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Kia Sorento Engine Problems

4,311 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across 21 model years.

Complaints by Year

Worst year: 2016. Best year: 2009.

Owner Reports

A representative sample of complaints filed with NHTSA.

Engine · 2011 4

Just bought this from a private seller last week and was driving to work. The engine suddenly caught fire and the car essentially exploded and melted.

Engine · 2018 4

My wife and I were Driving when I tried to stop and the brakes failed. Within seconds the vehicle caught fire in the engine compartment. I had to slam the transmission into park cause the doors would not open. When my wife tried to escap...

Engine · 2015 4

2015 Kia Sorento fire on the 7th I was drive lost brakes and steering and as soon as I stop to get out to check the whole truck went up in flames

Engine · 2012 4

On June 6, 2026, while driving home, the vehicle suddenly began smelling strongly of gasoline and burnt rubber. Within seconds, thick black smoke became visible in the side mirrors, followed immediately by white smoke pouring from the fr...

Engine · 2016 4

My husband and I got the oil changed at Walmart, one week later we took a trip to Cincinnati zoo with my children. On the way home we were driving on the interstate, car jolted and caught fire. something went through the oil pan and the ...

Engine · 2017 4

The contact owned a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed an abnormal fuel odor, and there was white smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact was able to safely pu...

Engine · 2025 4

My wife was pulling in spot and car took off at high rate of speed and hit parking pole . Kia corporate after 2 months tells me nothing wrong with vehicle . i found on kia of Manahawkin they have a page on this issue forced acceleration ...

Engine · 2012 4

The contact owned a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact’s spouse stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power with no warning lights illuminated. The contact's spouse noticed smoke coming from th...

Engine · 2016 4

My 2016 Kia Sorento was stolen because it wasn’t updated and also the engine caught fire because it wasn’t updated

Engine · 2014 4

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would jerk. The check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent dealer, where it was diagnose...

Engine · 2013 4

The contact owned a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that he had received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000(Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact then stated that soon after the recall was serviced, the vehicle w...

Engine · 2017 4

The contact owned a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate as needed. No warning light was illuminated. The contact's husband noticed a cloud ...

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