NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints
44 reportsClear category filter60,300 miles · Sep 25, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineService Brakes
2008 KIA SORENTO START-UP STALLING TEMPERAMENTALLY FOR THREE WEEKS. ON 9/11/2012 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ESC OFF LIGHT APPEARED, FOLLOWED WITH A "PUTTING" ENGINE AND LIMP MODE. THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN FOOT APPLIED TO GAS PEDAL. KIA DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED TPS AND BRAKE SENSOR FAILURE AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL NE…
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2008 KIA SORENTO START-UP STALLING TEMPERAMENTALLY FOR THREE WEEKS. ON 9/11/2012 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ESC OFF LIGHT APPEARED, FOLLOWED WITH A "PUTTING" ENGINE AND LIMP MODE. THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN FOOT APPLIED TO GAS PEDAL. KIA DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED TPS AND BRAKE SENSOR FAILURE AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL NEEDED REPROGRAMMING. (ERROR CODES READ: P2135, P0638, AND P2A00 OR P2A03.) KIA PUBLISHED BULLETIN TSB 044: HTTP://WWW.KIA-FORUMS.COM/ATTACHMENTS/KIA-CARENS-RONDO-FORUM/5552D1272512047-ENGINE-RACING-STOP-TSB-TPS.PDF DANGER ASPECT: THE CAR SEEMED DRIVABLE, HOWEVER, THE LIMP MODE DOES NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO ACCELERATE TO THE SPEED LIMIT OR FLOW OF TRAFFIC. RESEARCHED MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS -- PLEASE ISSUE AN INVESTIGATION FOR A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10477012
Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
WE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH OUR 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE ESC LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND ABS LIGHTS HAVE COME ON. I HAVE CHANGED BRAKES, CHECKED THE BATTERY AND THESE LIGHTS GO OFF AND ON. MY CAR HAS EXPERIENCED REDUCING SPEED WHEN ESC LIGHT HAS COME ON AND STARTED MALFUNCTIONING AT AROUND 64,000 MILE…
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WE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH OUR 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE ESC LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND ABS LIGHTS HAVE COME ON. I HAVE CHANGED BRAKES, CHECKED THE BATTERY AND THESE LIGHTS GO OFF AND ON. MY CAR HAS EXPERIENCED REDUCING SPEED WHEN ESC LIGHT HAS COME ON AND STARTED MALFUNCTIONING AT AROUND 64,000 MILES. ABS LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE HAVE WENT OFF. ESC LIGHT IS STILL GOING OFF AND ON. THE BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE FAILED ON US. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY WIFE'S SAFETY TO ALL THESE DEFECTS THAT ARE HAPPENING, AND WOULD LIKE FOR YOUR HELP IN RESOLVING THESE ISSUES WITH KIA. I HAVE READ OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME ISSUES AND SAW TO REPORT THIS TO NHTSA. FURTHERMORE I TOLD KIA OF AN OIL LEAK I WAS HAVING AND ASKED IF IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY FAILED TO ANSWER, AND DID NOT FIX IT. NEVER HAD ANY TROUBLE WITH THE CAR UNTIL I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED AND AFTER THAT IS WHEN ALL THE PROBLEMS STARTED HAPPENING. PLEASE HELP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10468375
59,200 miles · Dec 14, 2011
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
I HAVE NO REAR BRAKE LIGHT. THE ESC OFF LIGHT COMES ON IN THE DASH. I CAN TURN ON THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT I CAN'T SET A SPEED FOR CRUISE CONTROL. I HAVE A REMOTE STARTER THAT HAS A SAFETY SWITCH WHEN THE BRAKE IS PRESSED TURNS THE REMOTE STARTER OFF THAT ISN'T WORKING CORRECTLY CAUSE THERE IS NO SIGNAL THAT THE BRAKE HAS BEEN PR…
