NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
307 reports5,500 miles · Jun 8, 2007
Air Bags
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP SINCE THE TIME OF PURCHASE. THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SEAT WAS REMOVED AND WORKED ON SIX TIMES FOR THE AIR BAG SENSOR. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. GM STATED THAT THEY CANNOT HELP UNLESS THEY WITNESS THE FA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP SINCE THE TIME OF PURCHASE. THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SEAT WAS REMOVED AND WORKED ON SIX TIMES FOR THE AIR BAG SENSOR. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. GM STATED THAT THEY CANNOT HELP UNLESS THEY WITNESS THE FAILURE FOR THEMSELVES. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 19,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,500.
NHTSA ODI #10192765
5,882 miles · May 21, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CAR IS MAKING A WEASEL KING OF NOISE AROUND 45-55 MPH. KIA TRIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM ANOTHER PROBLEM EMERGED. CAR SHOOK WHEN BRAKING SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN KIA OF THE VALLEY SAID THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THEY ASKED ME TO WAIT SO THEY COULD CONSULT WITH KIA ENGINEERS, BUT BEFORE I HEARD ANYTHING B…
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CAR IS MAKING A WEASEL KING OF NOISE AROUND 45-55 MPH. KIA TRIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM ANOTHER PROBLEM EMERGED. CAR SHOOK WHEN BRAKING SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN KIA OF THE VALLEY SAID THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THEY ASKED ME TO WAIT SO THEY COULD CONSULT WITH KIA ENGINEERS, BUT BEFORE I HEARD ANYTHING BACK THEY CLOSED THE DEALER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10191334
47,000 miles · Apr 10, 2007
Exterior Lighting
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LIGHT BULB , AND, APPROXIMATELY THREE OR FOUR MONTHS LATER, THE BULB WAS REPLACED AGAIN. THE LIGHT BULB STOPPED WORKING AGAIN THREE MONTHS LATER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BULB O…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LIGHT BULB , AND, APPROXIMATELY THREE OR FOUR MONTHS LATER, THE BULB WAS REPLACED AGAIN. THE LIGHT BULB STOPPED WORKING AGAIN THREE MONTHS LATER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BULB ONCE MORE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT STOPPED WORKING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LIGHT BULB FOR THE FOURTH TIME. SINCE THE LAST REMEDY, THERE HAVE BEEN NO OTHER FAILURES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 47,000.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10187435
4,500 miles · Feb 27, 2007
Air Bags
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2005 KIA SORENTO LX, HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT MALFUNCTIONING. ON OCCASION WHEN IN THE PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT SEATTHE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT DID NOT TURN OFF. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 3 OCCASIONS. THE DEALERSHIP CHANGED THE SE…
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TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2005 KIA SORENTO LX, HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT MALFUNCTIONING. ON OCCASION WHEN IN THE PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT SEATTHE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT DID NOT TURN OFF. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 3 OCCASIONS. THE DEALERSHIP CHANGED THE SEAT SENSOR THREE TIMES ,AND TOOK THE SEAT OUT TO HAVE IT SHIPPED TO CALIFORNIA TO REPROGRAM THE SEAT SENSOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED HER THAT SOMETIMES SHE MAY HAVE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND GET BACK INTO THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE SENSOR LIGHT TO WORK PROPERLY. SHE HAD AN ARBITRATION CASE DATED FOR 03/01/07, WITH CASE # KIA 0732574, FOR THE COMPLAINT FILED WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU REGARDING THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES AND REPAIR ORDERS AVAILABLE, WILL SUBMIT THEM TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4500, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13000.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10183626
Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2007
Power Train
MANUAL TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENT SHIFTING SAFETY DEFECT CAUSES OUR 2005 KIA SORENTO TO LOCK UP WHILE WE ARE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND WILL NOT LET US SHIFT GEARS OR MOVE THE CAR. HAS HAPPENED PULLING INTO TRAFFIC IN FIRST GEAR; HAS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY SHIFTING UP THROUGH GEARS, HAS HAPPENED DOWN SHIFTING IN INTERSECTIONS. THIS …
