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.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 24, 2011
MY 2008 KIA SORENTO HAS 40000 MILES AND THE ESC OFF INDICATOR, AS WELL AS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. I WAS DRIVING TO CHURCH AND WHILE DRIVING THE ACCELERATION DIMINISHED. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED, BEING I JUST BLUNT THE CAR A MONTH AGO. YES IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT WHAT ABOUT WHEN IT IS NOT.... FROM THE LOOKS OF IT THIS IS A CONTINUAL PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED, BEFORE SOMEONE LIFE BE HARMED WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 12, 2011
I HAVE A 2008 KIA SORENTO WITH JUST OVER 34,000 MILES ON IT AND AM ON MY SECOND EXPERIENCE WITH THE ESC OFF PROBLEM. THE FIRST TIME WAS JULY 2010, CAR WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE SENSOR AND CAR WORKED FINE UNTIL THIS PAST MONDAY. I STARTED MY CAR TO WARM IT UP AND AFTER 10 MINUTES I RETURNED TO THE CAR TO LEAVE AND NOTICED THAT THE ESC OFF LIGHT WAS ON AS WELL AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. AS PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN ME, THE ESC OFF LIGHT IS DANGEROUS AS THE CAR LOSES POWER. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, THEN ON, BUT THE LIGHTS WERE STILL ON. I GOT A RIDE TO WORK THAT DAY, BUT MY DAD WENT OVER TO LOOK AT THE CAR. THE ESC OFF LIGHT WENT OFF FOR HIM AND SO DID THE CHECK ENGINE, HE DROVE IT AROUND WITH NO PROBLEM. NOW THIS MORNING I STARTED IT TO WARM IT UP, NO LIGHTS CAME ON. I GOT IN TO LEAVE AND WHEN I REACHED THE END OF MY ROAD AT THE STOP SIGN, BOTH LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, THEN ON AND THE ESC OFF WENT OFF, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE IS STILL ON. THIS PROBLEM WILL STILL HAPPEN EVERY NOW AND THEN. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPEND MORE THAN A DOZEN TIMES AND IT DOSN'T MATTER WHAT SPEED I'M DRIVING IT WILL HAPPEN WHEN DRIVING SLOW OR FAST. LOSS OF POWER IS DANGEROUS WHEN THERE IS NOWHERE TO PULL OVER. I HAVE BEEN ON SEVERAL WEBSITED WHERE OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD THAT I NEED TO HAVE THE ACCELERATOR SENSOR REPLACED, NOT THE ESC SENSOR. IN JULY 2010 THE ESC SENSOR WAS REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM OCCURED AGAIN THE FOLLOWING JAN. 2011. *TT
Power train, Jun 6, 2011
2008 KIA SORENTO ESC LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE LOST POWER. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), May 17, 2011
01/25/10 WITH 22,395 MILES ON VEHICLE. THE CAR HAD NO ACCELERATION. HAD PART #35107-3C100FF TH SENSOR ASSY REPLACED. 11/12/10 WITH 30,002 MILES ON VEHICLE. THE CAR HAD NO ACCELERATION AGAIN. HAD PART #91214-3E324 WIRING ASSY-ENG REPLACED. 12/30/10 WITH 32,064 MILES ON VEHICLE. THE CAR HAD NO ACCELERATION AGAIN. HAD PART #32700-3E400 PEDAL ASSY-ACCE REPLACED. MY CONCERN IS LOSING POWER ON A FREEWAY AND GETTING INTO A ACCIDENT. ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING ON AT RANDOM TIMES. MY CONCERN IS HAVING A ACCIDENT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG NOT WORKING. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 11, 2011
MY 2008 KIA SORENTO'S THROTTLE ACCELERATOR SENSOR HAS GONE OUT FOR THE SECOND TIME IN A YEAR. I LOOKED THIS ISSUE UP ONLINE, SINCE THIS IS THE SECOND TIME, AND FOUND EXTENSIVE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN IT GOES OUT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM QUITS FUNCTIONING ALSO. MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 20,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS A LOSS OF POWER AND STABILITY CONTROL WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE DEALERSHIP KNEW EXACTLY WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND ASK ME TO BRING IT IN. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN REPEATEDLY. *TR
Exterior lighting, Seat belts, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 3, 2011
ESC OFF LIGHT COMES ON, SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION, HEAD LIGHTS CONSTANTLY NEEDING TO BE CHANGED. MIDDLE SEAT BELT IN BACK MALFUNCTIONS BY NOT UNLOCKING AT TIMES. *TR
