Kia Sorento Complaints (2009)

55 consumer complaints on file.

#10822048January 25, 2016
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS
MY 2009 KIA SORENTO (87810 MILES) HAS HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE 2014. IN SEPT 2014, WHILE WARRANTY WAS VOID DUE TO OVER 60, 000 MILES) I HAD TROUBLE WITH THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATION LIGHTS WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WERE TURNED ON. $1,000+ DOLLARS LATER, DIMMER SWITCH, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, AND RHEOSTAT CIRCUIT WERE REPAIRED. IN DECEMBER 2015, STARTED TO HAPPEN AGAIN BUT NOW THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WON'T GO OFF. TOOK IN JANUARY, AND $275 MORE, REPLACED DIMMER SWITCH AGAIN AND CLEANED THE CONNECTION TO AIR BAG SENSOR. THREE DAYS LATER, THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AGAIN. FURTHER INSPECTION AND IT IS DETERMINED THE THE "OCS" SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $1900 FOR PARTS AND $200 FOR LABOR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10790528November 16, 2015
AIR BAGS
MY SON WAS TRAVELING ON A MAIN ROAD IN TOWN WHEN THE CAR HYDROPLANED AT ABOUT 30 MPH AND HE LOST CONTROL. IT SENT HIM SLAMMING INTO A CULVERT, THEN IT BOUNCED OUT OF THE CULVERT AND RAN UP ON A RESIDENTIAL PORCH AND HIT A TREE. THE DRIVERS SIDE TOOK THE MAJORITY OF THE IMPACT. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED (FRONT OR SIDE). HE WAS SLAMMED INTO THE DRIVERS DOOR PANEL AND THE CENTER CONSOLE. HE HAS CONTINUING PAIN IN HIS BACK.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10786719October 28, 2015
AIR BAGS
THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE BACKING UP IN A PARKING LOT. I TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 6-10 FEET TURNING LEFT IN REVERSE AT MAYBE 1-2 MPH IF THAT MUCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT HIT NOR DID IT HIT ANYTHING TO CAUSE THIS AIRBAG TO DEPLOY AND THE HORN TO STAY ON. WHEN AIRBAG DEPLOYED, THE STEERING WHEEL COVER WHEN FORCED OPEN GASHED LEFT THUMB. AUTO INSURANCE WILL NOT COVER DEFECTS. TRYING TO WORK WITH KIA MOTORS TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE PARTS AND MAKE VEHICLE SAFE. UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME IF THEY WILL FIX. OTHER KIA VEHICLES HAVE HAD AIRBAG PROBLEMS FROM MY RESEARCH. SERVICE MANAGER AT DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT MY ATTORNEY SAID DEFECTS ARE NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE AND MY VEHICLE IS WITHIN THE PRODUCT LIABILITY PERIOD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10779832October 5, 2015
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
SHORTLY AFTER BUYING SUV IN 2009 WE EXPERIENCED "QUERKY" STUFF LIKE DOORS RELOCKING, DOME LIGHT S COMING ON, BACK HATCH UNLOCKING ALL THIS HAPPENING ON THEIR OWN!! I KEPT TELLING THE DEALERSHIP AT OIL CHANGES! THEY KEPT IGNORING IT ALL! NOV 1, 2009 KIA ELECTRIC SYSTEM SERVICE BULLETIN #282603 (TS B-044) ISSUED. SEPTEMBER THE CHECK ENGINE AND ESC OFF LIGHTS STARTED COMING ON TOGETHER, SUV IMMEDIATELY DECENDS TO 15-20 MPH! YOU CAN'T GIVE IT GAS, ONLY RPMS RISE HIGH! GAS IS EATEN UP! COAST TO SIDE, SIT A FEW TO 20 MINUTES. MAYBE BOTH OR ESC OFF LIGHT(S) GO OUT AND YOU PROCEED. HAVE NOTICED A BUCK FEELING BEFORE LIGHT(S) ARE COMING ON AT TIMES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS MAY STAY ON FOR A WHILE OR NOT. HABITUALLY ERRATIC WHEN LIGHTS COME ON, CAN BE EVERY MILE TO SEVERAL MILES! LAST WEEK SUV WITH OUT THESE LIGHTS STARTED RUNNING REAL ROUGH AT IDLE AND DRIVING. TO THE POINT OF