Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | |||||
| 034 | 01/01/2011 | 10037693 | Ready | 06/03/2011 | |
| 034 | 01/01/2011 | 10037693 | Kia: there may be erratic shifting, shift shock, and a malfunction light on with stored trouble codes. this is caused by a problem within the transfer motor. *rm | 06/03/2011 | |
| 92 | 01/01/2006 | 10019917 | Possible abnormal vibration/noise when shifting from park to drive or reverse due to insufficient torque at the rear driveshaft retaining bolts at the transfer case. *tt | 05/12/2006 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | |||
| 11/16/2012 | 138057 | ||
| Entering i-35 north from access road in san antonio texas. time 08:15am (rush hour) loud bang from rear of vehicle speed immediately dropped to 20mph, initially thought i had blown a tire. pulled off access road to side street. was having trouble stopping vehicle no brake pressure foot went all the way to floorboard. checked rear tires, no visible damage to either tire (tires were new)when vehicle was purchased. again attempted to drive vehicle, rear tires were having trouble rotating? later discovered wheel bearings had failed. | |||
| 01/04/2013 | 168431 | 1 | |
| While driving all warning lights came on and all belts broke steering wouldn't work. *tr | |||
| 01/04/2013 | 168431 | ||
| While driving all warning lights came on and all belts broke steering wouldnt work | |||
| 01/01/2010 | 99000 | ||
| I had the vehicle in the dealership just below 100,000 miles. they didn't bother to tell me the transmission control module was messed up and needed replaced. this seems to be an issue with several people. and then to find out this is a dealer only part and over 900.00! i think this was poor customer service and they should've known something was wrong. the gear shift wasn't sitting in drive and not shifting correctly. i doubt i'd ever buy another kia because their service sucks! they don't value their customers and that really makes me uneasy. *tr | |||
| 01/01/2010 | 99000 | ||
| I had the vehicle in the dealership just below 100000 miles. they didn't bother to tell me the transmission control module was messed up and needed replaced. this seems to be an issue with several people. and then to find out this is a dealer only part and over 900.00! i think this was poor customer service and they shouldv'e known something was wrong. the gear shift wasn't sitting in drive and not shifting correctly. i doubt i'd ever buy another kia because their service sucks! they don't value their customers and that really makes me uneasy. | |||
| 12/31/2012 | 137685 | ||
| While driving on the highway at 65 mph the crankshaft bolt broke, the timing belt and drive belt came loose. *tr | |||
| 12/31/2012 | 137685 | ||
| While driving on the highway at 65 mph the crankshaft bolt broke, the timing belt and drive belt came loose. | |||
| 06/30/2008 | 77178 | 1 | |
| We have had 4 instances with the same issue in the fixing the pulley crank shaft. june 30, 08, (recall) october 6, 09, aug 10, 10 and once again sept 18,12. this is the same issue that causes you to loose steering while driving with apparently no warning. i find this extremely troubling as we have a new driver learning with this car. we are lucky to report that there have been no accidents or deaths but i think it is a very dangerous situation that will soon happen. the dealer wagner kia of shrewsbury,ma feels that it is not an issue and is just from wear and tear. 4 times for the same problem? obviously kia has not fixed the problem correctly. it angers me that kia is not taking this seriously. we drive our children as well as other children in this car and could of had serious to fatal injuries. from this bolt shearing off it has also caused other major damage to the car that we have already had fixed. *tr | |||
| 06/30/2008 | 77178 | ||
| We have had 4 instances with the same issue in the fixing the pulley crank shaft. june 30, 08, (recall) october 6, 09, aug 10, 10 and once again sept 18,12. this is the same issue that causes you to loose steering while driving with apparently no warning. i find this extremely troubling as we have a new driver learning with this car. we are lucky to report that there have been no accidents or deaths but i think it is a very dangerous situation that will soon happen. the dealer wagner kia of shrewsbury,ma feels that it is not an issue and is just from wear and tear. 4 times for the same problem? obviously kia has not fixed the problem correctly. it angers me that kia is not taking this seriously. we drive our children as well as other children in this car and could of had serious to fatal injuries. from this bolt sheering off it has also caused other major damage to the car that we have already had fixed | |||
| 08/11/2010 | 75000 | 1 | |
| Two brackets (one left, one right) that hold the rear upper control arms to the rear axle housing have completely snapped off. this leaves a very dangerous condition which will cause the rear axle of the car to rotate and fall out of the car. if this happens at speed, serious injury and/or death is likely. there are many many posts about this same problem online and kia refuses to address the problem stating that it's not a flaw or defect. it is if it happens to almost every vehicle of this year and model. kia does not offer a replacement bracket that can be welded on and they suggest that the entire rear axle housing assembly is replaced at a cost of several thousand dollars per vehicle. kia motors refuses to acknowledge the problem or assist affected customers in resolving it. *tr | |||
| 08/11/2010 | 75000 | ||
