2005 Kia Sorento Complaint Log

WE HAVE A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH HEADLIGHT BULBS. I HAVE TRIED EVERY AVAILABLE BRAND AT LOCAL AUTOMOTIVE STORES FROM THE LEAST EXPENSIVE TO THE MOST EXPENSIVE WITH THE SAME RESULTS. THEY LAST ABOUT 4 MONTHS AT BEST. THERE IS A DEALER AVAILABLE "FIX" WHICH INCLUDES A NEW WIRING HARNESS. KIA WILL NOT FIX THIS AT NO COST. THERE HAS BEEN 4 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 YEARS THAT THE HEADLIGHT HAS FAILED DURING LATE NIGHT DRIVING. I REPLACED THE BLOWN BULB AND WITHIN HOURS THE OPPOSITE SIDE FAILED. HAD BOTH FAILED AT THE SAME TIME IT WOULD BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM. AT THE DEALERSHIP (THREE) THEY SAID "YEA A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THIS ISSUE" MY OTHER VEHICLES BULBS LAST ON AVERAGE 5 TIMES LONGER - OR MORE. *TR

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE TRAVELING WITH 100 MILES OF HOME ON 9/22/06. CALLED KIA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, THEY RECOMMENDED CONTACTING THE DEALER. TOOK TO DEALER SAME DAY, THEY RESET THE LIGHT AND RECOMMENDED USING A HIGHER OCTANE FUEL AND RETURN FOR SERVICE IF LIGHT RETURNS. RETURNED TO DEALER ON 9/26/06 WITH LIGHT ON AGAIN. TESTING SHOWED CYLINDER #3 MISFIRED AND CAUSED INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE. ENGINE REPLACED AT 12,149MILES UNDER WARRANTY AND 9/27/06. *TR

MY KIA SORENTO HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT CAUSE THE INTERIOR DASH AND DOOM LIGHTS TO BLINK OFF AND ON. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE LAST FOURTEEN MONTHS. THE DASH LIGHTS STAY OFF MOST OF THE TIME NOW, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO MONITOR MY INSTRUMENT PANEL AT NIGHT. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHT A TOTAL OF SIX TIMES OVER THE LAST TWO PLUS YEARS. THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE HEAT. THE HOT AIR TURNS COLD ANYTIME THE VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP, MAKING IT NECESSARY FOR ME TO REV THE ENGINE TO STAY WARM. THIS MAKES A GAS GUZZLER EVEN MORE WASTEFUL IN COLD WEATHER. I CAN GET NO DEFINITIVE ANSWERS FROM THE DEALERSHIP FOR THESE PROBLEMS. I'M NOT AN ADVOCATE OF A LOT OF GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION, BUT SOMEONE WITH AUTHORITY NEED TO STEP IN AND REQUIRE KIA TO PROVIDE A ROOT CAUSE SOLUTION TO THESE ISSUES. *TR

