2008 Kia Sorento
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 217 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 14th highest complaint count among 23 Sorento model years with reports.
Of the 2008 reports, 15 involved a crash and 9 involved a fire. 17 people were injured and 3 people died.
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
Representative owner complaints: electronic stability control (esc)
44 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 22, 2020, 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
Electrical system, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 25, 2020, crash
I WAS IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT 8/18/17 TOSSED BACK AND FORTH LIKE A RAG DOLL MY AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY ON IMPACT UNTIL THE 4TH TIME AND I WAS KNOCK OUT UNCONSCIOUS. DON'T RECALL MY SEAT BELT WORKED I RECALL BEING TOSSED BACK AND FORTH BACK AND FORTH AND TOOK MY LAST BREATH. THIS IS MY 3 TIME DOING THIS. IT WAS MOVING I WAS HIT IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 30, 2018
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!
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 31, 2018
THE ELECTRONICAL PARTS OF THE IGNITION SWITCH WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME THE BATTERY AND THE STARTER DID . THEN ON TOP OF MY ESC RANDOMLY COMING ON AND EVERY TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IT MADE IT TO WHERE I COULDN'T GO ABOVE 5 MILES HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN RESTART IT MULTIPLE TIMES JUST SO I CAN DIVE HOME THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I HAVE HAD HE VEHICLE NOVEMBER 2016
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 7, 2018
I STARTED MY 2008 KIA SORENTO EX WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE ALL OF A SUDDEN IT MAKES A LOUD BUMP NOISE AND WITH PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES IT JUMPS HARD IN REVERSE I LOOK AND SEE MY ESC LIGHT CAME ON AND I COULD NOT ACCELERATE, MY VEHICLE IN FACT SLOWED DOWN TERRIBLY. I HAVE NOTICED THAT IF I SHUT MY CAR OFF THEN TURN IT BACK ON SOMETIMES THIS WILL TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM FOR A SHORT TIME. IT LOOKS LIKE THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES DURING HOT DAYS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING WITH MY KIDS IN THE BACKSEAT. IF MY CAR SLOWS WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY I COULD END UP CAUSING QUITE AN ACCIDENT NOT TO MENTION HURTING MYSELF OR MY FAMILY THAT IS IN THE VEHICLE. MILEAGE ON MY VEHICLE AT THE TIME WAS APPROXIMATELY 88000 MILES.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 11, 2017
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.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 28, 2017
EXITING A STRIP CENTER TO CROSS 2 LANES OF TRAFFIC AND MAKE A LEFT TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC, I ACCELERATED IN A SAFE GAP ONLY TO FIND MY VEHICLE HAD ALMOST NO ACCELERATION. I WAS NEARLY IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION IF NOT FOR THE EXCELLENT AWARENESS AND REACTION OF THE OTHERS ON THE ROAD. I PULLED IMMEDIATELY INTO A PARKING LOT TO TRY TO FIND OUT WHAT HAD HAPPEN. AT THIS TIME MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE ESC OFF LIGHT WERE ON. THEY WERE NOT WENT I STARTED THE TRIP FROM MY HOUSE ABOUT 1 MILE AWAY. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED AND THE ESC OFF LIGHT WAS NO LONGER THERE, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE WAS. THE NORMAL POWER HAD BEEN RESTORED BACK TO MY CAR. I DROVE TO AN AUTO PARTS SHOP AND HAD THEM PULL CODES ON THE VEHICLE. IT RETURNED 2 CODES: 1. P2138 (THROTTLE/PEDAL POSITION SENSOR/SWITCH "D"/"E" VOLTAGE CORRELATION, 2. P2106 (THROTTLE ACTUATOR CONTROL SYSTEM - FORCED LIMITED POWER). I ASKED THEM TO CLEAR THE CODES AND THEY DID. MY DRIVE HOME TRIGGERED NO LIGHTS. AFTER A MONTH THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENED AND I CLEARED THE CODES ONCE AGAIN. IT NOW HAPPENS 6 MONTHS TO YEAR MOSTLY WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GET REALLY WAR (USUALLY JULY). I GOT ON THE INTERNET TO RESEARCH THE ISSUE AND WAS AMAZED TO FIND HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. ALL WERE THE SAME STORY OF SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER, BOTH LIGHTS ON, NEAR ACCIDENTS, FEAR FOR ONE'S SAFETY. LITERALLY HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS. THERE WERE MANY POSTS OF THOSE THAT WENT TO DEALER OR CALLED KIA WITH EITHER EXORBITANT REPAIR COSTS, LACK OF CONCERN, AND NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE ISSUE. FOR MOST, THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER COMPLETELY SOLVED WITH DEALER REPAIRS AND INTERMITTENTLY HAPPENS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND PEOPLE WILL DIE, OR MOST LIKELY ALREADY HAVE. TOO MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM NOT TO HAVE A RECALL FOR KIA OWNERS AND THEIR CHILDREN'S SAFETY. PLEASE HELP.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Oct 26, 2016
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.
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Sep 6, 2016
CHECK ENGINE AND ESC LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. TRUCK IMMEDIATELY LOSES POWER.
Engine and engine cooling, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 26, 2014
FOR THE 3RD TIME IN AS MANY YEARS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ESC LIGHT COME ON AT THE SAME TIME CAUSING THE CAR TO GO INTO LIMP MODE. SOMETIMES IT WILL RESET IF YOU TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART. HAVE REPLACE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. SEE THIS IS A COMMON THEME WITH THIS CAR. I HAVE NO IDEA WHY IT HAS NOT BECOME A RECALL. WHEN LOSING ALL POWER ON HWY IN TRAFFIC THIS IS SURE TO BECOME A FATALITY ISSUE BEFORE LONG. I WOULD THINK THE COMPANY WOULD RATHER RECALL BEFORE IT BECOMES A LAWSUIT.. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 4, 2014
APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AGO, THE ESC LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THE VEHICLE HAD NO ACCELERATION AND PULLING OUT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC WOULD BE VERY SCARY TO SAY THE LEAST. IT WOULD BE VERY SLUGGISH AND NO ACCELERATION AND ONCOMING TRAFFIC WOULD COME UP ON YOU BEFORE YOU COULD GET IT GOING. I CARRIED IT TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED AND THEY SAID IT WAS A FAULTY ACCELERATOR AND REPLACED IT AT A COST OF 350 DOLLARS. IT HAS STARTED DOING IT AGAIN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AND DON'T HAVE 350 DOLLARS TO TRY AND FIX IT AGAIN. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT I HAVE FOUND TONS OF COMPLAINTS WITH THIS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE AND IT SHOULD NOT BE AT THE COST OF THE CONSUMER FOR A FAULTY PRODUCT. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 21, 2014
THE ESC LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON SINCE THE BEGINNING OF 2014. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THERE IS VERY LITTLE ACCELERATION AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO GET TO THE SPEED LIMIT. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT IS A CHIP THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IT WOULD COST ABOUT $3,000. WE WERE ALSO TOLD IT WAS NOT A GUARANTEE IT WOULD STILL FIX THE ISSUE. WE WERE ALSO TOLD THAT THIS ISSUE COULD CAUSE THE CAR TO GO FROM DRIVE FROM DRIVE TO PARK WHILE DRIVING. THIS ALONE IS A DANGER IN ITSELF CAUSING HARM TO US AND TO OTHERS IN TRAFFIC. WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE AND TRYING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC IS DIFFICULT ESPECIALLY UP HILL. I TALKED TO KIA CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD TALK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE PERSON I TALKED TO WAS NOT VERY HELPFUL. IF THIS A CHIP ISSUE THEN IT SHOULD BE A RECALL OR AT LEAST SOMETHING THAT KIA SHOULD FIX. IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS OUT OF CONTROL OF THE OWNER. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THE LIGHT IS OFF AND THE VEHICLE RUNS OK. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A SITUATION THAT SHOULD BE HANDLED WITH GREAT URGENCY BEFORE THERE IS A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Sep 26, 2013
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
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Sep 25, 2013
ESC LIGHT COMES ON THEN THE ENGINE LOSES POWER, IT ALSO DID THIS 2 YEARS AGO ON 10/31/2011. *JS
Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 18, 2013
I ALMOST KILLED EVERYONE IN MY CAR, ALONG WITH OTHERS ON THE HIGHWAY. I PULLED OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND HAD NO POWER TO MY VEHICLE. I COULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL AND HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. I NOTICED MY ESC OFF LIGHT HAD COME ON SOMEHOW. I TURNED MY VEHICLE OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE LIGHT DISAPPEARED AND I HAD POWER AGAIN. SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THEN THE LIGHT WILL RANDOMLY COME ON AND I WILL LOSE POWER. I CALLED A COUPLE MECHANIC SHOPS BUT WHEN I TRY TO TAKE IT IN THE LIGHT DOESN'T COME ON. I DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSES THIS TO HAPPEN BUT I SEE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THE ISSUE. *JB
Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 8, 2013
I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE DECELERATED QUICKLY AND THE ESC LIGHT CAME ON. I COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. SAT THERE A FEW MINUTES THEN TURNED VEHICLE BACK ON AND THE POWER CAME BACK ON. I HAVE SINCE EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE SEVERAL TIMES AND HAVE NOW THE SAME ISSUE HOWEVER THE LIGHT IS NOT GOING OFF.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 3, 2013
