NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
242 reports106,000 miles · Mar 5, 2014
EngineCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORRENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT ONCE THE VEHICLE STALLED, HE LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORRENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT ONCE THE VEHICLE STALLED, HE LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
NHTSA ODI #10567472
73,100 miles · Feb 10, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting
2006 KIA SORENTO COMPLAINT: ENGINE , STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , EXTERIOR LIGHTING ,THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR I AM CHANGING THE HEAD LIGHTS EVERY 4-5 MONTH AND I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT. WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON WITH NO WARNING. AND JUST LAST WEEK 2/2/2014 THE ENGINE ST…
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2006 KIA SORENTO COMPLAINT: ENGINE , STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , EXTERIOR LIGHTING ,THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR I AM CHANGING THE HEAD LIGHTS EVERY 4-5 MONTH AND I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT. WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON WITH NO WARNING. AND JUST LAST WEEK 2/2/2014 THE ENGINE STOPPED AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING AND ALSO NO BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A SIDE ROAD AND BARELY GOT THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED AND HAD TO REPLACE A THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AND A MASS AIR FLOW METER AND AIR FILTER AND THE HARMONIC BALANCER. THIS IS CRAZY THESE PROBLEMS AND REQUIRES EXTENSIVE AND EXPENSIVE REPAIR TO THE ENGINE. THIS INDICATES TO US A MANUFACTURER'S DESIGN FLAW AND PROBABLE SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY KIA WORLDWIDE. IT'S DISTURBING WITH HOW MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS I'M READING ON THIS SITE ABOUT THE SAME EXACT THING! IS THERE ANY HELP OUT THERE THIS IS TOO EXPENSIVE FOR ALL THESE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,100. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10563656
56,000 miles · Jan 25, 2014
Exterior Lighting
I JUST GOT MY KIA A YEAR AGO AND I LOVE IT BUT WE ARE CHANGING THE HEAD LIGHTS EVERY MONTH AND I NEVER GET THE RECALLS IN THE MAIL FOR ANYTHING SO I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT. BUYING LIGHTS EVERY MONTH ADD UP TO A LOT OF MONEY AFTER AWHILE. AND IF I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND BOTH WENT OUT AT NIGHT SOMEONE COULD GET HURT…
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I JUST GOT MY KIA A YEAR AGO AND I LOVE IT BUT WE ARE CHANGING THE HEAD LIGHTS EVERY MONTH AND I NEVER GET THE RECALLS IN THE MAIL FOR ANYTHING SO I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT. BUYING LIGHTS EVERY MONTH ADD UP TO A LOT OF MONEY AFTER AWHILE. AND IF I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND BOTH WENT OUT AT NIGHT SOMEONE COULD GET HURT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10561433
118,801 miles · Jan 23, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesStructureCrash
DRIVING IN WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS, HAD VEHICLE IN CRUISE CONTROL ON INTERSTATE GOING ABOUT 40 MPH, NOT 45 MPH, CARS AHEAD WERE BRAKING DUE TO GUSTY WINDS AND DECREASED VISIBILITY (BLOWING SNOW). PROCEEDED TO BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN, WHILE IN CRUISE CONTROL MODE, BRAKES DID NOT WORK AS THEY NORMALLY DUE AND VEHICLE HIT A SIDE RA…
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DRIVING IN WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS, HAD VEHICLE IN CRUISE CONTROL ON INTERSTATE GOING ABOUT 40 MPH, NOT 45 MPH, CARS AHEAD WERE BRAKING DUE TO GUSTY WINDS AND DECREASED VISIBILITY (BLOWING SNOW). PROCEEDED TO BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN, WHILE IN CRUISE CONTROL MODE, BRAKES DID NOT WORK AS THEY NORMALLY DUE AND VEHICLE HIT A SIDE RAIL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE MOMENTARILY. VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO MOMENTARILY GET BACK ONTO INTERSTATE ROAD BEFORE GOING INTO A DITCH ON OTHER SIDE-OPPOSITE OF GUARD RAIL, OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS JUST PURCHASED/FINANCE 12/7/2013 AND IS NOW CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS DUE TO DAMAGES THE VEHICLE SUFFERS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10561206
