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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

18 reports
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108,000 miles · Feb 25, 2016
SuspensionUnknown Or Other

THIS IS A FOLLOW UP TO NHTSA ID NUMBER'S 10819147 & 10824199. AFTER FILING VSC 10824199, I WAS CONTACTED BY A KIA AMERICA REPRESENTATIVE FROM CALIFORNIA. SHE REQUESTED A COPY OF MY ORIGINAL BILL OF SALE, THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION AND THE REPAIR ESTIMATE FROM THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE REPAIR UPPER CONTROL ARM BRACKETS. SHE DID N…

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THIS IS A FOLLOW UP TO NHTSA ID NUMBER'S 10819147 & 10824199. AFTER FILING VSC 10824199, I WAS CONTACTED BY A KIA AMERICA REPRESENTATIVE FROM CALIFORNIA. SHE REQUESTED A COPY OF MY ORIGINAL BILL OF SALE, THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION AND THE REPAIR ESTIMATE FROM THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE REPAIR UPPER CONTROL ARM BRACKETS. SHE DID NOT REQUEST ANY OTHER DOCUMENTATION OR PICTURES. SHE SAID SHE WOULD REVIEW THE CASE AND SPEAL TO THE DEALER AND DEPENDING ON THE COST WOULD EITHER HAVE THE REPAIR COMPLETED OR PURCHASE THE CAR TO BE SCRAPPED FOR KBV. I RECEIVED A CALL TODAY AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST AT LEAST $3,000 AND BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS 10 YEARS OLD AND NOT IN THE REPAIR PROGRAM ( I ASSUME THAT WAS BEING DONE IN THE UK) KIA WOULD OFFER ME $1,500 FOR THE CAR. I ASKED IF THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE IN IT'S PRESENT CONDITION AND WAS TOLD I SHOULD CONTACT THE DEALER. I TOLD THE REPRESENTATIVE THAT THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE ME ANY WARNINGS WHEN THE ESTIMATE WAS COMPLETED. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT "AT LEAST I HAD GOTTEN 10 YEARS OF USE OUT OF THE VEHICLE". SEEING AS THERE IS STILL A REPAIR PROGRAM IN EFFECT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR THIS DEFECT IS THE NTSB GOING TO REQUIRE KIA YO MAKE THESE REPAIRS IN THE US?

NHTSA ODI #10838525

107,809 miles · Feb 4, 2016
SuspensionUnknown Or Other

THIS IS A FOLLOW UP TO COMPLAINT # 10819147. AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALER I WAS TOLD BY KIA USA IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED, THE REPAIR ESTIMATE FOR PARTS ONLY WAS BETWEEN $1,300 AND $3,000. I HAD INFORMED KIA USA THAT THEY WERE DOING THE REPAIRS I THE UK, BUT APPARENTLY IT DID NOT MATTER TO THEM. F…

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THIS IS A FOLLOW UP TO COMPLAINT # 10819147. AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALER I WAS TOLD BY KIA USA IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED, THE REPAIR ESTIMATE FOR PARTS ONLY WAS BETWEEN $1,300 AND $3,000. I HAD INFORMED KIA USA THAT THEY WERE DOING THE REPAIRS I THE UK, BUT APPARENTLY IT DID NOT MATTER TO THEM. FURTHER FOLLOW UP SHOWED THAT KIA IN THE UK PROGRAM ENDS IN APRIL 2016. SINCE THIS IS A DESIGN SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS BEING ADDRESSED IN OTHER COUNTRIES, IS THE NHTSA GOING TO TAKE ANY ACTION?

NHTSA ODI #10824199

6,000 miles · Jan 12, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or Other

I PURCHASE MY 2005 KIA SORRENTO LX NEW FROM TAYLOR KIA IN TOLEDO OHIO.ALSO PURCHASED EXTRA WARRANTY FOR BUMPER TO BUMPER.A COUPLE MONTHS AFTER I HAD PURCHASE VEHICLE MY HEADLIGHT STARTED GOING OUT I WOULD TAKE IT BACK GET IT FIXED COME BACK HOME AND ANOTHER ONE WOULD BE OUT TAKE IT BACK COME BACK TO WEEKS LATER ANOTHER HEADLIGHT…

