NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
426 reportsMileage unknown · Aug 26, 2021
SeatsSteeringStructureCrash
My Vehicle was stolen from my residential home. My window was buss out and they stole my vehicle. After over two weeks my vehicle was finally retrieved by the police and city of Milwaukee tow lot. I was told by financing company as well as police department to go get pictures of vehicle as reported from tow company that my vehic…
Read full complaint
My Vehicle was stolen from my residential home. My window was buss out and they stole my vehicle. After over two weeks my vehicle was finally retrieved by the police and city of Milwaukee tow lot. I was told by financing company as well as police department to go get pictures of vehicle as reported from tow company that my vehicle was completely totaled out. I went and retrieved pictures seeing that my car was totaled. With this being said i don't have a vehicle for me or my children to be able to get to work and or school and daycare. I don't know what I'm going to do with trying to not jeopardize my job with getting to work. So I'm writing this so that KIA company can be held accountable for not recalling these vehicles and putting me and my children during this pandemic at risk of losing everything home, job and more.
NHTSA ODI #11430592
Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2021
Unknown Or OtherCrashInjury
I was driving along the road on a light traffic day, I approaching an intersection when the traffic light turned red, I tried engaging brakes and they would not engage. As I approached the intersection I became fearful of colliding with multiple vehicles and due to brakes failing I encroached the intersection when I was T-boned …
Read full complaint
I was driving along the road on a light traffic day, I approaching an intersection when the traffic light turned red, I tried engaging brakes and they would not engage. As I approached the intersection I became fearful of colliding with multiple vehicles and due to brakes failing I encroached the intersection when I was T-boned by another driver. I see various complaints of brakes and the lack of stopping power for this particular vehicle. I advise anyone else to avoid purchasing this vehicle if you value yours and your families safety.
NHTSA ODI #11429351
Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2021
Exterior Lighting
Headlights causing moving shadows, blind areas, phantom objects. Unsafe because visibility is reduced, compromised. Dangerous to operators and passengers. Has a high probability of causing an accident.
NHTSA ODI #11425027
Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2021
Unknown Or Other
I was driving at 65 mph on the freeway. The weather was clear and the road is clear and there was no traffic. While I was driving, I heard a loud explosion and heard wind right after. I pulled at the first exit to check what had happened and saw the sunroof was shattered with a large hole about 12 inches in diameter in the glas…
Read full complaint
I was driving at 65 mph on the freeway. The weather was clear and the road is clear and there was no traffic. While I was driving, I heard a loud explosion and heard wind right after. I pulled at the first exit to check what had happened and saw the sunroof was shattered with a large hole about 12 inches in diameter in the glass. The interior sunroof shade was closed the entire time I was driving. Very little glass entered the car cabin and the interior sunroof shade currently shows no signs of holes or damage. Upon initial inspection, there appears to be little glass in between the sunroof shade and sunroof. It appears the vibration of the vehicle caused the sunroof to shatter in an upward motion. In addition, please note that no items were being carried on the oem roofrack. The car windows were also closed when this happened. I have 2 babies that were sleeping in the backseat when this occurred.
