2014 Kia Sorento

2014 Kia Sorento recalls (6)

• 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.

  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.

• SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

  Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.

  Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HECU for leaking brake fluid and replace the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. The recall began October 20, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC197.

• SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

  Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.

  Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will install a new multi-fuse, and inspect the HECU for leaks, replacing the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 2, 2021. This recall supersedes previous NHTSA recall number 20V-519. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC212.

• ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

  Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.

  Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.

• POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

  Kia Motors Corp. is recalling certain model year 2014 front wheel drive Sorento vehicles manufactured January 7, 2013, through March 12, 2013; and equipped with 2.4 liter engines. Due to a manufacturing issue, the right front axle shaft may fracture.

  Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle shaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2013. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542 . Kia's recall number is SC099.

• SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

  Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

  Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.

2014 Kia Sorento safety ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP ratings.

2014 Kia Sorento owner complaints (15)

• ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE

  I am filing an official safety complaint against the manufacturer for refusing to perform federally mandated safety recall repairs on my vehicle. My vehicle is impacted by critical safety recalls involving high-severity fire risks, specifically the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) electrical short circuit risk. Corporate Customer Care and my local authorized dealership have officially refused to schedule or perform these safety recall repairs. The representatives explicitly stated that my vehicle is denied service because I purchased it used from a third-party private owner, and because I do not possess complete historical maintenance records. The manufacturer is conflating civil class-action lawsuit requirements with federally mandated safety recalls. Under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, a manufacturer cannot legally condition or deny an active, free safety recall repair based on a vehicle's third-party purchase history or maintenance records. Due to poorly trained employees at both the dealership and customer care offices, I have faced constant misinformation that has wasted an immense amount of my time. Because this non-compliance has caused a severe safety hazard to drag on for an extended period, I am also requesting that a loaner vehicle be provided immediately until this vehicle is made safe to drive. The manufacturer has logged these denials and communications under an active corporate file, which I can provide directly to investigators upon request. I request that the NHTSA investigate this non-compliance and instruct the manufacturer to immediately authorize the local service center to perform all open fire safety recall remedies without cost or penalty.

• POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

  2015 KIA Sorento v6 engine failed and seized. VIN was not included in KIA extended warranty offered for this year and engine.

• UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  I am submitting this complaint regarding what I believe is a premature paint defect on my Kia vehicle that has resulted in exposed bare metal and the development of rust on my vehicle. The factory paint has begun peeling and chipping away without any collision, misuse, or abnormal wear. As the paint has separated from the metal surface, it has exposed multiple areas of bare metal that are now actively rusting. I have attached photographs documenting the condition. While paint deterioration may initially appear cosmetic, I believe this issue presents potential safety concerns because the failed paint no longer protects the vehicle's metal body from corrosion. Continued exposure to moisture and environmental elements can allow rust to spread, which may: Accelerate corrosion of the vehicle's body panels. Weaken the structural integrity of affected components over time. Increase the likelihood of water intrusion into the vehicle, potentially damaging electrical components. Reduce the effectiveness of corrosion protection designed into the vehicle. Negatively impact the vehicle's resale value and long-term reliability. This condition appears to be the result of a failure in the factory paint system rather than normal wear and tear. The paint is peeling prematurely, exposing metal that should remain protected throughout the expected life of the vehicle. I am requesting that NHTSA review whether this paint failure represents a broader manufacturing defect affecting other Kia vehicles and determine whether an investigation is warranted if similar complaints exist. Additionally, I respectfully request that Kia acknowledge this premature paint failure as a manufacturing defect and cover the cost of restoring the affected panels, including proper rust remediation, surface preparation, priming, and repainting. Simply touching up the exposed areas would not adequately address the underlying defect or prevent continued corrosion. Owners should not be responsible for r

• POWER TRAIN

  See attached document for complaint.

• ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES

  This is a follow up of NHTSA case# 1840444. Complaint Description: Vehicle exhibited active CAN-bus communication timeout code DTC C1642 targeting the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU). Following the official technical safety guidelines established under NHTSA Campaign 20V519000 (Kia SC197), an isolated parasitic current draw test was performed between the engine junction box positive power post and the ABS2 circuit terminal. Testing across three independent iterations utilizing a digital multimeter confirmed a continuous localized parasitic draw of 218.6 uA. This dramatically exceeds the manufacturer's maximum safety engineering threshold of 70.0 uA by over 312%. This quantified excessive amperage draw conclusively isolates an internal circuit board short-circuit condition caused by a failure of the internal HECU brake fluid seals. The vehicle presents an immediate network communication failure, brake malfunction, and thermal/fire risk. Kia Corporate must be compelled to immediately authorize an expedited, zero-cost component replacement under the active safety recall mandate.

