WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP (19TH AVE AND VINEYARD) THE CAR WILL HESITATE THEN TAKE OFF AT A FAST RATE OF SPEED. THERE HAS BEEN INSTANCES WHERE THE BRAKE SYSTEM HESITATES TO STOP, ALMOST LIKE A DELAYED REACTION (MOSTLY WHILE TRAVELING ON LOCAL STREETS SUCH AS WEST BOUND BASELINE RD). THE BRAKES SQUILL (ALL THE TIME WHEN BRAKING)…
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WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP (19TH AVE AND VINEYARD) THE CAR WILL HESITATE THEN TAKE OFF AT A FAST RATE OF SPEED. THERE HAS BEEN INSTANCES WHERE THE BRAKE SYSTEM HESITATES TO STOP, ALMOST LIKE A DELAYED REACTION (MOSTLY WHILE TRAVELING ON LOCAL STREETS SUCH AS WEST BOUND BASELINE RD). THE BRAKES SQUILL (ALL THE TIME WHEN BRAKING) SO BAD AND SO LOUD. I FEEL LIKE I'VE BEEN RIPPED OFF ON A CAR THAT'S ALREADY GIVING PROBLEMS LESS THAN SIX MONTHS OF PURCHASE. THE CITY OF ALL INSTANCES IS PHOENIX, AZ.
NHTSA ODI #11342467
20,194 miles · Jul 24, 2020
EnginePower Train
LIKE MANY OTHERS, MY 2019 KIA SORENTO V6 AWD STUMBLES, HESITATES AND JERKS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. DOES IT MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COLD. HAD IT TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT IS A PROBLEM THAT KIA IS AWARE OF AND "THEY" WOULD NOTIFY EFFECTED CUSTOMERS WHEN THEY HAVE A FIX. REALLY! IT HAS BEEN 2 …
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LIKE MANY OTHERS, MY 2019 KIA SORENTO V6 AWD STUMBLES, HESITATES AND JERKS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. DOES IT MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COLD. HAD IT TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT IS A PROBLEM THAT KIA IS AWARE OF AND "THEY" WOULD NOTIFY EFFECTED CUSTOMERS WHEN THEY HAVE A FIX. REALLY! IT HAS BEEN 2 YEARS AND THEY STILL DON'T HAVE A SOLUTION?
NHTSA ODI #11341358
38,000 miles · Jul 4, 2020
EnginePower Train
WHEN PULLING OUT ONTO THE ROAD PUSHING ON THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE WONT ACCELERATE ,PUSHING DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR ANOTHER 1/8 OF AN INCH AND THE VEHICLE WILL TAKE OFF VERY FAST, ALSO IT FEELS LIKE A MISFIRE AT SLOW SPEEDS.IT HAPPENS ALWAYS.
NHTSA ODI #11337417
27,895 miles · Jun 18, 2020
EnginePower Train
STUMBLES HORRIBLY THROUGH THE LOW GEARS DURING ACCELERATION UNTIL HITTING ~45-50MPH ON COLD START-UP (AFTER SITTING SEVERAL HOURS OR OVERNIGHT). AFTER ENGINE WARMUP THE EFFECT BEGINS TO MODERATE, THOUGH IT REMAINS PRESENT AT ALL TIMES. WORSE IN ECO AND COMFORT DRIVE MODES. GOING UP HILL THE CAR ACCELERATES FASTER WHICH LURCHE…
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STUMBLES HORRIBLY THROUGH THE LOW GEARS DURING ACCELERATION UNTIL HITTING ~45-50MPH ON COLD START-UP (AFTER SITTING SEVERAL HOURS OR OVERNIGHT). AFTER ENGINE WARMUP THE EFFECT BEGINS TO MODERATE, THOUGH IT REMAINS PRESENT AT ALL TIMES. WORSE IN ECO AND COMFORT DRIVE MODES. GOING UP HILL THE CAR ACCELERATES FASTER WHICH LURCHES THE CAR FORWARD AND IS VERY SCARY. SOUNDS LIKE A MISFIRE WHEN I START THE CAR THIS HAPPENS IN THE CITY/TOWN AND SPEEDING UP TO GET ON THE INTERSTATE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11329504
20 miles · Apr 19, 2020
EnginePower Train
PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW WITH 12 MILES ON IT BACK SEPT. 2019. I NOTICED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THAT IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS LURCHING FORWARD, OR SKIPPING LIKE WHEN I ACCELERATE. I TOOK TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM CHECK IT OUT. BEFORE I COULD GET IT INTO SERVICE DEPT. TECH TOLD ME THAT THEY ALL DO IT. WITH THE NEW SPORT, ECO, COMFORT AN…
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PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW WITH 12 MILES ON IT BACK SEPT. 2019. I NOTICED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THAT IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS LURCHING FORWARD, OR SKIPPING LIKE WHEN I ACCELERATE. I TOOK TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM CHECK IT OUT. BEFORE I COULD GET IT INTO SERVICE DEPT. TECH TOLD ME THAT THEY ALL DO IT. WITH THE NEW SPORT, ECO, COMFORT AND IT IS TRYING TO ADJUST TO YOUR DRIVING HABITS. IT IS STILL DOING IT. THE OTHER DAY, IT LUNGED FORWARD LIKE IT WASN'T GOING TO STOP WHEN I HAD MY FOOT ON BRAKES. I AM TAKING BACK TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT AGAIN. WILL POST UPDATE. I PERSONALLY THING KIA NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #11321551
15,000 miles · Jan 27, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineSteering
DAYS PREVIOUS TO EVENT WAS GETTING WARNING ALERTS ON DIFFERENT PROBLEMS. CALLED DEALERSHIP WHEN WARNING ALERTS CONTINUED HAPPENING. ON DAY OF EVENT WAS DRIVING ON MAJOR ROUTE, WHEN POWER STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT AS I PULLED OVER THE ENTIRE CAR SHUT DOWN. NO LIGHTS, NO BRAKING, NO HAZARD LIGHTS TO ENGAGE ALL SYSTEMS DOWN.
