My check engine light came on. I took my vehicle to AutoZone so that they could tell me what the code read. The code read, cylinder 2 and cylinder 3 misfire. I replaced all 4 cylinders and spark plugs. 6 months after replacing all the parts, I had the check in light come on (flashing) while driving out of town. I was able to drive the vehicle back to town and after the vehicle sat majority of the day, it cleared on its own. Almost a year to the original date, I had my check engine light come back on. I took my vehicle back to AutoZone and the code read, cylinder 3 misfire. They were able to clear the code but it came back on within 30 seconds.
Kia Sorento check engine light comes on
1,219 of the 10,244 owner complaints about the Kia Sorento describe check engine light, most of them for the 2016 model year.
- owner complaints
- 1,219
- worst model year
- 2016
- typical repair cost reported
- $4,800
- typical mileage
- 86,200
Is there a fix? There are 7 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Engine failure 323Stalling 218Knocking 208Loss of power 171Oil consumption 103Fire or smoke 84Misfire 58Won't shift 51
Trouble codes mentioned
P1326 26P0014 7P2106 6P0304 5P0303 4P2138 3P0301 3P0172 3P2135 2P2127 2
What owners say
The contact rented a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the headlights and tail lights intermittently failed to illuminate or shorted out, and the check engine warning light illuminated. While driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle suddenly seized in the middle of an intersection, and the contact was unable to move the gear shifter out of gear. The local police department arrived on the scene and assisted the contact by disassembling components around the gear shifter in order to shift the transmission into neutral (N). The vehicle was then towed back to the rental business. The failure mileage was approximately 207,000. The VIN was not available.
My car's check engine just started flashing and the ECU has reduced my drivability to limp mode stating that my knock sensors are showing up on scan test and camshaft position exhaust sensor. When I removed the camshaft exhaust vvt sensor it indeed had metal shavings on it. A have a P1326 and a p0014 code which is basically telling me that my engine is having issue within the internal engine and oil consumption.
Check engine light flashing going into limp mode
The vehicle experienced a sudden transmission malfunction while operation on public roads. The check engine light illuminated on the dashboard, and a diagnostic scan from the app revealed active error code P1C2D03. This specific component failure looks like it relates directly to Kia Safety Recall SC250 (the federal safety agency Campaign 22V760) regarding the 8-speed Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT). Although my specific vin shows no active recalls. The failure presents an immediate safety risk as it causes an abrupt, unexpected loss of all motive power while driving in traffic.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking abnormally and the engine seized, causing a crackling sound and a fuel leak. The contact stated that the engine warning light was illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the vehicle was diagnosed with a fuel leak. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) as a possible cause for the failure; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 184,000.
1) The engine control system / KSDS knock sensor system triggered safety recall code P1326, accompanied by a flashing check engine light. The vehicle and components are currently at the dealership available for inspection under RO #148484 (Issued on October 2) 2) A flashing check engine light and active P1326 code indicate a potential severe engine failure or severe misfire risk while driving, forcing the vehicle to lose power and rendering it unsafe for operation on public roads. 3) Yes, the vehicle was towed to an authorized Kia dealership on September 24th; however, the dealer initially refused to generate a Repair Order or diagnose the safety recall for over a week until corporate intervention forced RO #148484 to open on October 2nd. It is currently awaiting diagnostic testing. 4) No. It has only been towed to the authorized dealer facility where it awaits initial diagnostic testing under the active safety recall. 5) Yes. A flashing check engine light and code P1326 appeared immediately prior to towing the vehicle to the dealership on September 24th.
Delayed Shifting: Noticeable delay when shifting from park to drive or reverse. Slipping Gears: Slipping out of gear unexpectedly. Rough Shifting: A rough or jerky shifting Warning Lights: The check engine light or transmission warning light may illuminate on the dashboard.
I noticed my car having a delayed engagement whenever i put it in reverse. I had to wait a couple of seconds before it would go in reverse. As i was leaving my job there is a hill and i noticed jerking when trying to accelerate up. As i made if past the hill i stop at a light,upon takeoff i noticed my car wouldn't accelerate but the RPM gauge spiked.i turned it off and then back on and it did the same only this time the check engine light came on. The issues i am having with my car fits the description of what the recall is for and i can't believe my car isnt part of the recall! The same make,model,year and engine(turbo). The car isn't even drivable and i will have to have it towed to a dealership and it could be days before they can look at it.
Driving down the road and all of a sudden the red oil pressure light appeared then the engine light appeared. The car engine power then reduced and ultimately ended up stopping, turning the car off. The car now has a loud ticking and knock coming from engine. From previous recalls i see that this is a common problem on these cars. This was without warning and occured a couple of days after a oil change. Oil was in good condition and full. The car is drivable but not safe to do so. There's a loud rattling noise while accelarating. Leads me to believe possible lifters and rod knock.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: critical fasteners
- What is wrong
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 K4 and Sorento vehicles. The connecting rod bolts in the engine may have been improperly tightened, which can cause a loss of drive power.
- Risk
- A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the sub engine assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 12, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC349.
Recall number 25V548000 · Recall details
Engine
- What is wrong
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2011 Sorento vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
- Risk
- A fire increases the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC291.
Recall number 23V877000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubrication: pipes, hoses, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Kia Motor America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Sorento vehicles. The oil supply pipe to the turbocharger may crack, which could result in an oil leak in the engine compartment.
- Risk
- An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the turbocharger oil supply pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC233.
Recall number 22V202000 · Recall details
Engine
- What is wrong
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
- Risk
- An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
Recall number 20V750000 · Recall details
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
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
- Risk
- Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.
Recall number 17V224000 · Recall details
Questions about the Kia Sorento check engine light
Why does the check engine light come on in the Kia Sorento?
Owners who report it most often also describe engine failure, engine stalls while driving and engine knocking or ticking, and the codes they mention most are P1326, P0014 and P2106.
Which Kia Sorento years have check engine light problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2016 (184 complaints), 2014 (121 complaints) and 2013 (119 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix check engine light on the Kia Sorento?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $4,800 (median of 127 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Kia Sorento?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history