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2005 Kia Sorento

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Kia Sorento do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 242.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

257 reports with mileage · 50 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 63 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports5 fire reports11 injury reports

Power Train complaints

38 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2024
Power TrainStructureUnknown Or Other

Vehicle's rear end bolts rusted through had to replace the rear-end, we also had a 2004 that the frame rusted and broke in half, and the rear-end rusted out on it too. It was said it was caused by a design flaw that wouldn't allow the water to drain properly. They have recalls on it in the uk and other countries.

NHTSA ODI #11581628

180,000 miles · Jan 14, 2018
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

HAVE EXPERIENCED REPEATED FAILURE OF CAM SENSOR, CAM SHAFT PULLEY BOLT, FAILURE OF ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM, FAILURE OF CLUTCH ASSEMBLY AND TRANSMISSION, FAILURE OF AIR CONDITIONING, FAILURE OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FOR EXTERIOR LIGHTS.. ALL ISSUES ARE AS DOCUMENTED BY THE HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS BY OTHER OWNERS WHO ARE WA…

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HAVE EXPERIENCED REPEATED FAILURE OF CAM SENSOR, CAM SHAFT PULLEY BOLT, FAILURE OF ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM, FAILURE OF CLUTCH ASSEMBLY AND TRANSMISSION, FAILURE OF AIR CONDITIONING, FAILURE OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FOR EXTERIOR LIGHTS.. ALL ISSUES ARE AS DOCUMENTED BY THE HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS BY OTHER OWNERS WHO ARE WAITING FOR AN INVESTIGATION, A RECALL, OR ENOUGH DEATHS AND INJURIES TO RECEIVE ANY ASSISTANCE OF ANY KIND FROM THIS ORGANIZATION OR THE MANUFACTURER. I CAN NOT JUSTIFY SPENDING ONE MORE DOLLAR ( $16,000 IN THE 3 YEARS SINCE PURCHASED FOR $4,000).TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE AND IT IS ONCE AGAIN INOPERABLE FOR THE SAME ISSUES. . NO CAR DEALER WANTS IT AS A TRADE IN, THE STANDARD OFFER IS $300. I CANNOT SELL IT TO ANYONE AND THEN FACE MYSELF IN MIRROR. PERHAPS A PUBLIC SAKE... $1 PER MINUTE TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO BASH A KIA (SLEDGEHAMMER PROVIDED). PROCEEDS WILL BE APPLIED TO PURCHASE OF REPLACEMENT VEHICLE, WHICH WILL NOT BE A KIA.

NHTSA ODI #11062709

132,000 miles · Oct 24, 2016
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT WARRANTY. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 132,000.

NHTSA ODI #10918620

130,709 miles · Aug 3, 2015
EnginePower Train

THE VEHICLE'S POWER STEERING DIDN'T WORK, AND IT WAS RARELY DRIVEN AFTER TRANSMISSION REPAIR AT A KIA DEALER. LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD SHOWED THAT THE BELTS WEREN'T MOVING. THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY WAS ATTACHED BUT NOT STRAIGHT; OFFSET. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT BREAKING IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE VEHIC…

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THE VEHICLE'S POWER STEERING DIDN'T WORK, AND IT WAS RARELY DRIVEN AFTER TRANSMISSION REPAIR AT A KIA DEALER. LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD SHOWED THAT THE BELTS WEREN'T MOVING. THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY WAS ATTACHED BUT NOT STRAIGHT; OFFSET. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT BREAKING IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE VEHICLES. IS/WAS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS? THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. LUCKILY THE VEHICLE WASN'T DRIVEN FAR WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS NOTICED. MA 10/8 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10745802

50,254 miles · Jul 9, 2015
Power Train

WIFE WAS DRIVING AWAY FROM HOUSE, HEARD SCREACHING SOUND, THEN LOST POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING NEARLY ENDING UP ON SIDEWALK. WHEN I CHECKED UNDER HOOD, I SAW A BOLT SITTING ON LOWER PART OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CRANKSHAFT PULLEY NOT MOVING, BUT BOLT THAT HOLDS IT ON SPINNING. NONE OF THE BELTS WERE MOVING. MOST OF THE WARNING L…

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WIFE WAS DRIVING AWAY FROM HOUSE, HEARD SCREACHING SOUND, THEN LOST POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING NEARLY ENDING UP ON SIDEWALK. WHEN I CHECKED UNDER HOOD, I SAW A BOLT SITTING ON LOWER PART OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CRANKSHAFT PULLEY NOT MOVING, BUT BOLT THAT HOLDS IT ON SPINNING. NONE OF THE BELTS WERE MOVING. MOST OF THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ALSO LIT UP. APPARENTLY, THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT INVOLVING THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10733080

103,208 miles · Mar 19, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

FRONT DRIVE SHAFT BROKE. OTHER ISSUES AND INCIDENTS INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO: INDUCTION CONTROL SYSTEM BROKE. HARMONIC BALANCER BROKE. CRANK SHAFT TIMING BELT SPROCKET, CRANKSHAFT BOLT BROKE AND THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10695327

