2017 Kia Sorento: engine stalls while driving

Filed Nov 2, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · CA

1. Headlight Failure (Recall Malfunction): Last year, my headlights began intermittently shutting completely off while driving at night, creating an immediate visibility hazard. Kia of Palmdale performed the designated recall repair, but the dangerous defect remains. The headlights still shut off unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion. 2. Shift Lock Failure: In May 2024, just two months after purchasing the vehicle, the shift lock mechanism failed completely. This intermittently prevented the vehicle from shifting properly out of park, creating an entrapment and stalling hazard. 3. Catastrophic Engine Failure: Last week, the 3.3L V6 engine suffered a sudden, catastrophic mechanical failure while driving. This caused an immediate loss of motive power, putting me and other drivers in severe danger.

Filed Sep 16, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · 149,000 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle had started independently. While the vehicle was in the driveway, the contact became aware that the vehicle had been running for a while. While driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle shut off but restarted independently. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was towed by AAA to the local dealer, where it was determined that the ignition switch was melted. The vehicle failed to turn off as needed. The dealer stated that the failure was a fire hazard. The contact was informed that the wiring harness and the pigtail starter button needed to be replaced. The dealer ordered the part. The failure mileage was approximately 149,000.

Filed Jul 29, 2026 · Engine · FL

My 2017 Kia Sorento experienced a catastrophic, sudden engine lockup on the roadway due to a known manufacturing defect involving rod bearing failure. This defect caused complete loss of motive power and stalled the vehicle on the road, creating an extreme safety hazard for myself, my passengers, and surrounding motorists.Prior to the failure, the vehicle heavily consumed its own motor oil at a dangerous rate of nearly 5 quarts every 1,000 miles. I repeatedly attempted to address this with Kia, completing three separate official oil consumption and combustion tests. The vehicle failed all three tests. Despite documented failures of these critical safety components, Kia Corporate and the local dealership, court Kia, issued bad-faith warranty denials. As a direct result, I was forced to drive a dangerously unstable vehicle for 8,148 additional miles until the engine permanently and violently seized on the road.After being towed, the engine was confirmed to be completely locked up. My husband subsequently dropped the engine's oil pan and discovered a pieces of physical rod bearing debris and pieces of a snapped timing chain floating inside. The vehicle had full engine oil at the time of failure, as we were constantly topping it off to counteract the severe consumption defect.Manufacturer and Dealer Misconduct / Safety Cover-Up:The servicing dealer, Regal Kia, and Kia Corporate Case Manager Jennifer (who previously denied the vehicle after the consumption test failures) have actively colluded to falsify safety records to escape their lifetime warranty obligations under the federal engine class action settlement.The dealership deliberately withheld the vehicle's diagnostic trouble codes (specifically camshaft codes triggered when the timing chain snapped), falsely telling Kia Corporate that "no codes" existed. They fabricated a false history, claiming I stated the vehicle "stalled and the oil light flickered" prior to arrival, despite the vehicle being towed in with a p

Filed Jun 1, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · OH

Vehicle has a recurring P0018 fault code (Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation Bank 2 Sensor A). Dealer diagnosed loose cam pins on Bank 2 requiring major engine repair. This fault creates a safety risk as improper camshaft timing can cause unexpected engine stalling while driving, resulting in sudden loss of power, power steering, and brake assist. The manufacturer has denied warranty coverage despite the vehicle being within the 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. This appears to be a known widespread issue on the 3.3L V6 engine. Vehicle has 96,000 miles and is still within warranty coverage period.

Filed Nov 20, 2025 · Engine · OH

Check engine light came on, oil light came on after, vehicle stalled on expressway. Engine is knocking.

