2007 Kia Sorento Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER AN OCCUPANT WAS POSITIONED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND WEIGHED 115 POUNDS OR LESS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON FIVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED AND ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE SIDE AIR BAG DETENTION SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR AFTER EACH REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR IN THE VEHICLE IS POORLY DESIGNED AND WILL FREQUENTLY DISABLE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG WHILE AN ADULT PASSENGER IS RIDING IN THE PROPER MANNER, AS DISPLAYED BY THE VEHICLES OWNER MANUAL. MOREOVER, THE AIR BAG SENSOR DOES NOT CONTINUOUSLY MONITOR THE PASSENGER AFTER IT HAS DETERMINED THAT THE AIR BAG SHOULD BE OFF - THE ONLY WAY TO RESET THE AIRBAG IS TO HAVE THE PASSENGER LIFT THEMSELVES OFF OF THE SEAT (WHILE REMAINING BUCKLED) FOR OVER 2 SECONDS. EVEN TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF, REMOVING THE KEY, AND TURNING THE VEHICLE BACK ON DOES NOT WORK VERY RELIABLY - RESETTING THE SENSOR ~35% OF THE TIME. THE AIRBAG SENSOR ON THIS VEHICLE IS A KNOWN ISSUE (TSB# KT2008022001), AND REPEATED CALLS TO SERVICE CENTERS RE-ENFORCE THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAS NO INTENTIONS OF ISSUING A RECALL OR EVEN A SIMPLE SOFTWARE UPDATE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. INSTEAD, THEY INSTRUCT THAT THE SERVICE MEMBERS FIND A 'SUFFICIENTLY LARGE' MECHANIC, INSTRUCT THEM TO SIT IN THE SEAT TO ENSURE THAT THE DEVICE WORKS CORRECTLY. OBVIOUSLY, IF YOU SIGNIFICANTLY EXCEED THE MINIMUM WEIGHT, THE SENSOR WORKS CORRECTLY. HOWEVER, I'VE HAD THE PROBLEM WITH ADULT PASSENGERS WITH WEIGHTS RANGING FROM 120-170 LBS AND CONSIDER IT TO BE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY FLAW WITH THE VEHICLE. *TR

ATTEMPT TO FIX AIRBAG SYSTEM MODULE AND SEATBELT ASSY FAILED THREE TIMES BY AUTHORIZED KIA DEALERSHIPS (03/08/08, 09/22/08, 10/01/08). VEHICLE WAS SOLD TO ME BY AUTHORIZED KIA DEALER AS A PRECERTIFIED USED CAR WITH MANUFACTURER WARRANTY WITH 12000 MILES ON 09/05/08. KIA MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED OF FAILED ATTEMPTS ON 10/02/08 & HAVE BEEN ASKED TO PURCHASE OR REPLACE THE VEHICLE UNDER CA CIVIL CODE(S) 1792, 1794. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATES WHILE THE PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY FOUR TIMES; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO ORDER A PART FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,634 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,654. UPDATED 01/09/09. *LJ UPDATED 01/09/09*JB

I BOUGHT THIS 2007 SORENTO OCTOBER 10, 2007. TRANSMISSION WAS MESSED UP FROM THE START. I HAVE POSTED EARLIER ABOUT MY PROBLEMS (ODI ID NUMBER : 10222227). SOME OF MY PROBLEMS WERE FIXED. THE PROBLEM WITH THE UP-SHIFTING AND DOWN-SHIFTING AT THE SAME TIME WERE FIXED. BUT I STILL HAVE TO MUCH PLAY IN DRIVE-LINE WHEN SHIFTING FROM FORWARD TO REVERSE. AND THAT PLAY COMES IN TO EFFECT WHEN OTHER SHIFTS HAPPEN. WHEN GOING DOWN A HILL AND THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION CATCH UP WITH EACH OTHER, I CAN FEEL THE KER-KLUNK OR SHUTTER WHEN THEY DO. AND ALSO AT TIMES I FEEL THE SAME THING WHEN THE CAR GET ALMOST TO THE TOP OF A HILL AND IT'S TIME FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO UP-SHIFT, I FEEL THAT SAME SHUTTER. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THOSE PROBLEMS A WEEK OR SO AGO AND THEY HAD MY CAR FOR 9 DAYS. NOW THE CAR DOES A HARD SHIFT INTO ALMOST EVERY GEAR. STARTED WITH FEELING THE HARD SHIFT INTO THE FIRST 2 GEARS AND NOW FEEL IT EVEN IN 5TH GEAR. THESE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM HAVE BEEN GOING ON SINCE OCTOBER 10, 2007. PLUS AS POSTED BEFORE, THE SPORT-A-MATIC PORTION OF THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL SCREWED UP. WHEN TRAVELING AT 65 MILES AN HOUR AND MOVING SHIFTER FROM LEFT TO RIGHT INTO SPORT-A-MATIC POSITION, THE TRANSMISSION AUTOMATICALLY DROPS TO 4TH GEAR. I'VE DROVE 3 OTHER MODELS OF THERE CARS AND NONE OF THEM DO THIS. THEY STAY IN THE GEAR THAT THEY WERE IN ON THE LEFT SIDE. THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION ARE REAL POPULAR NOW. I'VE CHECKED WITH ANYBODY I KNOW WITH THAT TYPE OF TRANSMISSION AND THERE'S ALL WORK PROPERLY. KIA TELLS ME SINCE THAT YEAR, THAT MODEL DOES THAT, THAT I HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT. ALSO THE CAR HAS A SLIGHT VIBRATION AT TIMES AT HIGHER SPEEDS. *TR

