating, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the knock sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The mechanic completed a road test and indicated that the vehicle was working as designed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle was shuddering, shaking, and then lost motive power and stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact used a code reader and retrieved DTC code: P1326 (Permanent go Relay Stuck On). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who cleared the codes but informed the contact that the failure would continue and recommended an engine replacement. The...
Excessive oil consumption, burning oil
The whole engine needs replaced without warning. I have been driving it with oil spraying, a hole in engine and not sound or engine light or anything as a warning. Very unsafe and many others in the same boat.
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and turned off. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced due to a loss in engine compression in one of the cylinders. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000.
After inspection, the service agent, Jeff, came and informed me there was “good news and not so good news”. Good news - He said there was a 999,999-mile warranty on the engine for the oil pressure stick problem. The not so good news is that Kia will not replace the engine until it locks. I was shocked to say the least. I asked him, how in the hell is that safe? Why isn’t the fact that the car started shutting down on me (power steering) enough of an indication that it needs to be replaced? That along with the amounts of oil I’ve had to replace. All the years I’ve had my Kia, I’ve NEVER had to add oil. He said those warnings were not enough. He said the engine light would come on as well as others, the engine would start knocking as well. THEN you get to the...
The car stalls any where when the temp is over 108 degrees, i have to wait about two minutes and it will start, sometimes it cranks then it starts, no codes come on the code reader. It has never happen since i bought the car 5 years ago. The car is not over heating, it stays on the same temp and no antifreeze comes out.
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that oil needing to be added the engine every two weeks. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The dealer informed the contact that an oil consumption test needed to be performed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 81,136.
Ive been experiencing engine failure with my vehicle since December of 2022. The car was assessed and repaired and less than a month later my engine has failed yet again while driving. My vehicle year is not listed in the kia settlement class action even though I have a Theta II engine 2.4 L GDI.
While driving my 2018 Kia Sorento on Interstate 95 at approximately 65 mph, the vehicle suddenly started to knock. The noise got louder and before I could safely pull onto the shoulder, the engine totally failed without any warning lights whatsoever. Large amount of blue smoke came from the exhaust and I lost all power to the vehicle. Engine parts and motor oil were scattered all over the highway from the violent nature of the failure. This also caused vehicles behind me to swerve and brake in order to avoid hitting the metal engine debris. My right rear tire ran over such metal and it immediately went flat. I was able to coast the vehicle onto an exit ramp where I raised the hood to check for fire. The engine continued to leak oil while parked on the off ramp shoulder. I called my insurance company to let them know...
My car is using more oil then it should and I’m getting bad gas mileage. I have no leak you can’t smell anything and it doesn’t run hot! But we have to add a least 2 quarts a week.
Vehicle is consuming oil at an extraordinary rate. About 1qt per 750 miles. There are no oil leaks present.
On 3/23/2023, the Oil Pressure Warning Light flashed on and off. I was lucky to be near a gas station that could check my oil and determined there was less than 2 quarts left. They added almost 4 quarts of oil and told me to immediately contact my Kia dealership because I could have an oil consumption issue. I researched the issue online and found that there is a class action lawsuit over Hyundai-Kia oil consumption defect. On 3/28/2023, I brought my vehicle to Mastria Kia to have an oil change and have it checked for an oil leak. There was no oil leak. Thus, they told me to return in 1,000 miles (oil consumption test). If it passes the oil consumption test, they told me that they could do a combustion chamber cleaning for over $500, which I was also told does not fix the defect. They also informed...
My car is using 5 quarts per oil every 250-500 miles. Which means my car can blow up with me in it. I took it to the dealer and even though there is a tsb on this and it is a known issue they are telling me kia will not cover it I have to replace it out of my own pocket. When this occurs no oil lights or engine lights come on.
