2016 Kia Sorento: sudden loss of power

Filed May 29, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · PA

Was in for service on recalls 2 weeks ago may 2026...dealer did not fix shift solenoid recall..stated bcu need replaced...driving may 28 26 without warning no lights anything lost power while driving and engine and or transmission failed..lost oil...metal shavings in dipstick oil.oil on skid plate cover..3.3L V6 2016 kia sorento LX was able to get off road without crashing

Filed Feb 26, 2026 · Engine · GA

Dear Sir or Madam, I am submitting a formal safety complaint to the federal safety agency regarding my Kia Sorento. Over the past six months, this vehicle has required replacement of the engine, transmission control module (TCM), and the entire transmission. Although the engine and transmission were replaced at no cost to me, the extent of these major repairs within such a short period raises serious concerns about the vehicle’s overall safety and reliability. In mid-January, shortly after picking up the vehicle from the dealership following the transmission replacement, the vehicle suddenly stalled while I was driving through an intersection. The engine lost power without warning, leaving me stopped in active traffic. To get the vehicle moving again, I had to shift into park, turn the engine completely off, and then restart it before it would drive again. This unexpected loss of power in the middle of an intersection created a dangerous situation with oncoming traffic approaching. Thankfully, my children were not in the vehicle at the time. After repeated major component failures and this stalling incident, I no longer feel safe driving this vehicle. A vehicle that loses power without warning poses a serious risk to the driver, passengers, and other motorists. I respectfully request a thorough investigation into this matter, including whether there are known defects, recalls, or related complaints involving this model. I am prepared to provide repair records and documentation upon request. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 8, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · MN

The safety hazard began with a pattern of ignored warnings by the authorized dealer network. On Aug 15, 2025, I brought the vehicle to Luther Kia of Bloomington for a Check Engine Light. The dealer simply cleared the code without diagnosis, failing to catch early signs of engine trouble. On Sept 22, 2025, the engine failed again. I drove the vehicle in unsafe "limp mode" to Luther Nissan Kia [XXX] ). They found the engine was "4 quarts low on oil" (severe starvation just 37 days after a dealer oil change). Despite this catastrophic finding, they failed to diagnose the root cause and released the unsafe vehicle to me after selling only a spark plug replacement. On Sept 26, when I attempted to pick up the vehicle, the Check Engine Light was flashing immediately at handover. I refused to take the unsafe vehicle. The dealer then replaced an Oil Control Valve (OCV) and released the vehicle to me again later that day. After this second "repair," I drove the vehicle for only a few miles before the engine failed again with a Check Engine Light. The dealer has since admitted in writing (BBB complaint #XXX) that the engine was "deprived of lubrication" due to the initial low oil condition. By ignoring early warnings and releasing a vehicle with a dying engine twice, the dealer put me and other motorists at risk of a sudden loss of power at highway speeds. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 1, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · TN

Engine failed. Took car to Johnson City Kia dealership as advised by Kia of north America. The dealership said the engine failed due to carbon build up which is a problem with the engines, that it was not covered under warranty. I paid over $6,400 to have the engine replaced. When I was driving the car home the engine light came on and I lost power on the interstate causing me to almost get hit by a semi-truck. I took the car back to Kia of Johnson City Tn. the next day. Kia stated that the high-pressure fuel pump had went bad from the time I left the dealership and got home. I paid over $1,350 to replace a High-Pressure Fuel Pump. On the way home engine light and loss of power. I returned to Kia. They stated that gas had gotten into my oil. They changed the oil and I headed home, same issue engine light and loss of power. I told Kia of Johnson City I wanted a refund, and they could put the old part back on. Kia of Johnson City told me to take the car to another dealership that I was not getting a refund, and they would not fix my car. The engine codes and problems were the same as when I picked the car up from Kia. I have tried twice to have Kia of North America buy the car back due to it not being fixed and I do not feel safe in the car. I have taken the car to a Hyundai dealership in Johnson City Tn. and asked them to check the engine code and loss of power. Another $223.05. They stated the high-pressure fuel pump was defective. Fixing same issue multiple times.

Filed Oct 13, 2025 · Engine · TN

The engine failed. Had a new engine put in the car. Driving the car home the car lost power on the interstate causing me to almost get hit by a semi trailer. Called Kia Dealership and was told to bring car back. They said it had a bad high pressure fuel pump. I had it replaced, same issue. They said they would not fix the engine to take it somewhere else. Called Kia of north America to report the safety issue and I didn't feel safe driving the car. I wanted the car to be bought back. They denied it and would not honor the warranty. They said i could not file a lawsuit against them? Engine is bad. I sent a written statement to Kia of American with all paperwork notarized.

Filed Sep 6, 2025 · Driver assistance, Electrical · NC

The red steering wheel with an exclamation point pops up on the dashboard and instantly I lose power steering the wheel gets really hard, it went out as I was making a turn and I almost hit the truck . I had to yank the wheel really hard to control the steering, then had to pull over turn the truck off then back on to reset the problem. This have been going on mildly for a few years now has gotten to its worst

Filed Jul 18, 2025 · Engine · GA

Driving in traffic at night. Engine suddenly began running erratically, lost power and died. Upon opening the hood I found oily coolant all over the engine compartment that had shorted out the engine electrical systems. I determined that it has shorted out from coolant because after sitting for about 30 minutes the coolant apparently evaporated and the engine started again. This could have been life threatening to my wife, me and others if the engine had died on the very curvy road we'd just gotten off of. I have since found out that there is a TSB (WTY035) that extends the warranty due to faulty head bolts. But this is also a safety issue.

Filed Jul 9, 2025 · Engine · OR

My Sorento burned oil excessively, without warning, and now has a damaged engine, requiring replacement. This is a serious problem and common. There are two other Kia vehicles with the 3.3L Lambda engine in Weston Kia for the same problem - low/no oil and no “low oil” light. Those two vehicles and mine now require new engines. When my car experienced the problem, the car shook and the engine vibrated with a significant loss of power. This would’ve been extremely dangerous if towing anything or driving uphill. This is a common problem among Kia forums and Kia is unwilling to assist.

Filed Mar 1, 2025 · Engine · NC

Piston ring failure, resulting in loss of power and excessive smoke from the exhaust system.

Filed Dec 30, 2024 · Engine · 151,000 miles · CO

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle lost power. The accelerator pedal was depressed down to the floorboard; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact drove the vehicle for a mile to the workplace. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the head gasket and upper radiator hose had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure had occurred on 8 occasions. The contact stated that the engine overheating had persisted. The vehicle was taken to a second independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine block was cracked. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 151,000.

Filed Dec 30, 2024 · Engine · MO

Vehicle check engine light came on, vehicle lost power, sputtered and died. Will not run. Towed to dealer.

Filed Dec 11, 2024 · Engine · NV

Car only has 89K miles on it and is garaged and maintained. Went to run an errand yesterday and all of a sudden engine started knocking and sputtering. I then experienced loss of power and the engine light came on. That was the first and only time the engine light has ever come on. Pulled over, checked oil and it seemed very, very low and a burnt smell. It had only been 4K miles since the car was serviced. Husband came and added oil, allowed to idle for about 5 miinutes to see if it improved. It did not. The knocking continued. Shut it off and called AAA and had it towed to the dealership. I just learned this was a known issue and there was a class action lawsuit that I apparently missed out on because I never received the notice yet I have lived at the same address for 20 years.I checked for recalls with the VIN # and nothing comes up, however, clearly there is something wrong with an engine that gets driven less that 10K miles per yesr. Dealer says they're not sure if Kia will replace the engine but they suspect that is what needs to happen. I am furious!