2007 Kia Sorento
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 154 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 16th highest complaint count among 23 Sorento model years with reports.
Of the 2007 reports, 10 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 10 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Electrical systemFeb 14, 2020
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the vehicle is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the main junction box to prevent power from being directed to the HECU when the vehicle's ignition switch is turned off, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC186.
Campaign 20V088000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchApr 1, 2013
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
Campaign 13V114000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, sensor/control module-inactiveSep 7, 2011
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 SORENTO PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 15, 2006 THROUGH NOVEMBER 27, 2007. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY BE TURNED OFF WHEN AN ADULT IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IS DESIGNED TO BE TURNED OFF IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES INCLUDING WHEN CHILDREN AND SMALL ADULTS ARE SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THERE IS A CHILD RESTRAINT IN THAT SEAT OR THE SEAT IS NOT OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS), WHICH CLASSIFIES THE OCCUPANT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, MAY MISCLASSIFY AN ADULT PASSENGER AS A CHILD OR CHILD SEAT AND IMPROPERLY TURN OFF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. WHEN THE AIR BAG IS DEACTIVATED THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE CENTER INSTRUMENT PANEL.
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS TURNED OFF WHEN THE OCS MISCLASSIFIES AN ADULT PASSENGER. WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF, THE FRONT PASSENGER WILL NOT HAVE THE PROTECTION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAGS IN SOME FRONTAL COLLISIONS, THUS INCREASING THE RISK OF OCCUPANT INJURY.
KIA WILL UPDATE THE PROGRAMMING IN THE SORENTO OCS CONTROL MODULE AT NO CHARGE. THE RECALL REMEDY IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE UNDER SERVICE CAMPAIGN SC076. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-333-4542.
Campaign 11V473000 on NHTSA.gov
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: exterior lighting
12 reports, newest first. Show all
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Oct 30, 2024
I went in to the burlington, wa kia dealership for this recall fix. And after waiting an hour they tell me they don't have the right part. It's now been about a month later and I'm still waiting to hear when the part will be available. I don't think this is ok for a safety issue.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Nov 20, 2018
SERVICE BRAKE HYDRAULIC SWITCHES BRAKE LIGHT, EXTERIOR LIGHTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, AIR BAG FRONTAL SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE. NO BRAKE LIGHT WHEN BRAKE IS PRESS, CRUISE ONTROL, ESC LIGHT, AIR BAG AND GEAR SHIFT WILL NOT MOVE FROM PARK.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 11, 2018
TAKATA RECALL: VEHICLE IS UNSTABLE WHEN DRIVING, IT JUMPS WHEN ON MOTION. WHEN DRIVING IN THE NIGHT THE HEAD LIGHTS GOES ON AND OFF, REAR WIPER IS WORKING NON STOP EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS OFF. THIS ELECTRIC SYSTEM DYSFUNCTION ALSO AFFECTS THE RADIO SYSTEM.
Exterior lighting, Structure, Wheels, Aug 5, 2015
WHEN TRYING TO OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR, THERE WAS A LOUD POP AND THE DOOR WAS UNABLE TO BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY OR AN ACCIDENT. I'VE GONE TO THE KIA DEALER AND THEY ARE QUOTING AN OUTRAGEOUS AMOUNT JUST TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE ISSUE. THIS IS INCONVENIENT WHILE I TRAVEL TO AND FROM WORK, AS I HAVE TO CLIMB THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE IN ORDER TO GET IN THE CAR! THE PROBLEM INITIALLY BEGAN DECEMBER OF 2014, AND MY FATHER HAD TO LEAVE A STICK OR A WIRED HANGER ON THE FLOOR BOARDS SO THAT WHEN ENTERING THE VEHICLE I WOULD LEAN IN THROUGH EITHER THE PASSENGER OR REAR DRIVERS DOOR TO OPEN THE DRIVER DOOR. ON 8/4/15, THE DOOR HAS STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING ISSUE AS THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED TO THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR AS WELL. I HAVEN'T FOUND AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR PERSON THAT CAN ACTUALLY FIX THIS ISSUE AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT NEEDS ATTENTION ASAP!