HAVE A 2007 NEW SEDONA FROM KIA. IT COMES WITH A KEY REMOTE THAT CLOSES THE TWO BACK PASSENGER DOORS. THESE SLIDING DOORS DO NOT STOP UNTIL IT DETECTS A STRONG RESISTANCE AGAINST IT WHICH MAKES IT VERY UNSAFE FOR CHILDREN. MY CHILD GOT HER ARM CAUGHT IN THE DOOR FOR A BRIEF SECOND LEAVING A NICE BRUISE. LUCKILY SHE PULLED HER ARM OUT BEFORE IT CLOSED ALL THE WAY. WHEN I CALLED SMITHTOWN KIA IN NY, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE SENSORS AND IT WILL STOP WHEN THERE IS ENOUGH RESISTANCE AGAINST IT. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND A HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM. IMAGINE IF A CHILD DOES NOT GET THEIR ARM CAUGHT, BUT THEIR HEAD? PLEASE ADVISE ON WHAT CAN BE DONE WITH THIS. THANKS. *TR

2007 KIA SORENTO PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATES OFF WITH ADULT IN FRONT SEAT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. AFTER OWNING THE VEHICLE FOR A WEEK, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR SEAT PASSENGERS COULD NOT ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ELECTRONICALLY OPENING THE DOOR. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO MANUALLY OPEN THE DOOR AND REQUIRES GREAT STRENGTH. HE CONSIDERS THIS TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH OR LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER, THE DOORS WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY IT FOR OVER SIX DAYS. WHEN THE CONTACT RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR DOORS AND SIDE PASSENGER DOORS WOULD NO LONGER LATCH IN THE FORWARD POSITION. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE ABLE TO REPAIR THE LATCH FAILURE, BUT THE DOORS ARE STILL DIFFICULT TO OPEN MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER ONCE MORE, BUT THE SALES MANAGER EXPLAINED THAT THE VEHICLE DOORS WERE WORKING AS THEY WERE DESIGNED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,050.

KIA SORENTO-2007-FRONT PASSENGER-AIR BAG "IDIOT LIGHT". FOR 2 YRS. TRIPS BACK AND FORTH REGARDING THIS LIGHT TO DEALER. UNABLE TO ASSURE THAT AIR BAG SYSTEM IS REALLY WORKING. LIGHT IS ON WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN SEAT AND INDICATES THE AIR BAG IS OFF. SEATS AND SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TO NO AVAIL. THEY JUST TOLD ME TODAY 8-23-2010 THAT THERE IS NO MORE THEY CAN DO. LIGHT IS STILL ON AND THEIR COMPUTER STILL SAYS THAT IT IS WORKING. YOU HAVE MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME THING-IS ANYTHING BEING DONE? EITHER THE LIGHT,SENSOR,AIR BAG OR COMPUTER IS NOT RIGHT. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT OCCURRENCE-DOESN'T MATTER WHEN OR WHO IS SITTING IN THE SEAT, IF THE CAR IS WARM OR COLD. THE SEAT(SENSOR) HAS BEEN CHANGED,COMPUTER HAS DIAGNOSED AND KIA HAS TALKED TO THE TECH'S. THEIR MACHINES ARE NOT TELLING THEM THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG BUT THE SERVICE MANAGERS AND SALES PEOPLE HAVE WITNESSED IT. ARE YOU INVESTIGATING THIS? *TR

AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT ON PASSENGER SIDE OF 07 KIA RIO WAS ON AFTER REPAIRS FROM AN ACCIDENT. TOOK TO KIA OF CONYERS FOR DIAGNOSIS. ALMOST A MONTH LATER, MY CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A WARRANTY ISSUE WHICH I AM REPORTING IN CASE MORE PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. SAFETY IS MY MAIN CONCERN. *TR

WARP ROTORS ON VEHICLE OCCURS EVERY 3000 - 6000 MILES OF DRIVING CAR. CONSEQUENCE: CAR WHEELS VIBRATE HEAVILY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP VEHICLE PART WERE TURNED AND THEN REPLACED AND PROBLEM CONTINUES TO RECUR. *TR