79,000 miles · Nov 29, 2013
Engine
WIFE WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON WITH NO WARNING. THE ENGINE STOPPED AND SHE HAD NO POWER STEERING AND ALSO NO BRAKES. SHE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A SIDE ROAD AND BARELY GOT THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE STEERING WAS VERY DIFFICULT. IF IT WOULD HAVE BROKE ANOTHER 200 FEET AHEAD SHE WOULD NOT HAVE BEE…
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WIFE WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON WITH NO WARNING. THE ENGINE STOPPED AND SHE HAD NO POWER STEERING AND ALSO NO BRAKES. SHE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A SIDE ROAD AND BARELY GOT THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE STEERING WAS VERY DIFFICULT. IF IT WOULD HAVE BROKE ANOTHER 200 FEET AHEAD SHE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AS LUCKY SINCE THERE IS A VERY SHARP AND DANGEROUS CURVE. THE CURVE HAS A SINGLE GUARD RAIL THAT SHE MORE IN LIKELY WOULD HAVE WENT THROUGH RESULTING IN A 400 FOOT DROP DOWN A STEEP HILL. POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FATAL CRASH.THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO COUGHLIN KIA DEALERSHIP IN NEWARK OHIO. WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT HAD BROKE IN THE MOTOR. THIS CAUSED THE TIMING PULLING AND MAIN PULLEY TO BREAK OFF. THE RESULT WAS MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE.THE SERVICE MANAGER CONTACTED HIS KIA REGIONAL REP.AND WAS INFORMED THE DAMAGE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE 10 YR./100000 MILE WARRANTY. WE DID HAVE THE SAME DEALERSHIP REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN 2YRS. EARLIER AT APPR. 57000 MILES AS KIA REQUIRES THIS MAINTENANCE DONE BEFORE 60000 MILES.THEY ALSO REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT AS KIA RECOMMENDS IT ALSO. THIS WAS A COST OF NEARLY $800 FOR THIS SERVICE. THE ESTIMATE FOR THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT IS $4000 ON A VEHICLE VALUED AT $6000. KIA REFUSES TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE ON THESE MOTORS. THEIR WAS ARECALL ON THE 03 & 04 ENGINES BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE WILL BE KILLED DRIVING THESE VEHICLES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10554094
60,000 miles · Sep 18, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
THERE HAS BEEN MULTIPLE TIMES OF ME CHANGING BOTH HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS. NOW MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE OUT AT THE SAME TIME ALONG WITH ONE HEADLIGHT. THE LIGHTS ARE NOT EVEN 2 WEEKS OLD. IT REALLY IS SCARY TO KNOW THAT MY LIGHTS CAN GO OUT AT ANY TIME. (WHICH HAS HAPPENED, THANKFULLY NOT WHEN IT WAS COMPLETELY DARK) AND TODAY, I A…
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THERE HAS BEEN MULTIPLE TIMES OF ME CHANGING BOTH HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS. NOW MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE OUT AT THE SAME TIME ALONG WITH ONE HEADLIGHT. THE LIGHTS ARE NOT EVEN 2 WEEKS OLD. IT REALLY IS SCARY TO KNOW THAT MY LIGHTS CAN GO OUT AT ANY TIME. (WHICH HAS HAPPENED, THANKFULLY NOT WHEN IT WAS COMPLETELY DARK) AND TODAY, I ALMOST GOT INTO A WRECK BECAUSE I WASN'T AWARE THAT MY 2 WEEK OLD TAIL LIGHTS ARE OUT. MY DASH BOARD LIGHTS AND MY DOME LIGHT FLICKERS AND I HAVE TO HIT THE TOP OF THE DASHBOARD FOR THEM TO COME BACK ON. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS AND I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS WITH THIS MAKE AND YEAR. KIA REALLY NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10544275
89,000 miles · Sep 8, 2013
Unknown Or OtherInjury
