2017 Kia Sorento problems, complaints & recalls

2017 Kia Sorento recalls (4)

• Recall 22V703000Sep 19, 202270,887 vehiclesPark outside
  TRAILER HITCHES

  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.

  Risk: 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.

• Recall 18V907000Dec 19, 201871,653 vehicles
  ENGINE · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

  Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.

  Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

  Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.

• Recall 17V586000Sep 21, 201762 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

  Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017 Sorento vehicles equipped with 3.3L engines. The engine crankshaft may have been improperly heat treated and may fail.

  Risk: If the crankshaft fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A failed crankshaft also increases the risk of a fire.

  Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the crankshaft, and, as necessary, replace the engine sub assembly, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC153.

• Recall 16V862000Nov 30, 201610,212 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · TRAILER HITCHES

  Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to August 25, 2016, and 2017 Sportage vehicles manufactured December 10, 2015, to August 26, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

  Risk: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer tow hitch harness, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC142.

NHTSA defect investigations

• PE23019Opened Nov 13, 2023Closed Jul 23, 2024

  Loss of Motive Power

  On November 13, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE23-019) to investigate allegations of loss of motive power relating to head gasket and/or head bolt failure in Model Year (MY) 2016-2017 Kia Sorento vehicles equipped with the 3.3 L Lambda II engine. When the investigation was opened, ODI had received 13 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) related to reports of loss of motive power. In an information request letter dated November 30, 2023, ODI requested technical information and failure data relating to the alleged defect in the subject MY 2016-2…

• DP22003Opened Sep 12, 2022Closed Dec 12, 2023

  Loss of Motive Power

  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 complain…

• DP21002Opened Nov 12, 2021Closed Jun 26, 2023

  Engine Oil Pressure Switch Leak

  In a letter dated September 30, 2021, Mr. Gerald James (the petitioner) requested that NHTSA conduct an investigation of the Model Year (MY) 2015-2017 Kia Sorento equipped with 3.3L V6 ?Lambda? engines for ?severe oil leaks? from the oil pressure switch (OPS) that could ?lead to engine failure? with little warning to the driver. Mr. James based this request on his own experience and data found in NHTSA?s Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) database. NHTSA reviewed the material cited by the petitioner, information submitted by Kia, NHTSA?s testing, and other pertinent information in NHTSA databas…

NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings

Recent 2017 Kia Sorento complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Oct 6, 2026131,000 miTXElectrical SystemEngine

   The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped and idling, the engine oil warning light illuminated, and the Apple CarPlay, radio, and HVAC system became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the oil pressure switch was replaced under warranty. The dealer determined that the electrical system had failed due to the oil pressure switch leaking oil onto the wiring harness, and that the wiring harness needed to be…

   NHTSA complaint #11769341 · source
2. Filed Sep 24, 2026TXEngine

   Yesterday our car was making a knocking noise. It lost power temporarily. Upon pressing the gas pedal to the floor we were able to get up to 30 mph. We made it to a repair shop. They looked at it today. The Dip stick showed no oil. The did an oil change and it was down 3 quarts of oil. We just had the oil changed 3 months ago on June 20. No check engine light came on. No warning at all . We were driving on a road with no shoulder, so this was dangerous if the engine were to…

   NHTSA complaint #11766758 · source
3. Filed Sep 18, 2026MIAirbagsOther / Unknown

   Issue 1: The front passenger airbag sensor is faulty. The ODS light is staying on. I took my car to a Kia dealership and they informed me that the passenger airbag would most likely not deploy in the event of an accident due to the faulty sensor. Kia has had this exact issue with other models and they issued a recall for those other models. This is a huge safety issue. Kia said it would cost me $3000 to fix the issue. Issue 2: My car is painted with the Snow White Pearl…

   NHTSA complaint #11765189 · source
4. Filed Sep 16, 2026149,000 miINTowedElectrical SystemEngine

   The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle had started independently. While the vehicle was in the driveway, the contact became aware that the vehicle had been running for a while. While driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle shut off but restarted independently. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was towed by AAA to the local dealer, where it was determined that the ignition switch was…

   NHTSA complaint #11764746 · source
5. Filed Sep 5, 2026TXEngine

   In early July, my vehicle's check engine light turned on. I took it to a reputable local mechanic in Sachse, Texas, who had the vehicle for approximately two weeks. He was unable to determine the cause of the issue but informed me that there was an existing recall and that the dealership should be able to address the problem at no cost to me. I then took the vehicle to the Kia dealership. The dealership informed me that there was an extended warranty for the engine and that…

   NHTSA complaint #11762293 · source
6. Filed Sep 1, 2026100,000 miFLTowedEngine

   The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced excessive oil consumption. The vehicle was inspected several times; however, no oil leaks were found. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle shuddered, and the check engine warning light illuminated and flashed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that there was a hole in a valve and a piston was fractured. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11761315 · source
7. Filed Aug 29, 2026NYSteering

   Vehicle steers with more resistance to the left but very loose and easy to the right. Dealership diagnosed that a new steering column is required. Kia also issued a new vehicle limited warranty extension on the motor driven power steering. I believe the warranty extension should apply; however, dealer says it does not apply. The warning light required for the extended warrant is not on in my vehicle but there is a clearly diagnosed issue with the electronic steering as…

   NHTSA complaint #11760571 · source
8. Filed Aug 24, 2026NJElectrical SystemSteering

   I am writing to file a formal complaint against Kia America, Inc. regarding the mishandling of a warranty repair dispute for my 2017 Kia Sorento (VIN [XXX]). This complaint documents a pattern of misinformation, unreturned communications, and unprofessional conduct by Kia representatives that has left my vehicle sitting at the dealership for over two weeks without resolution or accommodation. My vehicle was brought to Kia of Nutley for a confirmed MDPS (power steering) motor…

   NHTSA complaint #11759172 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology