2008 KIA Sorento

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/30/2018· ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

  ALL DOOR HANDLES HAVE FALLEN OFF IT'S GOING TO BE $250.00 TO HAVE ONE FIXED. I AM NOT ABLE AT THIS TIME TO HAVE A MALFUNCTION FIXED! IT IS NOT VANDALISM OF ANY KIND! IT'S A DEFECTIVE PART! THE AUTO REPAIR PLACE SAID TO LOOK INTO RECALLS! I NEED THIS PROBLEM FIXED! NO CAR I HAVE OWNED HAS EVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BUT THIS ONE!

• 12/26/2012· AIR BAGSCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORRENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH IN SNOWY WEATHER, HE ATTEMPTED TO AVOID CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND SWERVED OFF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT TRAVELED OVER A GRASSY AREA BEFORE CRASHING INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT STRUCK HER HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD BUT WAS NOT TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,500.

• 12/18/2011· AIR BAGS

  1. A WHINING NOISE DEVELOPED AROUND 40K AND PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE. WAS TOLD THE DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. COME TO FIND OUT IT WAS A FAULTY BEARING. 2. PASSENGER SIDE SEAT AIRBAG LIGHTS COME ON FOR NO REASON STATING THAT AIRBAGS ARE OFF EVEN WHEN THERE IS AN ADULT PASSENGER IN THE SEAT 3. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND CAR IS LITERALLY NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE, DUE TO SENSOR THAT CONTROLS ACCELERATOR, HAPPENED TWICE BEFORE BEING REPLACED. *TR

• 12/14/2011· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

  I HAVE NO REAR BRAKE LIGHT. THE ESC OFF LIGHT COMES ON IN THE DASH. I CAN TURN ON THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT I CAN'T SET A SPEED FOR CRUISE CONTROL. I HAVE A REMOTE STARTER THAT HAS A SAFETY SWITCH WHEN THE BRAKE IS PRESSED TURNS THE REMOTE STARTER OFF THAT ISN'T WORKING CORRECTLY CAUSE THERE IS NO SIGNAL THAT THE BRAKE HAS BEEN PRESSED. *TR

• 12/12/2021· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

  Even after having the ESC and relay box replaced the vehicle has become much worse. It's shuts down my accelerator pedal and won't move I have to shut it off completely for it to reset its extremely unsafe and is now affecting my job. And the ability to take car of my son. And Kia wants to charge me $200 plus for a diagnosis when it clearly keeps shutting down the vehicle and the esc off light is on. I even replaced the accelerator pedal assembly $180 and it did not fix the problem please help. Also this has been an on going issue since August 2020 and even after running diagnostic on it. I keep getting the run around from everyone stating a different issue each time.

• 12/12/2017· ENGINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO SHAWNEE MISSION KIA (7591 SHAWNEE MISSION, KS 66202), BUT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE SIX YEARS AGO. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,970. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

• 12/10/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEFire

  MY 22 YR SON. WAS DRIVING A KIA SORENTO, AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON 11/27/08 ON I-10 W IN HOUSTON, TX, JUST EAST OF LOOP 610. THE VEHICLE WAS A RENTAL FROM ENTERPRISE RENTAL CAR AND HAD CA. 4000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. MY SON REPORTS HEARING A LOUD BOOM FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD VENTS. HE IMMEDIATELY PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE MEDIAN SHOULDER AND EXITED THE VEHICLE, NOTICING DARK SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD, THEN FLAMES. HE PROMPTLY CALLED 911. THE OPERATOR SAID SHE HAD HIS VEHICLE FIRE ON THE OVERHEAD HIGHWAY CAMERA. MY SON IS A CULINARY STUDENT AND RAPIDLY RETRIEVED HIS VALUABLE KNIFE ROLL FROM THE REAR SEAT FLOORBOARD, BUT WAS UNABLE TO GET ANYTHING ELSE FROM THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE HEAT AND SMOKE. HE SAYS THE FD ARRIVED WITHIN 5 MINS AND DOUSED THE ENGINE FIRE. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE FIRE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND LESS SO TO THE REAR PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. MY SON IS SMART, QUICK AND AGILE. THUS, HE SUFFERED NO PHYSICAL INJURY, BUT WAS QUITE DISTRAUGHT. HE WILL DO WELL. I AM AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN WITH 20 YRS OF EXPERIENCE. I HAVE VERY SERIOUS CONCERNS REGARDING THIS APPARENT CATASTROPHIC FAILURE THAT RAPIDLY RESULTED IN AN ENGINE AND VEHICLE FIRE. IT IS APPARENT THAT A DEFINITELY ADVERSE OUTCOME, INCLUDING SERIOUS INJURY AND/OR DEATH COULD RESULT IF THE OCCUPANTS WERE ELDERLY OR A FAMILY WITH CHILDREN IN PROPER RESTRAINTS, BOOSTER OR INFANT SEATS. ADDITIONALLY, MY SON REACTED RAPIDLY AND IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER. ANOTHER TRAGIC SCENARIO COULD OCCUR IF THERE WERE A NARROW OR NO SHOULDER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR REVIEW AND ACTION. *TR

