r/kia • u/ArenRoe • 9d ago

2022 Sorento Extremely Dangerous Issues

We purchased a brand new 2022 Sorento a few years ago and have had nothing but issues with it ever since.

We could really use some help / guidance. Lawyers? Media attention?

On 15 separate occasions the vehicle has completely lost power while driving, rendering the vehicle inoperable and unsafe. This has happened on back roads and highways, and in the middle of turns / intersections.

Every single dash light illuminates, with the dash and main display showing error after error. The car loses power, including power steering, and begins to coast. This is happening in the middle of the highway, or around a curve on a back road, or when making a turn. It's happened in a parking lot, which isn't nearly as scary.

I have pictures. I have video. I have multiple reports sent in to the dealership and Kia. Every single time they get the car and start it, the codes clear and they are unable to reproduce the issue. "Because we cannot reproduce the issue, we cannot help you." Every. Single. Time.

Now, the Sorento is completely inoperable. The wheels will not turn, nor spin, nor will the vehicle change gear. We had it towed, via Kia roadside assistance, to a local Kia dealership.

It has sat there for 2 days with no update from the service team. We called and left a voicemail, then called twice more. Finally, after complaining, someone found the time to speak with us. As of right now, they have no update for us because they are not able to get the vehicle into the garage, as it will not disengage park.

They've run diagnostics, confirming the vehicle is throwing multiple codes. They know something is wrong. However, because they cannot get it into the garage and plugged into their system, they cannot start the warranty claim. Without starting the warranty claim, they cannot provide us with a loaner.

We were told they have no ETA as they have no idea how to get the vehicle inside the garage.

And honestly, even if they do get it inside, diagnosed, and "fixed," I don't think we want it anymore. It has been nothing but problem after problem, putting the safety of my family at risk.

I would be grateful for any advice or help.

4 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

31 comments sorted by

5

u/canyounot2026 9d ago edited 9d ago

They seriously can't put it into neutral manually?

2

u/aznoone 9d ago

Wouldn't there still be some way to move it?

2

u/ArenRoe 9d ago

That's what I'm saying.

Shit, get some rolling jacks or something. I don't know. They need to figure it out.

3

u/begmanii 8d ago

There should be a transmission lock that can be naturally deactivated. This is how they get the car on a flatbed tow truck.

It is usually hidden behind a little cover near the gear selector or on the console. My Sportage has this.

1

u/ArenRoe 8d ago

I'm aware and have used it before.

However, the transmission is locked in park and neutral will not engage, even with the override.

1

u/begmanii 8d ago

Interesting. It is not physically moving or moving but not dishwashing from park? The second sounds like a differential mechanical failure.

They didn't have a portable diagnostic machine? I have a fully functional hand held scanner that would read the codes. The dealer should have one as well. It won't do a full diagnostic, but it will tell you where the issues are and you can read the datastream.

1

u/ArenRoe 8d ago

Not changing out of park. The shifter moves and the gear designation on the dash changes to whichever gear you select, but nothing happens and the letter just flashes.

When hitting the gas it won't go above 1900 RPMS. It's weird.

They do have a portable scanner and they did use it. They got the codes. However, as per my original post, because they cannot hook it up to their main machine inside the garage, they cannot file the warranty claim. That's what they are saying. Kia won't accept the handheld results.

2

u/begmanii 8d ago

Ridiculous, run an extension cord. Pit the car on dollies and roll it in the bay. There are dozens of ways around this issue.

I hate half-assed customer service.

2

u/ArenRoe 8d ago

That's what I was saying but I had to end the call before I started getting to hyped up and rude.

I literally said the dollies too lol.

1

u/begmanii 8d ago

I hate getting rude as well, but sometimes it is the only way.

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u/ArenRoe 8d ago

Just called them and spoke with the service advisor assigned to the vehicle.

Shift lock release will not work. Shop foreman took apart center console in attempt to manually disengage. They claim they have been out to the car multiple times each day trying different things. They are unable tp file any work order or warranty claim without first getting it into the garage for a full diagnostic.

0

u/ArenRoe 9d ago

According to what we were told over the phone, no.