I PURCHASE MY 2005 KIA SORRENTO LX NEW FROM TAYLOR KIA IN TOLEDO OHIO.ALSO PURCHASED EXTRA WARRANTY FOR BUMPER TO BUMPER.A COUPLE MONTHS AFTER I HAD PURCHASE VEHICLE MY HEADLIGHT STARTED GOING OUT I WOULD TAKE IT BACK GET IT FIXED COME BACK HOME AND ANOTHER ONE WOULD BE OUT TAKE IT BACK COME BACK TO WEEKS LATER ANOTHER HEADLIGHT WOULD BE OUT. THEN THE HEADLIGHTS &TAILLIGHTS WOULD GO OUT AND BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT THIS WENT ON WITH EVERY SINGLE LIGHT ON MY VEHICLE.CONTINUE TO CALL TAYLOR KIA TO HAVE THE SERVICE THEN ABOUT THE SIXTH TIME ONE OF MY LIGHTS WENT OUT THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD NOT SERVICE MY VEHICLE ANYMORE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS COMPLETELY COVERED EVERYTHING ON MY VEHICLE FROM BUMPER-TO-BUMPER. THEY ALSO RED FLAG TO ME ON THEIR COMPUTER SO THAT I COULD NOT HAVE MY VEHICLE SERVICE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH MY KIA SORRENTO. AT ONE POINT I EVEN HAD THE SERVICE MANAGER TELL ME THAT HIS SERVICE GUYS WERE UPSET WITH ME BECAUSE I DID NOT GIVE THEM A GOOD RATING WHEN MY CAR WAS NOT FIXED TO JD POWERS.I GOT KIA CORPORATE INVOLVED WHICH DID ABSOLUTELY NO GOOD BECAUSE THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD SOMEONE SOMEONE FROM CALIFORNIA TO FIX MY VEHICLE AND ENDED UP NOT SENDING ANYONE SENT A WIRE HARNESS INSTEAD. OF COURSE THAT'S DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM BUT THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE TO TRY TO FIND OUT WHY ALL MY LIGHTS ON MY VEHICLES WAS GOING OUT AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER.THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT MY KIA WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT EVER HAD THIS PROBLEM AND THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE BUT I COULD CLEARLY DRIVE DOWN THE STREET SEE OTHER KIA SORRENTO'S WITH HEADLIGHTS OUT. THEN I GOT ONLINE AND READ ABOUT HOW MANY KIA HAD THE SAME PROBLEM BUT KIA CORPORATE WOULD NOT DO A THING ABOUT IT AND TAYLOR KIA WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING AT THAT POINT. NOW MY CAR IS BROKE DOWN WITH THE CAM SENSOR AND ALSO CRANK SENSOR AND BOLT BECAUSE OF AN ISSUE WITH THESE KIA SORRENTO'S.

EVERYTHING FROM INTERIOR LIGHTS, RADIO, CLOCK, DOOR LOCKS AND HEADLIGHTS BURNING OUT HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS JUST COME ON. HEADLIGHTS BURN OUT EVERY 6 MONTHS. EVERYTHING ELSE WORKS WHEN IT WANTS. I TOOK KIA TO COURT TO GET A EQUAL TRADE BUT ONLY GOT $9,000. HAD TO GIVE $3,500 TO THE LAWYERS. THE OTHER $5,500 WAS NOT EVEN ENOUGH TO COVER A TRADE IN BECAUSE THE KIAS HAVE A TERRIBLE VALUE FOR TRADES. ENDED UP SPENDING MORE THAN HALF TRYING TO HAVE IT REPAIRED, STILL NOTHING. KIA KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT ADDRESS IT. EVEN THE SEVERAL SERVICE MANAGERS (OFF THE RECORD) THAT I SPOKE WITH THROUGH MY HORRIFIC EXPERIENCE TOLD ME THAT IT'S A HUGE PROBLEM AND THEY DON'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE OF THE COST. *TR

TLA*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. AFTER PARKING, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DOME LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE BULB WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TO FIVE TIMES BECAUSE THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT KEPT REPLACING BULBS BUT THE DOME LIGHT STILL SHORTED OUT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,000.

I PURCHASED MY 2005 KIA SORENTO IN THE FALL OF 2004. IT IS NOW MAY OF 2006. I HAVE REPLACED 5 HEADLIGHT BULBS IN THIS TIME. THEY BEGAN TO GO BAD ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO, AND I HAVE REPLACED ONE EVERY 30-45 DAYS. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE BULBS ARE EFFECTED. KIA DEALERSHIP IN LANSING SAYS THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING. VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP SINCE THE TIME OF PURCHASE. THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SEAT WAS REMOVED AND WORKED ON SIX TIMES FOR THE AIR BAG SENSOR. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. GM STATED THAT THEY CANNOT HELP UNLESS THEY WITNESS THE FAILURE FOR THEMSELVES. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 19,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,500.

BRAKE PULSATION. *TR

I HAVE A 2005 KIA SORENTO. THE TAIL LIGHTS, TAG LIGHTS, HEAD LIGHTS, AND RUNNING LIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY GOING UP. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND I AM SICK AND TIRED OF SPENDING A SMALL FORTUNE IN BULBS FOR THIS CAR. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW IN 2005 AND HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING. KIA WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM OR PUT A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. FOR THE SAFETY OF MY TWO KIDS WHO ARE PASSENGERS IN THIS VEHICLE, PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LIGHT BULB , AND, APPROXIMATELY THREE OR FOUR MONTHS LATER, THE BULB WAS REPLACED AGAIN. THE LIGHT BULB STOPPED WORKING AGAIN THREE MONTHS LATER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BULB ONCE MORE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT STOPPED WORKING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LIGHT BULB FOR THE FOURTH TIME. SINCE THE LAST REMEDY, THERE HAVE BEEN NO OTHER FAILURES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 47,000.*AK

