NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
39 reportsClear category filter150,000 miles · Jan 3, 2017
EngineSteering
MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY DRIVING 60 MILES PER HR TO WORK (30 MILES FROM HOME) IN POURING RAIN WHEN ENGINE, BRAKE AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. THANK GOD THAT I MADE IT TO WORK SAFELY BUT THEN ONLY TO REALIZE THAT POWER STEERING HAD LOCKED UP. LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD, POWER STEERING FLUID AND BRAKE FLUID FINE BUT ONE BE…
Read full complaint
MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY DRIVING 60 MILES PER HR TO WORK (30 MILES FROM HOME) IN POURING RAIN WHEN ENGINE, BRAKE AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. THANK GOD THAT I MADE IT TO WORK SAFELY BUT THEN ONLY TO REALIZE THAT POWER STEERING HAD LOCKED UP. LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD, POWER STEERING FLUID AND BRAKE FLUID FINE BUT ONE BELT HAD CAME OFF AND THE OTHER BELT JUST BARELY HANGING ON FROM THE ALTERNATOR AND PULLEY. THOUGHT PULLEY HAD LOCKED UP BUT TOOK TO A MECHANIC JUST 1/2 MILE DOWN FROM MY JOB AND HE SAID THAT MY PROBLEM IS THAT THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT HAD BROKEN OFF INSIDE OF THE CRANKSHAFT. I GO ONLINE AND FIND THAT THERE WERE A LOT MORE COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE WITH MY MAKE AND YEAR AS WELL AS OTHERS. THE PREVIOUS RECALL BY KIA WAS ONLY FOR 2003-2004 (CERTAIN MODELS) NOT INCLUDING MINE BUT THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFINITE ISSUE SO THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO OTHER YEARS AND MODELS SUCH AS MINE. THANK GOD THAT I MADE IT TO WORK SAFELY AND NOW HAVE TO FIND ANOTHER MEANS TO GET AROUND SINCE THIS IS MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10939479
100,000 miles · Sep 22, 2016
EngineSteeringUnknown Or Other
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY RTE 24 WHEN CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BROKE OFF CAUSING ENGINE AND BRAKE LIGHTS TO COME ON. IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL AND TO STEER THE VEHICLE CAUSING ME TO NEARLY GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. SUBSEQUENTLY, MY VEHICLE GOT TOWED FROM THE HIGHWAY TO A MECHANIC SHOP WHO INFORMED ME THAT MY 2005 KIA SORENTO'S CRANKSHAFT PULLE…
Read full complaint
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY RTE 24 WHEN CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BROKE OFF CAUSING ENGINE AND BRAKE LIGHTS TO COME ON. IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL AND TO STEER THE VEHICLE CAUSING ME TO NEARLY GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. SUBSEQUENTLY, MY VEHICLE GOT TOWED FROM THE HIGHWAY TO A MECHANIC SHOP WHO INFORMED ME THAT MY 2005 KIA SORENTO'S CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT BROKE OFF - THEREFORE TO BUY AN ENGINE OR JUNK IT. UNFORTUNATELY, I OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR ONLY 1 YEAR 3 MONTHS AND WITH THESE PROBLEMS. I DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY TO REPLACE IT RIGHT NOW AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO TO GET TO WORK GOING FORWARD.
