2017 Kia Sorento · symptom sheet
Burns oil or oil level rises
- 120owner reports
- 50,000median miles
- $2,500median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 1, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
424 of the 804 complaints on this car are about the engine. 120 of those describe oil consumption.
Tick what matches of 120 reports
Oil consumption 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: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025.
What this problem usually is
Two different complaints land here. The more common one is an engine that uses oil: owners add a quart between changes, get a low-oil warning, or are told by the dealer that the rate is normal. The other is the opposite, where the oil level climbs and the oil smells of gasoline. Both deserve a proper test, and both are easier to argue with records in hand.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the piston rings (32 reports) and the engine (6 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the engine cover the 2017 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
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.
Fuel spill during refueling. Closed dec 21, 2011.
What owners paid
25 of the 120 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $700 to $10,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 3,000 and 80,000 miles, from the 72 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 4 service bulletins or notices for the 2017 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.
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing some 2011-2024MY vehicles (refer to the table on pages 9 and 10 for applicable models and engine), which may exhibit a symptom of excessive oil consumption.
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing some 2011-2021MY vehicles (refer to the tables on pages 8-9 for applicable models and engine), which may exhibit a symptom of excessive oil consumption.
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing some 2011-2019MY vehicles (refer to table below for applicable model and engine), which may exhibit a symptom of excessive oil consumption.
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA ENGINES This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing some 2011-2019MY vehicles (refer to table below for applicable model and engine), which may exhibit a symptom of excessive oil consumption.
What owners wrote
“Motor uses 6 guarts of oil in 3000 miles. No leaks. The dealer has done the oil consumption test. And it failed every time. Kia denied claim to replace engine. They stated that it passed the bearing test. This is crap.”
Filed Aug 11, 2025 · 3,000 miles
“Oil consumption is astronomical. I have burned through 15 quarts of oil in 3,000 miles with no other obvious issues with the vehicle.”
Filed Oct 3, 2024 · 3,000 miles
“UNKNOWN It can cause a safety hazard to me as well as other drivers if the oil is gone and I'm not aware of it while driving the car. The car repair shop that provides maintenance to my car stated that my car is burning oil too fast (in 1000 miles or less) and it shouldn't do that. The shop owner stated that I should call to see if there's a recall because this should never happen as often as it's doing. No.”
Filed Nov 28, 2023 · 1,000 miles
“Oil consumption. My car is always empty after 3000 miles. I am always having to put oil in my car. Now having engine issues⦠No warning lights came on to let me know of issues or low oil.”
Filed Oct 18, 2023 · 3,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 120 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
- 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
- Engine leaks oil 25 reports