NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
38 reportsClear category filter130,000 miles · Aug 24, 2014
Power Train
THE VEHICLE IS SIMPLY NOT WANTING TO ACCELERATE UPON TAKING OFF OR GOING UPHILL. AFTER LITTLE RESEARCH, I FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ASSOCIATED WITH THIS MODEL. A METAL PIECE OF A VALVE HAS BEEN SHEARING OFF THEN LODGING IN THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM. CANADA HAS ALREADY ISSUED A RECALL SO I AM UNSURE WHY THE US HASN'T FOLLOWED …
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THE VEHICLE IS SIMPLY NOT WANTING TO ACCELERATE UPON TAKING OFF OR GOING UPHILL. AFTER LITTLE RESEARCH, I FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ASSOCIATED WITH THIS MODEL. A METAL PIECE OF A VALVE HAS BEEN SHEARING OFF THEN LODGING IN THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM. CANADA HAS ALREADY ISSUED A RECALL SO I AM UNSURE WHY THE US HASN'T FOLLOWED SUIT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10627872
105,000 miles · Jun 30, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
CRANKSHAFT PULLEY CAME LOOSE BOLT BROKE KIA HAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10607130
115,085 miles · Jun 28, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train
I BOUGHT MY KIA NEW IT HAS SPORTS PACKAGE , I HAVE HAD TO REPLAIN SHOP ALL THE TIME CE HEADLIGHTS 4 TIMES THE LAST 6 MONTHS IT HAS BEEN TOTAL MESS POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSES BLEW OUT THEN IN MAY WENT TO AIR PORT PICKED UP DAUGHTER CAR WAS NOTHING NO START TOW TRUCK ..AUTO SHOP FIRST SAID PLUG IN READER SAID CRANK SHAFT SENSOR…
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I BOUGHT MY KIA NEW IT HAS SPORTS PACKAGE , I HAVE HAD TO REPLAIN SHOP ALL THE TIME CE HEADLIGHTS 4 TIMES THE LAST 6 MONTHS IT HAS BEEN TOTAL MESS POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSES BLEW OUT THEN IN MAY WENT TO AIR PORT PICKED UP DAUGHTER CAR WAS NOTHING NO START TOW TRUCK ..AUTO SHOP FIRST SAID PLUG IN READER SAID CRANK SHAFT SENSOR THEN IT SAID STARTER BAD SO REPLACED STARTER IT STARTS BUT IT NOW WHINES I TOOK IT BACK HE SAID IT IS THE STARTER BRAND . I AM ALWAYS WORRIED IF IT WILL START AND IF I HAVE LIGHTS I LOVE MY KIA BUT IT HAS HAD ELECTRIC PROBLEMS FROM DAY 1 KIA SHOULD RECALL 2005 DUE TO THIS . LAST NIGHT I WAS DRIVING AND IT WENT FROM REG DRIVE TO LOW IT HAS SHIFTER IT HAS BUTTON THAT HAS TO BE PUSHED IN TO CHANGE DRIVE OVER DRIVE LOW I NEVER PUSHED IT IT DID IT ON ITS OWN THERE IS A BIG PROBLEM WISH KIA WOULD STEP UP AND RECALL I WANT TO KEEP MY CAR IT IS WELL TAKEN CAR OF BUT I CANT KEEP POURING MONEY IN IT BIG $ LAST 6 MONTHS OVER 2500 IS THERE A WAY TO DO LAW SUIT I HAVE SEEN TONS PEP WITH HEADLIGHTS ISSUES SENTS I REPLACED MY FIRST ONES ALSO PAINT ON DOORS OPEN ALL GONE I NEVER EVEN USE BACK SEAT DOORS SO HOW IS IT COMING OFF IS THERE A LAWYER OUT HERE WHO OIWNS A KIA HELP...... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10606637
10,000 miles · Oct 17, 2013
Electrical SystemPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED WAS DRIVING UPHILL WHEN THE THROTTLE FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING INTO THE TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHEATING AND CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED WAS DRIVING UPHILL WHEN THE THROTTLE FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING INTO THE TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHEATING AND CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10548215
98,900 miles · Jul 2, 2013
EnginePower Train
AS I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 KIA SORENTO AT 40MPH IT STARTED BUCKING AND WHEN YOU GO TO ACCELERATE YOU CAN HOLD THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND IT DOES NOT PICK UP SPEED. TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HIS SOFTWARE SHOWS A RECALL FOR THIS AND KIA IS SAYING THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. HIS SOFTWARE SAYS RECALLS CAMPAIGN-SC073 ICV REPLAC…