FIRST THE HEADLIGHTS ON DRIVER SIDE WENT OUT. WE TOOK THE 2005 KIA SORENTO LX TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE HEADLIGHT REPLACED AT WHICH TIME THEY ADMITTED THERE WAS A DEFECT PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT FREQUENTLY. THEY SAID BRING IT IN AND THEY WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. THE NEXT TIME THE PASSENGER LIGHT WENT OUT AND THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM AND WOULD NOT FIX IT. SINCE THEN THE DRIVERS SIDE LIGHT HAS GONE OUT THREE MORE TIMES AND THE PASSENGERS SIDE HAS GONE OUT TWICE. EACH REAR BRAKE LIGHT HAS GONE OUT TWICE. RECENTLY WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY MALFUNCTIONING ALONG WITH BOTH HEADLIGHTS AND A SMELL OF SMOKE NEAR THE DOME LIGHT. WE HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER TWICE BY POLICE DUE TO INOPERABLE HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS. THE DEALER TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS OBVIOUS ELECTRICAL DEFECT WHICH IS CLEARLY A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

TRUCK HAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT (AMONG MANY) AS STATED IN SERVICE BULLETINS 2004-2014 THAT CAUSES ALTERNATOR RADIO FREQUENCIES TO INTERFERENCE WITH TRANSMISSION SIGNALING THUS SHUTTING OFF OR INTERRUPTING SHIFT SIGNALING DUE TO INADEQUATE SHIELDING OF TRANSMISSION TO TCM CABLE. THIS CAUSES THE TRUCK TO CUT OUT BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR CONSISTENTLY WHEN ASCENDING OR DESCENDING STEEP MOUNTAIN PASSES AT HIGH ALTITUDE. AS THERE WAS NO ADVANCE WARNING OF FAILURE OF SHIFT KIT TO DOWNSHIFT, BRAKES HAD TO BE USED ON ICY ROADS TO SLOW AN UNDERPOWERED/OVERWEIGHTED TRUCK. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE REQUIRING EXPERT DRIVING SKILLS TO NAVIGATE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED, BUT WAS NOT, BY KIA MOTORS AS A REFUND OF PURCHASE PRICE AND RECALL OF TRUCKS. THE FILES REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE ARE SO VAST THEY WOULD CRASH YOUR SYSTEM. I HAVE THEM IF NEEDED AND CAN PROVIDE HARD COPIES AS THE STACK IS ABOUT 3 INCHES DEEP AND SPANS 11 YEARS. I HAVE 2 KEY FACTORS THAT ARE ALSO FACTORS HERE. !. I AM THE DAUGHTER OF A RACE CAR DRIVER AND SKILLED AT NAVIGATING CAR ISSUES. 2. I HAVE BEEN VERY ILL FOR A DECADE AND UNABLE TO WORK SO HAVE BEEN CAUGHT IN THE REFUSAL OF KIA TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE AS I AM UNABLE TO SELL THE CAR. I WOULD FEEL IT UNCONSCIONABLE TO PASS THESE ISSUES ON TO ANOTHER LESS CAPABLE DRIVER. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT HAS BEEN ENORMOUS STRESS TO OWN THIS DEFECTIVE CAR AND STRESS TO TRY TO GET KIA MOTORS TO STEP UP TO THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THEIR WARRANTIES, AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION GUARANTEES IN SPITE OF THE PROBLEMS BEING APPARENT ALMOST FROM POINT OF SALE.

HEADLIGHTS FREQUENTLY GO OUT. I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THEM TWICE SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR ONE YEAR AGO. THEY GET EXTREMELY HOT AND ALMOST MELT. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND IT SEEMS LIKE THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 KIA SORENTO. INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING THE HEAD-LIGHTS FAIL. ALSO THE INTERIOR LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON WHEN THE DOORS ARE OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.

