The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel started shaking abnormally and swaying back and forth. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notifi…
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The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel started shaking abnormally and swaying back and forth. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that he inquired if the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V656000 (Steering) and was informed that his vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000. The contact stated that the dealership was able to fix the issue.
NHTSA ODI #11494729
Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2022
Steering
The engine failed which required a replacement. Upon being released from the Kia dealer, the steering wheel failed and the car began shaking at 70 MPH. The Service Director claimed the vehicle was running as Kia likes.
NHTSA ODI #11490408
Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2022
Steering
As One is driving at 50-60 mph the steering wheel sticks and requires force to correct the direction the vehicle is going. This is very concerning because the abrupt motion is extremely dangerous.
NHTSA ODI #11489903
Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2022
Steering
Within the last 1 1/2 years the car makes a popping noise in the steering and its not a tie rod or ball joint issue. Nobody can seem to figure out where its coming from.
NHTSA ODI #11468998
Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2022
Steering
When trying to move the steering wheel, it initially sticks and requires extra force to get it to provide a steering input. Once it gets past the initial resistance, it jerks the car in the direction you are trying to go which required compensation in the other direction. Upon correction, it jerks the car in the opposite directi…
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When trying to move the steering wheel, it initially sticks and requires extra force to get it to provide a steering input. Once it gets past the initial resistance, it jerks the car in the direction you are trying to go which required compensation in the other direction. Upon correction, it jerks the car in the opposite direction causing a continual need to correct the steering wheel to keep the car straight and causing the car to not be able to maintain perfectly straight travel. On large sweeping corners, this problem is even more pronounced and feels dangerous. This happens mostly on longer trips where the vehicle has been on the road more than 30 minutes.
NHTSA ODI #11449869
49,000 miles · May 3, 2020
Steering
WHEN DRIVING 40+ MPH, WHEN THE WIND IS BLOWING, THE STEERING BECOMES STICKY, NOTCHY OR JERKY, CALL IT WHAT EVER YOU PLEASE. WHEN TRYING TO ADJUST STEERING SLIGHTLY TO DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT DIRECTION, MY STEERING BECOMES JERKY AND DANGEROUS. KIA REFUSES TO LOOK INTO THIS SERIOUSLY. THEY WANT ME SPENDING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO GET I…
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WHEN DRIVING 40+ MPH, WHEN THE WIND IS BLOWING, THE STEERING BECOMES STICKY, NOTCHY OR JERKY, CALL IT WHAT EVER YOU PLEASE. WHEN TRYING TO ADJUST STEERING SLIGHTLY TO DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT DIRECTION, MY STEERING BECOMES JERKY AND DANGEROUS. KIA REFUSES TO LOOK INTO THIS SERIOUSLY. THEY WANT ME SPENDING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO GET IT DIAGNOSED. BUT HOW WILL IT BE DIAGNOSED WHEN IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN IT IS WINDY? PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS.
NHTSA ODI #11323128
22,100 miles · Mar 16, 2020
Steering
STEERING HAS A "NOTCHY" OR "STICKY" FEEL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ESPECIALLY WHEN STEERING FROM RIGHT TO LEFT.