ABOUT A WEEK AGO, I WAS UNLOADING GROCERIES FROM MY KIA SORENTO. THE HATCHBACK HAS A HANDLE IN ORDER TO PULL DOWN THE HATCHBACK. IN THIS INSTANCE, I PULLED IT DOWN A LITTLE BIT AND IT FELT LIKE IT HAD BEEN JERKED OUT OF MY HAND AND FELL ON MY HAND. I HAVE SOME DEEP CUTS AND POSSIBLY A BREAK IN MY HAND. IT FELT AS IF THE HATC…
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ABOUT A WEEK AGO, I WAS UNLOADING GROCERIES FROM MY KIA SORENTO. THE HATCHBACK HAS A HANDLE IN ORDER TO PULL DOWN THE HATCHBACK. IN THIS INSTANCE, I PULLED IT DOWN A LITTLE BIT AND IT FELT LIKE IT HAD BEEN JERKED OUT OF MY HAND AND FELL ON MY HAND. I HAVE SOME DEEP CUTS AND POSSIBLY A BREAK IN MY HAND. IT FELT AS IF THE HATCH ONCE I LET GO CONTINUED AS IF IT WAS PULLED DOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10542494
117,000 miles · Sep 6, 2013
Suspension
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE AND ALSO WHEN BRAKING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR FRAME AXLE WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STABILIZER REAR MOUN…
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TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE AND ALSO WHEN BRAKING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR FRAME AXLE WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STABILIZER REAR MOUNT HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000. KMJ
NHTSA ODI #10542214
64,000 miles · Aug 26, 2013
Suspension
DURING A TURN IN A MALL PARKING LOT THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE FROM THE LEFT FRONT SIDE, IT TURNED OUT TO BE A RUSTED THROUGH LOWER CONTROL ARM FOR THE LEFT WHEEL. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF THIS, AND BECAUSE WE LIVE IN A NORTHERN STATE, WHERE ROAD SALT IS A CONCERN, THIS SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT KIA ADDRESSES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10537242
82,000 miles · Aug 9, 2013
Engine
WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE.THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN-QUITS AT ANY SPEED (EVEN IDLE) LAST TIME AT 60 MILES AN HOUR ON THE FREEWAY. LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER W/O BEING REAR ENDED. THE VEHICLE REFUSED TO START FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES. THEN I GOT IT STARTED AND RAN ROUGH A COUPLE OF MINUTES THEN CLEARED UP TH…
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WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE.THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN-QUITS AT ANY SPEED (EVEN IDLE) LAST TIME AT 60 MILES AN HOUR ON THE FREEWAY. LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER W/O BEING REAR ENDED. THE VEHICLE REFUSED TO START FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES. THEN I GOT IT STARTED AND RAN ROUGH A COUPLE OF MINUTES THEN CLEARED UP THE REST OF THE WAY. ANOTHER OCCASION THE ENGINE QUIT IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION IN 5:00 TRAFFIC, CAUSING BAD CONJESTION. THE ENGINE LIGHT IS TRIGGERED OCCASIONALLY BUT NO REPAIR CODES ARE SEEN WHEN THE COMPUTER IS HOOKED UP. THIS IS HAPPENING ABOUT EVERY 3 -4 DAYS AND MAYBE 2 X'S IN A DAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED EVER SINCE THE DEALER CHANGED THE TIMING BELT-REGULAR MAINTENENCE ABOUT 80,0000 MI. THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING AND SOUNDING JUST GREAT BEFORE THE KIA DEALER DID THIS. ON THE WAY HOME, THE VEHICLE WENT DEAD AND HAD NO POWER. GOT THE DEALER TO TAKE IT BACK. THINGS WERE NOT PLUGGED IN--ALTERNATOR ETC. THE MECHANIC WAS IN A HURRY TO LEAVE FOR THE WEEKEND. NOW LEFT LIFTER BANK CLATTERS UPON STARTUP A CODE WAS GIVEN THAT THE DEALER DID NOT CLEAR THE COMPUTER WHEN THE BELT WAS CHANGED. WE CLEARED IT AND THE ENGINE STILL QUITS. THE DEALER WENT OUT OF BUSINESS (GO FIGURE). ALSO THE AIR CONDITIONING QUIT DUE TO A LINE THAT WAS SPLIT POSSIBLY WHEN THE MECHANIC WAS WORKING ON THE TIMING BELT. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT (ACCIDENT) IF THIS VEHICLE CONTINUES TO DO THIS.NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT IS WRONG. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10534483
NHTSA investigations
1DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities
Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.