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.
Even after having the ESC and relay box replaced the vehicle has become much worse. It's shuts down my accelerator pedal and won't move I have to shut it off completely for it to reset its extremely unsafe and is now affecting my job. And the ability to take car of my son. And Kia wants to charge me $200 plus for a diagnosis when it clearly keeps shutting down the vehicle and the esc off light is on. I even replaced the accelerator pedal assembly $180 and it did not fix the problem please help. Also this has been an on going issue since August 2020 and even after running diagnostic on it. I keep getting the run around from everyone stating a different issue each time.
Whenever weather is moist or rainy the engine has bogged down while driving and has no power even with gas peddle pressed to floor. This has left us stranded twice now but when taken to be checked they can't diagnose the problem. Also TPMS is always on even though tire pressures have been checked and it will not go off. Has been this way for over 1 1/2 years now with no explanation.
When it's humid outside or there is any kind of moisture in the air my check engine light comes on along with the ESC light. The car seems bogged down and wont go above 2000 RPM. It takes 15 minutes just to get the car up to 50 mph and thats with the gas peddle pushed all the way to the floor. It does it mainly when I'm driving on the highway which is scary. It looses most of its acceleration power
My left tail light is out. I have gone to the mechanic, changed the light bulb but no fix. I was advised there was some sort of short happening from Kia through a recall letter. Since I've received the letter nothing has been done. I was told not to drive the car and to park it away from other cars in case of it catching fire. I live in the bay area and do not have the luxury of parking it away from other cars, this is impossible. I need to know when they're going to fix this? I can't move around without my car and I also fear for my neighbors assets if this car would to ignite as the recall states. Please help and advise on what can be done to solve this issue promptly.
- Campbell, CA, USA
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The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving 4 mph, the vehicle overheated without warning. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V088000 (electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to napleton's northlake Kia (3626 northlake blvd, palm beach gardens, fl 33403, (561) 285-2325) where the contact was informed that the remedy was not available. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 174,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V088000 (electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that the remedy was not available. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated intermittently on several occasions. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The manufacturer has issued a recall regarding a remedy on hecu repair or replacement. They are asking us to park our car away from other vehicle because the recalled car may get in fire. How the other people may know to park away from my defective car. This is a safety issue for me and for other people in the community. This is the only car I have and I have to use it every day. If Kia is not able to fix the recall, they must provide me with a substitute car until they can replace the defective part.
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sorento. While driving 25 mph, the vehicle shook and stalled. Additionally, there was an abnormal thumping noise and the check engine, air bag, and electronic control indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the automatic control sensor, rear sensor bearing, and rear line driveshaft needed to be replaced. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 128,000.
Sunday Sept 9th at around 9 - 9:30 am I smelled smoke and walked around the house and smelled that it was coming from the garage. When I opened the door I saw flames underneath the car and smoke and fire on top of the hood. I called the palm bay fire department when they got there they put the hose on the car until the fire was out they had to cut the hood in order to finish putting out the fire. They fire marshall came and inspected the vehicle it could have been an electrical problem. When I called Kia customer service they gave me a claim number and they told me what would you like Kia do for you. The customer service agent said they will give the claim to the right department and they will get back to me in 3 to 5 business days. This happened while the car was parked in the garage and it hadn't been turned on since Friday. This vehicle was a 2008 Sorento with less than 90,000 miles it was in great condition also.
My 2008 Kia sorrento, with only 92K miles on it... I had it in the service shop at the Kia dealer, for a noise coming from the engine.. they informed me it was the main barring going out.. and they quoted me 12K to replace my engine as a fix... of course I said no, that was 3 years ago, my sorrento is still sitting in my driveway un-driven, which is completely paid off.. instead I purchased another car from Kia... recently I have seen numerous reports of the same problems on newer versions of the sorrento's... I wrote Kia corporate, about this, and of course no response back from them at all. I am a loyal Kia driver, however I wish Kia would step up and claim responsibility of this main barring defect.. a lousy $20 dollar part failed on a 30K purchased sorrento, and they will not answer me back.
I drove my 08 Kia Sorento home at about 730 am. I work night shift and went to sleep and was woken up at 945 by ems to my car up in flames. It was showing no signs of any problems, not running hot, nothing. It was parked for about an hour when it went up in flames. The fire chief was on the truck that day as he had orientee's, and said the fire started behind the steering wheel/dash and that it was an electrical engine fire which is stated on my fire report. I contacted Kia they told me it was no way it was their problem and had to be a user error. I have photos but my computer would not let me upload them for a reason.
The starter burned out and the starter relay is sticking. It started sticking and making funny noises around mid October or beginning of November 2017 and acutally burned out December 8, 2017 and was replaced December 9, 2017. Now the starter went out again January 16, 2018. Also I had my driver side brake light bulb replaced around July or August 2017 and now the same driver side brake light is out again.
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sorento. While driving various speeds, the check engine indicator illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle went into limp mode. The contact drove the vehicle to shawnee mission Kia (7591 shawnee mission, ks 66202), but they could not repair the failure. The contact experienced the same failure six years ago. The manufacturer was contacted and was unable to assist. The failure mileage was 31,970. The VIN was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to tire discounters for an oil change. It was noticed that the check engine and oil indicators were illuminated. The contact stated that 200 miles later, the engine failed. The vehicle was taken to auto mall of dayton where it was noticed that the vehicle was properly maintained and the cause of the failure could not be determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 95,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 mph, the vehicle decelerated independently to 30 mph and failed to accelerate. The contact mentioned that the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer however, a technician reviewed the vehicle and diagnosed that the throttle actuator needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
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.
The engine makes a high pitch whining noise. Have not had any repairs as of yet. Kia thinks it's the timing chain tensioner. Kia states this will cost 4000 or more to fix
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sorento. While driving 60 mph, the ESC, passenger side air bag, and motor light illuminated before the vehicle lost power. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V473000 (air bags). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The aproximate failure mileage was 180,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Franklin, NC, USA