2015 Kia Sorento Transmission Problems

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  14%
• 25k–50k
  313%
• 50k–75k
  835%
• 75k–100k
  522%
• 100k–150k
  522%
• 150k+
  14%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Kia Sorento owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated from the time the vehicle was purchased, it would make an abnormal popping sound when started and while driving. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring and the check engine warning light illuminated while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer several times and the dealer diagnosed that the oil and the transmission needed to be replaced, and advised the contact that he would be responsible for the cost of the repair since the warranty had expired. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. …

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and shifted into park(P), the gear shifter failed to shift into the intended gear. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the gear shifter had seized in park(P). In addition, the contact stated that the failure had occurred while at the drive-thru picking up lunch. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to tow the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact referenced an unknown recall with a similar failure description; however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 109,200.

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal knocking sound emanating from the engine compartment. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the remedy for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); the VIN was included, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 68,000.

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. After replacing the engine, the vehicle started experiencing several engine failures. The transmission also slipped while in 6th gear. Additionally, the engine was consuming coolant. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while trying to shift the vehicle out of the park(P), the vehicle failed to shift as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the mechanic stated that an unknown lamp switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was 84,209.

The drive train or engine suddenly locked up while driving down the road at 35mph causing the vehicle to violently decelerate and the wheels to lose traction and skid. The failure only lasted maybe a second before car resumed driving as usual. I was not accelerating or breaking at the time and had been driving as normal for 10min prior. The vehicle only has 86,000 miles and all service was completed as scheduled. Prior to the incident, there had been some engine knocking when starting up and a few days earlier, the check engine light had come on. We immediately contacted the dealership when the engine light activated and made an appointment to have it checked out. We were advised that as long as the check engine light was not blinking, we could safely use the vehicle for short trips. Prior to the above incident, we had made two trips with the engine light activated, both under 5mi. …

I was driving with my son when my 2015 Kia Sorento stopped in traffic. I remember warning lights coming on my dash including the engine light, oil light and battery light. However, I was more concerned about getting my hazards on so we would not be hit by another car. Traffic was heavy, it was raining and getting dark. I needed to push my car off the road with the help of another driver. A Hyannis ambulance was a few cars behind me and the EMT's also assisted with the traffic and moving my vehicle out of the road. I called AAA and had my car towed. I was told in writing by the Kia dealership that the engine needed to be replaced. I was told verbally by Kia that it was a rod knock issue. When I asked how it was diagnosed with rod knock she said the mechanic put something down in the engine and said its rod knock. …

Hello my name is [redacted] . Approximately [redacted] my 2015 Kia Sorento practically stopped performing on [redacted] highway nearly having to dodge an accident. At first, I noticed a burning scent which I thought was just in the air until my car started to slow down by itself followed by coming to a complete stop amid 70 miles per hour traffic. I had my car towed in to the nearest Kia dealership which was located in Meridian Mississippi. Upon my arrival I was told by Service department manager Monty that my 2015 Kia Sorento had engine and transmission recalls. However since this date I have continued to have issues with the ABS transmission system and engine. I took my car back to Kia dealership in Meridian Mississippi and was told that they were no longer responsible for the recall issues. …

August 11,2023 My 2015 Kia Sorento engine light came on, it started bogging down, and rattling noise came from the engine, when plugged in it was diagnosed as the exhaust crank shaft position timing-over-advanced (Bank 1) Code P0014. I had a hard time keeping the engine running it kept wanting to stall out while driving down the road to safely make it home. I'm lucky to have made it home and not stranded out on the highway. I'm told know the engine has failed. I will need rods replaced; I've had all my recalls done but yet this still has happened to me. I thought 1 of the recalls was for this very reason yet it still happened, how is this possible. As I've read through other people's issues, I'm also at 85,000 miles and had no warning that my engine would be shot. If you have a Kia 2015 Sorento sell it or trade it in now, especially if your mileage is hitting 80,000 mileages.

The 4 wheel drive and all wheel. During the first snow I went to use it because I live on the top of a large hill it I had no traction at all I was all over the road and had a terrible time getting out of the way of another car. My Husband had to tow me up the hill into the driveway. It had worked last winter and I had no warning it wasn't working. I took my car to the KIA dealership they confirmed it is the 4 wheel and all wheel drive and I could have it fixed for $2,262.15 and then they would guarantee the parts for the life of the car. Only inspected by the dealership. The warning light did not come on till after I tried to use it during the snow storm. I already know there is a service bulletin on this issue and don't think that it is fair I pay for there issue and they will guarantee it after.

Transmission complaints in other Sorento years