Check engine light flashing going into limp mode
2017 Kia Sorento: check engine light
119 of the 811 complaints about the 2017 Kia Sorento describe check engine light.
- owner complaints
- 119
- of this car's complaints
- 15%
- typical repair cost reported
- $8,000
- typical mileage
- 68,000
- recalls
- 2
Check engine light by model year
What owners say
Yesterday our car was making a knocking noise. It lost power temporarily. Upon pressing the gas pedal to the floor we were able to get up to 30 mph. We made it to a repair shop. They looked at it today. The Dip stick showed no oil. The did an oil change and it was down 3 quarts of oil. We just had the oil changed 3 months ago on June 20. No check engine light came on. No warning at all . We were driving on a road with no shoulder, so this was dangerous if the engine were to fail before we got to repair shop. They said we need a new engine and it will cost just under $10,000. It seems that many people are having this exact same problem.
In early July, my vehicle's check engine light turned on. I took it to a reputable local mechanic in Sachse, Texas, who had the vehicle for approximately two weeks. He was unable to determine the cause of the issue but informed me that there was an existing recall and that the dealership should be able to address the problem at no cost to me. I then took the vehicle to the Kia dealership. The dealership informed me that there was an extended warranty for the engine and that if their diagnosis determined that the issue was covered under the warranty extension, they would repair it. This is what they texted me: Tech performed Compression test 1 .205psi, 2. 220psi, 3. 260psi, 4. 255psi all cylinders have excessive reading for dry compression test. Tech performed leak down test on all cylinders 1. 21% leak down coming from exhaust side, 2.61% leak down coming from exhaust side, 3. 10% normal, 4. 10% normal. Air leakage from exhaust system defective exhaust valves. Tech performed Cooling system pressure test for 20 minutes with no pressure loss. Ruling out head gasket. Tech evaluated Intake/Exhaust CVVT current and setpoints. Tech determined timing is jumping from back pressure of Clogged Catalyst Converter. Recommending replacing engine due to mileage and exhaust manifold. The dealership's recommended solution was to replace the entire engine. Currently, there is a recall concerning 2017 Kia Sorentos involving engine crankshaft issues. See the federal safety agency Recall No. 17V586000. I contacted the manufacturer, and they stated that they do not believe my vehicle is covered by the recall. However, I believe the issues identified with my vehicle may be related to the same underlying engine problems addressed by the recall, and I am concerned that the manufacturer is denying coverage rather than properly addressing the issue under the applicable recall or warranty. My engine is experiencing issues that appear similar to those described in the current the federal safety agency.
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced excessive oil consumption. The vehicle was inspected several times; however, no oil leaks were found. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle shuddered, and the check engine warning light illuminated and flashed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that there was a hole in a valve and a piston was fractured. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer, where the failure was confirmed. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced and the repair was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact notified the manufacturer via telephone and was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
My kids and I were driving when my engine started making a loud noise. I pulled over and turned it off for a few minutes then I turned it back on. It worked for another mile or so then started making the noise again and died while I was driving at about 55-60 miles an hr. I was able to pull over, put it in park and turned the key off....it wouldn't turn back on and the check engine light came on. When I had someone check it out for me it was about 4 quarts low on oil (it never gave me a warning about the oil and the oil light never came on) and the check engine code was P0024. Oil was added and the camshaft position sensor has been replaced. It starts now but it won't stay on and when it is on it makes a loud screeching sound that isn't coming from the serpentine belt and a loud knocking sound.
I am writing to escalate an unresolved issue regarding a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign performed on my vehicle at Bulldog Kia on July 14, 2026. Shortly after leaving the dealership, my Check Engine Light illuminated. An independent mechanic scanned the vehicle and confirmed that the active fault code directly relates to the components/logic altered during the corporate emissions campaign. I have called the dealership multiple times over the last few weeks and left voicemails for two different service representatives, but my calls are being ignored. I also contacted Kia corporate customer service who responded saying that they could not do anything and that I needed to continue contacting the local dealership (Bulldog Kia). From what I understand this could be a safety issue because it prevents me from being alerted to other safety issues that would trigger the check engine light, and there are also ways in which this could potentially cause the vehicle to slow way down or stop running while driving. As noted above the dealer has been unresponsive to my repeated contact attempts and the check engine light remains illuminated.
