Kia Sorento Complaints (2008)

217 consumer complaints on file.

#10504877March 28, 2013
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, A LOUD BANGING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ENGINE THREW A ROD, CAUSING A HOLE IN THE OIL PAN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10504762March 27, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES, WHEELS
WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD, CAR WAS BEARLY PULLING. NOTICED SMOKE ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR. STOPPED AND CHECKED UNDER HOOD AND SAW NOTHING. WALKED AROUND CAR AND FLAMES WERE COMING OUT OF WHEEL AREA. HAD CAR TOWED. HAD NEW CALIPER, ROTOR, AND BRAKE PADS PUT ON. DROVE ABOUT A WEEK. AND BEGAN DOING THE SAME THING. HAD CAR TOWED TO MECHANIC SHOP, 4TH DAY THERE THE BRAKES WENT TOTALLY OUT. CAR CRASHED THROUGH THE DOOR OF SHOP AND HIT POLE. CAR IN STILL AT BODY SHOP SOME PARTS WERE HARD TO FIND. STILL WILL HAVE TO GET BRAKES FIXED WHEN I GET CAR THIS WEEK. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY CAR SINCE JANUARY 2013. THIS IS MARCH 27TH 2013. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10504467March 25, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS ABOUT TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY 2008 KIA SORENTO REFUSED TO ACCELERATE. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND WHILE I WAS DOING SO I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE GAS OR BRAKE. INSTEAD IT WAS BRAKING ITSELF. THIS THE 3RD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I'M READY TO GET A NEW CAR! KIAS SUCK! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10503256March 16, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), STEERING
I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT OTHER 2008 KIA SORRENTO OWNERS HAVE REPORTED TO KIA, ABOUT THE ESC LIGHT COMING ON CAUSING LOST OF POWER IN THE VEHICLE. KIA IS CONTENT TO CHARGE CUSTOMER A DIAGNOSTIC FEE, FIX PART THAT DO NOT NEED TO BE FIXED WHEN CLEARLY THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE. WHEN YOU MENTION TO THEM THE COMPLAINTS FILED ABOUT THE PROBLEM, THEY INDICATE THE HAVE NEVER HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT IT INSTEAD OF TAKING THE TIME TO LOOK ON SAFECAR.GOV, THEY CONTINUE TO BRUSH IT OFF. NOT SURE HOW BEING ON THE HWY DRIVING AT 70 MPH AND YOUR VEHICLE SUDDENLY DROPPING TO 20MPH IS A CUSTOMER PROBLEM. ALSO NOT SURE HOW WHEN YOU PLACE MY CAR ON THE MACHINE AND IT GIVES YOU A CODE TO FIX THIS LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM AND IT HAPPENS AGAIN CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO COAST INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE TO KEEP FROM BEING HIT FROM BEHIND WITH 2 CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT IS A CUSTOMER PROBLEM SOUNDS LIKE A DEFECT TO ME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10498098February 14, 2013
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL "OFF" (ESC OFF) LIGHT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. UPON TAKING IT TO THE A MECHANIC, HE INFORMED ME THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR WAS BAD. I CONTINUED READING ONLINE, AND HAVE NOTICE THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MANY OCCASIONS. WHEN THIS OCCURS THE VEHICLE LOOSES ALL POWER TO MAKE ANY NECESSARY CORRECTIVE ACTIONS WHICH COULD RESULT IN A ACCIDENT. IT ALSO SLOWS THE CAR DRASTICALLY WHILE IN MOTION, AGAIN WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. ## VIN FAILED ## *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10496960February 9, 2013
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
I PURCHASED A 2008 KIA SORENTO LAST YEAR AS A PRE-OWNED VEHICLE. I HAVE STARTED HAVING SERIOUS ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE. A DEER RAN INTO MY VEHICLE APRIL 2012 REALLY MESSED UP MY ENTIRE FRONT END AND SIDE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY HAD MY VEHICLE BOTCHED UP AND MY NOW MY AVS SYSTEM AND CLUTCH ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY THEY REFUSED TO FIX MY VEHICLE. NOW I AM HAVING PROBLEM WITH A ESC LIGHT COMING ON I COULDN'T FIND OUT WHAT THIS LIGHT MEANT BUT I CAN IMAGINE THAT IT IS NOT GOOD. THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE TRULY THEY ARE NO GOOD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10493717January 22, 2013
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION POWER AND DID NOT ACCELERATE OVER 20 MPH. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED AND REVEALED THAT THE OXYGEN SENOR, BRAKE PEDAL LIGHT SWITCH, AND THROTTLE PEDAL SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FAILED PARTS BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,371 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10493077January 15, 2013
AIR BAGS
