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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

307 reports
2,000 miles · Jul 10, 2011
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE A 2005 KIA SORENTO. THE TAIL LIGHTS, TAG LIGHTS, HEAD LIGHTS, AND RUNNING LIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY GOING UP. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND I AM SICK AND TIRED OF SPENDING A SMALL FORTUNE IN BULBS FOR THIS CAR. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW IN 2005 AND HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING. KIA WILL NOT ACKNOW…

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I HAVE A 2005 KIA SORENTO. THE TAIL LIGHTS, TAG LIGHTS, HEAD LIGHTS, AND RUNNING LIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY GOING UP. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND I AM SICK AND TIRED OF SPENDING A SMALL FORTUNE IN BULBS FOR THIS CAR. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW IN 2005 AND HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING. KIA WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM OR PUT A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. FOR THE SAFETY OF MY TWO KIDS WHO ARE PASSENGERS IN THIS VEHICLE, PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10411653

43,560 miles · Jun 14, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingCrash

I WAS BACKING UP OUT OF A PARKING SPOT WHEN THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING, I COULDN'T REACT FAST ENOUGH AND ENDED UP HITTING A CEMENT POLE. WHEN I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC I WAS INFORMED THAT THE BOLT FOR THE CRANKSHAFT HAD BROKEN. ( THE CAR HAS ONLY 43,500 MILES ON IT) WHEN TALKING WITH KIA DEALER AND DOING SOME O…

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I WAS BACKING UP OUT OF A PARKING SPOT WHEN THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING, I COULDN'T REACT FAST ENOUGH AND ENDED UP HITTING A CEMENT POLE. WHEN I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC I WAS INFORMED THAT THE BOLT FOR THE CRANKSHAFT HAD BROKEN. ( THE CAR HAS ONLY 43,500 MILES ON IT) WHEN TALKING WITH KIA DEALER AND DOING SOME ONLINE RESEARCH I LEARNED THAT THIS IS A PRETTY COMMON FAILURE. I WAS TOLD THAT KIA WAS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT LEFT THE DEALERS TO FEND FOR THEMSELVES. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL, DO THEY NEED SOMEONE TO BE KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT BEFORE THEY CONSIDER IT A PROBLEM? THE NHTSA HAS THE POWER TO INTERVENE AND I URGE YOU STEP UP AND ADDRESS THIS ONGOING PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10406878

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

80,000 miles · Jun 6, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

2005 KIA SORENTO EX WITH 80,000 MILES; CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT FAILED MAY OF 2011, RESULTING IN BEING STRANDED. TOWED TO NEAREST REPAIR FACILITY, COST APPROX. $1200.00 FOR REPAIR. THE 2003 AND 2004 KIA MODELS HAD A RECALL FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM, BUT KIA REFUSES TO EXTEND THE RECALL TO 2005, EVEN THOUGH MANY KIA OWNERS HAVE EXPER…

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2005 KIA SORENTO EX WITH 80,000 MILES; CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT FAILED MAY OF 2011, RESULTING IN BEING STRANDED. TOWED TO NEAREST REPAIR FACILITY, COST APPROX. $1200.00 FOR REPAIR. THE 2003 AND 2004 KIA MODELS HAD A RECALL FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM, BUT KIA REFUSES TO EXTEND THE RECALL TO 2005, EVEN THOUGH MANY KIA OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. SOME HAVE HAD THEIR CRANKSHAFT BOLTS FAIL MULTIPLE TIMES. I HAVE CONTACTED KIA SEVERAL TIMES TO TRY TO GET THEM TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR BUT THEY HAVE REFUSED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10405311

111,025 miles · Jun 1, 2011
Steering

ON TUESDAY MAY 24, 2011 AS I WAS ABOUT TO MAKE A TURN IN MY 2005 KIA SORENTO THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE BRAKE LIGHT TURNED ON. I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT SLIGHTLY AND DRIVE DIAGONAL TO THE SIDEWALK AND PARK THE VEHICLE. UPON TOWING THE VEHICLE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE DAMPER, CONTR…

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ON TUESDAY MAY 24, 2011 AS I WAS ABOUT TO MAKE A TURN IN MY 2005 KIA SORENTO THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE BRAKE LIGHT TURNED ON. I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT SLIGHTLY AND DRIVE DIAGONAL TO THE SIDEWALK AND PARK THE VEHICLE. UPON TOWING THE VEHICLE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE DAMPER, CONTROLLING THE STEERING HAD BROKEN. I AM CURRENTLY RESEARCHING HOW THIS BOLT COULD HAVE BROKEN. MY VEHICLE HAS 111,025 MILES AND I AM THE FIRST OWNER. THE VEHICLE IS UNDRIVEABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10404011

75,000 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

Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2011
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE A 2005 KIA SORENTO THAT CONSTANTLY HAS HEADLIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, FOG LIGHTS & BRAKE LIGHTS THAT CONSTANTLY GO OUT. I NORMALLY HAVE TO REPLACE ONE OF THESE LIGHTS AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH......I'VE STARTED KEEPING MY RECEIPTS BECAUSE HOPEFULLY KIA WILL STAND BY THEIR VEHICLES AND FINALLY DO A RECALL ON THIS. I LOOK ONLINE AN…

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I HAVE A 2005 KIA SORENTO THAT CONSTANTLY HAS HEADLIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, FOG LIGHTS & BRAKE LIGHTS THAT CONSTANTLY GO OUT. I NORMALLY HAVE TO REPLACE ONE OF THESE LIGHTS AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH......I'VE STARTED KEEPING MY RECEIPTS BECAUSE HOPEFULLY KIA WILL STAND BY THEIR VEHICLES AND FINALLY DO A RECALL ON THIS. I LOOK ONLINE AND SEVERAL PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE, BUT IT LOOKS AS IF KIA ISN'T STANDING BY THEIR VEHICLE. I HAVE NO INTENTION ON PURCHASING A KIA AGAIN. I HAVE CALLED THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT QUITE A FEW TIMES TO SEE IF THEIR HAS BEEN A RECALL ISSUED YET, BUT THE SERVICEMEN SEEM TO BLOW THE ISSUE OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10395486

75,440 miles · Apr 8, 2011
Electrical System

WE WERE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH WHEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITHIN 2 SECONDS VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER INCLUDING POWER BRAKES AND STEERING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10395294

112,000 miles · Apr 4, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

BOLT FOR THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HAS SHEARED OFF TWICE SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE 5 MONTHS AGO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10394152

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