2017 KIA SORENTO Power Train Problems

Car is losing power, won't go into gear, slipping

I am reporting a serious defect involving my 2017 Kia Sorento 2.4 Liter GDI engine (VIN [XXX] ) At approximately 84000 miles, while still under the powertrain warranty, I brought the vehicle to the dealership from which I purchased it (Hutchinson Kia in Macon GA) due to engine hesitation and abnormal performance. I was initially told the engine might need replacement, but the dealer later claimed the issue was only a relay/software problem and performed a software update (likely the KSDS knock sensor update) At approximately 94000 miles, the engine suffered a SUDDEN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE while driving on the interstate, The failure was abrupt and created a dangerous situation in traffic. The Vehicle is now inoperable. The engine is equipped with the THETA II GDI engine, which has a documented history of bearing and connecting -rod failures, fires and sudden engine seizure. KIA is refusing to cover the failure, even though the symptoms began during warrantly and the KSDS update was reportedly completed. This appears to be consistent with the widespread THETA II engine safety defect previously investigated by NHTSA. The sudden failure of the engine posed a significant safety risk to myself, passengers and other motorists. I am requesting the NHTSA review the incident and evaluate whether KIA is properly honoring required safety-related engine replacements for Thet II GDI equipped vehicles. Thank You. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle was shifting extremely roughly. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission due to the vehicle not receiving a required software update. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 141,128.

Mileage: 141,128

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the gear shifter was stuck in park(P). The contact stated that once the vehicle was parked, the gear shifter remained stuck in park(P). The contact manually depressed the button under the gear shifter to move the gear shifter. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that after the first failure, the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that an unknown part in the gear shifter had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

Mileage: 94,000

The engine failed at a little over 73,000 miles. The vehicle was towed to the dealership where the warranty company refused to cover the engine. The engine had burned through the oil and that was why the engine failed. There was carbon build up inside the engine, causing it to fail. The oil had just been changed 1000 miles before it failed. There were no warning lamps before the engine failed. Once the engine failed, the check engine light appeared. The oil in the vehicle had been changed routinely and can be verified by the Carfax report. This could've caused a wreck. The manufacturer and warranty company are not taking responsibility for the engine failure.

We purchased the vehicle with 45000 miles, within a year, the vehicle started to run very badly, car idle vibrates the whole vehicle. It stalls out on her sometimes, burns all the oil by the it is time to change oil, the mechanic says there is less than a quart left, but no leak as per mechanic! The vehicle will blow soon I’m sure, and my wife drives our children everyday. I was made aware of lawsuit settlement, which Kia was only required to send notice to first owner, so we had no idea! The suit was settled and Kia gave lifetime warranty/new engine replacements/new vehicles to owners. The law suit was going on/settled around the time we purchased the vehicle so dealership knew about it and still sold it to us! We can not afford another vehicle, and dealership says unless the engine gives off certain code, they can not do anything! They are avoiding liability, and putting my family in danger! I do not know what to do or who to speak to!

Lost power on the freeway, flashing check engine light. Dealership said my fuel injectors failed causing my engine to fail. At 133k miles the car needs its second new motor. It is currently at Phil Long Kia in Colorado Springs waiting a voluntary repossession as I cannot see paying 10k for repairs on a vehicle that has such obvious defects

Kia lost power on the interstate. I was able to pull to the side of the road and then the car completely shut off and is now Unable to drive and requiring a motor replacement. I have an estimated 121,000 miles in the engine

Consistent excessive oil consumption from about 90k until it died at 127k while on the highway going 65+mph. Oil Light flashed. Check engine light flashed. Made it onto the exit ramp and exited the vehicle very shook up. Vehicle would not start unless using two feet. One to flutter the gas while other on the break to be able to throw it into gear and chug the 2 miles home from the highway. Towed it to the Kia dealership in vestal Ny in June 2023. They had my vehicle for over 2 months before we had a plan. We called Kia with no response. No email followup no snail mail followup. Called again in October to be told my vehicle did not have any compression in 2 cylinders but it couldn’t pass or fail the test therefore they couldn’t determine the cause. Because they could not determine the cause my vehicle would not be covered at all. My Sorento had regular oil changes and maintenance done at the dealership as that’s where I purchased the Sorento new in 2017. After we rolled over 100k when the warranty was up we began shopping around for oil changes due to the dealership being outrageous. My vehicle has been sitting dead while I lay $555 a month on the existing loan. I will never buy a Kia again and will be telling everyone else the same. Thank you.

