Preview Review

Next Review

Kia Motors Sorento Consumer Reviews

Most Popular | Newest | More Options >
More filter options:
Repeated Electronic Failures With No Resolution
StarEmpty StarEmpty StarEmpty StarEmpty StarBy -
Rating: 1/51

BANGOR, MAINE -- We purchased a new 2016 KIA Sorento in October of 2016. Within three months, the car developed multiple electronic failures that were random and intermittent. Some of the issues involved the blind spot detection unit, audio system failures, backup camera failure, failure of the smart cruise control system, loss of heat in the passenger seat, failure of the smart key entry, failure of the hatchback recognition system that allows for auto activation of the hatch door, failure of the temperature control panel.

Repeated attempts at diagnosis and resolution of these issues has failed. CORPORATE KIA is failing us as consumers by refusing to replace this defective vehicle with a new, safe one. I am experiencing increased stress every time I use my car, wondering which features will fail, and whether I will be exposed to injury to myself or others due to the erratic behavior of this vehicle.

Replies
Low-Quality Cheap Garbage
By -

If you are thinking of buying a Kia - read this first, and then run!! I have a 2007 Kia Sorento. At 12k it got a new motor. It has had 4 factory recalls, it has had 3 new rear differentials (not including the original), and is still not fixed because they cannot fix it. They replaced the drive shaft then took it out. Then they replaced the 4 wheel drive - this did nothing. The a/c compressor has been replaced and a window motor and regulator have been replaced. All this and more before 30k miles.

Now Kia motor's not the dealers, are saying that the banging and clunking noise created when you shift gears is normal. It may be "normal" for a Kia but is not normal for other automakers. I test drove many others and not one made these noises. I also drove another Kia and it did not make noise. I have been advised that the rear differentials are mismanufactured and Kia has sent them to an outside repair shop to try to fix the issue. They are still no good.

Here is the deal. Kias are cheap junk and you will pay plenty before they are done with you. They have no interest in honoring the warranty and will try to run it out. When you try to sell it you will lose your shirt as their reputation is coming out and maybe it is time for a class action lawsuit.

Don't hesitate to call a lawyer if you are getting kicked around as you may have legal recourse in your state and Kia will have to pay the lawyer. Google "Lemon Law" in your area and you should get a lawyer or two who specialize in consumer complaints. Do your friends a favor and warn them about Kia and don't let them bully you. You have rights.

Replies
BEWARE OF KIA SERVICE or accept consequences!
By -

BEWARE OF KIA CARS AND STANDING BEHIND THEIR SERVICE WARRANTIES, especially when it is known to the factory that there are defects in the vehicle. I took my 2005 Kia Sorento into the dealer here in SLC, UT 100 miles before the 60k warranty expired and requested a complete diagnosis of the vehicle for costly repairs to be discovered and repaired prior to expiring. They didn't even look at most of the car, only the minor concerns I had, fixing one of them, but not diagnosing the rest as agreed.

Not even 4 months later did I notice that my transmission had a service bulletin out on it to fix (of course they denied it had anything to do with a recall). I got an independent opinion from a trusted mechanic who works on Kias all the time. He said without hesitation the Kia customer service should simply fix this and have obligation to. Boy was he and I wrong. I called Kia customer service (corporate) and was SHOCKED when I talked to a ** who talked over me continually.

Did NOT even listen to my concerns, insisted she had to call the dealer (which she did), but did not even talk to the service manager who was the one who handled my concerns, then came back to the call after 20 minutes on hold and told me I would have to pay $85 for a diagnosis to determine if the concern is valid (DUH!) and she MIGHT be able to cover it and the cost.

I could NOT believe how rude and unaccommodating she and the company was. You are right, they do NOT care about their product and making the customer who buys it happy. I have noticed they simply market to everyone how all-inclusive their warranties are (best warranties in the business) to get you to buy them, but they have NO intention on covering anything, really, truly. BEWARE OF KIAS!!

I since learned that they do this, knowing all the loopholes and inserting the exceptions into the fine print of the warranty, as well as using it as a bait and switch to get people to buy their vehicles, knowing they are inferior in quality and price, but subsidizing that with a heavy-loaded "all-inclusive warranty" to get people to bite and take the risk.

Consequently, I let ** know on a recorded call how ridiculous this company is and that a formal complaint filing with regulatory agencies and her superiors (for the way she handled the call) was coming. I want ALL to know to stay clear of Kia, no matter what car, model, or year you are considering! If you don't, you will suffer the consequences. You decide!

Replies
Don't be fooled - Kia will not honor their warranty
By -

NICHOLASVILLE, KENTUCKY -- Dealership: Car Town Kia; Location: Nicholasville, Kentucky. I am a casual driver who goes VERY easy on the brakes, yet around the 30,000 mile mark, the rotors were bad. Kia resurfaced my rotors under warranty. Now, at 43,000 miles, I have rotor problems again. Kia now refuses to fix the problem because the brake pads are now less than 50% of their "new life" (from ** in the service department).