On February 16, 2023, the engine in our 2017 Kia Sorento SXL developed a sudden, loud knocking noise while driving. No dashboard warning lights illuminated at any time, including no oil pressure warning, check engine light, or other engine-related alerts. The vehicle remained fully operable and did not lose power or seize. I continued driving approximately 20 minutes home, including highway speeds up to ~75 mph. The following day, with the knocking noise worsening but still no warning indicators present, I drove approximately 25 minutes to an independent repair facility. The vehicle was then diagnosed with catastrophic engine failure attributed to oil starvation and was towed. Because the vehicle had fewer than 100,000 miles and was within the expected powertrain warranty period, we pursued a warranty review through Kia. Kia requested maintenance records, which we provided in full after gathering documentation from all service providers over a two-week period. Despite this, the warranty claim was denied, first citing gaps in initial records and later questioning oil type based on older receipts that did not explicitly state “synthetic oil.” At Kia’s recommendation, we authorized an oil pan inspection at our expense. Kia concluded that the oil filter appeared to be more than two years old, which conflicted with our documented maintenance history showing multiple oil changes during that period. Kia denied warranty coverage and quoted approximately $10,500 for engine replacement. We were advised that the replacement engine would be a remanufactured unit and that it was on backorder with no estimated delivery timeline. After approximately ten weeks without resolution, we located a compatible replacement engine at another Kia dealership and arranged transport of the vehicle there. The engine was replaced within three days for approximately $9,000. The repair included installation of a replacement engine, new spark plugs, and a passed state inspection.
Timeline of Maintenance & Failure: • October [Year]: I purc Timeline of Maintenance & Failure: • October [Year]: I purchased this vehicle. • February 11, 2026: I performed a full oil service (documented receipt attached). • April 3, 2026: While transporting my two grandsons—one of whom has autism—the vehicle suffered total engine failure while in traffic. • The Safety Defect: Despite the engine running out of oil, the vehicle provided zero warning lights or signals. No "Low Oil Pressure" light or "Check Engine" light ever appeared. This "silent failure" left me stranded in a high-risk traffic situation with a child who has special needs, as I had no warning to pull over safely. • April 8, 2026: The Kia dealership confirmed the engine is seized. Improper Handling of the Claim: The dealership is currently refusing to honor Warranty Extension WTY026 (15-year/150,000-mile Oil Pressure Switch). Their refusal is based on an outdated service sticker in the window that is over 9,000 miles old, while they are ignoring my verified paper receipt from February 11, which proves the vehicle was serviced less than two months ago. The dealership is requesting a full breakdown (teardown) of the engine at my expense to determine the cause. It is my position that requiring a consumer to pay for a mechanical breakdown is an unreasonable barrier to a warranty claim—especially when they have not yet performed non-invasive diagnostic tests, such as a videoscope/borescope inspection, to check for the known oil pressure switch leak covered under WTY026. Significant Safety Concern: The failure of the Oil Pressure Switch (WTY026) to trigger a dashboard warning is a critical safety defect. This failure led directly to a seized engine while I was transporting children. I am requesting that the Department of Transportation investigate this safety-system failure and that Kia Corporate override the dealership’s request for a consumer-funded teardown, given that I have provided proof of maintenanc
My 2017 Kia Sorento with approximately 175,000 miles experienced engine failure involving the engine and engine cooling system. The vehicle began showing symptoms including engine shudder, reduced acceleration, and a check engine light. These symptoms worsened and were diagnosed by a Kia dealership as internal engine damage, specifically a failure in cylinder 4. The dealership advised that the engine would require full replacement at an estimated cost of approximately $9,600. The failure creates a potential safety concern because the vehicle experiences loss of power during acceleration, which could increase the risk of an accident, especially when merging into traffic or driving at highway speeds. The issue was confirmed by an authorized Kia dealership, Community Kia, after performing diagnostic testing. The dealership completed multiple recall and service campaigns but determined that the engine was not eligible for replacement because a required diagnostic code associated with the knock sensor detection system did not appear. To my knowledge, there is no clear documentation confirming that the knock sensor detection system update was installed on the vehicle prior to the engine failure. If this system was not installed, the diagnostic code required to qualify for engine replacement may not have had the opportunity to trigger. Prior to the failure, the vehicle displayed warning symptoms including a check engine light, engine vibration, and loss of power. These symptoms appeared before the dealership inspection and diagnosis. This complaint is being submitted due to concern that the engine failure occurred despite known issues associated with this engine type, and that the failure creates a potential safety risk due to sudden loss of power while driving.
