NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
39 reportsClear category filter75,000 miles · Apr 14, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 -65 MPH WHEN THE BATTERY AND PARKING BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED MOMENTARILY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED SUDDENLY AND CAUSED EXTREME DIFFICULTY IN STEERING CAPABILITIES. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT M…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 -65 MPH WHEN THE BATTERY AND PARKING BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED MOMENTARILY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED SUDDENLY AND CAUSED EXTREME DIFFICULTY IN STEERING CAPABILITIES. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS THE HARMONIC BALANCER BOLT AND THAT THE ENTIRE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.
NHTSA ODI #10395872
64,000 miles · Dec 7, 2010
Power TrainSteering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORRENTO. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING A TURN WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL ABNORMALLY LOCKED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AND THE VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT A BOL…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORRENTO. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING A TURN WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL ABNORMALLY LOCKED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AND THE VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT A BOLT WITHIN THE DRIVESHAFT HAD FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
NHTSA ODI #10369521
82,000 miles · Nov 18, 2010
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ENTERING HER VEHICLE SHE HAD A DIFFICULT TIME TRYING TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE BOLT ON THE CRANK SHAFT HAD FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. T…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ENTERING HER VEHICLE SHE HAD A DIFFICULT TIME TRYING TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE BOLT ON THE CRANK SHAFT HAD FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
NHTSA ODI #10366675
78,000 miles · May 20, 2010
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORRENTO. THE CONTACT WAS PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY AT RELATIVELY LOW SPEEDS OF 5 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED AN UNUSUAL POPPING SOUND. THE STEERING IMMEDIATELY FAILED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THE TIRES WOULD NOT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORRENTO. THE CONTACT WAS PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY AT RELATIVELY LOW SPEEDS OF 5 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED AN UNUSUAL POPPING SOUND. THE STEERING IMMEDIATELY FAILED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THE TIRES WOULD NOT MOVE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED HE WOULD HAVE HIS PERSONAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 78,000.
NHTSA ODI #10331331
72,000 miles · May 19, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY BOLT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE C…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY BOLT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 72,000. UPDATED 07/29/10 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE LOST STEERING. UPDATED 08/09/10*JB
NHTSA ODI #10331279
Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2010
Steering
INTERMITTENT HARD STEERING AS STATED ON TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, KIA MOTORS, # KT2005022519, MODEL: SORENTO EX, PRODUCED BEFORE 10/06/04. MAY INTERMITTENTLY HAVE VARIATIONS IN THE LEVEL OF POWER ASSIST DURING DRIVING AND PARKING. STEERING PROBLEMS WERE RELATED TO DEALER, ALIGNMENT OF FRONT WHEELS WAS PERFORMED THAT REQUIRED M…
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INTERMITTENT HARD STEERING AS STATED ON TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, KIA MOTORS, # KT2005022519, MODEL: SORENTO EX, PRODUCED BEFORE 10/06/04. MAY INTERMITTENTLY HAVE VARIATIONS IN THE LEVEL OF POWER ASSIST DURING DRIVING AND PARKING. STEERING PROBLEMS WERE RELATED TO DEALER, ALIGNMENT OF FRONT WHEELS WAS PERFORMED THAT REQUIRED MAJOR REBUILD DUE TO DEFECTIVE PARTS. DID NOT SOLVE PROBLEM. I BECAME AWARE OF THIS SERVICE BULLETIN RECENTLY WHILE SPEAKING WITH A SERVICE WRITER AT NEW KIA DEALERSHIP. NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN DUE TO VEHICLE BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS INFORMATION WAS NEVER MADE KNOW TO ME SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10312402
124,000 miles · Oct 26, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingInterior LightingSteeringFire
