2006 Kia Sorento
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 242 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 12th highest complaint count among 23 Sorento model years with reports.
Of the 2006 reports, 12 involved a crash and 8 involved a fire. 14 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchApr 17, 2009
HUYNDAI-KIA IS RECALLING 139,844 MY 2006-2007- SEDONA, SPORTAGE, SORENTO AND MY RONDO AND AMANTI VEHICLES. THE STOP LAMP SWITCH IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A STOP LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.
ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS, ALONE OR IN COMBINATION, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA'S CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.
Campaign 09V130000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
242 reports, newest first.
Engine, Aug 6, 2014
I HAVE A 2006 KIA SORENTO. MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER BROTHERS TO PRACTICE AND THE CAR TOTALLY LOCKED UP, THE ENGINE FAILED, SHE HAD LOSS OF THE POWER STEERING, LOSS OF THE COOLING SYSTEM, ALL TOGETHER LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING AND FORTUNATELY, FOR US, SHE WAS ABLE TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD SAFELY. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS CONDITION NOT ONLY TO HER AND HER BROTHERS BUT TO OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD AND THAT WERE AROUND. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE BOLT SHEARED OFF IN THE ENGINE AND HE COULD NOT GET TO IT AND THE WHOLE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. HE SUGGESTED WE TOW IT TO THE LOCAL KIA MECHANICS. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP, IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT SHEARED OFF CAUSING DAMAGE. I WAS FURTHER TOLD THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING ISSUE WITH KIA SORENTOS AND THERE WAS EVEN A RECALL ON THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I AM AT A COMPLETE LOSS AS TO HOW THIS IS AN ON GOING DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITH THE BOLT IN MODELS JUST PRIOR TO MY SORENTO BEING RECALLED AND THE SAME ISSUE EXISTING IN MY VEHICLE AND IT IS NOT INCLUDED WHEN IT IS QUITE OBVIOUS THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME. NOT ONLY DID THEY PUT MY CHILDREN IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION BY NOT DISCLOSING OR PROVIDING SOME SOLUTION TO A PROBLEM THAT THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF AND IS DOCUMENTED, THEY HAVE NOW CAUSED EXTREME DISTRESS. THERE IS A FLAW IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THEIR VEHICLES AND AN OBVIOUS BREAKDOWN IN THEIR RECALL PROCESS AND AS A RESULT THEIR CUSTOMERS ARE SUFFERING! THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE RESOLVED QUICKLY. THANK GOODNESS NO ONE WAS HURT, THIS TIME! THESE ARE PEOPLE'S LIVES THAT THEY ARE PUTTING AT RISK DAILY! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 14, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND HEARD A STRANGE NOISE. HE PROCEEDED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND IT STALLED AT 30 MPH. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BECAME LOOSE AND THE BOLT WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Jul 3, 2014
VEHICLE'S BATTERY, BRAKE, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON WHILE PARKED AT HOME, OPENED HOOD, NOTICED BELT WAS SLIPPING, AND CRANKSHAFT PULLEY WAS SPINNING ALMOST FREE. CONTACTED MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED MOST RECENT MAINTENANCE, HE ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR WORK UNDER ASSUMPTION WAS FAULTY. PROBLEM REOCCURRED 3 MONTHS LATER, MECHANIC NOW CONVINCED HE IS NOT THE CAUSE OF THIS. RESEARCH SHOWS COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL. CRANKSHAFT BOLT APPEARS TO BREAK FREE OF PULLEY. WILL REQUIRE ENGINE BLOCK DISASSEMBLY TO DETERMINE IF CRANKSHAFT HAS BEEN DAMAGED. *TR