40,000 miles · Nov 24, 2014
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE POWER STEERING SEIZED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT NONE OF THE BELTS IN THE VEHICLE WERE MOVING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE POWER STEERING SEIZED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT NONE OF THE BELTS IN THE VEHICLE WERE MOVING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT DAMPER, HARMONIC BALANCER AND THE GEAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI #10660442

94,000 miles · Oct 1, 2014
Power TrainSuspension

MY 2005 KIA SORENTO JUST WENT IN FOR A TRANSMISSION LEAK AT 94K AND CAME OUT WITH NEEDING A NEW TRANNY PAN AND A WHOLE NEW REAR END UNDERNEATH DUE TO THE REAR TRAILING ARM BRACKET ROTTING COMPLETELY AWAY. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IN WHICH MANY ARE HAVING. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED, IT'S THE DESIGN OF THE BRACKET WHICH CAUSES…

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MY 2005 KIA SORENTO JUST WENT IN FOR A TRANSMISSION LEAK AT 94K AND CAME OUT WITH NEEDING A NEW TRANNY PAN AND A WHOLE NEW REAR END UNDERNEATH DUE TO THE REAR TRAILING ARM BRACKET ROTTING COMPLETELY AWAY. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IN WHICH MANY ARE HAVING. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED, IT'S THE DESIGN OF THE BRACKET WHICH CAUSES SALT, WATER, ETC TO ENTER AND HAVE NO WAY TO EXIT. ANY OF THESE VEHICLES IN THE SALT STATES ARE GOING TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN AND THEN TRAGEDY WILL HAPPEN IF THEY DON'T CATCH IT. AGAIN THE REAR OF THE CAR HAS ROTTED BRACKETS THAT ATTACH THE TRAILING ARMS AND WITHOUT THEM THE CAR BECOMES COMPLETELY UNSTABLE AND A HUGE SAFELY HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10640674

94,000 miles · Oct 1, 2014
EnginePower TrainSteering

KIA SORENTO 2005, SIMILAR CRANK BOLT MAIN PULLEY ASSEMBLY BREAK THAT MANY, MANY OF THE OTHERS HAVE ALL BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT AND UNFORTUNATELY BEEN EXPERIENCING. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I HAD THIS VERY SAME ISSUE REPAIRED FOR SUBSTANTIAL DOLLARS AND NOW MY MECHANIC STATED THERE IS NOT ENOUGH THREAD LEFT INTO THE CRANKSHAFT TO FI…

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KIA SORENTO 2005, SIMILAR CRANK BOLT MAIN PULLEY ASSEMBLY BREAK THAT MANY, MANY OF THE OTHERS HAVE ALL BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT AND UNFORTUNATELY BEEN EXPERIENCING. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I HAD THIS VERY SAME ISSUE REPAIRED FOR SUBSTANTIAL DOLLARS AND NOW MY MECHANIC STATED THERE IS NOT ENOUGH THREAD LEFT INTO THE CRANKSHAFT TO FIX AND IT NEEDS A COMPLETELY REBUILD OR ENGINE REPLACEMENT - WHICH IN ALL LIKELIHOOD BE LESS EXPENSIVE. THERE SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL FOR THIS - AS SO MANY HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. THANK GOD MY INCIDENTS WERE ALL AT SLOW SPEED BECAUSE THIS WOULD EASILY CAUSE A CRASH BECAUSE YOU LOOSE ALL POWER STEERING AND CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10640618

101,000 miles · Sep 22, 2014
Electrical SystemEnginePower TrainCrash

DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55MPH 22 NOV 2013, HEARD A THUMP FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT, AND LOST ALL POWER TO VEHICLE, ENDING UP IN A DITCH. ENGINE STOPPED, NO STEERING, NO BRAKES. DASH LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. VEHICLE WOULD NOT RE-START. CRANK PULLEY BOLT BROKE OFF. OVER 5 HOURS TO EXTRACT REMAINDER OF BOLT TO REPAIR ENGINE. $1359 IN …

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DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55MPH 22 NOV 2013, HEARD A THUMP FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT, AND LOST ALL POWER TO VEHICLE, ENDING UP IN A DITCH. ENGINE STOPPED, NO STEERING, NO BRAKES. DASH LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. VEHICLE WOULD NOT RE-START. CRANK PULLEY BOLT BROKE OFF. OVER 5 HOURS TO EXTRACT REMAINDER OF BOLT TO REPAIR ENGINE. $1359 IN REPAIRS. NOW, 22 SEPT 2014, 10 MONTHS LATER, HAD SAME HAPPEN ON HIGHWAY AT 70MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THANKFUL I WAS IN A LANE AT THE EDGE OF THE ROADWAY. CURRENT MILEAGE SLIGHTLY UNDER 114,000. YEAH. 10 MONTHS AND 13000 MILES AND ANOTHER HUGE REPAIR BILL. NO RECALL, KIA CLAIMS NO LIABILITY. OTHER ISSUE: INTERIOR LIGHTING TURNS ITSELF OFF AND ON AT WHIM. HEADLIGHTS BURN OUT EVERY 45-90 DAYS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10638162

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Kia Sorento problems