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
217 reports, newest first.
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, Sep 2, 2013
WE WERE RETURNING HOME FROM THE STORE SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT . TWO HOURS LATER WE WERE ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY. IF THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN AN EMERGENCY WE WOULD HAVE BEEN DELAYED BECAUSE WE COULD NOT GET THE KEY OUT. *JS
Service brakes, Aug 28, 2013
I HAVE A 2008 KIA SORENTO THAT HAS HAD THE FRONT ROTORS REPLACED THREE TIMES DUE TO WARPING. I AM ABOUT TO REPLACE THEM FOR THE FOURTH TIME AT 79,000 MILES. I BELIEVE THAT THE BRAKES ON THIS SUV ARE INADEQUATE FOR THIS VEHICLE. KIA HAS INFORMED ME THAT SINCE THE SUV IS OUT OF WARRANTY IT DOES NOT FEEL IT HAS ANY RESPONSIBILITY. I BELIEVE THAT SINCE THIS ROTOR WARPING PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED SO MANY TIMES THAT IT IS A DESIGN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKES AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY A RECALL. I HOPE ENOUGH CONSUMERS? COMPLAIN SO THAT THE NTSB DOES AN INVESTIGATION. *TT
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Aug 19, 2013
MY 2008 KIA HAS HAD A CONTINUING PROBLEM WITH THE ESC OFF LIGHT COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. CAUSING FAILURE TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY. DEALER RAN DIAGNOSTICS. REPLACED AN ITEM AND SAID THAT SHOULD TAKE CARE OF IT. WITHIN THREE WEEKS IT STARTED AGAIN. THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND I WOULD LOSE POWER. THE DEALER STATED IT WASN'T RELATED BUT I NEVER LOST POWER UNTIL THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON. THEY CHECKED IT AGAIN AND COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEM. SERVICE TECH SAID HE COULDN'T "RECREATE" THE ISSUE. THE LIGHT WAS ON WHEN HE TESTED IT, BUT I TOOK IT TOO ANOTHER LICENSED MECHANIC SHOP AND THEY COULD TELL THAT THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION POWER. ANY ONE WHO DROVE THE CAR COULD TELL THAT IT WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. NOW THE ESC OFF LIGHT THEN STAYS ON CONSTANTLY. NO ACCELERATION. WILL NOT ALLOW 4 WHEEL ACCESS TO OPERATE. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS FROM 1ST TO 5TH TOO RAPIDLY NOT ALLOWING THE ACCELERATION. I'M OBVIOUSLY NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM THAT THE SERVICE TECH'S CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE OUT. *TR
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
Service brakes, Jul 31, 2013
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON LOCAL AND HIGHWAYS, THE BRAKE DOES NOT GET ACTIVATED UNLESS YOU PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN WHICH ENGAGES THE VEHICLE IN REDUCING SPEED BUT THIS TAKES TOO LONG. THERE IS NO REDUCTION OF SPEED IF YOU PRESS A LITTLE OR IN INCREMENTS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ONLY WAY THE VEHICLE BRAKES IS YOU HARD PRESS YOUR FOOT DOWN ON THE PEDAL AND THAT TAKES TOO LONG TO MAKE IT EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. WHEN I NEED TO COME TO A SUDDEN STOP THE BRAKES DO NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY WITH DELAY RESPONSE AND I AM PRESSING HARD ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE BRAKE PAD. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND EVEN REPLACED BRAKE SHOES AND BRAKE PADS, HOWEVER THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES WITH VEHICLE TAKING TOO LONG TO BRAKE AND NOT BRAKING PROPERLY WAS A PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL VEHICLES IN PAST AND AM VERY FAMILIAR WITH CAR BRAKING SYSTEMS AND THE RESPONSE TIMES NEEDED TO BRAKE. THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THIS VEHICLE IS FAULTY AND IS UNSAFE AND DOES NOT MEET STANDARDS TO APPROVE THIS VEHICLE FOR SAFE DRIVING. *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
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 5, 2013
