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.
Ignition switch/steering column lock/anti-theft device. It is widely known key start KIA-Hyundai vehicles are easy to steal due to lack of sufficient steering column/ignition switch/anti theft device which makes these high risk vehicles for theft which also puts owners and bystanders at unreasonable risk of violence. These same vehicles sold in Canada and elsewhere are equipped with different parts making them much more theft resistant. KIA-Hyundai therefore made a decision to NOT install on US market vehicles, deliberately indifferent to safety of owners, occupants, and others of violence and of increased vehicle theft.
A couple of months ago, we parked the Kia in the garage and the next morning, went to start the vehicle and attempted to put it in gear and the shifter button would move depress. We ended up replacing the brake switch but the problem remained. We took the vehicle to our local mechanic who ran a number of tests and determined the fault to be within the BCM module. Tests performed. They measured the voltage from the brake switch and validated the proper voltage was there. They went to the interlock solenoid at the shifter and verified the solenoid is functioning properly when provided ground. They went to the BCM (Body Control Module) connector and provided ground from the connector to the solenoid to validate there's no problems with the connectors or wire and this worked. Based on these tests, they have determined the BCM module to be at fault, either not detecting the brake is depressed or the BCM is detecting it, but it's not providing the ground needed to the solenoid. At the moment, we have resorted to pressing the shift lock release to operate the vehicle.
in August of 2021 I received a mailer notifying me of a recall & software update to prevent my engine from blowing up. I immediately scheduled the software update for the begining of September and that was completed. In October of 2021 I was driving the vehicle when it began to make an odd noise. No dashboard lights were triggered -so I tried to get to my next stop to evaluate, on the way the vehicle remained on but the ability to use the gas and actually increase speed ceased. It was sputtering when I was able to pull off into a parking lot and the check engine light finally appeared. We evaluated the oil and it was dry. No oil lights ever appeared. Had this occurred on a highway or busy roadway this could have had a tragic ending. The vehicle was regularly serviced per service schedule. The vehicle had a recent oil change before the software update and a multipoint inspection with the software update. The vehicle had to be towed and evaluated at the dealership which determined it was covered under the new warranty due to class action lawsuit on the faulty engines. Repairs took almost a month and the warranty coverage was denied and argued repeatedly.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH the vehicle experienced an unknown electrical failure and was taken to an unknown dealer; however, the mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and stated that no issues were found. On another occasion while driving 35 MPH and depressing the brake pedal while she was approaching a STOP sign, the vehicle jerked abruptly, stalled, and lost electrical power. The contact stuck her arm out of the window to notify the vehicle behind her. The contact depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle but it felt rigid and failed to respond. The vehicle continued to roll until coming to a complete stop. The contact stated that the vehicle restarted independently. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact then continued to drive the vehicle; however, the vehicle was jerking while driving. The contact pulled into a local Pep Boys for an oil change and continued to drive. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
Unknown. The blind spots warning sometimes works and sometimes it doesn-??t. The same goes for the backing warning. The car will not lock itself with the key control or manually. This problem has happened a few times already. One of the lights at the driver side isn-??t working. (Inside light)
- Stockton , CA, USA
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The engine is failing with the light on. It is not getting enough power and is a safety risk. I only have had the car for a year and a half and the dealership I have gotten it from won't do anything. It has had a air compression test, new spark plugs, and has been reviewed by multiply parties saying it is not deem road safety. I called the Kia dealership and it says all the recalls were done but it doesn't seem like it. They are saying i pretty much need a new engine, I have not even had the car that long.
