940 of the 14,049 complaints filed about the KIA Sorento are about the body and structure — 100% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2011.
940
Complaints
100%
Share of all complaints
20
Crashes
28
Fires
STRUCTURE:BODY
The paint is peeling really bad .It's been peeling and rusting horribly.
NHTSA complaint #11761187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
About a minute into my drive, I heard an explosion. I looked back thinking something happened to my twin toddlers and saw nothing. I heard the sound of glass cracking and looked up to see the front glass of my moonroof shattered. I pulled over to safety and closed the sun cover for the moonroof before any more glass could fall into the car in fear of my toddlers getting injured. The car itself had been on for maybe 5 minutes prior to driving away from my house.
NHTSA complaint #11760144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
The front bumper grill to this Sorento model, among others, has a major design flaw that causes the radiator to be highly vulnerable to debris. A rock struck and punctured my radiator causing it to aggressively spray engine coolant, eventually leading to my engine overheating. I found this incident to be an extremely odd and rare situation considering I was only driving on paved suburban roads. After some further investigation online, it appears there are several other customers across the country that have encountered this same issue. Many even displaying tutorials on how they have rigged their Kias with reinforced plastic grates to protect their radiators from further damage. Really? This is what consumers are being forced to do in 2026 to protect their front radiators on a modern vehicle? These damages occur way too easily on normal city roads and not on rough terrain (despite my xline model specifically being marketed as a rugged outdoor vehicle). This easily avoidable design flaw is due to the large openings in the front grill. I have driven thousands of miles across the country in far less rugged vehicles, including many years in "rocky" Colorado, and have NEVER experienced a radiator being so easily pierced by debris. Kia customers are being footed the bill for these costly repairs as this is not considered a "factory defect" when in fact it is. Not to mention this can cause catastrophic damages to the engine in some cases. This is malpractice and Kia should be held accountable. My vehicle is currently being held at a kia service center near where the incident took place and awaiting an assessment from my insurance claim specialist. Luckily no one was hurt during this incident, I just had to get my wife and newborn child an uber to the nearest hotel while I waited 2hrs on a tow truck.
NHTSA complaint #11759285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE PAINT ISCOMING OFF AND DON'T STICK TO THE VEHICLE. I NEED KIA TO PAINT THIS CAR ASAP
NHTSA complaint #11758147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA complaint #11758158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HANDLE:EXTERIOR
See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA complaint #11758158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
The paint on the car is peeling off down to the metal of the car.
NHTSA complaint #11757795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Vehicle: 2016 Kia Sorento EX VIN: [XXX] Current Mileage: Approximately 67,000 Component: Paint/Body (Exterior Finish) My 2016 Kia Sorento (Snow White Pearl / Pearl White) has developed premature, multi-panel paint failure. Flaking began appearing on the roof rail area above the front doors in late summer 2025, followed by flaking on the hood, and later bubbling on the rear driver-side door. Flakes recovered from the ground beneath the vehicle have consistently been approximately the size of a 50-cent piece. At the manufacturer's request, three independent, licensed California collision repair facilities inspected the vehicle. All three independently identified a paint adhesion or chemical bonding failure, not ordinary wear. One shop's written estimate states verbatim that "the sealer did not chemically bond when basecoat was applied." Another states it cannot warranty a repair unless affected panels are stripped to bare metal and fully refinished. Repair estimates to properly address the condition range from approximately $9,000 to $17,000. Kia has already acknowledged this as a defect meriting manufacturer assistance, having extended a goodwill offer covering partial repainting costs. I am filing this report to document a paint system manufacturing defect, consistent with a pattern reported by other Kia Sorento owners and referenced in at least one prior Kia service bulletin (SA166) addressing paint peeling on Sorento door panels. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11756972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Paint De lamination on Snow White Pearl due to manufacturing defect Date listed was the date it started to peel. Started peeling around the window first. Then it continued on the front hood.
NHTSA complaint #11755502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
my 2014 Kia Sorento is having a paint issue and I know their is a class action law suite to get repaired. The only complaint I have is the white pearl paint is chipping off the front of the roof and on the left and right sides of the windshield . I would like to see if my car qualifies to get these areas repainted
NHTSA complaint #11750396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Just bought this from a private seller last week and was driving to work. The engine suddenly caught fire and the car essentially exploded and melted.