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AS I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 KIA SORENTO AT 40MPH IT STARTED BUCKING AND WHEN YOU GO TO ACCELERATE YOU CAN HOLD THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND IT DOES NOT PICK UP SPEED. TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HIS SOFTWARE SHOWS A RECALL FOR THIS AND KIA IS SAYING THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. HIS SOFTWARE SAYS RECALLS CAMPAIGN-SC073 ICV REPLACEMENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10522815
52,000 miles · May 24, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSteering
3/2/13 HAD TIMING BELT REPLACED @50,031 MILES ON MY 2005 KIA SORENTO TO MANUAL SPECS.DROVE FROM PHX TO NASHVILLE.5/2013 I HEARD A TERRIBLE SQUEAKING SOUND UNDER MY HOOD,FIRST THOUGHT LOOSE BELT. WENT ON TO GET IT CHECK OUT&AS I WAS TRYING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN A FEW BLOCKS FROM THE HOUSE,MY STEERING WHEEL WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE T…
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3/2/13 HAD TIMING BELT REPLACED @50,031 MILES ON MY 2005 KIA SORENTO TO MANUAL SPECS.DROVE FROM PHX TO NASHVILLE.5/2013 I HEARD A TERRIBLE SQUEAKING SOUND UNDER MY HOOD,FIRST THOUGHT LOOSE BELT. WENT ON TO GET IT CHECK OUT&AS I WAS TRYING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN A FEW BLOCKS FROM THE HOUSE,MY STEERING WHEEL WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. THOUGHT MY POWER STEERING PUMP HAD GONE OUT. I ALMOST RAN OVER 2 PEOPLE CROSSING THE STREET&ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR. I WAS TURNING MY STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT W/ALL MY MIGHT! EVERYONE WAS HONKING AT ME & THOUGHT I WAS PROBABLY DRUNK! I WAS SO UPSET. HAD IT TOWED TO KIA. MY POWER TRAIN STILL UNDER WARRANTY,AM ORIGINAL OWNER&DENIED COVERAGE 3X.THEY TRIED TO SELL ME A USED ENGINE FOR $5K.STATED THEY KNEW THEY COULD NOT GET THE BROKEN PIECE OF BOLT OUT.I DID SOME RESEARCH ON-LINE&THERE IS MANY COMPLAINTS W/ THIS PROBLEM,SOME HAVE HAD IT HAPPEN 2,3,4 X.MGR. TOLD ME MY MODEL HAD THE NEW RE-DESIGNED BOLT,&IT WAS BRAKES PLUS FAULT WHEN THEY PUT ON THE TIMING BELT. MGR. SAID THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE NEVER USED THE OLD BOLT&THAT THEY PUT ON A NEW BOLT WHEN REPLACING TIMING BELT.I HEARD A TSB WENT OUT REGARDING THE BOLTS TO ALL SERVICE SHOPS TO USE THE NEW RE-DESIGN BOLT ON 03&04 MODELS,BUT NOT 05.IF I HAD GOTTEN A COPY OF THAT NOTICE,I WOULD HAVE MADE SURE THAT WHOEVER REPLACED TIMING BELT,USED NEW BOLT. A KIA TECH WROTE:8/10/12 ITS NOT THE BOLT, IT IS THE CRANK SPROCKET&BALANCER, THE DESIGN OF THE BALANCER STICKS OUT TO FAR&WEIGHS TO MUCH BREAKING OFF THE SPRING GUIDE PIN.WHEN THERE IS A REPAIR,WE REPLACE THEM EVERYTIME WE DO A TIMING BELT ON ONE.YOU TAKE THE CRACK SPROCKET&BALANCER&U ADD 2 MORE SPRING PINS AS WELL AS DRILL&TAP THE CRANK&INSTALL A TIMESERT (HEAVIER HELICOIL) HAVE NOT HAD ONE OF THESE COME BACK,IF ANYONE IS DOING A TIMING BELT I HIGHLY RECOMMEND DOING THIS AT THE SAME TIME,BUT IT WILL NOT BREAK THE BOLT OR SHEER THE GUIDE PIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10513442
106,000 miles · Apr 27, 2013
Power TrainSteering
SECOND FAILURE OF CRANK SHAFT PULLEY BOLT WITHIN 2 MONTHS OF IT BEING REPAIRED. DEALER ASSURED ME IT WAS FIXED PROPERLY ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURERS TSB. BOLT SHEARED OFF AGAIN AND ALL BELTS CAME LOOSE. 18 YEAR OLD FEMALE DRIVER, WHILE SLOWING TO TURN CORNER LOST POWER ASSIST STEERING, INCREDIBLY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. LOUD CLUNK…
