Page 5 of 5 · complaints 201–242 of 242

2006 Kia Sorento complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2006 record →

Seats
Filed Aug 25, 2010VA

MY 2006 KIA SORENTO ELECTRIC DRIVER SEAT WILL NOT MOVE SO I CAN SIT COMFORTABLY. I WAS WORKING FINE UNTIL THE 25TH OF JULY. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Jul 14, 201062,000 milesSC

THE ISSUE IS WITH 2 KIAS I BOUGHT WITHIN THE LAST YEAR. BOTH AUTOMOBILES HAD AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSORS THAT FAILED WITHIN MONTHS OF ME PURCHASING IT. THE FIRST KIA I BOUGHT WAS A SEDONA 2003. THE SECOND IS A SORENTO 2006 I BOUGHT NOVEMBER 2009. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jul 4, 2010NC

I BOUGHT AN 2006 SORENTO IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR AND I HAVE BEEN HEARING THIS LOUD NOISE COMING FORM THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN I TAKE OFF IT STALLS ITS JUST BEEN AN HEADACHE WITH THIS CAR I WISH THEY WOULD JUST RECALL IT SO IT CAN BE FIXED NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES IT GOES TO THE SHOP THE NOISE COMES BACK UGH!!!!! *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jun 12, 2010MO

THIS 2006 KIA SORENTO HAS OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES OTHER THAN JUST THE BRAKE SWITCH. WE ARE CONSTANTLY REPLACING THE BULBS IN THE HEADLIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS AND PARKING LIGHTS. THIS IS BECOME A COMPLETE PAIN IN THE NECK. I FEEL IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE HOW MY LIGHTS GO OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WE HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT DURING THE DAY WHEN WE ARE NOT USING THE DASH LIGHTS THAT WHEN WE APPLY THE BRAKES THE DASH LIGHTS COME ON AND SO DO THE PARKING LIGHTS. THE FACT THAT I DRIVE AROUND WITHOUT KNOWING WHEN MY LIGHTS ARE BLOWN OR NOT CAN CREATE A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS FURTHER. *TR

Air BagsCrash
Filed Feb 26, 2010WA

I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN JUNE 2009, IN A 2006 KIA SORENTO. I WAS HIT BY A VEHICLE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 60-70MPH. THE IMPACT WAS SO SEVERE, THAT I ENDED UP IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE THAT I WAS PUSHED INTO. THE RESULT OF THIS ACCIDENT WAS TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THAT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BACK BROKE. DOCTORS SAID THAT HAD MY SEAT BACK NOT BROKE, I WOULD NOT HAVE SUSTAINED SUCH DEBILITATING INJURIES THAT I AM NOT GOING TO HEAL FROM. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Feb 2, 201012,000 milesIN

FRONT HEADLIGHTS ON KIA SORENTO 2006 MODEL CONTINUES TO BURN OUT OR FLASH ON THEIR OWN HAVE REPLACED 6 SETS OF LIGHTS IN FRONT AND HAVE ON 38,000 MILES FIRST SET WAS AT 16,000 AND EVERY 6 TO 8 MONTHS THERE AFTER. *TR

Steering
Filed Jan 5, 201092,348 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO AND STATED THE PROPELLER SHAFT FOR THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE CONTINUED TO FAIL ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT AND ROAD TESTED THE VEHICLE. WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SHOP FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT WAS REPLACED A SECOND TIME TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AN ADDITIONAL TWO TIMES WITHIN FOUR MONTHS. WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE WARNING PANEL AND HE COULD SMELL BURNING OIL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT AGAIN. TO DATE, THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A VERY LOUD NOISE, WHEN TURNING RIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME VERY HARD AND A LOUD NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE TO DATE TO CORRECT THE ACTUAL FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,348 AND THE CURRENT WAS 99,583. UPDATED 02/02/10 .*LJ THE BLOWER MOTOR FOR THE HEATER HAD TO BE REPAIRED. THE FRONT DOOR'S LATCH WAS FAULTY IT WAS MAKING A BUZZING SOUND. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER SHAFT WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MAKE STRANGE NOISES. UPDATED 02/04/10