( PASSENGER SIDE ) AIRBAG IS NOT ACTIVATED WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN SEAT. KIA REPLACED THE THE SENSOR AND AFTER RETURNING HOME IT STILL WAS NOT WORKING.KLA TOLD ME THAT SENSE IT HAS BEEN ALREADY REPLACED THERE IS NOTHING ELSE THEY WOULD DO.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD NOT DIM. THE CONTACT SWITCHED PLACES WITH THE PERSON IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, BUT THE LIGHT STILL WOULD NOT DIM. THE DEALER STATED THAT HE HAD TO WAIT FOR A TECHNICIAN WHO SPECIALIZED IN AIR BAGS. THE CONTACT WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIR WAS STILL NOT COMPLETED. WHEN THE REPAIR WAS FINISHED, THE CONTACT TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND THE FAILURE STILL CONTINUED. THE TECHNICIAN THEN STATED THAT IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED AND THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED A RENTAL VEHICLE. THE SALES DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT TO RETURN THE RENTAL BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT REPAIR HIS VEHICLE, AND WOULD NO LONGER PAY FOR THE RENTAL. HE CALLED KIA AND THEY ISSUED CASE NUMBER 1421419. THE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT HE WOULD INVESTIGATE THE SITUATION AND THEN NOTIFY THE CONTACT. THE KIA REPRESENTATIVE CALLED BACK AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PROPER TOOLS. THE CASE WAS ESCALATED TO THE SUPERVISOR. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7,400. UPDATED 03-19-08 *BF UPDATED 03/19/08 *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2 MONTH OLD 2007 KIA OPTIMA EX 6 CYC WITH 4,000 MILES ON FEB 16 ABOUT 10:45 PM WHEN IT LOST POWER STEERING AND OTHER CAR FUNCTIONS. I HAD JUST EXIT AN EXPRESSWAY (IH 35) TO REACH MY HOME WHEN I HEARD A LARGE CLUNK AND WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED RE: LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER FROM TO THE BATTERY. I WAS UNABLE TO INITIAL STEER THE VEHICLE B/C THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING WITH SIGNIFICANT DIFFICULTLY I GAINED CONTROL FOR THE SHORT MILE DISTANCE TO MY HOME. THIS CAR IS BEING USED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND SAW THAT THE MAIN ENGINE BELT HAD COME OFF AND A LARGE ROUND METAL CIRCULAR GEAR WAS LAYING AGAINST THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE ENGINE BELT HAD COME OFF ALL THE PULLEYS WHICH RUNS MANY MAJOR ENGINE FUNCTIONS. I HAD THE KIA TOWED IT THE FOLLOWING MONDAY (2/18/08) AT 8AM TO KIA IN GEORGETOWN, TX . KIA SERVICE MGR., MATT, AROUND 5PM SAID THAT THE HARMONIC BALANCER "BROKE AND IT WASN'T SUPPOSED TO DO THAT". WHEN ASKED HOW THIS COULD HAPPEN WITH A BRAND NEW CAR, HE SAID IT JUST HAPPENS. KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE REP, EDDY, TOLD ME THIS WAS A MAJOR PART AND REPAIR. BOTH KIA REPS REMAINED VERY VAGUE ON EXPLAINING IF THIS PART WAS A RESULT OF AN OPTIMA DEFECT THAT CAUSED THE HARMONIC BALANCER TO FAIL EARLY AND EASILY. THIS WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD THAT MAY/COULD HAVE RUIN MY CRANKSHAFT, ENGINE, AND CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY TO MANY DRIVERS PRESENT. I REALIZED THAT I WAS VERY LUCKY THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT 70 MPH ELSE YOU WOULD NEVER HEAR THIS STORY. THIS REASON AND KIA'S SUSPICIOUSLY VAGUE EXPLANATIONS IS WHY I FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE REPORTED TO YOU AND INVESTIGATED. *TR

I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO THE PURCHASING DEALER 7 TIMES FOR MULTIPLE ISSUES INCLUDING TRANSMISSION OR TORQUE CONVERTER DIFFICULTY SWITCHING GEARS, THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS FELL DOWN INTO THE DASH, POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE. THE MAJOR ISSUE HAS BEEN THE RANDOM, BUT DAILY ESC OFF LIGHT COMING ON AND OFF. THE DEALER SEEMS EITHER UNWILLING OR INCAPABLE OF CORRECTING THIS ISSUE. I HAVE FILED A CUSTOMER SERVICE REQUEST WE KIA TWO WEEKS AGO, RANDY EXT 45295 KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE ASSURED ME HE WOULD 'GET BACK TO ME' IN TWO BUSINESS DAYS. TODAY IS THE SEVENTH BUSINESS DAY AND NO REPLY. IT'S MY OPINION THAT THE ESC ISSUE, WIRING HARNESS, AND POOR BRAKING ARE ISSUES THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESS IN VIA RECALL SINCE KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WARRANTY COMMITMENT ARE MEANING LESS TO KIA CORPORATION. *TR

WE PURCHASED THIS A 2007 KIA SORENTO FOR FOLGERS KIA IN FEB OF 2007. AFTER ABOUT 4 MONTHS WE NOTICED THAT WHEN ACCELERATING BETWEEN 35 AND 45 MILES PER HOUR THE CAR SHUDDER VIOLENTLY AND LOSES POWER. IN MY OPINION VERY DANGEROUS. WE FINALLY GOT THE CAR IN THE SHOP ON JAN 2, 2008 ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT KIA SAYS THEIR IS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM AND IT CAN'T BE FIXED. ALSO TOLD IT IS NORMAL FOR THE SORENTO. IF NORMAL, WHY DIDN'T IT DO IT WHEN WE FIRST BOUGHT IT AND TEST DROVE IT? I FIND THEIR ANSWER UNACCEPTABLE. IN MY OPINION IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND IF THIS PROBLEM CAN'T BE FIXED THEN IT IS A LEMON. PLEASE ASSIST WITH HOW TO PROCEED. I'M GETTING NOWHERE WITH KIA'S VERY INADEQUATE SERVICE DEPARTMENTS. *CN

I HAVE A TWO WHEEL DRIVE 2007 KIA SORENTO. WHEN I DRIVE BETWEEN 35 AND 50 MPH THE CAR BEGINS TO JERK, SOMETIMES VIOLENTLY. I HAVE TAKEN IT TWICE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. THE DEALER HAS CONTACTED KIA ENGINEERS WHO SAY THAT THE JERKING IS WITHIN ACCEPTABLE PARAMETERS AND NOTHING WILL BE DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM AS BEING CALLED A FISH BITE. THE INVOICE FOR SERVICE STATES THAT "THIS IS NORMAL TCC LOCK UP AT LOWER SPEEDS LOW RPM IN LOCKUP." *TR

