10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 3 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 91,015 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.
I was driving on the highway when my steering wheel became really stiff like I lost power steering. I looked at my dash and had a check engine light, oil light, ABS light, and ESC off light illuminated. I pressed the gas to try to switch lanes as I was in the far left lane and needed to reach the shoulder to figure out what was going on, and the car would not accelerate. I turned my flashers on and was luckily able to make it to the shoulder without causing an accident. When I was on the shoulder I turned the key off and then back on. The check engine light and oil light went away, but the ABS light and the ESC light remained on. I started to drive back towards my house and felt the car idling roughly when at a stop. At home my husband disconnected the battery for a few minutes which solved the rough idling issue but the ABS and ESC lights are still on. I am now scared to drive my daughter to school and have the car shift off again. I have read similar reviews about this vehicle. Something needs to be done by Kia to solve this. They recalled some vehicles for this issue but mine is not listed and clearly needs to be!
- Kingsport, TN, USA
I received a manufacturer recall notice about possible fires due to braking circuits in the early spring, but the dealership knew nothing about it. The car was parked outside as suggested. I received a second notice at the end of June. The SUV was serviced 7/14/20 for a recall on the braking circuit. On 8/22/20 a beautifully clear Saturday, I was driving home from a neighboring community on a paved country road. I noticed that the ESC off indicator light displayed on the dashboard. I stopped to look in the manual to see if the car was driveable. I parked my car in the garage after arriving home and noticed that tail lights/brake lights remained on even with the engine turned off. Because of two prior manufacturer warnings about fire with the electrical system, I parked the car outside away from the house as recommended. I called the Kia dealership at 4:30 that day and arranged with cameron to drop the SUV off on Sunday. On Sunday, my neighbor helped jump start my car and he fooled around under the dash to turn the brake lights off. He said to tell the dealership that the wires were warm which I did. I included a list of concerns/facts with my key in the drop off box. On Monday, 8/24/20 cameron, the service agent, said that the braking circuit "was fried". the repair cost of $2,516.07 would include the electrical circuit and all wires. The completed work order bill said that the hydraulic modul was replaced, the switch assembly, and hecu,
- Temperance, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2007 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, when he had to depress the brake pedal to the floorboard in order to stop the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light illuminated. The contact stated he continued to drive the vehicle to his destination. The vehicle was taken to local dealer (Kia of vero beach located at 1105 S, us-1, vero beach, fl 32962, (772) 291-0624) to have NHTSA campaign number: 20V088000 ( electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic) performed and were made aware of the failure. The vehicle was then taken to independent mechanic and was informed that the ABS control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired as of yet. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
- Fort Pierce, FL, USA
NHTSA site does not yet reflect that NHTSA recall #: 20V088 affects my vehicle. Your site, which issued that recall states that there are 0 unresolved recalls for my vehicle, but my vehicle has not yet been serviced for that recall. The NHTSA site needs to be updated regarding this recall dated March 25, 2020, with dealer service responses commencing April 10, 2020. Mailed recall notice received from Kia. Thank you for your important work, and stay safe.
- Pittsburgh, PA, USA
I just received a recall on my Kia Sorento, it says it is due to a electrical anti lock brake system. And followed by this letter my light does stay on for this part and other lights are on too do to this. I'm scared to death to drive this Kia now. I think for this kind of problem, they should recall the entire vehicle. And give me a brand new Kia sorrento. Because this is life or death, and this is the only vehicle I have to take care of my daughter. To school and doctor, or what ever her needs and mine are. I am a single mother on a fixed income and I'm very scared for mine and my child's life or who rides with us. So I think Kia dealership should take my Kia that's recalled and give me a new one for that. I travel alot everyday and I need a dependable vehicle and shouldn't have to worry about my family's safety for using my Kia.
- Maysville, KY, USA
The contact owns a 2007 Kia Sorento. While driving approximately 55 mph, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard while attempting to stop the vehicle. The vehicle did not respond and rear ended a second vehicle. The front end of the contact's vehicle was severely damaged, but the air bag did not deploy. The driver sustained an injured right ankle that required medical attention. A police report was filed and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,600. The consumer stated once she was aware she was rolling backwards, she puthe vehicle in park, it continued to roll. The consumer then shifted into drive striking another vehicle.