I was driving my vehicle up a hill. I accelerator a little. The car picked up speed then my oil light flickered and then stayed steady, along with the battery indicator. At this point my engine shut down and the car began to slow down. I came up on a side street that I turned into, because at this point the car was slowing down and loosing power and the breaks were not functioning, I would have either stalled and rolled backwards, or myself and my child would have been rear-ended. All the lights still work and everything come on, so I know its not the battery. My oil light flickered a little when I went around a turn a few times prior to this day, but never steady. No other indicator lights came on. The car is at my mechanics, who advises me the engine has seized and the vehicle has no oil. My last oil change was 3.5 months ago and according to the counter I'm only 99 miles over, which should not have caused this. Even though I was told I had up to 4,000 miles before I needed an oil change again. All of my fluids were checked at this appointment and this is the first major issue with my vehicle.
There are two major issues with my 2016 Kia Sorento LX (that I-??ve just bought less than a year ago). 1- There seems to be some sort of electrical problem going on as my radio and headlights randomly go off when driving. While driving at 70 mph on the interstate AT NIGHT, my headlights when off and I couldn-??t see anything! Thankfully I was able to get them back on because I had my children in the car with me. This could have caused us to drive right off the road or worse, hit/be hit by another vehicle. Unfortunately, I have not had a chance to get this looked at due to a bigger issue at hand. Which brings me to-?? 2- The most expensive and frustrating issue. The engine has seized up, which has been confirmed by a local service center. I have kept up the maintenance on my vehicle since I got it at the beginning of this year. Regular oil changes with full synthetic oil. While driving, again on the interstate, RPM jumped over 4 then down to 0, oil and battery lights came on, and vehicle was disabled. Waited 3 weeks to have it looked at to find that I-??m just out of luck. Vehicle is not covered under warranty and there seem to be no open recalls, which I don-??t understand given this is a painfully common issue with these models. So I either get to foot the $7,000+ bill for a new engine (which I can-??t afford) or continue paying for a vehicle that I can-??t even drive. To say that I am dissatisfied with my KIA would be a GREAT understatement.
While my Kia Sorento had a chattering noise. When leaving home for an appointment l took the interstate and the chatter sound got louder about 10 minutes into driving. As I increased acceleration, the check engine light began to flash quickly and immediately The SUV started losing power and the engine stalled coasting long enough for me to pull to side of road. I tried to re-start the engine but it would not turn over to start. Twice in the past my husband took the SUV to Kia of Dayton Because car was losing oil with no warning light indicating it was low on oil. The mechanic explained there was a problem, he said that it had to be proven after a couple of oil changes and same problem occurred, which it has repeated twice. They said then they had to contact Kia for further instructions on how to proceed. The danger that affected my 91 year old Dad and myself is that we were stranded on a busy highway with no heat on a cold winter day. I had to find transportation to get my Dad home, because he takes blood thinner which causes him to get cold very easily.
Engine failed while driving. No warning lights. Have to purchase a new used engine. Fan blower resister: only blows at high or not at all. Has been fixed once and is now an issue again.
I'm not sure I've had my vehicle serviced but nobody seems to know the problem. Every since my headlight was replaced my electrical system has been wacky. All of my doors keep locking and unlocking on its own. When I try to accelerate my vehicle seems to be more stagnant as if it's no longer increasing speed and the steering wheel does not appear to be in alignment with my tires when turning. My son has never been able to open the door while in motion but since the locks have started clicking there's been some close calls.
1ST problem a year ago the rear latch to door wouldn't lock and I had to use bungee cords to keep it shut. 2nd problem, the engine was knocking after I returned from a recent road trip. I took it to local (trustworthy) mechanic and they noticed metal shards in the oil pan. They refused to open the engine because it would void the warranty. I had it towed to KIA of Smithtown and they said it was total engine failure. I said impossible, since I have kept up with all timely oil changes and maintenance and I have the records. There was no warning light of low oil or that the engine was running hot or smoke. Dealer refused to fix and so am in dialogue with an attorney. Kia has yet to send me a bill or approximate charge for engine replacement and has held the SUV for 13 days now.