WHILE RETURNING FROM OUR VACATION OUR KIA STARTED MAKING AT LOT OF NOISES IN AROUND THE AIRCONDITIONING HEATING SYSTEM, THE AIR COMING FROM THE VENTS DIDN'T SEEM TO BE WARM ENOUGH TO DEFOG THE WINDOWS, THEN THE NEXT DAY WHEN IT WAS WARMER IT STARTED MAKING A RATTLING FAN NOISE WHEN THE AIR WAS TURNED ON. WHEN THE SYSTEM WAS TURN…
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WHILE RETURNING FROM OUR VACATION OUR KIA STARTED MAKING AT LOT OF NOISES IN AROUND THE AIRCONDITIONING HEATING SYSTEM, THE AIR COMING FROM THE VENTS DIDN'T SEEM TO BE WARM ENOUGH TO DEFOG THE WINDOWS, THEN THE NEXT DAY WHEN IT WAS WARMER IT STARTED MAKING A RATTLING FAN NOISE WHEN THE AIR WAS TURNED ON. WHEN THE SYSTEM WAS TURNED OFF IT DIDN'T MAKE THE NOISE ANYMORE. WE ARRIVED HOME UNLOADED OUR GEAR AND THEN WENT OUT AGAIN A WHILE LATER. THE FAN NOISE STARTED AGAIN AND THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE POWER STEERING DIDN'T WORK, WHEN THE AIR WAS TURNED OFF EVERYTHING RESUMED TO NORMAL. WE ARRIVED AT OUR FRIEND HOUSE AND WENT INSIDE. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES WE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND WENT OUTSIDE TO SEE SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. WE LIFTED THE HOOD TO INVESTIGATE WHERE WE SAW FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE. WE IMMEDIATELY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED THE NEXT DAY. COME TO FIND OUT SEVERAL DAYS LATER THAT OUR VEHICLE WAS TOO BADLY BURNED TO REPAIR THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A TIMING BELT FAILURE. IF THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM IT SHOULD BE MANDATORY THAT THEY SHOULD BE REPLACED BY WHOMEVER OWNS THE VEHICLE OR THE DEALER IF THE CAR HAS BEEN TRADED BECAUSE THE NEXT OWNER WOULD NOT KNOW ANY OF THE PREVIOUS REPAIRS SUCH WAS OUR CASE. AS IT STANDS NOW THERE ARE SOME INTERIOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SUCH AS THE LIGHTS AN THE ELECTRONIC SEATS WE ARE HOPING FOR SOME KIND OF RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. THERE WAS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE FAN RUNNING ON AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF. THIS WAS STILL HAPPENING EVEN AFTER THE ENGINE HAD BEEN REPLACED AND WE WERE TOLD EARLIER THAT IT WAS A SENSOR PROBLEM WHICH STILL HAPPENED EVEN AFTER THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10289902
6,556 miles · Apr 18, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering
2005 KIA SORENTO V6, BREAKAGE OF CRANKSHAFT ACCESSORY PULLEY/VIBRATION DAMPER BOLT, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING DUE TO POWER STEERING BELT TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS PROBLEM EFFECTS 2003 TO 2006 KIA SORENTO V6 ENGINES MANY OWNERS HAVE HAD MULTI FAILURES OF THIS BOLT, THE UPDATED BOLTS FAIL TOO. KIA IS TRYING TO HIDE THIS SER…
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2005 KIA SORENTO V6, BREAKAGE OF CRANKSHAFT ACCESSORY PULLEY/VIBRATION DAMPER BOLT, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING DUE TO POWER STEERING BELT TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS PROBLEM EFFECTS 2003 TO 2006 KIA SORENTO V6 ENGINES MANY OWNERS HAVE HAD MULTI FAILURES OF THIS BOLT, THE UPDATED BOLTS FAIL TOO. KIA IS TRYING TO HIDE THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM AND HAS NO INTENTION OF A REAL FIX. MY VEHICLE AND OTHERS ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE OUR KIA SORENTO'S. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10155611
Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2005
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
2005 KIA SORENTO EX DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR WITHIN A FEW DAYS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE CLOCK WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, THERE WAS A NOISE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS COLD, WHILE TURNING RIGHT OR BACKING AND PULLING FORWARD, A SHUDDER IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, A CUT IN T…
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2005 KIA SORENTO EX DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR WITHIN A FEW DAYS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE CLOCK WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, THERE WAS A NOISE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS COLD, WHILE TURNING RIGHT OR BACKING AND PULLING FORWARD, A SHUDDER IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, A CUT IN THE LEATHER PASSENGER SEAT. ON 4 OCCASIONS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT DASH LIGHT DID NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY WITH 3 DIFFERENT PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT WEIGHTS/HEIGHTS WERE SITTING IN THE SEAT. THE POWER STEERING FAILED 3 TIMES. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE SHUDDER IN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NORMAL AND WAS A PART OF THE ABS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10128000