JAN.19,2013 MY 2008 KIA SORENTO STARTED TO LOSS POWER AND THE ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE, THE DEALER FOUND THE VEHICLE SHOWN CODE PO300 ,VEHICLE MISFIRE AND IT BURNED PLUG ASSY-SPARK AND COIL ASSY-IGNITION. REPAIRS WERE DONE AT CITY KIA OF GREATER ORLANDO. SERVICES WAS GREAT. MARCH 7,2013 THE SAME INCIDENT AS ABOVE HAPPENED AGAIN THE REPAIR SHOP FOUND CAMSHAFT SENSOR CONNECTION ERROR, PERFORM PIN TENSION RECHECKED. I WAS TREATED BADLY, THEY STATED AT FIRST THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON AND REFUSED TO OFFER ANY SITUATION. REPAIR WERE DONE WHERE I HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2/2011 WITH KIA WARRANTY. LOCATION ORLANDO KIA E.COLONIAL DRIVE.ORL FL.32817. ON MAY 4,2013 MY VEHICLE APPEARS TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUES AS ABOVE INCIDENTS WILL TAKE IT BACK TO DEALER ON E. COLONIAL DRIVE ON MONDAY 6,2013. HOPE THEY WILL HELP ME.... *TR
Air bags, Apr 2, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHENEVER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED HIM THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR
Engine, Mar 28, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, A LOUD BANGING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ENGINE THREW A ROD, CAUSING A HOLE IN THE OIL PAN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000. *TR
Wheels, Service brakes, Mar 27, 2013, fire
WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD, CAR WAS BEARLY PULLING. NOTICED SMOKE ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR. STOPPED AND CHECKED UNDER HOOD AND SAW NOTHING. WALKED AROUND CAR AND FLAMES WERE COMING OUT OF WHEEL AREA. HAD CAR TOWED. HAD NEW CALIPER, ROTOR, AND BRAKE PADS PUT ON. DROVE ABOUT A WEEK. AND BEGAN DOING THE SAME THING. HAD CAR TOWED TO MECHANIC SHOP, 4TH DAY THERE THE BRAKES WENT TOTALLY OUT. CAR CRASHED THROUGH THE DOOR OF SHOP AND HIT POLE. CAR IN STILL AT BODY SHOP SOME PARTS WERE HARD TO FIND. STILL WILL HAVE TO GET BRAKES FIXED WHEN I GET CAR THIS WEEK. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY CAR SINCE JANUARY 2013. THIS IS MARCH 27TH 2013. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 25, 2013
I WAS ABOUT TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY 2008 KIA SORENTO REFUSED TO ACCELERATE. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND WHILE I WAS DOING SO I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE GAS OR BRAKE. INSTEAD IT WAS BRAKING ITSELF. THIS THE 3RD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I'M READY TO GET A NEW CAR! KIAS SUCK! *TR
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 16, 2013
I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT OTHER 2008 KIA SORRENTO OWNERS HAVE REPORTED TO KIA, ABOUT THE ESC LIGHT COMING ON CAUSING LOST OF POWER IN THE VEHICLE. KIA IS CONTENT TO CHARGE CUSTOMER A DIAGNOSTIC FEE, FIX PART THAT DO NOT NEED TO BE FIXED WHEN CLEARLY THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE. WHEN YOU MENTION TO THEM THE COMPLAINTS FILED ABOUT THE PROBLEM, THEY INDICATE THE HAVE NEVER HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT IT INSTEAD OF TAKING THE TIME TO LOOK ON SAFECAR.GOV, THEY CONTINUE TO BRUSH IT OFF. NOT SURE HOW BEING ON THE HWY DRIVING AT 70 MPH AND YOUR VEHICLE SUDDENLY DROPPING TO 20MPH IS A CUSTOMER PROBLEM. ALSO NOT SURE HOW WHEN YOU PLACE MY CAR ON THE MACHINE AND IT GIVES YOU A CODE TO FIX THIS LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM AND IT HAPPENS AGAIN CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO COAST INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE TO KEEP FROM BEING HIT FROM BEHIND WITH 2 CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT IS A CUSTOMER PROBLEM SOUNDS LIKE A DEFECT TO ME. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 14, 2013
WHILE DRIVING THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL "OFF" (ESC OFF) LIGHT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. UPON TAKING IT TO THE A MECHANIC, HE INFORMED ME THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR WAS BAD. I CONTINUED READING ONLINE, AND HAVE NOTICE THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MANY OCCASIONS. WHEN THIS OCCURS THE VEHICLE LOOSES ALL POWER TO MAKE ANY NECESSARY CORRECTIVE ACTIONS WHICH COULD RESULT IN A ACCIDENT. IT ALSO SLOWS THE CAR DRASTICALLY WHILE IN MOTION, AGAIN WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. ## VIN FAILED ## *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 9, 2013
