2018 Kia SORENTO: complaints, problems and recalls

2018 KIA SORENTO SXL THE AEB ( AUTONOMOUS EMERGENCY BRAKING ) DOES NOT WORK AS ADVERTISED OR EXPECTED..THIS FEATURE IS ADVERTISED AS AEB AND ALSO ON THE ELECTRONIC DASH AS AEB BUT ACCORDING TO THE VERY DEFINITION OF AUTONOMOUS MEANING WITHOUT HUMAN INTERVENTION TO STOP THE VEHICLE TO AVOID A CRASH DOES NOT WORK AND CAN NOT BE RELIED ON TO AVOID ANY TYPE OF CRASH AT ANY SPEED AND I HOPE THE SAFETY BOARD WILL MAKE KIA TAKE ACTION TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM POST HAST. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SHOP AND THEY ASSURE ME ALL IS WORKING AND …

Owner-reported narrative. 510 miles reported. Look up ODI 11055415 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE SMART CRUISE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SMART CRUISE SYSTEM DID NOT DETECT THAT A VEHICLE WAS IN FRONT OF IT AND ACCELERATED FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY. STEVENS CREEK KIA IN SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE SOURCE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 650.

Owner-reported narrative. 650 miles reported. Look up ODI 11072858 at NHTSA ↗

I AM REQUESTING THAT DOT NHTSA INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE OF KIA SORENTO'S SUNROOFS EXPLODING. WE WERE DRIVING OUR COMPANY LEASED 2018 KIA SORENTO HEADING WESTBOUND ON I-90 GOING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH TO DUE RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC DURING SUNNY WEATHER, WITH OPTIMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, AND WE WERE APPROXIMATELY 16 FEET FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF US WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WE HEARD A BOMB BLAST SOUND COMING FROM ABOVE US. WE CAREFULLY FELT THE SUNROOF SHIELD AND DETERMINED THE SUNROOF EXPLODED INTO MANY PIECES. NOTHING FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE FELL ON THE SUNRO…

Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11079133 at NHTSA ↗

I WAS BACKING UP WHEN MY CAR JUST ACCELERATED LIKE CRAZY AND RAN OVER A HUGE BRICK MAILBOX. IT WAS LIKE MY CAR WAS POSSESS, IT BECAME A CRAZY 4 WHEEL DRIVE.

Owner-reported narrative. 8,433 miles reported. Look up ODI 11092757 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2018 KIA SORENTO. UPON ACTIVATING THE HEADLIGHTS, THEY FAILED TO PROPERLY ILLUMINATE AND CAUSED A LACK OF VISIBILITY. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *TT *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11102667 at NHTSA ↗

( 2 ) HANKOOK DYNAPRO HP2 SIZE 235/65R17 104H ,BLEW TIRES ON PASSAGE SIDE FRONT & REAR .DRIVING ON I-95 IN PHILADELPHIA,PA SEPT.29TH 2018

Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11139173 at NHTSA ↗

GOT 2018 KIA SORRENTO 9 THOUSAND MILES IT STALL 6 TIMES LAST WEEK TOOK IT TO KIA THAY SAY NOTHING WRONG WITH IT THIS SATURDAY IT STALL 2 MORE TIMES THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE BIG RIG HAD TO BRAKE FAST NOW IM TAKEING IT IN TUES SO NOW THAY CAN HAVE IT FOR A LONGTIME SO THAY CAN GIVE IT BACK BECAUSE THE CODE WILL NOT DO NOTHING IF IT DONT STALL ON THEM SO WHAT SHOULD I DO I OWE THE BACK I PAY ON MY CAR EVERY MONTH I DONT WANT ANYONE GETTING HURT OR SUE BECAUSE I CANT DRIVE IT AND BEING SCARD OF IT

Owner-reported narrative. 8,099 miles reported. Look up ODI 11140494 at NHTSA ↗

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, HIT DEER. FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. CAR SWERVED ONTO MEDIAN AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CRASHED INTO GUARDRAIL. SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. UNCLEAR WHY SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. FRONT PASSENGER HIT HEAD ON PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW AND SHATTERED WINDOW, SUSTAINED CONCUSSION.

Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11150708 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2017-12-08 (December 8, 2017)

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The side curtain air bags on these vehicles have a component that may detach during deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag.

Consequence: If the component detaches during deployment, it may enter the passenger compartment and be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC159.

Reported: 2018-09-21 (September 21, 2018)

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The cowl crossbar that connects to the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) steering column may be improperly welded, allowing the steering column to separate.

Consequence: If the steering column separates, it can cause a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cowl crossbar, free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC167.

Reported: 2022-09-19 (September 19, 2022)

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.

Consequence: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.