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
307 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Seats, Nov 10, 2017
SEAT SENSOR ON MY KIA SORENTO FOR THE AIRBAG LIGHT DOES NOT WORK. WHEN A PASSENGER SETS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THE AIRBAG OFF LIGHT STAYS ON. YOU PUT THE VEHICLE IN GEAR, YOU DRIVE AND THE LIGHT STAYS ON. CITY OR HIGHWAY TRAVEL, THE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME INDICATING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IF OFF.
Engine, Sep 18, 2017
HARMONIC BALANCER IS FALLING OFF . HAVE READ MANY REVIEWS WHERE OTHERS WITH THE SAME VEHICLE AND THEIRS ARE ACTUALLY FALLING OFF. AS WELL AS A LAWSUIT IN FEBRUARY
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 23, 2017
THE GAS PEDAL ON THIS VEHICLE, WHICH ONLY HAS 22K MILES ON IT, IS HARD TO PRESS DOWN INTERMITTENTLY WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN YOU PULL OUT IF IT'S GOING TO GO OR NOT AND HAVE TO PRESS HARD ON THE PEDAL. I'M TOLD IT WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED WHICH THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ONLINE FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND THE 2016 KIA SORENTO IS UNDER RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE SO WHY ISN'T THE 2005 INCLUDED? ALSO, IT HAS A GAS GAUGE ISSUE, WHICH THERE ARE COMPLAINTS ON.
Air bags, Jun 21, 2017
PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR FAILED, VEHICLE IS OTHERWISE IN PERFECT CONDITION. THE REPAIR IS ALMOST 2000.00. WITH THIS REPAIR NEEDED THE VEHICLE WON'T PASS INSPECTION, SO WHAT IS OTHERWISE A PERFECTLY FINE VEHICLE IS NOW SCRAP. THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS HARDLY USED ( MAYBE 20% OF THE VEHICLE USE ) SO A FAILURE OF AN EXPENSIVE OCCUPANCY SENSOR LIKE THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.
Engine, Mar 1, 2017, fire
THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE ON SUNDAY FEBRUARY 26 AND TODAY MARCH 1ST
Steering, Engine, Jan 3, 2017
MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY DRIVING 60 MILES PER HR TO WORK (30 MILES FROM HOME) IN POURING RAIN WHEN ENGINE, BRAKE AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. THANK GOD THAT I MADE IT TO WORK SAFELY BUT THEN ONLY TO REALIZE THAT POWER STEERING HAD LOCKED UP. LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD, POWER STEERING FLUID AND BRAKE FLUID FINE BUT ONE BELT HAD CAME OFF AND THE OTHER BELT JUST BARELY HANGING ON FROM THE ALTERNATOR AND PULLEY. THOUGHT PULLEY HAD LOCKED UP BUT TOOK TO A MECHANIC JUST 1/2 MILE DOWN FROM MY JOB AND HE SAID THAT MY PROBLEM IS THAT THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT HAD BROKEN OFF INSIDE OF THE CRANKSHAFT. I GO ONLINE AND FIND THAT THERE WERE A LOT MORE COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE WITH MY MAKE AND YEAR AS WELL AS OTHERS. THE PREVIOUS RECALL BY KIA WAS ONLY FOR 2003-2004 (CERTAIN MODELS) NOT INCLUDING MINE BUT THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFINITE ISSUE SO THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO OTHER YEARS AND MODELS SUCH AS MINE. THANK GOD THAT I MADE IT TO WORK SAFELY AND NOW HAVE TO FIND ANOTHER MEANS TO GET AROUND SINCE THIS IS MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION. *TR
Suspension, Structure, Dec 27, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRACKETS ON THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Power train, Oct 24, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT WARRANTY. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 132,000.
Structure, Oct 5, 2016
WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 KIA SORENTO, WAS COMING TO A STOP, THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED AND THE REAR END SHIFTED, THE TIRE STARTED RUBBING ON THE BODY. GOT IT UNDER CONTROL AND PULLED OVER. CHECKED UNDER VEHICLE AND FOUND THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND THE CONTROL ARM BROKE OFF OF THE FRAME. HAD TO GET IT TOWED.