• STRUCTURE

  my 2014 Kia Sorento is having a paint issue and I know their is a class action law suite to get repaired. The only complaint I have is the white pearl paint is chipping off the front of the roof and on the left and right sides of the windshield . I would like to see if my car qualifies to get these areas repainted

• ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES

  This is a follow up submission to NHTSA case #XXX. Organization Under Complaint: Hutchinson Kia, [XXX] Complaint Summary: The dealership is utilizing unfair and deceptive financial gating practices to avoid its legal obligations under a federal safety recall. The dealership refuses to look at or evaluate a vehicle subject to an urgent fire-risk HECU safety recall unless the consumer first authorizes a $189.00 diagnostic fee. The dealership refuses to give a firm, legally binding commitment that this fee will be waived for a confirmed recall component. Instead, they require the consumer to assume all financial risk upfront, stating the fee will only "likely" be waived based on their own internal, unverified findings. This creates a high-pressure trap where the consumer is forced to sign away financial rights to access a free, federally mandated safety remedy. The dealership is weaponizing a acute shortage of independent import and specialized repair facilities in the Macon, GA market. They are aware consumers have almost no local alternative venues to get an independent, affordable cross-check scan, and are using this regional monopoly to coerce consumers into signing open-ended diagnostic authorizations. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

• ENGINE

  On XXX, the 2.4L Theta II GDI engine on our 2014 Kia Sorento (current mileage: 160,000) catastrophically seized without warning while my [XXX] was driving at interstate speeds at night. This caused an immediate and sudden loss of power, power steering, and braking assist, creating an extreme traffic hazard. No one was injured and the driver was able to safely coast to the shoulder, but it created a highly dangerous situation on a busy interstate. We had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who pulled the starter and confirmed a total mechanical engine seizure. The vehicle was then towed to a Kia dealership. This vehicle has suffered from the well-documented Theta II factory manufacturing flaw where debris destroys the connecting rod bearings, leading to high oil consumption and sudden highway seizure. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

• ENGINE

  The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that after taking the vehicle to the dealer for an inoperable air conditioning system, the vehicle failed to start unless the hood was opened. The check engine and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that a diagnostic test was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

• STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  Severe paint delamination has occurred on my vehicle, causing the clear coat and base coat (Snow White Pearl color) to come off on the side of the hood, pillars, the doors, and the hood of the car. Not only does the peeling paint create an airborne/debris hazard, it also risks exposing the vehicle to premature rust/corrosion. This issue slowly began not to long after I bought the car in November 2024, and has only gotten much worse. From the information I have gathered online, this is a widespread issue affecting this particular model/year/color of Kia. We need something done about it asap!

• ENGINE

  For 1 week the check engine light came on today 6/13/26 the oil light came on at 55 mph when pulling up to a stop sign the oil light went off when back up to speed the light came back on at 55 then the car engine shut off completely costed to drive way and turned in

• SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled further than normal intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the failure could not be replicated. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the HECU had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000.

• ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  My high pressure fuel pump is spraying fuel in my engine. This is a new engine replacement as of October 2024. This is a huge fire risk and we cannot operate this vehicle.

• SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  The contact owned a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 10 MPH, smoke emanated from the vehicle's hood. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact coasted to a driveway and attempted to open the hood when the vehicle became engulfed in flames. The vehicle was consumed by the fire. There was no injury sustained. The local Fire Department was contacted and extinguished the fire, and a fire report was filed. The fire report was provided. The vehicle was towed to the tow lot and deemed a total loss. The contact stated that the dealer was not contacted. The contact was provided notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); by the Fire Department. The contact notified the manufacturer about the failure stated in the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer sent a technician to inspect the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.

• ENGINE

  The vehicle's original engine suffered severe oil consumption and a blown head gasket, which contaminated the exhaust system. The Kia dealership replaced the engine under warranty but refused to replace the damaged catalytic converter claiming it wasn’t a part of the warranty even though it was consequently damaged. The dealership explicitly stated the vehicle should not be started or driven due to the blocked exhaust, but then did repair and release after I pushed for the catalytic converter replacement. They said I would have to follow up with Kia corporate. They released the unsafe vehicle anyway and I have been following up with Kia customer service for 2 months to request a CAT replacement. While driving, the blocked exhaust caused a severe rattling noise, immediate engine overheating, and complete mechanical engine seizure. The engine completely cut power and locked up while in motion, creating an immediate crash hazard on the roadway. The vehicle is now completely inoperable and will not turn over. This is a severe safety defect where a known blocked exhaust system directly caused catastrophic engine failure while operating.