NHTSA ODI #10908838
200,000 miles · Jul 6, 2016
EngineSteering
IN NOVEMBER OF 2015, I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK AND JUST PICKING MY ONE YEAR OLD UP FROM DAYCARE, WHEN I HEARD A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE FROM A BELT. MY GAUGES WENT WILD AND I MY POWER STEERING WAS IN AND OUT. BY THE TIME I HIT THE MAIN HIGHWAY TO GET HOME AS I WAS EXITING MY POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT AND THE CAR COUL…
Read full complaint
IN NOVEMBER OF 2015, I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK AND JUST PICKING MY ONE YEAR OLD UP FROM DAYCARE, WHEN I HEARD A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE FROM A BELT. MY GAUGES WENT WILD AND I MY POWER STEERING WAS IN AND OUT. BY THE TIME I HIT THE MAIN HIGHWAY TO GET HOME AS I WAS EXITING MY POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT AND THE CAR COULD NOT BE DRIVEN ANY FURTHER, SO I HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS WAS DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, I AM SOOOO LUCKY THAT I HADN'T QUIET ENTERED THE HIGHWAY YET. HAD TO GET TOWED HOME. GOT HOME AND NOTICED THE CRANKSHAFT BOLD WAS BROKEN AND THE BELTS WERE THROWN. WE FIXED IT AND NOW IT HAS JUST DONE IT AGAIN ON JULY 1ST AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY TO GO OUT OF TOWN. I DIDN'T DRIVE IT BECAUSE I KNEW THE BOLT WAS ABOUT TO BREAK BECAUSE THE HARMONIC BALANCER PULLEY WAS WOBBLING REALLY BAD, THE AIR WOULDN'T WORK AND THE GAUGES STARTED GOING CRAZY. ALSO THE PULLEY'S WERE STRUGGLING TO SPIN. IS IT GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE TO LOOSE THEIR LIFE BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT IT?
NHTSA ODI #10883040
100,000 miles · Mar 24, 2016
EngineSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CRANK PULLEY BOLT FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE DISABLED THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CRANK PULLEY BOLT FRACTURED AND DET…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CRANK PULLEY BOLT FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE DISABLED THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CRANK PULLEY BOLT FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND LOST ALL STEERING POWER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY FOR REPAIR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 10/13/16*LJ *TR
NHTSA ODI #10851404
116,000 miles · Dec 16, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemSteering
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND ALL THE SUDDEN MY CAR GAVE A BIG SOUND AND DIED. THE STEERING WAS REALLY HARD TO STEER, LUCKLY I WAS IN THE SLOW LANE AND COASTED OFF THE EDGE OF THE ROAD. HAD IT TOWED TO MECHANIC THE STARTED WAS BAD, ALONG WITH THE FUEL LINE AND FUEL PUMP. AFTER GOT IT RUNNING ONCE AGAIN RAN FINE HOUR LATER …
Read full complaint
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND ALL THE SUDDEN MY CAR GAVE A BIG SOUND AND DIED. THE STEERING WAS REALLY HARD TO STEER, LUCKLY I WAS IN THE SLOW LANE AND COASTED OFF THE EDGE OF THE ROAD. HAD IT TOWED TO MECHANIC THE STARTED WAS BAD, ALONG WITH THE FUEL LINE AND FUEL PUMP. AFTER GOT IT RUNNING ONCE AGAIN RAN FINE HOUR LATER THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WENT OUT. I HAVE READ MANY MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUES, ALSO WAS TOLD THAT MY FUEL TANK AND BOTTOM WAS RUSTING OUT. AND MY SWAY BAR IS BAD. MY CAR SHAKES, I HAVE HAD NEW TIRES AND BRAKES PUT ON AND A NEW MUFFLER PUT ON. I HAVE HAD ALL MY OIL CHANGES AND TUNE UPS. THEY SAY THERE IS NO RECALLS, HOW COULD THERE NOT BE RECALLS HERE IN THE USA. THEY HAD A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT IN CANADA AND KIA WAS MADE TO FIX THESE SAME ISSUES.