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I PURCHASE MY 2005 KIA SORRENTO LX NEW FROM TAYLOR KIA IN TOLEDO OHIO.ALSO PURCHASED EXTRA WARRANTY FOR BUMPER TO BUMPER.A COUPLE MONTHS AFTER I HAD PURCHASE VEHICLE MY HEADLIGHT STARTED GOING OUT I WOULD TAKE IT BACK GET IT FIXED COME BACK HOME AND ANOTHER ONE WOULD BE OUT TAKE IT BACK COME BACK TO WEEKS LATER ANOTHER HEADLIGHT WOULD BE OUT. THEN THE HEADLIGHTS &TAILLIGHTS WOULD GO OUT AND BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT THIS WENT ON WITH EVERY SINGLE LIGHT ON MY VEHICLE.CONTINUE TO CALL TAYLOR KIA TO HAVE THE SERVICE THEN ABOUT THE SIXTH TIME ONE OF MY LIGHTS WENT OUT THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD NOT SERVICE MY VEHICLE ANYMORE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS COMPLETELY COVERED EVERYTHING ON MY VEHICLE FROM BUMPER-TO-BUMPER. THEY ALSO RED FLAG TO ME ON THEIR COMPUTER SO THAT I COULD NOT HAVE MY VEHICLE SERVICE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH MY KIA SORRENTO. AT ONE POINT I EVEN HAD THE SERVICE MANAGER TELL ME THAT HIS SERVICE GUYS WERE UPSET WITH ME BECAUSE I DID NOT GIVE THEM A GOOD RATING WHEN MY CAR WAS NOT FIXED TO JD POWERS.I GOT KIA CORPORATE INVOLVED WHICH DID ABSOLUTELY NO GOOD BECAUSE THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD SOMEONE SOMEONE FROM CALIFORNIA TO FIX MY VEHICLE AND ENDED UP NOT SENDING ANYONE SENT A WIRE HARNESS INSTEAD. OF COURSE THAT'S DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM BUT THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE TO TRY TO FIND OUT WHY ALL MY LIGHTS ON MY VEHICLES WAS GOING OUT AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER.THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT MY KIA WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT EVER HAD THIS PROBLEM AND THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE BUT I COULD CLEARLY DRIVE DOWN THE STREET SEE OTHER KIA SORRENTO'S WITH HEADLIGHTS OUT. THEN I GOT ONLINE AND READ ABOUT HOW MANY KIA HAD THE SAME PROBLEM BUT KIA CORPORATE WOULD NOT DO A THING ABOUT IT AND TAYLOR KIA WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING AT THAT POINT. NOW MY CAR IS BROKE DOWN WITH THE CAM SENSOR AND ALSO CRANK SENSOR AND BOLT BECAUSE OF AN ISSUE WITH THESE KIA SORRENTO'S.

NHTSA ODI #10819851

57,000 miles · Sep 18, 2015
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

I WENT TO PUT FUEL IN MY KIA SORRENTO AS I DO EVERY TWO WEEKS AT THE SAME GAS STATION SAME PUMP. I ENGAGED THE PUMP AS ALWAYS PUT THE NOZZLE IN AND WHEN I PUSHED THE LEVER WITHIN 30 SECONDS THERE WAS A GURGLING NOISE AND GAS SPEWED ALL OVER ME, THE CAR AND THE SIDEWALK. I WENT IN TO GET THE ATTENDANT WHO HAD TO BRING OUT KITTY …

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I WENT TO PUT FUEL IN MY KIA SORRENTO AS I DO EVERY TWO WEEKS AT THE SAME GAS STATION SAME PUMP. I ENGAGED THE PUMP AS ALWAYS PUT THE NOZZLE IN AND WHEN I PUSHED THE LEVER WITHIN 30 SECONDS THERE WAS A GURGLING NOISE AND GAS SPEWED ALL OVER ME, THE CAR AND THE SIDEWALK. I WENT IN TO GET THE ATTENDANT WHO HAD TO BRING OUT KITTY LITTER TO COVER THE GAS ON THE GROUND. SHE HAD ME MOVE TO A DIFFERENT PUMP AND ASSISTED ME WITH TRYING TO PUT FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. I CALLED KIA AND THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST 800 TO 1000 TO FIX. NOW I AM FUELING THE CAR WITH 5 GALLON CONTAINERS A LITTLE AT A TIME. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR THE DRIVER, OTHER PATRONS AND THE GAS STATION AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI #10765201

