The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle overheated without warning. The contact added coolant. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The…
2014 Kia Sorento engine problems
severe 275 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
275
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
21fires
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 275 engine complaints filed for the 2014 Kia Sorento, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 125,000-150,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 275 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Engine accounts for 28% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 12 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2014 Kia Sorento has widespread, well-documented engine defects—primarily excessive oil consumption, bearing/rod failure, and catastrophic seizure—with dangerous consequences including loss of power while driving, engine fires, and sudden stalling. Kia's recalls and warranty extensions are inconsistently applied; many owners' claims were denied, and the company has a documented pattern of slow recalls despite knowing of systemic problems.
The 2014 Sorento's 2.4L GDI and 3.3L engines are burning through oil at alarming rates, draining quarts between service intervals despite no visible leaks. This excessive consumption often goes undetected until the engine knocks loudly or seizes entirely. Owners report discovering half-quarts or empty oil pans at routine maintenance—no warning lights, no indication of trouble until failure strikes.
Bearing and rod failure is widespread. Mechanics describe metal shavings on sensors and heavy sludge clogging the engine. The engine simply stops running mid-drive, sometimes without a check engine light ever appearing. Dealership repair estimates run $8,500 to $13,000 for engine replacement, and Kia has made availability a nightmare—owners cite 2–3 month waits for replacement engines while stranded with vehicles they're still financing.
Kia issued recall 17V224000 for engine bearing failure and extended warranty to 150,000 miles, but the company is denying claims on technicalities: owners without oil-change receipts get rejected, and dealers claim vehicles "don't apply" to recalls even though the same engine, same year, same failure pattern does. One owner documented nine other failed Sorentos sitting in a dealer's lot awaiting replacements.
The danger is real. Owners report sudden loss of power while merging into traffic, stalling on highways with children aboard, and at least one documented engine fire that injured a passenger and consumed the entire vehicle. Another owner had her car catch fire minutes after leaving the dealership for warranty service.
Oil pressure switch leaks are draining engines dry without warning. Cooling system failures cause radiators to boil over and heads to warp—again, without warning lights. One owner's overheated engine registered no check engine light until it was too late.
Owners who seek reimbursement for out-of-warranty repairs face denials and runarounds. The pattern is clear: Kia knows about these defects, issues recalls reluctantly and slowly, then disputes coverage on any claim that doesn't meet arbitrary standards.
Same Kia Sorento engine reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Excessive oil consumption
Engine burns or leaks oil at abnormally high rates, often undetected by the vehicle's warning systems. Oil level drops significantly between services despite no visible leaks. Owners report oil burning and low oil readings at routine maintenance.
When: Occurs throughout vehicle ownership, often not detected until advanced mileage or catastrophic failure; some owners report it from early ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Oil level critically low between service intervals; No visible oil leaks despite severe oil loss; Engine oil appears very dark and dirty at service; Oil light may illuminate well before scheduled service
Codes mentioned: P0171 (System too lean), P2190 (System too rich at idle Bank 2)
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple gasket and seal replacements attempted by owners; in-tank fuel pump replacement; high-pressure fuel pump replacement; ultimately requires engine replacement in many cases. Independent shops cite costs $1,500–$13,000+ for engine replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall SC147 (engine replacement warranty extension); extended limited warranty to 120,000–150,000 miles for oil pressure switch and bearing/rod issues; some claims denied due to lack of oil-change receipts or deemed low mileage, excessive consumption not directly recalled.
Engine seizure and catastrophic failure
Engine suddenly seizes during operation or fails to restart. Often accompanied by knocking sounds, metal shavings in oil, or sludge buildup. Bearings and rod failure cited by dealers and independent mechanics. Vehicle may stall mid-drive or refuse to start.
When: Typically 60,000–174,000 miles; some failures at lower mileage with high oil consumption; one owner at 66,000 total miles (20,000 since purchase).
