Complaint Statistics
341 total complaints
15 crashes 24 fires 16 injuries 1 deaths
Top Reported Components
| Component | Complaints |
|---|
| ENGINE | 46 |
| SUSPENSION | 28 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 26 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 25 |
| POWER TRAIN | 23 |
| STEERING | 20 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 19 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 13 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 12 |
| AIR BAGS | 11 |
Incident date: Dec 20, 2021
Crank pully bolt snapped. Causing crank pully to fall, and critical belts to fail.
Incident date: Jun 28, 2020
THIS KIA WAS HOUSED AND STORED IN A GARAGE FOR MOST OF ITS LIFE AND DRIVEN ONLY IN THE SUMMER. IN THE WINTERS OF MICHIGAN IS WAS HOUSED IN A CLEAN DRY GARAGE. THIS KIA WAS A 2 OWNER CAR. I AM THE SECOND OWNER. I HAD DRIVEN IT ONE WINTER AND THIS SUMMER TOOK IT TO GET AN ALIGNMENT BECAUSE IT PULLED T
... O THE RIGHT. ALIGNMENT CENTER COULD NOT DO THE ALIGNMENT BECAUSE THE WHOLE RIGHT DRIVERSIDE OF THE FRAME WAS RUSTED OUT BEYOND THEIR SAFTY STANDARDS. THE KIA WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT BECAUSE THE WHOLE FRAME ON THE RIGHT SIDE WAS 80% RUSTED OUT AND THE LEFT SIDE WAS ALSO BUT NOT TO THE EXTENT OF THE RIGHT SIDE. THERE ARE FOOT LONG GAPING HOLES IN THE FRAME DUE TO THE RUSTING. IT IS IRREPARABLE. THERE IS NO SAFE SPOT TO WELD TO TO FIX IT EITHER. AFTER A RAIN I NOTICED THE POOLS OF WATER GO DIRECTLY UNDER THE KIA INSTEAD OF ON THE SIDES POOLING AND DRIPPING OFF THE FRAME ON EACH RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE. A FLAW OF DESIGN BUT A DEADLY IF TRAVELLING AND THE CAR SNAPS IN HALF. THE KIA LOOKS PERFECT AND RUNS PERFECT. THE UNDERSIDE IT'S FRAME IS TOTALLY RUSTED BEYOND REPAIR. KEPT IN A GARAGE AND OUT OF ELEMENTS FOR VIRTUALLY ALL OF ITS LIFE, THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. DEFECTIVE STEEL ? DEFECTIVE BODY DESIGN? DEFECTIVE KIA. NOT SAFE NOT DRIVABLE.Read more
Incident date: Dec 30, 2019
WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME THE BRAKE LINES TOWARD THE REAR SUSPENSION RUSTED THROUGH. ALSO THE SUPPORT FOR THE REAREND RUSTED THROUGH MAKING THE VEHICLE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THE BRAKE LINES FROM FRONT TO BACK WERE CHANGED AND I AM LOOKING
... TO HAVE THE SUPPORT BRACKETS CHANGED.Read more
Incident date: Dec 30, 2019
WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME THE BRAKE LINES TOWARD THE REAR SUSPENSION RUSTED THROUGH. ALSO THE SUPPORT FOR THE REAREND RUSTED THROUGH MAKING THE VEHICLE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THE BRAKE LINES FROM FRONT TO BACK WERE CHANGED AND I AM LOOKING
... TO HAVE THE SUPPORT BRACKETS CHANGED.Read more
Incident date: Dec 19, 2019
2004 KIA SORRENTO 97,000 MILES. THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM BRACKETS RUSTED OFF.
Incident date: Oct 13, 2019
I BOUGHT MY 04 SORENTO FROM MY AUNT WHO WAS THE ONLY OWNER. IT HAD A POWER STEERING ISSUE AT THAT TIME WHICH TOOK SEVERAL ATTENPTS TO FIX. ABOUT A MONTH LATER WE WE VISITING FAMILY AND HAD TO TURN AROUND. UPON STOPPING WE NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SO I GRABBED MY 4 Y/O DAUGHTER OUT
... OF THE CAR AND BY BOYFRIEND OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND A SMALL FIRE ON OPPOSITE SIDE FRO WHERE BATTERY IS. ONCE FIRE WAS PUT OUT WE DROVE .5 MILES ON A CITY RD TO FAMILY. THE POWER STEERING WAS GONE AT THAT TIME AS WELL. 10/13/19 - THE DIRECTIONAL WORKED ALL DAY AND COME NIGHT TIME WHEN I CAME OUT FROM THE STORE AND STARTED VEHICLE THEY DID NOT WORK. THE NEXT DAY THEY WORKED FINEHOWEVER, ON 10/14/19 - I STARTED THE CAR IN AM AND THERE WAS A SQUEAKY BELT. I HIT THE GAS PEDAL QUICKLY AND NOISE WENT AWAY. THEN WHILE DRIVING, THE BATTERY AND BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH AND STAYED ON SO I PULLED OVER AND SHUT CAR OFF. IWAS DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO THE PARK A MILE AWAY FROM HOME WHEN THE BATTERY AND BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. I TURNED CAR OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES AND WHEN I RESTARTED IT THE LIGHTS WERE OFF. I WENT TO TURN AROUND TO GO HOME AND THE STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED SO IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT OR STARTED IT SINCE. MY MECHANIC CAMT TO MY HOME 2 DAYS IN A ROW AND WAS CONVINCED IT WAS CRANKSHAFT BOLT THAT SNAPPED. HE GOT IT INTO HIS SHOP THE FOLLOWING WEEK ON FRIDAY 10/26/19 AND CALLED A SHORT WHILE LATER INFORMING ME THAT IT WAS IN FACT THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT THAT SNAPPED DEEP IN THE SHAFT AND THE CRANKSHAFT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR A COST OF AROUND $3000. I CALLED A FEW OTHER PLACES AND THEY SAID THE ENGINE WOULD NEED REPLACING WHICH WOULD COAT AROUND THE SAME. MY DAUGHTER AND I NOW HAVE NO VEHICLE AND ARE WALKING HER TO SCHOOL WHICH WILL BE DIFFICULT COME WINTER MONTHS.Read more
Fire
Incident date: Oct 13, 2019
I BOUGHT MY 04 SORENTO FROM MY AUNT WHO WAS THE ONLY OWNER. IT HAD A POWER STEERING ISSUE AT THAT TIME WHICH TOOK SEVERAL ATTENPTS TO FIX. ABOUT A MONTH LATER WE WE VISITING FAMILY AND HAD TO TURN AROUND. UPON STOPPING WE NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SO I GRABBED MY 4 Y/O DAUGHTER OUT
... OF THE CAR AND BY BOYFRIEND OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND A SMALL FIRE ON OPPOSITE SIDE FRO WHERE BATTERY IS. ONCE FIRE WAS PUT OUT WE DROVE .5 MILES ON A CITY RD TO FAMILY. THE POWER STEERING WAS GONE AT THAT TIME AS WELL. 10/13/19 - THE DIRECTIONAL WORKED ALL DAY AND COME NIGHT TIME WHEN I CAME OUT FROM THE STORE AND STARTED VEHICLE THEY DID NOT WORK. THE NEXT DAY THEY WORKED FINEHOWEVER, ON 10/14/19 - I STARTED THE CAR IN AM AND THERE WAS A SQUEAKY BELT. I HIT THE GAS PEDAL QUICKLY AND NOISE WENT AWAY. THEN WHILE DRIVING, THE BATTERY AND BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH AND STAYED ON SO I PULLED OVER AND SHUT CAR OFF. IWAS DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO THE PARK A MILE AWAY FROM HOME WHEN THE BATTERY AND BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. I TURNED CAR OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES AND WHEN I RESTARTED IT THE LIGHTS WERE OFF. I WENT TO TURN AROUND TO GO HOME AND THE STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED SO IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT OR STARTED IT SINCE. MY MECHANIC CAMT TO MY HOME 2 DAYS IN A ROW AND WAS CONVINCED IT WAS CRANKSHAFT BOLT THAT SNAPPED. HE GOT IT INTO HIS SHOP THE FOLLOWING WEEK ON FRIDAY 10/26/19 AND CALLED A SHORT WHILE LATER INFORMING ME THAT IT WAS IN FACT THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT THAT SNAPPED DEEP IN THE SHAFT AND THE CRANKSHAFT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR A COST OF AROUND $3000. I CALLED A FEW OTHER PLACES AND THEY SAID THE ENGINE WOULD NEED REPLACING WHICH WOULD COAT AROUND THE SAME. MY DAUGHTER AND I NOW HAVE NO VEHICLE AND ARE WALKING HER TO SCHOOL WHICH WILL BE DIFFICULT COME WINTER MONTHS.Read more
Fire
Incident date: Oct 13, 2019