Steering, Power train, Service brakes, Jun 14, 2014
REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. NOT SMALL PROBLEMS. LIFE THREATENING PROBLEMS. WHAT IS THE NHTSA DOING? WHY NOTHING, NO QUESTIONS, NO NOTHING. THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF CONSUMERS WITH NO HELP FROM THIS PUBLIC AGENCY. WHY? BRAKE PROBLEMS, WIDELY KNOWN. KIA REFUSES TO ADMIT THAT THE BRAKES DON'T WORK ON THEIR VEHICLES, THE ROTORS HAVE TO BE CHANGED EVERY 3 MONTHS. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I HAD MANY NEAR ACCIDENTS THINKING MY BRAKES WERE FINE AND THEN BRINGING MY CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THE ROTORS ARE GONE, THE GUYS ARE SAYING YOU ARE LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. NOW AFTER REPEATED REPAIRS, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON 6/13/14 I WAS ALMOST KILLED WHEN MY CAR NEARLY FLEW OUT OF A HIGH RISE PARKING GARAGE BECAUSE THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT SHEARED OFF CAUSING MY HARMONIC BALANCER TO COME OFF. THE RESULT NO BRAKES, NO STEERING WHILE IN A HIGH RISE PARKING GARAGE. WHAT WILL IT TAKE? SOMEONE NEEDS TO DIE? WHY? WHY NO ENFORCEMENT OF KIA? PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. WHY WOULDN'T YOU? IF YOU JUST TAKE 5 MINUTES TO LOOK ON THE INTERNET, DON'T SEARCH REALLY HARD, JUST PUT IN KIA SORENTO OR ANY KIA AND YOU WILL SEE THOUSANDS OF REPORTS LIKE THIS. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THIS AGENCY, THE AGENCY TASKED WITH LOOKING INTO THESE THINGS IS NOT LOOKING INTO THIS. HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE MADE COMPLAINTS ON YOUR OWN SITE BUT STILL NOTHING. DO THESE COMPANIES HAVE TO FOLLOW THE RULES OF THE USA OR NOT BECAUSE THIS IS A FOREIGN CAR MANUFACTURER. APPARENTLY NOT. AGAIN, THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY, I AM AFRAID OF MY CAR. MY GRANDCHILDREN RIDE IN THIS CAR WITH ME. I CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER REPAIR. IN JANUARY IT WAS A REPAIR OVER 1200.00. I WAS LAID OFF IN MAY AND NOW ANOTHER REPAIR OF AT LEAST 3000.00 TO 4000.00. I HAVE ONLY 53000 MILES ON MY CAR. WHAT WILL IT TAKE NHTSA? IS IT NOT WORTH YOUR ATTENTION YET? HOW MANY LIVES BEFORE IT IS WORTHY OF YOUR ATTENTION? *JS
Steering, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 14, 2014
I WAS DROPPING MY SON OFF AT DAYCARE. I ATTEMPTED TURN LEFT AND MY BATTERY, BRAKE, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MY STEERING ALSO WENT OUT. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND TURNED BACK IT ON. CAR WAS FINE UNTIL I TRIED TO TURN, SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WALKED MY SON THE REST OF THE WAY TO DAYCARE. WHEN I RETURNED I STARTED THE CAR AND HEARD A LOUD SCREECHING SOUND. I DROVE IT LESS THAN A MILE BACK HOME AND OPENED THE HOOD TO SEE WHERE THE SOUND WAS COMING FROM. NONE OF MY BELTS WERE MOVING AND CHECKED MY LIQUIDS AND TOPPED EVERYTHING OFF. STILL NOTHING THEN I NOTICED THE PULLEY WAS WOBBLING. WHILE REMOVING THE RADIATOR FAN TO GET A CLOSER LOOK I REALIZED THE PLASTIC NIPPLE THAT CONNECTS TO THE HOSE HAD BEEN COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED AND BROKEN OFF. I BOUGHT A NEW RADIATOR AND TIGHTENED THE PULLEY BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. NOW I'VE LEARNED THE THE CRANK PULLEY BOLT HAS BROKEN AND IS GOING TO COST ME 2000 SOME ODD DOLLARS TO FIX. AFTER READING THE KIA FORUM I SEE THAT HE RADIATOR AND BOLT IS MORE THAN A COMMON ISSUE FOR THE KIA. I'M ON PROBATION PERIOD AT MY JOB AND WILL MOST LIKELY LOSE MY JOB AND MY VEHICLE. I HOPE ENOUGH PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE AND THERE IS SOMETHING BEING DONE TO RESOLVE IT. *JS
