2017 Kia Sorento Electrical System Problems

I am submitting a safety complaint regarding a **2017 Kia Sorento SXL** equipped with a **3.3L Lambda V6 engine**, which experienced **sudden and catastrophic engine failure** at approximately **137,000 miles**. Prior to failure, the vehicle exhibited **progressively worsening engine knocking and vibration**, indicating internal engine damage. Despite these warning signs, the failure occurred **abruptly while driving at highway speed**, resulting in a **sudden loss of power**. This incident created an **immediate safety hazard**, as I was traveling in active traffic and was forced to quickly maneuver to avoid surrounding vehicles. The unexpected loss of propulsion significantly increased the risk of a collision. The nature of the failure appears to be consistent with **internal engine component failure (such as connecting rod bearing failure)**, which is not typical for a properly maintained modern engine at this mileage. Importantly, my vehicle was manufactured in **November 2016**, placing it within an early production period for this engine. There is evidence from technical service information and consumer reports suggesting a **pattern of premature internal engine failures** in this engine family, particularly involving **rod bearing wear leading to catastrophic failure**. This raises concern that the issue may represent a **systemic defect** rather than normal wear and tear. I am concerned that other vehicles with this engine may experience similar failures **without sufficient warning**, potentially resulting in dangerous driving situations, especially at highway speeds. I am requesting that NHTSA: • Review this incident as a **potential safety-related defect** • Evaluate whether similar complaints exist involving the **3.3L Kia Lambda V6 engine** • Determine if an **investigation or recall** is warranted I am able to provide supporting documentation, including maintenance records, diagnostic findings, and repair estimates upon request.

I was driving everithing was normal but suddenly the light of the Engine was on and the car lost power and the engine shut off everything happened in like one second, dont let me time or opportunity to think something safe, it was a lot of traffict on the street and the car behind almost crash on me. it was like a nigthmare.

The car gets stuck and will not shift out of park. I've had to use the manual override. And when the ambulance came to my house, I could not move my car out of the way fast enough and this delayed emergency response team. I thought it was a one time fluke, but it started happening again this week (4/1/26) Every time I use the car. This cannot be safe.

There’s a big loud buzzing noise every time you open the tailgate. Sometimes it doesn’t lock, you have to try several times press the button it to unlock so that way you could lock it the tailgate down. If you do not make sure the tailgate is locked the tailgate would stay open and fly open while driving.

On October 26, 2025, Sunday, I was cleaning my windows. I discovered both rear windows would not roll up or down. I took it to Valley KIA on October 27, and it was diagnosed that I needed to replace both rear windows with new window regulator. It will be installed on October 29. I told my tech advisor about the window regulator recall on the 2017 KIA Optima and Sportage. He told me there was no recalls on the 2017 Sorento. I had to pay out of pocket to have my vehicle repaired. How could my rear window regulator fail within 4 years? It seems really perplexing for both rear windows to fail at the same time. How can I recover the cost of repairs - because 2017 KIA Optima and Sportage had the same problems. On October 22, 2025, Wednesday, I took my car to KIA Riverside regarding a voluntary recall for a multi-function switch. The rear window regulator behind the front passenger side failed on May 24, 2021. I took my 2017 KIA Sorento to Valley KIA, Fontana. The mechanic made the diagnose and replaced with new window regulator and it was installed on May 25, 2021. It poses a safety hazard if baby, children or adults are in the back seat, and windows does not roll up or down unexpectedly. It is a safety hazard when I cannot secure my vehicle. It is a safety hazard if I had things in the back seat, and it would fly out the window. It is a safety hazard when unable to open or close the window when it is hot, cold, or raining. There was no warning prior to failure. I just heard a grinding like sound, or like sound of plastic breaking when I pushed the button on driver seat to lower or try to roll the window back up.

Headlights turn off at night when set in the auto position and turn on when the car is off

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was started and running, the air conditioner failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that the front passenger’s seat was moldy, and the sunroof had seized. Additionally, the sunroof headliner fell while changing lanes. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed; however, the result was not provided. The windshield washer, the sunroof assembly, the reservoir pump, and the front axle seal assembly were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and informed the contact that the issue would be escalated to the corporate level and the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 61,000.

I am unsure what component system failed or malfunctioned. The car is in the toe place. It's a total loss burned from front to back my safety was put at risk by no indication of any lights coming on my dashboard. By the time I stopped the whole front into my car was on fire. It burned from from 2 back within 8 minutes. It has not been inspected by insurance. The police were there when the fire was put out along with the fire department. There were no warning lights or lamps of any indication of a problem. I was driving down the road and I seemed small but I had no lights on my dashboard. Indicating anything was wrong? So I drove as soon as I started to slow down at the stoplight. Flames started coming out of the driver's side of the hook. But I turned the corner and stopped the car and the whole front end.By the time I stopped was on fire.I contacted the fire department and within 8 minutes.The car was a total loss

This is the third time I’m having to take my SUV to the Kia dealership because my check engine light begins flashing and then my car has a hard time accelerating when it gets to certain speeds. It shakes but will not go over 68 mph although it is covered under a warranty, it is very frustrating. Having to keep take my car to get fixed. There should be a more permanent solution.