I BOUGHT MY 04 SORENTO FROM MY AUNT WHO WAS THE ONLY OWNER. IT HAD A POWER STEERING ISSUE AT THAT TIME WHICH TOOK SEVERAL ATTENPTS TO FIX. ABOUT A MONTH LATER WE WE VISITING FAMILY AND HAD TO TURN AROUND. UPON STOPPING WE NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SO I GRABBED MY 4 Y/O DAUGHTER OUT
... OF THE CAR AND BY BOYFRIEND OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND A SMALL FIRE ON OPPOSITE SIDE FRO WHERE BATTERY IS. ONCE FIRE WAS PUT OUT WE DROVE .5 MILES ON A CITY RD TO FAMILY. THE POWER STEERING WAS GONE AT THAT TIME AS WELL. 10/13/19 - THE DIRECTIONAL WORKED ALL DAY AND COME NIGHT TIME WHEN I CAME OUT FROM THE STORE AND STARTED VEHICLE THEY DID NOT WORK. THE NEXT DAY THEY WORKED FINEHOWEVER, ON 10/14/19 - I STARTED THE CAR IN AM AND THERE WAS A SQUEAKY BELT. I HIT THE GAS PEDAL QUICKLY AND NOISE WENT AWAY. THEN WHILE DRIVING, THE BATTERY AND BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH AND STAYED ON SO I PULLED OVER AND SHUT CAR OFF. IWAS DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO THE PARK A MILE AWAY FROM HOME WHEN THE BATTERY AND BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. I TURNED CAR OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES AND WHEN I RESTARTED IT THE LIGHTS WERE OFF. I WENT TO TURN AROUND TO GO HOME AND THE STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED SO IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT OR STARTED IT SINCE. MY MECHANIC CAMT TO MY HOME 2 DAYS IN A ROW AND WAS CONVINCED IT WAS CRANKSHAFT BOLT THAT SNAPPED. HE GOT IT INTO HIS SHOP THE FOLLOWING WEEK ON FRIDAY 10/26/19 AND CALLED A SHORT WHILE LATER INFORMING ME THAT IT WAS IN FACT THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT THAT SNAPPED DEEP IN THE SHAFT AND THE CRANKSHAFT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR A COST OF AROUND $3000. I CALLED A FEW OTHER PLACES AND THEY SAID THE ENGINE WOULD NEED REPLACING WHICH WOULD COAT AROUND THE SAME. MY DAUGHTER AND I NOW HAVE NO VEHICLE AND ARE WALKING HER TO SCHOOL WHICH WILL BE DIFFICULT COME WINTER MONTHS.Read more
Fire
Incident date: Oct 4, 2016
OCT, 2016 - I AM THE ORIGNAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE AND HAD MAINTAINED REGULAR MAINTAINENCE ON THE VEHICLE. I HAD JUST PUT $700 OF NEW TIRES ON VEHICLE AND HAD A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND FLUID CHECK BEFORE WE LEFT FOR OUR VACATION. I NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE AND I STILL OWN. THE VEHICLE DOE
... S NOT RUN BUT I WANTED TO KNOW WHAT STARTED THE FIRE. MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE HEADED OUT OF TOWN FOR A WEEK, ABOUT 200 MILES INTO THE COMMUTE THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD, WE WERE TRAVELING AT 55-60 MPH. AS I WAS EXITING THE 421 HIGHWAY FLAMES BEGAN COMING OUT FROM AROUND HOOD AND THE PAINT ON THE HOOD BEGAN TO BUBBLE UP DUE TO HEAT. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE FIRE DEPT, AS I WAS DRIVING, PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER AND IMMEDIATELY REMOVED MY DAUGHTER AND OUR BELONGINGS FROM THE VEHICLE AND DISTANCED OURSELVES FROM THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE FIRE DEPT ARRIVED THEY PUT THE FLAMES OUT AND THE VEHICLE WAS TRANSPORTED TO A LOCAL SHOP, I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO OUR HOME CITY UPON DEPARTURE FROM OUR VACATION. UPON FURTHER OBSERVATION I WAS ABLE TO SEE THE FIRE STARTED IN THE AREA CLOSEST TO WHERE THE ENGINE MEETS THE DASH ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND CONTINUED TO SPREAD FROM THAT POINT TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND UNDER ON THE DRIVERS SIDE.Read more
Fire
Incident date: Oct 4, 2016
OCT, 2016 - I AM THE ORIGNAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE AND HAD MAINTAINED REGULAR MAINTAINENCE ON THE VEHICLE. I HAD JUST PUT $700 OF NEW TIRES ON VEHICLE AND HAD A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND FLUID CHECK BEFORE WE LEFT FOR OUR VACATION. I NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE AND I STILL OWN. THE VEHICLE DOE
... S NOT RUN BUT I WANTED TO KNOW WHAT STARTED THE FIRE. MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE HEADED OUT OF TOWN FOR A WEEK, ABOUT 200 MILES INTO THE COMMUTE THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD, WE WERE TRAVELING AT 55-60 MPH. AS I WAS EXITING THE 421 HIGHWAY FLAMES BEGAN COMING OUT FROM AROUND HOOD AND THE PAINT ON THE HOOD BEGAN TO BUBBLE UP DUE TO HEAT. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE FIRE DEPT, AS I WAS DRIVING, PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER AND IMMEDIATELY REMOVED MY DAUGHTER AND OUR BELONGINGS FROM THE VEHICLE AND DISTANCED OURSELVES FROM THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE FIRE DEPT ARRIVED THEY PUT THE FLAMES OUT AND THE VEHICLE WAS TRANSPORTED TO A LOCAL SHOP, I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO OUR HOME CITY UPON DEPARTURE FROM OUR VACATION. UPON FURTHER OBSERVATION I WAS ABLE TO SEE THE FIRE STARTED IN THE AREA CLOSEST TO WHERE THE ENGINE MEETS THE DASH ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND CONTINUED TO SPREAD FROM THAT POINT TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND UNDER ON THE DRIVERS SIDE.Read more
Fire
Incident date: Oct 4, 2016
OCT, 2016 - I AM THE ORIGNAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE AND HAD MAINTAINED REGULAR MAINTAINENCE ON THE VEHICLE. I HAD JUST PUT $700 OF NEW TIRES ON VEHICLE AND HAD A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND FLUID CHECK BEFORE WE LEFT FOR OUR VACATION. I NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE AND I STILL OWN. THE VEHICLE DOE
... S NOT RUN BUT I WANTED TO KNOW WHAT STARTED THE FIRE. MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE HEADED OUT OF TOWN FOR A WEEK, ABOUT 200 MILES INTO THE COMMUTE THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD, WE WERE TRAVELING AT 55-60 MPH. AS I WAS EXITING THE 421 HIGHWAY FLAMES BEGAN COMING OUT FROM AROUND HOOD AND THE PAINT ON THE HOOD BEGAN TO BUBBLE UP DUE TO HEAT. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE FIRE DEPT, AS I WAS DRIVING, PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER AND IMMEDIATELY REMOVED MY DAUGHTER AND OUR BELONGINGS FROM THE VEHICLE AND DISTANCED OURSELVES FROM THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE FIRE DEPT ARRIVED THEY PUT THE FLAMES OUT AND THE VEHICLE WAS TRANSPORTED TO A LOCAL SHOP, I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO OUR HOME CITY UPON DEPARTURE FROM OUR VACATION. UPON FURTHER OBSERVATION I WAS ABLE TO SEE THE FIRE STARTED IN THE AREA CLOSEST TO WHERE THE ENGINE MEETS THE DASH ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND CONTINUED TO SPREAD FROM THAT POINT TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND UNDER ON THE DRIVERS SIDE.Read more
Fire
Incident date: Oct 2, 2019
I WAS DRIVING WHEN I HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE, AND MY TRUCK SHIFTED. SO I PULLED OVER TO SEE THE MY REAR LOWER ARM FELL FROM SUBFRAME CORRSION DUE TO HEAVY SALT USE HERE IN WI. I HAD TO GET CAR TOWED HOME.
