Close Kia Sorento Dashboard Warning Lights Guide in Salem, VA
Here at Hart Kia, one of the most common questions we receive from Sorento owners is about those mysterious dashboard warning lights. While it's easy to feel concerned when an unfamiliar symbol appears on your instrument cluster, understanding what these lights mean can help you respond appropriately and keep your vehicle running smoothly during your Salem travels.
Check Engine Light
The check engine light is perhaps the most recognized warning indicator. In your Sorento, this amber-colored engine symbol can illuminate for various reasons, from a loose gas cap to more serious emissions or engine issues. When this light appears, we recommend scheduling a diagnostic appointment with our service team. We'll connect your vehicle to our advanced equipment to read the specific trouble codes and determine the exact cause. Don't ignore this light, as driving with certain engine problems can lead to more expensive repairs down the road.
Oil Pressure Warning Light
The red oil can symbol indicates low oil pressure, which requires immediate attention. If this light comes on while driving your Sorento, safely pull over and turn off the engine. Low oil pressure can cause severe engine damage within minutes. Check your oil level using the dipstick, and if it's low, add the manufacturer-recommended oil. However, if the level appears normal and the light remains on, have your Sorento towed to our Service Center rather than continuing to drive it down I-81.
Battery/Charging System Light
When the battery-shaped icon illuminates on your dashboard, it doesn't necessarily mean your battery needs replacement. This light indicates a problem with your charging system, which could involve the alternator, battery, or related wiring. If this light appears while driving, you may have limited time before your Sorento loses electrical power. We recommend bringing your vehicle in promptly so our certified technicians can test the charging system and prevent an unexpected breakdown.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
The horseshoe-shaped light with an exclamation point indicates that one or more of your Sorento's tires has low pressure. Proper tire inflation is crucial for safety, fuel efficiency, and tire longevity. Check all four tires plus your spare, and inflate them to the pressure specified on the driver's door jamb sticker. If you've corrected the pressure but the light remains on, stop by our Service Center for a complimentary TPMS check—you may have a slow leak or a sensor issue.
Brake System Warning Light
A red brake warning light requires immediate attention. This could indicate low brake fluid, a problem with your anti-lock braking system, or that your parking brake is still engaged. If the light stays on after releasing the parking brake, check your brake fluid level. If it's low or the light persists, don't continue driving. Have your Sorento towed to our facility, as brake system problems compromise your safety.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Light
The ESC light, which looks like a car with wavy lines beneath it, typically flashes when the system is actively helping you maintain control on slippery surfaces. However, if this light stays on continuously, it indicates a malfunction in the system. While you can still drive your Sorento, the stability control won't be available to help in emergency maneuvers.
When to Visit Our Service Center
While some warning lights indicate minor issues you can address yourself, others require professional attention. Our Kia-certified technicians have the training, experience, and specialized equipment to accurately diagnose and repair your Sorento. We recommend keeping your Owner's Manual handy to reference any unfamiliar warning lights, and never hesitate to contact our Service Department if you're unsure whether a situation requires immediate attention. Regular maintenance can also help prevent many warning lights from appearing in the first place, so schedule a service appointment with us before your next trip to Longwood Park!
Schedule Service for Your Kia Sorento at Hart Kia!
