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2007 Kia Sorento

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2007 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

120 reports with mileage · 34 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 58 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports5 fire reports8 injury reports

Service Brakes complaints

18 reports
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51,222 miles · Aug 30, 2016
Service Brakes

THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH CONTINUES TO BE FAULTY. IN SOME CASES THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE AT ALL AND OTHER TIMES THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAIN ON AND DRAIN THE BATTERY. THIS OCCURS WHILE DRIVING OR STATIONARY. (THIS HAS BEEN A RECALL AND FIXED 4 TIMES AND CONTINUES TO OCCUR).

NHTSA ODI #10899620

125,000 miles · Nov 27, 2015
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

I OWN A 2007 KIA SORENTO. RECENTLY, MY CHECK ENGINE AND ESC OFF LIGHTS BECAME ILLUMINATED ON MY DASHBOARD. I NOTICED THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATING WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. AFTER LOOKING UP MY CAR MAKE AND MODEL ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE, I NOTICED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR MY MODEL YEAR SORENTO FOR THE EXACT SAME PRO…

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I OWN A 2007 KIA SORENTO. RECENTLY, MY CHECK ENGINE AND ESC OFF LIGHTS BECAME ILLUMINATED ON MY DASHBOARD. I NOTICED THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATING WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. AFTER LOOKING UP MY CAR MAKE AND MODEL ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE, I NOTICED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR MY MODEL YEAR SORENTO FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V114000/KIA SERVICE CAMPAIGN SC098). I TOOK THE CARTO MY LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME I WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL AS MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. AS SUCH, I HAVE TO DRIVE AROUND WITHOUT FUNCTIONAL BRAKE LAMPS UNTIL I GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED--INCREASING MY CHANCES OF BEING REAR-ENDED. I TRAVEL CONSTANTLY FOR WORK SO I DO NOT HAVE THE LUXURY OF NOT DRIVING. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND RESOLVED.

NHTSA ODI #10807141

98,432 miles · Aug 29, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior LightingService Brakes

ESC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. DEALER SERVICE DEPT STATED THAT BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS AT FAULT, BUT THAT IT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPLACED IN MAR 2010 UNDER A RECALL CAMPAIGN. AFTER REPLACING SWITCH THIS TIME, DEALER SERVICE ADVISER STATED THAT SWITCH APPEARED TO BE ORIGINAL, BUT THA…

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ESC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. DEALER SERVICE DEPT STATED THAT BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS AT FAULT, BUT THAT IT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPLACED IN MAR 2010 UNDER A RECALL CAMPAIGN. AFTER REPLACING SWITCH THIS TIME, DEALER SERVICE ADVISER STATED THAT SWITCH APPEARED TO BE ORIGINAL, BUT THAT I WOULD STILL HAVE TO PAY FOR PARTS AND LABOR ($129.86). I PAID BUT PROTESTED. I HAVE SERIOUS DOUBTS THAT BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED IN MAR 2010 AS DEALER STATED, SINCE THE RECENTLY REPLACED SWITCH APPEARED TO BE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. SUBSEQUENTLY, I FEEL AS THOUGH I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THE MOST RECENT (AUG 2014) REPAIR, ESPECIALLY IF SWITCH HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN PREVIOUSLY. I SUSPECT THAT DEALER EITHER FALSIFIED THE MAR 2010 REPAIR, AND/OR REPLACED RECALLED SWITCH WITH IDENTICAL REPLACEMENT (WHICH IS PRONE TO FAILURE). WHAT GOOD IS A RECALL IF ORIGINAL DEFECT WAS SIMPLY REINSTALLED? I DO HAVE POSSESSION OF DEFECTIVE SWITCH REPLACED IN AUG 2014. NOT ONLY DO I WANT MY MONEY RETURNED TO ME, BUT I WOULD LIKE SOME ASSURANCE THAT THE PROBLEM IS NOW REMEDIED WITH A RELIABLE SWITCH. PLEASE RESPOND. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10629465