REVING OVER 2000 RPMS BUT ACTED LIKE BEING HELD BACK! I HAVE BEEN RELUCTANT TO DRIVE IT MUCH IN FEAR OF THE ADVANCING ISSUES AND HURTING THE POWER TRAIN! AT IDLE RANGE IS 300 ' 1,800+ RPMS, MECHANIC WITNESSED THE VARYING RPMS WHEN CODE 1611 (TIME OUT:ECM,PCM,TCM ISSUE) CAME UP ON SNAP-ON'S CODE READER. SUV HAS BABY MILES OF 29,884 NOW 30,004 TODAY. ALL SUV'S ON FORUMS ARE OVER 50,000 MILES! ~ LOW IDLE KIA CALLS FOR TPS REPLACEMENT ~ SEPTEMBER 7, 2011. MY SUV THROWS P1295/P2135/P2106 CODES LISTED IN THIS! CALLS FOR THE ECM BE REPROGRAMED USING THE GDS (GLOBAL DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM). REF: 044 BULLETIN. DRIVING YOU CAN FEEL THE ENGINE SLOW DOWN TO ALMOST STALLING BUT CATCHES ITSELF AND KEEPS RUNNING. 1ST TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS DOING 55MPH AND FOUND I WAS SLOWING REAL FAST WITH TRAFFIC COMING UP BEHIND ME. I NOW HAVE TO RIDE WITH 4 WAY FLASHERS TO BE SAFE! CHK ENG ON WHEN KEY IS TURNED ON AT TIMES NOW. TOWED 1X, DRIVE A MILE SIT MINUTES REPEAT'D 8X. ISSUES ARE PROGRESSING!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10744565July 29, 2015
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
ALMOST A YEAR AGO, I WAS DRIVING ON THE TURNPIKE WITH A POSTED 65 MPH WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND THE ESC OFF LIGHT LIGHTS UP ON THE DASH. I STARTED LOSING ACCELERATION AND COULDN'T GO ABOVE 40 MPH. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND CONTACTED THE GARAGE. THEY TOLD ME TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT. THE ESC OFF LIGHT WENT OUT AND I WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE NORMALLY BUT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON FOR 2 MORE DAYS. EVERYTHING WAS FINE UNTIL 8 MONTHS LATER WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ESC OFF LIGHT LIT UP AGAIN AND I COULDN'T ACCELERATE PAST 40 MPH. HOWEVER, THIS TIME I HAD TO PULL OVER - TURN OFF THE CAR - RESTART MY CAR( 6 TIMES) TO TURN OFF THE ESC OFF LIGHT!!! TWICE THIS JULY THE SAME SITUATION HAPPENED AND I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE. OF COURSE ALL LIGHTS WERE OUT AT THE TIME. THERE WERE ERROR CODES ON THE COMPUTER BUT WHILE CONVERSING WITH THE TECHNICIANS THEY BELIEVE IT'S A FAULTY GAS PEDAL/ACCELERATOR AND NOT TIRE/BRAKE SENSOR CODES. I WAS GIVEN A QUOTE OF $350 FOR REPLACEMENT HOWEVER THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE AND I FEEL THE CONSUMER SHOULDN'T BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CORRECTING THIS PROBLEM AND IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE. MY PARTICULAR CASE HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN LESS THAN A YEAR. OBVIOUSLY, THERE ARE MANY OTHER CONSUMERS HAVING THE SAME DEFECT ISSUE. IT'S NOT SAFE IF YOUR ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION CAN ONLY ACCELERATE TO 40 MPH ON A DANGEROUS ROAD TRAVELED BY COMMUTERS AND BIG RIGS GOING AS HIGH AS 80 MPH OR MORE. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN! KIA IS PLAYING WITH PEOPLES LIVES HERE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE KIA AND THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY ISSUE...OBVIOUSLY IT'S NOT STABLE. MA 10/8 UPDATED 3/22/2016*JS UPDATED 12/13/2017*CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10717761May 21, 2015
AIR BAGS
PASSENGER SIDE, FRONT, AIRBAG INDICATOR WORKS ONLY SOME OF THE TIME WITH ADULT PASSENGER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10716099May 12, 2015
