10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
109,157 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.

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problem #7

Nov 282016

Sorento 6-cyl

  • 157,000 miles
As I slowed from about 20mph to make a stop on approach at a crowded intersection, my car suddenly became possessed; while I was gently braking/decelerating, the engine suddenly revved to full power on its own and lurched forward toward the cars waiting at the red light! I mashed the brake pedal to the floor but the roaring engine was stronger and it was winning, keeping the car moving forward [the tires were actually screeching as I had the brakes locked, but the strength of the engine was still moving the car forward toward the cars at the intersection]. in a last-ditch effort to prevent collision with cars, I swerved right, aiming for a utility pole on the sidewalk at the intersection [figuring that would be strong enough to stop the forward motion of the car, and would also stop the car without me hitting any other cars]. the car mashed into the high curb, damaging the tire and the right front of the car. Then, as suddenly as the revving had started, the car released acceleration, settled down, and returned power to me.

- Idyllwild, CA, USA

problem #6

Apr 152016

Sorento

  • 151,000 miles
My 2006 Kia Sorento has had a few problems that I fear may be very dangerous. A few months ago I was driving on highway and it felt like it was speeding up on its own. As I got off the highway on an S curve the car completely died. The battery and check engine light came on. It started back up and I got to work. The next morning on the way to work it died again at the same spot on the off ramp. I had to have it towed and missed a day of work because of it. I brought it into the shop and mechanic said the alternator belt was loose and he fixed it. However its happened since numerous times when I turn the car off and try to start it again the car wont start at all for 20 minutes to a couple hours. Now recently it will shut off as I'm driving and steering wheel is very hard to turn. It is getting more and more frequent and is effecting work. Kia dealerships refuse to fix it at cost even though it seems like a big problem that many Kia customers have had to deal with. Other mechanics say they don't even want to touch the problem because of the reviews of problems on the internet. Please inform me and anything I can do as soon as possible.

- Abington, MA, USA

problem #5

Nov 112015

Sorento

  • 145,000 miles
Less than a year prior, timing belt needed replaced. A costly fix. Only months later due to problem(common issue Kia is aware of) with crankshaft sensor, vehical stalled and died driving down the road. There was no warning for this and when the engine stopped while going down the highway, I lost all control of power stearing, speed, brakes and other main elecrical componets. I was in the middle of a curve of the highway when this occured. This threw me into ongoing traffic. Luckily, I only hit a hwy traffic sign. The recalls for this vehicle needs to be updated and added to. This vehical should not be aloud on the road! its dangerous for everyone on the road.

- Farmersburg, IN, USA

problem #4

Apr 062015

Sorento

  • 130,000 miles
I purchased a 2006 Kia Sorento from an individual. Without any warning the tail lights, signal lights, cruise control, emergency blinkers, and windows quit working all at once. I have been doing research and see that this vehicle has a lot of complaints with electrical issues. Also, in 2009 there was a recall. I need to get this recall checked into and also my vehicle needs to be fixed.

- Indianola, MS, USA

problem #3

Feb 022014

Sorento

  • 73,100 miles
2006 Kia Sorento complaint: Engine, steering, electrical system, exterior lighting, throttle position sensor I am changing the head lights every 4-5 month and I think it needs to be looked at. Was driving 35 mph when the engine light and brake light came on with no warning. And just last week 2/2/2014 the engine stopped and I had no power steering and also no brakes. I was able to coast to a side road and barely got the vehicle to stop. The vehicle was taken to an mechanic, who diagnosed and had to replace a throttle position sensor and a mass air flow meter and air filter and the harmonic balancer. This is crazy these problems and requires extensive and expensive repair to the engine. This indicates to us a manufacturer's design flaw and probable safety issue that should be addressed by Kia worldwide. It's disturbing with how many other complaints I'm reading on this site about the same exact thing! is there any help out there this is too expensive for all these repair. The failure mileage was 73,100.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #2

Nov 012007

Sorento

  • 20,000 miles
The day after we purchased this vehicle I had to change the right brake light, sinse then I've had to change the headlights both at least twice, assorted tail lights each side at least three times, the front dome light will not come on when you open the doors but can be swiched on, now dash lights are going off one at a time some can be wiggled and come on for a few seconds. This has gone from annoying to a safety issue, and I read a lot of people on line with 06 Sorentos have the same problem and have been told by the deeler that it will cost them a lot of money to fix. I feel like all the others this should be Kia's responibility to fix.

- Blacksburg, VA, USA

problem #1

Jul 292011

Sorento

  • 88,000 miles
The contact owns a 1996 Kia Sorento (N/a). While driving in reverse at approximately 5 mph the vehicle suddenly accelerated backwards on its own. The contact placed the vehicle in park and turned the vehicle off in order for it to stop moving. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.

- Suwanee, GA, USA