NHTSA ODI #11318207
61,000 miles · Jan 2, 2020
Steering
STEERING FELT STICKING WHILE DRIVELING ON THE HIGHWAY TOOK IT IN BEEN TOLD IT'S THE STEERING COLUMN.. THIS IS THE SECOND ISSUES I HAVE HAD WITH MY STEERING 6MTHS APART. LAST TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS SOMETHING IN THE DRIVE TRAIN AN WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY AN THE PART WAS GOING TO BE REPLACED BUT WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR THE SEC …
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STEERING FELT STICKING WHILE DRIVELING ON THE HIGHWAY TOOK IT IN BEEN TOLD IT'S THE STEERING COLUMN.. THIS IS THE SECOND ISSUES I HAVE HAD WITH MY STEERING 6MTHS APART. LAST TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS SOMETHING IN THE DRIVE TRAIN AN WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY AN THE PART WAS GOING TO BE REPLACED BUT WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR THE SEC ISSUE I WAS TOLD THEY ONLY DID A SOFT WEAR UPDATE BUT ITS ALSO CALLING FOR ANOTHER SOFTWARE UPDATE
NHTSA ODI #11296732
30,148 miles · Aug 19, 2019
Steering
THE STEERING IS NOTCHY AT FREEWAY SPEEDS 50 MPH. ATHE CAR CANNOT BE HELD IN STRAIGHT DIRECTION BY MAKING SMALL CORRECTIONS TO THE STEERING WHEEL. ANY STEERING CORRECTIONS MADE ARE MET WITH HEAVY RESISTANCE THEN STEERING WILL MOVE INSTANTLY TO WHAT FEELS LIKE A NOTCH. THIS CAUSES THE DRIVER TO MAKE ANOTHER CORRECTION IN THE OTHER…
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THE STEERING IS NOTCHY AT FREEWAY SPEEDS 50 MPH. ATHE CAR CANNOT BE HELD IN STRAIGHT DIRECTION BY MAKING SMALL CORRECTIONS TO THE STEERING WHEEL. ANY STEERING CORRECTIONS MADE ARE MET WITH HEAVY RESISTANCE THEN STEERING WILL MOVE INSTANTLY TO WHAT FEELS LIKE A NOTCH. THIS CAUSES THE DRIVER TO MAKE ANOTHER CORRECTION IN THE OTHER DIRECTION. AGAIN, THIS CORRECTION IS MET WITH HEAVY RESISTANCE AND THEN INSTANTLY JUMPS TO WHAT FEELS LIKE A NOTCH. THIS CORRECTION CAUSES STEERING TO BE ERRATIC AND FATIGUES THE DRIVER WHO MUST MAKE CORRECTIONS EVERY FEW SECONDS LEADING TO AN OVER CORRECTION. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, IT CAUSES THE DRIVING TO BE UNSAFE AS THE VEHICLE IS CONSTANTLY WEAVING. KIA KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AFFECTING MANY OF THERE VEHICLES, BUT THERE HAS OF YET BEEN NO RECALL. BUT, IT IS A VERY REAL SAFETY CONCERN, AS IT FATIGUES THE DRIVER FROM THE CONSTANT OVER CORRECTIONS, AND CAUSES THE DRIVING TO BE ERRATIC.
NHTSA ODI #11245129
16,000 miles · May 8, 2019
Steering
THE PROBLEM IS A STICKY FEELING IN THE STEERING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN MAKING VERY SMALL CORRECTIONS FEELS LIKE THE POWER STEERING IS TURNED OFF. GENTLE PRESSURE DOES NOT TURN THE WHEEL AT ALL. AS MORE AND MORE PRESSURE IS APPLIED, IT FEELS LIKE THE POWER STEERING TURNS ON. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE DUE TO OV…
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THE PROBLEM IS A STICKY FEELING IN THE STEERING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN MAKING VERY SMALL CORRECTIONS FEELS LIKE THE POWER STEERING IS TURNED OFF. GENTLE PRESSURE DOES NOT TURN THE WHEEL AT ALL. AS MORE AND MORE PRESSURE IS APPLIED, IT FEELS LIKE THE POWER STEERING TURNS ON. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE DUE TO OVER CORRECTION. THE VEHICLE IS INCREDIBLY HARD TO CONTROL AND UNPREDICTABLE. OCCURS AT HIGH SPEEDS. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The cowl crossbar that connects to the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) steering column may be improperly welded, allowing the steering column to separate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the steering column separates, it can cause a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cowl crossbar, free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC167.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering:electric Power Assist System
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The cowl crossbar that connects to the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) steering column may be improperly welded, allowing the steering column to separate.
Consequence: If the steering column separates, it can cause a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cowl crossbar, free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC167.
Steering:column
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The cowl crossbar that connects to the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) steering column may be improperly welded, allowing the steering column to separate.
Consequence: If the steering column separates, it can cause a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cowl crossbar, free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC167.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The side curtain air bags on these vehicles have a component that may detach during deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the component detaches during deployment, it may enter the passenger compartment and be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC159.
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
1
DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power
Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
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