Symptoms owners cite: Loud knocking or ticking from engine, especially on acceleration or startup; Engine will not start or starts then immediately dies; Engine stalls while driving at any speed; Metal shavings or sludge in oil upon inspection; Oil pressure drops to zero; oil light may or may not illuminate before failure
Codes mentioned: P0016 (Crankshaft/camshaft position correlation), No codes in many cases; failure occurs without warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Requires full engine replacement; costs $8,500–$13,000+. Some owners replaced engines at independent shops (e.g., $8,519 at ATR Repair) before recall coverage determined. Dealers often denied warranty claims citing insufficient oil-change documentation or low oil at failure. Multiple shops report waiting 2–3 months for replacement engines due to backorder.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) for 2012–2014 2.4L GDI engine bearing/rod failure; extended warranty to 120,000–150,000 miles on affected engines. Many claims denied for lack of maintenance records or vehicle not covered by VIN. Shawnee Mission Kia and other dealers confirmed common problem but disputed warranty eligibility. One owner reported 9 other failed vehicles in dealer parking lot awaiting replacement.
Loss of power and stalling while driving
Vehicle suddenly loses motive power, fails to accelerate, or stalls during normal driving. Occurs without warning in many cases. Owner reports cite power loss during critical driving situations (passing, merging, intersection crossing). Vehicle may restart after sitting or may not restart at all.
When: Can occur early in ownership or after 60,000+ miles; often repeats multiple times over weeks or months.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of engine power while accelerating or at cruising speed; Check engine light may or may not illuminate; Engine stalls at traffic lights or while stopped; Rough idle or hesitation before full power loss; Vehicle may restart after brief delay or may require towing; No warning lights in many instances until power loss occurs
Codes mentioned: P0016 (Crankshaft/camshaft position correlation), VVT (variable valve timing) sensor codes, Crankshaft position sensor fault, Frequently no codes stored despite failure
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite VVT sensor replacement ($140–$191 at independent shops); crankshaft and camshaft position sensor replacement; timing gear and solenoid replacement (Midas ~$1,500 for timing gear; additional $175+ for solenoids); wire harness repair. Repeated failures common after repair attempts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 17V224000 referenced for some failures; KSDS (knock/surge detection system) sensor installed under separate recall (letter fall 2018) with mixed results—one owner reported KSDS falsely activated, leading to stalling and dealer wire-harness 'fix' with no clear explanation. Limited warranty extended but many owners report repairs not covered.
Engine knocking and bearing wear
Loud knocking or ticking noise from engine compartment, often attributed to bearing and rod wear in the 2.4L GDI engine. Knock sensors may trigger, or noise may persist without diagnostic codes. Noise can be continuous or intermittent but tends to worsen.
When: Can appear at low mileage (early in ownership) or develop gradually after 60,000+ miles; one customer reported knocking at first oil change.
Symptoms owners cite: Distinct knocking, ticking, or rattling from engine; Noise worsens under acceleration or load; May be accompanied by check engine light or knock sensor codes; Metal shavings found on VVT and other sensors upon inspection; Noise may sound like 'GDI engine type' to untrained ear but indicates bearing/rod issue
Codes mentioned: P0328 (Knock sensor circuit high), Knock sensor fault codes
Repairs/costs cited: VVT sensor cleaning and replacement; timing belt/chain inspection; in severe cases, engine replacement required. One customer reported dealer initially dismissed knocking as 'GDI motor type' noise; later found engine block was bad and required replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall SC147 and 17V224000 cover bearing/rod failure in 2.4L GDI; extended warranty to 120,000–150,000 miles. Dealers sometimes incorrectly blame 'GDI engine type' noise to avoid warranty work. One customer had to push dealer to re-inspect after multiple visits of being told noise was normal.
Catalytic converter overheating and failure
Catalytic converter overheats and fails, sometimes catching fire. Occurs most commonly after engine replacement under recall. Excessive blow-by from replacement engine causes extreme overheating. Multiple failures in short timespan reported.
When: Typically occurs within months of engine replacement under recall; one owner had 4 failures in 10 months after 9/2017 engine replacement.
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke or flames visible under vehicle or from exhaust; Loss of power and stalling as converter clogs; Extreme engine overheating; Burning smell from exhaust system; Fire department called to extinguish flames
Codes mentioned: Catalytic converter efficiency codes (typically P0420), Misfire codes from excessive blow-by
Repairs/costs cited: Catalytic converter replacement ($2,000–$4,000+ at multiple independent shops); one owner had 4 replacements in 10 months, costing thousands in converters, towing, rental cars, and lost income. One independent shop noted 'excessive blow-by' on replacement engine with only 20,000 miles, indicating improper engine replacement or defective replacement unit.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 17V224000 for engine replacement; separate recall noted for catalytic converter on Soul models due to overheating. One owner points to lawsuit case 1:18-CV-02716 (Northern District of Illinois) and Kia's pattern of denying issues before expanding recalls slowly. Many owners note disconnect between engine replacement work and resulting catalytic converter failures.