Service Brakes, Electric
Filed Nov 17, 20098,000 milesLA

BRAKE PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE EXTENSIVE WORK ON MY BRAKES EVERY 8000 MILES. I CAN SET MY ODOMETER BY THIS IT IS SO RELIABLE. WHEN I BOUGHT MY SORRENTO IN 2006 WITHIN THE FIRST 8000 MILES THE BRAKES WENT OUT. THE DEALERSHIP AGREED TO CHANGE THE ROTORS FOR ME. IN 8000 MILES THE SHOES, ROTORS EVERYTHING WAS BAD AGAIN. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY REFUSED TO FIX IT. I WENT TO THEM AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE AN EXORBITANT PRICE SO I WENT TO MY USUAL CAR REPAIR SHOP. THEY CHANGED THE BRAKES AND AS USUAL WITHIN 8000 MILES AGAIN THE BRAKES. I WENT BACK TO MY CAR REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID THIS TIME IT WAS THE BACK BRAKES (THE FIRST TIME THE FRONT). THEY REPAIRED THEM AND ASSURED ME THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN BEFORE ABOUT 30K MILES. NOW AFTER 8000 MILES MY BRAKES ARE AGAIN BAD. I HAVE COMPLAINED REPEATEDLY TO KIA, THEY DO NOTHING. THEIR CONSUMER PORTION OF KIA IS A JOKE. THEY ALWAYS SAY IT'S THE CONSUMER'S FAULT. MY CAR IS 3 YEARS, AND ALMOST 4 YEARS OLD AND I ONLY HAVE 29K MILES ON IT SO I AM NOT A ROUGH DRIVER, NOT A LONG DISTANCE DRIVER AND AM A 50 YEAR OLD WOMAN SO IT'S NOT LIKE I'M OUT HOTRODDING. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Oct 1, 2009VA

I HAVE A 2006 KIA SORENTO, THE ROTORS KEEP FAILING. AS OF THIS DATE I HAVE HAD THE ROTORS REPLACED TWICE AND TURNED ONCE. THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE LAST TIME I HAD THEM REPLACED WAS IN DECEMBER 2008. ON AVERAGE I HAVE TO HAVE THEM REPLACED OR TURNED EVERY 8 - 9 MONTHS. I HAVE REPORTED IT TO THE BBB AND TO KIA. KIA REFUSES TO PUT IT ON RECALL STATING THAT THE SAFETY HIGHWAY COMMISSION HAS TO REQUEST THE RECALL. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS THIS PROBLEM BUT AM THE ONLY ONE WHO IS TRULY CONCERNED. PLEASE HELP ME. *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Jul 6, 200968,000 milesVA

FRONT END BEGAN EXCESSIVE SHAKING ON INTERSTATE AT 65MPH. ALMOST LOST CONTROL, BUT MANAGED TO AVOID A CRASH. THE SAME SHAKING HAPPENS ANYTIME I DRIVE OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD ON THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE NOW, BUT FIRST PROBLEM HAPPENED AT INTERSTATE SPEED. I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND STOP MOVING TO STOP THE SHAKING. HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS NOW. CAR IS AT KIA DEALER TO REPLACE SWAY BAR LINK. VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION, ESPECIALLY AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS. I CONTACTED KIA CONSUMER DEPARTMENT. THEY WERE NOT RECEPTIVE TO THE PROBLEM. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jun 22, 20091,000 milesIN

WE INITIALLY PURCHASED A USED KIA SORENTO IN 2005. WE ENCOUNTERED PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (LIGHTS CONTINUALLY BURNING OUT) SO WE DECIDED TO PURCHASE A NEW SORENTO SO WE WOULD HAVE THE BENEFIT OF THE FULL WARRANTY. SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE 2006 KIA SORENTO, WE HAVE REPLACED NEARLY EVERY LIGHT (HEADLIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, BRAKELIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, FOG LAMPS, TURN LIGHTS AND LICENSE PLATE LAMP) NUMEROUS TIMES. THE ASSORTED REPLACEMENT LIGHTS WERE PURCHASED FROM VARIOUS LOCATIONS, ENSURING THE ERROR WAS NOT WITH THE REPLACEMENT PARTS, BUT RATHER THE VEHICLE ITSELF. THE OLD LIGHTS WERE NOT RETAINED. OUR FULL WARRANTY IS NEARING EXPIRATION AND WE WOULD LIKE "SOME TYPE" OF ACTION TO OCCUR BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. WE FEEL THAT NOT ONLY IS THIS CONSTANT SOURCE OF IRRITATION AND A FINANCIAL BURDEN, BUT ALSO A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed May 27, 20099,000 milesNC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING FAILED TO WORK DURING A HEAT WAVE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING THIS TIME. IN ADDITION, THE CLUTCH FAILED. NEW BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE INSTALLED AND THE CONTACT MUST DOWNSHIFT IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO TWO DEALERS AND TWO MECHANICS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

