2017 Kia Sorento Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2017 Kia Sorento most often report engine problems — excessive oil consumption, knocking or ticking noises, stalling and loss of power, sometimes followed by a dealer diagnosis that the engine needs replacement. A second cluster of complaints concerns the exterior lights cutting out unexpectedly, especially with the headlight switch left in automatic mode. Steering that feels stiff or binds at speed, and fuel or oil leaks, also recur in the sample.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine oil consumption, knocking and failure

   • 375 complaints (46%)
   • median 68,500 mi at 5.6 yrs old (110 state mileage)
   • 18 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $6,000 (median of 29 quotes)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Complaints describe the oil level dropping between changes, sometimes by several quarts, with no visible leak; owners often say the dealer told them to monitor oil use or to return after a set mileage for a consumption test. Many also report ticking, clicking or knocking from the engine bay, a flashing or steady check engine light, shuddering at speed, and stalling or loss of power, after which a shop or dealer concluded the engine needed replacement. Several owners say warranty coverage was declined over maintenance records or oil condition, and others report a second engine failure after a prior replacement. Reported from roughly 15,000 to over 200,000 miles, most commonly between about 44,000 and 105,000 miles, at highway and around-town speeds alike.

   Recall 17V586000Recall 18V9070005 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the oil level and look for a fuel or burning smell on the dipstick, and ask for records of oil changes plus any oil consumption test, oil pressure switch replacement or engine replacement. Confirm whether the emissions software campaign and any engine-related warranty extension have been applied to the VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I own a 2017 Kia Sorento with 45,000 miles. My check engine light kept coming on along with engine noises. Each time I would bring it into layton, ut Kia service center, I was told it was just o2 sensors and one time it needed the engine harness replaced. Just 3 weeks after my last visit to the service center, I was driving on the freeway and my car just suddenly lost power and went limp. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11367015, filed 2020-10, 44,000 miles

   “My 2017 Kia Sorento has 73,000 miles and before the last oil change I observed the oil light came on. The Kia dealer informed me that my engine is burning oil and it was 2 quarts low on oil. I have the 100,000 mile warranty on the SUV. Kia dealer service inform me to comeback after 1,000 miles and they will check it again. The engine should not be burning oil at 73,000 miles. I get my oil change every 3,000 miles.”

   NHTSA complaint #11351260, filed 2020-08, 73,000 miles
2. 2
   Exterior lighting

   Headlights cutting out or auto lights not working

   • 194 complaints (24%)
   • median 46,000 mi at 3.8 yrs old (85 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $3,287 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe the headlights, and in some cases the interior lights, switching off and back on while driving, often at night and frequently when the switch is in the automatic position or a turn signal is used. Some report the lights staying on after shutdown and draining the battery, or the auto function failing to turn them off. Dealers in the complaints sometimes could not reproduce the problem or advised turning the automatic setting off, and one complaint notes the ignition switch had melted. Mostly reported between about 12,000 and 105,000 miles, at all speeds and on all road types, most often at night.

   5 related service bulletins

   What to check: At night, try the headlight switch in automatic and manual modes, watch for flickering or dropouts, and check whether the multi-function switch campaign or warranty extension was performed on the vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2017 Kia Sorento, awd, mileage ~30k. When the headlights are set to auto , they will randomly turn off, usually when I activate a turn signal. It happens at all speeds, on all types of road, most often when I'm turning. I've had several 'close calls' at night. Obviously, if the lights turn off unexpectedly, not only can I not see my path forward, but others can't see me either. This is serious issue, well known to Kia and should be subject to a recall before someone dies or is seriously injured. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11330935, filed 2020-06, 30,000 miles

   “While driving at night the headlights will turn off and on usually last 10 to 15 seconds, does this at all speeds and and all roads. Will cause you to loose sight of road on non lit roads. This has happened about 10 times in the last few months”

   NHTSA complaint #11297150, filed 2020-01, 65,000 miles
3. 3
   Steering

   Steering binds or sticks, loss of power assist

   • 100 complaints (12%)
   • median 30,000 mi at 3.0 yrs old (44 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2026

   Complaints describe the steering wheel feeling sticky or binding on slight corrections, especially at highway speed or after a long drive, so the car wanders and needs constant counter-steering. Some owners report the wheel becoming firm or the power assist dropping out entirely while driving, requiring a tow. According to the complaints, dealers sometimes could not find a fault or attributed it to other parts such as the battery or a ball joint. Reported from under 16,000 to about 110,000 miles, often on the highway or after extended driving.