Incident date: Oct 2, 2019
I WAS DRIVING WHEN I HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE, AND MY TRUCK SHIFTED. SO I PULLED OVER TO SEE THE MY REAR LOWER ARM FELL FROM SUBFRAME CORRSION DUE TO HEAVY SALT USE HERE IN WI. I HAD TO GET CAR TOWED HOME.
Incident date: Aug 9, 2019
"TAKATA RECALL" I BOUGHT THIS CAR JUST RECENTLY AND THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG STAYS ON ALL THE TIME THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS BUT NOT ON MY CAR IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE THIS LIKE THIS OR IS IT DANGEROUS AND THE FACTORY SHOULD SEND OUT A RECALL ON THIS RIGHT !
Incident date: Aug 9, 2019
"TAKATA RECALL" I BOUGHT THIS CAR JUST RECENTLY AND THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG STAYS ON ALL THE TIME THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS BUT NOT ON MY CAR IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE THIS LIKE THIS OR IS IT DANGEROUS AND THE FACTORY SHOULD SEND OUT A RECALL ON THIS RIGHT !
Incident date: Aug 9, 2019
TAKATA RECALL AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON THE DASH CAN I GET THIS REPLACED FOR NO CHARGE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2019
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE AT 65MPG ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY BABY IN THE CAR, THE STEERING JERKED TO THE LEFT. I ALMOST CRASHED INTO A DESIEL TRUCK !! I THEN CORRECT IT AND PULLED OVER. I DROPPED MY SON OFF AT MY MOM'S HOME AND WENT TO THE GARAGE TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. ON THE WAY, IT LOST ALL POWER STEER
... ING AND I COULD NOT TURN CORRECTLY. SOMEONE HIT THE BACK OF MY CAR AND SHOVED IT INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE FRONT. SO NOW MY BACK AND FRON IN LOOKS LIKE CRAP AND I HAVE NO POWER STEERING.. BUT MY SON AND I ARE STILL ALIVE.. WHEN RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I FOUND OUT IT WAS NOT MY FAULT OR MY CAR.. THIS IS A FAULTY MANUFACTURE SAFTY ISSUE THAT HAS NOT EVEN BEEN RESEARCHED YET !! THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE DANGER OF THIS VEHICLE AND THIS ISSUE I CAN NOT BELIEVE IT'S STILL ON THE ROAD. HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/KIA/SORENTO/2004/STEERING/STEERING.SHTML AND TO FIND OUT THE STATE WAS AWARE OF IT AND JUST NEVER EVEN LOOKED INTO PROTECTING US. THIS IS A DANGER AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED ASAP BEFORE SOMEONE LOOSES THEIR LIFE AND THE LIFE OF THEIR CHILD LIKE I ALMOST DID !!!!Read more
Crash
Incident date: Feb 15, 2019
MY SORENTO WAS IN PARK RUNNING IN MY DRIVEWAY STARTED SMOKING AND CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED UP IN A MATTER OF MINUTES. I'M AWARE OF RECALLS WITH KIA VEHICLES CATCHING FIRE. I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE ADDRESSED AND INVESTIGATED AS I FEEL IT WAS DUE TO A MALFUNCTION. 911 WAS CALLED AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT C
... AME TO DISTINGUISH THE CAR IT IS A TOTAL LOSS.Read more
Fire
Incident date: May 12, 2008
THEY HAD A RECALL AND A LAWSUIT ON THE KIA FOR THE PULLEY BOLT KEEPS BREAKING AND I NEVER GOT A NOTICE AND MINE KEEPS BREAKING AND KIA WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
Incident date: Nov 15, 2018
I HAVE FIXED MY PULLEY BOLT 3 TIME AND IT KEEP BRAKING AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO TO FIX THE PROBLEM
Incident date: Nov 16, 2018
2004 KIA SORENTO EX WITH EXTENSIVE RUST DAMAGE TO REAR CROSS-MEMBERS #2 AND #3. DISCOVERED DURING TIRE ROTATION IN NOV 2018, BUT IS OBVIOUS THE DAMAGE HAS EXISTED FOR A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF TIME. CROSS-MEMBER #2 IS JUST IN FRONT AND ABOVE THE REAR AXLE AND HAS THE MOUNTING BRACKETS FOR THE AXLE ST
... RUTS, WHICH KEEP THE AXLE IN PLACE, IT ALSO HAS A MOUNTING BRACKET FOR THE FUEL TANK, AS WELL AS A PASS THROUGH BRACKET FOR THE REAR BRAKE LINES, AND A MUFFLER HANGER. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE IMMINENT DANGER OF A FULL FAILURE. CROSS-MEMBER #2 IS ABOUT 70% RUSTED THROUGH ON THE FUEL TANK SIDE AND PERFORATED IN SEVERAL OTHER PLACES AS WELL. CROSSMEMBER #3 WHICH IS BEHIND THE REAR AXLE CONTAINS NO MOUNTS, BUT A TORSION BAR DOES CONNECT WHERE THE CROSS-MEMBER PASSES THROUGH THE LEFT FRAME RAIL. STRUT MOUNT CONNECTORS ON AXLE ARE ALSO SEVERELY RUSTED. BACKING PLATE FOR REAR DISC BRAKES ON BOTH SIDES IS RUSTED SO SEVERELY THEY CRUMBLE LIKE AN EGGSHELL. CONTACTED KIA AND THEY SAID THEY WILL NOT COVER REPAIR OF THE DEFECT, CASE #12944853 OPENED. IT ONLY TAKES A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE TO FIND THERE ARE MANY CASES OF THIS WITH PARTICULARLY 2004 MODELS.Read more
Incident date: Nov 16, 2018
2004 KIA SORENTO EX WITH EXTENSIVE RUST DAMAGE TO REAR CROSS-MEMBERS #2 AND #3. DISCOVERED DURING TIRE ROTATION IN NOV 2018, BUT IS OBVIOUS THE DAMAGE HAS EXISTED FOR A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF TIME. CROSS-MEMBER #2 IS JUST IN FRONT AND ABOVE THE REAR AXLE AND HAS THE MOUNTING BRACKETS FOR THE AXLE ST
... RUTS, WHICH KEEP THE AXLE IN PLACE, IT ALSO HAS A MOUNTING BRACKET FOR THE FUEL TANK, AS WELL AS A PASS THROUGH BRACKET FOR THE REAR BRAKE LINES, AND A MUFFLER HANGER. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE IMMINENT DANGER OF A FULL FAILURE. CROSS-MEMBER #2 IS ABOUT 70% RUSTED THROUGH ON THE FUEL TANK SIDE AND PERFORATED IN SEVERAL OTHER PLACES AS WELL. CROSSMEMBER #3 WHICH IS BEHIND THE REAR AXLE CONTAINS NO MOUNTS, BUT A TORSION BAR DOES CONNECT WHERE THE CROSS-MEMBER PASSES THROUGH THE LEFT FRAME RAIL. STRUT MOUNT CONNECTORS ON AXLE ARE ALSO SEVERELY RUSTED. BACKING PLATE FOR REAR DISC BRAKES ON BOTH SIDES IS RUSTED SO SEVERELY THEY CRUMBLE LIKE AN EGGSHELL. CONTACTED KIA AND THEY SAID THEY WILL NOT COVER REPAIR OF THE DEFECT, CASE #12944853 OPENED. IT ONLY TAKES A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE TO FIND THERE ARE MANY CASES OF THIS WITH PARTICULARLY 2004 MODELS.Read more
Incident date: Oct 2, 2018
TOOK MY CAR IN FOR NYS INSPECTION AND WAS ALERTED TO AN ISSUE WITH MY REAR SUSPENSION. THE REAR CROSS MEMBER IS COMPLETED ROTTED OUT AND THE UPPER TRAILING ARM HAVE BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE CROSS MEMBER DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THIS IS A 2004 KIA SORENTO EX THAT I PURCHASED NEW AND NOW HAS 103,
