Kia Sorento Complaints (2007)

154 consumer complaints on file.

#10223642April 7, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 35 MPH, HIT BRAKES BUT WAS UNABLE TO AVOID FRONTAL COLLISION IN KIA SPECTRA RENTED FROM ALAMO. THE CRASH WAS HEAD ON. THE KIA'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS WEARING A SEATBELT. ALAMO HAS BEEN COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE, SO NOTHING FURTHER CAN BE LEARNED ABOUT THE CAR. I HAVE PICTURES TAKEN AT THE SCENE WITH A CELL PHONE CAMERA CLEARLY DEPICTING THE FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10222227March 25, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I PURCHASE A 2007 KIA SORENTO AT VANDEVERE KIA. IT CAME WITH THE 5-SPEED AUTO-MATIC SPORTMATIC SHIFTING. IT BANGS INTO GEAR, SLIPS INTO GEAR AND SLIDES INTO GEAR. IT HARDLY EVER SHIFTS 100%. PLUS IT PULSATES BETWEEN 40 & 50 MILES AN HOURS. NOT ALL THE TIME & NOT THE SAME WAY ALL THE TIME. ALSO WHEN IT'S IN 5TH GEAR AND I MOVE IT TO THE RIGHT IN THE SPORTAMATIC POSITION, IT DROPS TO 4TH GEAR. I'VE DROVE 2 OTHER KIA'S WITH THAT TYPE OF SHIFTER AND IF YOUR IN 5TH & MOVE IT TO THE RIGHT, YOUR IN 5TH GEAR. ALSO THERE IS PLAY EITHER IN THE TRANSMISSION OR THE DRIVE SHAFTS. YOU CAN FEEL IT WHEN YOU GO FROM FORWARD TO REVERSE. COMES INTO PLAY AS A DETRIMENT WHEN ON ICY ROADS. I TRADED MY BEAUTIFUL 2004 KIA SORENTO IN FOR THIS PIECE OF JUNK. I'VE PURCHASED 3 KIA'S NOW & FOUND OUT THAT CUSTOMER LOYALTY DOESN'T MATTER TO KIA. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET MY CAR FIXED FOR 6 MONTHS NOW. THEY KNOW THERE'S A PROBLEM & CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX IT. I DROVE ANOTHER 2007 SORENTO IN THERE LOT AND IT DOES THE SAME THING MINE DOES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10222109March 24, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
SPEEDOMETER READ SLOWER THEN THE CAR IS MOVING. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO THE DEALERS ATTENTION, AND GOT NO GOOD RESULTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10220294March 6, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD NOT DIM. THE CONTACT SWITCHED PLACES WITH THE PERSON IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, BUT THE LIGHT STILL WOULD NOT DIM. THE DEALER STATED THAT HE HAD TO WAIT FOR A TECHNICIAN WHO SPECIALIZED IN AIR BAGS. THE CONTACT WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIR WAS STILL NOT COMPLETED. WHEN THE REPAIR WAS FINISHED, THE CONTACT TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND THE FAILURE STILL CONTINUED. THE TECHNICIAN THEN STATED THAT IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED AND THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED A RENTAL VEHICLE. THE SALES DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT TO RETURN THE RENTAL BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT REPAIR HIS VEHICLE, AND WOULD NO LONGER PAY FOR THE RENTAL. HE CALLED KIA AND THEY ISSUED CASE NUMBER 1421419. THE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT HE WOULD INVESTIGATE THE SITUATION AND THEN NOTIFY THE CONTACT. THE KIA REPRESENTATIVE CALLED BACK AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PROPER TOOLS. THE CASE WAS ESCALATED TO THE SUPERVISOR. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7,400. UPDATED 03-19-08 *BF UPDATED 03/19/08 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10220027March 4, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I BOUGHT A 2007 KIA SORENTO IN OCTOBER, 2007. THE CAR ONLY HAS 3,000 MILES AND HAS A HORRIBLE SHIFTING PROBLEM THAT I AM TOLD ALL 2007 SORENTOS HAVE. WHEN THE CAR IS GOING BETWEEN 40 AND 50, IT SOUNDS LIKE AND SHUDDERS LIKE A 10 YEAR OLD BEAT UP CAR. IT IS LIKE IT WON'T SHIFT GEARS. THE MOTOR IS EXTREMELY LOUDER THAN THE 2003 KIA SORENTO I OWNED (WISH I HAD IT BACK). I AM TERRIBLY UNHAPPY WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND SHIFTING PROBLEMS THIS CAR HAS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218976February 24, 2008
POWER TRAIN
I WAS DRIVING MY 2 MONTH OLD 2007 KIA OPTIMA EX 6 CYC WITH 4,000 MILES ON FEB 16 ABOUT 10:45 PM WHEN IT LOST POWER STEERING AND OTHER CAR FUNCTIONS. I HAD JUST EXIT AN EXPRESSWAY (IH 35) TO REACH MY HOME WHEN I HEARD A LARGE CLUNK AND WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED RE: LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER FROM TO THE BATTERY. I WAS UNABLE TO INITIAL STEER THE VEHICLE B/C THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING WITH SIGNIFICANT DIFFICULTLY I GAINED CONTROL FOR THE SHORT MILE DISTANCE TO MY HOME. THIS CAR IS BEING USED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND SAW THAT THE MAIN ENGINE BELT HAD COME OFF AND A LARGE ROUND METAL CIRCULAR GEAR WAS LAYING AGAINST THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE ENGINE BELT HAD