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jun 8, 2014
25 MINUTE DRIVE TO TOWN. SQUEALING SOUND. PULLED OVER, THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY WAS SO LOOSE THAT THE BOLT COULD BE HAND TIGHTENED. MECHANIC SAID PIN FELL OUT AND BOLT SHEERED. MAY NEED NEW ENGINE. COULD HAVE DESTROYED THE CRANK SHAFT. ALSO HAVE TRANSMISSION HESITATION, THE 4X4 LOW LIGHT ON DASH GOES ON AND THE TRANSMISSION KICKS IN LOW . HAVE TO SIT AND WAIT FOR IT TO GO OFF. THIS HAPPENS WITH OUT THE BUTTON BEING TURNED ON. THIS KIA ONLY HAS 79,000 HIGHWAY MILES. ITS AMESS. THIS CRANK SHAFT HARMONIC BALANCER SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OFF THE VEHICLE. SOME ONE IS GOING TO DIE OR GET SERIOUSLY INJURED BECAUSE WHEN THIS HAPPENED YOU COULD NOT STEER THE KIA OR USE BRAKES. *TR
Engine, Jun 2, 2014
WITH ONLY 46000 MILES, I HEARD A SOUND, AND LIKE EVERYONE ELSE WHO HAS POSTED THIS PROBLEM, NO POWER STEERING, EVERYTHING LITE UP ON DASH PANEL. THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY BOLT WAS BROKEN. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO A MECHANIC, HE REPLACED THE BOLT. THEN 3 DAYS AGO, THE SAME THING!!! I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BREAK LIGHTS BURNING OUT AT LEAST EVERY 3 MONTHS-CLOCK CHANGES TIME. THREE YEARS AGO THE AIR CONDITION FAILED, AFTER MUCH DEBATE, KIA FIXED IT. HOW CAN THIS NOT BE A RECALL?! IF I CAN GET THIS FIXED-NEVER WILL I BUY OR RECOMMEND A KIA OF ANY KIND!!!!! *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, May 27, 2014
THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES NOW. DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND NOW YOU HAVE NO POWER STEERING. WHEN POPPING YOUR HOOD, YOU FIND THE TWO OF THE THREE BELTS HAVE COME OFF AND THE CAM STABILIZER PULLEY HAS EITHER BROKE OFF AND THE CAR IS NO LONGER RUNNING OR IS WOBBLING AND ABOUT TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE. WHAT HAS HAPPENED IS THE PIN HAS BROKE AND THE BOLT HAS BROKE OR IS ABOUT TO BREAK. THIS LAST TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED, I WAS 80 MILES AWAY FROM HOME AND BY THE GRACE OF GOD MADE IT HOME WITH MY MOM AND CHILD RIDING PASSENGER IN THE CAR WITH ME. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND WILL END UP CAUSING A WRECK AND POSSIBLY DEATH. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, May 17, 2014
COMING HOME FROM WORK ABOUT 2MILES AWAY FROM HOME, I LOST POWER, MY POWER STEERING, AND ELECTRICAL AND I HAD TO PULL OVER AND GET TOWED TO MY HOME. NOT HAPPY CAUSE KIA KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE!!!! *JS
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, May 14, 2014
AFTER DOING PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE REPLACING TIMING BELT AT 60K THE DRIVE PULLEY BOLT LOOSENED (AFTER THREE HOURS OF DRIVING) AND THE DRIVE PULLEY POPPED OFF THE SHEAR PIN, LOOSING CONTROL TO THE STEERING, BREAKS THAT ARE RUN BY THE SERPENTINE BELT . MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO RECONNECT DRIVE PULLEY, PIN AND BOLT TO CRANK SHAFT. FIVE MONTHS LATER THE SAME HAPPEN. KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE IS NOT RETURNING CALLS. KIA DEALER SAY'S NEEDS A NEW ENGINE. MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ONE OF THE ONES ON THE DRIVE BOLT RECALL. THE INTERNET IS FULL OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS SPENDING THOUSANDS TO REPAIR. *TR
Engine, May 6, 2014