We bought this vehicle on September 23, 2023 It had 72,935 miles. On October 15, 2003 After three weeks of having it, the check engine light came on. We took it a mechanic to diagnose the problem, he said it was the intake camshaft position sensor. We had it replaced o, and the engine light disappeared. We though that was the end of it but no. About a month later (mid November) the check engine light came on again, We contacted a local mechanic who said it might be the crankshaft or the time chain, he was supposed to call back with an estimate, but he didn't. We continued to drive it while trying to figure out what to do next, and two weeks later, on Dec 6 while driving home after picking my son from school, I heard a laud rattle noise, the vehicle slowed down, I though it was going to die completely, many lights on the dashboard came on, I don't remember which ones, (only the battery light) I knew it should not be the battery since we had just bought one brand new. Anyway, I pulled over to the side of road. I turned it off. After a minute or so, I turned it on again, and was able to make it home. The loud noise continued so turned on the hazard lights on and slowly drove it home. I was not that far. Next Saturday I had it towed to a mechanic we trust and he said the engine had plain failed and that it would be better to replace it. We decided to have it towed back to us. We made an appointment with a Kia dealership to have them confirm what our mechanic said, but they gave us an appointment until January 22, 2024 In the mean time it just sitting there in our garage. We know it had two previous owners. From the Carfax report we know it was serviced regularly. I don't think a vehicle with only 73,000 miles should have a failing engine.

My name is [XXX] and live in Topsham, ME. I purchased a 2017 Kia Sorrento from Bill Dodge Auto Group Westbrook a few years ago with a warranty that covers it to 100K miles (I am now at 83.699K). About 9 months ago I noticed that the vehicle started to go through large amounts of oil when I by chance decided to check it. I began to notice that it would go through a quart in about 500 miles of normal around town driving. After extensive effort I was able to make an appointment at Bill Dodge where they did a test and determined this was the case. They did do a cleaning and did improve it slightly but I brought it back to them for a thousand mile check although half of this was a highway trip. They measured and said that it was just under a quart after a little over a thousand miles and stated Kia states that this is normal oil consumption. I retested myself and found that I easily burn over a quart within a thousand miles of driving around town. I contacted the warranty administrator and they stated unless there is a failure of some kind then this is not covered under the warranty. I am sure I have no oil leaks. It is obvious to me that the engine is defective and Kia is not taking ownership as I have read online forums that many people have similar problems including engines blowing, sometimes without the warning lights coming on. (Only once has my engine light come on by the way). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Cars burns a qt of oil every 200 miles oil smells just like gas

High consumption of oil (5 qrts in a week and a half). It failed the recommended test set forth by manufacturer and no one will fix it until it stalls or seizes. Major safety risk since they know of the problem and will not fix until it is too late.

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was jerking. While shifting from first to second gear, the transmission was shifting hard. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer five times however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. While driving, there was an abnormal ticking noise detected. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who changed the oil. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Fredy Kia 11711 Gulf Fwy, Houston, TX 77034 where it was diagnosed there was no oil in the vehicle. The dealer informed the contact that the engine was consuming an abnormal amount of engine oil. There was a leak coming from the engine and it was diagnosed that the transmission and engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted but there was no additional assistance provided. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

Mileage: 113,000

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate or jerk while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

Mileage: 102,000

Car is jerking into 2nd gear while driving which causes tension on neck and back. Transmission also slips while accelerating. TCM needs to be updated but dealership can't do it without a notice.

1.Engine is consuming 2-3 quarts of oil every 1,000 miles. Kia consumer services instructed me to pay for an oil diagnostic test- of 4 visits every 1,000 miles- cost of oil changes, engine flush, rental car for 2 days= $800 to date. 2. I am a therapist and travel Ohio for insurance purposes. My vehicle is a converted handicapped accessible vehicle as my significant other had multiple sclerosis, and the purpose of purchasing the car 4 years ago. 3. Yes, the service dept of a local dealer has confirmed the issue. They state that Kia refuses to do anything to resolve the issue of oil running out, engine seizing to work, driver will be killed driving when engine stops and is run into by semi-truck on highway. 4. No warnings. I literally ran out of oil 2 times before I knew it is a problem. The problem started in August of 2022. Under 96,000 miles. Now 102,000. Kia states that due to me being the 2nd owner (purchased at 23,000 miles) that they will not warranty the car at 100,000 as I was let to believe when I purchased it from Freedom Motors in BattleCreek Michigan.