Suspension, Sep 29, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED UNDER THE REAR AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 22, 2016
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY RTE 24 WHEN CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BROKE OFF CAUSING ENGINE AND BRAKE LIGHTS TO COME ON. IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL AND TO STEER THE VEHICLE CAUSING ME TO NEARLY GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. SUBSEQUENTLY, MY VEHICLE GOT TOWED FROM THE HIGHWAY TO A MECHANIC SHOP WHO INFORMED ME THAT MY 2005 KIA SORENTO'S CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT BROKE OFF - THEREFORE TO BUY AN ENGINE OR JUNK IT. UNFORTUNATELY, I OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR ONLY 1 YEAR 3 MONTHS AND WITH THESE PROBLEMS. I DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY TO REPLACE IT RIGHT NOW AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO TO GET TO WORK GOING FORWARD.
Suspension, Sep 14, 2016
I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE FOR A COOLANT LEAK. MY MECHANIC ASKED THAT I COME OVER TO LOOK AT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE CONTROL ARM WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE REAR AXLE. HE EXPLAINED THAT THE UPPER CONTROL ARM BRACKET WELDED TO THE REAR AXLE ON DRIVER SIDE ROTTED RIGHT THROUGH, CAUSING THE CONTROL ARM TO COME OFF. I CALLED KIA AND THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING TO HELP. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ADDRESSED IN THE UK AND DOMESTICALLY FOR HYUNDIA SANTA FE. SO BASICLY I HAVE A 2005 KIA WITH 93,000 MILES ON IT THAT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO A DESIGN DEFECT. BOTH KIA AND DEALER SAID THEY WOULD DO NOTHING.
Engine, Jul 29, 2016
ON 07/14/16 I TRIED TO START MY VEHICLE. IT DID NOT START SO I CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO GIVE ME KICK START. THE ENGINE STARTED AND THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAD. TWO DRIVER TOLD ME TO TAKE IT AND GET THE BATTERY CHECKED OUT IT JUST DIDN'T SEEM RIGHT TO HIM. SO I DID AND THAT IS WHEN I FOUND OUT THE I HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION THEY FOUND THAT THE COOLANT GOT INTO THE ENGINE AND TWO OF THE PISTONS WERE GONE AND THE INTERIOR WALL OF THE ENGINE WAS SCORCHED BADLY. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF I LOVED IT AND MADE SURE I FOLLOWED ALL THE REQUIREMENTS BU KIA TO KEEP THIS CAR RUNNING. WITH SUCH LITTLE MILES THIS SHOULD OF NEVER HAPPENED. IN MY INVESTIGATION, I FOUND SIMILAR REPORTS REGARDING KIA SORENTO'S AND ENGINE PROBLEMS. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH KIA BUT THEY HAVE NOT MADE ANY GESTURES TO HELP ME. I DO NOT HAVE MONEY TO GET A NEW CAR AND THIS WAS MY TRANSPORTATION TO DRIVE ABOUT 2HRS TO HELP MY 93 1/2 YR OLD MOTHER. NOW I CAN'T DO THAT. I LOVED THIS CAR AND CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT KIA WILL NOT HELP. I HAVE HAD TO RENT A CAR FOR 2 DAYS, TAKE A TAXI AND DEPEND ON OTHERS IN MY TIME OF NEED.
Other or unspecified, Jul 22, 2016
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WHEN CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BROKE OFF CAUSING BELTS TO SHRED AND COME OFF. LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN!