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SECOND FAILURE OF CRANK SHAFT PULLEY BOLT WITHIN 2 MONTHS OF IT BEING REPAIRED. DEALER ASSURED ME IT WAS FIXED PROPERLY ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURERS TSB. BOLT SHEARED OFF AGAIN AND ALL BELTS CAME LOOSE. 18 YEAR OLD FEMALE DRIVER, WHILE SLOWING TO TURN CORNER LOST POWER ASSIST STEERING, INCREDIBLY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. LOUD CLUNK...THAT WAS THE HARMONIC BALANCER FALLING OFF THE VEHICLE. KIA FAILS TO ACKNOWLEDGE DESIGN FLAW IN THIS DANGEROUS, DANGEROUS VEHICLE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10509764
80,000 miles · Sep 14, 2012
Power Train
GEAR SHIFT KNOB CAME OFF AND IS STUCK IN PARK. THE MECHANISM TO ENGAGE THE SHIFTER IS A SMALL CHEAP PLASTIC PIECE THAT BROKE OFF. FORTUNATELY, THE CAR WAS NOT IN MOTION WHEN THIS OCCURRED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10475387
106,164 miles · Jul 27, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I BOUGHT MY 2005 KIA SORENTO OCTOBER 2011. THE COST OF THE VEHICLE WAS $8664.00 AND FINANCED FOR $13,399.48 OR 36 MONTHS. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AT BRICK CITY MOTORS, 316 BROADWAY AVE, NEWARK, NJ 07104. A WARRANTY FOR 6 MONTHS OR 7500 MILES WAS ISSUED WITH IT. THE WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THE DEFECT IN THE ENGINE. ON FEBR…
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I BOUGHT MY 2005 KIA SORENTO OCTOBER 2011. THE COST OF THE VEHICLE WAS $8664.00 AND FINANCED FOR $13,399.48 OR 36 MONTHS. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AT BRICK CITY MOTORS, 316 BROADWAY AVE, NEWARK, NJ 07104. A WARRANTY FOR 6 MONTHS OR 7500 MILES WAS ISSUED WITH IT. THE WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THE DEFECT IN THE ENGINE. ON FEBRUARY 7 2012, I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 280 IN THE 3RD LANE GOING WEST WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE HAZARD LIGHTS ON. THANK GOD PEOPLE WERE NOT FLYING OR THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A TRAGIC ACCIDENT. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A KIA DEALERSHIP IN NUTLEY NJ. I DID THAT BECAUSE I FIGURED IT WAS A KIA PRODUCT LET THEIR DEALERSHIP REPAIR IT. THE RESULT FOR THE PROBLEM WAS REPLACED TIMING BELT/CRANKSHAFT GEAR/TENSIONER/PULLEY/IDLER/BALANCER-NOTE: CR DAMAGED- JEWELED KEY WAY TO CRANK SLOT LIMITED WARRANTY ON REP. THE LABOR COST WAS 826.00 WITH NO GUARANTEE ON PARTS OR LABOR. BRICK CITY PAID FOR THE PARTS AND I PAID FOR THE LABOR. ON JULY 15TH 2012 MY KIA SORENTO HAD TO BE TOWED TO KIA IN NUTLEY NJ. THE REP ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT I NEED TO GET RID OF THE VEHICLE WHILE I CAN. I PAID 50 SOME DOLLARS FOR AN OIL CAP TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD SHUT OFF AGAIN LIKE IT DID IN FEB 2012. THE REP ALSO TOLD ME THAT I NEED A TRANSMISSION. ON JULY 26 THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START UP AND A FRIEND OF MINE TOOK ME TO HER BROTHERS MECHANIC SHOP. THE END RESULT WAS THAT THEY FOUND THE CRANKSHAFT NEEDS REPLACING AND WAS BENT AGAIN. ON JULY 26, 2012, I, THEN WENT BACK TO KIA IN NUTLEY NJ AND THE MANAGER TOLD ME THE WORK THEY DID WAS NOT WARRANTED AND THAT BRICK CITY MOTORS SCREWED ME. I CALLED KIA MOTORS IN WOODBRIDGE NJ AND THEY TOLD ME THE WORST CASE SCENARIO IS THAT I HAVE TO PAY MAYBE 2000.00 FOR A REPLACEMENT. I AM A DISABLED VETERAN PERMANENTLY AND TOTALLY DISABLED. I HAVE TO HAVE A SUV DUE TO DAILY CHRONIC PAIN.
NHTSA ODI #10468701
Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2012
Power Train
I SEE THAT YOU HAVE 15 RECALLS FOR THIS SUV, I HAVE ONLY HAD KIA SERVICE THIS TRUCK, UNTIL 09/09/2011 CAN YOU TELL ME WHY, NO NOTICE OR REPAIRS HAVE BEEN FIXED, NOT ONE NOTICE IN THE MAIL JOE MEYERS KIA. HOUSTON TEXAS. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10453560