121,500 miles · Aug 16, 2014
Service BrakesStructureWheelsCrashInjury

MY DAUGHTER WAS ON HER WAY TO WORK,SHE WAS COMING TO A STOP AT THE END OF THE ROAD AND HAD NO BRAKES AND SHE CONTINUED ON ACROSS THE ROAD WENT UP THE BANK ACROSS THE ROAD AND WHEN SHE REACHED THE TOP IT BEGAN SLIDING DOWN AND ENDED UP LAYING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THANKFULLY SHE WAS NOT HURT TO BAD. I HAVE HAD THE CAR CHECKED OU…

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MY DAUGHTER WAS ON HER WAY TO WORK,SHE WAS COMING TO A STOP AT THE END OF THE ROAD AND HAD NO BRAKES AND SHE CONTINUED ON ACROSS THE ROAD WENT UP THE BANK ACROSS THE ROAD AND WHEN SHE REACHED THE TOP IT BEGAN SLIDING DOWN AND ENDED UP LAYING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THANKFULLY SHE WAS NOT HURT TO BAD. I HAVE HAD THE CAR CHECKED OUT,REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD AND PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW AND MIRROR. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER,AND STILL HAD NO BREAKS,COME TO FIND OUT AFTER CALLING KIA THEY SAID IT WAS THE (HECU) UNIT.THEY ARE SAYING IT WILL COST AROUND 1500.00 TO REPLACE THIS.I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF NOTHING MORE RIDICULOUS. THE CAR IS STILL DRIVABLE. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOORS ARE BENT-UP SOME,BUT THEY OPEN AND CLOSE JUST FINE DON'T LOOK GOOD BUT ITS STILL DRIVABLE. I THINK KIA SHOULD REPLACE THIS (HECU) BECAUSE ITS A FACTORY DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10625700

50,000 miles · May 28, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

PART WAS ALREADY REPLACED ON A MANDATORY RECALL. NOW THE REPLACEMENTS FOR THE RECALL ARE FAILING. KIA WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THE REPAIR COSTS, THIS MEANS MANY PEOPLE WILL BE DRIVING WITH OUT BRAKE LIGHTS. I AM ON MY THIRD SWITCH- THE PART SHOULD EASILY OUT LIVE THE CAR! I AM SURE THEY REPLACED IT WITH THE SAME EXACT PART THIN…

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PART WAS ALREADY REPLACED ON A MANDATORY RECALL. NOW THE REPLACEMENTS FOR THE RECALL ARE FAILING. KIA WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THE REPAIR COSTS, THIS MEANS MANY PEOPLE WILL BE DRIVING WITH OUT BRAKE LIGHTS. I AM ON MY THIRD SWITCH- THE PART SHOULD EASILY OUT LIVE THE CAR! I AM SURE THEY REPLACED IT WITH THE SAME EXACT PART THINKING MOST PEOPLE WOULD BE OUT OF THE VEHICLE BY THE TIME IT FAILED AGAIN. I AM SURE THIS IS NOT WHAT YOU HAD IN MIND WHEN YOU ISSUED THE OTHER RECALLS ON THIS PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10594565

71,885 miles · Apr 7, 2014
Power TrainService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SHE DRIVING 45 MPH THE BRAKE SYSTEM LOCKED FAILED TO ENGAGE WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSED THE GEAR SHIFT TO FAIL. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS HOME. THE…

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

NHTSA ODI #10577846

170,000 miles · Nov 13, 2013
Service BrakesCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE DUE TO NOT KNOWING THAT THE CONTACT WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND A POLICE RE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE DUE TO NOT KNOWING THAT THE CONTACT WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. AFTER THE CRASH, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V114000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ODI #10552040

103,000 miles · Aug 6, 2012
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SET THE CRUISE CONTROL AND UNABLE TO ACTIVATE THE STABILITY CONTROL. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS ALSO WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE SWITCH WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SET THE CRUISE CONTROL AND UNABLE TO ACTIVATE THE STABILITY CONTROL. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS ALSO WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE SWITCH WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

NHTSA ODI #10469335

Official recalls

4

20V088000 · Electrical System; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Feb 14, 2020

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the vehicle is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the main junction box to prevent power from being directed to the HECU when the vehicle's ignition switch is turned off, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC186.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.

Consequence: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the vehicle is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the main junction box to prevent power from being directed to the HECU when the vehicle's ignition switch is turned off, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC186.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.

Consequence: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the vehicle is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the main junction box to prevent power from being directed to the HECU when the vehicle's ignition switch is turned off, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC186.

13V114000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Apr 1, 2013

Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.

11V473000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Sep 7, 2011

KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 SORENTO PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 15, 2006 THROUGH NOVEMBER 27, 2007. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY BE TURNED OFF WHEN AN ADULT IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IS DESIGNED TO BE TURNED OFF IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES INCLUDING WHEN CHILDREN AND SMALL ADULTS ARE SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THERE IS A CHILD RESTRAINT IN THAT SEAT OR THE SEAT IS NOT OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS), WHICH CLASSIFIES THE OCCUPANT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, MAY MISCLASSIFY AN ADULT PASSENGER AS A CHILD OR CHILD SEAT AND IMPROPERLY TURN OFF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. WHEN THE AIR BAG IS DEACTIVATED THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE CENTER INSTRUMENT PANEL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS TURNED OFF WHEN THE OCS MISCLASSIFIES AN ADULT PASSENGER. WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF, THE FRONT PASSENGER WILL NOT HAVE THE PROTECTION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAGS IN SOME FRONTAL COLLISIONS, THUS INCREASING THE RISK OF OCCUPANT INJURY.

Remedy: KIA WILL UPDATE THE PROGRAMMING IN THE SORENTO OCS CONTROL MODULE AT NO CHARGE. THE RECALL REMEDY IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE UNDER SERVICE CAMPAIGN SC076. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-333-4542.

09V130000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Apr 17, 2009

HUYNDAI-KIA IS RECALLING 139,844 MY 2006-2007- SEDONA, SPORTAGE, SORENTO AND MY RONDO AND AMANTI VEHICLES. THE STOP LAMP SWITCH IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A STOP LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS, ALONE OR IN COMBINATION, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA'S CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.

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

3

DP21003 · 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.

EA09017 · Air Bag Occupant Classification System

Opened Nov 19, 2009 · Closed Sep 26, 2011

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

The Sorento's front passenger air bag may be turned off when an adult is seated in the passenger seat. The front passenger air bag is designed to be turned off in limited circumstances including when children and small adults are seated in the front passenger seat, there is a child restraint in that seat, or the seat is not occupied.But the Sorento has misclassified adults sitting in the passenger seat.This causes the passenger side frontal air bag to deactivate and the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF light to illuminate. On May 12, 2009, Kia launched a Technical Service Bulletin campaign (SC076) to address this problem, installing upgraded occupant classification system (OCS) software in vehicles built prior to the 11/27/2007 production date. ODI and Kia identified 908 owner reports and 927 warranty claims related to this OCS issue.Kia also reported one crash where the passenger frontal air bag did not deploy in a frontal crash due to misclassification.Testing of Sorento vehicles built prior to December 2007 shows that misclassification can occur.As of April 2011, Kia reports that approx. 46,000 of the 57,228 vehicles have been upgraded with the revised software.On September 6, 2011, Kia submitted a defect notice and will recall the affected vehicles that have not been upgraded.Owner notification is scheduled to start in late-September 2011.The recall will upgrade the OCS software.Accordingly the investigation is closed.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Air Bags:frontal

The Sorento's front passenger air bag may be turned off when an adult is seated in the passenger seat. The front passenger air bag is designed to be turned off in limited circumstances including when children and small adults are seated in the front passenger seat, there is a child restraint in that seat, or the seat is not occupied.But the Sorento has misclassified adults sitting in the passenger seat.This causes the passenger side frontal air bag to deactivate and the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF light to illuminate. On May 12, 2009, Kia launched a Technical Service Bulletin campaign (SC076) to address this problem, installing upgraded occupant classification system (OCS) software in vehicles built prior to the 11/27/2007 production date. ODI and Kia identified 908 owner reports and 927 warranty claims related to this OCS issue.Kia also reported one crash where the passenger frontal air bag did not deploy in a frontal crash due to misclassification.Testing of Sorento vehicles built prior to December 2007 shows that misclassification can occur.As of April 2011, Kia reports that approx. 46,000 of the 57,228 vehicles have been upgraded with the revised software.On September 6, 2011, Kia submitted a defect notice and will recall the affected vehicles that have not been upgraded.Owner notification is scheduled to start in late-September 2011.The recall will upgrade the OCS software.Accordingly the investigation is closed.