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ESC OFF SENSOR AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN STARTING VEHICLE OR WHEN IN MOTION/DRIVING. ESC OFF ILLUMINATES FOLLOWED BY COMPLETE LOSS OF ACCELERATION. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH TO 70 MPH LIGHT APPEARS AND QUICKLY LOOSES LACK OF THROTTLE ACCELERATION POWR. I'VE HAD THIS HAPPEN (10 PLUS TIMES) SINCE I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN 2012 PRE-OWNED FROM KIA DEALERSHIP IN CAPE CORAL,FL. TONIGHT 5/12/15 I WAS HEADING ON HIGHWAY AND STOPPED 3 TIMES EVERY 2 TO 4 MILES (LOST POWER) IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC.. FINALLY,VEHICLE CAME BACK ON MORE FOR ABOUT 10 MILES, WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 65 TO 70 MPHS VEHICLE SHOWED ESC OFF LIGHT AND LOST ACCELERATION THEN POWER... NO ACCIDENT JUST SWERVED ALOT..
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10712447April 23, 2015
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I SUDDENLY LOST POWER OR CONTROL TO THE GAS. I COASTED THE CAR TO MY WORK A FEW MILES AWAY IN OSSEO, WI. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A NEARBY GARAGE, THE LOFT SERVICE CENTER IN OSSEO, WI. THEY HOOKED IT UP TO A COMPUTER AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. 10/7/14 THE SAME THING HAPPENED. MY HUSBAND AND I WERE ON A TRIP AND LOST POWER, COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ABOUT EVERY 20 TO 40 MILES FOR ABOUT 300 MILES UNTIL WE GOT TO THE KIA PRESTIGE IN EAU CLAIRE, WI. THROTTLE BODY SENSOR WAS REPLACED. 4/20/15 SAME THING HAPPENED. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT. SHUT OFF THE CAR. WHEN IT WAS RESTARTED, I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO KIA PRESTIGE IN EAU CLAIRE, WI. REPLACED THROTTLE BODY AND AIR SENSOR TO AIR FILTER COST $1298. PARTS ARE ONLY GUARANTEED FOR ONE YEAR. I WAS TOLD THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN FOR MANY REASONS. I AM AFRAID THIS IS UNSAFE AND I COULD BE REAR-ENDED THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENS. I CALLED THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-333-4542 AND HAVE A CASE NO. [XXX]. THEY WOULD NOT TELL ME IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM OR HOW TO FIX IT. I SEE MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ONLINE. I HAD A KIA RONDO BEFORE THIS AND IT HAPPENED WITH THIS CAR AS WELL. I SEE THIS AS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND JUST DON'T WANT TO DIE OR HAVE MY GRANDCHILDREN DIE BECAUSE THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10660695November 24, 2014
AIR BAGS
FIRST NOTICED IN THE SEPT. TIME PERIOD THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED EVEN AFTER MY WIFE SAT DOWN, AND EVEN IF SHE TRIED SHIFTING AROUND TO ACTIVATE THE SEAT SENSOR. MY WIFE WEIGHS MORE THAN 120 LBS. ABOUT 10% OF THE TIME THE SYSTEM SENSES HER PRESENCE FROM HER FIRST SITTING DOWN, WHILE THAT RISES TO ABOUT 75% IF SHE SHIFTS AROUND TO ACTIVATE THE SENSOR. COMMUNICATION ON THE WEB AND THE AUSTIN DEALERSHIP SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE NOTED THAT KIA HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH ACTIVATION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR. IN PARTICULAR, KIA HAD A SAFELY RECALL SC 076 A (COVERING 2007-2008 KIA SORENTOS) WHICH HAD SYMPTOMS IDENTICAL TO WHAT WE NOW ARE EXPERIENCING. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AND THE KIA TELEPHONE HELP LINE CLAIM MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED BY THAT RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10597559June 11, 2014
POWER TRAIN
