Kia Sorento Complaints

10,397 consumer complaints on file.

#10210353November 30, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
LIKE MANY 2003 KIA SORENTO OWNERS THE OVERFLOW TANK IN MINE DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE BOTTOM THAT IS ONLY VISIBLE WHEN IT IS PRESSURIZED. ALTHOUGH KIA KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE OVERFLOW TANK IN MOST IF NOT ALL 2003 KIA SORENTO'S AND HAS SENT OUT A TSB TO THEIR MECHANICS OVER HOW TO REPLACE IT. AS SOON AS MY CAR HAD OVERHEATED DUE TO THE LEAK, I HAD TO PAY AROUND $100 TO BUY A NEW TANK FROM THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP BUT ALAS AFTER OVER HEATING MY CAR DEVELOPED MORE PROBLEMS AND ENGINE HAVING TO BE THROWN OUT. THIS HAS COST ME OVER $4300 IN REPAIRS SO FAR, AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR I AM STILL MAKING MONTHLY PAYMENTS ON IN NINE MONTHS. NONE OF WHICH ARE COVERED TO THE WARRANTY DUE TO THEIR "10 YEAR 100,000 MILE" POWERTRAIN WARRANTY NOT BEING TRANSFERABLE TO THOSE WHO BUY THE CAR USED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10210416November 30, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE THE PASSENGERS AIRBAG REMAINS IN THE OFF POSITION WHEN MY WIFE IS SEATED AS A PASSENGER, BUT WHEN I RIDE AS PASSENGER THE AIR BAG IS ON. (SOME TIME IT WORKS AND OTHERS IT DOES NOT). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209292November 19, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
I WAS TOLD BY THE FLORIDA STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE THIS IS THE SITE TO ENTER INFORMATION FOR A POSSIBLE PRODUCT RECALL. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. THE RADIATOR RESERVOIR ON KIA SORRENTO'S START LEAKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IF THE CONSUMER DOES NOT NOTICE IT THEN THE ENGINE WILL OVERHEAT AND STOP WORKING. ALTHOUGH THE ENGINES ARE WARRANTED FOR 10 YRS OR 100,000 MILES I SEE POTENTIAL FOR MANY CONSUMERS LOSING THEIR ENGINES AND THE RESPONSE FROM KIA BE THAT THE CUSTOMER LET THE ENGINE OVERHEAT. IT IS NOT EASY TO REALIZE THAT THE CAR IS OVERHEATING. RATHER THAN A FLASHING LIGHT THE TEMPERATURE INDICATOR IS A GAUGE. YOU HAVE TO ACTUALLY NOTICE THAT THE NEEDLE HAS MOVED. IT SEEMS A SHAME THAT SO MANY PEOPLE MAY LOSE THEIR ENGINES BECAUSE OF WHAT AMOUNT TO A PLASTIC PART THAT JUST STARTS LEAKING. I BELIEVE THE REPLACEMENT RADIATOR RESERVOIR IS A REDESIGNED PART AND I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THE ORIGINAL PART IS DEFECTIVE SHOULD BE RECALLED. I OWN A KIA, THIS DID NOT HAPPEN TO ME. I WAS LUCK ENOUGH TO NOTICE THAT THE RADIATOR RESERVOIR WAS LEAKING. MY SORRENTO IS A 2004 BUT I BELIEVE OTHER SORRENTOS AROUND THAT YEAR USE THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209324November 19, 2007
PARKING BRAKE
BRAKE PULSATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10208998November 15, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATES EVEN WHEN A GROWN ADULT IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES, AND THE SERVICE DEPT AT THE DEALERSHIP AGREE THAT IF A 150 LB ADULT IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE OFF LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED, THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. THE ADULT CAN BE SITTING STRAIGHT UP IN THE SEAT WITH FEET IN THE FLOOR IN FRONT OF THEM AND THE OFF LIGHT IS ON. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THEY CANNOT FIX THIS, IT IS A PROBLEM. THE CORP. OFFICE SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THE SENSORS ARE NOT PROPERLY LOCATED. WHAT GOOD IS THE AIRBAG IF IT WON'T DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10208961November 14, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
ENGINE COOLANT OVERFLOW CONTAINER IS CRACKED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10208782November 13, 2007
SUSPENSION:REAR
THIS 2007 KIA SORENTO HAS A DRIVELINE VIBRATION SINCE PURCHASED ON 1/31/07. THE VIBRATION STARTS AT 65 MPH AND GOES AWAY AT 73 MPH. BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY BALANCED THE TIRES BUT THE VIBRATION IS STILL THERE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10208491November 9, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN AN OCCUPANT WAS IN THE SEAT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE OCS "OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM" MALFUNCTIONED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEATS AND SENSORS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,600.