COME OFF ALL THE PULLEYS WHICH RUNS MANY MAJOR ENGINE FUNCTIONS. I HAD THE KIA TOWED IT THE FOLLOWING MONDAY (2/18/08) AT 8AM TO KIA IN GEORGETOWN, TX . KIA SERVICE MGR., MATT, AROUND 5PM SAID THAT THE HARMONIC BALANCER "BROKE AND IT WASN'T SUPPOSED TO DO THAT". WHEN ASKED HOW THIS COULD HAPPEN WITH A BRAND NEW CAR, HE SAID IT JUST HAPPENS. KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE REP, EDDY, TOLD ME THIS WAS A MAJOR PART AND REPAIR. BOTH KIA REPS REMAINED VERY VAGUE ON EXPLAINING IF THIS PART WAS A RESULT OF AN OPTIMA DEFECT THAT CAUSED THE HARMONIC BALANCER TO FAIL EARLY AND EASILY. THIS WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD THAT MAY/COULD HAVE RUIN MY CRANKSHAFT, ENGINE, AND CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY TO MANY DRIVERS PRESENT. I REALIZED THAT I WAS VERY LUCKY THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT 70 MPH ELSE YOU WOULD NEVER HEAR THIS STORY. THIS REASON AND KIA'S SUSPICIOUSLY VAGUE EXPLANATIONS IS WHY I FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE REPORTED TO YOU AND INVESTIGATED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217395February 7, 2008
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ALIGNED THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND REPAIRED A CASTING CAM UNDERNEATH THE FRONT END; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,100.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10213705January 4, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
I BOUGHT MY 2007 KIA SORENTO IN OCTOBER 2007, AND I HAVE HAD IT INTO THE SHOP MORE TIMES THEN I CAN COUNT FOR A VIOLENT JERKING, STUTTERING, STALLING. EACH TIME I TAKE IT IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DRIVES IT AND TELLS ME THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I HAD IT IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND THEY ADJUSTED THE AIR INTAKE VALVE WHICH HELPED BUT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IF THEY CAN'T FIX IT SOON IT WILL BE PUSHED OFF A CLIFF....
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10213546January 3, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WE PURCHASED THIS A 2007 KIA SORENTO FOR FOLGERS KIA IN FEB OF 2007. AFTER ABOUT 4 MONTHS WE NOTICED THAT WHEN ACCELERATING BETWEEN 35 AND 45 MILES PER HOUR THE CAR SHUDDER VIOLENTLY AND LOSES POWER. IN MY OPINION VERY DANGEROUS. WE FINALLY GOT THE CAR IN THE SHOP ON JAN 2, 2008 ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT KIA SAYS THEIR IS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM AND IT CAN'T BE FIXED. ALSO TOLD IT IS NORMAL FOR THE SORENTO. IF NORMAL, WHY DIDN'T IT DO IT WHEN WE FIRST BOUGHT IT AND TEST DROVE IT? I FIND THEIR ANSWER UNACCEPTABLE. IN MY OPINION IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND IF THIS PROBLEM CAN'T BE FIXED THEN IT IS A LEMON. PLEASE ASSIST WITH HOW TO PROCEED. I'M GETTING NOWHERE WITH KIA'S VERY INADEQUATE SERVICE DEPARTMENTS. *CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10213408January 2, 2008
AIR BAGS:ON-OFF SWITCH ASSEMBLY
PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT DOES NOT GO OFF EVERY TIME A PASSENGER IS SITTING IN SEAT.WHICH WILL NOT LET AIR BAG DEPLOY.*CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10213071December 28, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. WHEN THE PASSENGER IS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED AND THE SYSTEM INDICATES THAT THE AIR BAG IS OFF. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE AIR BAG SENSOR; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AND THEY WILL REPLACE THE BOTTOM OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN A 2008 SORENTO AS A LOANER VEHICLE AND IT HAS THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE LAW REQUIRED THEM TO INSTALL A NEW AIR BAG SYSTEM FOR CHILDREN. THEY ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE PROGRAM AND HAVE RECEIVED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. UPDATED 01/29/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE 2 OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME DEFECT. UPDATED 01/29/08 TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10212529December 21, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A TWO WHEEL DRIVE 2007 KIA SORENTO. WHEN I DRIVE BETWEEN 35 AND 50 MPH THE CAR BEGINS TO JERK, SOMETIMES VIOLENTLY. I HAVE TAKEN IT TWICE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. THE DEALER HAS CONTACTED KIA ENGINEERS WHO SAY THAT THE JERKING IS WITHIN ACCEPTABLE PARAMETERS AND NOTHING WILL BE DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM AS BEING CALLED A FISH BITE. THE INVOICE FOR SERVICE STATES THAT "THIS IS NORMAL TCC LOCK UP AT LOWER SPEEDS LOW RPM IN LOCKUP." *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10212064December 17, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