Engine fire
Engine compartment catches fire during normal operation, often without warning. Fire can start from under hood or spread rapidly. Vehicles consumed entirely in flames. Passengers suffered burns and smoke inhalation in at least one case.
When: One documented fire ~1 hour after leaving dealership for warranty work (4/28); another at 62,437 miles after being told vehicle was fine post-recall; fires have occurred at various mileage levels.
Symptoms owners cite: Flames visible under hood or between hood and windshield; Smoke from engine compartment; Loss of power preceding fire in some cases; Fire spreads very rapidly—complete vehicle engulfed in 30 seconds to minutes
Codes mentioned: No codes in many cases; fire occurs without warning
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle total loss; fire department required to extinguish. Insurance investigator unable to determine cause in at least one case (3.5 weeks of investigation). One owner's vehicle completely destroyed including all contents (children's equipment, car seats, clothing).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 17V224000 may be related but not explicitly confirmed by Kia in all cases. One owner awaiting Kia investigation; another reported Kia has had 403 engine fire complaints without issuing comprehensive recall at the time. Owners cite Kia and NHTSA arguing over responsibility while fires continue.
Engine overheating and head gasket failure
Engine temperature spikes without adequate warning from temperature gauge or warning light. Radiator boils over; head gasket fails; engine heads warp. The 3.3L Lambda engine cited with 'soft block' defect (substandard materials). Cooling system issues may not trigger warnings until catastrophic failure.
When: Can occur with 110,000+ miles; head gasket failures reported on otherwise well-maintained vehicles.
Symptoms owners cite: Temperature gauge rising abnormally; Radiator boils over; Loss of coolant or white smoke from engine; Engine deceleration or stalling due to overheating; No check engine light or warning lights despite severe overheating; Upon inspection, engine heads warped; extreme sludge or coolant leaks found
Codes mentioned: Typically no codes generated despite overheating to failure point
Repairs/costs cited: Thermostat replacement and radiator flush attempted but temporary fixes; requires engine replacement. One owner noted no warning lights triggered even though radiator boiled over and engine heads warped.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall for 2016–2017 Kia Sorento 3.3L Lambda engine for cooling leak and head gasket (warranty extended); one owner requests investigation expand to 2014–2015 models with same engine. Extended warranty to 150,000 miles for cooling-related repairs.
Oil pressure switch leak and oil pan issues
Oil pressure switch fails, causing oil to drain from engine without driver awareness. All oil can be lost, leading to rapid engine seizure. May occur during scheduled maintenance or unexpectedly while parked. Owners report no warning lights before total oil loss.
When: Can occur early in ownership or at various mileage; one documented failure on 2/4/2022 at unspecified mileage.
Symptoms owners cite: Oil light may illuminate but often no warning; All or nearly all oil drained from engine; Knocking noise as oil starvation causes bearing wear; Engine seizes due to lack of lubrication; Vehicle may fail to restart or restart then immediately stall
Codes mentioned: Oil pressure fault codes, No codes in many cases
Repairs/costs cited: Full engine replacement required ($8,519 at ATR Repair in documented case); oil pressure switch replacement cost not specified. Dealers ordered replacement engines but availability was 2–3 months.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty extension letter received April 2022 extending coverage to 15 years/150,000 miles for oil pressure switch leak repairs on 2014–2018 Sorento. Claim for engine replacement reimbursement (~$8,519) denied in August despite extended warranty letter, citing denial of coverage for repairs not performed by Kia.
Timing system failure (gear, solenoid, sensor)
Timing gears, timing solenoids, crankshaft position sensors, or camshaft position sensors fail. May cause excessive sludge buildup in engine. Failures often lead to loss of power or stalling.
