2017 Kia SORENTO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
801 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
46,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 271 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 384 of 801 complaints (47.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 111 | 13.9% |
| Engine operation | 75 | 9.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 57 | 7.1% |
| Braking behavior | 47 | 5.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 20 | 2.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 20 | 2.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 384 |
| Exterior Lighting | 118 |
| Unknown Or Other | 103 |
| Steering | 97 |
| Electrical System | 92 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 39 |
| Power Train | 37 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 25 |
Engine: 384; Exterior Lighting: 118; Unknown Or Other: 103; Steering: 97; Electrical System: 92; Fuel/Propulsion System: 39; Power Train: 37; Engine And Engine Cooling: 25
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 73 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 66 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 60 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 29 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 37 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 73; 25,000 to 49,999: 66; 50,000 to 74,999: 60; 75,000 to 99,999: 29; 100,000 to 149,999: 37; 150,000 and above: 6
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (73). 530 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 24 |
| 2018 | 34 |
| 2019 | 58 |
| 2020 | 64 |
| 2021 | 64 |
| 2022 | 134 |
| 2023 | 137 |
| 2024 | 121 |
| 2025 | 106 |
| 2026 | 55 |
2016: 4; 2017: 24; 2018: 34; 2019: 58; 2020: 64; 2021: 64; 2022: 134; 2023: 137; 2024: 121; 2025: 106; 2026: 55
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 111 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 75 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 57 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11066534 · 2018-02-01 (February 1, 2018)
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON ANY ROAD (CITY OR HIGHWAY) IT WANTS TO DRIFT TO THE SIDE AND WHEN YOU GO TO CORRECT THE STEERING IT FEELS STICKY, FOR LACK OF BETTER WORDS, AND THERE IS A DELAY IN THE RESPONSE. SO I END UP OVER CORRECTING, AND I'M ALL OVER THE ROAD. THIS CAR IS SO UNSAFE AS IT IS RIGHT NOW. I'VE TAKEN MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE, CALLED CONSUMER ADVISORS FOR KIA, HAS A TECH GO FOR A TEST DRIVE, AND SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. WHILE THEY CAN VERIFY THERE'S AN ISSUE, THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING TO FIX IT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11066534 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11080299 · 2018-03-19 (March 19, 2018)
A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE 2017 KIA SORENTO WE BEGAN NOTICING STEERING ISSUES. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT APPEARS TO HAPPEN AFTER THE CAR WARMS UP. YOU MUST CONSTANTLY ADJUST THE STEERING TO DRIVE STRAIGHT. THE CAR WILL DRIFT TO THE LEFT AND WHEN YOU TRY TO CORRECT, THE CAR FIGHTS YOU. ALL OF THE SUDDEN, THE STEERING RELEASES AND THEN THE CAR DRIFTS RIGHT AND THE STEERING FIGHTS YOU TRYING TO ADJUST LEFT. IT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE DRIVING STRAIGHT EVEN ON STRAIGHT, FLAT ROADS. I STATED BELOW THAT IT H…
Owner-reported narrative. 11,432 miles reported. Look up ODI 11080299 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10948851 · 2017-02-01 (February 1, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 52 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RPMS MALFUNCTIONED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,700.