Air bags, Tires, Feb 17, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED EVEN WHEN SOMEONE WAS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEAT CUSHION THREE TIMES BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE DEALER SCANNED THE SENSOR BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER CLEARED THE MEMORY AND THE LIGHT TURNED OFF FOR TWO MONTHS BUT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 5/2/11 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO ILLUMINATE. UPDATED 05/11/11
Power train, Feb 7, 2011
TRANSMISSION - VEHICLE TURNS ON, WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE A LOUD/HARD JOLT OCCURS. WHEN PLACED IN DRIVE, VEHICLE WILL HARDLY MOVE WITHOUT PRESSING ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL. ENGINE ROARS AND HARDLY MOVES FORWARD. HAPPENED ON TWO OCCASIONS IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS. WAS RECENTLY FIXED TWO MONTHS AGO BUT HAPPENED AGAIN. *LN
Tires, Jan 26, 2011
MICHELIN TIRE ON VEHICLE COMPLETELY BLEW OUT THAT ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH, TIRE TORE COMPLETELY AROUND THE OUTER PART. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 70 MPH ON INTERSTATE WHEN BLOWOUT OCCURRED. *TR
Tires, Jan 26, 2011
MICHELIN TIRE ON VEHICLE COMPLETELY BLEW OUT THAT ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. TIRE TORE COMPLETELY AROUND THE OUTER PART. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 70 MPH ON INTERSTATE WHEN BLOWOUT OCCURRED. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Interior lighting, Nov 28, 2010
DASH LIGHTING PROBLEM ON 2008B KIA SORENTO. WHEN CONTROL KNOB ON TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IS ROTATED FOR NIGHT LIGHTING OF DASH LIGHTS, THE DASH LIGHTS GO OUT, BLOWING A FUSE. POSSIBLE SHORT IS SYSTEM SOMEWHERE. UNABLE TO TRACE AT CANADIAN KIA DEALERSHIP WITHOUT PAYING $90.00/HR FEE WHICH COULD TAKE MANY HOURS. *TR
Air bags, Nov 21, 2010
2008 KIA SORENTO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. 38 Y W/F SITTING IN DRIVER'S SEAT, VEHICLE NOT RUNNING AND NO ONE WAS AROUND VEHICLE. AIRBAG DEPLOYED STRIKING FEMALE ON LEFT SIDE CAUSING INJURY TO ABDOMEN, ARM, SHOULDER AND FACE. ACCORDING TO KIA COMPUTER MALFUNCTION CAUSED PROBLEM. GLAD SHE WAS WAITING ON OTHER SON TO LEAVE CHURCH. KIA'S SOLUTION IS TO REPLACED AIRBAG SYSTEM. VEHICLE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. EVENTS FEMALE SAT IN DRIVER'S SEAT. CONSEQUENCES MODERATE INJURY, DISORIENTED UNABLE TO REMEMBER WHICH CHILD WAS IN THE BACK SEAT SHE WAS TALKING TO AT THE TIME. OFFICIAL MEDICAL VISIT AT URGENT CARE THE NEXT MORNING. X-RAYS AND CAT SCAN. SEVERE CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN DEATH IF IT HAPPENED 5-10 MINUTES LATER GOING DOWN ROAD. WHAT HAS BEEN DONE? I HAVE BEEN INFORMED KIA DOES NOT DEAL WITH HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS. FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN JUST ANOTHER NUMBER. *TR
Power train, Aug 16, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORRENTO. THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED ABNORMAL HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP AND WOULD ONLY ACCELERATE AT A VERY LOW SPEED. AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF AND ALLOWING IT TO SIT FOR A FEW HOURS, THE VEHICLE WOULD OPERATE AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE UPGRADES WERE MADE TO THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. THE FAILURE SINCE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY 3 TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER REPAIRS OR DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 2, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORRENTO. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, FOLLOWED BY A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING DIAGNOSED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
Vehicle speed control, Jun 25, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORRENTO. SHE STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND ESC WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE THEN INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED TO SPEEDS OF 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE THROTTLE PEDAL WAS DAMAGED. THE THROTTLE PEDAL WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN ONE MONTH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER DUE TO THE DEMAND FOR THE PARTICULAR PART. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,000.