• 12/03/2015· AIR BAGS,ENGINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ESC, PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG, AND MOTOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V473000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

• 11/30/2020· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V088000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED GOSSETT KIA SOUTH (2680 MT MORIAH RD, MEMPHIS, TN 38115;(901) 328-8173) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

• 11/30/2020· EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS

  DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS ON, PASSENGER SIDE SEEMS OPERATIONAL. IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY, DURING THE SAME TRIP INTERIOR LIGHTS, EXCEPT MANUAL PUSH LIGHTS AND DASHBOARD, DO NOT AUTOMATICALLY TURN ON

• 11/28/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,INTERIOR LIGHTING

  DASH LIGHTING PROBLEM ON 2008B KIA SORENTO. WHEN CONTROL KNOB ON TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IS ROTATED FOR NIGHT LIGHTING OF DASH LIGHTS, THE DASH LIGHTS GO OUT, BLOWING A FUSE. POSSIBLE SHORT IS SYSTEM SOMEWHERE. UNABLE TO TRACE AT CANADIAN KIA DEALERSHIP WITHOUT PAYING $90.00/HR FEE WHICH COULD TAKE MANY HOURS. *TR

• 11/27/2009· AIR BAGS

  WE PURCHASED A 2008 KIA SORENTO FROM KIA OF BRADLEY, ILLINOIS, LAST NOVEMBER. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT SIGNALS THAT THE AIR BAG IS OFF, EVEN THOUGH SOMEBODY IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THEN, THAT IF YOU WERE IN A FRONT END ACCIDENT AND THE LIGHT IS STATING THE AIR BAG IS OFF, IT WILL NOT DEPLOY. WE HAVE COMPLAINED NUMEROUS TIMES TO KIA OF BRADLEY, TALKED WITH THE REGIONAL MANGER, AND HIS BOSS AND THEIR STAND IS THAT MY WIFE IS SITTING WRONG IN THE SEAT. I DON'T BUY THIS. THERE WAS A RECALL, WE TOOK IT IN TO BE FIXED, THAT DID NOT HELP. ALSO, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS REPLACED AND THAT DID NOT HELP EITHER. THEY DID ALL THIS WORK BUT CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN THAT MY WIFE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT INCORRECTLY. *TR

• 11/21/2010· AIR BAGS

  2008 KIA SORENTO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. 38 Y W/F SITTING IN DRIVER'S SEAT, VEHICLE NOT RUNNING AND NO ONE WAS AROUND VEHICLE. AIRBAG DEPLOYED STRIKING FEMALE ON LEFT SIDE CAUSING INJURY TO ABDOMEN, ARM, SHOULDER AND FACE. ACCORDING TO KIA COMPUTER MALFUNCTION CAUSED PROBLEM. GLAD SHE WAS WAITING ON OTHER SON TO LEAVE CHURCH. KIA'S SOLUTION IS TO REPLACED AIRBAG SYSTEM. VEHICLE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. EVENTS FEMALE SAT IN DRIVER'S SEAT. CONSEQUENCES MODERATE INJURY, DISORIENTED UNABLE TO REMEMBER WHICH CHILD WAS IN THE BACK SEAT SHE WAS TALKING TO AT THE TIME. OFFICIAL MEDICAL VISIT AT URGENT CARE THE NEXT MORNING. X-RAYS AND CAT SCAN. SEVERE CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN DEATH IF IT HAPPENED 5-10 MINUTES LATER GOING DOWN ROAD. WHAT HAS BEEN DONE? I HAVE BEEN INFORMED KIA DOES NOT DEAL WITH HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS. FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN JUST ANOTHER NUMBER. *TR