Rear Differential Coupling Assembly leak, to where it needs to be replaced. Loud noises coming from the back of the vehicle, especially during braking. Brakes still have 5 and 7 mm remaining.

While on a road trip down south, at my first gas stop, the vehicle's gear shift was stuck in park and refused to move. After removing the small cap cover marked Shift Lock Release, I manually inserted a screwdriver into the hole and was able to release the shifter. This has been the only way to release the gear shifter from Saturday, 09/10/2022 until present time. I have an appointment for service with Premier Kia dealership in Branford CT.

The 4 wheel drive coupling assembly is leaking oil covering the rear differential actuator motor. Kia TSB #086 November 2019 spells out the situation.

The oil light came on and started blinking. I checked the oil and it was full. I then called the Kia dealer and told them what was going on and the said it was a sensor. I needed to make appointment to get a new sensor but they had none and they were on back order. They would call me when it came in. I started seeing oil in garage under my car. I called The kia dealership back and they said just keep adding oil to it. 4 weeks after initial call the part came in. I took my car in to be fixed but it was more extensive than they were assuming. They had to order more parts and it took 2 more weeks. It turned out to be the Oil pressure switch that was leaking and spewing oil all over the engine. Could have been a disastrous situation. It cost me 1750.00. The car has 84,000 miles on it has been well taken care of and they didn’t cover it under any warranty.

THIS IS A EARLY 2017 BOUGHT IN AUGUST 2016 ON DECEMBER 22 2021, MY DAUGHTER AND TWO YOUNG GRANDSONS WERE TRAVELING WEST BOUND ON I68 JUST PAST CUMBERLAND MD. HER CAR LOST POWER AND SHE CALLED ME IMMEDIATELY AND I HEARD THE ENGINE RATTLING. I TOLD HER IMMEDIATELY TO PULL OVER AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF, I ASK HER IF SHE HAD A LOW OIL PRESSURE OR LOW OIL LIGHT SHE DIDN'T UNTIL ALL THE OIL LEAKED OUT. SHE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A KIA DEALER IN CUMBERLAND, MD WHERE HE TOOK A PICTURE OF A POP CAN SIZE HOLE IN THE BLOCK. SO YOU HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS IN SOME 2017s. SHE HAS 115000. MILES ON THE VEHICLE. IF YOU ARE WONDERING WHY SHE CALLED ME, SHE WAS ON THE WAY TO MY HOME AND I WORKED AT TMMWV TEST CELLS AND LISTENED TO MANY ENGINES.

My car was fine, then all of a sudden (after an oil change) it started knocking really loudly. I pulled over and the noise stopped- so I got back in the car a drive home. When I pulled into the driveway, I heard the noise again- knocking. I popped the hood and had daughter press the gas, sure enough- knocking again. I told husband and we parked it, he towed it to the dealership the next day. They said that because my car did not get the "campaign" update- ROD KNOCKING SENSOR- that the extended warranty was null and void. I asked to place a complaint at how the whole situation was handled- they said they mailed us letters, but they must have been the most non-descriptive letters in history. It's not safe- they know about this problem and they are not doing anything about it- they are doing the bare minimum, that is how people get hurt. We owe more to repair this vehicle than it is worth, and there is no "Goodwill" assistance on a car that wasn't "kept". I kept my car within it's normal limits, it's not right how the company chose to notify. They have all my contact info- I am the original owner. Thank goodness my teen daughter wasn't driving.

my car went from running perfectly fine to completely breaking down in less than 10 miles. Complete engine failure. I was lucky it did not catch fire. I am writing this because Kia needs to change the status of their "product improvement campaign" PI1802 to a full blow recall. This is a wide spread issue that affected thousands of Kia vehicles, but because they refuse to call it a recall, it does not show up on nhtsa or on Kia's website. Kia states that numerous notices were mailed, but I did not receive anything. They cannot prove that I received them any more than I can prove that I didn't. They are now refusing to cover or help cover the cost of a whole new engine.

