2005 Kia Sorento
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 307 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 10th highest complaint count among 23 Sorento model years with reports.
Of the 2005 reports, 17 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 20 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints: engine
106 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 14, 2011, crash
I WAS BACKING UP OUT OF A PARKING SPOT WHEN THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING, I COULDN'T REACT FAST ENOUGH AND ENDED UP HITTING A CEMENT POLE. WHEN I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC I WAS INFORMED THAT THE BOLT FOR THE CRANKSHAFT HAD BROKEN. ( THE CAR HAS ONLY 43,500 MILES ON IT) WHEN TALKING WITH KIA DEALER AND DOING SOME ONLINE RESEARCH I LEARNED THAT THIS IS A PRETTY COMMON FAILURE. I WAS TOLD THAT KIA WAS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT LEFT THE DEALERS TO FEND FOR THEMSELVES. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL, DO THEY NEED SOMEONE TO BE KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT BEFORE THEY CONSIDER IT A PROBLEM? THE NHTSA HAS THE POWER TO INTERVENE AND I URGE YOU STEP UP AND ADDRESS THIS ONGOING PROBLEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 6, 2011
2005 KIA SORENTO EX WITH 80,000 MILES; CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT FAILED MAY OF 2011, RESULTING IN BEING STRANDED. TOWED TO NEAREST REPAIR FACILITY, COST APPROX. $1200.00 FOR REPAIR. THE 2003 AND 2004 KIA MODELS HAD A RECALL FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM, BUT KIA REFUSES TO EXTEND THE RECALL TO 2005, EVEN THOUGH MANY KIA OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. SOME HAVE HAD THEIR CRANKSHAFT BOLTS FAIL MULTIPLE TIMES. I HAVE CONTACTED KIA SEVERAL TIMES TO TRY TO GET THEM TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR BUT THEY HAVE REFUSED. *TR
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Apr 14, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 -65 MPH WHEN THE BATTERY AND PARKING BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED MOMENTARILY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED SUDDENLY AND CAUSED EXTREME DIFFICULTY IN STEERING CAPABILITIES. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS THE HARMONIC BALANCER BOLT AND THAT THE ENTIRE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 4, 2011
BOLT FOR THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HAS SHEARED OFF TWICE SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE 5 MONTHS AGO. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 1, 2011
2005 KIA SORENTO +/- 77,000 MILES...WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED THE BRAKE AND BATTERY LIGHT FLASHED ON, LOST POWER STEERING, AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE IT APPEARS IT'S THE DREADED CRANK SHAFT PULLEY/BOLT DEFECT LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY GET OFF THE ROAD......1YR TO PAYOFF VEHICLE. NOT TO MENTION THE NUMEROUS FRONT AND TAILLIGHT BULB REPLACEMENTS. I WILL NEVER BUY A KIA AGAIN!!! KIA IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND HAS DONE LITTLE TO NOTHING ABOUT IT. ARE THEY WAITING FOR A DEATH TO OCCUR? *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 31, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH IN THE RAIN, WHEN SHE HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO TURN. DURING THE FAILURE, THE BATTERY LIGHT AS WELL AS VARIOUS OTHER WARNING LIGHTS BEGAN ILLUMINATING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED ALL THE ENGINE BELTS WERE DETACHED AND A BOLT WAS SEPARATED FROM THE MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 66,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 19, 2010
