Kia Sorento Complaints

10,397 consumer complaints on file.

#10278594July 28, 2009
POWER TRAIN
THE GEAR SHIFT LEAVER BROKE WHILE DRIVING 2005 KIA SORRENTO WHEN EXAMINING THE LEAVER IT IS HELD TOGETHER BY A SMALL PLASTIC SCREW THAT SPLIT IN HALF WHEN THE LEVER WAS SHIFTED INTO ANOTHER GEAR. THUS MAKING THE SHIFTER INOPERABLE THE CAR HAD 65000 MILES ON IT I BROUGHT THE CAR TO KIA AND HAD TO REPLACE THE SHIFT LEAVER. I DID NOT ASK TO KEEP THE OLD LEAVER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10276722July 14, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
SINCE JANUARY 2009 WE HAVE BEEN FIGHTING WITH KIA MOTORS BECAUSE MY PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WILL NOT ACTIVATE WHEN SOMEONE IS SEATED IN THE SEAT. ALL KIA HAS DONE IS UPDATE THE VEHICLES COMPUTER SYSTEM, WHICH HASN'T WORKED. THEY HAVE ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM, BUT THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT SAYING THAT THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING AS IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO. MY PROBLEM IS THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOW UNSAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE WITH A PASSENGER. I HAVE BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO THEM 12 TIMES ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU HAS TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME, EVEN THOUGH IT IS UNDER WARRANTY. KIA HAS OFFERED ME $1500.00 TO GO AWAY. I REFUSED. I WANT THIS SAFETY ISSUE FIXED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10275935July 7, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS IS CONCERNING MY 2005 KIA SORENTO THAT I NEVER GOT THE RECALL LETTER FOR THE ICV SENSOR, IT JUST SO HAPPEN THAT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I CALLED THEM COMPLAINING AND THEY MADE IT SEEM AS IF THEY WERE DOING ME A FAVOR AND SAID BRING IT IN, IT IS COVERED AND I DISCOVERED ON THE COMPUTER THAT THERE WAS A RECALL. I THEN HAD TWO HEADLIGHTS BLOW OUT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS BACK ON AND THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN AND THEN SAID THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE BUT IT WAS COVERED. MY CAR LATER WOULD NOT PICK UP SPEED AND I CALLED THEM AND TOLD THEM I COULD BE ON THE HIGHWAY ACCELERATING AND COULD NOT PICK UP SPEED , THE SUV WAS RETURNED FOR THE THROTTLE SENSOR. NOT MORE THAN A MONTH LATER MY SUV IS SLUGGISH AND NOT PICKING UP SPEED AGAIN AND THEY SAY BRING IT IN AND TELLS ME IT IS NOT THE SAME THING BUT THIS TIME IT IS A SENSOR IN THE GAS TANK THAT HAS TO BE REPLACED AND IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY ONE PERSON QUOTES ME $395.00 ANOTHER QUOTES $595.00 (I WILL BE WRITING THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AFTER THIS). I JUST FEEL THAT THERE HAS BEEN SO MUCH GOING ON WITH 2005 KIAS SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET SERIOUSLY HURT IF THESE ISSUES ARE NOT LOOKED INTO. IT SHOULD NOT TAKE A LIFE OR MAJOR ACCIDENT FOR THESE ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED. A TRUCK OR TRAILER COULD HAVE HIT ME SEVERAL TIMES WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY TRYING TO ACCELERATE AND COULD NOT PICK UP SPEED. I FEEL THAT RIGHT NOW THEY ARE PREYING ON DEFECTS THAT IS DUE TO THE MANUFACTURER AND PASSING THE COST ON TO CONSUMERS WHO HAVE PURCHASED THESE VEHICLES. I PURCHASED MY CAR IN 2006 WITH ONLY 115 MILES ON IT AND IT HAS GIVEN ME NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. KIA IS BEING ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH THESE TACTICS BECAUSE NO ONE IS LOOKING OVER THEM BECAUSE SADLY THOSE WHO ARE PURCHASING THESE VEHICLES WITH PROBLEMS DO NOT KNOW WHERE OR WHO TO TURN TO FOR HELP ON THEM BEING CHEATED AND MISTREATED AT THE DEALERSHIPS. I PRAY THAT THIS MATTER GET THE LONG AWAITED ATTENTION IT DESERVES BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10275845July 6, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT
FRONT END BEGAN EXCESSIVE SHAKING ON INTERSTATE AT 65MPH. ALMOST LOST CONTROL, BUT MANAGED TO AVOID A CRASH. THE SAME SHAKING HAPPENS ANYTIME I DRIVE OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD ON THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE NOW, BUT FIRST PROBLEM HAPPENED AT INTERSTATE SPEED. I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND STOP MOVING TO STOP THE SHAKING. HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS NOW. CAR IS AT KIA DEALER TO REPLACE SWAY BAR LINK. VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION, ESPECIALLY AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS. I CONTACTED KIA CONSUMER DEPARTMENT. THEY WERE NOT RECEPTIVE TO THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10274618June 22, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WE INITIALLY PURCHASED A USED KIA SORENTO IN 2005. WE ENCOUNTERED PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (LIGHTS CONTINUALLY BURNING OUT) SO WE DECIDED TO PURCHASE A NEW SORENTO SO WE WOULD HAVE THE BENEFIT OF THE FULL WARRANTY. SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE 2006 KIA SORENTO, WE HAVE REPLACED NEARLY EVERY LIGHT (HEADLIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, BRAKELIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, FOG LAMPS, TURN LIGHTS AND LICENSE PLATE LAMP) NUMEROUS TIMES. THE ASSORTED REPLACEMENT LIGHTS WERE PURCHASED FROM VARIOUS LOCATIONS, ENSURING THE ERROR WAS NOT WITH THE REPLACEMENT PARTS, BUT RATHER THE VEHICLE ITSELF. THE OLD LIGHTS WERE NOT RETAINED. OUR FULL WARRANTY IS NEARING EXPIRATION AND WE WOULD LIKE "SOME TYPE" OF ACTION TO OCCUR BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. WE FEEL THAT NOT ONLY IS THIS CONSTANT SOURCE OF IRRITATION AND A FINANCIAL BURDEN, BUT ALSO A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10270039May 27, 2009