96,000 miles · Jul 29, 2015
Unknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING, ABOUT 45MPH, I NOTICED LIGHT SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. WHEN I LOOKED AT MY TEMPERATURE GAGE IT WAS IN THE MIDDLE, SAUD IT WAS FINE. I DROVE ABOUT TEN MORE MINUTES SINCE THE SMOKE STOPPED. ABOUT TEN MINUTES AFTER I GOT TO MY DESTINATION , THERE WAS SO MUCH SMOKE COMING OUT FROM THE HOOD AND WATER WAS EVERYWHERE.…

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I WAS DRIVING, ABOUT 45MPH, I NOTICED LIGHT SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. WHEN I LOOKED AT MY TEMPERATURE GAGE IT WAS IN THE MIDDLE, SAUD IT WAS FINE. I DROVE ABOUT TEN MORE MINUTES SINCE THE SMOKE STOPPED. ABOUT TEN MINUTES AFTER I GOT TO MY DESTINATION , THERE WAS SO MUCH SMOKE COMING OUT FROM THE HOOD AND WATER WAS EVERYWHERE. THE THERMOSTAT AND RADIATOR WERE REPLACED. EVERYDAY I DRIVE IT, THERE'S A RIVER OF WATER COMING FROM UNDER THE SUV. I HAD IT IN THE SHOP TWO DAYS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT AND EVERYTHING TESTED FINE. IT'S BEEN A HUGE MESS.

NHTSA ODI #10744748

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

115,000 miles · Jun 8, 2011
Unknown Or Other

I WAS SITTING AT A DRUG STORE DRIVE THRU WHEN A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. I PULLED OUT OF LINE AND INTO A PARKING SPACE. THE CAR WAS TOWED AND THE MECHANIC REPORTED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT HAD SHEARED OFF IN THE ENGINE. UPON RESEARCHING MY OPTIONS (THE REPAIR COST IS ENORMOUS, AND THE …

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I WAS SITTING AT A DRUG STORE DRIVE THRU WHEN A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. I PULLED OUT OF LINE AND INTO A PARKING SPACE. THE CAR WAS TOWED AND THE MECHANIC REPORTED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT HAD SHEARED OFF IN THE ENGINE. UPON RESEARCHING MY OPTIONS (THE REPAIR COST IS ENORMOUS, AND THE VEHICLE MAY BE JUNKED DUE TO DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE) I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM WITH SORENTOS, (EARLIER MODELS HAVE BEEN RECALLED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM) BUT KIA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE OR FIX THIS PROBLEM FOR THE 2005 MODELS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IN MY OPINION DUE TO THE FACT THAT IF THE BOLT BREAKS OR SHEARS WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, YOU LOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER OR CONTROL THE CAR. A CALL TO OUR LOCAL DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THEY HAD HAD SEVERAL COME IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, AND AT THIS TIME KIA IS DOING NOTHING. IF THIS PROBLEM EXISTED IN EARLIER MODELS, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HAS NOT BEEN FIXED BY KIA.

NHTSA ODI #10406399

89,000 miles · Jun 7, 2011
Unknown Or Other

THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT BROKE ON MY 2005 KIA SORENTO. I HAVE FOUND A SITE WHERE SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED OF THIS HAPPENING. IT ALSO SAYS THAT A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM WAS DONE ON THE 2003 SORENTOS, BUT NOT THE 2005. LISTED BELOW IS WHERE I FOUND THE OTHER COMPLAINTS. HTTP://REPAIRPAL.COM/REVISED-CRANKSHAFT-PULLEY-BOLT-42…

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THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT BROKE ON MY 2005 KIA SORENTO. I HAVE FOUND A SITE WHERE SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED OF THIS HAPPENING. IT ALSO SAYS THAT A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM WAS DONE ON THE 2003 SORENTOS, BUT NOT THE 2005. LISTED BELOW IS WHERE I FOUND THE OTHER COMPLAINTS. HTTP://REPAIRPAL.COM/REVISED-CRANKSHAFT-PULLEY-BOLT-422. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10405490

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