Air bags, Jun 4, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATING THE AIR BAG WAS INOPERABLE, CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATES ON THE DASHBOARD . THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE BOTH CONTACTED AND ADVISED THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT WOULD NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE PASSENGER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 10,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG OFF LIGHT WOULD STAY ON WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. UPDATED EVOQ 12/03/10.*JB
Tires, Mar 4, 2010
ON A TRIP FROM BILOXI, MS TO FORT MYERS, FL- APPROXIMATELY 800 MILES ALL 4 TIRES ON A "NEW" (13,000 MILES) KIA SORENTO FAILED. AFTER SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES OF THE TRIP THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND LUCKILY WAS KEPT UNDER CONTROL. A TOWTRUCK HAD TO BE CALLED AND THE CAR TOWED TO TWO CITIES BEFORE A DEALERSHIP COULD BE FOUND TO "FIX" THE CAR. THIS MEANT AN OVERNIGHT STAY. THE SERVICE DEPT PROBABLY DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED! THEY PUT 2 NEW TIRES ON, INSPECTED OTHERS AND ALIGNED THE CAR- COSTLY SERVICE CALL + 2 NEW TIRES. BACK TO THE TRIP AND SEVERAL MORE HUNDRED MILES AND AGAIN VIOLENT SHAKING. ANOTHER TIRE WAS FALLING APART! SAME THING ANOTHER TOW, OVER NIGHT STAY, DEALER, ANOTHER TIRE. BOTH DEALERS SAID THEY WOULD SEND TIRES BACK TO KUMHO FOR EXAMINATION. WE COULD NOT BELIEVE, BUT OUTSIDE TAMPA AT 10:30 AT NIGHT-VIOLENT SHAKING. CHANGED THE TIRE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN THE DARK. THANK GOD, NO ONE HURT. HAD TO ORDER A NEW TIRE FROM SEARS IN FORT MYERS FOR THIS ONE. I NOW HAVE MIS-MATCHED TIRES ON MY NEW VEHICLE- HAD TO BUY NEW TIRES 30,000 MILES BEFORE I SHOULD OF HAD TO- HAD A FAMILY MEMBERS LIFE IN DANGER, HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT DAMAGE DONE FROM ALL THE VIOLENT SHAKING, WAS SERVICE WORK DONE CORRECTLY, DO I STILL NEED AN ALIGNMENT-- IT TOOK OVER 48 GRUELING, NERVE-RACKING HOURS FOR AN 11 HOUR TRIP- WITH A LOT OF EXTRA EXPENSES. KUMHO DOES NOT WANT TO MAKE US "WHOLE" ON THIS FIASCO (WE ARE HAPPY THOUGH THAT IT IS NOT A TRAGEDY). BY "WHOLE" WE MEAN REIMBURSE US FOR WHAT WAS SPENT ON THIS "MESS". THEY DON'T SEEM CONCERNED THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. WE HOPE THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE WITH WORSE RESULTS. YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE WHAT THE TIRE WE HAVE KEPT LOOKS LIKE. THE AIR PRESSURE SENSORS NEVER SHOWED LOSS OF AIR AND THE LAST TIRE WHEN BROUGHT TO SEARS STILL HAD AIR IN IT. TREAD IS COMING OFF OF THE TIRE AND THE STEEL BELTS ARE FRAYED. PLEASE CONTACT US SO WE CAN SEND YOU PICTURES OF THE TIRE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUICK RESPONSE. *TR
Air bags, Mar 3, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT OCCASIONALLY FAILED TO INDICATE THAT A PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT REPLACE THE COMPUTER BECAUSE IT WAS A SMARTS SYSTEM. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
Air bags, Jan 28, 2010