Coolant system not functioning properly replace thermostat and worked a day then back to overheating. Engine overheating with new oil and filter also shakes badly Car does not shut of when ignition is pressed the first time have start the car then shut it off again

I was driving down an interstate when my check engine light came on and began to flash. The car then began to shake violently. I was able to pull it into a parking lot successfully. There was a smell & it felt hot. During my routine oil changes, the shop had notified me a couple of times that I had low oil. No low oil lights or any other warnings ever came on my dashboard to say I was having issues until that day. I had it towed to a local dealership on 09/29/2024z Local Kia dealership confirmed on 10/04/2024 that the whole engine needs replaced.

When the headlights are in auto mode, they turn off and on sporadically. There are times that the car is not even on and the light turn on and I have to manually turn the headlights off. This has been ongoing for months. I've reported the issue to before to the dealership but they could not find any malfunction. This morning, I was driving with my lights on (not auto mode), and when I would use the turn signal (left and right), the lights would turn completely off and come back on. This new problem has been occurring off and on for about a week.

I was driving down the highway at night and out of nowhere my head lights turn off. Leaving me and my daughter driving blind going 60 mph. Prior to that on the same night, I picked her up from work I was turning out of the parking lot where she works and the same thing happened but very quickly corrected itself. The area was lit up so it wasn't as noticeable. This is a very dangerous problem.

Shifter isn't releasing from park. They state the Body Control Module (BCM) I been reading on this and it goes out with higher mileage Kia Sorento SUV. This is a safety hazard.

1.Component/System Failure: The issue involves a recurring failure of the oil pressure switch, which is part of the engine’s lubrication monitoring system. This malfunction has resulted in an oil leak that subsequently damaged a major wiring control harness and the associated control module. The affected components are available for inspection by an authorized service center. 2.Safety Risk: The oil leak poses a safety risk by potentially compromising the vehicle’s engine performance and electrical system integrity. While there has been no direct incident of injury, the malfunction increases the risk of unexpected vehicle failure, which could endanger the driver and others on the road. 3.Confirmation of the Problem: The recurring issue was initially diagnosed by an authorized dealer. After the first repair under warranty, the same problem reappeared, and an independent service center later confirmed that the oil pressure switch was leaking excessively. This repeated diagnosis supports the conclusion that the component is defective. 4.Inspections Conducted: The vehicle has been inspected by both the authorized dealer and an independent service center. Additionally, the previous repair under warranty was conducted with oversight from manufacturer representatives. There has been no involvement of the police or insurance representatives regarding this incident. 5.Warning Lamps or Symptoms: There were no specific warning lamps or error messages that appeared before the failure. The primary symptoms noted were poor acceleration and unusual engine noise, which first appeared shortly before the issue was identified as an oil leak.

The vehicle just lost power at 75mph on [XXX] heading home to Princeton, ME, started vibrating really bad misfiring then we pulled over the Kia Sorento stalled. Then would not start back up. It’s been using over a quart a week since we got it from the dealership in Bangor, Maine. We got it towed home our mechanic looked at it and noticed oil on the plugs and said we probably need a new engine. Low beam light keep coming off and on so thinking it’s something electrical. Time to time the transmission take a min to shift the engine rpms stay up n takes a few extra seconds to shift. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I just purchased this vehicle on Saturday.And now my engine light is on.It is blinking.I did my research after getting the car and the code p1326 came up at autozone.after that it showed that code with recalls for 2011 to 2017.

I live in VA, bought my Sorento in 2018. Every winter when the temps drop below freezing my car will intermittently not start. This issue only happens below freezing and it is not every time the temps drop below freezing. Once the sun comes up and the day warms up a bit the car almost always will start. I have taken it to the Kia dealership multiple times over the years and of course it always starts right up, no problem, even in the single digits. I have taken it to a couple of other local repair shops as well to no avail. So far this winter I have had it at the dealership 3 times and finally on the third trip they figured out the issue. The factory installed remote start was pulling too much voltage, even while the car was off, that the brand new battery couldn't start the car. They removed the remote start (told me I could buy another and have it installed for $800) and the car has started every single time. This has left me and my family stranded previously so wanted to help others figure this out so it doesn't take them 6 years and stranded like it did us.

Oil consumption. My car is always empty after 3000 miles. I am always having to put oil in my car. Now having engine issues… No warning lights came on to let me know of issues or low oil.

My Kia Sorento uses roughly 2-4 quarts of oil every week or 2. The smell of oil is so strong in the car it’s almost unbearable. Just this week the the alert about a door being open is going off and the locks are malfunctioning. It locks and unlocks at random and it keeps sayings a door is open when it isn’t. The cruise control also stopped working.