THE CAR WILL SOMETIMES SHIFT HARD. WHEN IT DOES THIS AND I PUT IT INTO DRIVE, THE TACH WILL GO UP AND THE ENGINE REVS, BUT THE CAR MOVES AT A SNAILS PACE. EVEN IF THE PEDAL IS TO THE FLOOR. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT THAT POINT AS I COULD NOT SAFELY MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN TO CROSS TRAFFIC. I WOULD LIKELY GET HIT BEFORE I COULD CLEAR THE INTERSECTION. I HAVE TO SHUT THE CAR ON AND OFF A FEW TIMES REMOVING THE KEY WHILE DOING THIS TO GET THE CAR TO RUN NORMAL AGAIN. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO KIA 3 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE NOT FIXED IT. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM AND I SHOULD BRING IT IN WHEN THE CAR IS ACTING UP. BUT I LIVE ABOUT 50 MILES FROM THE NEAREST KIA DEALER, HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO DRIVE A CAR THAT WON'T GO OVER 5 MPH AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE? WHEN I TOOK IT IN LAST WEEK I WAS BASICALLY TOLD THEY HAD NOTHING TO GO ON SINCE THEY COULDN'T PULL A CODE FROM THE CAR AND I WAS OUT OF LUCK BECAUSE WHILE HE SUSPECTED HE KNEW WHAT SYSTEM WAS CAUSING THE ISSUE THEY WERE NOT GOING TO FIX IT BECAUSE THERE WAS NO CODE. AND MY WARRANTY WILL BE UP AT THE END OF THE MONTH. I HAVE RESEARCHED KIA REVIEWS AND HAVE SEEN A FEW PEOPLE WITH THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL HAVE THE SAME ISSUES WITH THEIR CARS, AND SOME PEOPLE INDICATED IT WAS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE. I SHARED THIS WITH THE KIA SERVICEMAN AND HE DISMISSED THE INFORMATION SAYING THAT WAS HIGHLY UNLIKELY AS KIA MAKES SUPERIOR TRANSMISSIONS. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT I EVEN HAVE A FRIEND WHO HAD THIS SAME ISSUE WITH HER KIA AND ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. SO IT ACTUALLY KIND OF SOUNDS LIKE A COMMON PROBLEM TO ME. AS A SIDE NOTE, IT DID THIS WHILE IN PA ON VACATION. THE KIA DEALER LOOKED AT IT THERE, THEY SAID IT WAS A SENSOR UNDER THE PEDAL AND THEY REPLACED IT. BUT IT HAS DONE IT AGAIN SINCE THEY FIXED THAT PROBLEM. THE PART THAT WAS REPLACED IS PART OF THAT SYSTEM THE SERVICEMAN WAS REFERRING TO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10563790February 10, 2014
AIR BAGS
I WAS DRIVING ON BLACK TOP RD. IT HAD BEEN SLEETING THE KIA I WAS DRIVING VEERED OFF THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF RD. I WENT OFF IN DITCH HITTING A TREE HEAD ON MY AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY IS THIS NORMAL I DON'T THINK SO I THOUGHT THAT IS WHAT THEY WERE FOR MY INJURIES WERE SPRAINED WRIST & NECK & BACK & MY BREAST BONE HURTS I WAS DRIVING A 2009 KIA SORENTO LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR REPLY DOES THIS HAPPEN VERY OFTEN TO THIS MAKE OF VEHICLE? *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10548861October 22, 2013
POWER TRAIN
WHEN SHIFTING MY 2009 KIA SORENTO FROM P TO R, IT VIOLENTLY JOLTS INTO R AND THEN WHEN SHIFTING INTO D, IT HAS ALMOST NO POWER, AS IF I WERE DRIVING IN FIRST GEAR WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION (VEHICLE IS AUTOMATIC). AFTER A FEW MINUTES, IT WILL DRIVE NORMALLY UNTIL I STOP, THEN IT AGAIN IS VERY SLUGGISH WITH ALMOST NO POWER UNTIL IT "CATCHES". SOMETIMES IF I STOP THE CAR, PUT IT IN PARK AND SHUT IT OFF, THEN RESTART, IT WORKS FINE. THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY DAY, IT'S RANDOM BUT WHEN IT HAPPENS, IT IS VERY SCARY AND I AM NOW AFRAID OF DRIVING IT. EVERY TIME I START THE CAR, I GINGERLY SHIFT TO D OR R, WAITING FOR THE JOLT. I AM AFRAID IT'S GOING TO JERK BACKWARDS OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT SOMEONE/SOMETHING. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR TWO YEARS NOW, OFF AND ON. DEALER SAID THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND "THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO UNTIL IT BREAKS". IN WHICH CASE MY WARRANTY WILL BE OVER AND THEY'LL CHARGE ME FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. CALLED KIA AND THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING BUT THEY OPENED A TICKET FOR MY PROBLEM. I KNOW BOTH KIA AND THE DEALERSHIP KNOWS WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BUT THEY ARE IGNORING IT. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF INTERNET RESEARCH REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND SEE COMPLAINT AFTER COMPLAINT (INCLUDING THREE ON THIS SITE JUST FOR THE 2009 MODEL ALONE). I KNOW THE 2011 MODELS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS ALSO. IT'S VERY SAD BECAUSE I REALLY LIKE THE CAR BUT I'M TOO NERVOUS DRIVING IT NOW SO I'LL BE TRADING IT IN AND GOING BACK TO A CHEVY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10545234September 24, 2013
POWER TRAIN
RECENTLY BROUGHT MY 2009 KIA SORENTO TO THE DEALER ON 9/9/13. THE VEHICLE WAS BANGING INTO GEAR (WHETHER REVERSE OR DRIVE) AND IT WAS SLUGGISH WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE. IT WAS VERY SCARY TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHILE CROSSING OVER ONCOMING TRAFFIC AS THE CAR WAS NOT GOING ANYWHERE WHEN TRYING TO DRIVE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO CAME ON. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SOMEHOW WAS NOT ON WHEN THEY TOOK POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE.THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEN SENT ME ON MY WAY WITH NO RECOMMENDATIONS. NOW A WEEK LATER, 9/17/13, I CALLED THE DEALER AND REPORTED THE SAME INCIDENT AS BEFORE. THEY TOLD ME TO DRIVE IT TO THEM AND KEEP THE CAR RUNNING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AGAIN. AS THE TECH AT THE DEALER TOOK POSSESSION OF MY VEHICLE, YOU CAN HEAR IT BANG INTO GEAR AND HEAR THE RPM'S RACING AS THEY DROVE FORWARD. THE TECH ADVISED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE CODES WERE STORED HISTORY CODES. THEY ARE TO DO WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THIS TIME KIA ADVISES TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. MEANWHILE, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED DECEMBER OF 2011. KIA STILL HAS MY TRUCK AS I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I HAVE A CALL INTO KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE REGIONAL OFFICE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FROM EARLY ON. I HAD BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND THE DEALERSHIP WOULD TELL ME THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE MY PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE! WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR INTO GEAR, THERE IS A LOUD BANGING SOUND (SOUNDS LIKE YOU WERE REAR ENDED). THEN WHEN YOU APPLY THE GAS PEDAL TO GO FORWARD, THE CAR GOES NOWHERE. THE RPMS RACE AND YOU ARE BARELY MOVING. AT OTHER TIMES, WHEN YOU SLOW DOWN IN TRAFFIC OR ARE STOPPED AT A LIGHT, AND ATTEMPT TO DRIVE, YOU BARELY MOVE AS THE RPM'S ARE RACING. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED! IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE!! *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10523457July 6, 2013
TIRES, TIRES:SIDEWALL
DRIVING ON NYS THRUWAY AT 65 MPH. SIDEWALL BLEW OUT. NO PUNCTURES, GOOD TREAD AND PRESSURE. MY 3 YEAR ODL SON WAS IN THE CAR. REPLACED WITH FULL SIZE SPARE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10516089June 10, 2013
