NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
307 reports150,000 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…
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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
145,000 miles · Dec 27, 2016
StructureSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRACKETS ON THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLAC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRACKETS ON THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10937690
132,000 miles · Oct 24, 2016
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT WARRANTY. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 132,000.
NHTSA ODI #10918620
155,000 miles · Oct 5, 2016
Structure
WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 KIA SORENTO, WAS COMING TO A STOP, THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED AND THE REAR END SHIFTED, THE TIRE STARTED RUBBING ON THE BODY. GOT IT UNDER CONTROL AND PULLED OVER. CHECKED UNDER VEHICLE AND FOUND THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND THE CONTROL ARM BROKE OFF OF THE FRAME. HAD TO GET IT TOWED.
NHTSA ODI #10913928
100,000 miles · Sep 29, 2016
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED UNDER THE REAR AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10910561
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…
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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
93,000 miles · Sep 14, 2016
Suspension
I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE FOR A COOLANT LEAK. MY MECHANIC ASKED THAT I COME OVER TO LOOK AT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE CONTROL ARM WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE REAR AXLE. HE EXPLAINED THAT THE UPPER CONTROL ARM BRACKET WELDED TO THE REAR AXLE ON DRIVER SIDE ROTTED RIGHT THROUGH, CAUSING THE CONTROL ARM TO COME …
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I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE FOR A COOLANT LEAK. MY MECHANIC ASKED THAT I COME OVER TO LOOK AT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE CONTROL ARM WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE REAR AXLE. HE EXPLAINED THAT THE UPPER CONTROL ARM BRACKET WELDED TO THE REAR AXLE ON DRIVER SIDE ROTTED RIGHT THROUGH, CAUSING THE CONTROL ARM TO COME OFF. I CALLED KIA AND THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING TO HELP. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ADDRESSED IN THE UK AND DOMESTICALLY FOR HYUNDIA SANTA FE. SO BASICLY I HAVE A 2005 KIA WITH 93,000 MILES ON IT THAT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO A DESIGN DEFECT. BOTH KIA AND DEALER SAID THEY WOULD DO NOTHING.
NHTSA ODI #10906393
78,749 miles · Jul 29, 2016
Engine
ON 07/14/16 I TRIED TO START MY VEHICLE. IT DID NOT START SO I CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO GIVE ME KICK START. THE ENGINE STARTED AND THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAD. TWO DRIVER TOLD ME TO TAKE IT AND GET THE BATTERY CHECKED OUT IT JUST DIDN'T SEEM RIGHT TO HIM. SO I DID AND THAT IS WHEN I FOUND OUT THE I …
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ON 07/14/16 I TRIED TO START MY VEHICLE. IT DID NOT START SO I CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO GIVE ME KICK START. THE ENGINE STARTED AND THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAD. TWO DRIVER TOLD ME TO TAKE IT AND GET THE BATTERY CHECKED OUT IT JUST DIDN'T SEEM RIGHT TO HIM. SO I DID AND THAT IS WHEN I FOUND OUT THE I HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION THEY FOUND THAT THE COOLANT GOT INTO THE ENGINE AND TWO OF THE PISTONS WERE GONE AND THE INTERIOR WALL OF THE ENGINE WAS SCORCHED BADLY. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF I LOVED IT AND MADE SURE I FOLLOWED ALL THE REQUIREMENTS BU KIA TO KEEP THIS CAR RUNNING. WITH SUCH LITTLE MILES THIS SHOULD OF NEVER HAPPENED. IN MY INVESTIGATION, I FOUND SIMILAR REPORTS REGARDING KIA SORENTO'S AND ENGINE PROBLEMS. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH KIA BUT THEY HAVE NOT MADE ANY GESTURES TO HELP ME. I DO NOT HAVE MONEY TO GET A NEW CAR AND THIS WAS MY TRANSPORTATION TO DRIVE ABOUT 2HRS TO HELP MY 93 1/2 YR OLD MOTHER. NOW I CAN'T DO THAT. I LOVED THIS CAR AND CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT KIA WILL NOT HELP. I HAVE HAD TO RENT A CAR FOR 2 DAYS, TAKE A TAXI AND DEPEND ON OTHERS IN MY TIME OF NEED.
NHTSA ODI #10891619
88,000 miles · Jul 22, 2016
Unknown Or Other
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WHEN CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BROKE OFF CAUSING BELTS TO SHRED AND COME OFF. LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN!
NHTSA ODI #10887719
50,000 miles · Jul 18, 2016
Air BagsEngineUnknown Or Other
DRIVING ACROSS A 4 LANE EXPRESSWAY, BARELY MADE IT ACROSS, THE VEHICLE SPUTTERS AND COMES TO A STOP AFTER FIGHTING WITH THE POWER STEERING LOSING ALL CONTROL. CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HAS DAMAGED THE ENGINE SO SEVERE, THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS PUT IN AT OUR EXPENSE ($5,000), GAS TANK WAS DISCOVERED TO HAVE A HOLE AND LEAKING GAS. AIR BAG …
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DRIVING ACROSS A 4 LANE EXPRESSWAY, BARELY MADE IT ACROSS, THE VEHICLE SPUTTERS AND COMES TO A STOP AFTER FIGHTING WITH THE POWER STEERING LOSING ALL CONTROL. CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HAS DAMAGED THE ENGINE SO SEVERE, THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS PUT IN AT OUR EXPENSE ($5,000), GAS TANK WAS DISCOVERED TO HAVE A HOLE AND LEAKING GAS. AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF JUST DEPENDS ON IT'S MOOD, THE DISPLAY ON THE RADIO, ETC. GOES AWAY IN COLD WEATHER, AND NOW HAVE A CONSTANT THUMP THUMP WHEN DRIVING AS IF THE TIRE IS FLAT. DRIVING FOR 5 MONTHS WITH NEW ENGINE, I PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR QUICKLY TO PASS A TRUCK WHEN A LOUD NOISE (SOUNDING LIKE THE ENGINE BLEW) FROM THE ENGINE WAS HEARD THEN SOMETHING COMES LOOSE AND HITS THE UNDERCARRIAGE SO HARD I CAN FEEL IT THROUGH THE FLOORBOARD. NO SMOKE, NO ELEVATION IN TEMPERATURE. PULL OVER, THERE IS NOW A VIBRATION WHEN IDLING BUT CANNOT SEE ANYTHING OBVIOUS MISSING. WHATEVER IT WAS TOOK CHUNKS OUT OF THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. BRAKES SEEMED TO LOCK UP AT TIMES AND YOU COULD FEEL SOMETHING LIKE A PUMP LOSING AIR AND THE CAR SLIDES JUST BEFORE THE COMPLETE STOP WITH A LOW GROANING NOISE. HAVEN'T TOOK TO THE MECHANIC YET, BUT WILL BE SOON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10885737