I BOUGHT A 2007 KIA SORENTO IN OCTOBER, 2007. THE CAR ONLY HAS 3,000 MILES AND HAS A HORRIBLE SHIFTING PROBLEM THAT I AM TOLD ALL 2007 SORENTOS HAVE. WHEN THE CAR IS GOING BETWEEN 40 AND 50, IT SOUNDS LIKE AND SHUDDERS LIKE A 10 YEAR OLD BEAT UP CAR. IT IS LIKE IT WON'T SHIFT GEARS. THE MOTOR IS EXTREMELY LOUDER THAN THE 2003 KIA SORENTO I OWNED (WISH I HAD IT BACK). I AM TERRIBLY UNHAPPY WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND SHIFTING PROBLEMS THIS CAR HAS. *TR

I LEASE A 07 KIA SORENTO WITH 8700 MILES ON IT. THE PROBLEM THAT I CAN'T GET RESOLVED THROUGH THE DEALER OR WITH KIA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE IS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK. THEY SAY WE LIKE TO COMPLAIN, BUT I DON'T WANT TO TAKE A CHANCE OF BEING IN AN ACCIDENT AND HOPE THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY. THIS IS A VERY BIG SAFETY ISSUE! THE 1ST TIME MY HUSBAND (WHO HAS WORKED AS A MECHANIC FOR 15 YEARS) TOOK IT TO THE DEALER HE WAS TOLD WE WEREN'T THE ONLY ONE COMPLAINING BUT AS SOON AS THE SEAT SOFTENED UP IT WOULD START TO WORK. 10 MONTHS LATER IT STILL ISN'T WORKING. THE SECOND TIME WE TOOK IT BACK THEY SAID THERE WASN'T ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE SERVICE REPORT SAYS THE SWITCH IS "FICKLE" BUT THEY DON'T CALL THAT A MALFUNCTION. HOW DO I KNOW THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY IF THE LIGHT SAYS IT IS TURNED OFF? THEY SAID WE NEED TO MOVE AROUND IN THE SEAT BY BOUNCING ON IT, SITTING BACK IN THE SEAT MORE, MOVE THE SEAT FORWARD OR BACKWARDS TO FIND THE RIGHT SPOT FOR THE AIRBAG TO WORK. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO AND IT DOESN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE ANYHOW! THE 3RD TIME WAS TO A DIFFERENT DEALER BECAUSE THE CAR BECAME INOPERABLE DUE TO A MAJOR ELECTRONIC PROBLEM AND HAD TO BE TOWED. THEY HAD MY CAR FOR ALMOST 2 WEEKS AND SAID THEY FOUND SOME CODES AND REPLACED THE SWITCH. IT STILL ISN'T WORKING. I WAS GOING DOWN INTERSTATE WITH MY 160 LB SON AND AN HOUR INTO THE TRIP WE NOTICED THE AIRBAG SWITCH SAID AIRBAG TURNED OFF. I HAD TO PULL OVER TURN THE CAR OFF, HAVE HIM GET OUT, TURN THE CAR BACK ON, HAVE HIM GET BACK IN, BEFORE THE AIRBAG WOULD TURN ON. I WAS IN THE CITY FOR AN APPT. THIS WEEK AND BEFORE I LEFT THE HOSPITAL PARKING LOT, THE AIRBAG SWITCH TURNED TO OFF. WE HAD TO SHUT THE CAR OFF, AND RESTART IT. THE SWITCH WOULD SAY AIRBAG TURNED ON, DRIVE 15 FEET, AND NOW SAYS OFF. TURN CAR OFF, GET OUT, RESTART CAR, GET IN AIRBAG ON, DRIVE 20 FT, AIRBAG OFF. WE DO THIS 3 OR 4 TIMES BEFORE SWITCH SAYS AIRBAG ON AND STAYS ON. CAN YOU PUT PRESSURE ON THEM TO HELP US OUT? *TR

ON NOVEMBER 17, 2007 I PURCHASED A KIA SORENTO SUV. SINCE THAT DATE, THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG IS DISABLED ALL OF THE TIME WHEN MY WIFE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. OTHER ADULTS WHO WEIGH MORE WILL ALLOW THE LIGHT TO GO OUT, BUT NEVER FOR MY WIFE. I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE WHO INFORMED ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO. I CONTACTED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY INDICATED THAT A REGIONAL WARRANTY REP WILL LOOK AT IN JANUARY, BUT IF HE SITS IN THE SEAT AND THE LIGHT GOES OUT, THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY WILL DO. MY WIFE IS AN AVERAGE ADULT WHO WEIGHS ENOUGH THAT THE AIRBAG DISABLING FEATURE SHOULD TURN OFF WHEN SHE SITS IN THE SEAT. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATES EVEN WHEN A GROWN ADULT IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES, AND THE SERVICE DEPT AT THE DEALERSHIP AGREE THAT IF A 150 LB ADULT IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE OFF LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED, THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. THE ADULT CAN BE SITTING STRAIGHT UP IN THE SEAT WITH FEET IN THE FLOOR IN FRONT OF THEM AND THE OFF LIGHT IS ON. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THEY CANNOT FIX THIS, IT IS A PROBLEM. THE CORP. OFFICE SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THE SENSORS ARE NOT PROPERLY LOCATED. WHAT GOOD IS THE AIRBAG IF IT WON'T DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED? *TR

I BOUGHT MY 2007 KIA SORENTO IN OCTOBER 2007, AND I HAVE HAD IT INTO THE SHOP MORE TIMES THEN I CAN COUNT FOR A VIOLENT JERKING, STUTTERING, STALLING. EACH TIME I TAKE IT IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DRIVES IT AND TELLS ME THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I HAD IT IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND THEY ADJUSTED THE AIR INTAKE VALVE WHICH HELPED BUT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IF THEY CAN'T FIX IT SOON IT WILL BE PUSHED OFF A CLIFF....