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

The Sorento's front passenger air bag may be turned off when an adult is seated in the passenger seat. The front passenger air bag is designed to be turned off in limited circumstances including when children and small adults are seated in the front passenger seat, there is a child restraint in that seat, or the seat is not occupied.But the Sorento has misclassified adults sitting in the passenger seat.This causes the passenger side frontal air bag to deactivate and the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF light to illuminate. On May 12, 2009, Kia launched a Technical Service Bulletin campaign (SC076) to address this problem, installing upgraded occupant classification system (OCS) software in vehicles built prior to the 11/27/2007 production date. ODI and Kia identified 908 owner reports and 927 warranty claims related to this OCS issue.Kia also reported one crash where the passenger frontal air bag did not deploy in a frontal crash due to misclassification.Testing of Sorento vehicles built prior to December 2007 shows that misclassification can occur.As of April 2011, Kia reports that approx. 46,000 of the 57,228 vehicles have been upgraded with the revised software.On September 6, 2011, Kia submitted a defect notice and will recall the affected vehicles that have not been upgraded.Owner notification is scheduled to start in late-September 2011.The recall will upgrade the OCS software.Accordingly the investigation is closed.

Air Bags

The Sorento's front passenger air bag may be turned off when an adult is seated in the passenger seat. The front passenger air bag is designed to be turned off in limited circumstances including when children and small adults are seated in the front passenger seat, there is a child restraint in that seat, or the seat is not occupied.But the Sorento has misclassified adults sitting in the passenger seat.This causes the passenger side frontal air bag to deactivate and the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF light to illuminate. On May 12, 2009, Kia launched a Technical Service Bulletin campaign (SC076) to address this problem, installing upgraded occupant classification system (OCS) software in vehicles built prior to the 11/27/2007 production date. ODI and Kia identified 908 owner reports and 927 warranty claims related to this OCS issue.Kia also reported one crash where the passenger frontal air bag did not deploy in a frontal crash due to misclassification.Testing of Sorento vehicles built prior to December 2007 shows that misclassification can occur.As of April 2011, Kia reports that approx. 46,000 of the 57,228 vehicles have been upgraded with the revised software.On September 6, 2011, Kia submitted a defect notice and will recall the affected vehicles that have not been upgraded.Owner notification is scheduled to start in late-September 2011.The recall will upgrade the OCS software.Accordingly the investigation is closed.

PE09034 · Air Bag Ocs

Opened Jul 17, 2009 · Closed Nov 30, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

KIA REPORTS THAT FOR VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE SOFTWARE UPDATE OF 11/27/2007, THE VEHICLES CAN IMPROPERLY CLASSIFY AN ADULT AS A CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT AND THUS ILLUMINATE THE AIRBAG OFF WARNING LIGHT AND SUPPRESS THE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIRBAG.ON MAY 12, 2009, KIA LAUNCHED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (SB076) CAMPAIGN TO RE-FLASH ALL VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE 11/27/2007 PRODUCTION DATE.KIA ALSO BELIEVES THAT INTERMITTENT OCCUPANT MOVEMENT AND OUT OF POSITION SEATING CONTRIBUTED TO THE HIGH NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS.905 OF THE 947 COMPLAINTS AND 1,014 OF THE 1,107 WARRANTY CLAIMS WERE ASSOCIATED WITH THE 57,228 VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE 11/27/2007 PRODUCTION DATE.THERE WAS ONE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIRBAG NON-DEPLOYMENT CRASH THAT RESULTED IN ONE MINOR INJURY OF A BELTED ADULT PASSENGER OCCUPANT.THIS PRELIMINARY EVOLUTION IS BEING UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA09-017) TO FURTHER ASSESS THIS ISSUE FOR ALL MY2007-2008 SORENTO VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE 11/27/2007 PRODUCTION DATE.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Air Bags:frontal