NHTSA ODI #10810822
Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2015
Air BagsService BrakesSteering
I PURCHASED THIS 2005 KIA SORENTO AND ON MY WAY HOME THERE WAS A KNOCK BEFORE I LOST MY STERRING AND BRAKES. LUCKILY I SLOWED DOWN WHEN I HEARD THE SOUND. I GOT THE CAR HOME SAFELYBEING ONLY A HALF A MILE AWAY. CALLED THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE KIA FROM AND HE CAME AND GOT IT TO REPAIR IT. HE BOUGHT THE UPDATED SO CALL BOLT THAT…
Read full complaint
I PURCHASED THIS 2005 KIA SORENTO AND ON MY WAY HOME THERE WAS A KNOCK BEFORE I LOST MY STERRING AND BRAKES. LUCKILY I SLOWED DOWN WHEN I HEARD THE SOUND. I GOT THE CAR HOME SAFELYBEING ONLY A HALF A MILE AWAY. CALLED THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE KIA FROM AND HE CAME AND GOT IT TO REPAIR IT. HE BOUGHT THE UPDATED SO CALL BOLT THAT WAS SUPPOSE TO FIX THE ISSUE WITH THE CRANK SHAFT BOLT. THEN I GOT THE CAR BACK AND HAD THE GAS TANK LEAKING FROM THE SEAMS. HE FIX AND REPLACED THAT. JUST THE OTHER NIGHT ON MY WAY TO WORK AND I LOST MY STERRING AND BRAKES AGAIN..I TRAVEL ON MAIN ROADS BUT THERE IS A LOT OF AMISH HERE AND THANK GOD I WASN'T GOING AROUND ANY OF THERE BUGGY AND HURT THOSE PEOPLE OR MYSELF..THERE IS NO FIX WHAT SO EVER FOR THIS ISSUE AND SOMEONE NEEDS TO MAKE KIA STAND UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS FAULTY DEFECT BEFORE A INNOCENT CHILD OR WOMAN OR HUSBAND GETS KILLED.
NHTSA ODI #10806435
107,000 miles · Nov 4, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineSteering
I WAS TURNING ONTO A STREET AND HEARD A BIG CLUNK ONLY TO FIND OUT THE BOLT ON THE CRANKSHAFT BROKE OFF AGAIN ON 10/29/15 AS WELL AS 7/30/13. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT & BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. LOST POWER AND EVERYTHING AFTER A BIG CLUNK! THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME: THERE ARE A MULTITUDE OF THESE SAME COMPLAINTS: THIS ENGINE WAS…
Read full complaint
I WAS TURNING ONTO A STREET AND HEARD A BIG CLUNK ONLY TO FIND OUT THE BOLT ON THE CRANKSHAFT BROKE OFF AGAIN ON 10/29/15 AS WELL AS 7/30/13. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT & BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. LOST POWER AND EVERYTHING AFTER A BIG CLUNK! THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME: THERE ARE A MULTITUDE OF THESE SAME COMPLAINTS: THIS ENGINE WAS REPLACED IN MAY 2010 AND THE HARMONIC BALANCER AND PULLEY HAVE BEEN WORKED ON TWICE SINCE 2010. THERE IS A DEFECTIVE BOLT THAT WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW DEFECTIVE BOLT. THIS IS HAPPENING NUMEROUS TIMES TO MANY KIA SORENTO OWNERS AND THEY ARE LEFT STRANDED. KIA KNOWS ABOUT IT AND REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING! MY CAR IS SITTING AT COUNTRY KIA IN CHARLESTON, SC BECAUSE THE EXTENDED- WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER THIS DEFECTIVE BOLT AND I CAN'T PAY $5000.00 ON A CAR THAT IS NOW ONLY WORTH $3000.00. I HAD TO STAY IN CHARLESTON, SC AN EXTRA 2 DAYS AT MY EXPENSE $79.00 /NIGHT, PAY $75.00 FOR THE TOW BILL AND AN ADDITIONAL $55 OR $65 FOR THE KIA DEALERSHIP TO CHECK IT OUT. I HAD TO RENT A CAR TO COME BACK TO FL AS I WAS STRANDED IN CHARLESTON WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION. I CANNOT AFFORD THE $5000.00 FOR REPAIRS AND THE $1500.00 TO PAY IT OFF JUST TO GET THE TITLE TO SEND THIS TO A JUNK YARD. THE MILEAGE JUST TURNED TO 107,000 OR 108,000. THIS IS THE 4TH TIME THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE ON THIS PART OF THIS CAR HAVING TO DO WITH THE SAME ISSUES RELATED TO THIS DEFECTIVE BOLT, HARMONIC BALANCER AND PULLEY AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFECTIVE BOLT. (THIS IS ONLY ON ONE CAR). YOU WILL SEE HOW MANY TIMES THIS IS OCCURRING TO MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THESE KIA SORENTOS. PLEASE READ THROUGH THE COMPLAINTS ON THE FOLLOWING LINK: HTTP://GOTACLASSACTION.COM/KIA-NAMED-IN-CLASS-ACTION-OVER-FIRST-GENERATION-2002-2009-EQUIPPED-WITH-A-HYUNDAI-MANUFACTURED-3-5L-24-VALVE-DOHC-V6-ENGINE/
NHTSA ODI #10788483
590,030 miles · Aug 3, 2015
Steering
I WENT TO MY DOCTORS APPOINTMENT THE CAR RAN FINE WELL ABOUT HALF WAY HOME THE CAR STARTED MAKING A FUNNY NOISE SOUNDED LIKE A TRACTOR OR IF U TURN YOUR WHEEL TO FAR THE NOISE IT MAKES LIKE A GRINDING METAL NOISE SO I STOP AT A LIGHT THE NOISE STOPPED ALL SEEMED NORMAL I LIGHTLY STEPPED ON THE GAS AND THE NOISE CAME BACK WELL IV…
Read full complaint
I WENT TO MY DOCTORS APPOINTMENT THE CAR RAN FINE WELL ABOUT HALF WAY HOME THE CAR STARTED MAKING A FUNNY NOISE SOUNDED LIKE A TRACTOR OR IF U TURN YOUR WHEEL TO FAR THE NOISE IT MAKES LIKE A GRINDING METAL NOISE SO I STOP AT A LIGHT THE NOISE STOPPED ALL SEEMED NORMAL I LIGHTLY STEPPED ON THE GAS AND THE NOISE CAME BACK WELL IVE GOT TO GET HOME ONLY SECONDS AWAY FROM HOME NO LIGHT ARE COMING ON ITS NOT OVER HEATING I GO TO TURN A CORNER AND THE STEERING WAS GONE FOR A SECOND BUT CAME BUT STEERING CAME BACK DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOP ALL THE WAY TO THE SHOP THE STEERING AND NOISE WAS ALL GOING AT THE SAME TIME ITS CLEAR THERES PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE DOES GET KILLED IS THAT WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN TO GET A RECALL?
NHTSA ODI #10745946
133,000 miles · Jul 17, 2015
SteeringSuspensionUnknown Or Other
DRIVER SIDE AXLE BROKE IN JUNE 2015 AND JULY 9, 2015 PASSENGER SIDE AXLE CRACKED AND PASSENGER SIDE HUB ASSEMBLY WENT BAD. MAKING A RATTLING, METAL GRINDING NOISE. WHEN THE SORENTO WAS RAISED UP THE WHOLE UNDERNEATH IS RUSTED OUT. IM LUCKY I DIDNT HAVE A MAJOR ACCIDENT. SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR SAFETY ISSUES.
NHTSA ODI #10734897
87,000 miles · Apr 25, 2015
EngineSteering
AT A STOP LIGHT, I HEARD AND FELT A SHUDDER THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SHUDDER. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN NORMALLY. PROCEEDING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION, I EXPERIENCED THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING MAKING THE CAR VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE TO A N…
Read full complaint
AT A STOP LIGHT, I HEARD AND FELT A SHUDDER THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SHUDDER. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN NORMALLY. PROCEEDING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION, I EXPERIENCED THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING MAKING THE CAR VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE TO A NEARBY PARKING LOT WHERE I CALLED FOR A TOW TO THE KIA DEALER. DEALER CONFIRMED A SHEARED CRANK SHAFT BOLT. INCIDENT OCCURRED ON A BUSY STATE HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR. SPEED LIMIT IS 45 MPH ON THIS STRETCH OF ROAD AND VERY BUSY AT RUSH HOUR. HAD THE VEHICLE BEEN IN MOTION AT THE TIME OF THE PART FAILURE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10712844