Power Train › Clutch Assembly › Pedal/Hand Lever(motorcycle)
Filed May 22, 200920,000 milesNC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS CLUTCH PEDAL DEPRESSES ITSELF AND STICKS TO THE FLOOR. THE FAILURE OCCURS MOSTLY WHEN DRIVING IN SLOW MOVING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR PROVIDE A REMEDY AS TO WHY THE CLUTCH WAS STICKING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 06/27/09 *BF UPDATED 06/23/09.*JB

Service Brakes, Electric
Filed May 18, 20096,000 milesAZ

LIKE CLOCKWORK, EVERY 6,000 - 8,000 MILES THE ROTORS WARP. KIA MACHINED THEM THE FIRST 2 TIMES, THEN AFTER THAT SAID IT IS MY DRIVING HABITS AND I HAD TO PAY. I HAVE OWNED 15 CARS IN MY LIFETIME AND NEVER HAD A SINGLE ONE WARP. IT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE WHEN STOPPING, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE OUT OF TOWN DUE TO THE MOUNTAINOUS REGIONS THAT SURROUND WHERE I LIVE (PHOENIX, AZ). *TR

Electrical System
Filed May 15, 20091,246 milesWA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD FLASH, THE DOOR WOULD UNLOCK, AND THE REAR HATCH WOULD OPEN AUTOMATICALLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPUTER AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A DEAD CELL IN THE BATTERY, WHICH DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. A KIA REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT THE GROUND WIRE COULD BE THE ISSUE; THEREFORE, THE DEALER REPLACED THE GROUND WIRING. THE REPAIR STOPPED THE LIGHTS FROM FLASHING; HOWEVER, THE HATCH STOPPED OPENING THE VERY SAME NIGHT OF THE REPAIRS. IN ADDITION, THE HEATER FAN ONLY WORKED ON HIGH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT THE FLASHING LIGHTS WILL DISTRACT OTHER DRIVERS AND LEAD TO A CRASH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,600 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,246.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Apr 26, 2009TX

I HAVE A 2006 KIA SORENTO. I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE EXTERIOR FRONT AND BACK LIGHTS A LEAST 3-4 TIMES. THE INTERIOR LIGHT HAS BEEN CHANGE 1 TIME AND THE AC CONTROL PANEL GOES OFF AND ON. THE CAR HAS BEEN EVALUATED 2 TIMES WHILE THEY WERE CHANGING BULBS AND NOTHING WAS FOUND. I HAVE SPOKEN TO ANOTHER SORENTO OWNER AND SHE HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. KIA RESPONSE TO MY COMPLAINT IS THEY BELIEVE IT IS BECAUSE THE BULB IS NOT THEIR BRAND. THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES I HAD THEM REPLACED WITH THE BULBS AND THEY DID NOT LAST. I AM FILING A COMPLAINT BECAUSE I BELIEVE THIS IS A RECALL PROBLEM AND I AM AFRAID OF WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN NEXT. IF YOU HAVE AN QUESTIONS YOU MAY CONTACT ME. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Apr 21, 200928,000 milesSC

2006 KIA SORENTO - THE HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT BECAUSE OF SOME KIND OF SHORT OR ENGINEERING FLAW. NORMAL REPAIR IS TO TAP THE LIGHTS AND THEY COME BACK ON, HOWEVER THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS WHEN THEY SHUT OFF CANNOT BE CONTROLLED AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THERE ARE OTHER KIA OWNERS ONLINE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME THING. MY HEADLIGHT BULBS ARE NOT BURNED OUT, AND HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED A FELLOW KIA SORENTO OWNER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM SHOWED ME HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Apr 19, 2009FL