NHTSA ODI #11302167
29,000 miles · Oct 15, 2019
Engine
MY SORRENTO STARTED TO RIDE VERY ROUGH AND FELT LIKE ENGINE WAS KNOCKING AND MTHE VEHICLE WOULD START TO SHAKE. I PULLED OVER TURN VEHICLE OFF CHECKED ALL MY LEVELS EVERYTHING WAS OK EXCEPT LOW WASHER FLUID. PROCEEDED HOME NO PROBLEM. NEXT DAY AFTER WORKING AND RUNNING ERRANDS SAME THING HAPPENED THIS TIME ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON…
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MY SORRENTO STARTED TO RIDE VERY ROUGH AND FELT LIKE ENGINE WAS KNOCKING AND MTHE VEHICLE WOULD START TO SHAKE. I PULLED OVER TURN VEHICLE OFF CHECKED ALL MY LEVELS EVERYTHING WAS OK EXCEPT LOW WASHER FLUID. PROCEEDED HOME NO PROBLEM. NEXT DAY AFTER WORKING AND RUNNING ERRANDS SAME THING HAPPENED THIS TIME ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BROUGHT IT TO AUTO ZONE AND THE ERROR CODE GIVEN IS P0200. AND I NOTICE THAT MY VEHICLE IS BURNING A LARGE AMOUNT OF FUEL. THE NEXT DAY THE LIGHT WAS OFF NO PROBLEM BUT ON YESTERDAY 10/14/19 IT HAS STARTED AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #11268438
Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2019
EngineUnknown Or Other
OUR NEW 2019 KIA SORENTO EX V6 ENGINE AND NEW 8 SPEED TRANSMISSION SURGING AND HESITATION REALLY BAD, ESPECIALLY IN LOWER RPMS. WE HAVE HAD IT INTO SERVICE 5 TIME NOW BUT NOTHING HAS WORKED TO FIX THE ISSUE. WHEN PULLING OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY IT WILL HESITATE AND SURGE, THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! THE NEW 8 SPEED TRANSMISSION SHIFTS …
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OUR NEW 2019 KIA SORENTO EX V6 ENGINE AND NEW 8 SPEED TRANSMISSION SURGING AND HESITATION REALLY BAD, ESPECIALLY IN LOWER RPMS. WE HAVE HAD IT INTO SERVICE 5 TIME NOW BUT NOTHING HAS WORKED TO FIX THE ISSUE. WHEN PULLING OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY IT WILL HESITATE AND SURGE, THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! THE NEW 8 SPEED TRANSMISSION SHIFTS WAY TO SOON, SO IT DOES NOT KEEP THE RPMS UP LONG ENOUGH TO GET THE CAR GOING SUFFICIENTLY THEREFORE CAUSES SURGING.
NHTSA ODI #11268049
100 miles · Sep 27, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion System
PURCHASED CAR IN JAN 2019. CAR STUDDERS ON ACCELERATION OF CAR UNDER ALL CONDITIONS.ACCELERATION IS ALWAYS ROUGH. TWO TIME AND SEVERAL CALLS TO DEALER HAS BEEN OF NO HELP. I KEEP GETTING TOLD BY DEALER THAT KIA IS WORKING ON SOFTWARE FIX FOR THE PROBLEM AND THAT ALL KIA SORENTO'S HAVE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #11258579
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2019
Engine
WHEN PULLING OUT OR STARTING OUT THE CAR HESITATES MAKING IT VERY UNSAFE WHEN PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC. I HAVE REPORTED IT TO THE KIA SERVICE CENTER, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND UNSAFE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN MAY.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Sorento vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, water may leak into the rearview camera, which can cause the rearview camera image not to appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and add additional water proofing to the camera harness, or replace the camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 8, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC282.
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.
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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