I BOUGHT A NEW 2007 KIA SORENTO ON 11-1-07 FROM BANNER KIA IN MANDEVILLE, LA. WITH MY WIFE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT (125 LBS.) THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG IN INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIANS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THE PROBLEM. ENROUTE HOME THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THE DEALER THEN SUPPOSEDLY RECALIBRATED A SENSOR AND THE LIGHT STAYED OUT. NOW MY DAUGHTER WHO WEIGHS 117 LBS WILL NOT PUT THE LIGHT OUT TO PUT THE AIR BAG IN SERVICE. HAVE YOU HAD SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON KIA VEHICLES? I AM BEGINNING TO THINK THAT THE DEALERSHIP TECHNICIANS ARE NOT CAPABLE IN MAKING MY VEHICLE SAFE. ANY SUGGESTIONS? *TR

THE AIRBAG ACTUATION SYSTEM IS DESIGN DEFECTIVE, AT LEAST FROM MY POINT OF VIEW, IN THAT IT DOES NOT ALWAYS BECOME ACTIVE , WHEN A PASSENGER IS SITTING IN IT. I HAVE HAD PASSENGERS FROM 105# TO 315#, AND SOMETIMES THE SYSTEM IS ACTIVE AND SOMETIMES NOT. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY KIA SERVICE THAT THE 8" BLADDER IN THE SEAT, WHICH ACTIVATES THE SYSTEM FOR DEPLOYMENT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, IS SENSITIVE TO WHERE AND HOW THE PASSENGER SITS IN THE SEAT. IF THEY DON'T SIT IN JUS A CERTAIN MANNER, THE SYSTEM DOES NOT ACTIVATE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ITEM AND HAS AN IMMEDIATE URGENCY TO HAVE KIA REMEDY THIS. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT AND THE BAG DOES NOT DEPLOY FOR THE PASSENGER DUE TO THIS PROBLEM, I MOST DEFINITELY WILL BE IN COURT WITH KIA. *TR

I PURCHASE A 2007 KIA SORENTO AT VANDEVERE KIA. IT CAME WITH THE 5-SPEED AUTO-MATIC SPORTMATIC SHIFTING. IT BANGS INTO GEAR, SLIPS INTO GEAR AND SLIDES INTO GEAR. IT HARDLY EVER SHIFTS 100%. PLUS IT PULSATES BETWEEN 40 & 50 MILES AN HOURS. NOT ALL THE TIME & NOT THE SAME WAY ALL THE TIME. ALSO WHEN IT'S IN 5TH GEAR AND I MOVE IT TO THE RIGHT IN THE SPORTAMATIC POSITION, IT DROPS TO 4TH GEAR. I'VE DROVE 2 OTHER KIA'S WITH THAT TYPE OF SHIFTER AND IF YOUR IN 5TH & MOVE IT TO THE RIGHT, YOUR IN 5TH GEAR. ALSO THERE IS PLAY EITHER IN THE TRANSMISSION OR THE DRIVE SHAFTS. YOU CAN FEEL IT WHEN YOU GO FROM FORWARD TO REVERSE. COMES INTO PLAY AS A DETRIMENT WHEN ON ICY ROADS. I TRADED MY BEAUTIFUL 2004 KIA SORENTO IN FOR THIS PIECE OF JUNK. I'VE PURCHASED 3 KIA'S NOW & FOUND OUT THAT CUSTOMER LOYALTY DOESN'T MATTER TO KIA. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET MY CAR FIXED FOR 6 MONTHS NOW. THEY KNOW THERE'S A PROBLEM & CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX IT. I DROVE ANOTHER 2007 SORENTO IN THERE LOT AND IT DOES THE SAME THING MINE DOES. *TR

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE THE PASSENGERS AIRBAG REMAINS IN THE OFF POSITION WHEN MY WIFE IS SEATED AS A PASSENGER, BUT WHEN I RIDE AS PASSENGER THE AIR BAG IS ON. (SOME TIME IT WORKS AND OTHERS IT DOES NOT). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, WHICH INDICATED THE AIR BAG WAS OFF. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE SENSORY MODULE AND THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SEAT. TEN DAYS LATER, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THEY STATED THAT TEN PERCENT OF THEIR VEHICLES WERE HAVING THE SAME FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 117.

WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 35 MPH, HIT BRAKES BUT WAS UNABLE TO AVOID FRONTAL COLLISION IN KIA SPECTRA RENTED FROM ALAMO. THE CRASH WAS HEAD ON. THE KIA'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS WEARING A SEATBELT. ALAMO HAS BEEN COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE, SO NOTHING FURTHER CAN BE LEARNED ABOUT THE CAR. I HAVE PICTURES TAKEN AT THE SCENE WITH A CELL PHONE CAMERA CLEARLY DEPICTING THE FAILURE. *TR

