Kia Sorento Complaints

10,397 consumer complaints on file.

#10234819July 18, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING THE SORENTO TO HIS GIRLFRIENDS HOUSE MY SON NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAGE WAS HIGHER THAN NORMAL. HE WASN'T TO FAR FROM TOWN SO HE CALLED AND I TOLD HIM TO GET SOME 50/50 ANTIFREEZE TO PUT IN THE RESERVOIR. HE DID THIS AND HAD NO MORE PROBLEMS UNTIL THE NEXT DAY ON HIS WAY HOME. HIS GIRL LIVES ABOUT 20 MILES FROM US. ABOUT HALFWAY HOME THE VEHICLE JUST DIED. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO KIA DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR GAUGES IDENTIFIED ANYTHING WRONG. WAS ALSO TOLD THAT ENGINE WAS DRIVEN WHILE EXCESSIVELY HOT. NOT BECAUSE A WARNING LIGHT OR GAUGE TOLD US SO! IF ALL OF THIS COST TO US IS DUE TO A SMALL PIECE OF PLASTIC SOMEONE NEEDS TO TAKE KIA OUT TO THE WOODSHED. "THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COOLANT TANK WAS CRACKED AND ALL OF THE COOLANT LEAKS OUT THE VEHICLE. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR STOPS WORKING. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATS WITHOUT THE CONTACTS KNOWLEDGE; THEREFORE, HE CONTINUES TO DRIVE UNTIL IT FAILS. THE DEALER DID NOT WANT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE AND NO RECORDING OF PRIOR MAINTENANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234685July 17, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS INTERMITTENTLY ON MY 2007 KIA SORENTO. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN A NORMAL SIZED PERSON IS SEATED PROPERLY, BUT THE AIRBAG SENSOR INDICATES THE AIRBAG IS NOT ACTIVATED. PREVIOUSLY, IF I RESTARTED THE CAR WITH THE PASSENGER SEATED THE ISSUE WAS CORRECTED, BUT I HAVE SINCE ENCOUNTERED TIMES WHEN RESTARTING THE CAR DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO TWO KIA DEALERSHIPS AND CONTACTED KIA CORPORATE, BUT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO HELP ME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234196July 14, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
2007 KIA SORENTO PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATES OFF WITH ADULT IN FRONT SEAT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10233166July 3, 2008
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ON MONDAY, 06-30-08, AT ABOUT 1400 HOURS, I PARKED MY VEHICLE A 2004 KIA SORRENTO 4X4 EX WITH APPROX. 80,000 PLUS MILES. SHORTLY AFTER PARKING THIS VEHICLE I ENTERED A BASKIN AND ROBINS TO HAVE AN ICE CREAM CONE. I WAS INFORMED BY FRANTIC PASSERBY'S THAT A VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. I TOOK A LOOK OUTSIDE AND WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THAT MY VEHICLE MENTIONED ABOVE WAS SMOKING AND FLAMING UP. THIS FIRE APPEARED TO START ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY VEHICLE NEAR THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND ALTERNATOR. MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN OPERATING FINE UNTIL THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED AND ONLY WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ROUTINE SERVICING UNDER WARRANTY. THE HONOLULU POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE NOTIFIED AND REPORTS DOCUMENTED UNDER HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT #08-242969 AND THE HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT #24891. FIRE AND POLICE OFFICIALS INFORMED ME THAT A POSSIBLE FUEL LINE MALFUNCTION IS A POSSIBILITY BUT CAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10232971July 1, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CAR WAS SERVICED BY DEALER FOR FOUR YEARS. I PURCHASE THE CAR, HAVE THE COOLANT WATER FLOW TANK PRESSURED TESTED AND THREE WEEKS LATER LEAK OR CRACK IN THE COOLANT WATER FLOW TANK. ALL LIQUIDS LEAKED OUT, ENGINE OVER HEATED AND BLEW. HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. OVER 6000. TO REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10232408June 26, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TURNING INTO THE DRIVEWAY FROM A SHORT TRIP TO THE CORNER GAS STATION, I HEARD A LOUD "CLUNK", LOST POWER STEERING AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. CONTACTED KIA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALER INDICATED THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT BROKE. DEALER REPLACED THE "SHORT BLOCK" UNDER WARRANTY. REPAIRS TOOK 5 DAYS AND NO ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION WAS PROVIDED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10232409June 26, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE IDLED VERY ROUGH. FEARING