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 18, 2016
DRIVING ACROSS A 4 LANE EXPRESSWAY, BARELY MADE IT ACROSS, THE VEHICLE SPUTTERS AND COMES TO A STOP AFTER FIGHTING WITH THE POWER STEERING LOSING ALL CONTROL. CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HAS DAMAGED THE ENGINE SO SEVERE, THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS PUT IN AT OUR EXPENSE ($5,000), GAS TANK WAS DISCOVERED TO HAVE A HOLE AND LEAKING GAS. AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF JUST DEPENDS ON IT'S MOOD, THE DISPLAY ON THE RADIO, ETC. GOES AWAY IN COLD WEATHER, AND NOW HAVE A CONSTANT THUMP THUMP WHEN DRIVING AS IF THE TIRE IS FLAT. DRIVING FOR 5 MONTHS WITH NEW ENGINE, I PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR QUICKLY TO PASS A TRUCK WHEN A LOUD NOISE (SOUNDING LIKE THE ENGINE BLEW) FROM THE ENGINE WAS HEARD THEN SOMETHING COMES LOOSE AND HITS THE UNDERCARRIAGE SO HARD I CAN FEEL IT THROUGH THE FLOORBOARD. NO SMOKE, NO ELEVATION IN TEMPERATURE. PULL OVER, THERE IS NOW A VIBRATION WHEN IDLING BUT CANNOT SEE ANYTHING OBVIOUS MISSING. WHATEVER IT WAS TOOK CHUNKS OUT OF THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. BRAKES SEEMED TO LOCK UP AT TIMES AND YOU COULD FEEL SOMETHING LIKE A PUMP LOSING AIR AND THE CAR SLIDES JUST BEFORE THE COMPLETE STOP WITH A LOW GROANING NOISE. HAVEN'T TOOK TO THE MECHANIC YET, BUT WILL BE SOON. *TR
Steering, Engine, Jul 6, 2016
IN NOVEMBER OF 2015, I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK AND JUST PICKING MY ONE YEAR OLD UP FROM DAYCARE, WHEN I HEARD A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE FROM A BELT. MY GAUGES WENT WILD AND I MY POWER STEERING WAS IN AND OUT. BY THE TIME I HIT THE MAIN HIGHWAY TO GET HOME AS I WAS EXITING MY POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT AND THE CAR COULD NOT BE DRIVEN ANY FURTHER, SO I HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS WAS DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, I AM SOOOO LUCKY THAT I HADN'T QUIET ENTERED THE HIGHWAY YET. HAD TO GET TOWED HOME. GOT HOME AND NOTICED THE CRANKSHAFT BOLD WAS BROKEN AND THE BELTS WERE THROWN. WE FIXED IT AND NOW IT HAS JUST DONE IT AGAIN ON JULY 1ST AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY TO GO OUT OF TOWN. I DIDN'T DRIVE IT BECAUSE I KNEW THE BOLT WAS ABOUT TO BREAK BECAUSE THE HARMONIC BALANCER PULLEY WAS WOBBLING REALLY BAD, THE AIR WOULDN'T WORK AND THE GAUGES STARTED GOING CRAZY. ALSO THE PULLEY'S WERE STRUGGLING TO SPIN. IS IT GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE TO LOOSE THEIR LIFE BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT IT?
Engine, Jun 27, 2016
WHILE DRIVING A NOISE COMES FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. BATTERY AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT COME ON. POWER STEERING GOES OUT. HAVE TO MAN AHNDLE SUV TO A SAFE SPOT. CRANKSHAFT BOLT THAT HOLD HARMONIC BALANCER BROKE. COMMON PROBLEM KNOWN TO KIA ENGINES THEY OFFER TO FIX IT FOR $1300.00 PLUS MORE.
Engine, May 21, 2016
I PURCHASED A 2005 KIA SORENTO IN NOVEMBER 2013 FROM DEALERSHIP. IN JUNE 2014 I HAD THE FIRST INCIDENT. WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY, SUDDENLY ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, POWER STEERING WAS LOST. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT INCIDENT. HAD TO BE TOWED. HAD THE PROBLEM FIXED: CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, WARPED PULLEY, SHEERED BOLT ON SAID PULLEY, RESULTING IN MORE DAMAGE, INCLUDING WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELTS. TWO WEEKS LATER THE SAME THING OCCURRED, AGAIN WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN. MY MECHANIC SAID IT IS A DEFECT IN THE KIA DESIGN. TWO WEEKS LATER GOT IT FIXED. NOW TEN MONTHS LATER THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURS, AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. EACH TIME THIS HAS COST ME $2,000 TO FIX. I STILL OWE $4,500 ON THE VEHICLE! SINCE REPAIRING WITH KIA PARTS AND THE PROBLEM IS NEVER SOLVED DUE TO POOR DESIGN, KIA REALLY NEEDS TO STEP UP AND ISSUE RECALL. SAME PROBLEM 3 TIMES IN LESS THAN A YEAR! PLEASE HELP!
