2014 Kia Sorento · symptom sheet
Engine overheats or leaks coolant
- 37owner reports
- 106,400median miles
- $5,000median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Jun 2, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
403 of the 945 complaints on this car are about the engine. 37 of those describe overheating.
Tick what matches of 37 reports
Overheating on other Sorento years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025.
What this problem usually is
Most owners in this group notice the coolant before they notice the heat: a reservoir that keeps dropping, a sweet smell, or a bright puddle under the front of the car. Across the vehicles on this site, about four in five of these complaints mention coolant, a leak or a puddle, and roughly two in five mention the temperature gauge or overheating.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the head gasket (16 reports), the radiator (6 reports), the thermostat (6 reports) and the coolant hose or reservoir (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the engine covers the 2014 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
All 6 recalls on the 2014 Kia Sorento, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Sorento
Loss of motive power. Closed jul 23, 2024.
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.
Engine fires. Closed feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V-877.
Engine oil pressure switch leak. Closed jun 26, 2023.
Scope and timeliness. Closed dec 22, 2021, led to recall 17V-224.
What owners paid
8 of the 37 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $3,321 to $7,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 80,000 and 119,950 miles, from the 19 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 5 service bulletins or notices for the 2014 Kia Sorento that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
ENGINE SUB ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY039 REVISION 7) - This bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY039) to diagnose a coolant leak from the cylinder head gasket area and, if necessary, replace the engine sub assembly on 2014-2015 MY Sorento, 2014-2017 MY ...
ENGINE SUB ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY039 REVISION 6) This bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY039) to diagnose a coolant leak from the cylinder head gasket area and, if necessary, replace the engine sub assembly on 2014-2015 MY Sorento, 2014-2017 MY Cadenza, and ...
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN (WTY039) This bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY039) to diagnose a coolant leak from the cylinder head gasket area and, if necessary, replace the engine sub assembly on 2014-2015 MY Sorento, 2014-2017 MY Cadenza, and ...
ENGINE SUB ASSEMBLY: INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY039) This bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY039) to diagnose a coolant leak from the cylinder head gasket area and, if necessary, replace the engine sub assembly on 2014-2015 MY Sorento, 2014-2017 MY Cadenza, and ...
1 more on the 2014 Kia Sorento page.
What owners wrote
“My Grand daughter' car. May 9th 2024 discovered engine oil is in the engine coolant system. KIA tech says it a blown head gasket or the threads that were machined into bolt holes in the engine block for the head bolts are pulling out. Safety hazard, engine could have failed on interstate or in traffic and posed a threat to driver and others traveling on roadway. No warning of any type.”
Filed May 18, 2024
“With no warning the Kia suddenly started shaking and shuddering and white smoke started coming out of the exhaust while driving down the freeway. There were no symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. Took it to a mechanic and he said the car has a blown head gasket. A second mechanic confirmed the diagnosis.”
Filed Jan 17, 2024
“The vehicle shows that it is running hot but when I check there is coolant in the reservoir but then when I check the radiator there is little to no coolant in it”
Filed Dec 11, 2023
“My check engine light is still on after having my thermostat and gasket replaced for the engine cooling system. My mechanic looked up the information online and saw that there is a recall for this issue for 2014 Kia Sorentos. When I called my local dealership they said the recall does not cover my VIN number. It would seem that recall reference # 17V224000 needs to be extended. Thank you.”
Filed Nov 21, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 37 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Which lights mean pull over now? Warning lights by color and urgency
Other problems on this car
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 183 reports
- Paint peels or body rusts 147 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 138 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 91 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 82 reports
- Headlights too dim or fail 68 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 55 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 49 reports
- Vehicle fire 43 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 39 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 33 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 26 reports