Kia Sorento Complaints

10,397 consumer complaints on file.

#10488727December 13, 2012
POWER TRAIN
WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE TODAY, THE ESC AND DBC LIGHTS CAME ON AND I COULD NOT GET THE CAR OUT OF DRIVE OR NEUTRAL. I TRIED TO PUT IT IN REVERSE OR PARK AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE INTO THAT POSITION. FINALLY, I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON, THE LIGHTS WENT OFF, AND I WAS ABLE TO GET IT INTO PARK. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10487856December 10, 2012
STRUCTURE, STEERING
MY 2003 KIA SORENTO START VIBRATING AS I WAS PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND BEFORE I CAN PARK IT I HEARD A LOAD NOISE AND MY STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HEAVY TO STEER AND ALMOST LOOSE CONTROL. I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK INTO THE ISSUE AND FOUND THE PULLEY BOLT (HARMONIC BALANCER) BROKE IN HALF. I HAD ALSO CHECK IF THIS IS AN UNUSUAL PROBLEM - CAME TO FIND OUT THAT THIS COULD POTENTIAL DESIGN DEFECT FROM KIA. AS THERE ARE THOUSAND OF THEM THAT HAS SIMILAR PROBLEM COMPLAINED ON THE INTERNET. I HAD CALLED KIA DEALER SHIP AND THEY ARE NOT HELPING ON THIS DESIGN FLAW ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10487880December 10, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, STRUCTURE:BODY, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE WITHOUT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500. ..UPDATED 01/16/2013 *BF UPDATED 129/2013 JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10487373December 4, 2012
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO EXIT AND PUSH THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER. THE CONTACT TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT A SENSOR FAILED AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SENSOR HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE REPAIRS. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT A SAFETY SWITCH WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED A SECOND BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10486170November 27, 2012
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE OSC MAT SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS DAMAGED BY WATER AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10486068November 26, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE LUNGE FORWARD AND ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 500.... UPDATED 12/26/12 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10486070November 26, 2012
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ENGINE LOCKED UP AND AS A RESULT, IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000... UPDATED 01/04/13 *BF THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE BLOCK UNDER WARRANTY. UPDATED 01/09/13
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10486137November 26, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE THE COOLING FAN STAYS RUNNING. IF THIS IS NOT NOTICED IT WILL RUN UNTIL THE BATTERY DIES AND THEN THE VEHICLE WILL NEED JUMPED. AS I WAS RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET IT LOOKS LIKE THERE ARE ISSUES WITH RELAYS IN KIA'S FROM 2003 TO 2006. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH SOMETIMES MORE. THIS TIME THE BATTERY HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED TO GET THE FAN TO SHUT OFF.. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE RESEARCHED FARTHER IN REGARDS TO HOW OFTEN THIS HAPPENS. I HAVE NOT TAKEN MY KIA TO A MECHANIC YET DUE TO THE FACT IT IS VERY COSTLY TO TRACK AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT IF YOU ARE UNAWARE OF THIS PROBLEM YOU MAY GO TO START YOUR CAR AND IT DOES NOT RUN. THERE ARE A HIGH AND LOW FAN ON THIS KIA. BOTH OF THE FANS ARE RUNNING BUT THE HIGH FAN IS ALMOST SILENT. IF THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR AT LEAST FOUR YEARS THERE SHOULD BE SOME WAY TO HOLD THE MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10485942November 25, 2012