DRIVING TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, I LOST SIGNIFICANT POWER AND WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE PAST 40 MPH ON A LOCAL HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY DRIVE TO A AUTO CENTER WHERE I WAS TOLD MY TRANSFER CASE ASSEMBLY AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY WAS MALFUNCTIONING, CAUSING ME TO LOSE POWER AND CAUSING MY CAR TO SHIFT ERRATICALLY WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR LESS THAN 11 MONTHS.*JB
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Aug 6, 2013
CURRENT AND ONGOING PROBLEMS BEGAN JUST A FEW DAYS AFTER RECEIVING A NOTICE OF RECALL FROM KIA REGARDING THE FAULTY/DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE SWITCH WAS FAULTY AND THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS COMING ON UPON BRAKING AS WELL AS "ESC OFF" AND "CHECK ENGINE" MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHTS APPEARING AND STAYING ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE VEHICLE WAS PROMPTLY TAKEN TO A KIA DEALERSHIP WHERE THE RECALL SERVICE WAS PERFORMED. REPLACEMENT OF A FAILED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN DID NOT ELIMINATE THE PROBLEMS/CODES THAT BEGAN WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED. SHORTLY AFTER THE REPAIR (LESS THAN A MONTH AFTERWARD AND VERY FEW MILES DRIVEN) THE "ESC OFF" AND "CHECK ENGINE" MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHTS APPEARED, STAYED, THEN CAME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WITH ENGINE NOT GOING OVER PAST APPROXIMATELY 2,000 RPMS RESULTING IN UNPREDICTABLE VEHICLE BEHAVIOR ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO MERGING ONTO A HIGHWAY/INTERSTATE OR GETTING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE SERVICE ADVISORS GAVE ASSURANCES THAT THE NEW BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH IS NOT DEFECTIVE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE SERVICE ADVISORS/TECHNICIANS COULD NOT SPECIFICALLY DIAGNOSE WHAT NEEDS REPLACEMENT TO ULTIMATELY SOLVE THIS ONGOING PROBLEM OR IF IT IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE OF THE OF THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *TR
Suspension, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jul 31, 2013
BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW AND NOTICED YOU HAVE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP. SPOKE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID ALL KIA SORENTO MODELS ARE LIKE THIS, YOU HAVE TO PRESS HARD DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL FOR VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN AND FINALLY STOP AND IT TAKES A WHILE FOR IT TO RESPOND. HAVING OWNED SEVERAL VEHICLES AND DRIVING FOR 15 YEARS, I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM BUT I JUST DEALT WITH IT ACCEPTING THE ANSWER THAT KIA SORENTO BRAKES WERE NOT GOING TO BE AS GOOD AS OTHER BRAND BRAKES (HONDA, TOYOTA, MAZDA). I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND ALWAYS ASKED THE ENGINEERS IF THEY COULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE BRAKES AND HOW LONG IT TAKES TO BRAKE (BRAKING DISTANCE). I FELT UNSAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND ULTIMATELY SOLD AFTER REPLACE BRAKES AND SHOE PADS. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ALSO FAULTY WHEN AN ADULT WOULD BE SITTING THERE AND IT WAS NOT WORKING. THERE WAS ALSO A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT WOULD RANDOMLY COME ON AS WELL AS THE TPMS (TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM). I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANICS AND KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY WOULD JUST TURN OFF THE LIGHTS BUT COULDN'T EXPLAIN A REASON FOR THESE TURNING ON AS THE VEHICLE TIRES AND ENGINE WERE OK. I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS ALLOWED TO PASS ON THIS VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN A ACCEPTABLE TIME. I HOPE KIA ISSUES A RECALL ON 2008 KIA SORENTO LX MODELS TO REPLACE OR FIX THE BRAKING ISSUES BECAUSE IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO BE DRIVING ON THE ROAD AND NOT BEING ABLE TO BRAKE PROPERLY. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 29, 2013
BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY, CHECK ENGINE & ESC OFF LIGHT CAME ON, WOULDN'T ACCELERATE OVER 20MPH. BROUGHT BACK HOME AND PARKED. FEW HOURS LATER TOOK GRANDDAUGHTER TO DENTIST AND ONLY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. DIDN'T GO OFF UNTIL TOOK TO AUTO ZONE ON ASHEVILLE HWY, KNOXVILLE, TN. AFTER PLACING ON DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND GIVING A PRINT OUT OF PROBABLE CAUSES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP ON 7/29 AND WOULDN'T EXCEPT DIAGNOSIS SINCE THEY DIDN'T PERFORM. WAS SHOWING ELECTRICAL AND VALVE PROBLEMS. STATED UNABLE TO REPAIR DUE TO LIGHTS NOT BEING ON WHEN CAR WAS AT THE KIA DEALERSHIP. STATED REPLACED THE PROBLEM WITH RECALL. HOWEVER, NOW STATING MOTOR SEALS NEED REPLACED WHICH IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. UNSURE IF OTHER ISSUE HAS BEEN RESOLVED DUE TO NO ISSUES SINCE FRIDAY. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jul 21, 2013