When: Documented at approximately 66,000 total miles and other mileage; often discovered after unrelated failure brings vehicle to mechanic.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalling or loss of power; Check engine light illuminated; Excessive sludge buildup in engine found during inspection; Timing sensor or solenoid malfunction codes
Codes mentioned: Crankshaft position sensor codes, Camshaft position sensor codes, P0016 (Crankshaft/camshaft correlation), VVT solenoid codes
Repairs/costs cited: Timing gear replacement (~$1,500 at Midas); timing solenoid replacement ($175+ labor plus parts at independent mechanic); sensor cleaning and replacement. One owner's repair at Midas noted they could not guarantee the work.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 17V224000 may cover timing-related failures; however, coverage unclear and disputed in some cases. Kia TSB 1802W/X and 1803W/X reference timing wire harness interference issues requiring replacement.
Failure to start or intermittent no-start
Vehicle occasionally fails to start or starts then immediately dies. Owners report the issue is intermittent and difficult for dealers to replicate. May require multiple restart attempts or pushing the start button multiple times.
When: Owners report intermittent no-start issues; one customer had repeated failures 6 days apart; can occur early in ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not crank or turn over; Vehicle cranks but does not start; may require multiple attempts; Vehicle starts then immediately stalls; Usually no check engine light or codes displayed; Issue may not recur while at dealership (difficult to replicate)
Codes mentioned: Battery voltage codes if detected, Brake switch codes (one replacement attempted), Typically no codes stored
Repairs/costs cited: Brake switch replacement attempted; rear wheel speed sensor recall repair (not requested by owner); battery replaced (still did not resolve issue). One owner spent 7+ days at dealer with no resolution or diagnosis.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer could not replicate issue; claimed tech line opened but Kia Consumer Affairs later reported no record of tech line opened. Rear wheel speed sensor recall repaired (owner had not received recall notice). Issue remained unresolved.
Check engine light with false or multiple codes
Check engine light illuminates with codes that do not reflect the actual problem, or multiple different codes appear over time. Owners report repeated warnings despite repairs, often leading to dealer-recommended repairs that do not resolve the underlying issue.
When: Owners report check engine light coming on multiple times throughout ownership, sometimes repeatedly after repairs.
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminates; Diagnostic scan reveals misfire, fuel, or sensor codes; Light resets after repair but returns; Light may indicate catalytic converter, fuel injector, O2 sensor, or coil issues; Owners report dealership recommends expensive repairs (e.g., fuel injector replacement for $1,000) that do not resolve the issue
Codes mentioned: P0300 (Random misfire), P0301–P0306 (Cylinder-specific misfire), P0420 (Catalyst system efficiency), P0171 (System too lean), P2190 (System too rich at idle), O2 sensor codes
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report spark plug replacement, coil pack replacement, O2 sensor replacement, fuel injector replacement ($1,000), catalytic converter replacement, MAP sensor replacement, thermostat check, fuel pump replacement. Many replacements do not permanently resolve the issue; light returns days or weeks later.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers often claim check engine light is a 'false code' or 'electrical problem' and reset the light without diagnosis. One customer was told light was OK as long as it did not blink. Extended warranty and recalls may apply to some failures, but many owners report warranty claims denied.
Synthesized from 275 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Kia sorento. The contact stated while driving at approximately 3 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to wagner Kia of shrewsbury (730 boston turnpike, shrewsbury, ma 01545, (508) 581-5700) however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the check engine warning light had been cleared out of the system. While…
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving in the city at an unknown speed, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact restarted the vehicle and drove home. The contact then drove the vehicle to a dealer where she was informed that the engine block had cracked which resulted in engine failure. The contact stated that prior to the failure, she had maintained…
Got a letter from Kia stating that they are having problems with the bearings and rods in their 2012-2014 2.4l gdi motors, they are extending the warranty to 120,000 miles. A few months later the motor slung a rod and is now trash. Towed it to sons Kia in mcdonough, ga, they confirmed they were extending the warranty and knew this is a common problem. In fact there are 9 others sitting in the…
Had engine trouble with your 2014 Kia Sorento?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2014 Kia Sorento?
It's a meaningful issue. 275 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 149 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 75,120 and 130,000 miles, with the median around 105,623. A quarter of owners report trouble before 75,120; a quarter make it past 130,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Kia/Sorento.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.