MY 18 YEAR OLD SON WAS DRIVING MY KIA SORENTO ALONG WITH HIS 16 YEAR OLD BROTHER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WHEN THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED ON A WET ROAD. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IN BETWEEN THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL AND THE DOOR HINGE. MY 18 YEAR OLD MANAGED TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND GET HELP FOR HIS BROTHER THAT UNFORTUNATELY HAD PASSED AWAY ON THE SCENE. AFTER REVIEWING MY VEHICLE, I PERSONALLY NOTICED THAT NONE OF THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGERS AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED. I TRAGICALLY LOST MY 16 YEAR OLD SON IN THE MIST OF THE SITUATION AS WELL AS HAVING MY 18 RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL. MY CONCERN IS THAT WHEN I RECEIVED THE REPORT FROM MY INSURANCE ADJUSTER FOR THE LOSS OF MY VEHICLE... THERE WAS RECALL ATTACHED TO THE FINDINGS FOR THESE AIR BAGS FOR WHICH I HAD NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED OF. I KNOW THIS WILL NEVER BRING HIM BACK TO ME BUT THE AIR BAGS MAY HAVE PREVENTED THE INJURIES AND THE FATALITY!!!! *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
1
#10490126December 26, 2012
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORRENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH IN SNOWY WEATHER, HE ATTEMPTED TO AVOID CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND SWERVED OFF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT TRAVELED OVER A GRASSY AREA BEFORE CRASHING INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT STRUCK HER HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD BUT WAS NOT TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,500.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10481975October 23, 2012
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
I PURCHASED THIS CAR PRE OWNED. ABOUT 2 WEEK LATER, WHILE DRIVING THE ESC LIGHT SHOWS UP CAUSING THE CAR TO SLOWLY LOSE POWER. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. I ALMOST GOT HIT WHEN THIS HAPPENED!! AFTER 3-4 TIMES LATER, KIA DEALERSHIP CANNOT REPAIR THE ISSUE OR EVEN SOLVE IT. THEY ACTUALLY TOLD ME YESTERDAY THAT THE CAR WAS READY, HOWEVER IT WAS NOT FIXED BC THEY CANT FIGURE IT OUT. THEY TRIED EVERYTHING. I DID PICK UP THE CAR ONLY TO BRING IT RIGHT BACK THIS MORNING. I AM SCARED FOR MY SAFETY AS WELL AS MY CHILDREN. I LOOKED ONLINE AND THEIR ARE SO MANY OTHERS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. THIS IS INSANE. I AM NOW IN A RENTAL AS THEY ARE TRYING AGAIN FOR TIME #5 TO FIGURE IT OUT. I HAVE SPOKEN TO KIA CORPORATE. I HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS WITH THE BBB. AND NOW I AM HERE. IF ANYONE CARES ABOUT OTHERS SAFETY THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. I REFUSE TO PUT MY CHILDREN'S LIFE AT RISK. IMAGINE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THIS LIGHT TURNING ON RANDOMLY AND YOUR CAR JUST LOSING POWER. VERY UNSAFE!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10477012September 25, 2012
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE
2008 KIA SORENTO START-UP STALLING TEMPERAMENTALLY FOR THREE WEEKS. ON 9/11/2012 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ESC OFF LIGHT APPEARED, FOLLOWED WITH A "PUTTING" ENGINE AND LIMP MODE. THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN FOOT APPLIED TO GAS PEDAL. KIA DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED TPS AND BRAKE SENSOR FAILURE AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL NEEDED REPROGRAMMING. (ERROR CODES READ: P2135, P0638, AND P2A00 OR P2A03.) KIA PUBLISHED BULLETIN TSB 044: HTTP://WWW.KIA-FORUMS.COM/ATTACHMENTS/KIA-CARENS-RONDO-FORUM/5552D1272512047-ENGINE-RACING-STOP-TSB-TPS.PDF DANGER ASPECT: THE CAR SEEMED DRIVABLE, HOWEVER, THE LIMP MODE DOES NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO ACCELERATE TO THE SPEED LIMIT OR FLOW OF TRAFFIC. RESEARCHED MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS -- PLEASE ISSUE AN INVESTIGATION FOR A RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10472663August 27, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE RPM READINGS INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED TO 20 MPH. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE BRAKES WERE HESITANT TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT ALSO USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,455.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10472414August 24, 2012
AIR BAGS
THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IS TURNED OFF WHEN AN ADULT SETS IN THE SEAT. THE OCS MISS CLASSIFIES THE ADULT IN THE FRONT SEAT AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON WHICH TURNS THE FRONT AND THE SIDE AIR BAG OFF. KIA HAS A RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR CERTAIN SORENTOS TO BE REPROGRAMMED. HOWEVER WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO THE KIA DEALER I WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT IN THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPROGRAMMING MY SELF. THIS DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME BECAUSE MY SORENTO WAS MANUFACTURED WITHIN THE RECALL DATES AND HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULD ME PAID FOR MY KIA MOTORS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10472024August 23, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE ACCELERATION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10471955August 22, 2012
