With an optional 290-horsepower V6, decent interior quality, and up to 28 mpg, the 2017 Kia Sorento makes few compromises as a midsize crossover. However, some of the Sorento’s biggest problems include excessive oil consumption, malfunctioning trailer brake lights, and engine stalls.
Key Points
- The 2017 Kia Sorento has three recalls and nearly 300 consumer complaints registered with the NHTSA over problems that include excessive oil consumption, faulty trailer brake lights, and failing engines.
- The 2017 Sorento’s trailer brake lights are a common problem, with owners reporting the trailer brake lights staying on constantly and confusing other drivers.
- Over 100 NHTSA complaints pertain to the engine randomly stalling or burning excessive oil.
- Two additional common problems for the 2017 Kia Sorento include the steering locking up at highway speeds and the headlights going out randomly.
2017 Kia Sorento Has Been Recalled Three Times Over Malfunctioning Trailer Brake Lights, Engine Stalls, and Fuel Leakage
Like any other vehicle, the Kia Sorento has had its fair share of problems. Although most of its problematic years are behind it, the 2017 model comes with some issues that cannot be easily ignored.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2017 Kia Sorento was recalled three times from 2016 to 2018.
The first recall pertains to various 2017 Kia SUVs equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness. In these vehicles, a malfunctioning tow hitch module could result in the trailer brake lights staying on constantly and confusing other drivers.
Kia also recalled some Sorentos with the 3.3L engine over improperly heat-treated crankshafts that could fail and lead to an engine stall. Also, a failed crankshaft could increase the risk of a fire.
Certain 2017 Sorentos that previously had their engines replaced under a recall or warranty were recalled again for a problem with fuel leaks. The issue stems from a high-pressure fuel pipe that had been damaged or improperly torqued during the engine replacement.
Many Owners Have Complained About 2017 Kia Sorento Engines Failing Without Any Prior Issues
More than a third of the nearly 300 owner complaints registered with the NHTSA pertain to the engine. Some of these reports mention the engine shaking and losing power while driving at different speeds, and the engine has failed entirely in a few cases.
Owners mention that no alerts or engine check lights turned on. They were left with no choice but to replace the engine.
Going through owner reports, it is clear that all three engine options are prone to failure. “The engine completely seized, and as a result, I had to get my engine replaced. Ten months later, my engine seized again,” said one owner in a complaint filed on Car Complaints.
Excessive Oil Consumption is Another One of 2017 Kia Sorento’s Alarming Ailments
Another common problem with Kia’s GDI engines is heavy oil consumption. According to Motor Oil Basics, GDI engines tend to burn excessive oil when carbon deposits accumulate in the intake valves.
Excessive oil consumption can cause irreversible damage to the engine, leading to engine replacement. To avoid this issue, use oil specially formulated for GDI engines, clean the induction system on a regular basis, and use a decent fuel cleaner to remove carbon from around the rings with every oil change.
Another way of reducing the amount of carbon entering the combustion chamber is to use premium gasoline whenever possible.
A significant amount of carbon in the intake system comes from the positive crankcase ventilation system. If your 2017 Sorento’s engine has just started eating oil, inspecting and, if necessary, replacing the positive crankcase ventilation valve can save thousands on an engine swap.
Malfunctioning Exterior Lights and Steering Lockup at Highway Speeds Have Put 2017 Sorento Owners in Hazardous Situations
Almost 50 owners have filed complaints about headlights not working correctly on the NHTSA website. According to the reports, the lights intermittently go off for 10 to 15 seconds.
The steering is another problematic area for the 2017 Kia Sorento. According to several reports, the steering wheel gets stuck after a turn, requiring excessive force to control the vehicle.
“It seems to get stuck either to the left or right of the center of the steering wheel,” says one owner on Car Complaints. “It takes a little extra effort to move the wheel past these sticking points, and it becomes more difficult the faster the car travels.”
The problem typically comes from a power steering pump failure, although there could be other parameters causing the issue.
A Used 2017 Kia Sorento Can be an Excellent Family Hauler, So Long as its Engine Was Treated With Care
The 2017 Kia Sorento offers 290 horsepower and up to 5,000 pounds of towing capacity, which makes the SUV stand out in the market. According to Kelley Blue Book, you can find a used 2017 Kia Sorento for around $20,926 to $31,202.
However, Kia’s GDI engines are notorious for burning excessive oil. But if they’re regularly maintained and cleaned, you can boast 200,000 miles or more on the odometer without having to rebuild the powertrain.
Photos: Kia