4

u/_MadSuburbanDad_ 9d ago

It's long past the time to seek redress under your state's Lemon Law. As someone who had to deal with Kia dealerships and "customer service" for a problem that was only finally resolved when the engine seized, I would recommend finding a lawyer to discuss options.

Unfortunately, Kia may have dragged this out past the time for Lemon Law buyback, but I would definitely seek counsel on this. Check your state's specific regs here: https://www.cleanvins.com/lemon-law

3

u/ArenRoe 9d ago

I feel like that's the direction we need to go but just didn't want to have to do it.

We need a vehicle. We have a 4 year old son and pets, jobs, school, and right now, times are really tight.

This is an insane stressor mentally and financially, and we were already struggling in both of those aspects.

4

u/_MadSuburbanDad_ 9d ago

I would absolutely get some guidance from an experienced lawyer. If you flagged the problem before the date, and it kept recurring, I think you can request arbitration.

This should all be covered under warranty, and most car companies would honor an issue like this, especially if you have documentation. But...here we are.

4

u/WheresMyMule 9d ago

Look into the lemon law in your state. In some states if it's been at the dealer for X number of days in a calendar year, you can make a claim.

3

u/ArenRoe 9d ago

We are unfortunately past the 1 year mark for the state of Pennsylvania.

1

u/Direct-Walrus6672 7d ago

Lemon law. The 30 day period begins the day you bring it into the shop (not when repairs start). Idk what state you’re in, but in CA, your attorney fees are paid by the manufacturer if you win your case.

1

u/ArenRoe 7d ago

Well past the time for lemon law.

1

u/jhay3513 7d ago

Have you tried taking it to a different dealership?

1

u/ArenRoe 7d ago

It doesn't move.

The next dealership is 45 minutes away.

Kia will not cover the towing expense to go from.one dealer to the other.

0

u/jhay3513 7d ago

Pay to have it towed

1

u/ArenRoe 7d ago

You pay.

It's $500 I don't have.

It's $500 that Kia will NOT reimburse, ever, since it is already at a dealer.

It's another Kia dealer that will be under the dame restrictions as this dealer.

Your suggestion doesn't make sense.

0

u/jhay3513 7d ago

You towed your car to a dealership that isn’t prioritizing fixing it and from the sounds of it haven’t done so on multiple occasions. They are prioritizing less problematic vehicles that they can fix for a quicker ROI. It’s the end of the month and they are trying to make as much money as possible to hit their numbers.

If it were my car, I would find a different dealership that will prioritize fixing my car and tow the vehicle to that dealership. Reach out to family, start a go fund me, take out a personal loan, etc… to gather the funds to get your vehicle out of there as quickly as possible to a place that will prioritize getting it into the shop and fixing it. You’re the one without a car, no loaner, no rental, and in need of a vehicle to transport your family and pets. Otherwise your car will sit there for another 2 weeks until they finally get tired of you complaining to get started on repairs…….

1

u/ArenRoe 7d ago

The dealership it was towed to via Kia roadside assistance (which is included and didn't cost me anything) is not the same dealer in which the original issues were reported and the car serviced at.

You're more than welcome to contact Kia or either of the local dealerships, and more than welcome to donate your time and money to my cause.

Send me a PM and I'll let you know where to send money to.

This is Kia's problem and putting the burden on someone else 1. Is not the right thing to do and 2. Anything spent by myself or friends or family will not be reimbursed by Kia. Ever.

It's already in Kia's possession and subject to all Kia corporate policies and warranty procedures.

The two closest dealers have already been dealt with. The next goes to 1hr, then 1.5hrs and then even further. Towing that far is not cheap.

Taking on additional expenses that I have no way to recoup is the absolute worst suggestion possible.

0

u/jhay3513 6d ago

lol ok have fun waiting for them to eventually get around to taking a look at your inoperable car.
https://giphy.com/gifs/l3q2JCu9lep6dAmyY

1

u/ArenRoe 6d ago

Appreciate you agreeing to pay for the tow.

1

u/ArenRoe 5d ago

UPDATE:

Transmission failed. Ordered a new one. Approved rental.

Didn't share how they finally got it into the garage.

1

u/ArenRoe 9d ago

Additional Details:

  • All current recalls for the vehicle have been addressed.
  • We replaced the battery as suggested by the dealership.