Instrument Panel and Alternator. My KIA Sorento continues to have alternator failures that shut down the engine while in operation without warning. I had to replace one at 48,000 miles and again at 97,500 miles. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by two separate KIA dealers and they cannot identify why this continues to happen. The first time everything on the instrument panel lite up at one time and then suddenly the engine failed and stopped running in motion, while I was driving on a highway. Luckily, I was in the right lane and coasted to shoulder. The second most recent time, the instrument panel flashed a battery so I replaced the battery and then had KIA test for alternator problems and their equipment showed no issues although I brought it back numerous times. Then two months later it died AGAIN and they said it is the ALTERNATOR. In addition, there is an electrical problem with the radio and backup cameras. To resolve this they showed me a reset button. Clearly, there are electrical shortages or issues. I have had on-going issues with the KIA Sorento engines stalling and not accelerating and now this with the Alternator. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!! NONE OF THE ISSUES are being addressed yet, they are listed all over the internet. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE ISSUES ARE ADDRESSED"?"
I purchased a new 2016 KIA Sorento Tow Package that stated on the invoice it included a Mobius part number C6061 ADUS9 (Tow Hitch Harness) -?"Sorento. They part failed June 2019 and was reported to the KIA Kearny Mesa dealership. They initiated a request for the part and it was not received to date. The KIA Customer Care Irvine center said the vehicle was not listed as having the part and therefore I was not entitled to the KIA internal recall SC142. (Google search C6061 ADUS9) Their explanation was the VIN didn't include the Mobius part number C6061 ADUS9. I emailed a copy of the purchase invoice that showed otherwise. Please force KIA to update their build database to include purchased options. This is the second time I have submitted this Safety Recall. Consumer would like to provide an update complaint number 11390630 with 11420441. Essentially the PROBLEM is KIA customer service will not honor its INTERNAL RECALL SC142 with consumer's vehicle and suspect they won't honor others with the same issue. The sell their new vehicles in California without a Trailer Brake controller and defective CLASS III tow hitch harness. Mobius part is C6061 ADUS9 (Tow Hitch Harness) -?" Sorento
There are numerous safety issues I have found with this car I just financed. First, at random many different lights just blow, then on my dash various warning lights will go on and off, on top of that my ABS and traction control is off for no reason and so are my passenger air bags. My brakes scream somedays and are touchy others ive replaced the battery twice and only owned it 3 months. I have brand new tires yet the suspension is awful the fuel is going fast and my oil needs changing very often and it is under 100000 miles.
Tailgate electric release fails to unlatch the tailgate. Pulling the emergency release does not open the tailgate either. A warning appears in the gauge cluster suggesting that the tailgate is not closed, and the vehicle does not signal that all doors are completely locked after attempting to lock the vehicle. This issue has been previously repaired by a Kia dealer.
Kia kearny mesa, ca dealership performed a class III trailer hitch tow package installation with VIN purchase that included part numbers C6061-adu00 and recalled part number C6061-adus9. The California law required electric brake controller was excluded. I completed the class III tow package myself for ~$500 parts charge and used it as a legal tow vehicle with a 3000 # rv for about 5 months then experienced the trailer light SC142 failure. I replaced the SC142 recalled part number C6061-adus9 with an etrailer company part number tekonsha 118269 successfully and found out about the recall later. I provided the receipt of dealership installed incomplete tow package part numbers and the etrailer part installed to both the dealership and Kia corporate customer care without resolve for over a year. I request the Kia dealership and/or Kia corporation reimburse $500 parts and current labor costs for neglect to install a complete class III tow package at time of purchase and denial of reimbursement for recalled part number replacement costs.
The headlights went out while I was driving on the highway going 70 miles per hour. I was getting ready to brake and turn and was unable to see anything outside of the vehicle. The lights were off for approximately 10 seconds.
Front headlights periodically turns off without warning, goes back on as soon as you touch the light switch. Safety hazard when driving at night! happened several times! the vehicle was in driving motion both on a freeway and also on a highway and street!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Bumpass, WA, USA