NHTSA ODI #11424892
40,000 miles · Apr 12, 2021
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
CAR LOST POWER WHILE DRVING AND A SEMI TRUCK ALMOST RAN INTO ME. HAVE TAKEN CAR TO KIA DEALERSHIP AND THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED AND WEEK LATER SAME PROBLEM EXIST. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR THERE 3 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM HAVEN'T HAD THE CAR 3 MONTHS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11407538
21,350 miles · Mar 5, 2021
Lane Departure
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY FOR A DURATION OF 1 TO 3 HOURS THE "COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM" FAULTS OUT, LIGHTS A WARNING ON THE DASH AND TOTALLY STOPS FUNCTIONING. THE TEXT WARNING GOES AWAY AFTER A FEW SECONDS AND A TRIANGULAR WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON. THE SYSTEM REMAINS INOPERABLE FOR THE BALANCE OF THE TRIP. OVERN…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY FOR A DURATION OF 1 TO 3 HOURS THE "COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM" FAULTS OUT, LIGHTS A WARNING ON THE DASH AND TOTALLY STOPS FUNCTIONING. THE TEXT WARNING GOES AWAY AFTER A FEW SECONDS AND A TRIANGULAR WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON. THE SYSTEM REMAINS INOPERABLE FOR THE BALANCE OF THE TRIP. OVERNIGHT SOMETIMES THE SYSTEM APPEARS TO RESET AND EVERYTHING RETURNS TO NORMAL AND THE SYSTEM AGAIN WORKS FOR 1 - 3 HOURS THEN THE CYCLE REPEATS ITSELF. WE ARE SENIOR CITIZENS AND SPECIFICALLY BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS SAFETY FEATURE. THE FACT THAT IT IS NOT RELIABLE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN.
NHTSA ODI #11399241
46,500 miles · Jan 22, 2021
Electrical SystemFire
I BEGAN SMELLING BURNT PLASTIC AND MY BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON IN MY DASHBOARD. SHORTLY AFTER, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON IN MY DASHBOARD (ENGINE, ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, ETC). MY VEHICHLE WOUND UP DYING COMPLETELY ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I BROUGHT IT TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP. THEY INFORMED ME THAT ALL OF THE INTERNAL WIRING WAS B…
Read full complaint
I BEGAN SMELLING BURNT PLASTIC AND MY BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON IN MY DASHBOARD. SHORTLY AFTER, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON IN MY DASHBOARD (ENGINE, ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, ETC). MY VEHICHLE WOUND UP DYING COMPLETELY ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I BROUGHT IT TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP. THEY INFORMED ME THAT ALL OF THE INTERNAL WIRING WAS BURNT BEYOND RECOGNITION. THEY WERE UNABLE TO TELL WHERE THE PROBLEM STARTED OR ENDED. THEY ALSO MENTIONED THAT I WAS FORTUNATE THAT THE VEHICLE DIED WHEN IT DID BECAUSE SOME OF THE BURNT WIRE WAS AN INCH AWAY FROM MY FUEL LINE AND COULD HAVE CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO EXPLODE IF IT WAS RUNNING ANY LONGER. THE END RESULT OF DAMAGES THAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED INCLUDE A NEW ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, ENGINE HARNESS, O2 SENSOR TO NAME A FEW. ULTIMATELY THEY CLAIMED WARRANTY DIDN'T COVER AN "ACT OF GOD" SO MY INSURANCE WAS FORCED TO COVER THE COST OF THE DAMAGE.
NHTSA ODI #11389438
Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 2020
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STATIONARY AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO HER DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF CLEVELAND (2492 S. LEE HWY, CLEVELAND, TN …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STATIONARY AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO HER DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF CLEVELAND (2492 S. LEE HWY, CLEVELAND, TN 37311; (423)693-0505) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #11383813
20,000 miles · Dec 14, 2020
Power Train
JERKS IN LOWER GEARS WHEN YOU'RE ABOUT TO STOP AND/OR SLOW IT DOWN WHEN YOU MAKE A TURN, BAD WORKMANSHIP ON KIA'S PART. KEEPS HAPPENING EVERYTIME. THIS IS MY SECOND CAR, THE FIRST IS SEDONA, THOUGHT KIA'S WERE STRONG, RELIABLE AND STURDY CARS, BUT SADLY DISAPPOINTED. NEVER AGAIN ANOTHER KIA.
NHTSA ODI #11383367
4,800 miles · Nov 30, 2020
Engine
ENGINE TROUBLE. ENGINE FAILURE AND STALLING PROBLEMS.
NHTSA ODI #11377139
Official recalls
2Sep 15, 2023
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Sorento vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, water may leak into the rearview camera, which can cause the rearview camera image not to appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and add additional water proofing to the camera harness, or replace the camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 8, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC282.
Sep 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power
Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Illustration