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET IN MY KIA SORENTO 2006 WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR STARTED TO BREAK DOWN. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, FOLLOWED BY MY BRAKES AND FINALLY, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS THE REST OF THE CAR STARTED TO FALL APART ON THE ROAD. THE CAR COMPLETELY DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL BP WHERE AFTER INSPECTION I WAS INFORMED THAT MY ENGINE CRANK BOLT HAD BLOWN OFF, DESTROYING MY CRANK SHAFT, PISTONS, BELTS, ETC. MY ENGINE IS RUINED AND CANNOT BE FIXED. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, May 2, 2014
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD DOING 55MPH WHEN I HEARD A LOUD SOUND AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BREAK AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON IN 2006 KIA SORENTO. AT THAT VERY MOMENT, I REALIZED THAT I DID NOT HAVE ANY POWER STEERING. UP UNTIL THIS POINT, MY ONLY COMPLAINT WITH MY SUV WAS THAT I HAD TO CONSTANTLY REPLACE THE BULBS IN BOTH THE FRONT AND BACK OF THE CAR. ALSO, MY DOME LIGHT STOPPED WORKING AND SOME OF THE PANEL LIGHTS AS WELL. ALTHOUGH, THAT WAS ANNOYING, I NEVER COMPLAINED BECAUSE IT DID NOT PUT ME IN ANY SERIOUS DANGER. HOWEVER THE PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING COULD HAVE KILLED ME OR SOMEONE ELSE. I KNOW MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT THESE CARS SHOULD BE BUILT TO LAST AND NOT PUT MY LIFE IN DANGER REGARDLESS OF HOW LONG I KEEP IT. SHEESH, IF KIA WOULD HAVE TOLD ME THAT ONCE MY CAR GETS AT A CERTAIN AGE IT WOULD PUT MY LIFE IN DANGER I WOULD HAVE HAD SECOND THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PURCHASE. I THINK IT IS SAD THAT THESE BIG COMPANIES ONLY CARE ABOUT MAKING MONEY THAN HUMAN MORTALITY. *TR
Electrical system, May 1, 2014
MY KIA SORENTO SUDDENLY BEGAN DYING AS I WAS DRIVING. WHEN IT HAPPENED, I DID NOT HAVE CONTROL OF MY STEERING WHEEL OR MY BRAKES. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT EACH TIME IT HAS HAPPENED I HAVE BEEN IN A SITUATION WHERE I COULD PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ONCE I PULLED OVER, PUT IT IN NEUTRAL OR PARK AND IT STARTED BACK UP WITHOUT DIFFICULTY. THERE WERE NO ENGINE LIGHTS OF ANY TYPE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN LUBBOCK, TX (GENE MESSER KIA). THEY WERE UNABLE TO DISCOVER ANY PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR. THEY DROVE IT AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THEY SCANNED FOR CODES, NOTHING SHOWED UP. I WAS WITHOUT MY CAR FOR TWO FULL DAYS. I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP WITH AN INVOICE FOR $143.00 FOR CLEANING OF THE THROTTLE AND A LIST OF THINGS THAT NEED TO BE REPAIRED SOON. THE INCIDENT HAPPENS ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK. MY FEAR IS THAT THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN AND I AM GOING TO EITHER KILL ANOTHER DRIVER OR MYSELF OR HAVE A CRASH INTO ANOTHER OBJECT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. NOW, THE FOLLOWING HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE KIA, ITSELF, HOWEVER, I JUST LOST MY HUSBAND, MOVED TO LUBBOCK A FEW MONTHS AGO, I DO NOT KNOW PEOPLE HERE. I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF JOB HUNTING SO I NEVER KNOW WHEN I AM GOING TO BE CALLED FOR AN INTERVIEW. IF I LEAVE MY CAR WITH GENE MESSER KIA, I AM TOTALLY WITHOUT ANY TRANSPORTATION. I AM ALONE, AND NEED TO GET THIS PROBLEM TAKEN CARE OF AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THEY DO NOT LET CUSTOMERS HAVE LONER CARS SO MY LIFE IS JUST "ON HOLD". I AM NOT IN A FINANCIAL SITUATION TO PAY OUT A LOT OF MONEY. I'M BARELY MAKING IT NOW UNTIL I FIND A JOB. I AM ASKING SOMEONE TO PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS SITUATION. *TR