Owner-reported narrative. 11,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10948851 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10948873 · 2017-02-01 (February 1, 2017)
15-DEC-2016: TRAVELING APPROX. 50 MPH DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC IN MARIETTA, GA, THE VEHICLE HAD A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER THEREFORE PREVENTING THE OPERATOR OF SAID MOTOR VEHICLE TO HAVE COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, (MYSELF) THUS, ILLUSTRATING A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT. THIS ISSUE COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY, THE LOSS OF LIFE OF MYSELF OR OTHER MOTORIST, AND OR A CATASTROPHIC EVENT TO PROPERTY AND INFRASTRUCTURE. THE ENGINE LIGHT DID COME ON DURING THIS INCIDENT AND EVER SINCE I HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY FEARFUL TO OPERATE MY VEHICLE EV…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,220 miles reported. Look up ODI 10948873 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11033119 · 2017-10-12 (October 12, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE OF AN AUTO BODY SHOP OVER THE WEEKEND, THE CENTER CONSOLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MELTED CENTER CONSOLE AND BURNT DRIVER SIDE SEAT WERE DISCOVERED BY AN AUTO BODY TECHNICIAN. A POLICE REPORT AND A FIRE REPORT WERE NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WA…
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11033119 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11139745 · 2018-10-11 (October 11, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA SORENTO WITH A TRAILER IN TOW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE TRAILER REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA FORT WALTON BEACH (LOCATED AT 343 MIRACLE STRIP PARKWAY, FORT WALTON BEACH, FL 32548, [phone removed]), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V862000 (TRAILER HITCHES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 12835928. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE M…
Owner-reported narrative. 68,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11139745 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10917367 · 2016-10-19 (October 19, 2016)
PROBLEM: INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH ADVANCED SMART CRUISE CONTROL AND AUTONOMOUS BRAKING ON A NEW 2017 KIA SORENTO WITH LESS THAN 500 MILES. WHAT HAPPENED: WHEN USING THE ADVANCED SMART CONTROL FEATURE, AS EXPLAINED TO ME BY THE DEALER, THE MANUAL, AND KIA VIDEOS, THE CAR WILL STOP AUTONOMOUSLY WHEN APPROACHING A CAR AT A STOP LIGHT. MY KIA STOPS AUTONOMOUSLY MOST OF THE TIME, BUT NOT ALL OF THE TIME. ON THREE OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING WITH SMART CRUISE CONTROL, ON A STRAIGHT ROAD ON A CLEAR DAY, MY KIA SLOWED DOWN BUT DID NOT STOP, CAUSING M…
Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10917367 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10917569 · 2016-10-20 (October 20, 2016)
PROBLEM: INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH ADVANCED SMART CRUISE CONTROL AND AUTONOMOUS BRAKING ON A NEW 2017 KIA SORENTO WITH LESS THAN 1100 MILES. WHAT HAPPENED: WHEN USING THE ADVANCED SMART CONTROL FEATURE, THE SMART CRUISE CONTROL WILL SHUT DOWN RANDOMLY. ON FOUR OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING WITH SMART CRUISE CONTROL, ON A HIGHWAY ON A CLEAR DAY, MY KIA'S DASHBOARD LIT UP WITH "CHECK SMART CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM." THESE ADDITIONAL WARNING LIGHTS LIT UP ON THE DASHBOARD: ANTI-LOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT, ELECTRONIC BRAKE FORCE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM WARNI…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,099 miles reported. Look up ODI 10917569 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11080096 · 2018-03-19 (March 19, 2018)
THE VEHICLE DID NOT FUNCTION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AT 60 MPH. THE ENGINE RPM'S DROPPPED FROM 4,000 TO 1,000 AND THE ACCELERATOR AND TRANSMISSION WAS NOT RESPONDING. THE VEHICLE TOOK MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO BE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE THE CONDITION UPON A TEST DRIVE BY THEIR TECNICIAN. THIS FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. NOTE: ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA, THIS IS THE EXACT SAME THING THAT HAS HAPPENED AND BEEN REPORTED BY OWNERS OF KIA OPTIMAS. THE DEALER ORDERED A HOSE ASSEMBLY AIR INTAKE PART TO BE I…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,750 miles reported. Look up ODI 11080096 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11361814 · 2020-10-05 (October 5, 2020)
2017 KIA SORENTO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS MASSIVE FUEL LEAK ENGINE FIRE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE LEAKED TWO GALLONS OF FUEL ONTO THE ENGINE COVER. THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED ALONG WITH SOME PERSONAL ITEMS. *JS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11361814 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11424593 · 2021-07-13 (July 13, 2021)
Strong gasoline odor was noticed coming from the rear of the vehicle. Took it to the dealership where they replaced the gas cap assuming that was the problem. Gasoline odor progressively increased. Took the vehicle back to the dealership. Diagnostic tests were performed. Inspection found fuel pump leaking fuel. No warning lamps, messages, or symptoms of the problem prior to the failure were ever displayed. This could have been extremely dangerous putting our family at risk. It also should have been covered due to being a safety risk.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11424593 at NHTSA ↗