Dealership Information
Testimonials
“ Great experience ”
“ I had a great experience working with Craig Bell at Hart KIA. Great salesman! He was patient, organized, and knowledgeable from first contact to purchase of my Sorento. Finance was also a very smooth, stress-free experience. Thank you to the Hart team! ”
“ We are so pleased with our experience at Hart Kia! Everyone was wonderful to work with! Special Thank you to Mr. Powell for all your help! This is our 4th vehicle we have bought from Hart Kia! Go see them and get your dream car today! ”
“ Matt, Kennie, and Issac were all wonderful to work with during the purchase of our new Kia Carnival. I was really hesitant to trade in my vehicle, but knew we needed something better for our family. The price negotiations were simple and straightforward and they did all the leg work to locate the vehicle I really wanted. Would be happy to return here to purchase another vehicle in the future! ”
“ Fantastic car, awesome sales staff, transparent and informative from beginning to the final handshake. Thank you for an awesome experience and great Seltos. 😁 ”
“ My salesman, Jeremy Preston, was absolutely wonderful to work with. He helped meet all my needs & was very professional and patient with me. Will be recommending him to all of my friends for their car shopping! ”
“ I cannot recommend this dealership enough! Coming from a busy area in New York, we've had our fair share of car buying experiences, but this one was by far the best yet 😊 Kenny in sales has been working with me for a while and was amazing from start to finish. He truly made this the best car-buying experience we ever had. Matt the sales manager stepped in to ensure everything stayed on track, making the process even smoother and stress free. Kevin in finance was also a great guy who was incredibly helpful and transparent during the paperwork. We are absolutely thrilled with our 2027 Hybrid Kia Telluride . If you want a stress free experience with a team that cares go to Hart Kia.We will definitely be recommending them to everyone we know! Thank you all for an amazing experience ❤️ ”
“ Craig is the man. I visited Subaru, Kia, Toyota, Ford, and Honda in Roanoke to buy a new vehicle. Ultimately, went with Kia as I thought it was the best value compared to other makes. I never thought I would’ve bought a Kia, but here I am. Thanks Craig. ”
“ 10/10 stars! 🌟 We drove in from Lynchburg, and the level of service we received made the trip more than worthwhile. Matt went above and beyond to secure a fantastic deal for us. He is a man of his word; he honored every single thing he promised and ensured the entire process was transparent and fair. Beyond the numbers, he was incredibly welcoming and took the time to acknowledge our veteran status, which meant a lot to us. Paul was equally impressive. His knowledge of the vehicle was staggering. It was as if he had built the car himself. He walked us through every feature with such detail that we felt like experts before we even left the lot. The final step with Kevin in finance was the smoothest I’ve ever experienced. He was patient, kind, and explained every detail of the paperwork clearly, making what is usually a stressful process feel incredibly easy. If you want a dealership that treats you with respect and knows their product inside and out, this is the place to go. Thank you, Matt, Paul, and Kevin! ”
“ My husband and I fully surrendered to family life (lol) and brought home a 2026 Kia Carnival last night. I'm a researcher at heart, and I probably fall into the "difficult" customer category with the amount of questions I have in the negotiation process. That being said, Paul (our salesman) and Matt (sales manager) were awesome to work with and made a usually annoying experience feel both collaborative and fun. We walked away feeling like we got a great deal and an awesome new van for our family. I will definitely recommend Hart Kia to our friends! ”
“ We had a great experience at Hart Kia In Salem! Craig was amazing he answered all of our questions and would break it down if we didn’t understand! We left with a brand new 2027 Telluride and we are so happy! ”
“ My husband & I had an excellent car buying experience at Hart Kia! We couldn’t recommend Paul enough - he was a wonderful salesman, professional, & very thorough with showing us all the features the car had to offer. He was able to get us in the car we were wanting & in the price range we were hoping for. If you are looking for a new vehicle, visit Hart Kia and ask for Paul! ”
“ Very friendly, professional, efficient, and helpful sales people. They stay with you even after the purchase. ”
“ Great dealership to work with when purchasing a new vehicle. Craig Bell was our salesperson, great to work with. They had everything well organized, worked with us on price, and the paperwork was all done did you leave which streamlined it. We also love that when we left the dealership we had a genuine Virginia state license plate already on our car we didn't have to wait for one to be mailed to us. Great people to work with from salesperson to financing people. ”
“ Craig Bell was great, truly down to earth and super helpful. Thank you! ”