OUR 2007 KIA SORENTO, PURCHASED NEW, AND NOW WITH 20,000 MILES, HAS, SINCE PURCHASE, HAD THE PASSENGER AIRBAG NOT ON SIGNAL GO ON, ALMOST EVERY TIME WE USE IT. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY MUST SEE IT HAPPEN, AND CANNOT REPLICATE IT. WHEN WE MADE OUR WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHILE THE SIGNAL WAS LIT, THEY SAW IT, VISUALLY IT, AND MADE A NOTE, HOWEVER, THE "COMPUTER" DID NOT RECOGNIZE IT AS A PROBLEM, SO THEY WILL NOT CORRECT THE "PROBLEM". WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IF THAT IS LIT UP AND SOMEONE IS IN THE SEAT DURING AN ACCIDENT, THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. I AM TOLD THAT KIA AND THEIR DEALERSHIPS ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, AND COULD REPLACE THE SEAT BOTTOM TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, YET NONE OF THE DEALERSHIPS WE HAVE TAKEN IT TOO, WILL REPLACE IT, UNLESS THE MAIN OFFICE MAKES IT A RECALL. OUR SECOND COMPLAINT THAT THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IS THE STRONG ODOR OF ANTIFREEZE, WHICH LITERALLY MAKES ME SICK ON MY STOMACH WHEN IT HAPPENS, WHICH IS NOT ALL OF THE TIME. I AM AFRAID THESE FUMES COULD BE HARMFUL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED THAT THE PRESSURE IN THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS LOW. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CHECK THE PRESSURE WITH HIS TIRE PRESSURE GAUGE, BUT IT RELEASED THE AIR OUT OF THE TIRE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VALVE STEM WAS BENT. HE SPOKE WITH KIA ROADSIDE SERVICE WHO REFERRED HIM TO KUNHO, THE TIRE MANUFACTURER. KUNHO STATED THAT THEY WERE ONLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TIRE AND NOT THE VALVE STEM. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 2,394.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, MAINLY BETWEEN 42 AND 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKS AND VIBRATES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS. THE SECOND TIME, THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVESHAFT, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,600 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 959. UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB THE DEALER WASN'T SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THEY STATED THE PROBLEM MAY BE A SOFTWARE OR TORQUE CONVERTER ISSUE. UPDATED

PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT DOES NOT GO OFF EVERY TIME A PASSENGER IS SITTING IN SEAT.WHICH WILL NOT LET AIR BAG DEPLOY.*CN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. WHEN THE PASSENGER IS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED AND THE SYSTEM INDICATES THAT THE AIR BAG IS OFF. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE AIR BAG SENSOR; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AND THEY WILL REPLACE THE BOTTOM OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN A 2008 SORENTO AS A LOANER VEHICLE AND IT HAS THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE LAW REQUIRED THEM TO INSTALL A NEW AIR BAG SYSTEM FOR CHILDREN. THEY ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE PROGRAM AND HAVE RECEIVED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. UPDATED 01/29/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE 2 OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME DEFECT. UPDATED 01/29/08 TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ALIGNED THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND REPAIRED A CASTING CAM UNDERNEATH THE FRONT END; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,100.

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS INTERMITTENTLY ON MY 2007 KIA SORENTO. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN A NORMAL SIZED PERSON IS SEATED PROPERLY, BUT THE AIRBAG SENSOR INDICATES THE AIRBAG IS NOT ACTIVATED. PREVIOUSLY, IF I RESTARTED THE CAR WITH THE PASSENGER SEATED THE ISSUE WAS CORRECTED, BUT I HAVE SINCE ENCOUNTERED TIMES WHEN RESTARTING THE CAR DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO TWO KIA DEALERSHIPS AND CONTACTED KIA CORPORATE, BUT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO HELP ME. *TR

2007 KIA OPTIMA PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT IN GAGE WIN IN SET . DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME . AIR BAG LIGHT TELLS YOU WHEN IT IS NOT ON. KIA HAS REPLACED SET DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM . BEEN TOLD BY KIA THAT NOT SITTING IN THE SEAT RIGHT. IT HAPPENS WITH ALL TYPES OF PASSENGERS, BUT DOSE NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME . KIA HAS SAID THAT WE NEED TO HAVE SEETING LESSENS. WE HAVE VIDEO TAPES AND PICTURES OF THIS, PLUS WITTNESS OF THIS HAPPING . I FEEL I AM DRIVING A UNSAFE CAR . PLEASE HELP ME . *TR

OUR 2007 KIA SORENTO HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SYSTEM. THIS IS MY WIFE'S CAR AND I RIDE AS A PASSENGER. WHEN I RIDE 75% OF THE TIME THE AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF, THIS TELLS US THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM IS NOT ON. WE HAVE NOTICED MANY THINGS THAT WILL CORRECT THIS AND ALSO MAKE IT HAPPEN. ONE THING IS IT NORMALLY HAPPENS AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN LEFT OFF FOR AWHILE. THE AIR BAG LIGHT MAY GO OFF ARE YOU START THE CAR BUT WHEN YOU SHIFT IT INTO GEAR IT POPS ON. YOU CAN ALSO GET IT TO COME ON SOMETIMES WHEN YOU REMOVE YOUR SEAT BELT. YOU CAN SOMETIMES CORRECT THE PROBLEMS BY SHUTTING OFF AND RESARTING THE CAR. NOW THIS IS A VERY ANNOYING PROBLEM AND A ERRATIC ISSUE. BEING A AUTOMOTIVE TECH AND A ELECTRONIC TECH I CAN SEE HOW THE KIA DEALER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HELP WITH OUT SEEING THE PROBLEM. THE KIA DEALER HERE IS REALLY NO HELP AS WHEN WE TOOK IT IN THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID "SHOW ME THE PROBLEM" BUT OF COURSE WE COULD NOT REPRODUCE IT AT THAT TIME. WE HAVE SINCE HAD THE CAR FOR A FEW MONTHS AND HAVE TAKEN NOTICE OF HOW THE PROBLEM IS SHOWING UP. WE HAVE NOT TAKEN IT IN AS WE HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE IN THE KIA TECHNICAL STAFF AS TO THERE CAPABILITIES OF REPAIR. I SHOULD SAY WE FIRST BOUGHT A 06 SORENTO AND HAD IT IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR 5 WEEKS OUT OF THE 7 WEEKS, WE OWNED IT AND TRADED IT IN FOR THE 07 TRYING TO GIVE KIA A CHANCE TO REDEEM FOR ALL THE PROBLEMS BEFORE. *TR