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER, POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING FAILED TO WORK DURING A HEAT WAVE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING THIS TIME. IN ADDITION, THE CLUTCH FAILED. NEW BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE INSTALLED AND THE CONTACT MUST DOWNSHIFT IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO TWO DEALERS AND TWO MECHANICS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269870May 25, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSE BLOWN ENGINE WITHOUT ANY WARNING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269671May 22, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF. I HAVE TAKEN IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP 2 TIMES AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE FIXED THE SENSOR. IT STILL IS NOT FIXED. I HAVE SEEN ON A FEW FORUMS (IE. EDMUNDS.COM) THAT IT HAS BEEN AN ISSUE AND IT IS NOT GETTING RESOLVED. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY PASSENGERS SAFETY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269689May 22, 2009
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS CLUTCH PEDAL DEPRESSES ITSELF AND STICKS TO THE FLOOR. THE FAILURE OCCURS MOSTLY WHEN DRIVING IN SLOW MOVING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR PROVIDE A REMEDY AS TO WHY THE CLUTCH WAS STICKING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 06/27/09 *BF UPDATED 06/23/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269468May 20, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. WHENEVER AN OCCUPANT IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES, WHICH INDICATES THAT IT IS NOT ENGAGED NOR WORKING PROPERLY. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT OTHER CONSUMERS WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT MOVEMENT IN THE SEAT WILL USUALLY ENGAGE THE AIR BAGS. THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER A REMEDY AT THAT TIME. A WEEK LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO SIT IN THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WILL DIM ONCE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RESTARTED A FEW TIMES. THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLED AND STATED THAT A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS FAILURE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNABLE TO BE LOCATED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 150. UPDATED 06/10/09. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269496May 20, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. AFTER REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. SHE IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 67,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269019May 18, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
LIKE CLOCKWORK, EVERY 6,000 - 8,000 MILES THE ROTORS WARP. KIA MACHINED THEM THE FIRST 2 TIMES, THEN AFTER THAT SAID IT IS MY DRIVING HABITS AND I HAD TO PAY. I HAVE OWNED 15 CARS IN MY LIFETIME AND NEVER HAD A SINGLE ONE WARP. IT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE WHEN STOPPING, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE OUT OF TOWN DUE TO THE MOUNTAINOUS REGIONS THAT SURROUND WHERE I LIVE (PHOENIX, AZ). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268862May 15, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK, EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD FLASH, THE DOOR WOULD UNLOCK, AND THE REAR HATCH WOULD OPEN AUTOMATICALLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPUTER AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A DEAD CELL IN THE BATTERY, WHICH DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. A KIA REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT THE GROUND WIRE COULD BE THE ISSUE; THEREFORE, THE DEALER REPLACED THE GROUND WIRING. THE REPAIR STOPPED THE LIGHTS FROM FLASHING; HOWEVER, THE HATCH STOPPED OPENING THE VERY SAME NIGHT OF THE REPAIRS. IN ADDITION, THE HEATER FAN ONLY WORKED ON HIGH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT THE FLASHING LIGHTS WILL DISTRACT OTHER DRIVERS AND LEAD TO A CRASH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,600 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,246.