I am really tired of Kia's bait and switch tactics with the warranty. It all sounds wonderful until you encounter problem after problem, and the dealer won't honor the warranty for any of these items. Here are a few more things the dealer would not cover:

  1. About 14 months into owning the vehicle, I discovered the alignment was "toed-in" (the dealership's words). It ruined my two front tires ($120 each). The problem was not obvious because they were toed in by the factory at exactly the same amount, so that the car's alignment felt perfect. The damage was hidden because the tire wore on the inside and could not be seen from the outside easily. The dealership would not even pay to correctly align the vehicle, saying my alignment warranty was out. THIS WAS A FACTORY PROBLEM that cost me just under $300 to fix. It was not apparent by driving until it was too late.

  2. About a year ago, I complained that the leather on my driver-side seat was wearing prematurely. It had giant cracks going down the leather grain, and you could see underneath the leather. I was advised by the dealership that the wear is "within acceptable parameters set forth by Kia", and that I should use a good leather conditioner (which I had used several times). As a side note, I had a Camaro convertible before this Kia and never had this problem, even though I rarely used conditioner on the seats.

  3. On cold winter days, the heater works for about 2 minutes, then gets cooler and cooler until its pumping out ice cold air. At that point, it never warms up again. I have taken the vehicle in twice with this problem, and the dealership says there's nothing wrong with it ("It works for us.").

Also, this was interesting: the brake lights on my Sorento quit working at the exact same time. I checked the fuses, and all fuses were fine, so I replaced both bulbs. They were still dead. I took it into the dealership, and they said that both my (new) bulbs were bad, and that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. Very weird. They now work, but I know my bulbs were fine because I'd just bought them to replace the ones that seemed to die. This is my last Kia. Never again.

Replies
Advertisement
Brakes & Rotors Replaced Ten Or More Times!!!
By -

PERU, NEW YORK -- My 2006 Kia Sorento has had about 10 sets of rotors on it (Yeah,TEN or more) in the short two-years that I've owned it. Every 3,000-6,000 miles they need to be replaced!!! Up to this point the dealership has agreed to replace them, but now KIA is beginning to waiver on their original agreement to COVER them for the FIRST 60,000 miles! They claim they've NEVER had another vehicle with troubles such as this and insist it's my driving.

Well, my car had 1,100 miles on it when I bought it (told me they were test drive miles). After having the rotors replaced for the 5th or 6th time, I insisted they give me a PRINTOUT of ALL the work on the car - Service Dept kept forgetting to print it so when I insisted, it was to a sales person who just went in and printed it.

As I read it, it was CLEAR the problem wasn't MY DRIVING. The car was in the shop at 380+/- miles because "Customer" reported vibration at high rate of speed (front end alignment done) AND AGAIN at 585-miles, "Customer" reported vibration - BRAKES & ROTORS were replaced!!! THIS is ALL before I purchased the vehicle. They never ONCE told me that the car had brake trouble when I bought it OR brought it in for service.

ALSO, when I questioned them on this PREVIOUS "Customer" (being "I" should have been the FIRST and ONLY owner) they told me that it was COMMON for new vehicles to have RUST on the rotors and require replacement. I've owned SEVERAL new vehicles in my life and know A LOT of people and have never heard of this problem.

ANYWAY, does anyone have these issues with their Sorento? I've thought about an attorney, but can't afford it right now and I've been arguing with Kia for OVER A YEAR and now I think I'm beyond the Lemon Law (mileage limit) for NYS. The last time I spoke to the Attorney General's Office they told me it sounded more like a Consumer Fraud Case because of the PREVIOUS brake issue and I should TRY to see if the COMPANY will work with me.

Kia's Consumer Assistance person told me they could probably give me an additional $500, but that's it. I think they should replace the CAR or give me my money back! I've even told them to take the car for 6,000 miles and see if they have any issues, but they told me they CAN'T DO THAT! Can anyone help me?

Replies
Very poor gas mileage
By -

One reason we bought the Kia Sorento was because the sticker said the gas mileage was projected at 21 towns and 29 highways for the 4 cylinder engine. After 5000 miles we have maxed at 19.6 for highways!!! What a rip-off!! There should be some recourse for this kind of stuff!!

We drive from Atlanta to Panama City which is mostly a flat road. We always drive about 65-75 mph and the green eco light is always on indicating we are to be getting the best gas mileage. We asked the dealer service representative and he said "its an SUV, they don't get good gas mileage." I said "but that is not what the sticker says." "Yeah well you know", he said. Very very unhappy about this.