• 11/19/2014· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  DIM LIGHTS BOTH QUIT AT THE SAME TIME IN EARLY MORNING (DARK) DRIVING. *TR

• 11/17/2016· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE'S PASSENGER ALERT SYSTEM, WHICH INFORMS WHEN THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED, REMAINED ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

• 11/13/2015· AIR BAGS

  AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON IN DASHBOARD AFTER STARTING THE CAR AND STAYED ON, ALSO LIGHT STATING PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF GOES ON AN OFF. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERS BACK ON 8/9/12 FOR PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT, SUPPOSEDLY IT WAS REPAIRED BUT STILL HAPPENING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR AIR BAG LIGHT IN DASH WAS ADVISED B1448 OCS, PASSENGER BOTTOM SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED WHICH WOULD COST $2219.34. INFORMED DEALER CHOOSING NOT TO HAVE REPAIRED, FEEL IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER RECALL 11V473000, THEY STATED MY VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF RECALL

• 11/12/2008· AIR BAGS

  I HAVE 2008 KIA SORENTO. ON THE EVENING I BOUGHT THE CAR, I WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON STATING THAT THE AIRBAG WAS OFF. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE IS A NATIONWIDE BACKORDER FOR THE PART AND NOT TO ALLOW ANYONE TO SIT IN THE FRONT SEAT. THIS WAS A MONTH AGO THEY STILL CANNOT GET THE PART. I WILL BE TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THIS FRIDAY TO SEE IF THEY CAN RESET THE COMPUTER. THEY SAID THEY HAVE HAD ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR

• 11/10/2011· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OFF WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER FOR A SECOND OPINION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,700.

• 11/09/2021· UNKNOWN OR OTHERFire

  The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle a burning odor and smoke were present inside the cabin of the vehicle. Also, the engine had stalled while driving and the vehicle would not properly accelerate while driving on inclined roads. The cause of the failures was not yet determined. The contact indicated that the failures began after the vehicle was serviced under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 20v088000 (Electrical System, service brakes) which involved a fire hazard. The local dealer was informed of the failures. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 181,000.

• 11/09/2015· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  I'VE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN A YEAR AND HAVE OBSERVED SEVERAL AFFECTED PARTS THAT PRESENT SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUES AND SUBSTANTIAL CONCERNS TO MY OVERALL WELFARE. MOST ALARMING IS THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER DURING OPERATION EITHER IN AND INABILITY TO ACCELERATE OR THE COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE MERGING OR DRIVING WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAYS AND INTESTATES. THE ESC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY AND REMAIN ON UNTIL ENGINE IS TURNED OFF. THE DASH PANEL LIGHTS FLICKERS OFF/ON WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS ENGAGED. THE BACK DRIVERS BRAKE LIGHT GOES OUT SPORADICALLY. IN THE EVENT THAT THERE IS A NEED TO CUT THE HEAD LIGHTS OR WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION, THERE IS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER OR ACCELERATION AND THE CAR WILL SLOW TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDST OF HEAVY TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT IS CONSISTENTLY ON. THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION COMES ON WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PROMPTING AND THE PANEL KEYS ARE NON RESPONSIVE TO OFF ON COMMANDS. THERE IS ALSO A HEAVY SHAKING THAT OCCURS ON THE FRONT END WHEN TRAVELING AT SPEED OF 55 MPH OR GREATER.

• 11/08/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

  MY 2008 KIA SORENTO LX LOSES POWER & WILL NOT ACCELERATE TO 60MPH. I FEAR DRIVING MY VEHICLE BECAUSE I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS BY AN 18-WHEELER DIESEL DUE TO THE FACT THE POWER IS LOST UPON ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. IN ADDITION TO THE LOSS OF POWER, THE CHECK ENGINE & ESC OFF LIGHTS STAY ILLUMINATED. LIKE MANY OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS, I HAVE TRIED TURNING MY ENGINE OFF & WAITING 10 MINUTES BEFORE RESTARTING THE ENGINE TO SEE IF THAT CLEARS THE STATUS OF THE LIGHTS BUT HAD LIMITED SUCCESS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 3 TIMES, WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, FOR RESOLUTION. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ADVISED THAT CERTAIN SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AS WELL AS THE GAS PEDAL BUT YET EITHER HAS RESOLVED THE ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP EVEN WANTED TO CHARGE ME $2800 FOR ONE TRIP & $1800 ON THE NEXT. THIS WAS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE & CORPORATE WAS CONTACTED IMMEDIATELY. I AM CURRENTLY WAITING ON A RESPONSE FROM THEM. THE BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE AS WELL HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE & ARE ANOTHER REASON FOR WHY I FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF ME & MY PASSENGERS WHEN THIS VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. *TR