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I HAVE NO REAR BRAKE LIGHT. THE ESC OFF LIGHT COMES ON IN THE DASH. I CAN TURN ON THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT I CAN'T SET A SPEED FOR CRUISE CONTROL. I HAVE A REMOTE STARTER THAT HAS A SAFETY SWITCH WHEN THE BRAKE IS PRESSED TURNS THE REMOTE STARTER OFF THAT ISN'T WORKING CORRECTLY CAUSE THERE IS NO SIGNAL THAT THE BRAKE HAS BEEN PRESSED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10439854
42,000 miles · Nov 8, 2011
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine And Engine Cooling
MY 2008 KIA SORENTO LX LOSES POWER & WILL NOT ACCELERATE TO 60MPH. I FEAR DRIVING MY VEHICLE BECAUSE I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS BY AN 18-WHEELER DIESEL DUE TO THE FACT THE POWER IS LOST UPON ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. IN ADDITION TO THE LOSS OF POWER, THE CHECK ENGINE & ESC OFF LIGHTS STAY ILLUMINATED. LIKE MANY…
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MY 2008 KIA SORENTO LX LOSES POWER & WILL NOT ACCELERATE TO 60MPH. I FEAR DRIVING MY VEHICLE BECAUSE I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS BY AN 18-WHEELER DIESEL DUE TO THE FACT THE POWER IS LOST UPON ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. IN ADDITION TO THE LOSS OF POWER, THE CHECK ENGINE & ESC OFF LIGHTS STAY ILLUMINATED. LIKE MANY OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS, I HAVE TRIED TURNING MY ENGINE OFF & WAITING 10 MINUTES BEFORE RESTARTING THE ENGINE TO SEE IF THAT CLEARS THE STATUS OF THE LIGHTS BUT HAD LIMITED SUCCESS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 3 TIMES, WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, FOR RESOLUTION. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ADVISED THAT CERTAIN SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AS WELL AS THE GAS PEDAL BUT YET EITHER HAS RESOLVED THE ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP EVEN WANTED TO CHARGE ME $2800 FOR ONE TRIP & $1800 ON THE NEXT. THIS WAS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE & CORPORATE WAS CONTACTED IMMEDIATELY. I AM CURRENTLY WAITING ON A RESPONSE FROM THEM. THE BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE AS WELL HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE & ARE ANOTHER REASON FOR WHY I FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF ME & MY PASSENGERS WHEN THIS VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10434824
36,693 miles · Oct 16, 2011
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT HAS COME ON AND STAYS ON. ALSO, THE "ESC OFF" LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE CAR IS ONLY DRIVEN SHORT DISTANCES A COUPLE OF TIMES A WEEK, HOWEVER WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AT ALL BECAUSE OF THE REPORTS OF POWER AND CONTROL FAILURE. THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ALSO NOT WORKING, WHICH COMPOUNDS THE PROBLEM…
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THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT HAS COME ON AND STAYS ON. ALSO, THE "ESC OFF" LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE CAR IS ONLY DRIVEN SHORT DISTANCES A COUPLE OF TIMES A WEEK, HOWEVER WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AT ALL BECAUSE OF THE REPORTS OF POWER AND CONTROL FAILURE. THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ALSO NOT WORKING, WHICH COMPOUNDS THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10430403
27,010 miles · Aug 21, 2011
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
2008 KIA SORENTO TPS PROBLEM CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO HAVE NO ACCELERATION VERY DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING ESC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON WHEN PROBLEM OCCURS. TOOK TO LOCAL AUTO ZONE TO SEE WHY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE CODE READER SAID I HAD 3 DIFFERENT CODES WRONG WITH THE CAR WHICH ALL WERE RELATED TO THE TPS SENSOR. THIS …