BRAKING SYSTEM NOT WORKING PROPERLY. FIRST TIME I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP AT A LIGHT AND THEY WERE SLOW REACTING, WHICH CAUSED MY TO GO INTO THE INTERSECTION. SECOND TIME I WAS GOING ABOUT 15 MPH AND WENT TO BRAKE AND THE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT STOPPING THE CAR. DEALERSHIP DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, BUT CLEARLY THERE IS A PROBLEM. *JB

HEADLIGHTS BLOWING ON A REGULAR BASIS. REPLACE HEADLIGHTS FOUR TO FIVE TIMES A YEAR POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL ISSUE. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG INDICATOR DISPLAYED AIR BAG - OFF FOR THE PASSENGER'S SEAT, ALTHOUGH A PASSENGER WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT. SEVERAL PEOPLE AT VARIOUS WEIGHTS HAVE SAT IN THE SEAT AS AN ATTEMPT FOR THE INDICATOR LIGHT TO GO OFF, WITHOUT SUCCESS. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TO REPLACE HER FRONT HEADLAMP LIGHT BULBS APPROXIMATELY ELEVEN TIMES AND THE BRAKE LIGHT BULBS TWICE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE ON THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,869 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

WE HAD ISSUES FROM THE BEGINNING WITH A FIRE IN THE CENTER CONSOLE OF OUR PRE-OWNED KIA. THEN WE NOTICED THE LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS WAS INTERMITTENT ON PICKING UP WHETHER THERE WAS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. OUR CLOCK WOULD GO IN AND OUT ON THE LIGHTING ESPECIALLY OVER BUMPS. THEN WE WERE REAR ENDED ON THE HIGHWAY. NO AIR BAGS WENT OFF. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT ENGAGE AND HOLD EITHER ME OR MY HUSBAND BACK. THEN WHEN I FELL BACK AGAINST THE SEAT THE SEAT DID NOT STAY IN PLACE AND I FELL BACKWARDS. I WENT TO THE HOSPITAL FOR MUSCLE SPASMS. THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED FOR THE PHYSICAL DAMAGE AND THEN WILL BE BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP. *NM

DT : THE CONTACT"S WIFE WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 65 TO 70 MPH WHEN VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A DEER . THIS WAS A FRONTAL LEFT CORNER AND SIDE IMPACT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE AND BOTH OF MY TAILLIGHTS STOP WORKING. I WAS NOTIFIED BY ANOTHER DRIVER. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE KIA DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A LIGHT ASSEMBLY PROBLEM. THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE FIXED IT. EVEN AFTER THEIR SO CALLED FIX I HAVE T O REPLACE TAILLIGHT AND HEADLIGHT BULBS ABOUT EVERY THREE MONTHS. THE OUTAGES OCCUR ON OPPOSITE SIDES EVERYTIME AND SWITCH BETWEEN THE TAILLIGHT AND HEADLIGHT. I HAVE TO KEEP EXTRA BULBS AND THE NEEDED TOOLS AVAILABLE IN MY TRUCK AT ALL TIMES. I HAVE BEEN ISSUED A TICKET AS WELL DUE TO MY TAILLIGHT BEING OUT. THIS IS VERY COSTLY AND DANGEROUS TO FAMILY. I HAVE TWO TEENAGE CHILDREN WHO ALSO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. IT SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM DUE TO THE BLOGS THAT I HAVE SEEN CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP. *TR

I HAVE A 2005 SORENTO. I HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS 15 TIMES. THEY HAVE BOTH GONE OUT BEFORE WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT AND I HAD TO DRIVE NEARLY 40 MILES WITH BRIGHTS ONLY. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED BRAKE LIGHTS 5 TIMES. IT STARTED IN OCT THE YEAR I BOUGHT THE CAR AND HAS CONTINUED. I AM STUNNED AT THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND LACK OF RESPONSE FROM KIA. ANYBODY FILING A CLASS ACTION? I'M SURE THERE WOULD BE PLENTY OF TAKERS!! *TR

I PURCHASED A NEW 2005 KIA SORENTO IN JULY. WHILE SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT I WOULD NOTICE THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR WAS NOT DETECTING ME THUS LEAVING THE AIRBAG OFF. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD IT IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AND THE SEAT MUST BE REMOVED, SENT BACK TO THE MANUFACTURER AND BE REPROGRAMMED. IT DOES NOT SENSE LARGER SIZE PEOPLE AS THE PEOPLE OF KOREA ARE SMALLER AND THE SENSORS ARE DESIGNED FOR THEM. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS DEFECT UNTIL I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THEM. THEY DID NOT FEEL IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. *NM