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10208122November 7, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR FAILED. AS OF NOVEMBER 7, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 600. UPDATED 01/09/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES EVEN ON THE WAY HOME FROM CHURCH RECENTLY. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10207765November 2, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, WHICH INDICATED THE AIR BAG WAS OFF. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE SENSORY MODULE AND THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SEAT. TEN DAYS LATER, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THEY STATED THAT TEN PERCENT OF THEIR VEHICLES WERE HAVING THE SAME FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 117.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10207638November 1, 2007
AIR BAGS
2007 KIA OPTIMA PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT IN GAGE WIN IN SET . DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME . AIR BAG LIGHT TELLS YOU WHEN IT IS NOT ON. KIA HAS REPLACED SET DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM . BEEN TOLD BY KIA THAT NOT SITTING IN THE SEAT RIGHT. IT HAPPENS WITH ALL TYPES OF PASSENGERS, BUT DOSE NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME . KIA HAS SAID THAT WE NEED TO HAVE SEETING LESSENS. WE HAVE VIDEO TAPES AND PICTURES OF THIS, PLUS WITTNESS OF THIS HAPPING . I FEEL I AM DRIVING A UNSAFE CAR . PLEASE HELP ME . *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10207397October 30, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
IN JULY, 2007, I PURCHASED A 2007 KIA SORENTO. ON MY FIRST OCCASION TO DRIVE ON THE INTERSTATE, COMING HOME FROM WORK, I ENCOUNTERED A MAJOR SHUDDER OR JERKING WHEN TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. THE INTERSTATE WAS VERY SHOW TRAVELING DUE TO AN ACCIDENT. WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR SHUDDERED (OR JERKED) SEVERAL TIMES EXTREMELY HARD BUT THEN STRAIGHTENED OUT. THE HARD SHUDDERS OCCUR AT APPROXIMATELY 35 TO 45 MPH. ALSO, WHEN TRAVELING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, IF I HAVE TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL DUE TO SLOWING TRAFFIC, I PRESS THE MIDDLE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON AND TAKE OVER MANUALLY. WHEN TRAFFIC PICKS BACK UP, I PRESS THE "RESUME" BUTTON, AGAIN...THE SHUDDER. THE SHUDDER OR JERKING ALWAYS HAPPENS UPON ACCELERATION. WHEN ATTEMPTING A HILL AT 35 TO 45 MPH, THE CAR LOSES POWER ALL TOGETHER AND REALLY STRUGGLES UNTIL REACHING THE TOP. I HAD CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND TAKEN THE SORENTO IN FOR REPAIR. THE SERVICE MANAGER DROVE THE CAR, DID IN FACT EXPERIENCE THE SHUDDER, BUT WAS UNABLE TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION TO FIX IT. HE CONTACTED HIS DISTRICT MANAGER WHO SAID HE WAS WORKING A CAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND WAS TRYING TO FIND A "CURE." I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND EVEN DROVE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER. HE ACKNOWLEDGES THE PROBLEM BUT, AGAIN, AT THIS TIME, THERE IS NO SOLUTION AS TO HOW TO FIX IT. I CONTACTED KIA HEADQUARTERS TO SEE IF THEY WERE WORKING ON TRYING TO FIND A SOLUTION TO FIX THE SHUDDER. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS PROBABLY A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CAR AND WOULD BE CONSIDERED "NORMAL" PERFORMANCE FOR THE SORENTO. I FIND THIS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. I HAD DRIVEN A LOANER SORENTO WHEN MINE WAS IN FOR MAINTENANCE AND IT DID NOT DO THE SHUDDER. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH MY SORENTO AND AM CONSIDERING TRADING AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10207076October 27, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
THE AIRBAG ACTUATION SYSTEM IS DESIGN DEFECTIVE, AT LEAST FROM MY POINT OF VIEW, IN THAT IT DOES NOT ALWAYS BECOME ACTIVE , WHEN A PASSENGER IS SITTING IN IT. I HAVE HAD PASSENGERS FROM 105# TO 315#, AND SOMETIMES THE SYSTEM IS ACTIVE AND SOMETIMES NOT. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY KIA SERVICE THAT THE 8" BLADDER IN THE SEAT, WHICH ACTIVATES THE SYSTEM FOR DEPLOYMENT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, IS SENSITIVE TO WHERE AND HOW THE PASSENGER SITS IN THE SEAT. IF THEY DON'T SIT IN JUS A CERTAIN MANNER, THE SYSTEM DOES NOT ACTIVATE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ITEM AND HAS AN IMMEDIATE URGENCY TO HAVE KIA REMEDY THIS. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT AND THE BAG DOES NOT DEPLOY FOR THE PASSENGER DUE TO THIS PROBLEM, I MOST DEFINITELY WILL BE IN COURT WITH KIA. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10206820October 24, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