I HAVE REPLACED ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTS MOST OF THEM HAVE BEEN MY LOW BEAMS. IT HAS BEEN WELL OVER 10 TIMES AND IT HASN'T JUST BEEN ONE SIDE. ALSO, I HAVE REPLACED ALL OTHER EXTERIOR LIGHTS IN THE LAST FEW YEARS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON WITHIN A COUPLE OF MONTHS OF PURCHASING THE CAR NEW IN JAN. 2006. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT NEVER COULD FIND ANY PROBLEMS. I DON'T THINK THE LIGHTS SHOULD BE REPLACED NOT AT LEAST IN THE EXTENT I HAVE. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 19, 200949,500 milesWV

REPLACED DRIVER AND PASSENGER HEADLIGHT ON JANUARY 3, 2009 WITH HI-PERFORMANCE SYLVANIA HEADLIGHTS AFTER INITIAL HEADLIGHTS BURNT OUT. THE NEW HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT ONE BY ONE ON FEBRUARY 16TH AND 18TH. HAVE ALSO REPLACED TAIL-LIGHT BULBS THREE TIMES. INTERIOR DOME LIGHT WORKS ON OCCASION AND POINTS TOWARDS A SHORT. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 17, 20098,000 milesNE

I HAVE REPLACED WELL OVER 10 HEADLIGHT BULBS IN MY KIA SORENTO. I'M A FANATIC ABOUT MAKING SURE MY CAR IS IN THE BEST OF ORDER. ONCE A BULB IS OUT IT IS REPLACED THE SAME DAY. AT FIRST I THOUGHT, "YEAH BULBS BURN OUT," BUT COME ON ALREADY. I HAVE EVERY RECEIPT SHOWING HOW MANY I HAVE BOUGHT AND REPLACED. WHAT GIVES? DOME LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS AND SUCH HAVE BEEN REPLACED TOO HOWEVER THERE HAVE BEEN WAY MORE LOW-BEAM LIGHT BULBS REPLACED THEN I BELIEVE IS NORMAL. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jan 28, 2009FL

IN FEBRUARY OF '06 WE BOUGHT A NEW KIA SORENTO. AFTER THE 1ST YEAR WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 4 HEADLIGHTS. 2 TAIL LIGHTS, 2 DOME LIGHTS AND 1 CLOCK. CLOCK AND DOME LIGHT WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT NOT THE HEADLIGHTS. THE 3RD HEADLIGHT WAS REPLACED LAST WEEK ON 1/19/09 (PASSENGER SIDE) AND THE DRIVERS SIDE REPLACED TODAY 1/28/09. ALSO WHILE ON VACATION IN THE SUMMER OF '08, THE BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED. KIA HAS TO BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT HAS FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT WITH FREE REPLACEMENTS. HOWEVER, THE SERVICE DEPT. DID TELL ME THAT IN THE PAST 2 YEARS HE HAS REPLACED MORE HEADLIGHT BULBS THAN YOU COULD IMAGINE. IF THIS IS INDEED AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, HOW SAFE IS MY WIFE DRIVING THIS AUTOMOBILE. I HAVE CALLED THEIR CORPORATE OFFICE WITH MY CONCERN AND THEIR RESPONSE HAS BEEN, "WELL HEADLIGHTS DO BURN OUT" . I DO KNOW OF OTHER OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED. THANK YOU *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 17, 2008CA

I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW IN JULY 2006 IT HAD 200 MILES ON IT WHEN I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT. A WEEK AFTER I PURCHASED IT THE BRAKES WERE SMOKING ON THE DRIVERS FRONT SIDE, I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER THEY SAID I HAD DRIVEN OVER SOMETHING AND IT WAS SIMPLY BURNING OFF (YEAH RIGHT) A MONTH LATER THEY BRAKES STARTED GRINDING I TOOK IT IN THEY RESURFACED THE ROTORS, ABOUT 3 MONTHS LATER THE BRAKES WERE GRINDING AGAIN, THEY REPLACED THE ROTORS, ABOUT 4 MONTHS LATER THE BRAKES WERE SQUEALING AND GRINDING AGAIN AND I TOOK IT IN THEY SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT YET WHEN I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP THEY BRAKES SEEMED FINE. IN DECEMBER 07 THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE AND MAKE A VERY LOUD THUNDEROUS NOISE AT TAKE OFF, I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE "PROPELLER" OR OTHERWISE DRIVE SHAFT WAS A RECALL AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH DID NOT HAPPEN UNTIL JANUARY 08 BECAUSE THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PART. NOW THE BRAKES ARE BAD AGAIN, AND THE DEALER NOW WANTS TO CHARGE ME OVER 300.00 TO FIX THEM! OUTRAGEOUS AND TOTALLY UNBELIEVABLE! *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Oct 15, 200840,000 milesNC