DECEMBER 18, 2010 KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. DEAR KIA THIS LETTER IS TO COMPLAIN ABOUT AN INTERNET POSTED AND KNOWN DEFECT IN YOUR 2005 KIA SORENTO. I RECENTLY BROKE DOWN BECAUSE 'THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT BROKE OFF INSIDE THE ENGINE'. IT COST ME $85.00 TO GET IT TOWED AND NOW WILL RUN AN ADDITIONAL $1,200+/- TO REPAIR IT. FROM WHAT I'M READING ON THE INTERNET WHEN THE PROBLEM IS FIXED THERE IS NO WAY OF GUARANTEEING IT WON'T HAPPEN REPEATEDLY. THROUGH NO FAULT OF SORENTO OWNERS AS TOLD BY YOUR SERVICE MECHANIC (SCOTT) OF KIA OF DUTCHESS COUNTY (NY). 'JUST A BAD PART'. APPARENTLY, THIS BOLT SHEARS OFF AND FALLS INSIDE THE ENGINE CAUSING ADDITIONAL DAMAGE. YOUR FIX SUPPOSEDLY, IS TO TORQUE THE BOLT PROPERLY, WELL THAT BOLT IS FACTORY TORQUED! I HAVE NO COMPLAINTS WITH SCOTT AS HE IS COURTEOUS AND TRYING TO FIX IT. THE ISSUE IS THAT THIS VERY COSTLY FACTORY DEFECT IN EITHER THE BOLT OR THE ENGINEERING OF THE BOLT SPECIFICATIONS IS AND SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF KIA MOTORS.' AS AN OWNER, I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT YOU HAVE TURNED AWAY FROM YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS THE FACTORY PROBLEMS AS THEY ARE NOTED THROUGH USE OF YOUR VEHICLES. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN THE BOLT BREAKS, AND I HAVE FIRSTHAND KNOWLEDGE, THE BRAKE AND BATTERY LIGHTS APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING OCCURS. THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ALMOST CAUSED ME TO VEER INTO A CURB ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE. I HAVE ADDED (BELOW) SOME OF THE MANY INTERNET POSTED COMPLAINTS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME NIGHTMARE. AND EVEN AFTER IT'S FIXED THERE IS NO GUARANTEE IT WON'T CONTINUE TO HAPPEN. HOW ABOUT SOME GOOD OLD FASHIONED OWNING UP TO THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PROVIDING SAFE AND RELIABLE CARS FOR PEOPLE WHO PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO PURCHASE ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE THINGS WE WILL EVER OWN!!! NEEDLESS TO SAY, I AM QUITE FRUSTRATED AND WHEN I PICK UP THE CAR TOTALLY OUT OF MONEY. *TR
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Nov 18, 2010
MY 2005 SORENTO, SUV, BEGUN TO SHAKE ON THE FRONT AND LATER STOPPED. I HAD A MECHANIC CHECK IT FOR THE MAIN BELT TO BE OFF AND HE SAID IT WAS MORE MAJOR. THE BOLT HAD BROKEN OFF IN THE MOTOR. SOME CARS FROM KIA HAD ALREADY HAD THAT COMPLAINT. I CALLED THE KIA HEADQUARTERS AND THEY SAID YES, BUT NOT A RECALL FOR THAT MODEL DOING IT. WELL IT IS AND I AM STILL PAYING FOR SOMETHING I CAN'T USE.???? *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Structure, Nov 8, 2010
CAR POWER STEERING BEGAN TO FAIL. POWER STEERING FLUID WAS CHECKED BUT ADDING FLUID DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE FAILED TO START, NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO MECHANIC. AFTER INSPECTION BY MECHANIC, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT BOLT BROKE OFF FROM THE CAR. CONSEQUENTLY THIS BROKE THE TIMING BELT AND MAY HAVE BENT THE VALVE RODS (MECHANIC IS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE APART AND ASSESSING ANY OTHER SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE BROKEN CRANK SHAFT BOLT). THE VEHICLE NEEDS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF REPAIRS (STILL BEING DETERMINED AS TO THE ENTIRE SCOPE). THE BOLT, TIMING BELT AND MOST LIKELY VALVE RODS WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH NUMEROUS HOURS OF LABOR DUE TO THE FACT THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE TAKEN APART AND PUT BACK TOGETHER. THE OLD CRANK SHAFT BOLT IS AVAILABLE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 30, 2010
05 KIA SORENTO. THE HARMONIC BALANCER BOLT DOESN'T ADEQUATELY SECURE THE BALANCER OR PULLEY. THRU NORMAL USE, THE BOLT BECOMES LOOSE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE BALANCER. THE DAMAGED BALANCER CAUSES THE PULLEY TO BECOME DAMAGED, AND ALL OF THE ACCESSORY BELTS RUN BY THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY ARE DAMAGED. THE "FIX" OFFERED BY KIA DOES NOTHING TO PERMANENTLY FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE NOW TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO AN ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC TWICE IN THE LAST YEAR AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. COSTS HAVE NOW REACHED OVER $2100 AND COUNTING!!!!! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 2, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A BANGING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT AND THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 69,000.