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2008 KIA SORENTO TPS PROBLEM CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO HAVE NO ACCELERATION VERY DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING ESC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON WHEN PROBLEM OCCURS. TOOK TO LOCAL AUTO ZONE TO SEE WHY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE CODE READER SAID I HAD 3 DIFFERENT CODES WRONG WITH THE CAR WHICH ALL WERE RELATED TO THE TPS SENSOR. THIS NEEDS TO BE A SAFETY RECALL ASAP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10420887
Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2011
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine And Engine Cooling
BOUGHT THE CAR IN DECEMBER OF 2008. PROBLEMS BEGAN WITH THE ESC OFF LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE ABOUT A YEAR LATER. MULTIPLE PARTS WERE SUPPOSEDLY FIXED AND REPLACED BUT THE LIGHTS KEPT COMING ON, EACH TIME LOOSING ALL ACCELERATION SOMETIMES ON THE HIGHWAY! A FEW DAYS AGO, DRIVING UP A HILL, BOTH LIGHTS ARE ON, MY CAR STALLS OUT, STE…
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BOUGHT THE CAR IN DECEMBER OF 2008. PROBLEMS BEGAN WITH THE ESC OFF LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE ABOUT A YEAR LATER. MULTIPLE PARTS WERE SUPPOSEDLY FIXED AND REPLACED BUT THE LIGHTS KEPT COMING ON, EACH TIME LOOSING ALL ACCELERATION SOMETIMES ON THE HIGHWAY! A FEW DAYS AGO, DRIVING UP A HILL, BOTH LIGHTS ARE ON, MY CAR STALLS OUT, STEERING LOCKS AND STARTS ROLLING DOWN THE HILL, LUCKILY IN A QUIET, SLOW TRAFFIC NEIGHBORHOOD. AFTER THAT MY CAR WON'T EVEN START. HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY HAVE SINCE CALLED CORPORATE... WE WILL SEE WHAT THAT DOES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10418591
15,000 miles · Aug 4, 2011
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
WE HAVE A 2008 SORENTO, PURCHASED IN MARCH 2009 (NEW). APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, ONLY APPROX 15,000MILES, WE HAD OUR FIRST INCIDENT THAT THE ESC OFF LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH, AT THE SAME TIME, POWER WAS SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASED TO THE ENGINE. THANKFULLY, I WAS DRIVING IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND …
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WE HAVE A 2008 SORENTO, PURCHASED IN MARCH 2009 (NEW). APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, ONLY APPROX 15,000MILES, WE HAD OUR FIRST INCIDENT THAT THE ESC OFF LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH, AT THE SAME TIME, POWER WAS SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASED TO THE ENGINE. THANKFULLY, I WAS DRIVING IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND THE ESC OFF LIGHT WAS NOW OFF, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON FOR THE REST OF THE DAY. WE DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT UNTIL IT HAPPENED AGAIN, ABOUT 2-3 WEEKS LATER. THIS TIME WE TOOK IT TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY INSISTED THAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED IT AND THAT THERE WAS NO RECORD IN THE "COMPUTER" OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON. WE WERE BASICALLY DISMISSED BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT EVEN TELL THAT IT HAPPENED. THE THIRD TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK, TURNING ONTO THE ENTRANCE RAMP OF I-95, I LOST POWER AND COULD NOT ACCELERATE TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY. I WAS FURIOUS AND FRIGHTENED OF THE POSSIBLE DANGER OF THE SITUATION, AND CALLED TO MAKE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT, THIS WAS THE 2ND TIME, WHICH BY THE TIME WE GOT THERE EVERYTHING WAS BACK TO "NORMAL" AND NO RECORD IN THE COMPUTER. I HAD PRINTED OUT RESEARCH FOR MY HUSBAND TO TAKE WITH HIM TO SHOW THEM THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND THAT THE TCM WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THEY DISMISSED HIM AND DID SOMETHING ELSE. IT WAS FINE FOR A