2017 Kia Sorento · symptom sheet
Engine leaks oil
- 25owner reports
- 80,000median miles
- $10,000median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 1, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
402 of the 804 complaints on this car are about the engine. 25 of those describe oil leak.
Tick what matches of 25 reports
Oil leak 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: 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025.
What this problem usually is
Oil leak reports usually begin with a spot on the driveway. Some owners smell burning oil or see smoke from under the hood when the leak drips onto something hot. Others only find out because they keep adding oil between changes, or a shop spots the leak during an unrelated visit. A share of them mention the repair falling outside the warranty.
What got replaced
Few of these reports name the part that was replaced.
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the engine covers the 2017 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The engine crankshaft may have been improperly heat treated and may fail.
All 4 recalls on the 2017 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
6 of the 25 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $5,000 to $10,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 6,000 and 100,000 miles, from the 10 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“My vehicle started leaking oil from the engine from an unknown location. I took it to the dealership for them to diagnose the cause of the leak which is under warranty. The dealer refused and did not honor the warranty. Now my car is immobile”
Filed Jan 27, 2025
“The car started leaking oil. Took the car in for inspection at local Kia dealership. The component that failed was the "oil pressure switch". This leak put my engine at risk of not working and fire. There was no warning lamp, engine oil was low. There is a NHTSA notice for this same issue sent out for Kia Sorento 3.3L GDI engines.”
Filed Oct 18, 2022
“The oil pressure switch sensor is going bad. Common problem with the 3.3 Lambda V6 engine. The oil light comes on when the vehicle is at idle. I now have an oil leak which is another symptom of the sensor going bad. Costly repair, sensor located deep in the engine between the two cylinder banks. This is a fire hazard with oil pooling on top of the engine if not repaired.”
Filed Dec 20, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 25 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 Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 193 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 142 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 120 reports
- Headlights too dim or fail 101 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 99 reports
- Steering sticks, feels notchy or jerks 60 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 43 reports
- Vehicle fire 31 reports