This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
2003 Sorento ex purchased new. Replaced the left front rotor about 3 months ago, but breaking has returned to signs of a warped rotor again. Vibration in the steering wheel when brakes are applied and loud noise in front wheel area (non-metal) sound. Car has new brake pads and recent alignment. Rotors are not lasting.
I purchased my 2003 Kia Sorento with 17,000 miles on it. I am the second owner. Since I have had this car, I have had to replace and/or resurface my rotors and brake pads at least 6 times in two years. I have talked to two Kia dealerships (one in clarksville, tn - the other in memphis, tn) and both lied to me and said they didn't see that type of problem ever. I have taken my car to two other mechanics that I trust and they have turned my rotors, replaced my rotors with genuine Kia parts and nothing seems to help. Just this week, I had to take my car in again. At that time, my mechanic talked to our local Kia dealership, who then told him that they now see this problem frequently. I am tired of spending my own money on this problem that is obviously a Kia defect. Kia knows this is a problem and something needs to be done. I will never buy a Kia again. I only wish I had researched this problem before I bought my car. Then I would have found out that there was a class action lawsuit against Kia at one time over their sephia having the same exact problems. My husband has a 1995 Ford Ranger and we've never had to do any brake repair.
Rotors warp and cause a vibration during braking. Front rotors had to be resurfaced at 18,000 miles. At 41,000 miles, front rotors had to be replaced and rear rotors turned. I am taking it in again at 51,000 because vibration has returned.
Rotors warping at 16000 miles causing high shudder at stopping. Repair by dealer at a cost and it is happening again at 27000 miles have talked to other Sorento owners and some have experienced same problem.
We had a vibration in the front end of the car when we stopped. We took it to the local Kia dealer. We were told that the rotors were warped. We bought the car new, it only had 33,000 miles on it. Was told that the rotors warranty was 5yr/50000 miles, but only on defects. Since most rotors wear out at 65K or 70K miles I said it was a defect. Dealer refused repair under warranty. Called Kia national office, was told they can't make dealer do repairs, its up to the dealer to decide if warranty or not! Kia does not back up the warranty's and will not support consumers.
- Prescott, AZ, USA
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Brake rotors are warping every few thousand miles. Within 16,000 miles of use, rotors have been resurfaced twice, and are in need of it once again. Although this condition is covered under warranty, Kia refused to honor it.
When depressing the brakes at low speeds vehicle vibrated. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the front brake rotors needed to be replaced. The consumer stated that the front brake rotors had been replaced on six separate occasions, and problem recurred.
At 12000 miles I have had to have the front brake rotors on my 2003 Kia Sorento machined twice due to warping and resultant brake pulsing/vibration. Due to required rotor thickness, the next episode will necessitate rotor replacement. The need to do this at such low mileage indicates a severe deficiency, probably relating to faulty design or a metallurgical problem with the rotors. The Sorento is a new model and I suspect that as miles are accumulated this problem will become more evident fleet-wide. I am submitting this complaint due to the critical nature of the brake system and the high potential for disaster resulting from any kind of brake malfunction. There is anecdotal evidence that I am not the only Sorento owner encountering this difficulty.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Diamond Bar, CA, USA