2015 Kia Sorento Powertrain & Transmission Problems

I was driving with my son when my 2015 Kia Sorento stopped in traffic. I remember warning lights coming on my dash including the engine light, oil light and battery light. However, I was more concerned about getting my hazards on so we would not be hit by another car. Traffic was heavy, it was raining and getting dark. I needed to push my car off the road with the help of another driver. A Hyannis ambulance was a few cars behind me and the EMT's also assisted with the traffic and moving my vehicle out of the road. I called AAA and had my car towed. I was told in writing by the Kia dealership that the engine needed to be replaced. I was told verbally by Kia that it was a rod knock issue. When I asked how it was diagnosed with rod knock she said the mechanic put something down in the engine and said its rod knock. I requested through Kia corporate that the car be inspected for the WTY039 extended warranty and corporate said they would reach out to the dealer and ask that it be checked. I have not received any further communication from the dealership or Kia corporate. Yes the vehicle is available for inspection. Safety was an issue because the car stopped so suddenly in heavy traffic. I was not able to slowly decelerate or steer to the side of the road. I felt like a sitting duck. We were extremely lucky that we were not hit from behind at 35 mph resulting in injury to us and to the drivers behind us. Prior to this event there were no warning lights that had come on and no strange noises from the car. They first appeared when it stopped in traffic.

My vehicle has a slow speed pick up and I’m getting code p0018 and has very rough idling !

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and shifted into park(P), the gear shifter failed to shift into the intended gear. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the gear shifter had seized in park(P). In addition, the contact stated that the failure had occurred while at the drive-thru picking up lunch. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to tow the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact referenced an unknown recall with a similar failure description; however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 109,200.

Engine died in the middle of the right of way suddenly and would not restart. Knocking sound ensued when restart was attempted. Within the previous 48 hours, the engine had been topped off with 2 quarts of oil. The dealership it was towed to to assess the issue confirmed they added an additional 3 quarts of oil during the assessment. They confirmed the engine would need to be replaced. Mileage at the time of incident was 68K. Kia corporate confirmed they would not replace the engine since there are 4 owners on the vehicle history, and the warranty expired at 60K miles as a result.

The 4 wheel drive and all wheel. During the first snow I went to use it because I live on the top of a large hill it I had no traction at all I was all over the road and had a terrible time getting out of the way of another car. My Husband had to tow me up the hill into the driveway. It had worked last winter and I had no warning it wasn't working. I took my car to the KIA dealership they confirmed it is the 4 wheel and all wheel drive and I could have it fixed for $2,262.15 and then they would guarantee the parts for the life of the car. Only inspected by the dealership. The warning light did not come on till after I tried to use it during the snow storm. I already know there is a service bulletin on this issue and don't think that it is fair I pay for there issue and they will guarantee it after.

Takes long to switch gears going up hill it’s like a delay I have to sometime switch it into manual to switch gears going uphill and even sometimes on flat ground

I was driving on the highway when I proceeded to the turn lane to turn left crossing two lanes of traffic and the vehicle just shut down no warning whatsoever no check engine lights no oil lights nothing and it wouldn’t turn back on when trying it but after about 5 times it turned on and I was able to get it off the highway but couldn’t go any further as the vehicle was making a loud noise and the car was shaking

August 11,2023 My 2015 Kia Sorento engine light came on, it started bogging down, and rattling noise came from the engine, when plugged in it was diagnosed as the exhaust crank shaft position timing-over-advanced (Bank 1) Code P0014. I had a hard time keeping the engine running it kept wanting to stall out while driving down the road to safely make it home. I'm lucky to have made it home and not stranded out on the highway. I'm told know the engine has failed. I will need rods replaced; I've had all my recalls done but yet this still has happened to me. I thought 1 of the recalls was for this very reason yet it still happened, how is this possible. As I've read through other people's issues, I'm also at 85,000 miles and had no warning that my engine would be shot. If you have a Kia 2015 Sorento sell it or trade it in now, especially if your mileage is hitting 80,000 mileages.

The drive train or engine suddenly locked up while driving down the road at 35mph causing the vehicle to violently decelerate and the wheels to lose traction and skid. The failure only lasted maybe a second before car resumed driving as usual. I was not accelerating or breaking at the time and had been driving as normal for 10min prior. The vehicle only has 86,000 miles and all service was completed as scheduled. Prior to the incident, there had been some engine knocking when starting up and a few days earlier, the check engine light had come on. We immediately contacted the dealership when the engine light activated and made an appointment to have it checked out. We were advised that as long as the check engine light was not blinking, we could safely use the vehicle for short trips. Prior to the above incident, we had made two trips with the engine light activated, both under 5mi. We dropped the car at the dealership on Monday for evaluation the first available time slot they had. Today we were advised that we needed a new engine and were fully responsible for the costs. The issue has not been diagnosed as they claim they have to tear down the engine to determine the cause, a cost we are responsible for and cannot afford. Our 7 year old son was in the car at the time and our safety was certainly put at risk. We were fortunate this happened in town and not at highway speeds where I could have lost control of the vehicle or been rear ended by another driver.