I PURCHASED A 2008 KIA SORENTO LAST YEAR AS A PRE-OWNED VEHICLE. I HAVE STARTED HAVING SERIOUS ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE. A DEER RAN INTO MY VEHICLE APRIL 2012 REALLY MESSED UP MY ENTIRE FRONT END AND SIDE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY HAD MY VEHICLE BOTCHED UP AND MY NOW MY AVS SYSTEM AND CLUTCH ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY THEY REFUSED TO FIX MY VEHICLE. NOW I AM HAVING PROBLEM WITH A ESC LIGHT COMING ON I COULDN'T FIND OUT WHAT THIS LIGHT MEANT BUT I CAN IMAGINE THAT IT IS NOT GOOD. THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE TRULY THEY ARE NO GOOD. *TR
Engine, Jan 22, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION POWER AND DID NOT ACCELERATE OVER 20 MPH. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED AND REVEALED THAT THE OXYGEN SENOR, BRAKE PEDAL LIGHT SWITCH, AND THROTTLE PEDAL SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FAILED PARTS BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,371 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
Air bags, Jan 15, 2013, crash
MY 18 YEAR OLD SON WAS DRIVING MY KIA SORENTO ALONG WITH HIS 16 YEAR OLD BROTHER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WHEN THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED ON A WET ROAD. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IN BETWEEN THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL AND THE DOOR HINGE. MY 18 YEAR OLD MANAGED TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND GET HELP FOR HIS BROTHER THAT UNFORTUNATELY HAD PASSED AWAY ON THE SCENE. AFTER REVIEWING MY VEHICLE, I PERSONALLY NOTICED THAT NONE OF THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGERS AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED. I TRAGICALLY LOST MY 16 YEAR OLD SON IN THE MIST OF THE SITUATION AS WELL AS HAVING MY 18 RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL. MY CONCERN IS THAT WHEN I RECEIVED THE REPORT FROM MY INSURANCE ADJUSTER FOR THE LOSS OF MY VEHICLE... THERE WAS RECALL ATTACHED TO THE FINDINGS FOR THESE AIR BAGS FOR WHICH I HAD NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED OF. I KNOW THIS WILL NEVER BRING HIM BACK TO ME BUT THE AIR BAGS MAY HAVE PREVENTED THE INJURIES AND THE FATALITY!!!! *TR
Air bags, Dec 26, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORRENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH IN SNOWY WEATHER, HE ATTEMPTED TO AVOID CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND SWERVED OFF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT TRAVELED OVER A GRASSY AREA BEFORE CRASHING INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT STRUCK HER HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD BUT WAS NOT TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,500.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 23, 2012
I PURCHASED THIS CAR PRE OWNED. ABOUT 2 WEEK LATER, WHILE DRIVING THE ESC LIGHT SHOWS UP CAUSING THE CAR TO SLOWLY LOSE POWER. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. I ALMOST GOT HIT WHEN THIS HAPPENED!! AFTER 3-4 TIMES LATER, KIA DEALERSHIP CANNOT REPAIR THE ISSUE OR EVEN SOLVE IT. THEY ACTUALLY TOLD ME YESTERDAY THAT THE CAR WAS READY, HOWEVER IT WAS NOT FIXED BC THEY CANT FIGURE IT OUT. THEY TRIED EVERYTHING. I DID PICK UP THE CAR ONLY TO BRING IT RIGHT BACK THIS MORNING. I AM SCARED FOR MY SAFETY AS WELL AS MY CHILDREN. I LOOKED ONLINE AND THEIR ARE SO MANY OTHERS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. THIS IS INSANE. I AM NOW IN A RENTAL AS THEY ARE TRYING AGAIN FOR TIME #5 TO FIGURE IT OUT. I HAVE SPOKEN TO KIA CORPORATE. I HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS WITH THE BBB. AND NOW I AM HERE. IF ANYONE CARES ABOUT OTHERS SAFETY THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. I REFUSE TO PUT MY CHILDREN'S LIFE AT RISK. IMAGINE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THIS LIGHT TURNING ON RANDOMLY AND YOUR CAR JUST LOSING POWER. VERY UNSAFE!! *TR