DRIVING ON A SURFACE STREET WITH A 40 MPH SPEED LIMIT. CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND COULD NOT GET SPEED ABOVE 20 MPH. WE WERE LUCKY THAT THERE WASN'T MUCH TRAFFIC ABOUT AS THIS COULD DEFINITELY HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. WHEN THIS HAPPENED BOTH THE ESC OFF LIGHT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WE HAD TO LEAVE OUR CAR IN NEVADA AND GET A RENTAL CAR TO GET HOME TO ARIZONA, WE HAVE NO IDEA WHEN WE WILL GET OUR CAR FIXED AND BACK HOME. WE WERE OWNERS OF A KIA RONDO AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THAT VEHICLE TOO (NO LONGER OWN THAT ONE). THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY AND KIA NEEDS TO ADMIT THAT THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG AND THAT THEY WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR FIXING IT. TOO MANY OWNERS HAVING EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM, WE SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jul 19, 2013
I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE WITH A SPEED LIMIT OF 65 MPH WHEN WITH NO WARNING THE "CHECK ENGINE" AND "ESC OFF" LIGHTS CAME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY. AT THE SAME TIME, THE ENGINE LOST POWER, CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY DECELERATE AND ALMOST CAUSING A COLLISION BOTH WITH THE CAR BEHIND ME AND WITH THE CARS MERGING OVER FROM AN ENTRANCE RAMP. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MAINTAIN CONTROL OF MY CAR AND PUT ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS TO WARN OTHER DRIVERS OF MY MUCH SLOWER SPEED. EVEN DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE ABOVE 55 MPH, AND MY SPEED GOING UP HILLS WAS SIGNIFICANTLY SLOWER. ONCE I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY REACH A SHOULDER WITH COMFORTABLE CLEARANCE, I PULLED OVER AND STOPPED THE CAR FOR A FEW MINUTES. I RESTARTED THE CAR, BOTH LIGHTS REMAINED ON, AND I SIMILARLY WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE THE CAR APPROPRIATELY, ESPECIALLY FROM A STOP. I LIMPED ALONG WITH MY HAZARD LIGHTS FOR THE LAST FEW MILES TO WORK WHERE I IMMEDIATELY BEGAN RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ONLY TO FIND THAT THIS IS FAR FROM AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. IN FACT, THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE PERVASIVE IN KIAS OF SIMILAR MODEL YEAR. THERE ARE SCORES OF KIA OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR SERIES OF EVENTS. THE SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS IN ANY SITUATION, BUT ESPECIALLY SO ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN SPEED LIMITS ARE SO HIGH. I WAS SO LUCKY THAT THE DRIVERS AROUND ME AND I WERE ABLE TO AVOID AN INJURY-CAUSING CRASH. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED SWIFTLY AND THOROUGHLY. AGAIN, A SIMPLE SEARCH OF THIS VERY WEBSITE AS WELL AS OTHER ONLINE CAR FORUMS REVEALS A PROBLEM SO WIDESPREAD THAT IT SHOULD WARRANT A RECALL BY KIA. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 15, 2013
I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 KIA SORENTO EX WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY ESC LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I COULD NOT ACCELERATE, MY VEHICLE IN FACT SLOWED DOWN TERRIBLY. I HAVE NOTICED THAT IF I SHUT MY CAR OFF THEN TURN IT BACK ON SOMETIMES THIS WILL TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM FOR A SHORT TIME. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING WITH MY KIDS IN THE BACKSEAT. IF MY CAR SLOWS WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY I COULD END UP CAUSING QUITE AN ACCIDENT NOT TO MENTION HURTING MYSELF OR MY FAMILY THAT IS IN THE VEHICLE. MILEAGE ON MY VEHICLE AT THE TIME WAS APPROXIMATELY 65000 MILES. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 5, 2013
STARTED CAR TO WARM UP FOR TRIP TO WORK. ESC LIGHT STAYED/CAME ON. ENGINE WOULDN'T ALLOW SPEED OVER 55 WITH THE GAS PEDAL FLOORED. TOOK TO KIA DEALER MADE APPOINTMENT. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), May 19, 2013
EVERY TIME I TURN ON MY CAR THE ESC OFF LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS I HAVE NO POWER. IF I TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON, IT WILL USUALLY DISAPPEAR. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON LINE, AND MANY PEOPLE WITH MY SAME CAR HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. THE ISSUE IN THEIR CARS HAVE PROGRESSED TO RANDOMLY TURNING ON WHILE GOING 65 MILES AND HOUR, AND LOSING SPEED WHICH HAS ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. I CURRENTLY DO NOT KNOW OF ANY ACCIDENTS, BUT THIS NOW HAS ME AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR. IF IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL TO FIX IT? *TR