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I HAD OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR A YEAR WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN ONE DAY I WAS FILLING UP WITH GAS, HAD PUMPED LESS THAN A GALLON WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE GAS CAME SHOOTING BACK OUT OF THE TANK ALL OVER ME, THE CAR, THE GROUND, EVERYWHERE. I TRIED MORE GAS AS I WAS ALMOST ON EMPTY, & IT HAPPENED OVER & OVER. FINALLY, I HAD TO PULL THE NOZZLE MOST OF THE WAY OUT OF THE TANK, & PUMP AS SLOWLY AS POSSIBLE. I LEARNED THAT IF I LISTENED CAREFULLY, I COULD HEAR THE GAS APPROACHING THE TOP OF THE NECK & IF I WAS QUICK ENOUGH, COULD KEEP THE "BLOW BACK" DOWN TO A TRICKLE & ONLY HAVE IT ON THE VEHICLE & THE GROUND & NOT ON ME. MY SON REFUSES TO DRIVE IT IF IT NEEDS TO BE GASSED UP. IT MAKES ME VERY NERVOUS TO PUMP GAS LIKE THIS. WHAT IF THERE IS A RANDOM SPARK? I NOTICED IN 2005 (LONG BEFORE I PURCHASED) THERE WAS SOME SORT OF FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS RECALL FROM HTTP://WWW.MOTORTREND.COM/CARS/2003/KIA/SORENTO/RECALLS/ DOES THAT RECALL COVER THIS ISSUE? I READ A LOT OF COMPLAINTS FROM MANY PEOPLE HAVING THIS VERY SAME ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10485940November 25, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DRIVING AT NIGHT WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN INTERIOR LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING OFF & ON LIKE STROBE LIGHTS AT A DISCO. I TRIED TURNING THEM OFF, NOTHING. IT SEEMED RELATED TO THE DIMMER SWITCH BECAUSE IF I KEPT PRESSURE ON IT TO THE LOWEST DEGREE, THE FLASHING STOPPED. FOR AWHILE I WEDGED A PIN IN THE SWITCH & THAT WORKED. EVENTUALLY, THOUGH THAT STOPPED WORKING & THE LIGHT SHOW WOULD BEGIN. IT HAPPENED DAY & NIGHT, JUST MORE NOTICEABLE AT NIGHT. I FINALLY REMOVED THE FUSE FOR THE CABIN LIGHTS & AS A RESULT, HAVE NO DASH LIGHTS EITHER WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK. I'VE NOT GONE TO KIA AS I AM SURE IT WILL COST WAY MORE THAN I CAN AFFORD. I'M REDUCED TO USING A FLASHLIGHT WHEN ON LONG ROAD TRIPS TO CHECK GAS GAUGE & SPEEDOMETER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10485923November 24, 2012
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PUT KEY IN IGNITION, ALL LIGHTS ON DASH CAME ON AS NORMAL, RADIO CAME ON AS NORMAL, ENGINE DID NOTHING, MADE NO SOUND WHATSOEVER. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO CRANK VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STARTED. AFTER THE 3RD TIME THIS HAPPENING I TOOK IT TO ALL STAR KIA OF BATON ROUGE (THE ONLY KIA DEALERSHIP IN THE BATON ROUGE AREA, WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES ON A GOOD DAY FROM MY HOME). VEHICLE WAS THERE ONLY 30 MINUTES WHEN I WAS TOLD IT WAS MY BATTERY, WHICH I KNEW WAS INCORRECT BECAUSE EVERYONE KNOWS A DEAD BATTERY WOULD NOT HAVE ALLOWED MY RADIO AND ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS TO COME ON, BUT I ALLOWED THE TO GIVE ME A NEW BATTERY WITHOUT QUESTION. ONE WEEK LATER THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. THIS TIME I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I COULD NOT GET IT STARTED AND QUITE FRANKLY AM TIRED OF WASTING MY TIME AND GAS MONEY ON THE SAME ISSUE. THIS TIME THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUSE BLOCK, SAID ALL KINDS OF OTHER GARBAGE THAT DID NOT MAKE SENSE TO THE AVERAGE INTELLIGENT PERSON. DID NOT HAVE THE CAR BACK 2 DAYS AND THE SAME THING, WONT START. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WILL HAVE IT TOWED MONDAY AGAIN. DO NOT EXPECT IT TO BE FIXED, THE MECHANICS AT THIS DEALERSHIP DO NOT SEEM TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT VEHICLES OR WHAT MAKES THEM CRANK, RUN, AND GO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10485104November 19, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKES AND REVERSING FROM A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INTO A BUSY STREET WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH AND CAME TO A STOP AFTER CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO VARIOUS PARTS OF HER BODY AND LATER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE DRIVER OF THE SECOND VEHICLE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE FOR TREATMENT OF UNKNOWN INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS PENDING AN INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THEY WOULD PERFORM A WARRANTY CHECK. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 25,000. UPDATED 12/21/12*LJ UPDATED 1/9/2013 *JS
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10485078November 18, 2012
SEATS