Catastrophic engine failure with no signal or warning from the car after being well maintained for 5 years. This occurred while driving 60 mph on a desolate stretch of VT highway while on a trip from our home in NJ. Engine died with no warning and we coasted to a dangerous narrow shoulder of RT 9 and were almost killed by a truck. We also had no cell reception to even call for help. The engine then started to smoke and burn and I was forced to put my two children out on a snowy embankment for 30 minutes risking hypothermia. We bought this 2018 Sorento new and only discovered the vast extent of Kia’s engine defect after this experience on 2/22/23. I am in complete awe and shock that your agency has allowed them to continue putting people in grave danger. I want to understand how Kia is not...
2018 Kia Sorrento died suddenly on the highway. We heard a loud rattling noise, then a pop followed by the engine stopping with some smoke coming out under the hood.
My vehicle had 4 recalls on it and caused engine to blow. The dealer I purchased car from would not fix recalls, so had it towed to a Kia dealer, my car has been there since dec long story short recalls fixed but they won't replace engine, nor will dealer I purchased it from. So they're saying over $8000 that I would be responsible for
Fuel expired much quicker than should be, and burned on to the dip stick before oil was due to be changed. Then the engine failed while driving, causing my vehicle to lose power on a left turn on a 55 mph road, nearly causing my children and I to be hit by another vehicle. I could not accelerate, but still had power to steer and brake. After having the gas pedal fully extended, I resumed power to 30 mph (this was described as engine knock sensor decreased power). We are hearing that 14 million Kia vehicles are experiencing this. There are 46 cars ahead of mine to be repaired for the failed engine and oil problem at that dealership as of today. They are not offering loaner vehicles.
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot. The vehicle failed to restart after several attempts. The vehicle remained parked in the parking lot. The contact notified the local dealer and other unknown dealers of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 78,500.
SHORTLY AFTER FUEL OIL AND FILTER CHANGE AT ~75,000 MILES, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR ENGINE STOPPED. OIL PUMP FAILED AND CRACKED THROUGH HOUSING. MAJOR DAMAGE. REPAIR SHOP INDICATES ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
No warning before engine failed. 3/2021
excessive oil consumption causing engine to fail. need to replace whole engine. no warning lights or gauges registered the low oil
This KIA Sorento was brand new and I was the only owner. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The engine, brake lights, charging ports and overhead lights. Yes, the vehicle is available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The engine: this puts me at risk because the vehicle stop in the middle of the highway and the rear lights was not working because I burnt harness... a Truck was coming full speed. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, several times and they failed to take responsibility. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The manufacturer and several other opinions from other reputable mechanic shops. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem...
My wife was taking my son to school on April 11, 2022 around 7:45am. On the way, and without warning, the engine stopped. She coasted on an exit ramp and stopped at the light. The car's engine wouldn't turn over or even click. A police officer assisted by pushing the car into a gas station parking lot. We had the car towed to the dealer in Fort Worth. After two weeks, they contacted me and said I needed a new engine, intake manifold, and starter because the engine was sized. They said there was no oil in the vehicle. They could not offer an answer as to why.. There had been no warning...no lights had come on the dash...no indication the engine was overheating....no check engine light came on...no check oil light....no limp mode activated. Until that morning, there had been no problems with our vehicle whatsoever. I filed a...
While driving the vehicle there came a knocking noise from the engine. We had driven down to the beach for a work event. We decided to turn the car around and to retrieve our other vehicle from home. As we were driving back the engine was still making the knocking noise. We went over a bridge and the engine started seizing. The engine light then came on. We were able to get it to a pepboys by home lucky but barely made it. They looked over the car and determined a whole engine repair was needed. We took it to Kia dealership and they determine the same and that the bearings had failed. Our car was under warranty but do to failure of proper oil changes our warranty was voided. I understand the need for proper maintenance of the vehicle but our car had only 24000+ miles on it. When...