Purchased it 7 months ago, haven't put many miles on it and the motor is completely bad, sitting at a kia shop. It broke down on me in the middle of the road and wouldn't shift into gear.

Transmission failed, unable to shift vehicle gears. Vehicle repaired by Certified Manufacturer's dealer. Unknown if part available for further inspection. No lamps or warnings prior to vehicle failure.

Airbag lights remain on regardless of what’s in the passenger seat. Engine smells like burning metal when driven longer than 15minutes. Ticking noises when the steering wheel is turned. Acceleration issues Vehicle lags when initially starting after being off for hours. Mechanics have looked at them KIA dealership WONT assist.

My vehicle was stuck in park. I noted that module 2 fuse was blown. I replaced the fuse and smelled smoke. I took my Sorento in to the local KIA dealership for diagnosis. It was determined by a technician that the headlight level sensor and harness pigtail were both significantly melted. It was suggested by the tech to remove the level sensor and that has created a safety issue with the headlights pointing significantly low. The level sensor or headlight leveling system and harness connection are a potential fire hazard and if the component fails, this creates an additional unsafe driving condition with the headlights aiming low.

Upon accelerating causes a lot of exhaust smoke and bogs down so I can’t get out of the way and others behind me cannot see a thing. Two Kia dealerships refused assistance. The first after I called 12/3 to report that my vehicle issue made additional hazard involving a semi (thank goodness no one wreaked) and it was still smoking and smelled as if something was burning. The other telling me it would be six months at least. The warning dashboard lights did not trigger during or after incidents. The only light that came on ever was the oil light the prior weekend. I had the oil changed, filters replaced as well as the headlights for the third time. Around 44k miles when issues started and escalated quickly. Other problems reported to Arapaho Kia a few years ago consisted of back passenger door not latching. Someone flagged me down on the highway as I had my daughter in her car seat on that side. No warning lights triggered, dealership unable to duplicate issue. Steering control keys controlling opposite functions or not working intermittently. Was told steering control harness needed replacement. Think that was at 18k miles but not sure. Did not have replaced at that time as it mainly affected radio functions hands free calling did stop working. I usually didn’t make calls in the car anyway. I was left with no other choice but to trade the vehicle in before something really bad happened or it self destructed leaving me without out a car still paying on. I could not be without a car for six months as Peak Kia quoted timeframe. Untimely fixing of recall on vehicle likely manifesting these other issues and causing additional damage to vehicle.

UNKNOWN. Excessive shaking, engine light started to blink and car shut off.

Car jerks into 1st gear when stopping at a light and accelerating. Car gets stuck in 4th gear and will not accelerate until it reaches 4th gear speeds. Very dangerous to be trying to get up to highway speeds and car not wanting to accelerate beyond 10-20mph. Car is not safe to drive. Took to a Kia dealership and they said they couldn't replicate. I told them to drive the car more and they were able to replicate, however no check engine light has appeared so Kia dealership is telling me they can't do anything. They told me to keep driving it and bring it in if it gets worse. I do not feel safe driving this vehicle anywhere. Car has 67,000 miles on it and I am the second owner since 10,000 miles. I have done all maintenance that is required/needed all at the dealership.

I NOTICED MY 2015 KIA SORRENTO WAS IDLING VERY HARD. THIS STOPPED MOMENTARILY AND THEN BEGAN AGAIN AND THE ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. THE VEHICLE STRUGGLES TO ACCELERATE AND I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. UPON INSPECTING THERE WAS NO OIL LEAK BUT LITTLE TO NO OIL IN THE ENGINE AND NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS ROUTINELY OIL CHANGED AND MAINTAINED.

CAR LOST ACCELERATION POWER HEARD LOUD SOUND AND CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY TRANSMISSION WAS CHANGED DUE TO A FAULTY TRANSMISSION AT DEALERSHIP COST, AND NOW TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED WHILE MERGING ONTO THE I-210 WAS ABLE TO SAFELY EXIT HIGHWAY AND PARK IT. WILL HAVE IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP ASAP HOPING THEY WILL REPAIR DRIVETRAIN OR REPLACE VEHICLE.

DRIVING HOME END OF WORK DAY EVERY THING WAS NORMAL DRIVING DOWN 66 AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THEN .5 MILES LATER LOST POWER TOWER HOME HAS BEEN MAKING POPCORN LIKE SOUNDS FROM ENGINE BEING TOLD IT'S THE PISTONS

THE CAR SEIZES, AND JERKS, LIKE A MISSFIRE. IT SCARES ME.