Kia Sorento misfire problems

Filed Nov 4, 2026 · Engine · MD

While making a right hand turn at an intersection, the engine shut off and I was able to drift into a parking lot - the entire dash board lite up different indicators. Turned off ignition, waited about 15 minutes and attempted to start; however, immediately upon starting the engine started to run rough so immediately shut it back off. Had towed to a service repair shop who has informed me that the vehicle is in need of a long block remove and replace.

Filed Oct 23, 2026 · Engine · TX

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.

Filed Oct 5, 2026 · Engine · TX

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.

Filed Jun 10, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · TX

The vehicle is suffering from a chronic, cascading powertrain and fuel management defect that has resulted in a critical safety hazard: sudden engine stalling. Over the last 17,000 miles, the vehicle has experienced three severe engine/emissions failures that the manufacturer has been unable to permanently resolve. At approximately 30,000 miles (on 29-Jun-2025), the engine suffered a severe Cylinder 3 misfire (Code P0303). At approximately 39,000 miles (on 02-Jan-2026), the unresolved fuel issue caused a failure of the Catalytic Converter (Code P0420) and an Evaporative Emission System leak (Code P0456). At 47,000 miles (Current Event), the fuel delivery system failed completely. The engine began running excessively rich (Code P2178), causing the engine idle to drop dangerously low (Code P0506). This defect caused the vehicle to suddenly stall out, resulting in a complete loss of motive power and leaving me stranded. Because the manufacturer's authorized repair facilities have only addressed the symptoms rather than the root cause of the fuel system failure, the vehicle repeatedly loses power and stalls without warning. This poses a severe safety risk to myself and other motorists, especially when operating the vehicle in traffic or at highway speeds.

Filed Jun 2, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

The vehicle suffered a sudden, severe engine malfunction/misfire while in operation, presenting a serious safety hazard on the road. Following the incident, the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership service center (Repair Order #XXX), where technicians verbally confirmed that the engine requires a complete replacement due to internal mechanical failure. The catastrophic mechanical failure of the engine directly caused consequential damage to the emissions system, entirely clogging the catalytic converter with unburned fuel/debris. Despite the clear link to the known, systemic defects inherent to the Theta II engine line—which is subject to active federal consent orders, safety recalls, and lifetime warranty extensions—both the dealership and Kia Corporate are refusing to honor the 8-year/80,000-mile Federal Emissions Defect Warranty. The manufacturer is attempting to use the catastrophic failure of their own defective, recalled engine line to evade their legal environmental and safety warranty obligations, leaving the consumer stranded without alternative transportation. This represents a systemic effort by the manufacturer to deflect liability for documented powertrain safety failures onto individual consumers. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 27, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · MD

Faulty fuel injectors are causing consistent engine misfires and occasionally causing the check engine light to illuminate and for the vehicle to reduce power greatly. This poses a great safety risk to both myself and other drivers on the road because in the event of a large misfire, my vehicle suddenly slows and I have to navigate to the shoulder of the road. A Kia dealership has confirmed that the cause of these misfires is due to a faulty fuel injector that begins to work inconsistently above 3000 RPM. This issue began shortly after the vehicle was purchased in 2023, but due to the dealerships inability to replicate the issue it went without correction. In the recent year, this issue has increased greatly and it is now a consistent issue and this is why it was able to be diagnosed now. This is a very common and widespread issue amongst other individual with vehicles with the same engine.

Filed May 11, 2026 · PA

This car has been at the dealership twice in not even 2 years. I've only had it not even 3 years. The check engine light comes on and starts shaking. In June of 2025, a tune up was performed due to a cylinder 4 misfire code. P030400 In April of 2026, the same exact thing happened. Dealership said misfire on cylinder 4. Loss of oil would cause the engine to lock up causing harm to me and other people on the road. I am constantly putting oil in this car!!

Filed May 11, 2026 · Engine · CT

I am submitting this complaint regarding a 2019 Kia Sorento that has experienced recurring oil loss/oil starvation and engine-related issues that I believe may present a safety concern. I purchased the vehicle used with approximately 45,000 miles. Since ownership, the vehicle has experienced repeated incidents involving low or nearly empty oil levels despite regular maintenance and monitoring. The vehicle previously underwent an oil consumption evaluation, however the issue continued afterward. During one event, the vehicle was reportedly found approximately three quarts low on oil. More recently, the vehicle again appeared to have little to no oil visible on the dipstick and began exhibiting drivability and engine concerns including grinding/banging noise during acceleration, intermittent timing/tensioner-type noise, misfires on cylinders 1 and 2, exhaust smoke, and strong oil-burning odor from the exhaust. Due to concern over possible engine damage and reliability, the vehicle was returned to the dealership for further diagnosis and repair. The dealership replaced ignition coils and spark plugs and road tested the vehicle extensively. While the vehicle is currently operating, I remain concerned that the underlying oil consumption/oil starvation condition may not have been permanently resolved. My concern is that repeated oil starvation conditions could potentially lead to sudden engine failure, loss of power while driving, or other safety-related issues. I am requesting that this issue be reviewed to determine whether similar complaints or defects exist involving oil consumption, oil starvation, or related engine failures in this vehicle.

Filed May 11, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · WV

Had to replace transmission at 133k miles. It was jolting sometimes providing a hard jolt at times will driving. There are also times of what feels like a cylinder misfire. Oil is constantly leaking and have to replace oil every 1k Miles. Have had multiple shops look at it and not able to find anything. Now during acceleration there is a huge grey smoke cloud coming from the exhaust. Looking at this site and through online it seems to be a common issue with this car and engine. So there has been multiple issues with this car - oil consumption of the engine leading to smoke in the exhaust and the transmission which was replaced a week ago

Filed May 5, 2026 · Engine · NC

2018 Kia Sorento, under 88,000 miles, with Theta II engine defect. KSDS update installed. Oil consumption issues requiring adding at least one liter of oil every 1,000 miles in between regular oil changes/ maintenance. Oil warning lamp does not illuminate at all or only blinks on for a second then stays off, even when oil is less than 1 liter. Noticed slight jerking/hesitation at acceleration for a few days, then experienced shaking and heard vibrations when breaking and idling. Within a few minutes, MIL appeared with audible warning, "Take this vehicle to a Kia dealership." Immediately parked car. Towed to Kia dealership. No record of DTC P1326 found, which would have qualified vehicle for new engine under PI1802 Y/Z Theta II Extended Warranty. Diagnostic found misfiring cylinder and fouled spark plug. Technician in the video stated "oil consumption." Due to absence of P1326 code, service manager suggests we replace fouled plug and return with the vehicle when the same issue happens again. This does not follow Kia's own guidelines in PI1802 Y/Z campaign for a couple of reasons. First, activation of the MIL in conjunction with the audio warning indicates the Knock Sensor P1326 code should have been generated and stored, but the warning system must have malfunctioned. Service dept. did not to inspect the knock sensor harness for damage or oil saturation which could have kept the code from registering. Second, Service dept. did not consider shaking and vibration as "engine noise," which would have required them to perform a BCT or test for connecting rod bearing noise, providing a pathway to request Techline PWA approve replacing the engine under warranty. Kia's Product Improvement Campaign for Theta II engines ought to prevent injury or death resulting from catastrophic engine failure. My vehicle presents clear evidence of engine failure progression at different stages. Rather than navigate the warranty via a Techline, Kia has advised me to continue driving.