INTERMITTENT DISPLAY ON DASH "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF'" WHILE PASSENGER IS SEATED AND BELTED INTO PASSENGER SEAT. SEVERAL DOCUMENTED SERVICE APPOINTMENTS WITH DEALER HAVE FAILED TO ELIMINATE PROBLEM. *TW
Air bags, Nov 27, 2009
WE PURCHASED A 2008 KIA SORENTO FROM KIA OF BRADLEY, ILLINOIS, LAST NOVEMBER. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT SIGNALS THAT THE AIR BAG IS OFF, EVEN THOUGH SOMEBODY IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THEN, THAT IF YOU WERE IN A FRONT END ACCIDENT AND THE LIGHT IS STATING THE AIR BAG IS OFF, IT WILL NOT DEPLOY. WE HAVE COMPLAINED NUMEROUS TIMES TO KIA OF BRADLEY, TALKED WITH THE REGIONAL MANGER, AND HIS BOSS AND THEIR STAND IS THAT MY WIFE IS SITTING WRONG IN THE SEAT. I DON'T BUY THIS. THERE WAS A RECALL, WE TOOK IT IN TO BE FIXED, THAT DID NOT HELP. ALSO, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS REPLACED AND THAT DID NOT HELP EITHER. THEY DID ALL THIS WORK BUT CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN THAT MY WIFE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT INCORRECTLY. *TR
Air bags, Nov 3, 2009
PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON WITH A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT AND SAYS THAT AIR BAG IS TURNED OFF. WIFE WEIGHTS 160 AND IS A FULL SIZE ADULT. KIA SAYS SHE IS NOT SITTING IN THE SEAT RIGHT, I HAVE HAD IT IN TO THE DEAL TWICE NOW FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. THEY KNOW THEY HAVE A PROBLEM AND ARE AVOIDING IT. IT IA A KIA SORENTO. *TR
Air bags, Oct 14, 2009
"PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT REMAINS ON WHEN ADULT PASSENGERS OVER 108 LB SIT IN SEAT. NO AIRBAG FAILURE LIGHT INDICATED. HAD DEALER REP INSPECT AND DO CALIBRATION TO OCS IN LATE AUG. HOWEVER, THE FAULT STILL HAPPENS ABOUT 1OUT OF 10 TIMES. *TR
Air bags, Oct 8, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE OCS MISCLASSIFIES THE PRESENCE OF CERTAIN ADULT PASSENGERS BASED ON A COMBINATION OF THEIR WEIGHT, STATURE, BODY SHAPE AND POSITION ON THE SEAT CUSHION. AS CONSEQUENCE THE AIR BAGS MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY IN A SITUATION THAT WARRANTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ONCE ACCORDING TO SERVICE BULLETIN #10030366 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE). THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,321. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30.
Air bags, Oct 5, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG MISCLASSIFIED A SMALL ADULT AS A CHILD. AS A CONSEQUENCE IN A SITUATION THAT WARRANTS, THE AIR BAGS MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND A TECHNICIAN COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. HOWEVER HE SPECULATED THAT THE SEATS WOULD HAVE TO BE POSITIONED FAR AWAY FROM THE AIR BAG IN ORDER TO BE OPERATIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,900.
Air bags, Oct 1, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG SENSOR MISCLASSIFIED A SMALL STATURE ADULT AS A CHILD. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE AIR BAG MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT SINCE THE PASSENGER WEIGHED ONLY 130 LBS, SHE WAS NOT LARGE ENOUGH FOR THE SENSOR TO DETECT HER WEIGHT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 380 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,200.