2018 Kia Sorento: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Oct 6, 2024 · Transmission · NY

Vehicle engine set off a failure code P1326 and went into a full limp mode. This code is related to the knock sensor picking up the crankshaft pounding against the bearings. It is a known issue with the original engine small oil ports. Brought my vehicle to a Kia dealership and their diagnostic procedure was to replace the sensor and reflash the ECM. My problem is, ever since they did that, the knock sensor has not gone off and no codes are being generated. Engine is knocking worse than before. I believe they reset the parameters to a level that basically is making the knock sensor useless. They are buying time and mileage in hopes the engine out lasts the warranty. It is a manipulation of factory settings and fraud causing the consumer future issues.

Filed Oct 4, 2023 · VA

My vehicle gets stuck in park and I have to use the release button to put my car in gear

Filed May 17, 2022 · Engine · TX

My wife was taking my son to school on April 11, 2022 around 7:45am. On the way, and without warning, the engine stopped. She coasted on an exit ramp and stopped at the light. The car's engine wouldn't turn over or even click. A police officer assisted by pushing the car into a gas station parking lot. We had the car towed to the dealer in Fort Worth. After two weeks, they contacted me and said I needed a new engine, intake manifold, and starter because the engine was sized. They said there was no oil in the vehicle. They could not offer an answer as to why.. There had been no warning...no lights had come on the dash...no indication the engine was overheating....no check engine light came on...no check oil light....no limp mode activated. Until that morning, there had been no problems with our vehicle whatsoever. I filed a complaint report with Kia Consumer Affairs. Today, 6 days later, I was told that they would offer no assistance and that all repairs would have to be paid by me. It is available to inspect st the dealer. My wife and child could have been seriously hurt had they stopped in the middle of the interstate by another car running into them. Only the dealer has inspected the vehicle. Had any warning lights come on, we would have had the vehicle serviced. There was never an indication there was a problem.

Filed Sep 11, 2021 · WA · 1 injury

My 2018 Kia Sorento keeps going into limp mode. It can’t be duplicated by any shop so I keep paying for diagnostic and not having anything repaired besides things that could “possibly be the problem” but aren’t covered by the warranty like a positive battery cable or a software update. Now I’m $1000 out of pocket and had the most terrifying experience of my life and the car is still not repaired. Driving 75mph down the freeway, the car violently tried to stop and shut off and turned back on all on its own. It went into limp mode. Felt like a grenade went off. Still nothing can be found as to what the problem is! It is not safe and I refuse to put my children back in this car.

Filed Aug 2, 2020 · Engine · 7,000 miles · FL

Currently, there is an engine recall on the 2015-2018 kia sorento, which results in premature rod wearing and potential engine fires. Within a few weeks of having the vehicle, brand new off the lot, the engine noises (tapping/knocking) were noticed by a family member. It was reported to kia within the first 3,500 miles on the vehicle, who advised me initially that the sounds were because the engine was new and breaking in and that the sounds were normal. In january 2019, I was advised when I brought the car in for their courtesy inspection that there was a recall and they needed to perform a software update on the vehicles ECM that is supposed to turn the vehicle into limp mode to warn the driver of a potential engine fire before it happens. Kia performed the update and the engine noises still persist. The technician claimed he inspected the vehicle and reported that it was performing as intended and that he did not hear the noise. Lately the noises have been more frequent, so as a safety concern I brought the vehicle back into kia for inspection. Now the dealership and manufacturer instead of checking and confirming the safeness of the vehicle, is blaming an aftermarket oil filter and synthetic oil as the cause of the engine issues, not their engine issues that recalled thousands of cars and resulted in engine fires. Moreover, kia not only refuses to provide me with the diagnostic report and supposedly oil pressure test that they claim to have been performed that gave them those results, they also refuse to confirm to whether the car is safe to be on the road. This is a safety hazard; engine fires are real which can severely injure or kill the occupants of a vehicle. The manufacturer and the dealer refuse to address this hazard and it needs to be investigated, for consumer safety.

Filed Oct 23, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 7,500 miles · IA

In january 2019 a recall was done on my vehicle. A few days later, I was traveling out of state. I was on the interstate driving 70 miles per hour when the car lost power. Luckily there was no one behind me. I was told that the recall sent the car into limp mode because the engine was bad. My car was in the shop for over 4 months in wisconsin. I live in iowa. Long story short, kia came up with new diagnostic testing and after 4 months they decided I did not need an engine and it was my wiring harness that was the problem. 2 months later, I was driving on the interstate again when my vehicle did the same thing my car went from 70 MPH to 50 MPH within seconds. I looked in my rearview mirror and a semi was right behind. Thank goodness the driver was paying attention. He had to go onto the shoulder of the highway to avoid crashing into me. I was told the car was once again in limp mode. It was in the shop for 3 days and they said it needed a new knock sensor. Fast forward a few more months and my vehicle goes into limp mode for the 3rd time. Currently my car is still in the shop. It has been there for 6 weeks. I'm being told that it now needs a new computer, but kia has to write one, so it could be awhile. This car is unsafe. The car going into limp mode is dangerous and unsafe. I have had this vehicle for 15 months and of that, its been in the shop for 6 and counting.

Filed Aug 6, 2019 · Engine · 19,000 miles · MI

After the software update, my kia had issues with the knock sensor. So, will this vehicle has issues for the rest of the engines life? I am hoping to drive this car for more than 100,000 miles. Is this just a coincidence that the sensor was bad right after the update? The car went into limp mode after a loud clunk. Glad I was close to home!

Filed Mar 27, 2019 · Engine · 10,950 miles · OH

Engine completely lost power and shut down on the highway and when restatred, went into limp mode. Now engine needs replaced and no engines are available. My car has a mobility device installed to accomodate my missing right leg and any rental vehicle is difficuly to use since I have to remove my prosthetic leg to drive it. I need a vehicle fitted to accomodate my disability and dont know when or if I'll be getting mine back.