THE LEVER TO FOLD DOWN THE SECOND ROW SEAT GETS STUCK. IT IS SO HARD TO OPERATE SOMETIMES THAT NO MATTER HOW MUCH FORCE YOU USE THE SEAT BACK LEVER WILL NOT RELEASE. AFTER SERVICING IT 3 TIMES THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THEY FIXED IT EACH TIME, BUT THE INTERMITTENT PROBLEM IS STILL PRESENT. THEY SAY THE GEAR THAT HOLDS THE SEAT IN PLACE HAS VERY SHARP TEETH AND WAS NOT MANUFACTURED PROPERLY. THEY SAY MANY KIA SORRENTOS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY SAY YOU HAVE TO WIGGLE THE SEAT BACK AS YOU TRY THE RELEASE LEVER. THE SAFETY CONCERN IS IF YOU HAVE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY THE SECOND ROW SEAT IN THE UP POSITION WOULD PROHIBIT THE BACK SEAT PASSENGERS FROM ESCAPE. THE SEAT IN THE DOWN POSITION WOULD IMPEED THE TWO SECOND ROW PASSENGERS FROM EXITING THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10484958November 16, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD FAILED TO ILLUMINATE, CAUSING THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD TO GO BLACK WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE GLOW PLUG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. AN ENGINEER WAS REQUESTED TO FURTHER INSPECT THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, HE WAS ALSO UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. AFTER INSPECTION, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD A SPONGY FEEL TO IT. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V599000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER) AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10484752November 15, 2012
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO EX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THERE WAS AN UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE TO A PARKING LOT WITH DIFFICULT IN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CRANK SHAFT BOLT FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED.THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10484812November 15, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
A DAY AFTER I PURCHASED A NEW KIA SORENTO EX GDI 2013 (9/25/2012), I NOTICED THAT IT HAD ROUGH IDLE AT STOP. I TOOK MY CAR TO DEALERSHIP TO FIX THE ROUGH IDLE ISSUE NEXT DAY, HOWEVER AFTER 4 DAYS OF TROUBLESHOOTING BY MECHANIC WITH KIA SUPPORT ENGINEER, THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO RESOLVE IT. TSB#122 (ECM SOFTWARE UPGRADE) WAS ALREAY APPLIED PRIOR TO MY PURCHASE. EVEN TODAY, I STILL HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. MY CURRENT MILEAGE IS 2800 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10484814November 15, 2012
WHEELS, SUSPENSION, POWER TRAIN
WHEEL ASSEMBLY APPEARS TO HAVE COMPLETELY GIVEN OUT. VEHICLE TRAVELING AT ~35MPH WHEN IT ROSE SLIGHTLY THEN GAVE OUT. VEHICLE HIT SIDE OF PARKED CAR AND FLIPPED ON TO SIDE AND INTO RETAINING WALL - FULL SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. ENTIRE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL WELL COMPLETELY VACANT. EVERYTHING LAYING ON STREET INCLUDING SUSPENSION SPRINGS. WITNESS TO SUPPORT EVENTS. VEHICLE UNDER 25K MILES (2011 MODEL, INCIDENT 2012). VEHICLE TOTALED BY INSURANCE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10484010November 12, 2012
ENGINE
ENGINE IDLES ROUGHLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10483960November 11, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
MY BRAKES WILL GO TO THE FLOOR EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, SOMETIME THE CAR IS NOT RUNNING AND I JUST PRESS THE PEDAL TO START THE CAR, OTHER TIME THE CAR IS MOVING ALL I HAVE TO DO TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM IS PUMP THE BRAKE 1 TIME AND EVERYTHING IS FINE AGAIN. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THE LAST TIME THIS IS THE ANSWER I GOT.(KIA TECHLINE STATES THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR THE BRAKE PETAL TO TRAVEL TO THE FLOOR AT TIMES. TECHLINE STATES THAT AS LONG AS THE VEHICLE WILL HOLD STILL AND WILL STOP WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THIS IS NORMAL. PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE SYSTEM SEEMS GOOD. I HAVE CALL KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND I AM WAITING FOR A REPLY. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10483975November 11, 2012
SEATS, STRUCTURE
SEAT TRIM ON DRIVERS SEAT BREAKS ALLOWING SEAT CONTROLS TO MOVE SEAT WHILE VEHICLE IS MOVING. IT CAN MOVE SEAT FORWARD OR BACKWARD WITHOUT DRIVER DOING ANYTHING. THIS TRIM HAS BROKEN 4 TIMES WITH THE SEAT MOVING TWICE (2) OUT OF THE FOUR (4) TIMES. KIA DEALER HAS REPLACED TRIM ALL FOUR (4) TIMES AND ACKNOWLEDGED IT IS A DEFECT IN THE TRIM DESIGN, HOWEVER KIA HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. TRIM IS HELD ON BY PLASTIC, AS IT MOVES THE PLASTIC BREAKS, ALLOWING SEAT CONTROLS TO MOVE AGAINST DOOR OR FLOOR MAKING SEAT MOVE. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON 8/27/11, 06/16/12, 08/04/12 AND 11/09/12. TALKING TO KIA DEALERS IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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