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10267891May 6, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I BOUGHT MY 2008 KIA SORENTO 11/11/2008. IN MARCH 2009, I STARTED TO NOTICE A COMPRESSION TYPE NOISE AND IT OCCURS EVERY 3-5 SECONDS. THE KIA DEALERSHIP HAS HAD THIS VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, BUT CAN'T FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE. THIS IS AN ONGOING AND STILL CURRENT ISSUE. IT'S VERY INCONVENIENT TO TAKE MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP EVERY OTHER WEEK JUST TO HEAR THAT THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE. THE KIA DEALERSHIP CAN NOT TELL ME IF IT A SAFETY ISSUE. IF THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE TECH'S CAN'T FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM, THEN HOW DO I KNOW IF MY FAMILY IS SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10267641May 4, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. WHEN SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO SHAKE SEVERELY AND MAKE A TICKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN FOUND PARTICLES THAT RESEMBLED METAL FRAGMENTS IN THE ENGINE. THE ENTIRE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10267689May 4, 2009
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
THERE IS A PLASTIC CAP HOLDING ON THE ROD TO THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS THAT WILL POPPED OFF WITHOUT ANY KIND OF WARNING. MY FAMILY WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE RAIN, AND THE WIPERS CAME TO A HALT WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING NO VISIBILITY. I THINK THAT THIS MATTER SHOULD REALLY BE ADDRESSED BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE CAUSED MAJOR ACCIDENT AND TAKEN MANY LIVES. THERE WERE NO DEATHS, BUT IT CERTAINLY COULD HAVE BEEN. BY THE GRACE OF GOD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10267345April 30, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TWICE AFTER DRIVING OUR 2005 KIA SORRENTO AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF APPROX 75 MPH, THEN SLOWING DOWN AND THEN HEADING UPHILL CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO THE APPROPRIATE GEAR AND COULD ONLY GO ABOUT 45 MPH. LUCKILY, THE FIRST TIME WE WERE ABLE TO GET CAR TO SIDE OF ROAD - WE LET IT REST A WHILE AND THEN IT WAS OK. THE SECOND TIME WE AGAIN HAD THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR GOING UPHILL BUT IT ONLY DID ABOUT 35- 45. WHEN WE REACHED THE TOP OF THE HILL THE CAR PICKED UP SPEED AND RAN NORMALLY FOR THE REST OF THE TRIP AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED. BOTH TIMES CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON - BUT NOT IN ACTIVE USE AND THE AC WAS ON. BOTH TIMES WE IMMEDIATELY TURNED AC OFF BUT IT MADE NO DIFFERENCE. WE ASKED LOCAL KIA DEALER TO CHECK ON IT THEY ADJUSTED THE THROTTLE CONTROL SENSOR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON, SO THERE WAS NO INCIDENT CODE. THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T BE SURE WHAT CAUSED IT. WE ASKED IF IT WOULD EVER HAPPEN AGAIN AND THEY COULD NOT GUARANTEE IT WOULD NOT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10267355April 30, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
GAS SPEWS OUT WHILE TRYING TO REFUEL, DOESN'T MATTER IF IT'S ALMOST EMPTY OR HALF FULL,GETS ALL OVER CAR,GROUND AND ME. HAVE TO DRIBBLE FUEL IN TANK AND TAKES 15 MIN. JUST TO PUT A 1\4 TANK IN. I DON'T LIKE SMELLING OF GAS AND BEING A WALKING FIRE HAZARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10266773April 26, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE A 2006 KIA SORENTO. I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE EXTERIOR FRONT AND BACK LIGHTS A LEAST 3-4 TIMES. THE INTERIOR LIGHT HAS BEEN CHANGE 1 TIME AND THE AC CONTROL PANEL GOES OFF AND ON. THE CAR HAS BEEN EVALUATED 2 TIMES WHILE THEY WERE CHANGING BULBS AND NOTHING WAS FOUND. I HAVE SPOKEN TO ANOTHER SORENTO OWNER AND SHE HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. KIA RESPONSE TO MY COMPLAINT IS THEY BELIEVE IT IS BECAUSE THE BULB IS NOT THEIR BRAND. THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES I HAD THEM REPLACED WITH THE BULBS AND THEY DID NOT LAST. I AM FILING A COMPLAINT BECAUSE I BELIEVE THIS IS A RECALL PROBLEM AND I AM AFRAID OF WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN NEXT. IF YOU HAVE AN QUESTIONS YOU MAY CONTACT ME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10266205April 21, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2006 KIA SORENTO - THE HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT BECAUSE OF SOME KIND OF SHORT OR ENGINEERING FLAW. NORMAL REPAIR IS TO TAP THE LIGHTS AND THEY COME BACK ON, HOWEVER THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS WHEN THEY SHUT OFF CANNOT BE CONTROLLED AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THERE ARE OTHER KIA OWNERS ONLINE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME THING. MY HEADLIGHT BULBS ARE NOT BURNED OUT, AND HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED A FELLOW KIA SORENTO OWNER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM SHOWED ME HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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