Kia Sorento Complaints (2005)

307 consumer complaints on file.

#10221364March 16, 2008
SEATS
MY FAMILY WAS INVOLVED IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN WHICH WE WERE REAR ENDED. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BACKS FELL BACKWARD AND THE SEAT BOTTOMS PUSHED BACK, THEREFORE RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACKS BEING PUSHED INTO MY SONS WHO WERE IN CAR SEATS BEHIND US. I DO NOT KNOW WHY THIS WOULD HAPPEN BUT NOT ONLY WAS ME AND MY HUSBANDS INJURED BECAUSE OF THE SEATS, BOTH MY SONS WERE INJURED WHEN THE SEATS FELL BACK AND PUSHED IN ON THEM. I WANT SOMETHING DONE SO THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN TO ANOTHER FAMILY. THIS IS A SEVERE DEFECT. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
4
Deaths:
0
#10220167March 5, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
LIGHTING PROBLEM IN MY 2005 KIA SORENTO LX. IN 2006, MY DOME LIGHT STOPPED WORKING IN THE "DOOR" POSITION (I DIDN'T GET IT FIXED). SINCE 2006, I HAVE REPLACED MY KIA'S LEFT HEADLIGHT 3 TIMES AND THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT 2 TIMES. I NOW HAVE MY RIGHT HEADLIGHT OUT AGAIN AND THE REAR LEFT BRAKE LIGHT AS WELL. SINCE THIS HAS HAPPENED TOO MANY TIMES TO BE NORMAL, I CALLED KIA. THE KIA DEALERSHIP SAYS IT REQUIRES "KIA LIGHTBULBS" AT $50/EACH AS WELL AS A $75 DIAGNOSTIC FEE TO CHECK THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. KIA CLAIMS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH AFTER MANUFACTURE LIGHT BULBS AND THAT ONLY "KIA LIGHTBULBS" WILL WORK. CHECKING THE INTERNET, I FOUND NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM 2005 SORENTO OWNERS. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. I LUCKED OUT THAT ONLY ONE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT AT A TIME, OTHERWISE, I WOULD HAVE HAD NO HEADLIGHTS. NOT TO MENTION THE COST IN REPLACEMENT LIGHTBULBS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10216000January 25, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN MY 2005 KIA SORENTO MAKES AN UNUSUAL NOISE (KLUNK) WHILE SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS, THEN IMMEDIATELY LOSES POWER. I MAYBE ABLE TO DRIVE AT A VERY LOW SPEED FOR A SHORT DISTANCE WITH NO POWER OR IT WILL JUST NOT MOVE (AS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME IN THE SECOND FAILURE). THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN WHICH I HAVE HAD IT TOWED TO HAS DONE THE FOLLOWING. FIRST VISIT = "MISC FOUND CODES P0716/P0893//CLEAR CODES OK AT THIS TIME" COULD NOT DUPLICATE CUSTOMERS CONCERN. SECOND VISIT = REPLACED THROTTLE POS SENSOR". THIRD VISIT = "VEHICLE WAS LOW ON TRANSMISSION FLUID". I AM NOT ACCEPTING THE LAST EXCUSE AS A FIX TO THE PROBLEM, I BELIEVE THERE IS AN UNDERLYING PROBLEM. *TR THE VEHICLE WENT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE 4TH TIME FOR THE CLUNKING NOISE THAT CAUSES IT TO STOP AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS KIT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209324November 19, 2007
PARKING BRAKE
BRAKE PULSATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10201034August 28, 2007
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
MY FIANCE' AND I HAVE RECENTLY STARTED EXPERIENCING SOME ISSUES WITH OUR 2005 MANUAL TRANSMISSION. FOR SOME REASON, FROM A STOP, THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD ONCE IT IS ON GEAR. IT JUST WON'T MOVE. I CAN TAKE IT IN AND OUT OF GEAR AND IT STILL WON'T MOVE. I CAN TRY IT IN FIRST OR SECOND AND STILL NOTHING. THE WORK AROUND WE FIGURED OUT IS TO PUT IT IN REVERSE AND MAYBE MOVE IT BACKWARDS JUST A LITTLE BIT AND WE ARE THEN ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN FIRST AND MOVE FORWARD LIKE NORMAL. IT HAS ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO HER THREE TIMES IN THE PAST WEEK, ONCE LAST WEEK AND TWICE TODAY. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE CAR LAST WEEK THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED AND SAW THE ISSUE FIRST HAND. I AM GOING TO KIA ABOUT THIS, BUT I WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THIS ISSUE OR EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE WITH THE 2005 MANUAL TRANSMISSION, OR ANY YEAR TRANSMISSION FOR THAT MATTER. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED ON BUSY ROADS AND INTERSECTIONS IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR. WE ARE WORRIED THAT IT WILL HAPPEN WHILE SHE IS MOVING OR CHANGING GEARS. THIS HAS TO BE SOME SORT OF SAFETY ISSUE. THE CAR IS GOING TO KIA TOMORROW TO HAVE THE ISSUE ADDRESSED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10199602August 14, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. IT SENSES PASSENGER LESS THAN 50% OF THE TIME. EVEN GETTING OUT AND RESTARTING THE CAR WILL NOT FIX THIS. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I ASKED ABOUT RECALL/BULLETIN AND THEY SAID THERE WASN'T ONE BUT I HAD RECEIVED SOMETHING IN THE MAIL ABOUT A YEAR AGO. THIS IS FOR 2005 KIA SORENTO SPORT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10198880August 8, 2007
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
ON A FEW OCCASIONS WHEN THE DRIVER POWER SEAT WAS MOVED FORWARD, BACKWARD OR RECLINED, IT WOULD LET YOU MAKE THE ADJUSTMENT AND STOP. BUT IF YOU TRIED TO RETURN THE SEAT TO ITS ORIGINAL POSITION, THE MOTOR WOULD NOT RESPOND. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES MY WIFE NEEDED TO GO SHOPPING AND I DECIDED TO SIT IN THE CAR WITH THE BABY, RECLINE AND RELAX. WHEN SHE HAS RETURNED, THE SEAT WOULD NOT MOVE WHICH LEFT IT IN AN UN-DRIVABLE POSITION. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. IT SEEMS YOU HAVE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE (TAKING PRESSURE OFF THE SEAT) AND WORK THE SWITCH BACK AND FORTH TO FINALLY GET THE SEAT TO MOVE. AT TIMES THIS HAS TAKEN AN HOUR IN A PARKING LOT STANDING IN THE RAIN OR IN THE HEAT. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING AND ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10198321August 2, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE MOTOR STARTED KNOCKING EXTREMELY LOUD. DID NOT OVERHEAT AND OIL LEVEL WAS FINE. ON JULY 31 I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM MS STEVENS (CENTRAL KIA) TO AUTHORIZE FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF THE VEHICLE. THE COST TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WILL BE $80.00 IF NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. ON AUGUST 1ST I RECEIVED A CALL FROM MS. STEVENS STATING THE TECHNICIAN SAW SIGNS OF ?SLUDGE? WHEN HE REMOVED THE OIL CAP. MS. STEVEN QUESTIONED IF THERE WAS KNOCKING NOISE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. I EXPLAINED THERE WAS NO NOISE PRESENT AND THE LAST OIL CHANGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,800 MILES AGO. MS. STEVENS SAID SHE HAD TO GET AUTHORIZATION TO PROCEED TO GO ANY FURTHER BECAUSE OF THE EVIDENCE OF ?SLUDGE?. IF THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO ?OIL STARVATION? IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE FURTHER DIAGNOSIS WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $500.00. I QUICKLY DISMISSED THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE ENGINE HAD BEEN ?OIL STARVED?. IF THE ENGINE WAS OIL STARVED THE FAILURE WOULD MOST LIKELY HAPPEN OVER TIME. THIS FAILURE WAS IMMEDIATE. MS. STEVENS AGREED AND EVEN MENTION THAT SHE HAS SEEN AND THE TECHNICIAN AS EXPERIENCED A MALFUNCTION WITH A WING NUT AND BOLT BREAKING AND FALLING INTO THE LOWER PART OF THE MOTOR. SHE BELIEVED THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED IN THIS CASE WHICH WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY. ON THURSDAY AUGUST 2ND AT APPROXIMATELY 11:00AM I WENT TO CENTRAL KIA IN PLANO AND MET WITH MS. STEVENS. MS STEVENS TOLD ME THE WORK ON MY VEHICLE HAD NOT BEGUN. AT APPROXIMATELY 1:30 PM I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM MS. STEVENS STATING A MALFUNCTION IN THE MOTOR OCCURRED INVOLVING A FAILED PART (BOLT). MS. STEVENS NOW IS REQUESTED FOR ME TO PRODUCE MAINTENANCE RECORDS OR THE DEFECTIVE ENGINE WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING TO ME TO KNOW THAT KIA KNEW OF THE FAULTY PART PRIOR TO THE DIAGNOSIS, THEN FINDING THE PROBLEM THEN PLACING THE MONKEY ON THE CONSUMERS BACK BEFORE THEY WILL COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10198178August 1, 2007