Replies
2004 Kia Sorento
By -

VINELAND, NEW JERSEY -- My Kia Sorento has left me stranded twice. Not only has it left me stranded I could have been killed! There is no warning at all. The first time the vehicle had 59,000 miles on it. I was driving down a highway and the car made a loud clunk and the steering wheel locked up. I have absolutely no control over this situation I cannot turn the wheel. Thank god that there was no other cars in my path. Kia replaced the bolt at no charge it was still under warranty. I figured what a freak incident.

(SECOND TIME) I was driving down the road just picked my daughter up from school, boom happens again. Once again lucky no one was in my path. This time I have 89,000 only 30,000 miles later no warranty, no Roadside assistance. Everything has gone expired.

This time I called the 1-800# for Kia. The gentleman was very nice initially but then when he returned my phone call with some information he was very ignorant and told me that Kia is denying my case. I replied to him what happens if this happened again, I might not be so lucky. He told me that he cannot predict the future. So now I'm stuck with an SUV that I'm scared to death to drive afraid I will not be so lucky the third time and it will kill my family. I am not finished with this case I'm waiting for a call from **! There is a defect in the crank bolt! Something needs to be done.

Replies
2005 Kia Sorento totally horrible and service dept gives a bad name
StarEmpty StarEmpty StarEmpty StarEmpty StarBy -
Rating: 1/51

WAUKEGAN, ILLINOIS -- I purchased a Kia Sorento 05 and I finally by the overlooking of god just got rid of it, my lights went out at least every 40 days. My check engine light came on twice a year. But the bad thing about it is when this first started happening I would literally argue constantly with the service department explains to them it's still warranty. It got so bad they told to call corporate to going out and call them back to let them know.

One incident, I was on my way to see my father and I explained to them that my dad was passing and my check engine light was causing my truck to stall and I truly need to get to him. I was told to drive slowly and did I have to go immediately!!! I was devastated and had to borrow a friend vehicle.

Another time after Thanksgiving my check engine light came on I took it in. It was actually done that day. As we driving to my son game it's comes back on so I didn't go. I was told the mechanic didn't change the sensor. Twice I took it back for the radio numbers fading off. Every single light in the front completely went out. I had to use my cell phone light to see which way to turn the knobs.

What I'm saying Is I would never recommend a Kia to anyone. I test drive the new Sorento and my heart and trust wasn't there. I just purchased a Nissan Murano and I've never been so happy. Anytime I tell you my dad dying and I asked me if I can hold out you're not the company I need or want my family to riding in.

Replies
Advertisement
KIA Sorento 32 MPG gas mileage claims are false
StarStarEmpty StarEmpty StarEmpty StarBy -
Rating: 2/51

ORLANDO, FLORIDA -- My wife drives 116 miles per day back and forth to work. The trip is 95% turnpike highway miles. The Sorento has 5600 miles on it and has yet to get over 21 MPG. The car was advertised at 32 MPG highway, and there is no way this car will ever see close to the 32MPG number and KIA needs to stop advertising it!!

I recently drove the Sorento to Ft. Pierce and back, all highway and 90% cruise control on flat Florida roads and got 21 MPG. I took the same trip a few weeks back in my 2000 Toyota 4 runner with 239K miles on it and got 23 MPG, that's what the car was rated at from the factory 12 years ago.

The internet is now full of stories from people having the same experience and KIA has to be fully aware that this car is not capable of 32MPG in real world driving. We put a lot of miles on our vehicles and gas mileage is important. If this car had been rated accurately we would have never even considered purchasing it. If you're looking for a nice car that gets 21 MPG then consider this car, but if mileage is important you won't get it with the KIA so DON'T BUY KIA SORENTO!

Replies
Engine Noise
By -

TEXAS -- Although the warranty service through Kia has been done well, problems still exist with noise coming from the right side of the engine on cold mornings. The noise goes away within two blocks of driving. Kia can't seem to find the problem and really waiting for the car to go out of warranty. Whenever there has been a problem in the past, you have to prove what is happening before they will do anything.

Service needs to get better, but I am afraid it will get worse now that Kia cars are being made in USA. If anyone out there is experiencing this, please let me know. All reports researched stated - timing belt pulley is making the noise and once it heats up, it is fine.

Second issue is the air conditioner, making noise also when operating. Kia replace the clutch (recall), but now will not work on the current problem because pressures are correct. Here too, they are waiting for the car to come out of warranty to find the problem.

Replies
Top of Page | Next Page >

Kia Motors Sorento Rating:
Star Empty star Empty star Empty star Empty star
1.2 out of 5, based on 4 ratings and
14 reviews & complaints.
Contact Information:
Kia Motors
111 Peters Canyon Rd.
Irvine, CA 92606
800-333-4542 (ph)
949-468-4905 (fax)
www.kia.com
Product/Services
Compare Auto Manufacturers