2014 Kia Sorento Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2014 Sorento report two dominant themes: engine problems — oil consumption, knocking, overheating and stalling, sometimes with seized engines — and extensive paint peeling, mostly on white/pearl white vehicles around the windshield, roof and hood. Many complaints come in above 70,000 miles, though engine-related reports also appear at lower mileage, and several owners describe gradual oil loss followed by sudden failure.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine oil consumption and engine seizure/knocking

   • 292 complaints (30%)
   • median 100,999 mi at 6.3 yrs old (166 state mileage)
   • 16 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,250 (median of 28 quotes)
   • filed 2014–2026

   Owners describe needing to add oil frequently between changes, sometimes with no visible leak, and being told by dealers that oil consumption tests showed nothing wrong. Others report knocking or rattling noises that progress to stalling, loss of power or a seized engine, with mechanics recommending engine replacement. Complaints frequently reference the bearing-related engine recall and note that their vehicle was not covered or the engine was replaced without the underlying problem being resolved. Reported from about 29,000 to over 160,000 miles, clustering around 70,000-120,000 miles; some owners note symptoms appear shortly after an oil change.

   Recall 17V224000Recall 18V9070005 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check oil level and colour regularly, look for a fuel or burnt smell, and ask whether the engine has been replaced or inspected under the engine campaigns. Request records of oil consumption tests and any warranty extension paperwork.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Engine started knocking and lost some power darning driving. The check engine light came on. This is the 3.3l gdi engine. This engine is not part of the sc147 recall. I take good care of my cars. I believe the issue I'm having is due to a defect in the manufacturing process. We have a 2012 hyundai sonata that was covered under a different recall. It initially passed the recall test. The engine failed later with the same symptoms I'm having with the 2014 Kia. Something is not right.”

   NHTSA complaint #11364617, filed 2020-10, 121,000 miles

   “I've only had my 2014 Kia Sorento for a year, from 2020-2021. I've noticed these problems in the beginning and assumed they would work itself out because the dealer mentioned that the conditions were minor but they only progressed. I'm putting oil in this vehicle every three to four days because the oil stick is clean ( indicating no oil). The engine light has always been on. I've taken it to several mechanics, including the mechanic that works directly with the dealership in which I purchased this vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11412964, filed 2021-04, 149,000 miles
2. 2
   Body and structure

   Paint peeling and bubbling (often white/pearl white)

   • 180 complaints (18%)
   • median 75,163 mi at 6.5 yrs old (40 state mileage)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Complaints describe factory paint lifting, bubbling and peeling in large sections, commonly around the windshield pillars, roof, hood and doors, sometimes exposing bare metal and rust. Owners report body shops recognising the pattern on other Sorentos, and several say the dealer declined help because the paint warranty had expired. Mostly reported between roughly 30,000 and 120,000 miles, often several years into ownership and sometimes starting near the windshield within the first years.

   What to check: Inspect the roof, hood edges and windshield pillars closely for lifting, bubbling or rust under the paint, and ask whether any paint repair or goodwill claim has been made.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The paint is delaminating and quickly chipping away in multiple areas of the car, but started on the windshield pillar. The body shop informed me they had seen this exact thing on other Kia sorentos and suggested I contact Kia. They estimated $2,700 to repaint. My body color is pearl white.”

   NHTSA complaint #11361654, filed 2020-09, 80,000 miles

   “I own a Kia Sorento, pearl white, 2014, which just recently started to chip and now peel the paint on the side of the windshield. Its getting worse and worse every time the vehicle is moving. I went to the dealership but they only told me warranty is up, nothing we can do. The vehicle has approx. 85000 miles on it right now. I also have a little spot chipped on the hood of the car. I happen to catch 2 pieces of paint in my yard. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11375069, filed 2020-11, 85,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   ABS, ESC and tire-pressure warning lights on

   • 76 complaints (8%)
   • median 106,000 mi at 7.1 yrs old (33 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,828 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2014–2026

   Owners report the ABS, traction-control and tire-pressure warning lights coming on together or intermittently, sometimes with the speedometer fluctuating and warning messages appearing. Several link the symptoms to the ABS control unit recalls and note that their vehicle was not covered or that parts were unavailable. Reported from roughly 60,000 to 145,000 miles, often as an intermittent warning that becomes constant.

   Recall 23V652000Recall 21V331000Recall 20V519000

   What to check: Ask whether the ABS/HECU recalls have been completed on this vehicle, and check that no ABS or traction-control light stays on after start-up, including on a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Abs, traction, and tire warning lights all come on at same time, the tire warning light blinks for a minute or so. I checked for low pressure in tires and it was not the problem vehicle seems to function fine no traction issues no ABS issues that I can see or feel in driving, saw the recall for the awd but mine is fwd.”

   NHTSA complaint #11405689, filed 2021-03, 66,380 miles

   “Abs light was going on and off, now is constantly on. Then traction control light going on and off now is constantly on. Now my brake light is on. When I start the car the tire light flashes on and off which causes my speedometer to go up and down. Headlights stopped working completely after several bulb replacements.”

   NHTSA complaint #11397724, filed 2021-02, 120,000 miles
4. 4
   Exterior lighting

   Headlights failing or too dim

   • 80 complaints (8%)
   • median 75,000 mi at 5.6 yrs old (46 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,489 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2014–2024

   Complaints describe headlight bulbs burning out repeatedly, sometimes both at once, with some owners finding the low beams very dim or poorly aimed on unlit roads. Dealers reportedly found nothing wrong or replaced bulbs without resolving the recurring failure. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 120,000 miles, with some owners noting repeated bulb replacement over several years.

   What to check: Check both low and high beams work before buying; ask how often bulbs have been replaced and whether the headlight housings or connectors have been inspected.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Keep having to replace headlight bulbs and now headlights don't work at all ! Had to drive home at night with only parking lights in fl keys, very terrifying and not safe at all. Prior to the lights not working I would have to replace a bulb at least every 3 months, got pulled over once by the police because a headlight was out and I didn't know it was out. I had just replaced it!”

   NHTSA complaint #11397714, filed 2021-02, 120,000 miles

   “On a number of occasions, both headlights on my 2014 Kia Sorento have gone out at the same time. Usually if I open the headlight housing and twist the light plug this will cause the light to work. But other times one of the two lights will be burnt out. The issue is both lights go out at the same time. I have brought it to the attention of my local dealership but they could find nothing wrong.”

   NHTSA complaint #11400054, filed 2021-03, 100,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection focused on engine oil consumption, engine noise and warning lights is worthwhile, along with checking paint condition and confirming which open recalls have been completed. Records of engine work, oil consumption tests and any warranty extension are the most useful documents to ask for.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.