PARKING BRAKE
2005 KIA SORENTO, WAS IN GEAR AND EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED & THE VEH ROLLED OUT OF PARK AND INTO BODY OF WATER. WHEN VEHICLE WAS RETRIEVED, THE POLICE DID CONFIRM THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK & EMERG BRAKE WAS STILL ENGAGED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10196715July 18, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
AT UNDER 20,000 MILES I WAS TOLD I NEED A NEW ENGINE. THEY HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR TWO WEEKS AND WON'T GIVE ME A RENTAL IN THE MEANTIME.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10192765June 8, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP SINCE THE TIME OF PURCHASE. THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SEAT WAS REMOVED AND WORKED ON SIX TIMES FOR THE AIR BAG SENSOR. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. GM STATED THAT THEY CANNOT HELP UNLESS THEY WITNESS THE FAILURE FOR THEMSELVES. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 19,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10191334May 21, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CAR IS MAKING A WEASEL KING OF NOISE AROUND 45-55 MPH. KIA TRIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM ANOTHER PROBLEM EMERGED. CAR SHOOK WHEN BRAKING SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN KIA OF THE VALLEY SAID THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THEY ASKED ME TO WAIT SO THEY COULD CONSULT WITH KIA ENGINEERS, BUT BEFORE I HEARD ANYTHING BACK THEY CLOSED THE DEALER. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10187435April 10, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LIGHT BULB , AND, APPROXIMATELY THREE OR FOUR MONTHS LATER, THE BULB WAS REPLACED AGAIN. THE LIGHT BULB STOPPED WORKING AGAIN THREE MONTHS LATER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BULB ONCE MORE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT STOPPED WORKING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LIGHT BULB FOR THE FOURTH TIME. SINCE THE LAST REMEDY, THERE HAVE BEEN NO OTHER FAILURES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 47,000.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183626February 27, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2005 KIA SORENTO LX, HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT MALFUNCTIONING. ON OCCASION WHEN IN THE PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT SEATTHE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT DID NOT TURN OFF. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 3 OCCASIONS. THE DEALERSHIP CHANGED THE SEAT SENSOR THREE TIMES ,AND TOOK THE SEAT OUT TO HAVE IT SHIPPED TO CALIFORNIA TO REPROGRAM THE SEAT SENSOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED HER THAT SOMETIMES SHE MAY HAVE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND GET BACK INTO THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE SENSOR LIGHT TO WORK PROPERLY. SHE HAD AN ARBITRATION CASE DATED FOR 03/01/07, WITH CASE # KIA 0732574, FOR THE COMPLAINT FILED WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU REGARDING THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES AND REPAIR ORDERS AVAILABLE, WILL SUBMIT THEM TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4500, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13000.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172638January 4, 2007
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