• 11/08/2011· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE FUEL GAUGE NEEDLE DROPS DOWN FROM FULL TO EMPTY AND THE LOW/OUT OF GAS INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON, BUT GOES OFF AFTER NEEDLE MOVES FROM THE LOW FUEL GAUGE MARKING. THIS MALFUNCTION OF THE FUEL GAS NEEDLE HAPPENS AT NO SPECIFIC TIME INTERVAL OR SPEED RATE. *TR

• 11/07/2017· AIR BAGSCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF A SECOND VEHICLE. THE CRASH CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A HEAD CONTUSION, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. AN UNKNOWN KIA DEALER IN CAPE DORODO, MISSOURI AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. *LN

• 11/07/2007· AIR BAGS

  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

• 11/03/2009· AIR BAGS

  PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON WITH A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT AND SAYS THAT AIR BAG IS TURNED OFF. WIFE WEIGHTS 160 AND IS A FULL SIZE ADULT. KIA SAYS SHE IS NOT SITTING IN THE SEAT RIGHT, I HAVE HAD IT IN TO THE DEAL TWICE NOW FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. THEY KNOW THEY HAVE A PROBLEM AND ARE AVOIDING IT. IT IA A KIA SORENTO. *TR

• 11/02/2015· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BULBS AT LEAST 3 TIMES IN THE 3 YEARS I HAVE OWNED MY CAR. JUST HAD MY RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE REPLACED AGAIN, WAS WORKING IMMEDIATELY AFTER BEING REPLACED, AND NOW THE NEXT MORNING WHEN I GET IN MY CAR NEITHER HEADLIGHT WORKS. I AM A SINGLE MOM ON A FIXED INCOME AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP REPLACING THESE BULBS AT $20 EACH TIME.

• 11/02/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY/WIPER

  FOR YEARS NOW I HAVE REPLACED LIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE REPLACED HEADLIGHTS AT LEAST 15 TIMES AND BRAKE LIGHTS ABOUT 20 TIMES. ON AT LEAST 5 OCCASIONS ALL LIGHTS BURNED OUT AT ONCE.. THE FUSES AND RELAYS HAVE NEVER BEEN BAD BECAUSE WHEN I REPLACE THE LIGHTS THEY WORK.SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND I HAVE KNOWN MANY OTHER KIA OWNERS TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG. I CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

• 10/28/2015· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  AFTER STOPPING AND LOOKING FOR ONCOMING CARS AND STARTING AGAIN, THE CAR JETTISONED CAUSING ME TO HIT ANOTHER CAR AND THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP FOR ABOUT A HALF BLOCK.

• 10/26/2016· ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE

  ON TWO SEPERATE OCCASIONS APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS APART ON START UP AND INITIAL DRIVE THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ESC OFF LIGHT CAME ON. PULLED VEHICLE TO CURB, SHUT OFF ENGINE, WAITED SEVERAL MINUTES TO ONE HOUR, RESTARTED ENGINE AND HAD FULL POWER.. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON FOR SEVERAL START UPS THEN RESETS ITSELF. THIS SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS COULD BE DEVASTATING AND POTENTIALLY LEAD TO FATALITIES.