I was hit by another car in July 2021 which totaled the lovely suv I owned. I decided to buy my 2018 KIA Sorento (from a different state) in August 2021 because I thought KIAs were safe and reliable cars. My KIA began to oil leak right before September 2021. I had it checked for oil leak and got my oil topped off. There was no oil leak detected. In November 2021, my engine light comes on. I believed it to be an indication it was time for an oil change. The night before I could even make it to the car shop my KIA begins to make a loud knocking sound. I got my oil change and the knocking still persist. The mechanic gentlemen tell me that I needed a crankshaft position sensor replacement. I drive my KIA to the nearest KIA dealership and they keep my KIA Sorento...
02/06/2022 driving north bound on TX hwy 75 near McKinney, TX at the posted speed limited 70mph the engine suddenly quit running and the steering and brakes went out. There were no warning buzzers or lamps prior to the shut down. Traffic was light and with a lot of pumping of the brakes able to get onto the shoulder. Vehicle was towed to Kia of McKinney, TX. They stated engine bearing had gone bad, causing the engine to seize.
Our 2018 Kia Sorento seized, stalled, in the middle of the road, smoked, then nearly caught fire with our young daughter in the car and 19 year old son driving. We reported it to Kia. They agreed to reimburse our rental car IF we sign a settlement agreement/hush order regarding it our vehicle and to get reimbursed.
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, a loud noise was suddenly present coming from the engine before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the residence and was examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine rod bearing had failed. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacture was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000.
Engine started smoking and cut off. Vehicle was taken to Kia dealership but representatives do not want to honor engine replacement recall.
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR MADE A TICKING NOISE AND THEN JUST SHUT OFF
I WAS TRAVELING TO FLORIDA AND SAW SPARKS IN THE MIRRORS IN THE BACK. I QUICKLY PULLED OVER AND WENT TO THE BACK AND SAW FIRE, THE CAR WAS ON FIRE EVERYBODY GOT OUT, WE TRIED TO PUT IT OUT BUT IT SEEMED LIKE THERE WAS AN ACCELERRENT OR SOMETHING CAUSE IT WAS ENGULFED WITH FIRE VERY FAST ONCE WE STOPPED THE WHOLE CAR WAS BURNING.+WE WERE ON 65 SOUTH IN KENTUCKY JUST DRIVING ,NO RAIN ROADS WERE DRY.
WHILE DRIVING ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THE CAR HAS TO BE FORCED TO GO. IT'S ALWAYS HESITATING TO GO AND I'M FORCED TO PRESS HARD ON THE GAS. IN OCTOBER 2020, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WENT INTO "LIMP" MODE. I'M VERY SCARED WHILE DRIVING WITH MY KIDS. THE DEALERS HAVE NO FIX-I WILL BE TAKING IT IN FOR A THIRD TIME WITHIN A YEAR.
AFTER TURNING INTO TRAFFIC ON A HIGHWAY, AND I PROBABLY SHOULD NOT HAVE, I HAD TO "GUN" IT TO GET MOVING FASTER. AFTER THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS FLASHING.THEN I WOULD SAY IT WENT INTO A LIMP HOME MODE. THIS "GUNNING" HAS HAPPENED TO ME 3 TIMES.
CURRENTLY, THERE IS AN ENGINE RECALL ON THE 2015-2018 KIA SORENTO, WHICH RESULTS IN PREMATURE ROD WEARING AND POTENTIAL ENGINE FIRES. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE, BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT, THE ENGINE NOISES (TAPPING/KNOCKING) WERE NOTICED BY A FAMILY MEMBER. IT WAS REPORTED TO KIA WITHIN THE FIRST 3,500 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, WHO ADVISED ME INITIALLY THAT THE SOUNDS WERE BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS NEW AND BREAKING IN AND THAT THE SOUNDS WERE NORMAL. IN JANUARY 2019, I WAS ADVISED WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR THEIR COURTESY INSPECTION THAT THERE WAS A RECALL AND THEY NEEDED TO PERFORM A SOFTWARE UPDATE ON THE VEHICLES ECM THAT IS SUPPOSED TO TURN THE VEHICLE INTO LIMP MODE TO WARN THE DRIVER OF A POTENTIAL ENGINE FIRE BEFORE IT HAPPENS. KIA PERFORMED THE UPDATE AND THE ENGINE NOISES STILL PERSIST. THE TECHNICIAN CLAIMED HE INSPECTED THE...