NHTSA complaint #11748972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
The exterior paint on my 2016 Kia Sorento (Snow White Pearl, paint code SWP) is peeling off in large chunks across multiple panels. The clear coat is delaminating and lifting in sheets from the surface, exposing bare metal underneath which is now actively rusting. This is consistent with a known defect documented in hundreds of complaints about 2013-2016 Kia Sorentos in Snow White Pearl (SWP). I have photographic documentation showing significant progression of this damage over the past few months. The vehicle has not been inspected by a dealer or manufacturer regarding this issue. No warning was given prior to the paint failure — it began suddenly and has spread rapidly. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Additionally, the gear shift randomly locks in Park without warning, leaving me unable to operate the vehicle. This has occurred on multiple occasions and presents a direct safety risk as it strands me without notice. No warning lights or messages appeared prior to the shift lock engaging. The dashboard is also cracking in multiple locations, including near the airbag housing, which may present an additional safety concern.
NHTSA complaint #11746729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Severe paint delamination has occurred on my vehicle, causing the clear coat and base coat (Snow White Pearl color) to come off on the side of the hood, pillars, the doors, and the hood of the car. Not only does the peeling paint create an airborne/debris hazard, it also risks exposing the vehicle to premature rust/corrosion. This issue slowly began not to long after I bought the car in November 2024, and has only gotten much worse. From the information I have gathered online, this is a widespread issue affecting this particular model/year/color of Kia. We need something done about it asap!
NHTSA complaint #11745576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
2015 Kia Sorento fire on the 7th I was drive lost brakes and steering and as soon as I stop to get out to check the whole truck went up in flames
NHTSA complaint #11744083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
The paint on my 2014 Kia Sorento (Snow White Pearl) is peeling and delaminating across multiple areas of the vehicle, including the roof and side panels. In several areas the paint has detached completely, exposing bare metal, and rust has begun forming on the roof. The condition appears to be progressively worsening and does not appear consistent with normal wear or isolated paint damage. The affected areas are available for inspection. The peeling paint may create a road or visibility hazard if pieces detach while the vehicle is in motion. In addition, the exposed metal and developing rust on the roof and upper body areas may affect long-term structural integrity over time. This appears to be a widespread issue affecting similar Kia Sorento vehicles with Snow White Pearl paint.
NHTSA complaint #11737163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
A few weeks ago my sunroof began with out warning began to malfunction. It stopped closing all the way . When finally close I noticed the right rear side of the roof not closing all the way. I've noticed the bracket that holds up the glass roof to the track was broken. I took the car back to my car dealership, Gerald kia of Matteson. They told me that it was my fault because the tracks wasn't greased. Something that I wasn't at first purchased a car brand new. So they told me that consider an outside influence ira it would not be covered under a factory warranty. The reason I am filling this is because of hearing about some roofs , exploding , and this could be a situation similar to that.
NHTSA complaint #11734947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Opening car door and whole handle fell off.
NHTSA complaint #11733808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
About 1 month ago, i noticed on the hood, several areas (10-12) of bubbling and peeling of the paint. On the Side upright panel next to the windshield on the passenger side, there is a big area of peeling and bubbling paint. Paint is called Snow white Pearl. On the driver side panel above the handle, there is more bubbling of the paint. There are several other areas all over the car that is bubbling up and will peel soon. This will start to rust very soon. It was inspected by the local dealer and confirmed. This should not happen to any car. I was told it was defective paint/sealer from manufacturer. I am on restricted income and can not afford to pay for this repainting of my car.
NHTSA complaint #11729446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
after purchasing from carmax 6 months later the paint above the windshield is peeling off in huge chunks. the color is snow pearl white. having large chunks of solid paint flying around can decrease visibility for both the driver of the vehicle and others should the pieces go on the windshield obstructing full view, this is a safety issue. i have called carmax and have not heard back - it has been a month. there was no warning, no noted bubbling of paint or paint rising up in any areas.
NHTSA complaint #11727474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Paint is peeling on the roof of my Kia by the windshield. No incident has happened this is a manufacturer defect.. My car has never been involved in a car accident. No incidents.
NHTSA complaint #11726157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.