... 000 MILES. THIS CORROSION IS AN EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS SITUATION AND THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE REPAIRED. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT CANNOT BE DRIVEN.Read more
Incident date: Aug 16, 2016
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE STATIONARY. FIRE STARTED IN FRONT COMPARTMENT NEAR FUSES. TOTAL LOSS
Fire
Incident date: Mar 24, 2018
IT DRIVES FINE THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN FOOT SAME POSITION ON GAS PETAL IT ACCELERATES.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2018
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. RPM WOULD RANGE FROM 1000 TO AS HIGH AS 2000 RPM WITHOUT WARNING. IAC VALVE WAS REPLACED AND DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. FINAL DIAGNOSIS WAS CRUISE CONTROL RANDOMLY OPERATING. DISCONNECTED CRUISE CABLE AT THE THROTTLE BODY. PROBLEM CEASED. GREEN LIGHT ON CRUISE SWITCH NEVE
... R INDICATED IT WAS OPERATING. VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS WELL AS STOPPED AT LIGHTS WHEN THIS OCCURRED.Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2018
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. RPM WOULD RANGE FROM 1000 TO AS HIGH AS 2000 RPM WITHOUT WARNING. IAC VALVE WAS REPLACED AND DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. FINAL DIAGNOSIS WAS CRUISE CONTROL RANDOMLY OPERATING. DISCONNECTED CRUISE CABLE AT THE THROTTLE BODY. PROBLEM CEASED. GREEN LIGHT ON CRUISE SWITCH NEVE
... R INDICATED IT WAS OPERATING. VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS WELL AS STOPPED AT LIGHTS WHEN THIS OCCURRED.Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 1917
THE INTERIOR LIGHTS DO NOT STAY ON THE WHEEL I HAVE TO PLAY WITH IT TO GET THEM TO COME ON AND THEY GO OFF ALL THE TIME WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING AT NIGHT. AND MY LOW BEAMS DO NOT WORK AT ALL I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH HIGH BEAMS ON.
Incident date: Mar 31, 2018
WAS DRIVING WIFE TO WORK , STOPPED AT LIGHT WHEN LIGHT TURNED GREEN I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL AND I HEARD A BANG SO LOUD I THOUGHT SOMEONE HIT US FROM BEHIND. I DROVE CAR HOME AND LOOKED UNDER IT AND I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT ! THE RUST ON THE REAR END BRACKETS AND THE TWO BARS CONNECTED TO THEM WERE TOTAL
... LY RUSTED THROUGH AND HANGING OFF. I WENT TO THE KIA DEALER WHERE I ORIGINALLY BOUGHT THE CAR AND ASKED THEM ABOUT IT THEY SAID THEY NEVER HEARD OF THAT PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT IT ,THEY TOLD ME DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU SEE ON THE INTERNET. THEN THEY SAID THAT IT'S NOT A KIA PROBLEM IT'S A ROAD SALT PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM NOTHING ELSE UNDER THE CAR WAS RUSTED THAT BAD , AND I BELIEVE IT'S A DESIGN PROBLEM. THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO, SO NOW I HAVE A CAR WITH ONLY 83,000 MILES ON IT THAT IS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THIS PROBLEM HAD TO HAVE STARTED WAY WAY BEFORE 83,000 MILES TO HAVE GOTTEN THIS BAD.Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2018
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO NOTICED THAT THE CROSSMEMBER BARS WERE SEVERELY CORRODED THROUGH AND WERE NOT ABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. THE ENTIRE BRACKET H
... OLDING THE DIFFERENTIAL RUSTED THROUGH. THE FRAME REAR CROSS MEMBER ALSO RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING THE CONTROL ARMS IS DETACHED FROM THE REAR END ALSO CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD.Read more
Incident date: Feb 14, 2018
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO NOTICED THAT THE CROSSMEMBER BARS WERE SEVERELY CORRODED THROUGH AND WERE NOT ABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. THE ENTIRE BRACKET H
... OLDING THE DIFFERENTIAL RUSTED THROUGH. THE FRAME REAR CROSS MEMBER ALSO RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING THE CONTROL ARMS IS DETACHED FROM THE REAR END ALSO CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD.Read more
Incident date: Oct 2, 2017
THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM GOES HAYWIRE. WE WILL BE DRIVING ALONG AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON, THE FRONT DOORS OPEN LIGHTS COME ON AND STARTS BUZZING AND SO DOES THE THE LOCKING MECHANISM ON THE DOORS. WE CHECK TO MAKE SURE THE DOORS ARE CLOSED PROPERLY BUT THEY ALWAYS ARE. THIS IS WHEN THE CAR IS IN
... MOTION USUALLY BUT SOMETIMES WHILE STATIONARY AS WELL. SOMETIMES THE DOORS UNLOCK TOO. WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT CAUSED THIS BUT FEEL IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS WELL AS A NUISANCE WHILE DRIVING. IT NEVER SEEMS TO MATTER IF YOU ARE DRIVING STRAIGHT OR TURNING.. WE HAVEN'T TAKEN IT ANYWHERE FOR REPAIRS YET, BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO BE ELECTRICAL AND KNOW THAT IT CAN BE EXPENSIVE.Read more
Incident date: Jan 31, 2018
MY DAUGHTER TOOK MY CAR A 2004 KIA SORENTO IN FOR A NYSI AND THE SHOP DEAD LINED THE CAR AND MADE ME FLATBED IT HOME DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE REAR END WAS FALLING OUT DUE TO EXCESSIVE ROT ON THE BRACKETS AND THEY DEEMED THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE WOMEN THAT RUNS THE SHOP TOLD MY DAUGHTER AND SON T
... HAT THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME THAT SHE HAS SEEN THIS ON A KIA. IN FACT ITS A PREVALENT ISSUE! UPON COMING HOME I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE LOOKING INTO ORDERING KIA TO DO A RECALL,MY DAUGHTER COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED DRIVING THIS VEHICLE.I ALSO SAW ON THE INTERNET THAT IN THE UK KIA HAD TAKEN CARE OF THIS ISSUE WITH CONSUMERS. I WOULD LIKE CONSIDERATION IN HAVING KIA REPAIR THIS CAR FREE OR PURCHACE THE VEHICLE BACK AT BLUE BOOK PRICING. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT COULD HAVE KILLED MY DAUGHTER OR ANYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD WHERE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE KIA SORENTO.Read more