• 10/26/2013· POWER TRAIN

  THE GEAR SHIFT HANDLE CAME OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING IN REVERSE, RENDERING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. *TR

• 10/25/2013· SUSPENSION

  HIGHWAY DRIVING. SUSPENSION IS SO TIGHT VEHICLE "BOUNCES" WHEN BUMP, POT HOLE, ETC ENCOUNTERED. HIT BUMP, BOUNCE ALMOST THREW US INTO ADJACENT LANE STRIKING TRAILER TRUCK. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES, BEING BOUNCED ALMOST INTO ANOTHER LANE. VERY UNSAFE AND COULD ALSO LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL IF UNSUSPECTING DRIVER BEHIND WHEEL. *TR

• 10/25/2013· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  GAS PEDAL (OR COMPUTER PROGRAM) VERY TOUCHY. WHEN SOMEONE WHO IS NOT AWARE OF ISSUE DRIVES CAR, AS THEY START TO PRESS GAS PEDAL IT WILL LURCH FORWARD. WAS DRIVING WITH DAUGHTER WHO WENT TO STEP ON GAS AND VEHICLE JUMPED FORWARD AND WE ALMOST HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES WITH OTHER DRIVERS, INCLUDING MYSELF WHO IS WELL AWARE OF ISSUE AND MAKES SURE NOT TO PRESS PEDAL QUICKLY, BUT IT STILL LURCHES ON OCCASION. *TR

• 10/23/2012· ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

  I PURCHASED THIS CAR PRE OWNED. ABOUT 2 WEEK LATER, WHILE DRIVING THE ESC LIGHT SHOWS UP CAUSING THE CAR TO SLOWLY LOSE POWER. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. I ALMOST GOT HIT WHEN THIS HAPPENED!! AFTER 3-4 TIMES LATER, KIA DEALERSHIP CANNOT REPAIR THE ISSUE OR EVEN SOLVE IT. THEY ACTUALLY TOLD ME YESTERDAY THAT THE CAR WAS READY, HOWEVER IT WAS NOT FIXED BC THEY CANT FIGURE IT OUT. THEY TRIED EVERYTHING. I DID PICK UP THE CAR ONLY TO BRING IT RIGHT BACK THIS MORNING. I AM SCARED FOR MY SAFETY AS WELL AS MY CHILDREN. I LOOKED ONLINE AND THEIR ARE SO MANY OTHERS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. THIS IS INSANE. I AM NOW IN A RENTAL AS THEY ARE TRYING AGAIN FOR TIME #5 TO FIGURE IT OUT. I HAVE SPOKEN TO KIA CORPORATE. I HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS WITH THE BBB. AND NOW I AM HERE. IF ANYONE CARES ABOUT OTHERS SAFETY THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. I REFUSE TO PUT MY CHILDREN'S LIFE AT RISK. IMAGINE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THIS LIGHT TURNING ON RANDOMLY AND YOUR CAR JUST LOSING POWER. VERY UNSAFE!! *TR

• 10/21/2013· POWER TRAIN

  VEHICLE MADE A PROGRESSIVE NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VAN. IF SOUNDED LIKE OVERSIZED MUD TIRES WERE ON THE VEHICLE. BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WERE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY. THIS VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT NEW BY MYSELF AND ONLY HAS 22,508 MILES ON IT.. AT THE SAME TIME THE AIR COMPRESSOR WENT OUT. THIS WAS ALSO REPLACED. THESE PARTS SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED THIS EARLY ON A NEW VEHICLE. *TR

• 10/19/2022· EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SERVICE BRAKES

  The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sorento. The contact stated upon reversing out of his garage, the brake pedal was depressed and emitted an abnormal sound. The ABS and the electronic stability control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V114000 (Exterior Lighting) was completed; however, the dealer informed the contact that the failure persisted, and he needed to pay a diagnostic fee to determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that the recall remedy failed to correct the safety failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

• 10/19/2015· EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SERVICE BRAKES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE BRAKE LAMP FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH GROUND WIRE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V114000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 02/05/16*LJ UPDATED 4/23/18*JB *CN