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. WHEN I AM IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE AIRBAG INDICATOR SAYS "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF". I WEIGH ABOUT 120 LBS. WHEN MY FIANCE IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE AIRBAG IS ON. HE WEIGHS ABOUT 150 LBS. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THEY SAID THAT I AM PROBABLY SITTING WRONG. I CANNOT ACCEPT THIS. *JB

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT,NEEDED CANISTER CLOSE V CANISTER ASS/CHECK ENGINE INSTALL CCV FILTER AND SPLASH SHIELDS/CHECK ENGINE SENSOR FUEL TANK/ STILL WAITING FOR SENSOR. NOW CANNOT PUT GAS IN VEHICLE, KEEPS BACK SPLASHING OUT, ON 1/4 TANK AND CANNOT PUT GAS IN,STILL WAITING FOR PART. *NM

2005 KIA SORENTO V6, BREAKAGE OF CRANKSHAFT ACCESSORY PULLEY/VIBRATION DAMPER BOLT, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING DUE TO POWER STEERING BELT TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS PROBLEM EFFECTS 2003 TO 2006 KIA SORENTO V6 ENGINES MANY OWNERS HAVE HAD MULTI FAILURES OF THIS BOLT, THE UPDATED BOLTS FAIL TOO. KIA IS TRYING TO HIDE THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM AND HAS NO INTENTION OF A REAL FIX. MY VEHICLE AND OTHERS ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE OUR KIA SORENTO'S. *NM

TRANSMISSION SLIPS IN THE FIRST FOUR GEARS. I A HAVE ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED MANY TIMES BECAUSE TRANSMISSION GOES INTO NEUTRAL. TRANSMISSION MODULE REPLACED. IT IS STILL SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR. *NM

WE HAVE A CONSTANT ISSUE WITH THE INTERIOR LIGTS AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS ARE TURNING ON AND OFF WITHOUT NOTICE. THIS IS HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HAS HAPPENED ON 10 SEPARATE OCCASSIONS IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS, THE LAS OCCASION BEING AUGUST 6, 2011 AT APPROXIMATELY 2:00AM. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A MAJOR HIGHWAY HERE IN SEATTLE DRIVING AT 50MPH THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS BOTH SHUT DOWN AT THE SAME TIME CAUSING ZERO VISIBILITY. AFTER PULLING OVER AND WAITING FOR 10 MINUTES THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AHOME WITHOUT INCIDENT. PROBLEM IS UNKNOWN. *TT

WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 KIA SORENTO IT SUDDENLY LOOSES POWER AND WILL NOT SURPASS 30 MPH. WHEN I CHANGE FROM AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO THIS NEW STANDARD SHIFT THERE IS NO RESPONSE. THIS HAS OCCURRED NOW 4 TIMES THE PAST 2 MONTHS. THE DEALER CHECKED THE CODES AND NOTHING SHOWS. I MUST STOP AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF, RESTART AND ALL SYSTEMS RETURN TO NORMAL. MY DEALER SAYS THAT I MUST BRING THIS TO THEM WHEN IT IS IN THIS STATE. THIS REQUEST IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DO.*JB

I HAVE HAD THE HEADLIGHTS O 2005 KIA SORENTO REPLACED TWICE NOW. THEY BOTH WENT OUT WITHIN A DAY OF EACH OTHER THE FIRST TIME. I HAD TO PAY 129.00 ON THE CAR WAS LES THAN I YEAR OLD. THE SECOND TIME THEY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS SERIOUS. ALOT OF KIA OWNERS ARE COMPLAINING BUY KIA SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG. THERE MUST BE. CAN YOU HELP GET KIA TO RECALL & FIX THIS PROBLEM?*AK