Incident date: Oct 6, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT PULLEY WAS FAULTY AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. TH
... E MANUFACTURER AND THE LOCAL DEALER (QUIRK KIA IN BRANKLY, MA) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000. *LNRead more
Incident date: Oct 6, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT PULLEY WAS FAULTY AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. TH
... E MANUFACTURER AND THE LOCAL DEALER (QUIRK KIA IN BRANKLY, MA) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000. *LNRead more
Incident date: Oct 6, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT PULLEY WAS FAULTY AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. TH
... E MANUFACTURER AND THE LOCAL DEALER (QUIRK KIA IN BRANKLY, MA) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000. *LNRead more
Incident date: Sep 10, 2017
THE REAR AXLE IS FALLING APART AND IT'S RUSTED WHERE I CAN'T EVEN WELD A BRACKET FOR THE REAR SUSPENSION IT'S SO RUSTED THAT I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT THE REAR AXLE CAN ACTUALLY FALL OFF THE VEHICLE I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE REAR AXLE SO I CAN PUT A BRACKET OR IT WILL COME WITH A BRACKE
... T IT WILL COST ME $4000 AND I THINK A KIA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE THE WHOLE ENTIRE CAR UNDERNEATH IT RUSTED BUCKET FULL OF RUSTRead more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO NOTICED THAT THE CROSSMEMBER BARS WERE CORRODED THROUGH AND WERE NOT ABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALE
... R AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO NOTICED THAT THE CROSSMEMBER BARS WERE CORRODED THROUGH AND WERE NOT ABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALE
... R AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.Read more
Incident date: Jun 14, 2017
WHILE TRYING TO REFULE THE GASOLINE WILL SUDDENLY "SPRAY" FROM THE TANK. VEHICLE STATIONARY.
Incident date: May 8, 2017
CRANK SHAFT BOLT ISSUES. I AM ON MY 3RD HARMONIC BALANCER AND NOW MY MECHANIC IS SAYING IT IS THE CRANK SHAFT BOLT. . I CALLED A&B KIA AND THEY SAID NO ISSUES . I HAVE RECEIVED A CLAIM LETTER FOR THIS ISSUE AND A&B KIA IS REFUSING TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2016
THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. WE ARE A FAMILY OF FOUR. ONE OF US OPEN ONE OF THE REAR DOORS AND THE HANDLE CAME OUT COMPLETELY. I DON'T KNOW IF IT CAN BE REPAIR OR NOT. I COVER THE HOLE WITH TAPE TO PROTECT THE INNER PARTS OF THE DOOR FROM THE WATER. THE SAME THING HAPPENS WITH THE HANDLE OF THE OTHER
... REAR DOOR. BUT IN THIS CASE IT DOES NOT COME OUT COMPLETELY AND I USE TAPE TO MAINTAIN IT IN POSITION. IF SOMETHING HAPPENS AND THE PERSONS IN THE BACK SITS ARE UNABLE TO OPEN THE REAR DOORS FROM THE INSIDE ONE OF THE PERSONS IN THE FRONT SITS HAVE TO GET OUT THE CAR AND OPEN THE DOOR THAT STILL HAVE THE TAPED HANDLE. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS SITUATION IS GOING TO AFFECT THE MECHANISM OF THE INTERIOR HANDLES OF THE REAR DOORS. I DON'T KNOW IF THE TAPED HANDLE IS GOING TO BRAKE OR WHEN IS GOING TO BRAKE. I READ IN THE INTERNET THAT THIS A PROBLEM OF THE SORENTOS OF SEVERAL YEARS. SOME OF THE PERSONS IN THE INTERNET ASK WHY KIA IS NOT MAKING A RECALL. I HAVE A DAUGHTER OF 16 YEARS AND A SON OF ALMOST 15 YEARS. MY SON DOES NOT HAVE MANY LIMITATIONS, BUT HE HAS A SYNDROME. I AM INCLUDING PHOTOS OF THE DOORS.Read more
Incident date: Oct 19, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Fire
Incident date: Aug 25, 2016
WHOLE DRIVING DOWN ROAD STARTED TO LOOSE CONTROL. UPON BRINGING TO A SERVICE STATION FOUND OUT REAR FRAME OF VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY ROTTED AWAY LEAVING SUSPENSION HANGING AND NOT DRIVABLE.
Incident date: Jul 20, 2011
CRANKSHAFT BOLT BROKE WITH APPROX 75,000 MILES. KIA ISSUED SERVICE BULLETIN AND REPLACED THE BOLT. BUT THE MOTOR WAS DESTROYED WHEN IT BROKE AND CONTINUOUSLY OVERHEATED AND WAS UNDRIVABLE. IT REQUIRED A NEW MOTOR. NOT HAVING $ TO REPLACE MOTOR & KIAS ZERO ACCOUNTABILITY. VEHICLE SAT AT A REPAIR SHOP
... FOR 2 YEARS & THEY FILED FOR AN ABANDONED TITLE. AT THE TIME VALUED AT APPROX $7500. WASTED!!!! THANKS KIA!Read more
Incident date: Aug 14, 2016
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CARS WOULDN'T TURN THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WAS ACTING LIKE IT WAS DYING. IT HAPPENS A BOUT 5 MILES FROM HOME AND WHEN I GOT IT THERE I TOLD MY HUSBAND. HE LOOKED AT IT AND TOLD ME MY HARMONIC BALANCER WAS LOOSE AND IT LOOKED TO HAVE SNAPPED
... THE BOLT. NOW I CANNOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE UNTIL I CAN GET THE BROKEN BOLT OUT AND GET IT FIXED. I LOOKED UP WHAT TO DO AND NOTICED I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON 28TH THIS PROBLEM.Read more
Incident date: Aug 14, 2016
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CARS WOULDN'T TURN THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WAS ACTING LIKE IT WAS DYING. IT HAPPENS A BOUT 5 MILES FROM HOME AND WHEN I GOT IT THERE I TOLD MY HUSBAND. HE LOOKED AT IT AND TOLD ME MY HARMONIC BALANCER WAS LOOSE AND IT LOOKED TO HAVE SNAPPED
... THE BOLT. NOW I CANNOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE UNTIL I CAN GET THE BROKEN BOLT OUT AND GET IT FIXED. I LOOKED UP WHAT TO DO AND NOTICED I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON 28TH THIS PROBLEM.Read more
Incident date: Aug 14, 2016
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CARS WOULDN'T TURN THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WAS ACTING LIKE IT WAS DYING. IT HAPPENS A BOUT 5 MILES FROM HOME AND WHEN I GOT IT THERE I TOLD MY HUSBAND. HE LOOKED AT IT AND TOLD ME MY HARMONIC BALANCER WAS LOOSE AND IT LOOKED TO HAVE SNAPPED
... THE BOLT. NOW I CANNOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE UNTIL I CAN GET THE BROKEN BOLT OUT AND GET IT FIXED. I LOOKED UP WHAT TO DO AND NOTICED I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON 28TH THIS PROBLEM.Read more
Incident date: Sep 2, 2007
HARMONIC BALANCER PULLEY BOLT BROKE. VERY BAD DESIGN. DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IT BROKE OFF CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING. BOLT SNAPPED OFF INSIDE CRANKSHAFT.