   What to check: Test drive at highway speed and note whether the wheel self-centers smoothly or sticks on small inputs; ask whether the steering column or motor assembly has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When the vehicle is driving straight the steering will feel like it hesitates slight movements and then releases causing me to over steer. Almost like the electronic steering is intermittent. To the point where I will end up in the other lane slightly and continually have to counter steer the vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #11372520, filed 2020-11, 27,395 miles

   “I bought this car a few weeks ago, and when I test drove it, I did not feel what I feel almost on a daily basis now. It happens more so when going 40 MPH or more and can feel it on the straightaways. The steering wheel feels like it gets locked or stuck and it takes more force to straighten the car out. I can never get the car to go perfectly straight as it veers to one side of the line and when I try to correct it, the stickiness allows for it to over correct which causes me to veer to the other side. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11308938, filed 2020-02, 15,700 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Stalling and loss of power while driving

   • 68 complaints (8%)
   • median 46,500 mi at 3.4 yrs old (32 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe the vehicle losing motive power or shutting off without warning at speed, on ramps and in traffic, sometimes restarting after a key cycle and sometimes not. Several complaints describe the dash lights cycling, hard shifting or jerking beforehand, and one attributes the stop to a faulty catalytic converter. Some say the vehicle could not exceed a certain speed after restarting. Reported from about 44,000 to 138,000 miles, at speeds from about 15 to 75 mph.

   Recall 18V9070002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether any stalling or limp-mode events were diagnosed and repaired, and check that the ECM emissions software update and any open campaigns have been completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While dying on highway at 65 miles per hour, the vehicle jerked violently and without warning I saw everything on the dashboard begin to shut down. I was able to get over to the shoulder. Everything checked out and I began to drive again as if nothing were wrong. A week later it happened again. This time I barely limped home. Vehicle has 62k miles.”

   NHTSA complaint #11361392, filed 2020-09, 62,000 miles

   “On february 17, 2021 a vehicle pulled out in front of me on a highway causing me to slam the brakes so hard to avoid hitting the vehicle. After the vehicle proceeded across the road when I tried to continue forward my Sorento had very little power no matter how much I tried to give the vehicle gas. As I drove Sorento home it had very little power. I could barley get vehicle to go the 5 plus miles to my house traveling at least than 25 miles per hour. Possibly less than that and as I tried to drive up the hill to my house I barely got there. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11399932, filed 2021-03, 59,000 miles
5. 5
   Fuel system

   Fuel and oil leaks (fuel tank, pump, oil pressure switch)

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report a strong gasoline smell inside the cabin or around the rear of the vehicle, in one case traced to fuel leaking from the tank area, and another where the fuel pump and tank were found leaking during a routine oil change. Others describe repeated oil leaks from the oil pressure switch, noticed as a burning oil smell through the vents, with the same part replaced more than once. Reported from about 38,000 to 110,000 miles, sometimes found during routine service with no warning light.

   Recall 18V9070001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Smell for fuel or hot oil after a drive and check under the rear seat and around the engine for wet spots; ask whether the high-pressure fuel pipe recall or oil pressure switch work has been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2017 Kia Sorento has had repeated oil leaks due to multiple oil pressure switch assembly failures. At 27,000 miles my Kia experienced a significant oil leak (identified by me due to the strong smell of oil burning coming from the A/C.) Kia replaced the oil pressure switch part #94750-37100 at that time. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11398604, filed 2021-03, 62,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a strong gasoline odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the gasoline odor had become stronger. The contact stated that upon removing the rear seats, the contact became aware there was gasoline continuously leaking into the vehicle while the vehicle was started. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an unknown repair was performed; however, the failure recurred. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11666083, filed 2025-06, 70,000 miles

Buying note. Because the bulk of complaints for this model year center on oil consumption and engine noise that can progress to replacement, a pre-purchase inspection with an oil level and consumption check plus service records matters more than cosmetics. Also verify that open recalls and the lighting and emissions service campaigns were performed on the specific vehicle.

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.