SINCE 2/2020 I HAVE BEEN BACK AND FORTH TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES FOR MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED MULTIPLE DIFFERENT PARTS BUT THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME BACK ON. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH KIA CORPORATE MECHANICS AND THEY DO NOT SEEM TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AS WELL. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED BECAUSE I HAVE ALSO REACHED OUT TO KIA CORPORATE OFFICE AND THEY HAVE BEEN OF NO ASSISTANCE. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND HAS VOICED THIS CONCERN MULTIPLE TIMES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND LOST ALL POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SON CALLED HER AND INFORMED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SMOKING. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE HE SAW FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE OPENED THE HOOD AND THE FLAMES IMMEDIATELY ENGULFED THE WHOLE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS MADE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE DEALER SUNTRUP KIA SOUTH (6263 S LINDBERGH BLVD, ST. LOUIS, MO 63123 PHONE: (314) 254-8955) WHO STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT LIABLE AND TO CONTACT KIA CONSUMER LINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE...
IN JANUARY 2019 A RECALL WAS DONE ON MY VEHICLE. A FEW DAYS LATER, I WAS TRAVELING OUT OF STATE. I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE DRIVING 70 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE CAR LOST POWER. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ONE BEHIND ME. I WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL SENT THE CAR INTO LIMP MODE BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS BAD. MY CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR OVER 4 MONTHS IN WISCONSIN. I LIVE IN IOWA. LONG STORY SHORT, KIA CAME UP WITH NEW DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND AFTER 4 MONTHS THEY DECIDED I DID NOT NEED AN ENGINE AND IT WAS MY WIRING HARNESS THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. 2 MONTHS LATER, I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AGAIN WHEN MY VEHICLE DID THE SAME THING MY CAR WENT FROM 70 MPH TO 50 MPH WITHIN SECONDS. I LOOKED IN MY REARVIEW MIRROR AND A SEMI WAS RIGHT BEHIND. THANK GOODNESS THE...
I WAS DRIVING BACK HOME I HAD TOO WORK IN RODEO CALIFORNIA HALF THE WAY EVERYTHING WAS GOING GREAT I HAD MY 3 CHILDREN WITH ME MY CAR DIDN'T GAVE ME ANY WARNING NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.,NO WHITE SMOKE , I WAS PASSING THE DODGER STADIUM WHEN SUDDENLY MY 2018 SORENTO JUST SHUT DOWN ALMOST GOT HIT I WAS ABOUT TOO ENTER THE 710 AND NOOOOO I DIDNT EVEN GOT A CHANCE TO GET OUT THE I-5 SOUTH I CHECKED THE WATER IT WAS FULL OIL WAS OK NO SMOKE NO OVER HEATING ONES THE CAR SHUT DOWN I TRY TOO STOP SINCE WHEN PASSING DODGER STADIUM IN GOING DOWN HILL THE DAMM BREAKS DIDNT WORK GOD WAS ON MY SIDE I STOP THE CAR THE DASH BOARD TURN ON AND OFF THE ENGINE HOW EVER NEVER TURNED BACK ON. I WAITED FOR 5 HOURS FOR KIA ROADSIDE SERVICE 60...
AFTER THE SOFTWARE UPDATE, MY KIA HAD ISSUES WITH THE KNOCK SENSOR. SO, WILL THIS VEHICLE HAS ISSUES FOR THE REST OF THE ENGINES LIFE? I AM HOPING TO DRIVE THIS CAR FOR MORE THAN 100,000 MILES. IS THIS JUST A COINCIDENCE THAT THE SENSOR WAS BAD RIGHT AFTER THE UPDATE? THE CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE AFTER A LOUD CLUNK. GLAD I WAS CLOSE TO HOME!