Incident date: May 1, 2016
PURCHASED USED, WAS DRIVING TO GRANDSON'S BALL GAME, WHEN CAR STARTED MAKING FUNNY NOISE AND ACTED AS THE THE REAR END WAS GOING TO FALL OUT, WE PULLED OVER IN GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT, GOT OUT AND LOOKED, COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING, HAD DAUGHTER FOLLOW US HOME, JUST IN CASE, TOOK IT TO FRIEND WHO NOT
... ICED THE REAR BRACKET ARMS ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT , LOOKS LIKE IT IS WHAT HOLDS THE REAR END IN PLACE. I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO DO, I PAID OVER $5000 USED AND I CAN'T JUST PARK IT, I THINK KIA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS MISHAP, IT IS NOT LIKE IT CAN JUST BE FIXED, IT NEEDS REPLACED, SO I'M THINKING IT WOULD BE A MAJOR JOB, I'VE READ MANY MANY OTHER FORUMS AFTER FINDING THIS OUT ABOUT MINE AND RESEARCHING, I"M SURE THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BE A SERIOUS OR EVEN LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM, I'M NOT SURE I WOULD WANT TO SELL IT TO SOMEONE ELSE, IF IT IS DANGEROUS, I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS PROBLEM, IS THIS A MINOR OR MAJOR PROBLEM, IS THERE MORE HOLDING THAT REAR END IN PLACE THEN JUST THOSE RUSTED OUT ARMS OR BRACKETS? WOULD YOU WANT YOUR DAUGHTER DRIVING THIS?, I DON'T KNOW IF THE PREVIOUS OWNER WAS AWARE OF NOT, IF SO WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED, I WOULD HATE TO THINK I COULD BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MYSELF AND GRANDBABIES AND SOMETHING HORRIBLE HAPPEN. PLEASE HELP, I"M REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS, ESPECIALLY AFTER ALL THE TROUBLE WITH THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT I" READING ABOUT. I'M SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE THIS THING, IF IT HAD NEVER WENT UP ON A RACK WE WOULD BE NONE THE WISER AND WOULD STILL BE DRIVING DAILY JUST AS IF WE DID NOT KNOW, BUT NOW THAT I KNOW, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE, THERE IS TO MUCH NONSENSE CAR DEALERS GET AWAY WITH ANYWAY FOR US CONSUMERS TO WORRY ABOUT OUR LIVES OR SOMEONE ELSE'S WHILE DRIVING. WILL THE REAR END FALL OUT? IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE? YOU TELL ME? WOULD YOU DRIVE IT?Read more
Showing 50 of 341 complaints.
NHTSA Safety Investigations — KIA SORENTO
Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.
PE — Closed
— Model Year: 2016
Loss of Motive Power
On November 13, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE23-019) to investigate allegations of loss of motive power relating to head gasket and/or head bolt failure in Model Year (MY) 2016-2017 Kia Sorento vehicles equipped with the 3.3 L Lambda II engine. W
... hen the investigation was opened, ODI had received 13 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) related to reports of loss of motive power. In an information request letter dated November 30, 2023, ODI requested technical information and failure data relating to the alleged defect in the subject MY 2016-2017 Kia Sorento as well as several peer vehicle populations which share the 3.3 L engine. In its February 26, 2024, response to ODIâs information request, Kia provided 2022 customer complaints (including techline and field reports) and 1738 warranty claims representing 2411 unique vehicles within the subject vehicle population. Of the customer complaints provided by Kia, they identified only 53 unique allegations of a loss of motive power resulting from the alleged defect. Kia determined that the remaining reports were minor vehicle drivability or engine performance issues. ODI reviewed the information provided by Kia, along with additional VOQs submitted to NHTSA following the opening of the investigation. When eliminating duplicative reports across the data sources, the total number of allegations of loss of motive power relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles is 77, representing an incident report rate of 59 per 100,000 vehicles. The MY 2016 Kia Sorento exhibited both the highest overall complaint rate and loss of motive power report rate across all subject and peer vehicle populations, representing an incident report rate of 102 per 100,000 vehicles. Across all data sources, there are no allegations of crashes or fires relating to the alleged defect. The one injury incident reflected in the failure summary table above is related to a consumer who was reportedly burned (minor burn requiring medical attention) while attempting to remove the coolant reservoir cap following a loss of motive power event. In their response to ODI, Kia described that if the threads of a head bolt hole in the subject engine becomes damaged, the clamping force between the cylinder head and engine block can decrease in the area of the affected head bolt. Kiaâs assessment of the alleged defect is that when the failure occurs, drivers are provided with numerous warning signs prior to a potential loss of motive power event. According to Kia, potential warning signs associated with this failure include coolant leak/consumption or noticeable coolant odor, engine oil leak/consumption, engine temperature gauge rising to âHâ (hot), check engine light illuminating, engine cooling fan remaining on following the engine being shut off, HVAC system not functioning properly, unusual engine noise, difficulty starting the vehicle, and smoke/condensation emitting from the engine compartment or exhaust. Through both its review of the information provided by Kia and outreach to consumers, ODI confirmed that there is reasonable detectability present in the vast majority of occurrences of the alleged defect. To mitigate the alleged defect, Kia increased the engagement depth of the head bolt threads for all subject engines, beginning in May 2017. ODIâs analysis of the failure data demonstrates that this corrective action correlates with a much lower incident report rate for engines produced following the change (8 per 100,000 vehicles for the MY 2018-2020 Kia Sorento). In December 2023, Kia launched extended warranty campaign WTY035 covering failures associated with the alleged defect in the subject vehicle population through 15 years or 180,000 miles, whichever comes first. Through its investigation, ODI identified the following peer vehicle populations, which were produced prior to the corrective action and exhibit failure rates comparable to the subject vehicles: MY 2014-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2015-2016 Kia Sedona, and MY 2014-2017 Kia Cadenza equipped with the 3.3 L engine. Through discussions with ODI during the investigation, Kia decided to launch extended warranty campaign WTY039 in May 2024, which covers these peer vehicle populations through 15 years or 180,000 miles, whichever comes first. Based on analysis of the failure data indicating a low incident report rate of loss of motive power for the alleged defect, and in consideration of the warning signs which frequently occur from head gasket and/or head bolt failure in the subject engines, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.Read more
DP — Closed
— Model Year: 2016
Engine Oil Pressure Switch Leak
In a letter dated September 30, 2021, Mr. Gerald James (the petitioner) requested that NHTSA conduct an investigation of the Model Year (MY) 2015-2017 Kia Sorento equipped with 3.3L V6 ?Lambda? engines for ?severe oil leaks? from the oil pressure switch (OPS) that could ?lead to engine failure? with
