Kia Sorento Engine Problems
2017 Kia Sorento by Makizox — CC BY-SA 4.0
Since 2002, the Kia Sorento has been widely touted as a reliable car that can take families wherever they want to go with little hassle. If you buy a Sorento, you should be able to expect a trustworthy SUV that will stand the test of time.
With that being said, we want to make sure you get the best Sorento money can buy and remain aware of any problems to look out for, so CoPilot is here to lend a hand!
The Most Common Problems with Kia Sorento & Costs to Fix
These are the most common problems reported by owners on platforms such as carproblems.com, carcomplaints.com, and Car Talk Community.
- Engine failure. Cost to fix: $2,500 - 3,500
- Doors won’t open from the outside. Cost to fix: $500
- Paint peeling. Cost to fix: $500 - 3,000
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Kia Sorento: Engine Failure
Cost to fix: $2,500 - 3,500
The problem most reported with Kia Sorentos is a highly troubling one. Many customers have complained about complete engine failure while driving, putting them and their passengers in precarious situations.
In most reports, the engine began rattling loudly shortly before failing outright, causing the car to die in the middle of a drive and forcing the driver to coast into a safe spot. This potential level of risk makes it all the more imperative that you watch out for the symptoms of imminent engine failure so that you can take action immediately.
Any sudden changes in the performance of your Kia Sorento are huge signs that something is wrong with the engine. The SUV might start shaking when idling or speed up at a much slower rate than before. Your check engine light is another indication that your engine could shut down soon.
This light can mean a lot of things, so if no other symptoms are present it’s likely not an engine failure, but it’s important to have it checked regardless. A loud knocking or rattling noise is one more sign that your engine is shutting down, especially if the noise rises and falls in speed alongside the vehicle’s speed as a whole.
Unfortunately, if your SUV does suffer from its engine dying, it likely means that you will have to replace the whole engine. This could cost around $2,500 - 3,500, so do everything you can before buying to inspect the car and look out for any red flags.
Problem Two: Doors Won’t Open From the Outside
Cost to fix: $500
Another problem that many Kia Sorentos (particularly the 2011 year model) suffer from is doors that refuse to open from outside the car. It seems that in many cases the issue begins with the driver’s side door not opening, sometimes followed by a similar occurrence with the passenger door, then the two backseat doors.
It’s not entirely clear what exactly goes wrong with the mechanics of the car that make this a pervasive enough defect that Sorentos would be infamous for it, but this is a huge red flag to watch out for. The most likely origin is a fault somewhere in the connection between the door handle and the latch, such as a misplaced cable or frayed wire.
To repair a door that won’t open from the outside, you’ll likely need to get the door handle, the door latch, or both replaced at a mechanic. On average, this has cost drivers roughly $500, so be careful to check all the door handles before buying a Sorento.
THE BEST USED SUVS UNDER $10,000
We looked into price, reliability, features, and more to create this list of the best used SUVs under $10k on the market today. Take a look - some of the best used SUVs have gone mostly overlooked or forgotten.
Another Common Problem with Kia Sorento: Paint Peeling
Cost to fix: $500 - 3,000
One more problem that’s somewhat common in the Kia Sorento is paint that peels or blisters over time, harming the sleek aesthetic of the car. This issue will only affect your SUV cosmetically and will not harm its actual performance or put you in danger. However, this is an annoyance and nobody wants their vehicle to look messy.
Unfortunately, if your paint does begin to peel there isn’t much you can do about it, other than simply ignore it or have a professional paint job done. Paint jobs can range from $500-3,000 depending on where you take it and how high the quality of the job is (in extreme cases, an excellent paint job could run you over $5,000).
It is worth noting, however, that this defect is easy to spot before you purchase your Sorento, and usually is not a manufacturing issue but due to natural wear and tear over the car’s life.
THE BEST USED MINIVANS ON THE MARKET
When it comes to hauling a lot of people and cargo, the minivan is hard to beat. We’ve factored in reliability, affordability, and functionality to create this curated list of the 8 best used minivans on the market today.
How to Avoid Buying an Unreliable Used Kia Sorento
You’ll want to take the Kia Sorento you’ve got your eye on out for a test drive for many reasons, but testing the possibility of impending engine failure is the biggest one. If you notice any shaking, shuddering, or difficulties accelerating, steer clear.
Look closely at the body of the car in case you happen to notice paint peeling anywhere, though this is unlikely. It’s just as important to have a local mechanic check the car out and get a pre-purchase inspection so that you can analyze the history of the car and search for any red flags!
The Easiest Way to Find Reliable Kia Sorentos in Your Area
Want to easily find reliable Kia Sorentos in your area? Download the free CoPIlot car shopping app. Tell us what mid-size crossover SUV you’re looking for and we’ll search every dealership in your area to create a personalized list of the best buys in your area. CoPilot is built using the same technology that car dealerships use to buy and sell their inventory, making it the smartest and easiest way to buy a used Kia Sorento.
If newer, off-lease vehicles are more your style, CoPilot Compare is the tool for you. Our search engine for nearly-new cars only shows you models that are 5 years or newer with low mileage so you can find the best Kia Sorento listing in your area, broken down by how much you can save buying used vs. new.
To top it all off, CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no ‘promoted’ or ‘sponsored’ listings - just the best cars in your area. Learn more about how CoPilot works on our About Us page.
