2017 Kia Sorento Complaints

My 2017 Sorento has sticky/notchy steering. When trying to move the steering wheel, it initially sticks and requires extra force to get it to provide a steering input. Once it gets past the initial resistance, it jerks the car in the direction you are trying to go which required compensation in the other direction. Upon correction, it jerks the car in the opposite direction causing a continual need to correct the steering wheel to keep the car straight and causing the car to not be able to maintain perfectly straight travel. On large sweeping corners, this problem is even more pronounced and feels dangerous. The sticking issue can be felt while stationary and in motion.I am constantly correcting, left to right to keep it straight. I cannot hold the wheel in one position for any length of time. Went to a KIA dealership and they said it needed the steering rack replaced. Others have reported this issue since the Sorento released this series in 2016 for higher trims (SX, SXL). KIA cl...

My 2017 Kia Sorento experienced a catastrophic, sudden engine lockup on the roadway due to a known manufacturing defect involving rod bearing failure. This defect caused complete loss of motive power and stalled the vehicle on the road, creating an extreme safety hazard for myself, my passengers, and surrounding motorists.Prior to the failure, the vehicle heavily consumed its own motor oil at a dangerous rate of nearly 5 quarts every 1,000 miles. I repeatedly attempted to address this with Kia, completing three separate official oil consumption and combustion tests. The vehicle failed all three tests. Despite documented failures of these critical safety components, Kia Corporate and the local dealership, court Kia, issued bad-faith warranty denials. As a direct result, I was forced to drive a dangerously unstable vehicle for 8,148 additional miles until the engine permanently and violently seized on the road.After being towed, the engine was confirmed to be completely locked up. My hus...

On February 16, 2023, the engine in our 2017 Kia Sorento SXL developed a sudden, loud knocking noise while driving. No dashboard warning lights illuminated at any time, including no oil pressure warning, check engine light, or other engine-related alerts. The vehicle remained fully operable and did not lose power or seize. I continued driving approximately 20 minutes home, including highway speeds up to ~75 mph. The following day, with the knocking noise worsening but still no warning indicators present, I drove approximately 25 minutes to an independent repair facility. The vehicle was then diagnosed with catastrophic engine failure attributed to oil starvation and was towed. Because the vehicle had fewer than 100,000 miles and was within the expected powertrain warranty period, we pursued a warranty review through Kia. Kia requested maintenance records, which we provided in full after gathering documentation from all service providers over a two-week period. Despite this, the warra...

On XXX, the oil warning light was illuminated in our 2017 Kia Sorento SXL and that the vehicle was leaking oil. We brought the vehicle to an independent repair facility (Tire Kingdom, Cairo, NY) for diagnosis on XXX. The repair facility provided an oral assessment with photographs indicating a suspected rear main seal leak. The engine was dry on the top but excessively wet between the engine and transmission, consistent with a significant oil leak in that area. We were advised that the vehicle could be driven in short intervals of approximately 25 minutes, provided that oil levels were closely monitored and topped off as needed. On XXX, we began driving the vehicle to transport our daughter to a train station 25 minutes away. Halfway through the trip, the vehicle began producing a metallic noise from the engine compartment. We immediately pulled over safely and turned off the engine. After stopping, we discussed next steps and then attempted to restart the vehicle. The engine starte...

To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally dispute a repair charge and report unacceptable service at Courtesy Kia (Mesa, AZ) regarding my vehicle. Timeline of Events: June 12, 2026: I brought my vehicle to Courtesy Kia for a mandatory software recall. Prior to this appointment, my fuel gauge worked perfectly. Immediately upon picking up the vehicle, the fuel gauge ceased to function. After calling customer service, I brought the vehicle back for inspection. The dealership kept my car for three days. Despite the issue being caused during their previous service, I was denied a loaner vehicle, forcing to come to take the car and use it during the weekend or I can wait until Monday 29 until the service manager back but I asked them I can’t use the car with this error as it’s not safe for me and my kids and that should be fixed by them since that’s their mistake and unfortunately I’ve had paid out-of-pocket for my family's transportation. June 26, 2026 (Diagnostic): The servi...