... little warning to the driver. Mr. James based this request on his own experience and data found in NHTSA?s Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) database. NHTSA reviewed the material cited by the petitioner, information submitted by Kia, NHTSA?s testing, and other pertinent information in NHTSA databases.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-002 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed an analysis that included evaluation of the petitioner?s vehicle, searches of ODI complaints from vehicle owners, non-dealer field reports, manufacturers? supplemental information relating to design of the component, and component testing performed by ODI.On December 16, 2021, ODI and Kia North America performed a joint inspection on the petitioner?s vehicle. ODI and Kia agreed the OPS was leaking oil and observed oil in the crevices atop the engine block. The vehicle received a new replacement OPS and was delivered back to the petitioner. The original part that was removed from the subject vehicle was retained by ODI for further analysis.As of December 30, 2022, for the MY 2015-2017 Kia Sorento population of 161,519 vehicles with 3.3L engine, NHTSA reviewed internal data and has identified no consumer complaints or field reports in its database, with unique Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN), citing engine failure or stalling related to the petition?s allegation of defective OPS. When combined with the supplemental warranty and technical analysis from the manufacturer, field report and customer complaint data in response to the Information Request letter sent, NHTSA identified no unique VINs alleging engine failure or stalls caused by OPS leaking on the subject vehicles named in the petition.On April 4, 2022, the Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) performed testing of the petitioner?s component (OPS) based on testing protocol consistent with Kia?s specifications for the subject vehicle. The testing involved the petitioner?s original OPS in a controlled system to replicate the subject vehicle?s oil pressure, flow, and temperature. VRTC determined that a vehicle would have to miss more than a dozen oil change intervals to reach low engine oil capacity. Testing also revealed the OPS would operate, as manufacturer intended, illuminating the vehicle?s MIL to alert the driver of lower oil pressure.In April of 2022, Kia North America issued a warranty extension that extended the coverage of the Oil Pressure Switch from 5 years/60,000 miles to 15 years/150,000 miles on MY 2014-2018 Sorento, MY 2014-2016 Cadenza, and MY 2015-2018 Sedona vehicles, all equipped with the 3.3L Lambda engine. The extended warranty coverage includes diagnosis, repair, and applies to customers experiencing engine oil leaking from the engine or if the engine oil pressure warning light stays illuminated after the engine is turned on.After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, testing performed by VRTC, technical information provided by Kia, the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that an engine failure due to the alleged defect is likely and does not warrant a formal investigation. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be publiRead more
PE — Closed
— Model Year: 2013
Headlight Failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) based on seventy-four Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) reporting headlight failures on model year (MY) 2011-2013 KIA Sorento vehicles.In its response to ODI's June 25, 2020, information request letter (portions of w
... hich were submitted under request for confidentiality), Kia Motor America (Kia) provided design details of the headlight system showing that each headlight circuit is independently powered by the Smart Junction Box (SJB), a power control module. Kia claimed that the design minimizes the chance of both headlights failing simultaneously due to a headlight connector defect, a component located downstream of the SJB. Kia also advised that the SJB contains a safety feature designed to monitor power consumption for each headlight circuit; if excessive current is being demanded by either headlight the SJB will open the circuit (i.e., stop supplying current). Lastly Kia presented testing showing that the maximum headlight connector temperature achieved prior to the SJB opening the circuit was below the autoignition temperature of the plastic material the connector housing is made of, which Kia maintains eliminates the potential for a fire originating from an electrically overheated headlight connector. In its review of all available data, ODI determined that the majority of both VOQ and Kia customer complaints (1,339 reports in total) involved the loss or dimming of a single low beam headlight assembly caused primarily by a poor or overheated connector terminal located at the headlight. In some cases the failures were momentary in nature (i.e., flickering) with the headlights coming back on without driver intervention. A minority of VOQs and Kia complaints (the 196 Other reports) alleged simultaneous (and persistent) loss of both low beam headlights, and in most cases the driver was able to take an action (e.g., toggle the headlight switch, or use the ON rather than the AUTO setting on the headlight switch) to reinstate the low beam headlights. The high beam headlights were not seen to be affected and were available for drivers to use as alternate lighting.ODI did not identify any crashes or injuries, nor any fire incidents caused by a headlight related defect. While some VOQ and Kia reports alleged or indicated a fire occurrence, the incidents were found to involve melting or smells/odors due to thermal overheating of the plastic headlight connector housing, rather than an open flame fire.ODI notes that in April 2019, Kia initiated a 10 years/unlimited mileage warranty extension program to replace the headlight connector for MY 2011-2013 Sorento vehicles.Based on this analysis, a safety-related defect has not been identified at this time, and ODI is closing the investigation. This does not constitute a finding by the Agency that a safety-related defect is not present; the Agency will take further action if warranted by additional information received.The reference (ODI) numbers for the VOQs cited above are included in the downloadable version of this closing resume available at NHTSA.gov.Read more
EA — Closed
— Model Year: 2013
Panoramic Glass Sunroof Breakage
The investigation focused on spontaneous breakage (fracture) of the panoramic sunroof (sunroof) on MY 2011-2013 Kia Sorento vehicles. The sunroof is constructed of tempered glass (often referred to as ?safety glass?), which, when broken, crumbles into granular chunks rather than splintering into jag
... ged shards. The failure summary above shows NHTSA reports identified by the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), and reports submitted by Kia from start of production of the subject MY 2011-2013 Kia Sorento through October 8, 2019, the date of ODI's last request for Kia data.Reports of sunroof failures typically occurred while the vehicle was in motion and often described a loud noise when the fracture occurred. If the sunshade is closed when the sunroof fractures, the particles are contained, otherwise the particles can drop into the passenger compartment.Reported injuries generally were minor in nature, such as nicks and cuts that often occurred when complainants were cleaning-up glass particles post-incident. No crash incidents have been identified, and complaints display a declining trend since 2014.During EA14-002, ODI requested and obtained failure data for the subject vehicles, the MY 2014 Sorento (which used a similar sunroof from a different supplier), and other peer Kia products (Optima and Sportage).ODI also requested and obtained failure data for peer vehicles produced by Hyundai, Ford, Nissan, and Volkswagen and failure reports through a General Order NHTSA issued to 13 OEMs (including Kia) in April 2016.This produced a significant volume of data upon which ODI bases this closing. NHTSA's Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) also conducted testing on the subject sunroofs in an attempt to better understand potential hazards.In its responses to ODI, Kia states it has continuously monitored sunroof failure allegations throughout this investigation, and that the only consistently identified cause is external impact from foreign objects. Kia notes that the sunroof complies with the applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for glazing, and that it has not identified a manufacturing defect or assembly process error despite significant investigative efforts. Kia maintains that the field data supports its conclusion that an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety does not exist, citing a comparatively moderate failure rate, low injury risk posed by tempered glass, and the lack of an identified defect mechanism. Kia further notes it has received no reports of crashes due to driver distraction related to roof failure events, nor is NHTSA aware of any such reports.NHTSA's April 2016 General Order requested data on vehicles with panoramic glass sunroofs greater than 0.5 square meters in area. The response identified 97 distinct models produced over 11 model years totaling some 10 million vehicles. Over 4,000 sunroof fractures were reported (none of which alleged a crash due to driver distraction) forming a high to low frequency continuum by model.While the subject vehicles were at the high end of the spectrum, they were not the highest.Through its analysis of the information obtained to date, ODI has not identified sufficient evidence of a safety-related defect in the subject sunroof. This includes the absence of any suggestive trends by region, seasonality, date of production, or vehicle age, together with the minor nature of the alleged injuries and the lack of crash allegations in the subject or any of the peer vehicles. Accordingly, the investigation is closed. ODI will take further actions if warranted by new evidence. The reference numbers for the ODI failure reports cited above, as well as additiRead more