“ Our salesman was named Craig and he did a wonderful job. Before we could drive away he was so thorough and set us up in the system for our infotainment. Seltos has a lot of nice bells and whistles. ”
“ GREAT DEALERSHIP GREAT PEOPLE!! CRAIG IS EXTREMELY HELPFUL IF YOUR LOOKING FOR A CAR ASK FOR CRAIG THANK ME LATER :) ”
“ Absolutely amazing experience! Craig is hands down the best salesman I’ve ever worked with, and that’s coming from a sales representative. Craig is extremely down to earth, honest and beyond thorough. I would recommend anyone looking to buy a Kia to head to Hart Kia and ask for Craig! ”
“ Great experience in looking for my new vehicle! ”
“ The salesman, Craig was helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable. Closing out my paperwork was just as good. I’ve purchased from Hart Kia before, great experience then and now. I enjoy my new ride! Thanks Hart Kia! ”
“ I had a great experience with my purchase, the whole team there was awesome and Craig Bell is a great salesman I enjoyed my time at the dealership. And my K5 is a great purchase very happy with my new car. ”
“ Outstanding sales support and availability. Craig Bell listened to our needs and explained the features. Sale process was timely with no sales pressure. We elected Hart as they are local for sales and service support. So go visit Hart and Craig if you are in the market for a Kia. ”
“ Great to work with and made the purchase of my new KIA a pleasurable experience. ”
“ Friendly and fast service for my vehicle. I’m a new customer so I really enjoyed the experience with them. ”
“ Communication is Great! Affordable and quick for my service. Customer service is top notch! Much appreciated. Same as always, GREAT SERVICE! Car returned on time as promised for me to be where I needed to be...ON TIME! Thanks so much!! ”
“ Amazing customer service and so happy with our new Kia!! ”
“ Hart Motors has the best service ever. The folks in service department is so nice and very efficient! I would highly and have recommended folks to Hart Motors, they are my dealership of choice!!! ”
“ Amazing customer service and so happy with our new Kia!! ”
“ Hart Motors has the best service ever. The folks in service department is so nice and very efficient! I would highly and have recommended folks to Hart Motors, they are my dealership of choice!!! ”
“ Great and fast service! ”
“ I would recommend everyone buy their next car with HART Kia. Shane was my agent. He provided excellent service from start to finish and is still available to help out with new car questions. Amazing staff, and service- Love HART Kia! ”
“ Oil change, tire rotation and inspection done. Everything turned out well. ”
“ I am thoroughly impressed with Hart Kia. I dreaded buying a new car but the no pressure process was very easy. They spent time going over every detail of our new car until we felt comfortable using all the new features. Several months later we used the collision services. Again, we were treated with patience and curtesy as the staff walked us through each step of the process. Incredibly nice employees who genuinely seem to enjoy their work. We drive 45 minutes to use Hart Kia services and will continue to do so. I highly recommend! ”
“ They had the car we wanted and at the Price we were looking for and gave me what I wanted for my trade. Craig are salesman was easy to work with and explained everything well. Eric Matthews the finance officer likewise was very professional explained everything no pressure for additional purchases and we left completely satisfied with everybody and our car ”
“ Ralph was very upfront and honest. He made the process very easy. ”
“ I am thoroughly impressed with Hart Kia. I dreaded buying a new car but the no pressure process was very easy. They spent time going over every detail of our new car until we felt comfortable using all the new features. Several months later we used the collision services. Again, we were treated with patience and curtesy as the staff walked us through each step of the process. Incredibly nice employees who genuinely seem to enjoy their work. We drive 45 minutes to use Hart Kia services and will continue to do so. I highly recommend! ”
“ They had the car we wanted and at the Price we were looking for and gave me what I wanted for my trade. Craig are salesman was easy to work with and explained everything well. Eric Matthews the finance officer likewise was very professional explained everything no pressure for additional purchases and we left completely satisfied with everybody and our car ”
“ Ralph was very upfront and honest. He made the process very easy. ”
“ Service was stellar as always. Painless ”
“ Everyone there helped me find the best car for me. Very helpful and kind. Made the process easy for me. ”
“ Had my car breakdown due to engine failure. The team was very courteous and professional just only downside was the turn around wait time for the repair. Bert was great to communicate with and help me out in my situation. ”
“ Friendly service. Easy and reasonable price for oil change and tire rotation. ”
“ Paul helped me out and was beyond amazing. Very friendly and did whatever he could to make sure the deal was final. ”