Problems · by component

2015 Kia Sorento fuel/propulsion system problems

28 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2015 Kia Sorento cite fuel/propulsion system, 4% of all 755 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
28
4% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the fuel/propulsion system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“I am filing a safety complaint regarding a Kia vehicle I purchased from CarMax Waldorf approximately 3 months ago. The vehicle has developed a strong gasoline/fuel odor that is consistent with a possible fuel leak. This creates a serious safety concern, including the risk of fire or explosion while driving or operating the vehicle. The issue began shortly after purchase and has continued. The vehicle is now unsafe to drive due to the strong fuel smell. When I contacted CarMax about the issue, I was instructed to take the vehicle to a Kia dealership instead of CarMax inspecting or addressing the safety concern themselves. I believe this is improper handling of a potentially dangerous defect in a recently sold vehicle. At this time: * Vehicle emits strong fuel/gas smell * Safety risk increases while driving * Vehicle has been in my possession for only 3 months * Issue appears to be early or pre-existing defect * I was redirected away from CarMax responsibility I am requesting that this safety issue be investigated as a potential fuel system defect and documented appropriately.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 13, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11743877
“Yes there was a recall in a module control panel which still is messed up. It’s been replaced a couple x. Also the dim lights since I bought the car have a very low light were you can hardly see at night. And this SUV drinks gas on long/short trips. I’ve taken it in several times but they keep saying nothing’s wrong and I know there is I have driven my boyfriend vehicle which is a V6 and went the same exact distance and didn’t have to get any fuel until I was about half way back. Something has to give. I love my Kia as I have owned 2. But something is really wrong. Please help. Thanks”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 26, 2026Exterior lighting, Fuel/propulsion system, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11713407
“The entire car failed as it caught fire. I wasn't able to break or put the car into park and it rolled to a stop while smoke was coming through the vents. Because of this, my passenger and I exited the vehicle and crossed the expressway while a highway patroller was directing traffic away from the car. Within 2 minutes the car was engulfed in flames. The car is not available for inspection as it was towed away and disposed of. The safety of myself and the passenger were at risk because the entire car broke out in flames and soon exploded. If we stayed in the car for any longer than we did, we would have died. UNKOWN. I do not believe that the vehicle has been inspected. The warning lights all turned on at exactly the same time, about 3-5 seconds before the car completely stopped.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 21, 2025Service brakes, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemFire reportedODI 11655958
“Engine died in the middle of the right of way suddenly and would not restart. Knocking sound ensued when restart was attempted. Within the previous 48 hours, the engine had been topped off with 2 quarts of oil. The dealership it was towed to to assess the issue confirmed they added an additional 3 quarts of oil during the assessment. They confirmed the engine would need to be replaced. Mileage at the time of incident was 68K. Kia corporate confirmed they would not replace the engine since there are 4 owners on the vehicle history, and the warranty expired at 60K miles as a result.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 1, 2025Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11652193
“The problem started when our car died while driving it. After a few different replacements, Kia decided to replace the entire engine under a recall. After driving the car for a short period of time, the check engine light came on. I went to check the oil and it smelled overwhelmingly like gasoline. I took it to my mechanic who said the check engine light was coming on because of the catalytic converter needing replaced. And the high pressure fuel pump was leaking gas into the oil tank. He said that both of these reasons were because the engine was replaced and they should have all been replaced simultaneously under the recall. I did look it up and there was a second recall for 2015 Kia Sorentos who had there engine replaced, that the high pressure fuel pump should be replaced because it was leaking gas into the oil tank. However, Kia told us we do not qualify for the recall because it was a different type of engine. But this is the exact same car and exact same issue, therefore I feel this should be included under the recall 17V-224.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 20, 2025Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11649576
“I have had nothing but problems out of this car since I purchased it. I purchased it used from Chevy and within a week I was in a rental car due to issues. Now after only having the car for 3 years still making payments, after having the oil changed within a month the engine showed no oil when I took it back to the shop with complaints of a engine knock. They replaced the oil however within 4 days the car could not be moved. Why is it my car is doing everything in the case action lawsuit yet I don't qualify for the engine replacement. Now they refuse to give me my car back due to this recall, it's been at kia since last November. Without anything being done with it. I have cancer and can't hardly get to my appointments. This is the worst car I could own someone please tell me what to do. Start a new class action law suit. You should have to honor your cars if they are still being paid for from a dealership.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 20, 2023Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11508203

Showing 6 of 28 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.