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2017 Kia Sorento: steering wheel locks up

8 of the 811 complaints about the 2017 Kia Sorento describe steering wheel locks up.

owner complaints
8
of this car's complaints
1%
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 21 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Steering wheel locks up by model year

  • 2025
    1
  • 2023
    1
  • 2022
    1
  • 2019
    2
  • 2018
    1
  • 2017
    8
  • 2016
    4
  • 2015
    7
  • 2014
    2
  • 2013
    4
  • 2012
    10
  • 2011
    3
  • 2008
    1
  • 2006
    8
  • 2005
    3
  • 2004
    3
  • 2003
    5

What owners say

Filed Feb 1, 2023 · Electrical · CT

As you are aware this of the "Kia" Challenge running rampant in the US. I am one of these owners of these vehicles. I recently was made aware that my neighbor had a car identical to mine and his was stolen out of his driveway last Sunday morning. I contacted Kia of North America and they stated "We do not have a workaround for this at this time" They will not supply us with Steering Wheel Locks or Immobilizers. the federal safety agency needs to seriously investigate this to the high extent as this is causing anguish for people like myself who are fearful of our automobiles that we paid an exuberant amount of money for to be stolen from us. Its also very fearful that the car insurance companies are threatening to non-renew owners of these motor vehicles is VERY VERY concerning. Please address this please give the people like myself some guidance on how to proceed. If my insurance company decides to non renew my automobile insurance I am in deep trouble as I use this car to commute everyday to and from work. Please assist

Filed Jan 28, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · CA

I was driving at approximately 35mph when my vehicle loss power and the steering wheel locked and gas pedal did not work almost causing me to be rear ended. I put my hazard lights on and started my vehicle back up and tried to continue driving but my vehicle delayed in acceleration and has now continued to delay ever since that incident. I have parked my vehicle and have not moved it due to the danger.

Filed Aug 15, 2022 · Engine · TX

The KIA turned off while driving in traffic going to Louisiana. It just turned off while I was slowing down. The vehicle turned back on a few minutes later and continued to Louisiana. The steering wheel locked up while in Baton Rouge, LA and the red warning light came on after that. There were no warning lights prior to the vehicle turning off while driving nor when the power steering locked up. I took it to O’Reilly’s Auto Parts to have them put some power steering fluid in it. They could not do it because apparently it has an electric power steering system. The car would not start after that. All the warning lights came on. The rep at O'Reilly's said that since it is electrical, I would need to take it to the dealership because I should not be having these issues since I only had the vehicle for almost 3 months. The codes that came on when the rep put the machine on were: battery, starter, alternator, power steering. The oil had been changed on Tuesday, 08.09.2022. I already had to buy 2 tires as the tire shop stated the inside of the tires were already going bald. Which should not be happening either. The vehicle was left in Baton Rouge, LA as it was not drivable to return to Houston, Texas. I am going to make arrangements with CARMAX to tow the vehicle to their location in Baton Rouge, LA. According to CARMAX, there were no known issues when the vehicle was purchased nor were there any recalls. If there were no known issues, why am I having these issues now?

Filed Mar 22, 2022 · Steering · 59,000 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel seized upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact stated that the failure did not occur while turning the steering wheel but rather while driving straight. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer on three separate occasions and was recently informed that the failure was normal vehicle operation. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 59,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Feb 21, 2022 · Engine · GA

I purchased my vehicle from Carvana in 2020. It was registered and I received my tag promptly. Last week I was turning and gaining speed and I lost all engine power. Battery light came on and steering locked up as well as brakes almost causing an accident. I noticed Kia and I paid to tow it to the location. They then notified me that because I had active recalls the vehicle was no longer under warranty and I would be responsible for the cost of the engine replacement. I have no car to get back and forth to work with and am about to lose my job. I bought a Kia FOR the warranty and have received ZERO notifications of recalls and was not told when Carvana sold me the car. I have no idea what to do but it was made clear that the recalls not behind fixed is what has destroyed my ENTIRE ENGINE. I need my car added to the recall list. I need a new engine on my NEW car before I lose everything

Filed Aug 6, 2020 · Steering · 60,477 miles · IA

Driving down interstate going around an onramp and the steering wheel locks up , traction control light comes on and another light comes on and feels like there is no power steering. I pull over to the side of the road. I turn off the vehicle for a few minutes and turn back on while calling the dealership and it resets the lights and codes. I have had this happen since I have bought this in 2017. The last 2 times have been 1 month apart. This will happen while driving and it is a safety issue while driving straight and while turning.

Filed Apr 23, 2019 · Steering · 30,000 miles · NC

This problem is intermittent. It usually happens on straightaways. I notice it usually on roads not in the city. It is as if the steering locks up and you have to force it with both hands to get it to unlock. The pattern cannot be repeated. I took this problem to the dealership once and the mechanic said he "tweaked" it. However, it started happening again. The dealership said that they haven't had any complaints. This has happend on multiple dates and I don't have them listed but had to put a date to log this problem.

Filed Feb 6, 2019 · Steering · 30,000 miles · LA

While driving highway speeds the steering locks and you can't make minor adjustments to stay in your lane of travel without having to apply heavy pressure to break it free. This causes you to over correct. Brought it in to kia in january after a completely miserable 4 hour trip to new orleans and they said it was fixed. Drove an hour home and everything was good. Few days later it began again and is getting worse.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the 2017 Kia Sorento steering lock-up

Is steering wheel locks up a common problem on the 2017 Kia Sorento?

8 of 811 owner complaints about the 2017 Kia Sorento (1%) mention steering wheel locks up. The model year with the most reports is 2012.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2017 Kia Sorento?

There are 0 recalls and 21 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2017 Kia Sorento

Engine failure 155Check engine light 119Headlights 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 9ABS 7Hesitation 7Overheating 7Battery drain 6Door locks 6Shudder 6Airbag light 5Pulling 5

All model years of the Kia Sorento

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