REPEAT OF CYLINDER MISFIRE THAT OCCURRED IN SEPTEMBER 2006 TOOK VEHICLE STRAIGHT TO DEALER. CAUSE DETERMINED TO BE A FAULTY EVAP PRESSURE SENSOR. REPLACED SENSOR UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10232405June 26, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE TRAVELING WITH 100 MILES OF HOME ON 9/22/06. CALLED KIA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, THEY RECOMMENDED CONTACTING THE DEALER. TOOK TO DEALER SAME DAY, THEY RESET THE LIGHT AND RECOMMENDED USING A HIGHER OCTANE FUEL AND RETURN FOR SERVICE IF LIGHT RETURNS. RETURNED TO DEALER ON 9/26/06 WITH LIGHT ON AGAIN. TESTING SHOWED CYLINDER #3 MISFIRED AND CAUSED INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE. ENGINE REPLACED AT 12,149MILES UNDER WARRANTY AND 9/27/06. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10232415June 26, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DRIVING OUT OF MY OFFICE PARK AT LUNCH TIME, HEARD FAN NOISE LIKE LOOSE BELT, THEN WHEN TURNING WHEEL TO EXIT LOT, HEARD A LOUD "CLUNK" AND LOST POWER STEERING. ENGINE SITTING LOOSE IN COMPARTMENT LAND LOOSE BELTS EVERYWHERE. CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. TOLD 2.5 HOURS LATE, WHEN I CALLED TO THE DEALER, THAT THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT WAS BROKEN AGAIN. CONTACTED KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND FOUND ALTHOUGH THERE IS AN ACTIVE CAMPAIGN TO RECALL THIS BOLT, MY VIN IS NOT ON THE LIST (THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE). ALTHOUGH "SHORT BLOCK" WAS REPLACED AT LAST FAILURE (IN 4/07 AT 20,200 MI) THIS FAILURE REQUIRED MACHINING THE BOLT OUT AND ONLY REPLACING THE CRANKSHAFT SPROCKET, CRANK PULLEY AND CRANKSHAFT BOLT, THEN REINSTALLING OTHER COMPONENTS. CONTACTED KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS 6/18/08 AND REQUESTED DIST SERVICE MGR APPROVAL SHORT BLOCK REPLACEMENT. NO RETURN PHONE CALLS ALTHOUGH MESSAGES WERE LEFT FOR AGENT ON 6/19 AND 6/20. AGENT CALLED ON 6/25/08 TO ASK "HOW IS THE VEHICLE RIDING?", BUT WE HAD NOT PICKED UP THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER, SINCE YET AGAIN NO ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION WAS PROVIDED. SAFETY IS NOW A MAJOR CONCERN WITH THIS VEHICLE. NO CONFIDENCE IN REPLACEMENT PARTS TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM. RESEARCH SHOWS MANY OTHER OWNERS REPORTING MULTIPLE FAILURES OF THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT. REPAIR TOOK 6 BUSINESS DAYS (8 CALENDAR DAYS) AND AGAIN NO ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION WAS OFFERED OR PROVIDED. WWW.KIA-FORUMS.COM HAS INFORMATION FROM A KIA TECHNICIAN THAT THE CRANKSHAFT PROBLEM IS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW THAT CANNOT BE FIXED BY REPLACING A BOLT EVERY 10,000 TO 20,000 MILES OR EACH FAILURE. NO OWNER SHOULD BE EXPECTED TO WAIT FOR ANOTHER FAILURE THAT DROPS THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE ENGINE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE THAT THE FAILURES HAVE BEEN OUT OF TRAFFIC AND NOT ON THE INTERSTATES. LIVING IN METRO ATLANTA, GA MEANS I A FAR GREATER CHANCE OF THE NEXT FAILURE CAUSING INJURY TO ME OR OTHERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10231187June 16, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COOLANT TANK WAS CRACKED AND ALL OF THE COOLANT LEAKS OUT THE VEHICLE. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR STOPS WORKING. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATS WITHOUT THE CONTACT'S KNOWLEDGE; THEREFORE, HE CONTINUES TO DRIVE UNTIL IT FAILS. THE DEALER DID NOT WANT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10230315June 9, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. AFTER OWNING THE VEHICLE FOR A WEEK, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR SEAT PASSENGERS COULD NOT ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ELECTRONICALLY OPENING THE DOOR. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO MANUALLY OPEN THE DOOR AND REQUIRES GREAT STRENGTH. HE CONSIDERS THIS TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH OR LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER, THE DOORS WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY IT FOR OVER SIX DAYS. WHEN THE CONTACT RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR DOORS AND SIDE PASSENGER DOORS WOULD NO LONGER LATCH IN THE FORWARD POSITION. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE ABLE TO REPAIR THE LATCH FAILURE, BUT THE DOORS ARE STILL DIFFICULT TO OPEN MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER ONCE MORE, BUT THE SALES MANAGER EXPLAINED THAT THE VEHICLE DOORS WERE WORKING AS THEY WERE DESIGNED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,050.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10230236June 7, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