Engine and engine cooling, May 24, 2010
TIMING BELT SERVICE PERFORMED BY KIA DEALER ON 3/1/2010 @ 77105 MILES. ON 5/22/2010, NOTICED BRAKE WARNING AND BATTERY WARNING LIGHTS ON WHILE ON HIGHWAY. PULLED ONTO NEXT OFF-RAMP, AND NOTICED NO POWER STEERING. I THEN PULLED INTO A GAS STATION, OPENED THE HOOD, AND NOTICED THAT THE ALTERNATOR, A/C, AND MAIN DRIVE BELT APPEARED TO HAVE COME OFF OF THE PULLEYS. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME, AND CHECKED THE NEXT MORNING TO SEE IF I WAS ABLE TO REPLACE THE BELTS. I FOUND THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY LYING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE BAY. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, I FOUND THAT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT HAD SHEARED OFF AT THE THREADS INSIDE THE CRANKSHAFT SPROCKET. *TR
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, May 19, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY BOLT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 72,000. UPDATED 07/29/10 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE LOST STEERING. UPDATED 08/09/10*JB
Engine and engine cooling, May 4, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE BOLT THAT CONNECTED THE PULLEY AND CRANKSHAFT SNAPPED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THE ENGINE TURNED OFF AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND TOOK IT THE NEAREST REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE PULLEY FELL TO THE GROUND WHEN LIFTED FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT CALLED BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER BUT WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR EXPENSES. THE VEHICLE WAS AWAITING REPAIR AT ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 97,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Apr 17, 2010
EARLIER RECALL DEFECTIVE!!! 2005 KIA SORENTO V6, HAD A RECALL OF BREAKAGE OF CRANKSHAFT ACCESSORY PULLEY BOLT. NEW BOLT FROM THE RECALL HAS ALSO FAILED. MY CRANKSHAFT PULLEY AND BOLT FELL OUT ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE IN OPERATION. KIA SERVICE REFUSES TO COVER THE NEW BOLT ON WARRANTY. HAD BOLT TIGHTENED AT LOCAL SHOP AND IT FAILED AGAIN IN 3 DAYS!!! KIA IS FAILING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IN WHICH WILL RESULT IN FATALITY ACCIDENTS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 13, 2010
MY 2005 KIA SORENTO CUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THROWING ME INTO A SPIN AND LEAVING ME FACING THE WRONG WAY INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. COULD HAVE KILLED ME AND MY KIDS. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. THEY JUMP STARTED IT AND SAID THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY DID NOTHING. IT SUBSEQUENTLY CUT OFF IN TRAFFIC 3 MORE TIMES. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID IT WASN'T A WARRANTY ISSUE (THIS WAS THE MONTH OF THE WARRANTY EXPIRATION BUT IT HADN'T EXPIRED YET) AND SINCE THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM THERE WAS NOTHING TO FIX. KIA IS PARKED AND I WON'T DRIVE IT. THEY DON'T HONOR THEIR WARRANTY AND KNOW ABOUT THIS DEFECT AND WON'T TRY TO FIX IT DURING WARRANTY PERIOD. *TR
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Interior lighting, Oct 26, 2009, fire
WHILE RETURNING FROM OUR VACATION OUR KIA STARTED MAKING AT LOT OF NOISES IN AROUND THE AIRCONDITIONING HEATING SYSTEM, THE AIR COMING FROM THE VENTS DIDN'T SEEM TO BE WARM ENOUGH TO DEFOG THE WINDOWS, THEN THE NEXT DAY WHEN IT WAS WARMER IT STARTED MAKING A RATTLING FAN NOISE WHEN THE AIR WAS TURNED ON. WHEN THE SYSTEM WAS TURNED OFF IT DIDN'T MAKE THE NOISE ANYMORE. WE ARRIVED HOME UNLOADED OUR GEAR AND THEN WENT OUT AGAIN A WHILE LATER. THE FAN NOISE STARTED AGAIN AND THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE POWER STEERING DIDN'T WORK, WHEN THE AIR WAS TURNED OFF EVERYTHING RESUMED TO NORMAL. WE ARRIVED AT OUR FRIEND HOUSE AND WENT INSIDE. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES WE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND WENT OUTSIDE TO SEE SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. WE LIFTED THE HOOD TO INVESTIGATE WHERE WE SAW FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE. WE IMMEDIATELY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED THE NEXT DAY. COME TO FIND OUT SEVERAL DAYS LATER THAT OUR VEHICLE WAS TOO BADLY BURNED TO REPAIR THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A TIMING BELT FAILURE. IF THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM IT SHOULD BE MANDATORY THAT THEY SHOULD BE REPLACED BY WHOMEVER OWNS THE VEHICLE OR THE DEALER IF THE CAR HAS BEEN TRADED BECAUSE THE NEXT OWNER WOULD NOT KNOW ANY OF THE PREVIOUS REPAIRS SUCH WAS OUR CASE. AS IT STANDS NOW THERE ARE SOME INTERIOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SUCH AS THE LIGHTS AN THE ELECTRONIC SEATS WE ARE HOPING FOR SOME KIND OF RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. THERE WAS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE FAN RUNNING ON AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF. THIS WAS STILL HAPPENING EVEN AFTER THE ENGINE HAD BEEN REPLACED AND WE WERE TOLD EARLIER THAT IT WAS A SENSOR PROBLEM WHICH STILL HAPPENED EVEN AFTER THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 17, 2009
