2017 Kia Sorento: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Apr 6, 2026 · Engine · 117,000 miles · CA · fire

The contact owned a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate as needed. No warning light was illuminated. The contact's husband noticed a cloud of smoke in the rearview mirror, but the contact stated that the smoke was coming from the engine compartment. The contact's husband pulled over, and she, her husband, and daughter all exited the vehicle safely. Before the vehicle was engulfed in flames, the contact checked underneath the hood and discovered a piece of plastic on fire. The contact dialed 911, and police and firefighters arrived on the scene. The firefighters extinguished the fire. The contact was unaware whether a police or fire department report had been filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard, and the insurance company was made aware of the fire. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.

Filed Dec 28, 2025 · Engine · WI

I was driving and heard a loud noise. The car started to hesitate and was making a knocking noise. I pulled over and had it towed where I was told it was a rod bearing failure and I needed a new engine. It had 130,000 miles. I have been reading online and found a lot of vehicles with the same engine as mine where this has happened and there are no recalls. Engines size 3.3L V6. Right now the car is sitting. I still owe on it and can’t afford to have it fixed. The oil was changed regularly. It was changed four weeks before this happened. No warnings.

Filed Nov 28, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · GA

I am reporting a serious defect involving my 2017 Kia Sorento 2.4 Liter GDI engine (VIN [XXX] ) At approximately 84000 miles, while still under the powertrain warranty, I brought the vehicle to the dealership from which I purchased it (Hutchinson Kia in Macon GA) due to engine hesitation and abnormal performance. I was initially told the engine might need replacement, but the dealer later claimed the issue was only a relay/software problem and performed a software update (likely the KSDS knock sensor update) At approximately 94000 miles, the engine suffered a SUDDEN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE while driving on the interstate, The failure was abrupt and created a dangerous situation in traffic. The Vehicle is now inoperable. The engine is equipped with the THETA II GDI engine, which has a documented history of bearing and connecting -rod failures, fires and sudden engine seizure. KIA is refusing to cover the failure, even though the symptoms began during warrantly and the KSDS update was reportedly completed. This appears to be consistent with the widespread THETA II engine safety defect previously investigated by the federal safety agency. The sudden failure of the engine posed a significant safety risk to myself, passengers and other motorists. I am requesting the federal safety agency review the incident and evaluate whether KIA is properly honoring required safety-related engine replacements for Thet II GDI equipped vehicles. Thank You. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 31, 2023 · Transmission · 102,000 miles · AZ

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate or jerk while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

Filed Nov 1, 2020 · Steering · 27,395 miles · WA

When the vehicle is driving straight the steering will feel like it hesitates slight movements and then releases causing me to over steer. Almost like the electronic steering is intermittent. To the point where I will end up in the other lane slightly and continually have to counter steer the vehicle.

Filed Jul 16, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 22,000 miles · IL

Car has had hesitation since bought new in 2017. Multiple complaints to dealer. Pdf's will be attached of ro's. Still does it. Car does it when rolling slow or pulling away from stop light. Will not do it in sport mode.

Filed Feb 24, 2019 · Engine · 14,860 miles · PA

I stepped on the accelerator to increase speed from 45 MPH to 55 MPH, but the car lost power & the "check engine light began flashing rapidly. I was nearly rear-ended, & went toward the curb, but did not want to wait for towing there (isolated: rt.183 schuylkill ounty, pa) & felt some power engagement, so put on "emergency flashers" & called dealer who'd just had this car in < 3 wks previously, for the 3rd time for my objection that " this car w/ < 15 k miles on it hesitates when I step on the gas", starting 6 wks p new car purchase & jan.26,2019 for a "product improvement" recall. I needed to drive 10 miles to my dr's appt & my car did lurch thru traffic light, but did not turn itself off. When the "codes" were read p flatbed towing to the dealer (savage kia), I was told that kia hdqtrs would decide b/c savage didn't recognize the codes. Sat. Am, 48 h p my car's self-destruction they called wanting to send my engine to kia hdqtrs & place a rebuilt engine (of indeterminate milage prior to its retooling) in my car w/< 15 k mi. Of wear on it. I noticed the ongoing class action suit wrt kia's design flaw in sorento engines & see no value in driving that model engine that the boobs kept insisting was perfectly fine til the recall notice came, then whatever they did was ineffective & the engine's rubble less than 250 miles later. I've forbidden the dealership to take apart my car or alter the codes while I learn more from independent sources. I want a full, not a partial refund of all money, as kia holds the lien on this defective, inadequately serviced item & they can study it, but not @ my expense...