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MANUAL TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENT SHIFTING SAFETY DEFECT CAUSES OUR 2005 KIA SORENTO TO LOCK UP WHILE WE ARE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND WILL NOT LET US SHIFT GEARS OR MOVE THE CAR. HAS HAPPENED PULLING INTO TRAFFIC IN FIRST GEAR; HAS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY SHIFTING UP THROUGH GEARS, HAS HAPPENED DOWN SHIFTING IN INTERSECTIONS. THIS DANGEROUS SAFETY DEFECT COULD CAUSE US TO BE IN A POSSIBLY FATAL ACCIDENT. WE HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO KIA INC. TWO TIMES AND TAKEN TO DEALERS FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD SINCE THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE IT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO HELP US. THEY TEST DRIVE THE CAR BUT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE TO LOOK AT THE CAR. IN THE MEANTIME THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO EXIST AND WE ARE DRIVING A DANGEROUS VEHICLE AND WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED. OUR CONSCIENCE TELLS US WE SHOULD NOT TRADE OR SELL THIS AUTO BECAUSE WE KNOW IT HAS A POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING SAFETY DEFECT (EVEN THOUGH IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY) . THIS IS A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE. EVERY TIME WE DRIVE THE CAR WE WONDER IF THE SHIFTING PROBLEM WILL OCCUR. WE HAVE YOUNG GRANDCHILDREN AND BOUGHT THE KIA SORENTO BECAUSE OF ITS POSITIVE SAFETY FEATURES. BECAUSE OF THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM WE ARE HIGHLY CONCERNED FOR THEIR AND OUR SAFETY. *NM UPDATED 11/21/06. *JB UPDATED
NHTSA ODI #10172638
Mileage unknown · May 22, 2006
Exterior Lighting
I PURCHASED MY 2005 KIA SORENTO IN THE FALL OF 2004. IT IS NOW MAY OF 2006. I HAVE REPLACED 5 HEADLIGHT BULBS IN THIS TIME. THEY BEGAN TO GO BAD ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO, AND I HAVE REPLACED ONE EVERY 30-45 DAYS. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE BULBS ARE EFFECTED. KIA DEALERSHIP IN LANSING SAYS THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING. VEHIC…
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I PURCHASED MY 2005 KIA SORENTO IN THE FALL OF 2004. IT IS NOW MAY OF 2006. I HAVE REPLACED 5 HEADLIGHT BULBS IN THIS TIME. THEY BEGAN TO GO BAD ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO, AND I HAVE REPLACED ONE EVERY 30-45 DAYS. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE BULBS ARE EFFECTED. KIA DEALERSHIP IN LANSING SAYS THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING. VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10158054
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
29,000 miles · Feb 16, 2006
EquipmentExterior Lighting
HEADLIGHTS FREQUENTLY GO OUT. I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THEM TWICE SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR ONE YEAR AGO. THEY GET EXTREMELY HOT AND ALMOST MELT. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND IT SEEMS LIKE THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10150466
7,350 miles · Feb 2, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKING SYSTEM NOT WORKING PROPERLY. FIRST TIME I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP AT A LIGHT AND THEY WERE SLOW REACTING, WHICH CAUSED MY TO GO INTO THE INTERSECTION. SECOND TIME I WAS GOING ABOUT 15 MPH AND WENT TO BRAKE AND THE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT STOPPING THE CAR. DEALERSHIP DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, BUT CLE…
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BRAKING SYSTEM NOT WORKING PROPERLY. FIRST TIME I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP AT A LIGHT AND THEY WERE SLOW REACTING, WHICH CAUSED MY TO GO INTO THE INTERSECTION. SECOND TIME I WAS GOING ABOUT 15 MPH AND WENT TO BRAKE AND THE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT STOPPING THE CAR. DEALERSHIP DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, BUT CLEARLY THERE IS A PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10149325
26,000 miles · Jan 29, 2006
Exterior Lighting
I HAVE HAD THE HEADLIGHTS O 2005 KIA SORENTO REPLACED TWICE NOW. THEY BOTH WENT OUT WITHIN A DAY OF EACH OTHER THE FIRST TIME. I HAD TO PAY 129.00 ON THE CAR WAS LES THAN I YEAR OLD. THE SECOND TIME THEY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS SERIOUS. ALOT OF KIA OWNERS ARE COMPLAINING BUY KIA SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG. THERE MUST BE. CAN…
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I HAVE HAD THE HEADLIGHTS O 2005 KIA SORENTO REPLACED TWICE NOW. THEY BOTH WENT OUT WITHIN A DAY OF EACH OTHER THE FIRST TIME. I HAD TO PAY 129.00 ON THE CAR WAS LES THAN I YEAR OLD. THE SECOND TIME THEY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS SERIOUS. ALOT OF KIA OWNERS ARE COMPLAINING BUY KIA SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG. THERE MUST BE. CAN YOU HELP GET KIA TO RECALL & FIX THIS PROBLEM?*AK
NHTSA ODI #10148949