Kia Sorento fuel gauge problems

Filed Jun 29, 2026 · Fuel system · AZ

To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally dispute a repair charge and report unacceptable service at Courtesy Kia (Mesa, AZ) regarding my vehicle. Timeline of Events: June 12, 2026: I brought my vehicle to Courtesy Kia for a mandatory software recall. Prior to this appointment, my fuel gauge worked perfectly. Immediately upon picking up the vehicle, the fuel gauge ceased to function. After calling customer service, I brought the vehicle back for inspection. The dealership kept my car for three days. Despite the issue being caused during their previous service, I was denied a loaner vehicle, forcing to come to take the car and use it during the weekend or I can wait until Monday 29 until the service manager back but I asked them I can’t use the car with this error as it’s not safe for me and my kids and that should be fixed by them since that’s their mistake and unfortunately I’ve had paid out-of-pocket for my family's transportation. June 26, 2026 (Diagnostic): The service department initially claimed the issue was a broken fuel pump and quoted me $1,210. I informed them this was impossible, as the fuel pump was completely replaced just 3 months ago. I requested to speak to the service manager, but was told he was unavailable until Monday. And the gentleman Michael who was taking care of my car said let me speak with the technician and back to me again with different quote The diagnosis was suddenly changed to a "fuel sending unit and gasket," with a new quote of $546?? But if I want I can wait until Monday to check with service manager. June 29, 2026: After receiving no follow-up call, I contacted the dealership myself. I spoke with Service Manager Shane Hackelton, who refused to take responsibility for the damage caused during the recall service and insisting that not related to recall software and should be fixed by myself. I look forward to your prompt response and a resolution to this matter.

Filed Nov 5, 2025 · Engine · WA

We financed this 2014 Kia Sorento LX AWD from a used car dealer, and there has been nothing but problems with this vehicle. From the water pump, to insanely high oil consumption. I have verified that it is not leaking. Gaskets have been replaced, filters have been replaced, O2 sensors have been replaced, the water pump housing unit, impeller and pulley have been replaced, Spark plugs have been replaced and their boots, fuses have been replaced and renewed, even the brake light switch has been replaced. The coolant thermostat has been checked and it is functional, the MAP sensor is functional, the catalytic/exhaust manifold has been replaced, the in tank fuel pump/fuel sending unit has been replaced and the HPFP has been replaced and this vehicle still wants to consume oil like crazy and is flirting with deaths door step. It goes through fits of loss of power during acceleration in times when it really matters most, like trying to pass a vehicle. So most of the time I dont, because its not safe to try to pass vehicles and suddenly lose power and end up in a collision. I have checked all 6 recalls that have been opened and closed on my vehicle and part of me wonders if they were falsely closed. One of them indicates I should have had a partial, if not whole engine replacement at some point and I still have a VIN original engine in my vehicle. I have had this vehicle in my possession since August of 2025, and have done nothing but pour money into repairs on it, and i STILL feel like its going to leave me stranded on the side of the road. KIA needs to make good on their own warranty with as many issues as this year and model of vehicle that it has, and reinvestigate this vehicle. I believe the recalls on this vehicle were closed by a shady mechanic. Mind you, before it bought this vehicle, I had a mechanic look over it with an OBDII and no codes popped, none were stored and to this day, there still are none, but this engine is not behaving the way it should.

Filed Apr 1, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 104,000 miles · FL

Engine is failing and burning excessive oil, need oil change every 1k miles. Currently complying with oil consumption testing, however sensors are going on and I believe its due to excessive heat emitting from the engine. Service advisor submitted a goodwill claim for the ABS, traction control, tire pressure & e-brake sensors and kia denied it. I just paid off my car, which is in great condition, and never had these issues. Kia just keeps doing oil changes and telling me to return every 1k miles. Also having AC issues, I recently found out my suction hose was leaking and had to replace it, after paying $160 for AC diagnosis. Broke down and paid $471 (originally $541 before discount) for a plastic hose and was told it would take 2-3 days to get here. About 27 days later, the part finally comes in, while my car happened to be at the dealership for a week unexpectedly. After getting 2 oil changes $140 in one month and driving for the first 1k miles after starting the oil testing, I went in at 8:30am to get an inspection on 3/15/21. I was informed that they would need to keep my car, and had to wound up getting a rental car. Another $239 I don't have. I then had to pay for labor and freon $286. After all the waiting and trouble I went through, suffering with no AC in fl, and spending a total of $1,296; they tell me after installing the part my AC compressor is bad and it would cost $905. So I still don't have AC! At this point, the engine needs to be replaced, I would like to be reimbursed for rental expenses while doing the oil testing, future rental/loaner accommodation because I know they will keep my car again, and assistance with the compressor and sensors. Being I paid for an overpriced hose, and the engine is failing. Now since last oil test, gas gauge does not match electronic range reading. Not sure if gas is full or not. When seatbelt dings speed gauge jumps.