Engine, Apr 6, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT ABLE TO FULLY ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HARMONIC BALANCER PULLEY BOLT FRACTURED FROM THE CRANKSHAFT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Steering, Engine, Mar 24, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CRANK PULLEY BOLT FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE DISABLED THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CRANK PULLEY BOLT FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND LOST ALL STEERING POWER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY FOR REPAIR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 10/13/16*LJ *TR
Air bags, Mar 23, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FLOOR MAT SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Feb 29, 2016
THIS IS A FOLLOW UP TO NHTSA ID NUMBERS, 10819147,10824199,10838525 AND 10838531. I FURTHER RESEARCHED THE CROSSMEMBER CORROSION MAY CAUSE LOOSE CONTROL ARM IN THE KIA SORENTO'S AND FOUND THAT IN EUROPE KIA ISSUED THE ATTACHED SERVICE BULLETIN TO ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE BEFORE THE BRACKETS RUSTED OUT. BASED ON KIA SORENTO VEHICLE SALES IN THE US FROM 2002 TO 2008 (THE PRODUCTION RANGE NOTED ON THE ATTACHED SERVICE BULLETIN) THIS ISSUE COULD POSSIBLY AFFECT UP TO APPROX. 266,000 VEHICLES.
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Feb 25, 2016
THIS IS A FOLLOW UP TO NHTSA ID NUMBERS, 10819147,10824199 AND 10838525. IN RESEARCHING THE CROSSMEMBER CORROSION MAY CAUSE LOOSE CONTROL ARM IN THE KIA SORENTO'S I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V354000 HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY ( KIA'S PARENT COMPANY) FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. WAS THERE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE KIA SORENTO'S AT THE TIME?
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Feb 25, 2016
THIS IS A FOLLOW UP TO NHTSA ID NUMBER'S 10819147 & 10824199. AFTER FILING VSC 10824199, I WAS CONTACTED BY A KIA AMERICA REPRESENTATIVE FROM CALIFORNIA. SHE REQUESTED A COPY OF MY ORIGINAL BILL OF SALE, THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION AND THE REPAIR ESTIMATE FROM THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE REPAIR UPPER CONTROL ARM BRACKETS. SHE DID NOT REQUEST ANY OTHER DOCUMENTATION OR PICTURES. SHE SAID SHE WOULD REVIEW THE CASE AND SPEAL TO THE DEALER AND DEPENDING ON THE COST WOULD EITHER HAVE THE REPAIR COMPLETED OR PURCHASE THE CAR TO BE SCRAPPED FOR KBV. I RECEIVED A CALL TODAY AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST AT LEAST $3,000 AND BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS 10 YEARS OLD AND NOT IN THE REPAIR PROGRAM ( I ASSUME THAT WAS BEING DONE IN THE UK) KIA WOULD OFFER ME $1,500 FOR THE CAR. I ASKED IF THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE IN IT'S PRESENT CONDITION AND WAS TOLD I SHOULD CONTACT THE DEALER. I TOLD THE REPRESENTATIVE THAT THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE ME ANY WARNINGS WHEN THE ESTIMATE WAS COMPLETED. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT "AT LEAST I HAD GOTTEN 10 YEARS OF USE OUT OF THE VEHICLE". SEEING AS THERE IS STILL A REPAIR PROGRAM IN EFFECT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR THIS DEFECT IS THE NTSB GOING TO REQUIRE KIA YO MAKE THESE REPAIRS IN THE US?
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 10, 2016
WHEN YOU PUMP GAS IT SPITS BACK OUT OF GAS TANK. IT DOES IT EVERY TIME YOU GO TO PUT GAS IN PUMP.IT HAPPENS AT THE GAS PUMP WHEN ITS TIME TO PUMP GAS.