PE — Closed
— Model Year: 2013
Panoramic Sunroof Breakage
On October 21, 2013 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE13-035 in order to further examine claims that the sunroof would spontaneously break on 2011-2013 Kia Sorento vehicles.The majority of these claims occurred while the vehicle was in motion.Glass shattering while driving may distr
... act the driver, and the resulting glass particles which enter the passenger compartment may injure occupants.To date, ODI has received a total of 26 reports of sunroof breakage on the subject vehicles. Of those, 24 occurred while the vehicle was in motion.There were also four (4) injury incident reports for minor cuts/scratches. Kia submitted a total of 123 field incidents related to sunroof breakage in response to ODI's information request. Of this number, ODI identified 78 unique vehicle identification numbers (VINs), with 9 matching ODI complaint vehicles.Sixty of the submitted reports occurred while the vehicle was in motion.Fourteen (14) of the submitted reports alleged minor cuts/scratches from falling glass.Kia also submitted a total of 101 warranty and goodwill claims for sunroof replacement, of which 86 unique VINs were identified.Kia stated in its response that their field inspections identified only one potential cause for the sunroof breakage - external impacts from rocks or other foreign objects encountered while the vehicle was in motion.In the other instances, no evidence of a defect was found, however, Kia's inspection results were inconclusive as to a cause for the breakage.Kia advises that the Sorento sunroofs also have a greater surface area than many other vehicles, potentially making them more susceptible to road debris strikes.While ODI recognizes that the Sorento may be more at risk due to its larger impact area, the rate of ODI reported incidents is concerning.Thus, the investigation has been upgraded toan Engineering Analysis (EA14-002) to further analyze the scope, frequency, and consequence of these failures.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10345933, 10410440, 10432904, 10453957, 10466987, 10478778, 10492886, 10502219, 10508983, 10514388, 10531972, 10534883, 10553341, 10555931, 10556212, 10562460, 10562516, 10563779, 10564555, 10567351, 10568629, 10572959, 10575487, 10583122, 10583626, 10584650Read more
PE — Closed
— Model Year: 2011
Transmission Intermediate Driveshaft
On April 25, 2011, Kia Motors Corporation submitted a defect notification letter to NHTSA regarding a transmission intermediate driveshaft condition in approximately 12,690 model year (MY) 2011 Kia Sorento 2-wheel drive vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and 2.4L engines (NHTSA Recall No
... . 11V-258).The recall addresses a defect with the external shape of the engine block which can prevent the intermediate shaft bearing bracket from mating evenly with the engine block.This can cause a misalignment of the intermediate shaft with the right side output gear.Resulting damage could cause a loss of motive power.Additionally, on April 27, 2011, Hyundai Motor Company submitted a defect notification (NHTSA Recall No. 11V-261) for the same issue in approximately 6,169 MY 2010 Sante Fe 2-wheel drive vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and 2.4L engines that use the same components as the recalled Kia Sorento vehicles.This investigation is closed.Read more
PE — Closed
— Model Year: 2003
Fuel Spill During Refueling
Complaints allege that while refueling the vehicle, fuel can spill out or spit back from the fuel filler port on model year (MY) 2003 Kia Sorento vehicles (subject vehicles).Consumers report that the spilled fuel can splash on the person fueling the vehicle, or on the side of the vehicle and the gro
... und.The subject vehicles are equipped with an evaporative emissions control system that, among other things, manages air exchange between the fuel tank and the atmosphere in an environmentally safe manner.The system consists of a vapor canister, various control valves and tubing, and a canister filter (fuel tank air filter) through which the air that flows in and out of the fuel tank must pass.Kia's testing found that if the canister filter becomes significantly clogged, excess pressure can build up in the fuel tank and cause fuel to spit back from the filler port during refueling.Kia has stated that the canister filter requires regularly scheduled service maintenance; however, the component is not listed as a maintenance item in the owner's or service manual for the subject vehicles.ODI notes that Kia does list the filter on the maintenance schedule in the owner's manual for MY 2005 and newer Kia Sorento vehicles.To address the issue of fuel spit back during refueling, Kia will conduct a service campaign of approximately 86,000 MY 2003 and 2004 Kia Sorento vehicles.The campaign will provide a one-time replacement of the canister filter, at no cost to the owner.Kia will begin notifying the affected owners in late January 2012 and will inform the owners that the filter must be serviced at regular intervals.Kia will also provide an updated service maintenance schedule.Consumers should refer to the service campaign bulletin number SC092 available in the investigative file.A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.The agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances.Read more
EA — Closed
— Model Year: 2008
Air Bag Occupant Classification System
The Sorento's front passenger air bag may be turned off when an adult is seated in the passenger seat. The front passenger air bag is designed to be turned off in limited circumstances including when children and small adults are seated in the front passenger seat, there is a child restraint in that
... seat, or the seat is not occupied.But the Sorento has misclassified adults sitting in the passenger seat.This causes the passenger side frontal air bag to deactivate and the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF light to illuminate. On May 12, 2009, Kia launched a Technical Service Bulletin campaign (SC076) to address this problem, installing upgraded occupant classification system (OCS) software in vehicles built prior to the 11/27/2007 production date. ODI and Kia identified 908 owner reports and 927 warranty claims related to this OCS issue.Kia also reported one crash where the passenger frontal air bag did not deploy in a frontal crash due to misclassification.Testing of Sorento vehicles built prior to December 2007 shows that misclassification can occur.As of April 2011, Kia reports that approx. 46,000 of the 57,228 vehicles have been upgraded with the revised software.On September 6, 2011, Kia submitted a defect notice and will recall the affected vehicles that have not been upgraded.Owner notification is scheduled to start in late-September 2011.The recall will upgrade the OCS software.Accordingly the investigation is closed.Read more
PE — Closed
— Model Year: 2008
AIR BAG OCS
KIA REPORTS THAT FOR VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE SOFTWARE UPDATE OF 11/27/2007, THE VEHICLES CAN IMPROPERLY CLASSIFY AN ADULT AS A CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT AND THUS ILLUMINATE THE AIRBAG OFF WARNING LIGHT AND SUPPRESS THE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIRBAG.ON MAY 12, 2009, KIA LAUNCHED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETI
... N (SB076) CAMPAIGN TO RE-FLASH ALL VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE 11/27/2007 PRODUCTION DATE.KIA ALSO BELIEVES THAT INTERMITTENT OCCUPANT MOVEMENT AND OUT OF POSITION SEATING CONTRIBUTED TO THE HIGH NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS.905 OF THE 947 COMPLAINTS AND 1,014 OF THE 1,107 WARRANTY CLAIMS WERE ASSOCIATED WITH THE 57,228 VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE 11/27/2007 PRODUCTION DATE.THERE WAS ONE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIRBAG NON-DEPLOYMENT CRASH THAT RESULTED IN ONE MINOR INJURY OF A BELTED ADULT PASSENGER OCCUPANT.THIS PRELIMINARY EVOLUTION IS BEING UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA09-017) TO FURTHER ASSESS THIS ISSUE FOR ALL MY2007-2008 SORENTO VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE 11/27/2007 PRODUCTION DATE.Read more