ON NOVEMBER 17, 2007 I PURCHASED A KIA SORENTO SUV. SINCE THAT DATE, THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG IS DISABLED ALL OF THE TIME WHEN MY WIFE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. OTHER ADULTS WHO WEIGH MORE WILL ALLOW THE LIGHT TO GO OUT, BUT NEVER FOR MY WIFE. I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE WHO INFORMED ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO. I CONTACTED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY INDICATED THAT A REGIONAL WARRANTY REP WILL LOOK AT IN JANUARY, BUT IF HE SITS IN THE SEAT AND THE LIGHT GOES OUT, THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY WILL DO. MY WIFE IS AN AVERAGE ADULT WHO WEIGHS ENOUGH THAT THE AIRBAG DISABLING FEATURE SHOULD TURN OFF WHEN SHE SITS IN THE SEAT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10210475December 1, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
I BOUGHT A NEW 2007 KIA SORENTO ON 11-1-07 FROM BANNER KIA IN MANDEVILLE, LA. WITH MY WIFE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT (125 LBS.) THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG IN INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIANS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THE PROBLEM. ENROUTE HOME THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THE DEALER THEN SUPPOSEDLY RECALIBRATED A SENSOR AND THE LIGHT STAYED OUT. NOW MY DAUGHTER WHO WEIGHS 117 LBS WILL NOT PUT THE LIGHT OUT TO PUT THE AIR BAG IN SERVICE. HAVE YOU HAD SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON KIA VEHICLES? I AM BEGINNING TO THINK THAT THE DEALERSHIP TECHNICIANS ARE NOT CAPABLE IN MAKING MY VEHICLE SAFE. ANY SUGGESTIONS? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10210416November 30, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE THE PASSENGERS AIRBAG REMAINS IN THE OFF POSITION WHEN MY WIFE IS SEATED AS A PASSENGER, BUT WHEN I RIDE AS PASSENGER THE AIR BAG IS ON. (SOME TIME IT WORKS AND OTHERS IT DOES NOT). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10208998November 15, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATES EVEN WHEN A GROWN ADULT IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES, AND THE SERVICE DEPT AT THE DEALERSHIP AGREE THAT IF A 150 LB ADULT IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE OFF LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED, THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. THE ADULT CAN BE SITTING STRAIGHT UP IN THE SEAT WITH FEET IN THE FLOOR IN FRONT OF THEM AND THE OFF LIGHT IS ON. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THEY CANNOT FIX THIS, IT IS A PROBLEM. THE CORP. OFFICE SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THE SENSORS ARE NOT PROPERLY LOCATED. WHAT GOOD IS THE AIRBAG IF IT WON'T DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10208782November 13, 2007
SUSPENSION:REAR
THIS 2007 KIA SORENTO HAS A DRIVELINE VIBRATION SINCE PURCHASED ON 1/31/07. THE VIBRATION STARTS AT 65 MPH AND GOES AWAY AT 73 MPH. BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY BALANCED THE TIRES BUT THE VIBRATION IS STILL THERE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10208491November 9, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN AN OCCUPANT WAS IN THE SEAT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE OCS "OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM" MALFUNCTIONED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEATS AND SENSORS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,600.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10207765November 2, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, WHICH INDICATED THE AIR BAG WAS OFF. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE SENSORY MODULE AND THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SEAT. TEN DAYS LATER, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THEY STATED THAT TEN PERCENT OF THEIR VEHICLES WERE HAVING THE SAME FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 117.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10207638November 1, 2007
AIR BAGS
2007 KIA OPTIMA PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT IN GAGE WIN IN SET . DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME . AIR BAG LIGHT TELLS YOU WHEN IT IS NOT ON. KIA HAS REPLACED SET DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM . BEEN TOLD BY KIA THAT NOT SITTING IN THE SEAT RIGHT. IT HAPPENS WITH ALL TYPES OF PASSENGERS, BUT DOSE NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME . KIA HAS SAID THAT WE NEED TO HAVE SEETING LESSENS. WE HAVE VIDEO TAPES AND PICTURES OF THIS, PLUS WITTNESS OF THIS HAPPING . I FEEL I AM DRIVING A UNSAFE CAR . PLEASE HELP ME . *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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