MANUAL TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENT SHIFTING SAFETY DEFECT CAUSES OUR 2005 KIA SORENTO TO LOCK UP WHILE WE ARE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND WILL NOT LET US SHIFT GEARS OR MOVE THE CAR. HAS HAPPENED PULLING INTO TRAFFIC IN FIRST GEAR; HAS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY SHIFTING UP THROUGH GEARS, HAS HAPPENED DOWN SHIFTING IN INTERSECTIONS. THIS DANGEROUS SAFETY DEFECT COULD CAUSE US TO BE IN A POSSIBLY FATAL ACCIDENT. WE HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO KIA INC. TWO TIMES AND TAKEN TO DEALERS FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD SINCE THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE IT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO HELP US. THEY TEST DRIVE THE CAR BUT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE TO LOOK AT THE CAR. IN THE MEANTIME THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO EXIST AND WE ARE DRIVING A DANGEROUS VEHICLE AND WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED. OUR CONSCIENCE TELLS US WE SHOULD NOT TRADE OR SELL THIS AUTO BECAUSE WE KNOW IT HAS A POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING SAFETY DEFECT (EVEN THOUGH IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY) . THIS IS A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE. EVERY TIME WE DRIVE THE CAR WE WONDER IF THE SHIFTING PROBLEM WILL OCCUR. WE HAVE YOUNG GRANDCHILDREN AND BOUGHT THE KIA SORENTO BECAUSE OF ITS POSITIVE SAFETY FEATURES. BECAUSE OF THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM WE ARE HIGHLY CONCERNED FOR THEIR AND OUR SAFETY. *NM UPDATED 11/21/06. *JB UPDATED
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158054May 22, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
I PURCHASED MY 2005 KIA SORENTO IN THE FALL OF 2004. IT IS NOW MAY OF 2006. I HAVE REPLACED 5 HEADLIGHT BULBS IN THIS TIME. THEY BEGAN TO GO BAD ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO, AND I HAVE REPLACED ONE EVERY 30-45 DAYS. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE BULBS ARE EFFECTED. KIA DEALERSHIP IN LANSING SAYS THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING. VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10155611April 18, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS, STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
2005 KIA SORENTO V6, BREAKAGE OF CRANKSHAFT ACCESSORY PULLEY/VIBRATION DAMPER BOLT, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING DUE TO POWER STEERING BELT TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS PROBLEM EFFECTS 2003 TO 2006 KIA SORENTO V6 ENGINES MANY OWNERS HAVE HAD MULTI FAILURES OF THIS BOLT, THE UPDATED BOLTS FAIL TOO. KIA IS TRYING TO HIDE THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM AND HAS NO INTENTION OF A REAL FIX. MY VEHICLE AND OTHERS ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE OUR KIA SORENTO'S. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150466February 16, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, EQUIPMENT
HEADLIGHTS FREQUENTLY GO OUT. I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THEM TWICE SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR ONE YEAR AGO. THEY GET EXTREMELY HOT AND ALMOST MELT. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND IT SEEMS LIKE THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149325February 2, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKING SYSTEM NOT WORKING PROPERLY. FIRST TIME I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP AT A LIGHT AND THEY WERE SLOW REACTING, WHICH CAUSED MY TO GO INTO THE INTERSECTION. SECOND TIME I WAS GOING ABOUT 15 MPH AND WENT TO BRAKE AND THE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT STOPPING THE CAR. DEALERSHIP DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, BUT CLEARLY THERE IS A PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148949January 29, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
I HAVE HAD THE HEADLIGHTS O 2005 KIA SORENTO REPLACED TWICE NOW. THEY BOTH WENT OUT WITHIN A DAY OF EACH OTHER THE FIRST TIME. I HAD TO PAY 129.00 ON THE CAR WAS LES THAN I YEAR OLD. THE SECOND TIME THEY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS SERIOUS. ALOT OF KIA OWNERS ARE COMPLAINING BUY KIA SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG. THERE MUST BE. CAN YOU HELP GET KIA TO RECALL & FIX THIS PROBLEM?*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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