• 10/18/2015· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

  EVERY 6 MONTHS THE ENGINE LIGHT AND ECS OFF LIGHTS COME ON AND THE CAR LOSES POWER INTERMITTENTLY. THIS IS DANGEROUS WHEN IT HAPPENS ON THE FREEWAY. I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM CARMAX IN JULY 2014. BY NOVEMBER, IT STARTED TO HAVE THE ISSUE, IT PROGRESSED AT I CHECKED IT ON THE INTERNET AND SAW A RECALL AND BROUGHT IT IN TO CITY KIA IN ORLANDO. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND AN ISSUE WHY THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND THERE WAS NO CLEAR CODE. HOWEVER, WHEN HE REPLACED THE RECALL LAMP SWITCH PART IT WENT AWAY UNTIL NOW (OCT 2015). IT IS CLEAR TO ME THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT CAN CAUSE THE LOSS OF POWER. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMMENTS FROM OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND THE SAME SYMPTOMS. I EXPECT CARMAX AND KIA UNDERSTAND THERE IS AN ISSUE. I BOUGHT THE CAR WITH 32K MILES ON IT FROM CARMAX AND IT ALREADY HAD 2 PREVIOUS OWNERS. THE AVERAGE KIA MECHANIC SEEMS INCAPABLE OF DIAGNOSING AND RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. THEY WILL JUST CHANGE OUT PARTS EVERY 6 MONTHS AND HOPEFULLY RESET THE ELECTRONICS SOMEHOW. I AM A LICENSED MECHANICAL ENGINEER AND SAFETY ENGINEER WORKING IN THE RIDE INDUSTRY FOR 30 YEARS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I WOULD LIKE KIA TO EITHER FIX IT OR TAKE MY CAR BACK OR CARMAX TO TAKE THE CAR BACK. THE LOSS OF POWER CAN OCCUR WHEN YOU START OR WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING. THE ENGINE LIGHT AND ECS LIGHT COME ON AND ALWAYS ACCOMPANY THIS ISSUE. TYPICAL POSTS ON INTERNET JUN 30, 2014 - CHEEKTOWAGA, NY - POWER TRAIN TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE SLOWLY DECELERATED TO 20 MPH. THE SERVICE ENGINE AND ESC SENSORS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

• 10/16/2011· ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

  THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT HAS COME ON AND STAYS ON. ALSO, THE "ESC OFF" LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE CAR IS ONLY DRIVEN SHORT DISTANCES A COUPLE OF TIMES A WEEK, HOWEVER WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AT ALL BECAUSE OF THE REPORTS OF POWER AND CONTROL FAILURE. THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ALSO NOT WORKING, WHICH COMPOUNDS THE PROBLEM. *TR

• 10/14/2009· AIR BAGS

  "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT REMAINS ON WHEN ADULT PASSENGERS OVER 108 LB SIT IN SEAT. NO AIRBAG FAILURE LIGHT INDICATED. HAD DEALER REP INSPECT AND DO CALIBRATION TO OCS IN LATE AUG. HOWEVER, THE FAULT STILL HAPPENS ABOUT 1OUT OF 10 TIMES. *TR

• 10/13/2015· AIR BAGS

  THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON WITH THE TROUBLE CODES OF B1511, B1513, AND B1448 ALL AT THE SAME TIME. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT ALL THIS GOES WRONG AT THE SAME TIME.

• 10/11/2017· ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

  ESC OFF LIGHT COMES ON AND SENDS THE TRANSMISSION INTO A "LIMP" MODE. THIS CAUSES EXTREME LOSS OF ACCELERATION. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ABS CONTROL MODULE, BUT IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHY THE VEHICLE IS DOING THIS.

• 10/08/2009· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE OCS MISCLASSIFIES THE PRESENCE OF CERTAIN ADULT PASSENGERS BASED ON A COMBINATION OF THEIR WEIGHT, STATURE, BODY SHAPE AND POSITION ON THE SEAT CUSHION. AS CONSEQUENCE THE AIR BAGS MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY IN A SITUATION THAT WARRANTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ONCE ACCORDING TO SERVICE BULLETIN #10030366 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE). THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,321. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30.

• 10/05/2009· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG MISCLASSIFIED A SMALL ADULT AS A CHILD. AS A CONSEQUENCE IN A SITUATION THAT WARRANTS, THE AIR BAGS MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND A TECHNICIAN COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. HOWEVER HE SPECULATED THAT THE SEATS WOULD HAVE TO BE POSITIONED FAR AWAY FROM THE AIR BAG IN ORDER TO BE OPERATIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,900.

• 10/01/2009· AIR BAGS

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG SENSOR MISCLASSIFIED A SMALL STATURE ADULT AS A CHILD. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE AIR BAG MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT SINCE THE PASSENGER WEIGHED ONLY 130 LBS, SHE WAS NOT LARGE ENOUGH FOR THE SENSOR TO DETECT HER WEIGHT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 380 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,200.