Filed Oct 1, 2025 · Engine · NC

Prior to the below incident, my vehicle was driving normally. Oil levels were normal, and there were no warning lights. In June 2025, I was driving on [XXX] during morning rush hour. As I approached a traffic light at the end of this 3-lane expressway, the engine suddenly stalled. I rolled up to the red light. When safe to do so, I left the vehicle to stand on the side of the road so as not to get hit. I had the car towed to a local repair facility. Repair shop looked at the vehicle and determined that the engine was seized. They then checked for TSB's and discovered that Kia had, in some instances, extended the warranty to 180,000 miles and 15 years. My vehicle had 142,000 miles. I then had my car towed to the closest Kia dealer in Hickory, NC. The dealer initially indicated it was possible my car would be covered by the extended warranty, but they needed to run pressure tests to determine the cause of the engine seizure. Over the next 2 weeks, I called the dealer repeatedly, but they had no update for me. After about 2 weeks, they told me that my vehicle would not be covered by the extended warranty, and a new engine would cost me $15,000. I then called Kia Customer Care, and the representative told me there was nothing they could do. I asked about an appeals process and was told there is none. After I returned from vacation in early August, the Kia dealer contacted me and requested that I pick up my vehicle. I drove to the dealer and called a tow truck to bring it to my home. I rented cars at my own expense from the time of the engine failure until I bought a new car in mid-August. Shortly thereafter, I arranged to sell the Kia to a used car dealer for $1,500, far less than I would have received with a healthy engine. At that point, I needed to get the car out of my garage. While cleaning out the car the night before it was to be picked up, I opened the hood and found that the engine had been left disassembled with parts lying all over the place. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

Filed Sep 23, 2025 · Engine · 110,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that three days after purchasing the vehicle, the contact checked the oil level and noticed that the oil level was two quarts low. The contact checked the oil constantly after one thousand miles and noticed that the oil level was low. The vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. Most recently, while the contact was driving at slow speeds, the vehicle jerked, and the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact was attempting to overtake a US Postal Service truck when the vehicle failed to accelerate and stalled. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with knock sensor failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

Filed Aug 27, 2025 · Engine · TN

Valves are knocking and rattling. Engine sometimes stalls out. The knocking and rattling will not go away. It is getting worse everyday to the point that I am scared to drive it because it will stall out on me somewhere and leave me stuck on the side of the road. Been doing this for a couple of months now.

Filed Aug 12, 2025 · Engine · GA

My 2017 Kia Sorento has developed intermittent safety-related engine issues that have resulted in loss of acceleration and stalling. December 2024: After a two-hour drive, the vehicle stalled and would not restart. Roadside assistance confirmed the engine oil level was low, despite no external leaks. After approximately two hours, the vehicle restarted. [XXX]: After driving about 30 minutes and parking for 10–20 minutes, the engine started with loud rumbling/knocking noises, and the accelerator was unresponsive. The problem resolved only after shutting the car off and restarting. Video is available. The Kia dealer performed a rod bearing test which passed, but the symptoms match early failure stages of the known Theta II engine defect covered under Kia’s lifetime warranty (PI1802 settlement). Kia attributes the issue to “low oil” as a maintenance problem, but the oil consumption appears to be internal and abnormal. This defect creates a serious safety risk because it causes sudden loss of power, which could lead to an accident if it occurs while driving in traffic. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 30, 2025 · Fuel system · 150,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle stalled and failed to respond as intended. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle had failed to respond as needed while depressing the accelerator pedal. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an inspection station, where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Jun 30, 2025 · Fuel system · AZ

To whom this may concern, I'm having to replace an upper module fuel pump that goes into the top of the tank. This part is being recalled on several other Kia vehicles but not mine. The car was stalling and had a heavy smell of gasoline. I was told by my repair shop not to drive this car until repaired due to gasoline fumes having the potential to be ignited and cause a fire. I was told by Kia customer care (Sandra) on 6-30-25 @ 655am MST that my Vin number was not a part of this recall. I explained my car was experiencing the same issue and required the same repair as other recalls for Kia and I was directed to file a formal complaint with the federal safety agency for assistance. Can you please assist with a formal recall. This is a very dangerous situation with flammable fumes escaping. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 27, 2025 · Engine · VA

Engine failed, leaving me stranded at a stop light. I was finally able to get it started, but it ran terribly and didn't have the power to go uphill, almost rolled back into the vehicles behind me. Had to have it towed. No warning whatsoever, engine stalled and engine light on. I got it fixed at dealership I purchased from, then it did the same thing a week later. I will NEVER purchase a KIA again. Almost every shop I inquire about service won't even service KIA engines anymore because of the problems. I'm left with a car payment and no vehicle.