ENGINE COMPLETELY LOST POWER AND SHUT DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY AND WHEN RESTATRED, WENT INTO LIMP MODE. NOW ENGINE NEEDS REPLACED AND NO ENGINES ARE AVAILABLE. MY CAR HAS A MOBILITY DEVICE INSTALLED TO ACCOMODATE MY MISSING RIGHT LEG AND ANY RENTAL VEHICLE IS DIFFICULY TO USE SINCE I HAVE TO REMOVE MY PROSTHETIC LEG TO DRIVE IT. I NEED A VEHICLE FITTED TO ACCOMODATE MY DISABILITY AND DONT KNOW WHEN OR IF I'LL BE GETTING MINE BACK.
OVER THE LAST 6 MONTHS MY KIA HAS STARTED TO ACT LIKE IT IS GOING TO DIE OR STALL WHILE DRIVING AND/OR IDLING. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT VARIOUS DIFFERENT SPEEDS. I TOOK MY KIA INTO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND EXPLAINED WHAT WAS HAPPENING. THEY RAN SOME DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE IT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER COMES ON. IN DECEMBER, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT. THIS RECALL WAS COMPLETED AND NOW LESS THAN A MONTH LATER THE SHAKING LIKE MY CAR IS GOING TO STALL IS STILL HAPPENING INTERMITTENTLY. RECENTLY, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED STICKING. WHILE I AM DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES ME OVER ADJUST TO KEEP THE CAR GOING STRAIGHT. YOU CAN FEEL THE STICKING AS YOU HAVE TO CONSTANTLY ADJUST THE STEERING WHEEL RIGHT OR LEFT. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I AM DRIVING, WHETHER ON THE HIGHWAY...
I WAS DRIVING ON A STATE HWY ABOUT THREE MILES FROM HOME GOING 50 MPH. I WAS THE SOLE OCCUPANT IN THE VEHICLE WHEN I BEGAN TO SMELL SMOKE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE HWY. AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. I OPENED MY DOOR AND OPENED THE HOOD FROM THE INSIDE. WHEN I DID, FLAMES AND SMOKE BEGAN TO SHOOT OUT FROM THE HOOD AND I HEARD A LOUD POP. I EXITED THE VEHICLE AND WITHIN SECONDS, THE WHOLE CAR WAS CONSUMED WITH FIRE. I CALLED 911 AND REPORTED A VEHICLE ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND EMS BOTH RESPONDED WITHIN MINUTES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE BUT NOT BEFORE IT WAS A COMPLETE LOSS. AFTER THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED, I NOTED ALL THE DOORS AND THE HATCH HAD LOCKED AT SOME POINT DURING THE FIRE. I CONTACTED CUMBERLAND KIA WHERE I PURCHASED...
Other 2018 KIA SORENTO Problem Areas
Exterior Lighting
36 complaints
Unknown Or Other
35 complaints
Steering
26 complaints
Electrical System
25 complaints
Fuelpropulsion System
10 complaints
Power Train
9 complaints
Air Bags
8 complaints
Structurebody
8 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control
8 complaints
Trailer Hitches
7 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling
5 complaints
Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking
4 complaints
Service Brakes
4 complaints
Seat Belts
3 complaints
Visibilitywiper
3 complaints
Forward Collision Avoidance Warnings
2 complaints
Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly
2 complaints
Wheels
2 complaints
Back Over Prevention Warnings
1 complaint
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingengineoillubrication
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingengineother Fuel Typesturbosuperchargerhosesplumbing
1 complaint
Exterior Lightingheadlights
1 complaint
Exterior Lightingheadlightsbulbs
1 complaint
Exterior Lightingheadlightsswitch
1 complaint
Firerelated
1 complaint
Forward Collision Avoidance Adaptive Cruise Control
1 complaint
Lane Departure Assist
1 complaint
Lane Departure Sensing System Sonarultrasonic
1 complaint
Lane Departure Warning
1 complaint
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
1 complaint
Seats
1 complaint
Tires
1 complaint