I OWN A 2006 KIA SORENTO. SEVERAL MONTHS AGO WE NOTICED AN ISSUE WITH GAS SPRAYING BACK WHEN TRYING TO FILL THE TANK. WE WENT TO THE KIA DEALER WHERE WE BOUGHT OUR VEHICLE TO LEARN THE DEALERSHIP HAD BEEN SOLD. WE NOTIFIED THE NEW DEALER OF OUR NEED TO HAVE WARRANTY WORK DONE, EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT NO WARRANTY WORK COULD BE DONE UNTIL THEY WERE GIVEN "CODES" FROM THE PARENT COMPANY. WE MADE MANY CALLS OVER SEVERAL MONTHS AND WAS FINALLY TOLD NOT TO CALL THE DEALER, THEY HAD OUR INFORMATION AND WOULD CALL US. THE SITUATION WITH THE GAS TANK SEEMED TO SETTLE UNTIL TWO WEEK AGO WHEN THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED ONLY TO A GREATER DEGREE, THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF SPRAY BACK, AND THE TANK CANNOT BE FILLED. WE RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A VAPOR VALVE ISSUE AND SINCE OUR CAR NOW HAD 70000 MILES THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT APPLY. THERE IS NO RECORD OF OUR CALLS NOR IS THERE ANY RECORD OF THE "CODES". I HAVE INITIATED A COMPLAINT WITH THE PARENT COMPANY, TO NO AVAIL. AFTER REVIEWING SOME OF THE LITERATURE I HAVE NOTED THAT KIA HAS HAD ISSUES SIMILAR TO THIS SINCE 1999 WITH A NHTSA INVESTIGATION OF GAS TANK LEAKS IN MAY 2006. I BELIEVE THAT THE SAME DEFECT THAT WAS IN THE KIA SPORTAGE IS IN THE KIA SORENTO. THERE SEEMS TO BE A GROWING POPULATION OF KIA OWNERS WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. SINCE MY ISSUE SEEMS TO BE THE SAME AS MANY OTHER KIA OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD GAS TANK PROBLEMS, I DO NOT FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY IN EXCESS OF 500 DOLLARS TO CORRECT A PROBLE

Air BagsCrash
Filed Oct 1, 2008CA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, BUT BOTH VEHICLES WERE DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A COLLISION CENTER FOR REPAIRS. RECENTLY, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. HER VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AGAIN. PRIOR TO THIS CRASH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY ORDERED A PART RELATED TO THE AIR BAG COMPONENT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 30, 200826,404 milesMI

CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT ANY WARNING. IT HAS STALLED IN INTERSECTIONS AND JUST RIDING DOWN THE ROAD. WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLS IT JUST CUTS OFF AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AND YOU HAVE NO TIME TO PULL OVER. ALMOST REAR ENDED 3 TIMES IN A WEEK. *TR

Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems
Filed May 30, 200830,000 milesKS

4-TIRES AT 44 PSI, 1-TIRE AT 35 PSI. ALL 5-TIRES SHOULD BE AT 44 PSI. *TR

Service Brakes, Electric
Filed May 15, 200826,252 milesKS

REPLACED FRONT ROTORS,18,000,26,000 MILES. NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AT 30,000 MILES. BOTH BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. REPLACED REAR DRIVE SHAFT AND INSTALLED SHIELDED WIRE FROM TCM TO TRANSMISSION SENSOR. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed May 13, 20089,000 milesCA

I HAVE BEEN THE OWNER OF 2 BRAND NEW KIA SORRENTOS, A 2004 AND A 2006. WITH BOTH VEHICLES I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES SHAKING (SOMETIMES VIOLENTLY) AFTER ONLY 6,000 TO 8,000 MILES. WHEN TAKEN TO BE LOOKED AT I WAS TOLD THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AT MY OWN COST BECAUSE "BRAKES ARE A WEAR ITEM". I HAVE A FRIEND WITH A 2005 SORRENTO THAT HAS DEALT WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THE SORRENTO LINE AND YOU WOULD THINK THEY WOULD TRY TO MAKE CUSTOMERS HAPPIER AND MAKE STRONG PARTS. *TR