2003 KIA PART # 25430-3E201 TSB # KT2007073101 DRIVING DOWN ROAD COOLANT OVER FLOW TANK SPLITS LEAKS FLUID OUT, RUINS ENGINE, FIND OUT KIA HAD A TSB OUT TO REPLACE TANK WITH STRONGER RE-ENGINEERED TANK. NEVER NOTIFIED PUBLIC, BAD DESIGN COSTS ME THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS BECAUSE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I AM LEFT STRANDED 10 PM AT NIGHT ON SIDE OF INTERSTATE IN POURING RAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10206143October 17, 2007
WHEELS:HUB, EQUIPMENT
HUBCAPS HAVE 3/8" GAP BETWEEN RIM AND HUBCAP. HAVE TRIED WEEKLY SINSE MAY TO GET KIA TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS AIR SPACE AT HIGHWAY SPPEDS COULD CAUSE UN STABLE STEERING AND WHEEL BEARING WEAR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10205099October 5, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, MAINLY BETWEEN 42 AND 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKS AND VIBRATES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS. THE SECOND TIME, THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVESHAFT, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,600 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 959. UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB THE DEALER WASN'T SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THEY STATED THE PROBLEM MAY BE A SOFTWARE OR TORQUE CONVERTER ISSUE. UPDATED
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10204649October 2, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
MY VEHICLE STARTED ACTING UP WHENEVER I TURNED ON THE AIR CONDITION I WOULD LOSE POWER. THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD GET REAL TIGHT AND I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO TURN IT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A KIA DEALERSHIP WHERE IT HAS BEEN FOR 3 WEEKS NOW WAITING ON PARTS. NOT TO MENTION I CALLED KIA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FOR 4 DAYS STRAIGHT BEFORE A TOW COMPANY FINALLY CAME AND TOWED MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A CRANK SHAFT, TIMING BELT, AND A ENGINE WHICH IS ALL COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY OF THE PARTS NEEDED FOR MY CAR. I AM STILL WITHOUT A VEHICLE KIA SAYS THEY DO NOT DO LOANER CARS OR RENTALS SO I AM JUST FRUSTRATED WITH THE WHOLE ORDEAL. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10204289September 27, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN JULY OF 2007 REGARDING THE CRANK SHAFT BOAT. HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL AND THE ENGINE FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY. HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TIMING BELT CAUSED THE FAILURE. AN INSPECTOR FROM CARFAX STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED BECAUSE OF THE CRANK BOAT SHAFT. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WITHOUT A SERVICE CHARGE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 67,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203356September 18, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLING/CHARGING
2003 KIA SORENTO. GAS TANK WILL NOT FILL AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO FILL THE CAR WILL SPEW GAS ONTO THE CONSUMER AND ALL OVER THE CAR AND SURROUNDING AREA CREATING A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. ACCORDING TO KIA I HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE GAS TANK ASSEMBLY BECAUSE IT'S DEFECTIVE. FOR NOW I HAVE TO PUMP THE GAS IN EXTREMELY SLOWLY AND IT TAKES APPROXIMATELY 12 TIMES LONGER THAN NORMAL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202909September 13, 2007
TIRES:VALVE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED THAT THE PRESSURE IN THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS LOW. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CHECK THE PRESSURE WITH HIS TIRE PRESSURE GAUGE, BUT IT RELEASED THE AIR OUT OF THE TIRE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VALVE STEM WAS BENT. HE SPOKE WITH KIA ROADSIDE SERVICE WHO REFERRED HIM TO KUNHO, THE TIRE MANUFACTURER. KUNHO STATED THAT THEY WERE ONLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TIRE AND NOT THE VALVE STEM. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 2,394.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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