IN JULY, 2007, I PURCHASED A 2007 KIA SORENTO. ON MY FIRST OCCASION TO DRIVE ON THE INTERSTATE, COMING HOME FROM WORK, I ENCOUNTERED A MAJOR SHUDDER OR JERKING WHEN TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. THE INTERSTATE WAS VERY SHOW TRAVELING DUE TO AN ACCIDENT. WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR SHUDDERED (OR JERKED) SEVERAL TIMES EXTREMELY HARD BUT THEN STRAIGHTENED OUT. THE HARD SHUDDERS OCCUR AT APPROXIMATELY 35 TO 45 MPH. ALSO, WHEN TRAVELING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, IF I HAVE TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL DUE TO SLOWING TRAFFIC, I PRESS THE MIDDLE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON AND TAKE OVER MANUALLY. WHEN TRAFFIC PICKS BACK UP, I PRESS THE "RESUME" BUTTON, AGAIN...THE SHUDDER. THE SHUDDER OR JERKING ALWAYS HAPPENS UPON ACCELERATION. WHEN ATTEMPTING A HILL AT 35 TO 45 MPH, THE CAR LOSES POWER ALL TOGETHER AND REALLY STRUGGLES UNTIL REACHING THE TOP. I HAD CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND TAKEN THE SORENTO IN FOR REPAIR. THE SERVICE MANAGER DROVE THE CAR, DID IN FACT EXPERIENCE THE SHUDDER, BUT WAS UNABLE TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION TO FIX IT. HE CONTACTED HIS DISTRICT MANAGER WHO SAID HE WAS WORKING A CAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND WAS TRYING TO FIND A "CURE." I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND EVEN DROVE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER. HE ACKNOWLEDGES THE PROBLEM BUT, AGAIN, AT THIS TIME, THERE IS NO SOLUTION AS TO HOW TO FIX IT. I CONTACTED KIA HEADQUARTERS TO SEE IF THEY WERE WORKING ON TRYING TO FIND A SOLUTION TO FIX THE SHUDDER. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS PROBABLY A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CAR AND WOULD BE CONSIDERED "NORMAL" PERFORMANCE FOR THE SORENTO. I FIND THIS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. I HAD DRIVEN A LOANER SORENTO WHEN MINE WAS IN FOR MAINTENANCE AND IT DID NOT DO THE SHUDDER. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH MY SORENTO AND AM CONSIDERING TRADING AGAIN. *TR

2007 KIA SORENTO PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG ALARM - DUE TO SEAT SENSOR PROBLEMS OR OTHER PROBLEMS. PROBLEM HAS RECURRED HUNDREDS OF TIMES SINCE PURCHASED NEW. ADVISED BY SERVICE MANAGER OF GREER, SC KIA THAT FAULT WAS DUE TO PASSENGER NOT SITTING PROPERLY IN SEAT WITH FEET POSITIONED PROPERLY BUT ADVISED BY A KIA TECHNICIAN, CONFIDENTIALLY, THAT THIS IS NOT TRUE. PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR WAS ADJUSTED AFTER SEVERAL VISITS BUT FAULT RECURS TIME AFTER TIME WHICH MEANS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. KIA DOES NOT APPEAR TO TAKE MATTER SERIOUSLY. THIS COULD RESULT IN DEATHS. OTHER DEALER REPRESENTATIVES REFERS THE PROBLEM BACK TO SERVICE MANAGER ONLY. NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS: AT LEAST SIX OR MORE - TO LITTLE AVAIL. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS FROM TIME TO TIME. USUALLY THE PASSENGER CAN BOUNCE UP AND DOWN SEVERAL TIMES AND FINALLY GET THE ALARM TO EXTINGUISH SHOWING NORMAL AIR BAG OPERATION FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE. WROTE LETTER TO REGIONAL KIA DEALERSHIP TO NO AVAIL. CALLED KIA HELP LINE TO NO AVAIL. ONLY TOLD TO REFER PROBLEM TO KIA DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER. INCIDENT DATE SINCE TIME OF PURCHASE IN JUNE OR JULY, 2007. GUESSING PURCHASE DATE SINCE IT HAS BEEN A FEW YEARS. STILL OWN VEHICLE. *TR

SPEEDOMETER READ SLOWER THEN THE CAR IS MOVING. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO THE DEALERS ATTENTION, AND GOT NO GOOD RESULTS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 900 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50.

HUBCAPS HAVE 3/8" GAP BETWEEN RIM AND HUBCAP. HAVE TRIED WEEKLY SINSE MAY TO GET KIA TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS AIR SPACE AT HIGHWAY SPPEDS COULD CAUSE UN STABLE STEERING AND WHEEL BEARING WEAR. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO LX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION SURGES AND HAS DIFFICULTY SWITCHING GEARS. SHE HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A KIA DEALERSHIP TWICE BECAUSE THE TORQUE CONVERTER CONTINUES TO LOCK UP. THE FAILURE IS NOTICEABLE AT 35 MPH. DURING THE FIRST SERVICE VISIT, A SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS PERFORMED. ON THE SECOND VISIT, THE DEALER STATED THAT NO REPAIR WAS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 720 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1000. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WILL STAY OFF WHEN THERE IS AN ADULT IN PASSENGER SEAT. THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM.