AIR BAGS
'PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF' LIGHT ON REPEATEDLY WITH A PASSENGER IN SEAT AND AFTER TURNING ENGINE OFF AND ON AND RE-POSITIONING OF PASSENGER MORE THAN 1 DOZEN TIMES! THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED AS A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE, AFTER SURVIVING BEING HIT HEAD-ON, SEVERELY INJURED AND OUR VEHICLE DESTROYED. AIR BAGS HELPED SAVE OUR LIVES. THE SORENTO HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE DATE OF PURCHASE IN FEBRUARY 2010. WE HAVE REPEATEDLY TALKED TO KIA HEADQUARTERS AND DEALERSHIPS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. NORMAL PASSENGER IS MUCH HEAVIER THAN 120 LB "GRAY AREA" NOTED TO AFFECT ACTIVATION. ONE DEALERSHIP PRINTED A READOUT "PROVING" USUAL PASSENGER "SITS LIGHT" - ADVISED ADJUSTING SITTING POSITION. YESTERDAY TEMPS IN AZ EXCEEDED 110 DEGREES AND THE PROBLEM WAS SEVERE. THE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN VEHICLE WAS STARTED, WOULD GO OFF AND COME BACK ON AS SOON AS THE SHIFTING LEVER WAS MOVED. THE PASSENGER LIFTED AND READJUSTED EACH TIME TO NO AVAIL. THIS PROCESS WAS REPEATED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. OFTEN THE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE TO EXIT DRIVEWAY OR PARKING PLACE, WITH NO MOVEMENT FROM PASSENGER. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD!! MUST SOMEONE DIE BEFORE KIA CORRECTS THIS PROBLEM?!?! (AIR BAG SHOULD ALWAYS BE ACTIVATED!!!!!) KIA SHOULD BE MANDATED TO FIX THIS LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM BEFORE FATALITIES OCCUR!!!!!!!! CORRECTION OF THIS PROBLEM IS SURELY LESS EXPENSIVE THAN LAWSUITS FOR INJURIES/DEATHS CAUSED BY INACTIVE AIR BAGS! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10512541May 17, 2013
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
I WAS DRIVING ALONG A STATE HIGHWAY WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER. "ESC OFF" LITE UP ON THE DASH AS DID AN ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHT. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A SAFE PLACE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND TRIED TO RESTART IT TWICE WITH NO RETURN OF THE POWER. THE ENGINE WOULD RUN BUT DID NOT RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND CALLED FOR A TOW. WHEN THEY ARRIVED 45 MINS LATER HE STARTED THE CAR AND IT WORKED FINE EXCEPT THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I WAS THEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME. I HAD A MECHANIC CHECK THE CAR AND WAS TOLD ALL HE COULD FIND WAS A CODE THAT INDICATED THERE HAD BEEN SOME PROBLEM WITH THE ESC AND THAT THAT PROBLEM HAD SHUT THE GAS OFF TO THE ENGINE. HE RESET THE SYSTEM AND EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE FOR 5 DAYS OR ABOUT 260 MILES. THEN IT OCCURRED AGAIN IN A SITUATION OF INCREASED TRAFFIC. I WAS AGAIN ABLE TO SAFELY GET OFF THE ROAD AND AFTER WAITING ABOUT 10 MINS WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND DRIVE HOME. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT IF THIS OCCURRED AT A HIGHER SPEED I WOULD END UP IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE KIA DEALER NEXT WEEK, BUT WILL BE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE TO GET MY CAR TO THEM. IT APPEARS THERE HAVE BEEN OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE ADVISE ME IF YOU ARE INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10508480April 16, 2013
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