- Cincinnati, OH, USA
Service brake hydraulic switches brake light, exterior lighting brake light switch, air bag frontal sensor/control module. No brake light when brake is press, cruise ontrol, ESC light, air bag and gear shift will not move from park.
- Kathleen, GA, USA
Takata recall- I have change all the break pads, and when I press the break pedal I goes all the way down to the floor panel. I have all ready bleed all the line to get the air out, but it not working. Their is no brake ligth on, and on cars.com I see some recalls and the Kia's recall campaign number is SC098. Please help thank you
- Pomona, CA, USA
The brake lamp switch continues to be faulty. In some cases the brake lights do not illuminate at all and other times the brake lights remain on and drain the battery. This occurs while driving or stationary. (this has been a recall and fixed 4 times and continues to occur).
- Greenville, NC, USA
I own a 2007 Kia Sorento. Recently, my check engine and ESC off lights became illuminated on my dashboard. I noticed that my brake lights were not illuminating when I pressed the brake pedal. After looking up my car make and model on the NHTSA website, I noticed there was a recall for my model year Sorento for the exact same problems (NHTSA campaign number 13V114000/Kia service campaign SC098). I took the carto my local Kia dealership and they told me I was not eligible for the recall as my VIN was not included. As such, I have to drive around without functional brake lamps until I get this problem resolved--increasing my chances of being rear-ended. I travel constantly for work so I do not have the luxury of not driving. This needs to be investigated and resolved.
- Chesapeake, VA, USA
ESC and check engine light illuminated. Took vehicle to dealer for repairs. Dealer service dept stated that brake light switch was at fault, but that it had been previously replaced in Mar 2010 under a recall campaign. After replacing switch this time, dealer service adviser stated that switch appeared to be original, but that I would still have to pay for parts and labor ($129.86). I paid but protested. I have serious doubts that brake light switch was replaced in Mar 2010 as dealer stated, since the recently replaced switch appeared to be original equipment. Subsequently, I feel as though I should not have to pay for the most recent (Aug 2014) repair, especially if switch had not been replaced under recall campaign previously. I suspect that dealer either falsified the Mar 2010 repair, and/or replaced recalled switch with identical replacement (which is prone to failure). What good is a recall if original defect was simply reinstalled? I do have possession of defective switch replaced in Aug 2014. Not only do I want my money returned to me, but I would like some assurance that the problem is now remedied with a reliable switch. Please respond.
- Aurora, CO, USA
My daughter was on her way to work, she was coming to a stop at the end of the road and had no brakes and she continued on across the road went up the bank across the road and when she reached the top it began sliding down and ended up laying on the passenger side. Thankfully she was not hurt to bad. I have had the car checked out, replaced the windshield and passenger door window and mirror. The mechanic replaced the master cylinder, and still had no breaks, come to find out after calling Kia they said it was the (hecu) unit.they are saying it will cost around $1500 to replace this.I have never heard of nothing more ridiculous. The car is still drivable. The passenger side doors are bent-up some, but they open and close just fine don't look good but its still drivable. I think Kia should replace this (hecu) because its a factory defect.
- Boonville, NC, USA
Part was already replaced on a mandatory recall. Now the replacements for the recall are failing. Kia will not stand behind the repair costs, this means many people will be driving with out brake lights. I am on my third switch- the part should easily out live the car! I am sure they replaced it with the same exact part thinking most people would be out of the vehicle by the time it failed again. I am sure this is not what you had in mind when you issued the other recalls on this part.
- Houston, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2007 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while she driving 45 mph the brake system locked failed to engage without warning and caused the gear shift to fail. The contact was unable to shift gears. The contact was able to coast the vehicle onto the emergency lane. The vehicle was towed to the contacts home. The failure and current mileage was 71,885. Updated 6/10/14 according to the invoice the brake fluid was contaminated and the master cylinder was not holding pressure. Updated 07/24/24
- Remsenburg , NY, USA
The contact owns a 2007 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the brake lights failed to illuminate when the brakes were depressed. As a result, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle due to not knowing that the contact was applying the brakes. The contact sustained injuries to the back and a police report was not filed. After the crash, the contact received notification that the vehicle was included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign number: 13V114000 (exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 170,000.
- Benton , KS, USA
The contact owns a 2007 Kia Sorento. While driving approximately 75 mph, the contact was unable to set the cruise control and unable to activate the stability control. The rear brake lights also would not illuminate. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the brake switch would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.
- Benton , KS, USA
- Stanton, KY, USA