Tires
Filed Apr 23, 2008TX

2006 KIA SORENTO WITH UNEVEN AND ODD WEAR MARKS ON TIRES. CONSUMER STATES THAT DUE TO THE BAD WEAR OF THE MICHELIN TIRES, THE VEHICLE RIDES VERY ROUGH AND BADLY AFFECTS THE STEERING. *KB MICHELIN CROSS TERRAIN TIRES. *JB

Visibility
Filed Mar 10, 200818,800 milesMI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE FRONT WINDOW CONTINUED TO DEVELOP FROST IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT NOTICED STRESS FRACTURES ON THE WINDSHIELD FROM WITHIN THE VEHICLE. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT 5 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED ADDITIONAL CRACKS IN THE WINDOW. THE CONTACT IS UNABLE TO SEE OUT OF THE FRONT WINDOW DUE TO THE DAMAGE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WILL AUTHORIZE THAT THE WINDOW BE REPLACED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE TWICE AND CHARGED THE CONTACT $50 PER VISIT. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY AND SHE SHOULD HAVE DONE HER RESEARCH PRIOR TO PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LIVES IN A STATE WHERE IT SNOWS FREQUENTLY. SHE IS CURRENTLY UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHEN IT SNOWS DUE TO THE LINKAGE BETWEEN THE STEERING AND REAR END OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH PREVENTS PROPER TRACTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,800 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,893. UPDATED 4/2/08 *CN UPDATED 04/02/08 *TR

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Jan 22, 200845,923 milesHI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING AND THEN STOPPED MOVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FOUR TIMES FOR THIS SAME FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO NORMAL WEAR ON THE CLUTCH. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE CLUTCH WEARS ON ONE SIDE AND OCCURS EVERY 14,000 TO 15,000 MILES. THE COMPANY NO LONGER MADE THE 5 SPEED FOR THIS MODEL VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 45,923.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Aug 30, 200731,500 milesNM

BOTH HEADLIGHTS (LOW BEAM) WERE OUT. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD TO PAY $98.15 TO GET THEM REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE WARRANTY IS GOOD FOR 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES. A COUPLE OF MONTHS BACK I ALSO HAD BOTH TAIL LIGHTS GO OUT AND HAD TO PAY FOR THEM AS WELL.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor Shift
Filed Apr 4, 20071,200 milesSC

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO WITH A CURRENT AND FAILURE ODOMETER READING OF 1,200 MILES. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH UNDER DRY CONDITIONS WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT CAME OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO SCREWS AND A SPRING POPPED OFF, AND NOW THE ONLY WAY THAT SHE CAN SHIFT GEARSWAS BY PUSHING DOWN ON THE METAL BAR THAT STUCK OUT. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch
Filed Mar 31, 2007CA

MY SISTER-IN-LAW OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO AND BOTH REAR TAIL LIGHTS ARE OUT AND DO NOT FUNCTION, ONLY THE 3RD MIDDLE LIGHT WORKS. I HAVE SINCE PERSONALLY OBSERVED 4 KIA SORENTOS IN THE LOS ANGELES AREA ON THE ROAD WITH THE LEFT, RIGHT OR BOTH REAR TAIL LIGHTS NOT FUNCTIONING. I HAVE ALSO OBSERVED 3 KIA SORENTOS IN THE SF BAY AREA WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. OTHER KIA PRODUCTS MAY ALSO HAVE THIS ISSUE BUT IT IS A MAJOR PROBLEM/CONCERN WITH THE SORENTO. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT OR INJURY. YOUR ACTION TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER IS NEEDED FOR A LONG TERM SOLUTION AND/OR RECALL. *JB

Air Bags › Side/WindowCrash3 injured
Filed Feb 15, 2007500 milesAZ

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2006 KIA SORENTO LX WAS IN A CRASH ON 02/12/07 WHILE DRIVING 30-35 MPH, AN D MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN ONTO A SIDE STREET WITH THE STREET CONDITION CLEAR IN THE EVENING HOURS ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE AIRBAG MANUFACTURING. HE FELT THAT AIRBAGS WERE SUPPOSED TO BE DESIGNED TO DEPLOY UNDER THESE TYPES OF CONDITIONS. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Jan 29, 20078,000 milesFL