I HAVE A 2005 KIA SORENTO. I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY HEADLIGHTS SINCE I HAVE HAD MY CAR WHICH I BOUGHT NEW IN 2005. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER IN VALDOSTA GA SEVERAL TIMES TO FIND OUT ABOUT IT AND THEY ALWAYS SAY IT'S NOT A RECALL SO THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I HAVE TO REPLACE HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS EVERY 3 OR 4 MONTHS. IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE. MY DOME LIGHT HASN'T WORKED IN YEARS AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. I KNOW THERE IS SOME KIND OF DEFECT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND IT'S BEEN THIS WAY FROM THE BEGINNING. THE 10 YEAR/100,000.00 MILE WARRANTY IS ABOUT USELESS WITH THIS CAR. THERE HAS NOT BEEN ONE THING SINCE I HAVE HAD THE CAR THAT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I WILL NEVER BUY A KIA AGAIN AND I CERTAINLY WANT EVER USE KIA IN VALDOSTA GA AGAIN, THEY HAVE THE WORST SERVICE I HAVE EVER SEEN. THERE FAVORITE THING TO SAY IS "IT'S NOT COVERED UNDER OUR WARRANTY!" THAT IS SUPPOSEDLY THERE BIG SELLING POINT AND IT IS WORTHLESS! EVERYONE WHO IS HAVING THE SAME TROUBLE NEEDS TO COMPLAIN SO WE CAN GET THIS RECALLED AND FIXED. I WISH I KNEW WHERE TO COMPLAIN TO THAT COULD MAKE THAT HAPPEN. THEY DON'T REALLY CARE IN VALDOSTA WHETHER YOU COMPLAIN OR NOT, THERE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT ANYWAY. WELL I HAVE BEEN STOPPED NUMEROUS TIMES BY THE POLICE FOR MY LIGHTS BEING OUT. SO FAR I HAVE NOT GOT A TICKET, BUT IT IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS TO HAVE NO LIGHTS WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THEY ARE GOING TO BE OUT. I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE WELL OVER 100 EMAILS FROM REPAIR PAL ABOUT OTHERS HAVING HEADLIGHT PROBLEMS. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THEN SUE THE KIA COMPANY. SICK OF BUYING HEADLIGHTS! *TR

The battery fails constantly, which means I am faced with a dead battery and a car that won't start. This has happened with no pattern of circumstance; for example: the battery will be dead after driving for 15 miles, parking for 10 minutes while shopping, and returning to a dead battery; or after the car has been parked all day, only to have a dead battery; or a dead battery after being parked at my house overnight (in every sort of weather condition); it is completely random...and, be assured, I do not leave ANY ELECTRICAL items (radio, temperature controls, interior or exterior lights, etc.), turned on when I park my car. Therefore, I do not feel safe driving and parking my car ANYWHERE that I am remote, isolated, or unable to get a jump. I carry jumper cables in my car at all times because I never know when I may need them. Sometimes, it takes a long time to charge the battery enough to even start my car. Sometimes the battery is so dead, that the key fob doesn't even work and I have to manually open my doors...other times it's a quick jump. I have to always park my car in a position that I'm able to access the battery for a jump, if need be. I regularly went through (high-end) batteries well before their expiration date and took my SUV into the KIA dealership for diagnostics regularly - and the only answer they had is that the cause must be a "phantom (electrical) draw," which they were never able to identify. I also took my SUV into other mechanics and battery specialists, but no one had any answers for me. Still, after 17 years, I have this same problem and burn through a lot of batteries. No answers. The dealership stopped assisting me, even when I was still on my extended warranty. No help from Corporate. Very disappointed in KIA in their response over all these years, beginning with my purchase of the brand new 2005 KIA Sorento. I have always taken my SUV into the KIA dealership for the regularly scheduled service. Have others had this problem?

HEADLIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHT, INTERIOR LIGHT, RADIO, HAVE ALL FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES. I REPLACE HEADLIGHTS AND BREAK LIGHTS EVERY THREE MONTHS. I HAVE HAD BOTH HEADLIGHTS GO OUT, ONE BEFORE I COULD GET THE OTHER FIXED. NONE OF THE DOME LIGHTS WORK, I HAVE NO AUTOMATIC LIGHTING IN THE CAR. THEY DIM BASED ON WEATHER AND THE TERRAIN I AM DRIVING ON. THE RADIO WENT OUT SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT IT, AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED SHORTLY AFTER. SOMETIMES IT WORKS AND SOMETIMES THE CAR HAS TO BE RUNNING FOR A WHILE BEFORE IT WILL WORK. SO MANY PROBLEMS. *TR