• 09/27/2016· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKESCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED THAT VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A THIRD VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITH EXTREME FORCE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, NECK, AND A WHIPLASH. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INJURED BY THE SEAT BELT. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A YARD AND DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V114000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

• 09/26/2013· ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE

  TWO DAYS AGO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED (AND STAYED ON) WITH INTERMITTENT ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATED; VEHICLE ACCELERATION BECAME SLUGGISH AND SOMETIMES UNRESPONSIVE. VEHICLE CODES USING OBDII POCKETSCAN SHOWED ACTIVE AND STORED CODES OF P2138 (ACCELERATOR), P2127 (ACCELERATOR) AND P2106 (LIMP MODE). I MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 09/25/13. ON THE DAY OF APPOINTMENT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED, BUT THE DEALERSHIP FOUND STORED CODES IN THE COMPUTER OF P2138, P2127 AND P2106. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO FIX THE VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT AN ACTIVE CODE (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT) ON AT THE TIME OF THE APPOINTMENT AND THE PART WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY FOR THE TIME BEING. WHEN ASKED IF IT WAS THEIR POLICY OR KIA MOTORS POLICY NOT TO REPLACE COMPONENTS THAT WERE FAILING, THEY STATED IT WAS KIA MOTORS POLICY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE ACCELERATOR ASSEMBLY HAS FAILED IN THIS VEHICLE. THE LAST FAILURE WAS 08/23/12 AT 27,545 MILES. A VAST MAJORITY OF THE COMPLAINTS WITH NHTSA FOR THIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR VEHICLE INVOLVE THESE CODES AND THIS COMPONENT. A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, OR LOSS OF LIFE SHOULD NEVER BE THE DETERMINING FACTOR WHEN MAKING A DECISION THAT A MANUFACTURER SHOULD TAKE ACTION TO CORRECT A FAULTY COMPONENT; BY THEN IT IS MUCH TOO LATE. *JS

• 09/25/2013· ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE

  ESC LIGHT COMES ON THEN THE ENGINE LOSES POWER, IT ALSO DID THIS 2 YEARS AGO ON 10/31/2011. *JS

• 09/25/2012· ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE

  2008 KIA SORENTO START-UP STALLING TEMPERAMENTALLY FOR THREE WEEKS. ON 9/11/2012 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ESC OFF LIGHT APPEARED, FOLLOWED WITH A "PUTTING" ENGINE AND LIMP MODE. THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN FOOT APPLIED TO GAS PEDAL. KIA DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED TPS AND BRAKE SENSOR FAILURE AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL NEEDED REPROGRAMMING. (ERROR CODES READ: P2135, P0638, AND P2A00 OR P2A03.) KIA PUBLISHED BULLETIN TSB 044: HTTP://WWW.KIA-FORUMS.COM/ATTACHMENTS/KIA-CARENS-RONDO-FORUM/5552D1272512047-ENGINE-RACING-STOP-TSB-TPS.PDF DANGER ASPECT: THE CAR SEEMED DRIVABLE, HOWEVER, THE LIMP MODE DOES NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO ACCELERATE TO THE SPEED LIMIT OR FLOW OF TRAFFIC. RESEARCHED MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS -- PLEASE ISSUE AN INVESTIGATION FOR A RECALL. *TR

• 09/23/2008· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE BRAKES SQUEAK WHEN THE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THE SQUEAKING SOUND IS GRADUALLY BECOMING LOUDER. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THIS ISSUE FOUR OR FIVE TIMES, BUT THEY CANNOT FIND ANY FAILURES. WHILE IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THE TIRES JUST SPIN AND THEN THE VEHICLE FINALLY MOVES. THE CONTACT IS AFRAID THAT THE VEHICLE WILL BE REAR ENDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,620. UPDATED 10/20/08. *LJ

• 09/22/2020· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)Fire

  I WAS READIND DOWN BEARESS AVE IN TAMPA FLA IAS I WAS RIDING MY TRUCK WENT INTO FLAMES AS SOON AS I LEFT MY HOME AT THE TIME NOT EVEN A HALF MILES THE HILSS COUNTY SHERIFF DID LET THE HOOD UP ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT MY INSURANCE DID COVER CAUSE I IHAD PIP THE TOW TRUCK CAME AND PUT. THEFIRE OUT THE CAUSE WAS ELACTRIC BATTERY BURNED UP CABLES ETC