Filed Aug 23, 2017 · Fuel system · 22,000 miles · MA

The gas pedal on this vehicle, which only has 22k miles on it, is hard to press down intermittently which could cause an accident. You don't know when you pull out if it's going to go or not and have to press hard on the pedal. I'm told it would need to have the throttle body replaced which there are several complaints online for the same issue and the 2016 kia sorento is under recall for this issue so why isn't the 2005 included? Also, it has a gas gauge issue, which there are complaints on.

Filed Mar 18, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 107,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 kia sorento. Within less than 30 days of owning the vehicle, the contact stated that the fuel gauge on the instrument cluster continued to indicate full whether the contact refueled the vehicle or not. Also, when the air conditioner was turned off, smoke emitted into the interior of the vehicle and under the hood. The contact exited the vehicle and lifted the hood to fan away the smoke. The contact drove the vehicle to her job. Another consumer called the fire department because the vehicle erupted into flames. The fire department extinguished the flames. Neither a fire nor a police report was filed. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000. The manufacturer was notified of the failure.

Filed Nov 25, 2012 · Electrical, Lights · 107,000 miles · FL

Driving at night when all of a sudden interior lights started blinking off & on like strobe lights at a disco. I tried turning them off, nothing. It seemed related to the dimmer switch because if I kept pressure on it to the lowest degree, the flashing stopped. For awhile I wedged a pin in the switch & that worked. Eventually, though that stopped working & the light show would begin. It happened day & night, just more noticeable at night. I finally removed the fuse for the cabin lights & as a result, have no dash lights either while driving in the dark. I've not gone to kia as I am sure it will cost way more than I can afford. I'm reduced to using a flashlight when on long road trips to check gas gauge & speedometer.

Filed Nov 8, 2011 · Electrical, Fuel system · 62,500 miles · MD

The fuel gauge needle drops down from full to empty and the low/out of gas indicator light comes on, but goes off after needle moves from the low fuel gauge marking. This malfunction of the fuel gas needle happens at no specific time interval or speed rate.

Filed Nov 28, 2010 · Fuel system · 87,000 miles · TN

When fueling the vehicle fuel has been spraying back out of the fuel filler neck if the fuel is pumped at a normal rate. This has occurred since well before the 1st incident date. The only way to keep the fuel from spraying out is to pump the fuel very slowly and stop. Fuel would spray all over me, my wife and the vehicle. While traveling on the interstate and the fuel gauge registers 3/4 full and when the vehicle is going uphill the vehicle RPM's will drop, the throttle becomes unresponsive and the vehicle losses speed. The vehicle will recover after reaching level ground. The vehicle was taken to kia and no problems were found. Again while traveling for the holidays on 11/24/10 and 11/28/10 this incident occurred again when the fuel gauge registered 3/4 full and in heavy traffic on I-65 almost causing vehicles to run over me due to my speed dropping abruptly. I reached the nearest fuel station and filled the tank up. This does not happen when the vehicle is above 3/4 full. This does not happen while driving around town. The problem with fueling the vehicle is all the time.

Filed Nov 10, 2010 · Fuel system · 107,500 miles · KY

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 kia sorento. The contact stated that the fuel tank was dispensing the gasoline back out towards her as she added gasoline. When the contact entered the vehicle the fuel gauge reads full when it was not completely full. The dealer was contacted and informed her that there were no recalls in reference to the fuel system. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 107,500.

Filed Nov 10, 2010 · Electrical, Fuel system · TN

I bought a 2003 kia sorento about 6 years ago and I've had a lot of problems. The worst and most recent problem is the gas spews out of the tank every time I try to fill it. It runs down the side of the car and on my wheel. Sometimes it gets on me. This has been going on for several months now. If you pump very slow and stop every .80 cents it lessens the amount of times it spews out, but this is so very timely. The gas gauge periodically goes out. The horn has never worked. The power steering periodically goes out. When using cruise control it will periodically go off on it's own. The paint looks horrible and has peeled off on the side mirrors. The leather seats have not held up well. The dome light will not work when you open the door, but if you press the dome light button it will come on. Periodically the dash lights have flickered and I'm wondering if they are about to go out. I've already had to replace the AC compressor and the drive shaft, both of which have really set me back financially. I really want to get the gas tank issue fixed as it is the worst issue at hand and I fear it could be dangerous.