ON MY 2005 KIA SORENTO I HAVE BURNED OUT 4 SETS OF LOW BEAMS IN 8 MONTHS. KIA HAS NO ANSWERS FOR ME AND IT SEEMS THAT THERE IS A GROWING GROUP OF OWBERS, ON LINE, THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS.*AK

1) SLOWED CAR TO PUT INTO PARK & CAR LUNGED FORWARDED, BACKED OFF, LUNGED FORWARD, BACKED OFF, ETC. TAPPING SOUND CAME FROM ENGINE. 2) CAR ENGINE STOPPED AND WOULD NOT RESTART (STALLED ON ROADWAY) 3) IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS, AFTER THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T GET IT TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM (ALTHOUGH THE 1ST DAY IT WAS IN THE DEALERSHIP, THEY ANKNOWLEDGED IT WAS "MISFIRING".) THEY HAVE NOW STATED THAT A CLIP ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD COMES DISLODGED AND END UP IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED THE PROBLEM. MY CAR HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE FOR 3 DAYS, AS OF THIS WRITING, AS THEY HAVE ORDERED A NEW INTAKE MANIFOLD.

MY NEW KIA SORENTO HAS "ADVANCED AIRBAGS" AND THE "PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG OFF" INDICATOR IS FREQUENTLY ILLUMINATED EVEN WITH AN ADULT PROPERLY SECURED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I HAVE HAD IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE AND THEY HAVE INDICATED BOTH TIMES THAT THE PROBLEM WON'T HAPPEN WITH THEM. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO CONFIRM WHETHER THE AIRBAG WILL ACTUALLYWORK WHEN THIS LIGHT IS ON.

INTERMITTENT HARD STEERING AS STATED ON TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, KIA MOTORS, # KT2005022519, MODEL: SORENTO EX, PRODUCED BEFORE 10/06/04. MAY INTERMITTENTLY HAVE VARIATIONS IN THE LEVEL OF POWER ASSIST DURING DRIVING AND PARKING. STEERING PROBLEMS WERE RELATED TO DEALER, ALIGNMENT OF FRONT WHEELS WAS PERFORMED THAT REQUIRED MAJOR REBUILD DUE TO DEFECTIVE PARTS. DID NOT SOLVE PROBLEM. I BECAME AWARE OF THIS SERVICE BULLETIN RECENTLY WHILE SPEAKING WITH A SERVICE WRITER AT NEW KIA DEALERSHIP. NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN DUE TO VEHICLE BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS INFORMATION WAS NEVER MADE KNOW TO ME SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. *TR

DT: CONTACT STATES THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE SERVICE DEALER SAID THE AIRBAG SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. AN ENGINEER WILL NOT BE AT THE LOCAL SERVICE DEALER TO REPROGRAM THE SYSTEM UNTIL ABOUT 6 WEEKS. *AK

DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. THE CONSUMER COULD NOT GET THE KEYS OUT OF VEHICLE. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED. THE DOORS TO HIS VEHICLE WILL NOT LOCK WITH THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION. THE KEY WAS LOCKED IN THE IGNITION. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO HAPPEN AFTER DRIVING IN EXTREME HEAT. 11/15/2005 *JB

DT: CALLER STATES HER SON HAD AN ACCIDENT AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *AK

MANUAL TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENT SHIFTING SAFETY DEFECT CAUSES OUR 2005 KIA SORENTO TO LOCK UP WHILE WE ARE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND WILL NOT LET US SHIFT GEARS OR MOVE THE CAR. HAS HAPPENED PULLING INTO TRAFFIC IN FIRST GEAR; HAS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY SHIFTING UP THROUGH GEARS, HAS HAPPENED DOWN SHIFTING IN INTERSECTIONS. THIS DANGEROUS SAFETY DEFECT COULD CAUSE US TO BE IN A POSSIBLY FATAL ACCIDENT. WE HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO KIA INC. TWO TIMES AND TAKEN TO DEALERS FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD SINCE THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE IT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO HELP US. THEY TEST DRIVE THE CAR BUT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE TO LOOK AT THE CAR. IN THE MEANTIME THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO EXIST AND WE ARE DRIVING A DANGEROUS VEHICLE AND WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED. OUR CONSCIENCE TELLS US WE SHOULD NOT TRADE OR SELL THIS AUTO BECAUSE WE KNOW IT HAS A POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING SAFETY DEFECT (EVEN THOUGH IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY) . THIS IS A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE. EVERY TIME WE DRIVE THE CAR WE WONDER IF THE SHIFTING PROBLEM WILL OCCUR. WE HAVE YOUNG GRANDCHILDREN AND BOUGHT THE KIA SORENTO BECAUSE OF ITS POSITIVE SAFETY FEATURES. BECAUSE OF THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM WE ARE HIGHLY CONCERNED FOR THEIR AND OUR SAFETY. *NM UPDATED 11/21/06. *JB UPDATED

PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON INDICATING THE AIR BAG DOES NOT WORK. I TOOK IT BACK TO KIA TWICE. THEY STATED KIA KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM, BUT DOESN'T HAVE A FIX. THEY SAID THE AIR BAG WILL "PROBABLY DEPLOY" IN AN ACCIDENT.

CAR IS MAKING A WEASEL KING OF NOISE AROUND 45-55 MPH. KIA TRIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM ANOTHER PROBLEM EMERGED. CAR SHOOK WHEN BRAKING SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN KIA OF THE VALLEY SAID THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THEY ASKED ME TO WAIT SO THEY COULD CONSULT WITH KIA ENGINEERS, BUT BEFORE I HEARD ANYTHING BACK THEY CLOSED THE DEALER. *AK

I JUST BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2005 KIA SORENTO LAST WEEK (MARCH 18, 2005.) I LOVE THE CAR, BUT IT HAS AN AUTOMATIC SHUT OFF ON THE PASSENGER AIR BAG THAT CONTINUES TO MALFUNCTION. IT IS SUPPOSED TO STAY OFF UNLESS A PASSENGER WEIGING MORE THAN 40 POUNDS IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. MY HUSBAND (200 LBS. +) AND MY FATHER IN LAW (180 LBS. +) HAVE SAT IN THE SEAT WHILE I AM DRIVING AND THE AIR BAG WILL NOT TURN ON. I MENTIONED IT TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME THING. THEY HAVE SUPPOSIDLY CHECKED THE SENSOR SYSTEM AND IT IS "FUNCTIONING PROPERLY." I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN A WRECK, BUT IF I AM EVER IN ONE WHERE MY PASSENGER IS SERIOUSLY INJURED BECAUSE THE AIR BAG MALFUNCTIONS, I WILL NEVER FORGIVE MYSELF. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. THANK YOU.

DT: 2005 KIA SORENTO. THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ON. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE SEAT, T AND SENT THE SEAT OFF TO HAVE THE SENSOR REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THIS HAPPENED TWICE IN ONE DAY. THE VEHICLE WILL RESTART AFTER WAITING A WHILE. ALSO, THE CLOCK HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. *AK

THE AIR BAG SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DID NOT FUNCTION WHEN A SOMEONE SAT IN THE SEAT. THIS COULD BE UNSAFE IF THE VEHICLE WERE TO BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ABOUT 15 TIMES FOR REPAIRS, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

THE "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT REMAIN LIT EVEN WITH AN ADULT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE 2005 KIA SORENTO EX FOR 2 DAYS AND EVERYTIME A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT THEY MUST TRY TO REPOSITION THEMSELVES AND THEN YOU TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTART THE ENGINE BEFORE LIGHT WILL GO OFF. I HAVE SEEN THIS ISSUE POSTED ON SOME KIA DISCUSSION FORUMS AND SO FAR DEALERS HAVE NO ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM.*AK

PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS ARE INTERMITENT. *AK

THE 2005 KIA SORENTO ADDED A FRONT PASSENGER WEIGHT DETECTION SYSTEM TO AUTOMATICALLY ARM OR DISARM THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG FOR LIGHTER WEIGHT INDIVIDUALS. THIS DETECTOR AND/OR RELATED EQUIPMENT OPERATES IRRADICALLY AND INEFFECTIVELY, LEAVING THE USERS REGULARLY UNCERTAIN REGARDING THE STATUS OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. THIS IS A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM KNOWN TO KIA BUT NO SCHEDULE EXISTS FOR A FIX.