BRAND NEW 2006 KIA SORENTO - BRAKES STARTED SHAKING AFTER ABOUT 2,000 MILES. AT 8,000 MILES THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 45 MPH AND ENTERING A TURN LANE. THE LIGHT AHEAD WAS ABOUT TO TURN RED. AS I BRAKED, IT SOUNDED LIKE THE WHEELS WERE SPINNING AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. THERE WAS A HEAVY CLANKING NOISE AND THEN THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED (WHILE I WAS HALFWAY INTO THE INTERSECTION.) WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I GENTLY APPLIED THE GAS AND THE TIRES SOUNDED LIKE THEY WERE SPINNING AGAIN AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FOR ABOUT 3-5 SECONDS. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY CALLED ME 3 HOURS LATER AND SAID THE CAR WAS FIXED. THEY REPLACED BOTH FRONT ROTORS AND DID NOT HAVE AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE TILES SPUN WHEN I APPLIED THE GAS AT THE STOP LIGHT. *JB

Electrical System
Filed Jan 9, 200711,894 milesCA

2006 SORENTO WAS PURCHASED IN NOV 2005. JAN OF 2006 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS DUE TO POSSIBLE LOOSE GAS CAP. FIRST TIME TAIL LIGHT WENT OUT WAS IN JULY OF 2006. RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT WAS REPLACED. IN OCTOBER OF 2006 A TAIL LIGHT BULB WAS REPLACED DURING MY 15,000 MILE MAINTENANCE. IN NOVEMBER 2006 RIGHT TAIL LIGHT WENT OUT AND KIA REPLACED BULB ONCE AGAIN. IN DECEMBER OF 2006 LEFT TAIL LIGHT WENT OUT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BULB WAS REPLACED AND I WAS TOLD MY SPARK PLUGS WERE MISFIRING AND WERE REPLACED. A DAY LATER MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I AM NOW TRYING TO SEE WHAT DAY I CAN TAKE OFF OF WORK YET AGAIN TO GO AND HAVE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LOOKED AT. *NM

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage
Filed Dec 18, 200623,501 milesAZ

WE HAVE A 2006 KIA THE SUV TYPE AND THE PROBLE IS THAT WHEN WE FILLED THE GAS TANK THE GASA GAUGE WOULD WOULD GO TO EMPTY IN 32 MILES AND AL SO THE SHIFTER HANDEL POPED OUT THE HOLDER

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Nov 24, 20068,000 milesWA

WHEN THE A/C TURNS ON, A BELT SLIPS NOTICEABLY AND THE POWER DIPS. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Nov 21, 200619,000 milesKS

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE BRAKES. THE CONSUMER HAS ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE'S CRUISE CONTROL *NM

Power Train
Filed Oct 31, 200632,000 milesMA

2006 KIA SORENTO EX 4WD, CLUNKING SOUND IN THE REAR END WHEN YOU COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND THEN START AGAIN. REAR DIFFERENTIAL WENT OUT AND WAS REPLACED IN AUG 2005, BUT THE CLUNK IN THE REAR END STILL REMAINS. AS OF OCT 2005 THERE IS ALSO AN INTERMITTENT SOUND IN THE REAR END THAT SOUNDS LIKE THE DIFFERENTIAL IS STICKING OR LOCKING INTO A POSITIVE TRACTION CAUSING ONE TIRE TO SOUND AND FEEL LIKE IT IS SLIDING ON GRAVEL. PREVIOUS OWNER REPORTED SAME PROBLEM "CLUNK" IN THE REAR END NUMEROUS TIMES AS WELL. POSSIBLY A DESIGN FLAW. *NM

Electrical System › Wiring
Filed Aug 21, 20066,700 milesVA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS INOPERABLE AND ATTEMPTED REPAIR RESULTED TO THE SPLICING OF THE WRING HARNESS. THE REPAIR CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL AT 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE A NEW WIRING HARNESS WAS ORDERED. UPDATED 9/5/2006 - WHEN MAKING A U-TURN THE VEHICLE MADE A CLICKING NOISE. THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH FRONT CENTER CAPS. *NM

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2006 Kia Sorento → · Every Sorento year → · How the figures are calculated →