I BOUGHT A 2007 KIA SORENTO A MONTH AGO. IT HAS A PASSENGER SENSOR IN THE SEAT THAT ACTIVATES THE AIR BAG ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. IF A CHILD OR PASSENGER WHO DOESN'T MEET THE WEIGHT REQUIREMENT SITS IN THE SEAT IT WILL DEACTIVATE THE AIR BAG. PROBLEM IS THAT THE SENSOR ISN'T WORKING FOR PASSENGERS WHO MEET THE WEIGHT REQUIREMENT . THE AIR BAG IS DEACTIVATED AND THEREFORE THE SAFETY FEATURE THAT IS THE AIR BAG IS NO LONGER THERE TO PROTECT THE FRONT PASSENGER AND THERE IS NO WAY TO OVERRIDE THAT FEATURE. I ASKED THE SERVICE GUY AT THE KIA DEALERSHIP AND HE SAID THERE'S NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG HASN'T BEEN WORKING SINCE I BOUGHT IT. *TR

THE SENSOR FOR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS NOR WORKING RELIABLY. MOST OF THE TIME IT EITHER DOES NOT DETECT MY WIFE AT ALL, OR, WHILE I AM DRIVING, IT SUDDENLY SIGNALS THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS OFF, EVEN THOUGH SHE IS STILL SEATED. WHEN IT DOES NOT DETECT HER, THE SIGN 'PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF' IS LIT. THERE IS NO PROBLEM WHEN I (210 POUNDS) SIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, ONLY FOR MY 148 POUND WIFE. I AM AFRAID THAT OUR 2007 SORENTO WILL NOT BE CAPABLE OF PERFORMING A POSSIBLY LIFESAVING ACT IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. AS A PASSENGER, SHE IS UNPROTECTED. A FRIEND OF OURS HAS A 2008 SPORTAGE THAT ALSO HAS A SENSOR FOR THE AIR BAG IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION AND THERE IT WORKS EVERY TIME MY WIFE GETS IN THE CAR. WE HAVE VISITED OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES; HAVING THE PROGRAM REFLASHED THREE TIMES AND EVEN THE SEAT CUSHION WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE WITH A NEW SENSOR. UNFORTUNATELY, THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER RESOLVED. OUR DEALERSHIP INFORMED US AFTER OUR LAST VISIT THAT THEY HAVE DONE ALL THEY CAN DO. *TR

I HAVE A 2007 KIA SORRENTO THAT WAS PURCHASED PARTLY BECAUSE OF THE 5 STAR SAFETY RATING. HOWEVER, IN MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEACTIVATION SENSOR DESIGNED TO DEACTIVATE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WHEN THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED BY A CHILD ALSO DEACTIVATES THE AIRBAG MORE THAN 50% OF THE TIME WHEN AN ADULT OCCUPIES THE SEAT. I HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO MY DEALER 3 TIMES AND THE SERVICE MANAGER TELLS ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO BECAUSE THERE IS NO "FIX" FROM THE FACTORY. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT HE IS NOT AWARE OF ANYONE ELSE HAVING THIS PROBLEM ( I DOUBT THAT) AND THAT KIA WAS NOT PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WAS A "SECONDARY PROTECTION DEVICE" WHICH WAS NOT REALLY NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IF THE OCCUPANT WAS WEARING HIS/HER SEAT BELT. I CALLED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY BASICALLY "BLEW ME OFF" SAYING THAT KIA WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM IN "DUE TIME". HOW CAN KIA ADVERTISE A 5 STAR SAFETY RATING WHEN IN FACT THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS SENSOR ISSUE AND ARE NOT WILLING OR ABLE TO FIX IT? APPEARS TO ME THAT THERE IS SOME FALSE ADVERTISING GOING ON AND REALLY WE HAVE ABOUT A 2 STAR SAFETY RATING! *JB

PURCHASED A NEW 2007 KIA SORRENTO ON 3/30/07. LEFT THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBACK DISCONNECT LIGHT ON WITH AN ADULT SITTING IN THE SEAT. HAVE TAKEN THE CAR INTO TWO DIFFERENT DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENTS AND THEY HAVE REFUSED TO ADDRESS THIS SAFETY ISSUE. REPORTED PROBLEM TO KIA USA CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN OTHER THAN REFER US TO ANOTHER DEALER FOR SERVICE. A SERVICE MANAGER I SPOKE WITH SAID THIS WAS A "KNOWN PROBLEM" WITH THE 06 AND 07 SORRENTO BUT THAT THE COMPANY COULD NOT "REPRODUCE A HARD ERROR". THE SERVICE MANAGER WENT ON TO TELL ME THAT THERE ARE SENSORS IN THE SEAT CUSHION AND SEAT BACK AND THAT A PASSENGER HAS TO SIT IN THE SEAT IN A PARTICULAR WAY IN ORDER FOR CONTACT TO BE MADE PROPERLY. THE MANAGER WENT ON TO SAY THAT HE HAD SEEN A LOT OF 06 AND 07 SORRENTO'S WITH THIS PROBLEM AND WAS WAITING ON KIA TO TAKE ACTION. OTHER THAN PURSUE THE LEMON LAW PROCESS, WHAT OTHER RECOURSE DOES A CONSUMER HAVE WITH A CLEAR ENGINEERING DEFECT OF A KEY SAFETY FEATURE? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN AN OCCUPANT WAS IN THE SEAT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE OCS "OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM" MALFUNCTIONED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEATS AND SENSORS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,600.

THIS 2007 KIA SORENTO HAS A DRIVELINE VIBRATION SINCE PURCHASED ON 1/31/07. THE VIBRATION STARTS AT 65 MPH AND GOES AWAY AT 73 MPH. BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY BALANCED THE TIRES BUT THE VIBRATION IS STILL THERE. *TR