2017 Kia Sorento transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Jul 31, 2026INEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   2017 Kia Sorento 2.4L GDI engine seized due to connecting rod bearing failure confirmed by P1326 diagnostic code multiple times. Vehicle entered limp mode limiting RPMs to 1800-2000 exactly as described in PI1802 campaign. Engine subsequently fully seized. Battery tested 98% healthy ruling out electrical cause. Vehicle towed to [XXX] Kia Avon Indiana. Kia Techline and Consumer Affairs denied PI1802 lifetime warranty claim citing used vehicle reconditioning despite PI1802…

   NHTSA complaint #11754083 · source
2. Filed Jun 18, 2026FLElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   Following an engine replacement performed at Billion Auto Kia in Rapid City, SD, I began experiencing persistent electrical system failures in my 2017 Kia Sorento. The vehicle alarm would activate randomly without cause, including while I was inside the vehicle with the engine running. Additionally, the door locks would engage spontaneously, trapping me inside the vehicle and preventing me from exiting. The only way to exit was to forcibly pull the door handle, which…

   NHTSA complaint #11744922 · source
3. Filed Jun 1, 2026OHEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   Vehicle has a recurring P0018 fault code (Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation Bank 2 Sensor A). Dealer diagnosed loose cam pins on Bank 2 requiring major engine repair. This fault creates a safety risk as improper camshaft timing can cause unexpected engine stalling while driving, resulting in sudden loss of power, power steering, and brake assist. The manufacturer has denied warranty coverage despite the vehicle being within the 10-year/100,000-mile…

   NHTSA complaint #11741308 · source
4. Filed May 26, 2026MITransmission & Drivetrain

   I found that he ignition key can be removed from my 2017 Kia Sorento while the transmission is not in the Park position. This is a shift interlock failure. Under FMVSS 114, the key must be trapped in the ignition unless the transmission is confirmed in Park. This defect caused the vehicle to roll down my driveway after my wife & daughter exited the car & were unloading groceries. The vehicle was purchased in April 2026 from a used car dealer lot. The defect was discovered…

   NHTSA complaint #11740115 · source
5. Filed May 8, 2026CAEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The car started sticking when driving then a knocking in the engine. Upon investigation/ diagnostics we found that the engine is blown and needs replacing. I have owned this car for 3 years to date and have keep up on all maintenance which you can find on carfax there is no reason at 136,000 an engine should blow. I would like this fixed asap

   NHTSA complaint #11736662 · source
6. Filed Nov 28, 2025GAEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11701896 · source
7. Filed Nov 14, 2025141,128 miMOTransmission & Drivetrain

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11699421 · source
8. Filed Mar 24, 202594,000 miFLTransmission & Drivetrain

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11650105 · source
9. Filed Nov 11, 2024WVTransmission & Drivetrain

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11624632 · source
10. Filed Feb 18, 2024LAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

    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…

    NHTSA complaint #11572669 · source
11. Filed Jan 21, 2024COEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

    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

    NHTSA complaint #11566789 · source
12. Filed Jan 12, 2024ILTransmission & Drivetrain

    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

    NHTSA complaint #11565099 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. 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