BALANCER BOLT HAS BROKEN OFF IN THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY CAUSING THE ALTERNATOR NOT TO SPIN. REQUIRED TO DRILL OUT THE BOLT AND REPLACE THE BALANCER AND REMOVE AND REPLACE THE SPROCKET. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 4, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. WHEN SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO SHAKE SEVERELY AND MAKE A TICKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN FOUND PARTICLES THAT RESEMBLED METAL FRAGMENTS IN THE ENGINE. THE ENTIRE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 26, 2008
DRIVING OUT OF MY OFFICE PARK AT LUNCH TIME, HEARD FAN NOISE LIKE LOOSE BELT, THEN WHEN TURNING WHEEL TO EXIT LOT, HEARD A LOUD "CLUNK" AND LOST POWER STEERING. ENGINE SITTING LOOSE IN COMPARTMENT LAND LOOSE BELTS EVERYWHERE. CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. TOLD 2.5 HOURS LATE, WHEN I CALLED TO THE DEALER, THAT THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT WAS BROKEN AGAIN. CONTACTED KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND FOUND ALTHOUGH THERE IS AN ACTIVE CAMPAIGN TO RECALL THIS BOLT, MY VIN IS NOT ON THE LIST (THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE). ALTHOUGH "SHORT BLOCK" WAS REPLACED AT LAST FAILURE (IN 4/07 AT 20,200 MI) THIS FAILURE REQUIRED MACHINING THE BOLT OUT AND ONLY REPLACING THE CRANKSHAFT SPROCKET, CRANK PULLEY AND CRANKSHAFT BOLT, THEN REINSTALLING OTHER COMPONENTS. CONTACTED KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS 6/18/08 AND REQUESTED DIST SERVICE MGR APPROVAL SHORT BLOCK REPLACEMENT. NO RETURN PHONE CALLS ALTHOUGH MESSAGES WERE LEFT FOR AGENT ON 6/19 AND 6/20. AGENT CALLED ON 6/25/08 TO ASK "HOW IS THE VEHICLE RIDING?", BUT WE HAD NOT PICKED UP THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER, SINCE YET AGAIN NO ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION WAS PROVIDED. SAFETY IS NOW A MAJOR CONCERN WITH THIS VEHICLE. NO CONFIDENCE IN REPLACEMENT PARTS TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM. RESEARCH SHOWS MANY OTHER OWNERS REPORTING MULTIPLE FAILURES OF THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT. REPAIR TOOK 6 BUSINESS DAYS (8 CALENDAR DAYS) AND AGAIN NO ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION WAS OFFERED OR PROVIDED. WWW.KIA-FORUMS.COM HAS INFORMATION FROM A KIA TECHNICIAN THAT THE CRANKSHAFT PROBLEM IS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW THAT CANNOT BE FIXED BY REPLACING A BOLT EVERY 10,000 TO 20,000 MILES OR EACH FAILURE. NO OWNER SHOULD BE EXPECTED TO WAIT FOR ANOTHER FAILURE THAT DROPS THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE ENGINE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE THAT THE FAILURES HAVE BEEN OUT OF TRAFFIC AND NOT ON THE INTERSTATES. LIVING IN METRO ATLANTA, GA MEANS I A FAR GREATER CHANCE OF THE NEXT FAILURE CAUSING INJURY TO ME OR OTHERS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 26, 2008
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE IDLED VERY ROUGH. FEARING REPEAT OF CYLINDER MISFIRE THAT OCCURRED IN SEPTEMBER 2006 TOOK VEHICLE STRAIGHT TO DEALER. CAUSE DETERMINED TO BE A FAULTY EVAP PRESSURE SENSOR. REPLACED SENSOR UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 26, 2008
TURNING INTO THE DRIVEWAY FROM A SHORT TRIP TO THE CORNER GAS STATION, I HEARD A LOUD "CLUNK", LOST POWER STEERING AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. CONTACTED KIA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALER INDICATED THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT BROKE. DEALER REPLACED THE "SHORT BLOCK" UNDER WARRANTY. REPAIRS TOOK 5 DAYS AND NO ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION WAS PROVIDED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 26, 2008
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE TRAVELING WITH 100 MILES OF HOME ON 9/22/06. CALLED KIA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, THEY RECOMMENDED CONTACTING THE DEALER. TOOK TO DEALER SAME DAY, THEY RESET THE LIGHT AND RECOMMENDED USING A HIGHER OCTANE FUEL AND RETURN FOR SERVICE IF LIGHT RETURNS. RETURNED TO DEALER ON 9/26/06 WITH LIGHT ON AGAIN. TESTING SHOWED CYLINDER #3 MISFIRED AND CAUSED INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE. ENGINE REPLACED AT 12,149MILES UNDER WARRANTY AND 9/27/06. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 2, 2007
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
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 18, 2007
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