BASICALLY, I AM CONSTANTLY HAVING TO CHANGE LIGHTS. (I.E. BRAKE LIGHTS, INTERIOR DOME LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10229883June 4, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
HAVE A 2007 NEW SEDONA FROM KIA. IT COMES WITH A KEY REMOTE THAT CLOSES THE TWO BACK PASSENGER DOORS. THESE SLIDING DOORS DO NOT STOP UNTIL IT DETECTS A STRONG RESISTANCE AGAINST IT WHICH MAKES IT VERY UNSAFE FOR CHILDREN. MY CHILD GOT HER ARM CAUGHT IN THE DOOR FOR A BRIEF SECOND LEAVING A NICE BRUISE. LUCKILY SHE PULLED HER ARM OUT BEFORE IT CLOSED ALL THE WAY. WHEN I CALLED SMITHTOWN KIA IN NY, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE SENSORS AND IT WILL STOP WHEN THERE IS ENOUGH RESISTANCE AGAINST IT. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND A HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM. IMAGINE IF A CHILD DOES NOT GET THEIR ARM CAUGHT, BUT THEIR HEAD? PLEASE ADVISE ON WHAT CAN BE DONE WITH THIS. THANKS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10229806June 3, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST 5 TIMES IN THE 3 YEARS I'VE HAD THE SORENTO. I KEEP MY HEADLIGHTS OFF DURING THE DAY AND IT SEEMED TO DELAY THE BULB GOING OUT AS FAST AS IT DID WHEN I KEPT THEM ON ALL DAY. I KEEP REPLACEMENT BULBS IN MY VEHICLE AT ALL TIMES DUE TO THIS. YOU CAN BUY THEM FOR $5.00 AT YOUR LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE. KIA NEEDS TO RECALL THIS...WAY TOO MANY COMPLAINTS FOR NOTHING TO BE WRONG. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10229306May 30, 2008
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
4-TIRES AT 44 PSI, 1-TIRE AT 35 PSI. ALL 5-TIRES SHOULD BE AT 44 PSI. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228753May 23, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, AIR BAGS
ON 4/30/08 MY KIA SORENTO WAS HIT FROM BEHIND ON THE INTERSTATE. WE WERE PUSHED INTO THE CAR AHEAD OF US WHO ALSO HIT THE CAR AHEAD OF THEM. WE WERE ON AN EXTENDED ON RAMP SO I ESTIMATE OUR SPEED WAS 35 MPH. AS THE TRAFFIC AHEAD OF US BEGAN TO STOP QUICKLY I APPLIED MY BRAKES, THEREFORE THE EXACT RATE OF SPEED AT THE TIME OF IMPACT IS UNKNOWN. HOWEVER WE HIT CAR ENOUGH THAT MY DAUGHTERS LID COVERED SOFT DRINK HIT THE DASH. NEITHER OF MY CARS FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. MY CAR SUSTAINED MAJOR REAR AND FRONT AND DRIVER SIDE DAMAGE. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. OUR SEAT BELTS DID HOLD US IN. HOWEVER I RECEIVED BRUISING FROM THE SEAT BELT IN THE CHECK AND WAIST AREA AS WEAK AS AN INJURY TO MY RIGHT KNEE WHERE IT HIT THE LOWER DASH AREA. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10228635May 22, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TO REPLACE HER FRONT HEADLAMP LIGHT BULBS APPROXIMATELY ELEVEN TIMES AND THE BRAKE LIGHT BULBS TWICE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE ON THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,869 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228643May 22, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE, AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS INOPERATIVE. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE SOFTWARE. THEY WOULD ALSO HAVE TO WAIT FOR A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 15,557. UPDATED 06/25/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 06/25/08. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228705May 22, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE A 2004 MAGENTIS WHICH I HEARD IS LIKE THE SERENTO. THE TIMING BELT JUMPED AND THIS TOOK OUT THE MOTOR. UP TO THIS I LOVED MY CAR. KIA SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BUT REPLACE THE ENGINE AT MY COST AND I WOULD NOT GET IT BACK UNTIL IT WAS PAID FOR. WELL BEING A SINGLE MOTHER OF 4, STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THE CAR FOR ANOTHER 4 MORE YEARS. NEEDLESS TO SAY I HAVE A CAR WITH NO MOTOR AND MAKING PAYMENTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10227902May 15, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
REPLACED FRONT ROTORS,18,000,26,000 MILES. NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AT 30,000 MILES. BOTH BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. REPLACED REAR DRIVE SHAFT AND INSTALLED SHIELDED WIRE FROM TCM TO TRANSMISSION SENSOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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