Engine, Apr 25, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT HAD SEIZED IN THE CRANKSHAFT AND HAD BROKEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE CONSUMER STATED AS HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THERE WAS A HORRIBLE NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE NEAREST SERVICE CENTER, ONE MILE DOWN THE ROAD FROM HER HOME, BUT THE VEHICLE BECAME MORE DIFFICULT TO STEER AND WHEN HER DAUGHTER PULLED IN THE PARKING LOT, SHE COULD NO LONGER STEER THE VEHICLE AND ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANELS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MECHANIC STATED THE REPAIR WOULD REQUIRE THE ENGINE BEING PULLED AND TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE CRANKSHAFT OR REPLACE THE ENGINE ENTIRELY. EITHER WAY, IT WOULD BE COSTLY. UPDATED 05/19/14 UPDATED 06/10/14*LJ UPDATED 06/13/2014 *JS
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 9, 2014
WE HAVE REPEATEDLY REPLACED LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS. HAVE TRIED VARIOUS BRANDS TO NO AVAIL. TRIED REPLACING ONE AT A TIME/ BOTH AT SAME TIME WITH NO LUCK. SAME RESULT IN THAT THEY BURN OUT WITHIN A COUPLE DAYS TO A COUPLE MONTHS. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE, THE DOME LIGHT FOR THE DOOR DOES NOT WORK. DECIDED TO INVESTIGATE ON INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON HAVING THESE ISSUES. SEEMS TO ME THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ONLY REPORTING TO EXPRESS MY CONCERN TO THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND OTHERS WHO OWN A KIA. THIS HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION AFTER MY WIFE WAS PULLED OVER FOR HAVING ONLY ONE HEADLIGHT. THE OFFICER WAS NICE AND ONLY GAVE HER A COURTESY WARNING. NOT SURE WHAT WILL HAPPEN THE NEXT TIME. LAW ENFORCEMENT DOES NOT ALLOW IGNORANCE AS AN EXCUSE FOR THE LAW. *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Mar 25, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORRENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, SHE HEARD A LOUD BANGING AS THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE HARMONIC BALANCER WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED A FEW MONTHS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Power train, Exterior lighting, Mar 20, 2014
JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. MADE A TURN ON TO A STREET AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND ENGINE CUT OFF AND POWER STEERING HAD QUIT WORKING. IF I WAS GOING FAST WOULD HAVE BEEN A WRECK. I GOT IT STOPPED AND HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED HOME. MY HUSBAND LOOKED UNDER HOOD AND A BELT WAS LOOSE AND THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT WAS LAYING THERE BROKE OFF.CALLED KIA AND THEY SAID IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY FOR THAT. I HAVE 92,500 ON MY SUV AND THE POWERTRAIN IS FOR 100,000 MILES BUT THEY SAY A BOLT IS NOT COVERED. I HAVE READ ONLINE - THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE. NOW HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO HAVE IT FIXED. SHOULD BE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED... ALSO THEY SHOULD RECALL ABOUT THE HEAD AND TAIL LIGHTS - THEY HAVE TO HAVE A BULB REPLACED AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH AND THE INTERIOR LIGHT DOES NOT WORK. HAS BEEN THIS WAY SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Mar 17, 2014