KIA REPORTS THAT FOR VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE SOFTWARE UPDATE OF 11/27/2007, THE VEHICLES CAN IMPROPERLY CLASSIFY AN ADULT AS A CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT AND THUS ILLUMINATE THE AIRBAG OFF WARNING LIGHT AND SUPPRESS THE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIRBAG.ON MAY 12, 2009, KIA LAUNCHED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (SB076) CAMPAIGN TO RE-FLASH ALL VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE 11/27/2007 PRODUCTION DATE.KIA ALSO BELIEVES THAT INTERMITTENT OCCUPANT MOVEMENT AND OUT OF POSITION SEATING CONTRIBUTED TO THE HIGH NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS.905 OF THE 947 COMPLAINTS AND 1,014 OF THE 1,107 WARRANTY CLAIMS WERE ASSOCIATED WITH THE 57,228 VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE 11/27/2007 PRODUCTION DATE.THERE WAS ONE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIRBAG NON-DEPLOYMENT CRASH THAT RESULTED IN ONE MINOR INJURY OF A BELTED ADULT PASSENGER OCCUPANT.THIS PRELIMINARY EVOLUTION IS BEING UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA09-017) TO FURTHER ASSESS THIS ISSUE FOR ALL MY2007-2008 SORENTO VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE 11/27/2007 PRODUCTION DATE.

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

KIA REPORTS THAT FOR VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE SOFTWARE UPDATE OF 11/27/2007, THE VEHICLES CAN IMPROPERLY CLASSIFY AN ADULT AS A CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT AND THUS ILLUMINATE THE AIRBAG OFF WARNING LIGHT AND SUPPRESS THE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIRBAG.ON MAY 12, 2009, KIA LAUNCHED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (SB076) CAMPAIGN TO RE-FLASH ALL VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE 11/27/2007 PRODUCTION DATE.KIA ALSO BELIEVES THAT INTERMITTENT OCCUPANT MOVEMENT AND OUT OF POSITION SEATING CONTRIBUTED TO THE HIGH NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS.905 OF THE 947 COMPLAINTS AND 1,014 OF THE 1,107 WARRANTY CLAIMS WERE ASSOCIATED WITH THE 57,228 VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE 11/27/2007 PRODUCTION DATE.THERE WAS ONE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIRBAG NON-DEPLOYMENT CRASH THAT RESULTED IN ONE MINOR INJURY OF A BELTED ADULT PASSENGER OCCUPANT.THIS PRELIMINARY EVOLUTION IS BEING UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA09-017) TO FURTHER ASSESS THIS ISSUE FOR ALL MY2007-2008 SORENTO VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE 11/27/2007 PRODUCTION DATE.

Air Bags

KIA REPORTS THAT FOR VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE SOFTWARE UPDATE OF 11/27/2007, THE VEHICLES CAN IMPROPERLY CLASSIFY AN ADULT AS A CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT AND THUS ILLUMINATE THE AIRBAG OFF WARNING LIGHT AND SUPPRESS THE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIRBAG.ON MAY 12, 2009, KIA LAUNCHED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (SB076) CAMPAIGN TO RE-FLASH ALL VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE 11/27/2007 PRODUCTION DATE.KIA ALSO BELIEVES THAT INTERMITTENT OCCUPANT MOVEMENT AND OUT OF POSITION SEATING CONTRIBUTED TO THE HIGH NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS.905 OF THE 947 COMPLAINTS AND 1,014 OF THE 1,107 WARRANTY CLAIMS WERE ASSOCIATED WITH THE 57,228 VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE 11/27/2007 PRODUCTION DATE.THERE WAS ONE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIRBAG NON-DEPLOYMENT CRASH THAT RESULTED IN ONE MINOR INJURY OF A BELTED ADULT PASSENGER OCCUPANT.THIS PRELIMINARY EVOLUTION IS BEING UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA09-017) TO FURTHER ASSESS THIS ISSUE FOR ALL MY2007-2008 SORENTO VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE 11/27/2007 PRODUCTION DATE.

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