10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 6
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 85,237 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
I have a 2004 Kia sorrento which I purchased new. It currently had 64,000 mile and I have kept up with all maintenance items and have had them performed by Kia service in the dealership. While I have had some mechanical problems with the car (bad lifters, valves, radiator leaks, etc), my main issue is the electrical system. To date, I have replaced various brake light bulbs, headlight bulbs, dome light bulb and my radio unexplainable turns on/off. While I have dealt with these issues as they arise, my car has now turned of while driving on the road twice. On both occasions, all of the car lights, displays, etc, turn off completely and the car simply coasts while off. One of the occurrences I was on the interstate going 65 mph, and the car shut down. Both times I pull to the side of the road and when I turned the key, it started again. My obvious concern is that of safety as it relates to the various electrical problems (which are no longer covered under warranty) which this car has had. While I cannot speak for other Kia owners, there are a host of forums which relate to similar issues. Additionally, the dealerships themselves are aware of the electrical issues, as noted to me personally by one of the technicians. I am requesting for Kia to provide the level of customer service which we (as Kia owners) have expected. The electrical problems are well documented and should be addressed. Furthermore, I am looking for assistance in my personal situation now that my car is only 4,000 out of warranty and has the electrical issues and more importantly the hazardous problem of shutting down. I am more that happy to provide any records which will document the problems detailed above. Also, I am available anytime to discuss further if needed. Thank you in advance for your customer service.
- Jacksonville, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Kia Sorento. While driving 65 mph she could smell something burning. The vehicle was pulled over and turned off. There was smoke coming from under the hood. The check engine warning indicator light was illuminated. There was fluid leaking under the vehicle and catching fire as it hit the ground. The vehicle burst into flames within 5 minutes. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard, the cause of the failure was undetermined. The current and failure mileages were 60,000.
- Burlingame, CA, USA
I purchased a 2004 Kia Sorento two years ago. It was not long before I began to experience numerous problems with my vehicle. Tail lights/brake lights burning out frequently which is a major safety issue since I deliver rural usda mail. Now my transmission is broken!! Kia-duluth asked if I had had the transmission flushed at the specified mileage and that they will need verification of this. (I knew immediately their objective was to not honor their warranty (10 years/100,000 mile warranty if I had not flushed the transmission). I faxed them the receipt indicating the transmission had been flushed. I contacted Kia-duluth the following day because I had not heard from them. He said he had not heard back from Kia yet to authorize the repair. This vehicle has caused me so much lost work time, stress and has been emotionally draining for the past two years. Kia's deceptive advertising - I believed that since Kia was offering a 10 year/100,000 mile warranty, their vehicle must be really good. Boy was I wrong! Kia is building vehicles with defective parts and materials and has set-up their warranty plan to be able to void them from having to honor their warranty plan and having any responsibility. For further complaints on Kia vehicles, please contact the better business bureau and attorney general offices across the country and you will find numerous complaints. Numerous complaints by consumers are also located at the following websites: www.my3cents.com and www.consumeraffairs.com. Kia needs to be investigated and put a stop to their scamming and defrauding the consumer and before someone gets seriously hurt or killed due to numerous defective parts in their vehicles.
- Iron, MN, USA
In less than a year consumer headlight went out and the back hatch window was leaking inside the vehicle every time it rained. The headlight assembly was replaced on November 30, 2004 and five minutes after the new bulb was installed it shattered. On that same date the consumer experienced problem with the clock and HVAC indicators. Updated 03/30/07.
- Frankford, DE, USA
- Eveleth, MN, USA