WHILE, THEN HAPPENED AGAIN (APPROX DEC. 2010) WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING DOWN I-95, WE LOST POWER WHILE GOING 65 MPH AND THE ESC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. THIS TIME, MY DAD (WHO USED TO BE A SERVICE MANAGER) WAS AVAILABLE AND WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD A STERN CONVERSATION WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER EXPRESSING HIS CONCERN FOR OUR SAFETY. THEY SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THE PROBLEM, I'M NOT SURE WHAT THEY DID, AND IT HAS BEEN FINE FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS, UNTIL THE PAST 2 WEEKS, THE SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TWICE. WE ALSO HAD THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF WHEN I AM SITTING IN THE SEAT AS WELL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10417070
60,000 miles · Jul 25, 2011
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control
DRIVING 75 MPH ON HIGHWAY THE ESC OFF LIGHT LUMINATED AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CAR LOST ACCELERATION AND POWER (WENT FROM 75 MPH TO 10 MPH INSTANTLY ON HWY). KIA REPLACED THE TPS SENSOR AND UPDATED ECM MODULE. ONE YEAR LATER SAME EVENT HAPPENED REPEATEDLY. DEALER WILL NOT FIX EVEN WITH TECH BULLETIN. TRIED TO CONTACT KI…
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DRIVING 75 MPH ON HIGHWAY THE ESC OFF LIGHT LUMINATED AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CAR LOST ACCELERATION AND POWER (WENT FROM 75 MPH TO 10 MPH INSTANTLY ON HWY). KIA REPLACED THE TPS SENSOR AND UPDATED ECM MODULE. ONE YEAR LATER SAME EVENT HAPPENED REPEATEDLY. DEALER WILL NOT FIX EVEN WITH TECH BULLETIN. TRIED TO CONTACT KIA MOTORS WITH NO RETURN RESPONSE. AT THE CURRENT TIME THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE. FASTEST IT WILL GO IS 45MPH EVEN WITH ACCELERATION PEDAL PUSHED ALL THE WAY DOWN. WHEN YOU TRY TO PULL OUT OR ACCELERATE THE VECHICLE LOOSES POWER. RANDOMLY THE CHECK ENGINE AND "ESC OFF" LIGHT WILL GO OFF AND CAR WILL ACCELERATE BUT ONCE OVER 65MPH WILL LOSE ALL POWER HAS ALMOSTED CAUSED SEVERAL WRECKS THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT FROM BEHIND. THE LACK OF POWER IS DANGEROUS BUT NOT AS DANGEROUS AS THE VEHICLE LOSING POWER ON THE HIGHWAY OR WHILE TRYING TO PULL OUT FROM A COMPLETE STOP. VEHICLE HAS LOST POWER IN INTERSECTION NEARLY CAUSING SIDE WRECK. SEARCHED ON INTERNET AND TPS SEEMS TO BE COMMON PROBLEM
NHTSA ODI #10415858
39,859 miles · Jul 24, 2011
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
MY 2008 KIA SORENTO HAS 40000 MILES AND THE ESC OFF INDICATOR, AS WELL AS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. I WAS DRIVING TO CHURCH AND WHILE DRIVING THE ACCELERATION DIMINISHED. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED, BEING I JUST BLUNT THE CAR A MONTH AGO. YES IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT WHAT ABOUT WHEN IT IS NOT.... FROM THE LOOKS OF IT THI…
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MY 2008 KIA SORENTO HAS 40000 MILES AND THE ESC OFF INDICATOR, AS WELL AS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. I WAS DRIVING TO CHURCH AND WHILE DRIVING THE ACCELERATION DIMINISHED. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED, BEING I JUST BLUNT THE CAR A MONTH AGO. YES IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT WHAT ABOUT WHEN IT IS NOT.... FROM THE LOOKS OF IT THIS IS A CONTINUAL PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED, BEFORE SOMEONE LIFE BE HARMED WHILE DRIVING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10414923
Official recalls
3Feb 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.
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.
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.
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
3DP21003 · 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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