I GOT THIS CAR ABOUT A MONTH AGO AND 3 DAYS AFTER THE PURCHASE I COULD SMELL THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IT WAS EXTREMELY STRONG, THEN A RUMBLE SOUND UNDER THE CAR FROM THE EXHAUST. A DAY LATER I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND THE A/C COMPRESSOR STARTED SQUEALING EXTREMELY LOUD AND THERE WAS A TICKING SOUND. TOOK IT TO THE AUTO DEALER I GOT IT FROM AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE COMPRESSOR BELT, DEALER REPLACED BELT AND THERE IS STILL A NOISE OF TICKING AND A FAINT SCREECHING NOISE.. THEY ALSO SAID THEY FIXED THE EXHAUST BUT I AM STILL HAVING ISSUES WITH THE SMELL . THIS WEEKEND I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND I WAS AT 65 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND THE ENGINE BOGGED DOWN AND SOUNDED LIKE IT DIED AND CAME BACK ON. I MADE IT HOME WITHOUT ANYMORE PROBLEMS. TODAY I WAS DRIVING 40 MPH AND THE ENGINE MADE A NOISE AND THE CAR BOGGED AGAIN. I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND GOT UP TO 40 MPH AGAIN AND THE ENGINE DID THE SAME THING. THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES TO SOMEBODY. MY CAR IS GOING INTO THE SHOP THURSDAY BUT AFTER READING ALL THE REVIEWS IT LOOKS LIKE I JUST WASTED ALL THIS MONEY ON A PIECE OF JUNK. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS KILLED. I'LL CONTACT HELP ME HANK AS WELL . *TR
Engine, Mar 13, 2014
SYSTEM WAS IN THE SHOP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE I.E. NEW SPARK PLUGS, DRIVE BELTS, AND SPARK PLUG WIRES. PICKED UP THE VEHICLE AND DROVE FINE FOR A DAY. UPPER CAT CONVERTER GOT CLOGGED... THINGS JUST WENT DOWN HILL FROM THERE. CRANKSHAFT SEAL BUSTED, OIL PUMP FAILED, WATER PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. ENGINE RODS STARTED KNOCKING. ENGINE HAS TO BE REBUILT. HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DRIVE MY SORENTO SINCE MARCH 2013. BOUGHT THE SORENTO IN OCTOBER 2012. JUST HAD THE SORENTO IN THE SHOP FOR ENGINE REBUILD. HAD MONEY SET ASIDE FROM TAX RETURNS. I PAID THE ORIGINAL QUOTED AMOUNT TO HAVE THE REBUILD DONE. IT IS COSTING ME $2000 IN ADDITION TO THE BASE COST THAT WAS ORIGINALLY QUOTED. I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY JUST LAYING AROUND FOR THOSE TYPES OF REPAIRS. OH WELL... GUESS I WON'T BE DRIVING MY CAR FOR ANOTHER WHOLE YEAR. OH... ONE MORE THING.... SINCE I AM THE SECOND OWNER KIA REFUSED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT THEM WANTING OVER $8000 FOR A NEW MOTOR... FYI.... KIA WARRANTY'S AND BBB ARE BOTH WORTHLESS.. *TR
Suspension, Power train, Structure, Mar 12, 2014
I HAVE A 2006 KIA SORENTO THE REAR HOUSING AXLE HAS RUSTED ALL THE WAY . AND THERE IS LARGE HOLE FROM THE RUST AND OIL DRIPPING OUT. AND THE BODY HAS IS ALREADY STARTING TO RUST. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF. I'VE HAVE WASHED AND WAXED AND KEPT IT . BUT IT DIDN'T DO ANY GOOD. KIA NEEDS TO WORK TO IMPROVE. *TR
Engine, Mar 5, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORRENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT ONCE THE VEHICLE STALLED, HE LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 10, 2014
2006 KIA SORENTO COMPLAINT: ENGINE , STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , EXTERIOR LIGHTING ,THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR I AM CHANGING THE HEAD LIGHTS EVERY 4-5 MONTH AND I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT. WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON WITH NO WARNING. AND JUST LAST WEEK 2/2/2014 THE ENGINE STOPPED AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING AND ALSO NO BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A SIDE ROAD AND BARELY GOT THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED AND HAD TO REPLACE A THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AND A MASS AIR FLOW METER AND AIR FILTER AND THE HARMONIC BALANCER. THIS IS CRAZY THESE PROBLEMS AND REQUIRES EXTENSIVE AND EXPENSIVE REPAIR TO THE ENGINE. THIS INDICATES TO US A MANUFACTURER'S DESIGN FLAW AND PROBABLE SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY KIA WORLDWIDE. IT'S DISTURBING WITH HOW MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS I'M READING ON THIS SITE ABOUT THE SAME EXACT THING! IS THERE ANY HELP OUT THERE THIS IS TOO EXPENSIVE FOR ALL THESE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,100. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jan 25, 2014
I JUST GOT MY KIA A YEAR AGO AND I LOVE IT BUT WE ARE CHANGING THE HEAD LIGHTS EVERY MONTH AND I NEVER GET THE RECALLS IN THE MAIL FOR ANYTHING SO I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT. BUYING LIGHTS EVERY MONTH ADD UP TO A LOT OF MONEY AFTER AWHILE. AND IF I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND BOTH WENT OUT AT NIGHT SOMEONE COULD GET HURT. *TR
Structure, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jan 23, 2014, crash
DRIVING IN WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS, HAD VEHICLE IN CRUISE CONTROL ON INTERSTATE GOING ABOUT 40 MPH, NOT 45 MPH, CARS AHEAD WERE BRAKING DUE TO GUSTY WINDS AND DECREASED VISIBILITY (BLOWING SNOW). PROCEEDED TO BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN, WHILE IN CRUISE CONTROL MODE, BRAKES DID NOT WORK AS THEY NORMALLY DUE AND VEHICLE HIT A SIDE RAIL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE MOMENTARILY. VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO MOMENTARILY GET BACK ONTO INTERSTATE ROAD BEFORE GOING INTO A DITCH ON OTHER SIDE-OPPOSITE OF GUARD RAIL, OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS JUST PURCHASED/FINANCE 12/7/2013 AND IS NOW CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS DUE TO DAMAGES THE VEHICLE SUFFERS. *TR
Engine, Nov 29, 2013
WIFE WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON WITH NO WARNING. THE ENGINE STOPPED AND SHE HAD NO POWER STEERING AND ALSO NO BRAKES. SHE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A SIDE ROAD AND BARELY GOT THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE STEERING WAS VERY DIFFICULT. IF IT WOULD HAVE BROKE ANOTHER 200 FEET AHEAD SHE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AS LUCKY SINCE THERE IS A VERY SHARP AND DANGEROUS CURVE. THE CURVE HAS A SINGLE GUARD RAIL THAT SHE MORE IN LIKELY WOULD HAVE WENT THROUGH RESULTING IN A 400 FOOT DROP DOWN A STEEP HILL. POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FATAL CRASH.THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO COUGHLIN KIA DEALERSHIP IN NEWARK OHIO. WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT HAD BROKE IN THE MOTOR. THIS CAUSED THE TIMING PULLING AND MAIN PULLEY TO BREAK OFF. THE RESULT WAS MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE.THE SERVICE MANAGER CONTACTED HIS KIA REGIONAL REP.AND WAS INFORMED THE DAMAGE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE 10 YR./100000 MILE WARRANTY. WE DID HAVE THE SAME DEALERSHIP REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN 2YRS. EARLIER AT APPR. 57000 MILES AS KIA REQUIRES THIS MAINTENANCE DONE BEFORE 60000 MILES.THEY ALSO REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT AS KIA RECOMMENDS IT ALSO. THIS WAS A COST OF NEARLY $800 FOR THIS SERVICE. THE ESTIMATE FOR THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT IS $4000 ON A VEHICLE VALUED AT $6000. KIA REFUSES TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE ON THESE MOTORS. THEIR WAS ARECALL ON THE 03 & 04 ENGINES BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE WILL BE KILLED DRIVING THESE VEHICLES. *TR