POWER TRAIN
WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE AND ESC LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. VEHICLE HAD SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION AND WOULD NOT GO BEYOND 40MPH. SPEED DECREASED BELOW 40MPH ON HILLS. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO HAVE PROBLEMS EVEN AFTER RESTARTING. A CHECK OF THE ODB-II CODES GAVE P2138, P2127 AND P2106. ALL OF THE CODES REFLECT A MALFUNCTION IN THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEM. AWAITING REPAIRS BY LOCAL KIA DEALER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10468375July 30, 2012
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
WE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH OUR 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE ESC LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND ABS LIGHTS HAVE COME ON. I HAVE CHANGED BRAKES, CHECKED THE BATTERY AND THESE LIGHTS GO OFF AND ON. MY CAR HAS EXPERIENCED REDUCING SPEED WHEN ESC LIGHT HAS COME ON AND STARTED MALFUNCTIONING AT AROUND 64,000 MILES. ABS LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE HAVE WENT OFF. ESC LIGHT IS STILL GOING OFF AND ON. THE BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE FAILED ON US. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY WIFE'S SAFETY TO ALL THESE DEFECTS THAT ARE HAPPENING, AND WOULD LIKE FOR YOUR HELP IN RESOLVING THESE ISSUES WITH KIA. I HAVE READ OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME ISSUES AND SAW TO REPORT THIS TO NHTSA. FURTHERMORE I TOLD KIA OF AN OIL LEAK I WAS HAVING AND ASKED IF IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY FAILED TO ANSWER, AND DID NOT FIX IT. NEVER HAD ANY TROUBLE WITH THE CAR UNTIL I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED AND AFTER THAT IS WHEN ALL THE PROBLEMS STARTED HAPPENING. PLEASE HELP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10464743July 9, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THERE WAS ONE REPORTED INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY FROM THE LOCATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 27,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10458745May 16, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
FOR THE 3RD TIME MY WIFE'S CAR ESC LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS THE VEHICLE SPEED CAME TO ALMOST A STOP. THIS IS VERY DANGERS FOR UP HILL OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. SHE ALSO HAD PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE ESC LIGHT AND TPS LIGHT COMING ON. TAKEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST YEAR. WE WERE TOLD TODAY IT WAS A THROTTLE SENSOR PROBLEM. IT WAS REPLACED TODAY AND HOPEFULLY THAT FIXES THE PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH I SEE ON THE INTERNET WHERE THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRING PROBLEM. I HOPE SOMEONE DOES NOT HAVE TO GET HURT BEFORE THIS IS A RECALL ISSUE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10454804April 11, 2012
POWER TRAIN
I PURCHASED THIS KIA BRAND NEW IN 2008. HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES WITHIN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS BECAUSE WHEN I REACHED BETWEEN 40 AND 50MPH THE VEHICLE JERKED. WAS TOLD EACH TIME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. ON THE FINAL TIME THE SERVICE MANAGER RODE WITH ME AND TOLD ME IT WAS THE WAY I DROVE. I HAVE NOW HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 3 AND HALF YEARS. IT HAS 67,000 MILES. I AM STILL HAVING THE JERKING ISSUE AND NOW THE ENTIRE REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE RESEARCHED DIFFERENT FORUMS ON DIFFERENT WEBSITES AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE FOR A LOT OF KIA SORENTO OWNERS. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT HONOR MY WARRANTY BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE THE SERVICE DONE AT AUTHORIZED KIA SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT SO I HAD TO OUT OF POCKET PAY $1100 TO HAVE MY 3 AND HALF YEAR OLD VEHICLE FIXED. I HAVE OWNED MANY NEW CARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS MUCH OF AN ISSUE AS I HAVE HAD WITH A KIA WITH UNDER 100,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10452185March 19, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE A 2008 KIA SORENTO I HAVE HAD 6 SERVICE ISSUES WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ESC COMING ON. KIA DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED GAS PEDAL X2, THROTTLE SENSORY ASSY, TIGHTENED CONNECTIONS, CLEARED CODES, APPLIED STABULANT, TIGHTENED PINS, RESET CODES, CLEARED FAULTS, CLEANED GROUND STATION AND NUMEROUS OTHER THINGS. I ONLY HAVE THESE ISSUES WITH THE CAR IN THE WARMER MONTHS (MAY-AUGUST)? IT LOSES POWER AND WON'T ACCELERATE. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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