WHEN MERGING ONTO THE INTERSTATE (INCREASING SPEED FROM 25MPH AND UP) VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPS AND DOESN'T ALLOW ME TO ACCELERATE AND THE ESC OFF ILLUMINATES ON THE DASH AS WELL AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. IN ORDER TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE I HAVE TO MOVE OFF OF THE HWY INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE, PUT ON MY FLASHERS, TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND PRESS THE ESC OFF BUTTON. THE VEHICLE THEN STARTS AND I SLOWLY MERGE BACK ONTO THE HWY CAUTIOUS NOT TO ACCELERATE TOO QUICKLY AS THE ENTIRE PROCESS WOULD OCCUR AGAIN. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS IT OCCURS WHEN AN INCREASE IN SPEED IS NEEDED AND IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP, THEY 'TIGHTENED SOME WIRES" AND LITERALLY THE NEXT DAY IT OCCURRED AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10462481June 20, 2012
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:SOLENOID
UPON STARTING THE 2009 KIA SORRENTO ONE DAY, I SHIFTED TO REVERSE AND NOTICED A VIOLENT JERK WITH A LOUD POPPING SOUND. UPON PUTTING IT INTO DRIVE, THE CAR WOULD BARELY ACCELERATE BUT THE ENGINE WOULD STILL REV WHEN PRESSING DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON BUT LATER WENT AWAY. THE DEALERSHIP HAS SEEN THE CAR MULTIPLE TIMES AND OUR SERVICE ADVISOR GARY DAWSON IN HOUSTON, TX SAYS THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM OR FIND ANY FAULT CODES (EVEN THOUGH WE PROVIDED THE CODE PULLED FROM AUTOZONE THE PREVIOUS DAY). CODES SAID THE TRANSAXLE AND HIGH/LOW SOLENOID WERE THE PROBLEMS. THE CAR IS IN THEIR POSSESSION NOW BUT AFTER A QUICK TALK WITH OUR SERVICE ADVISOR I HIGHLY DOUBT THEY WILL BE FIXING ANYTHING. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWS ALMOST ALL 2005+ SORRENTOS HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT KIA AND KEEP THEM IN CHECK. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10442300January 3, 2012
AIR BAGS
AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO HAVE PROBLEM FIXED, KIA STATES THAT IT IS NORMAL THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR DOES NOT ALWAYS DETECT PERSON ON SEAT. WHAT BS!!! NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET A RECALL? SOMEONE DYING? OR MULTIPLE? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424514September 9, 2011
POWER TRAIN
WHILE DECENDING A MOUNTIAN PASS IN COLORADO WITH THE VEHICLE IN 4WD-LOW RANGE AND THE SHIFT SELECTOR IN THE SPORT MODE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD UP-SHIFT AT ABOUT 3200 RPM CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GAIN SPEED VERY QUICKLY AND REQUIRING THE CONSTANT APPLICATION OF BRAKES WHICH CAUSES THE BRAKES TO OVER HEAT. THE OWNERS MANUAL CLEARLY STATES THAT THIS IS AN APPROVED USE OF THE VEHICLE AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT SHIFT UNTIL THE RED-ZONE (APPROX 6000 RPM). I CONTACTED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE IN NOVEMBER OF 2009 AND HAVE HAD SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS WITH KIA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE AND MR RICHARD PULRIDIA WHITH KIA SERVICE HAS EVALUATED THE VEHICLE AND FILED A REPORT WITH KIA ENGINEERING IN MAY 2011. I TALKED TO MR PULRIDA THIS WEEK AND HE HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION TO DATE AND HAS NO IDEA WHEN OR IF ANY ACTION WILL BE TAKEN TO CORRECT THIS UNSAFE CONDITION. I BELIEVE THIS OPERATION IS UNSAVE BECAUSE IT CAUSES QUICK ACCELLERATION TO UNSAFE SPEEDS WHIN IN A STEEP DECENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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