When pressing on the brake pedal, the transmission will not shift out of park. The only way to shift out of park is to depress the transmission shift override. A new brake light switch did not correct the issue. To date, the vehicle has not been repaired, inspected by dealer, manufacturer, police or insurance representative. No warning lamps, message or other symptoms of the problem occurred prior to the failure.

POWER STEERING WENT OUT. RADIO TURNS ON AND OFF GOING DOWN THE ROAD. HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF AND ON BY THEMSELF. BATTERY IS NOW DEAD. CAR WILL NOT RUN. TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON ALL IN ONE DAY..I'VE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 4 TO 5 MONTHS

Mileage: 72,000

ON 3/24/2019, OUR 2017 KIA SORRENTO WITH 30K MILES ON COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN ON THE FREEWAY. ALL LIGHTS WENT ON AND OFF, THE CAR SHOOK FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN WE LOST STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WHILE WE WERE GOING 70MPH ON THE FREEWAY. LUCKILY WE WERE ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. THIS HAPPENED 2 MORE TIMES AND THEN WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. THIS COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED A LIFE THREATENING CAR ACCIDENT AND WE NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS KIA. NOW THE SERVICE DEALER IS NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE THIS INCIDENT WHICH HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS WE ARE READING ABOUT SO THEN THE DEALERSHIP SAYS, "NO ISSUE." THIS CAR HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE (ALTHOUGH NOT OUR VIN APPARENTLY). THIS IS OUR FIRST AND LAST EXPERIENCE WITH THE KIA - VERY DISAPPOINTING. WE BOUGHT THE TOP OF THE LINE KIA BECAUSE IT WAS RATED SO HIGHLY FOR SAFETY BUT NOW WE ARE NOT EVEN COMFORTABLE DRIVING IT. MY CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR AND LIVES COULD HAVE BEEN LOST.

Mileage: 30,000

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

Mileage: 56,574

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

Mileage: 3,532

VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AND RUNNING, ON SLOPED DRIVEWAY. MY WIFE, WHO HAD EXITED THE CAR, RETURNED TO TURN THE CAR OFF. SHE OPENED THE DOOR AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. THE CAR THEN BEGAN ROLLING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. THE CAR DOOR WAS STILL OPEN AND MY WIFE ENDED UP RUNNING BACKWARDS WITH THE CAR, WHICH WENT INTO A STREET AND HIT A CURB. THE DOOR HIT MY MY WIFE IN THE HEAD CAUSING HER TO FALL. SHE SUSTAINED ROAD RASH ABRASIONS ON HER HIP AND SHOULDER. SHE HAS NO RECOLLECTION OF THE INCIDENT. SHE SPENT A NIGHT IN THE HOSPITAL AND HAD TO UNDERGO A CT SCAN, BRAIN MRI, EEG AND HIP XRAY. ALL THOSE TURNED OUT NEGATIVE. THE DIAGNOSIS FROM THE DOCTOR WAS TRANSIENT GLOBAL AMNESIA.

Mileage: 19,100

THIS KIA SORENTO MAKES A VERY HIGH OVER-REVVING NOISE WHILE DRIVING UP THE STREET. THE KIA OFTEN SEEMS TO TRY TO FIND THE GEAR IT NEEDS TO BE IN WHILE DRIVING AND MAKES A LOUD ENGINE NOISE WHEN GOING UP HILL OR DRIVING MORE THAN 20 MPH. THIS KIA ALSO MAKES A INTERNAL CLICKING NOISE WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS, WHICH IS OFTEN WORSE WHEN TURNING ON AN INCLINE. THE ENGINE HAS A LOUD RATTLE NOISE WHEN STARTED AND THE CAR IS OFTEN HARD TO START, MEANING WHEN I TURN THE IGNITION KEY, THE CAR MAY START 50 PERCENT OF THE TIME ON THE FIRST START.

Mileage: 6,000

AFTER 650 MILES: MERGING ONTO A HIGHWAY: ENGINE RATTLED. ENGINE DIED. WE COASTED TO THE SHOULDER. WE STOPPED. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. LOOKING UNDERNEATH, WE SAW THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. INITIALLY THE FIRE WAS UNDER THE ENGINE. WE GOT AWAY FROM THE CAR AND CALLED 911. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT IT OUT. BY THIS POINT IT BURNED THE FRONT 2/3 OF THE CAR. THE CAR GOT TOWED TO AN AUTOMOTIVE TOWING PLACE.

Mileage: 650