Exterior lighting, Apr 24, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE LIGHT BULBS AND FUSES WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 5, 2014
WHEN OPENING DOORS, THE DOME LIGHT NO LONGER WOULD TURN ON. THIS EVENTUALLY CONTINUED UNTIL THE FRONT LIGHTS NO LONGER TURN ON, AND NOW THE REAR HATCH LIGHTS DO NOT TURN ON EITHER. THE LIGHTS WORK WHEN THEY ARE MANUALLY TURNED ON, JUST NOT WHEN THE DOORS OPEN. IT WAS CHECKED BY A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAY IT IS NOT A SWITCH ISSUE (AS THE LIGHTS ON THREE OF THE DOORS STILL LIGHT WHEN OPEN). THEY FEEL IT IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF POSTS FROM AS FAR BACK AS 2003 SORENTOS WITH THE SAME ISSUES. THE LIGHTS NOT TURNING ON IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE FOR MYSELF AND MY FAMILY TRYING TO ENTER A PITCH BLACK VEHICLE AT NIGHT TIME. *TR
Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 4, 2014
BEGINNING IN EARLY AUGUST 2014, THE ESC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATOR STOPS WORKING AND THE VEHICLE GOES INTO LIMP MODE. WE ARE UNABLE TO GET MORE THAN 40 MPH OUT OF IT AND ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHEN OTHER VEHICLES WOULD COME UP FROM BEHIND VERY SUDDENLY. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT WE WERE IN AN AREA WHERE WE COULD GET OFF THE ROAD QUICKLY. ONCE WE HAVE COME TO A STOP, IF WE TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTART, THE LIGHTS RESET THEMSELVES AND THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONS NORMALLY UNTIL THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENS. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS SHORTLY AFTER WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND THE KIA DEALERSHIP REPLACED A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH UNDER RECALL #09V130000. THIS HELPED UNTIL RECENTLY. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED A THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AT THE COST OF $395.00. IT HELPED FOR TWO WEEKS AND THE PROBLEM RETURNED EXACTLY THE SAME. THIS TIME THE DEALER INFORMED US THAT IT WAS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSY - ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM AT THE TUNE OF $250.00 ALL THESE ITEMS ARE PART OF THE ESC SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO GO TO LIMP MODE. I'M CONCERNED THAT THERE MAY BE OTHER SUB-ASSEMBLIES ASSOCIATED WITH IT AND EVERY TIME ONE GOES BAD, WE'LL END UP IN LIMP MODE AND/OR A HOOD ORNAMENT ON A KENWORTH. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY KIA AT NO COST TO CONSUMERS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Aug 29, 2014
ESC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. DEALER SERVICE DEPT STATED THAT BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS AT FAULT, BUT THAT IT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPLACED IN MAR 2010 UNDER A RECALL CAMPAIGN. AFTER REPLACING SWITCH THIS TIME, DEALER SERVICE ADVISER STATED THAT SWITCH APPEARED TO BE ORIGINAL, BUT THAT I WOULD STILL HAVE TO PAY FOR PARTS AND LABOR ($129.86). I PAID BUT PROTESTED. I HAVE SERIOUS DOUBTS THAT BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED IN MAR 2010 AS DEALER STATED, SINCE THE RECENTLY REPLACED SWITCH APPEARED TO BE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. SUBSEQUENTLY, I FEEL AS THOUGH I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THE MOST RECENT (AUG 2014) REPAIR, ESPECIALLY IF SWITCH HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN PREVIOUSLY. I SUSPECT THAT DEALER EITHER FALSIFIED THE MAR 2010 REPAIR, AND/OR REPLACED RECALLED SWITCH WITH IDENTICAL REPLACEMENT (WHICH IS PRONE TO FAILURE). WHAT GOOD IS A RECALL IF ORIGINAL DEFECT WAS SIMPLY REINSTALLED? I DO HAVE POSSESSION OF DEFECTIVE SWITCH REPLACED IN AUG 2014. NOT ONLY DO I WANT MY MONEY RETURNED TO ME, BUT I WOULD LIKE SOME ASSURANCE THAT THE PROBLEM IS NOW REMEDIED WITH A RELIABLE SWITCH. PLEASE RESPOND. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jul 6, 2013
I HAVE REPLACED APPRO. 15 LOW BEAM BULBS AND FUSES IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS. THEY DON'T LAST VERY LONG AND WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME TOBRING IT IN BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY ALL COSTS. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS VEHICLE AFTER GOOGLING IT.I WAS DRIVING DOWN A DARK ROAD AT 10:30 P.M. ONE TIME WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED A WRECK. *TR
Exterior lighting, Mar 27, 2013
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS SLOW TO DISENGAGE. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AUGUST 19, 2009 UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V130000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) FOR THE STOP LAMP SWITCH. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THAT COMPONENT HAD FAILED A SECOND TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000. KMJ *TR
Exterior lighting, Oct 18, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TREMENDOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V130000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Seat belts, Tires, Equipment, Jul 22, 2008, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. THREE DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS DEACTIVATED. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40-45 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND JERKED. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN OR A RED LIGHT, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT HAS HAD TO STRIKE THE DASHBOARD IN ORDER TO GET THE AIR CONDITIONING TO WORK. IN ADDITION, NONE OF THE WINDOWS WILL ROLL DOWN. THE BLINKERS, TURN SIGNAL, AND CRUISE CONTROL DO NOT WORK. AFTER OWNING THE VEHICLE FOR TEN MONTHS, THE ALTERNATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED AND IT CURRENTLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE RAILS TO STEP UP INTO THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. DURING A CRASH WITH A DEER, BOTH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOYED AND THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT WORK. AS A RESULT, THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BROKEN ARM. ON TWO OCCASIONS, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE ROTATED AND ALIGNED. ON THE THIRD OCCASION, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE, SHE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WITH MANY COMPLAINTS, BUT THEY HAVE NEVER MADE ANY REPAIRS. A HYUNDAI INSPECTOR STATED THAT THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF SPECIFICATIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600. UPDATED 09/23/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER HIT A DEER AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT PERFORM AS THEY WERE DESIGNED. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DELAY IN SHIFTING AND WOULD NOT SHIFT IN THE CORRECT GEAR. UPDATED 09/24/08. *JB