Daughter was driving home from getting her kids from daycare and said she couldn’t see behind her from smoke and her boyfriend told her the car was on fire and she said the engine light came on and then all the lights came on and it started smoking more and a lady pulled over and told them get out because the car was on fire and 911 was called and she got out and got kids in the lady’s car and called me at work and I left and got there and the fire department was hosing down the car for about 45 minutes. They finally got the fire out which was contained under the car engine and Insurnace checked it out and gave me the estimate that was uploaded and told me that it was a mechanical failure from the engine so they won’t cover anything and I have to put a new engine in it because it has a big hole in it underneath. I am not even sure if they really looked at it because they told me they will give it back to me and I can’t afford to have it looked at. I had a warranty but was told it would be totaled out because a fire is a total loss and the warranty said even though I had coverage the day it caught on fire they won’t cover because they said the claim had to be placed before it got canceled which makes no sense to me but them and insurance said because there are recalls on engines for other same models of my car that Kia should have to make a recall for it since the engine is what caused the fire. I still have a payment on the car and waiting for them to get it back to my house and not sure when that will happen because it snowed and they keeps saying they can’t tow it back to my house. But I feel if other 3.3l engines within 2017 Kia Sorento then there needs to be a recall. I don’t see how there are absolutely no recalls on a car. I have yet to find a car that does not have a recall especially Kia’s and I have 2 of them and my other one has several recalls on it. Then magically this specific one that’s catches fire has no recall on it.
Driving home from work car started making a slapping noise, no engine light on. I stopped and the motor shut off and spit out oil. Found out that a connecting rod had broke off and went through the oil pan. now the car needs a new engine with only 166,000 miles on a 2017 Kia Sorento. The car has had all maintenance done on it.
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while coasting to a stop light, the check engine and traction control warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle suddenly lost automotive power and stopped driving as needed. During the failure, the vehicle had not shut off. After turning it off and restarting the vehicle, the failure failed to self-correct. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the catalytic converter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 118,000.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Engine sub assembly inspection/replacement (WTY035)
- Engine sub assembly inspection/replacement (WTY035)
- Voluntary emissions service campaign: theta II 2.4L GDI emissions: ECM logic improvement (SC340 revision 5)
- Oil pressure switch (OPS) replacement (WTY026 revision 2)
- Voluntary emissions service campaign: owner notification (SC340 flight 103 / um)
- Voluntary emissions service campaign: owner notification (SC340 flight 101 / um)
- Voluntary emissions service campaign: theta II 2.4L GDI emissions ECM logic improvement (SC340)
- Voluntary service campaign: theta II 2.4L GDI emissions ECM logic improvement (SC340)
Related recalls
Engine
- What is wrong
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V‑224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
Recall number 18V907000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017 Sorento vehicles equipped with 3.3L engines. The engine crankshaft may have been improperly heat treated and may fail.
- Risk
- If the crankshaft fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A failed crankshaft also increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the crankshaft, and, as necessary, replace the engine sub assembly, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC153.
Recall number 17V586000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2017 Kia Sorento check engine light
Is check engine light a common problem on the 2017 Kia Sorento?
119 of 811 owner complaints about the 2017 Kia Sorento (15%) mention check engine light. The model year with the most reports is 2016.
How much does it cost to fix check engine light on the 2017 Kia Sorento?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $8,000 (median of 15 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2017 Kia Sorento?
There are 2 recalls and 72 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2017 Kia Sorento
Engine failure 155Headlights 118Oil consumption 118Stalling 84Knocking 72Loss of power 54Fire or smoke 35Jerking 23Misfire 20Won't start 20Won't shift 19Fuel pump 18Sunroof shattered 15Warning lights 15Adaptive cruise 14Power steering loss 14Fuel leak 9Fuel smell 9Steering lock-up 8ABS 7Hesitation 7Overheating 7Battery drain 6Door locks 6Shudder 6Airbag light 5Pulling 5
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