| Two brackets (one left, one right) that hold the rear upper control arms to the rear axle housing have completely snapped off. this leaves a very dangerous condition which will cause the rear axle of the car to rotate and fall out of the car. if this happens at speed, serious injury and/or death is likely. there are many many posts about this same propblem online and kia refuses to address the problem stating that it's not a flaw or defect. it is if it happens to almost every vehicle of this year and model. kia does not offer a replacement bracket that can be welded on and they suggest that the entire rear axle housing assembly is replaced at a cost of several thousand dollars per vehicle. kia motors refuses to acknowledge the problem or assist affected customers in resolving it. | |||
| 07/02/2012 | 84566 | 1 | |
| Corrosion of rear differential, both left and right arm completely broke off axle assy, unsafe to drive. repair shop i've used for the last 4 years gave estimate of $1,300.00 with possible additional cost of up to $500.00. they suggested i call kia regarding my 10 yr. 100,000 mile warranty. called kia corporate headquarters for 10 yr. 100,000 mile warranty. was told i needed to tow it from my repair shop to the nearest kia dealer which was 48 miles away. service manager after looking at defect told me warranty denied would cost $2,700.00 (approximate) and could count on an additional $500.00 to $1,000.00 when taken apart. placed another call to kia corp. headquarters for warranty and was told there is no defect. damage as a result of salt out of their control, and the service manager had the final say. *tr | |||
| 07/02/2012 | 84566 | ||
| Corrosion of rear differential, both left and right arm completely broke off axle assy, unsafe to drive. repair shop i've used for the last 4 years gave estimate of $1,300.00 with possible additonal cost of up to $500.00. they suggested i call kia regarding my 10 yr. 100,000 mile warranty. called kia corporate headquarters for 10 yr. 100,000 mile warranty. was told i needed to tow it from my repair shop to the nearest kia dealer which was 48 miles away. service manager after looking at defect told me warranty denied would cost $2,700.00 (approximate) and could count on an additional $500.00 to $1,000.00 when taken apart. placed another call to kia corp. headquarters for warranty and was told there is no defect. damage as a result of salt out of their control, and the service manager had the final say. | |||
| 11/28/2011 | 118000 | ||
| Vehicle is only 7 years old. metal bracket welded to the rear axle that holds the upper control arms has completely failed! the normal torque from the rear axle has broken both brackets holding the upper control arm to the cars frame. all that is holding the rear axle in place is the lower control arms and the sway bars. there are no weep holes to allow water to drain out of the bracket weldment, causing water to fill the cup-like condition created. this condition has (an will) cause premature failure of all kia sorento rear axle/upper control arm connections. while driving the rear axle could become detached from the vehicle due to excessive stress placed on the remaining parts. a typical traffic maneuver could cause a catastrophic failure, and render the vehicle uncontrolable, with the likelyness of massive pain, injury and death as a result!!! this is an extremely dangerous condition!!! these cars need to be recalled now before someone is killed!!! ps if you see a kia sorento on the freeway...stay away from it for your own safety! | |||
| 07/06/2008 | 1 | ||
| My sister purchased this vehicle new and has had nothing but problems with it and problems with dealership/kia honoring their 10 year/100,000 mile warranty. she purchased this vehicle believing she would be driving a quality vehicle (advertising 10 year/100,000 mile warranty she assumed it must be of high quality because who would offer that kind of warranty if it was junk....wrong!) she has had nothing but stress, financial expense, lost work time, and a battle of her life trying to seek consumer justice...dealership, kia motors, lemon law requires a part to fail four times, attorney generals office, conciliation court, writing to ruukivina, oberstar, and most recently amy klobuchar...all failed. no one has said that they will investigate kia and protect the consumers from this fraudulent automobile manufacturer. why? the problems she has had with her vehicle consist of rust on the tailgate and rear doors just a few months after purchasing, all kinds of electrical problems from headlights and tail lights burning out numerous times, the digital dash for radio and heater going black, the heater not work, a relay switch for fan failed, foam between windshield and frame coming out tapping on the window, a problem with the coolant reservoir, the rear driveshaft failed, the transmission had to be replaced and most recently the transfer case. safety issues and concerns would be with tail lights and headlights burning out prematurely and frequently and the crankshaft bolt broke causing to loose all ability to steer the vehicle. there are probably other problems she has had with the vehicle but i do not recall at this time. *tr | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | |||
| 10/20/2003 | 500 | 1 | |
| Well, there is an annoying, over time driven hissing sibilant noise coming from under the kia sorento 2004 vehicle i went to kia, and complaint about it . they claimed that they heard the noise, but it was not enough loud for them to fix the problem. in my life i never had a car that made such noise . could something be done about it?*ak | |||
| 04/29/2007 | 32135 | 1 | 05/26/2006 |
| Transmission overheated causing overflow of atf onto exhaust manifold igniting a fire. *tr | |||
| 02/03/2007 | 65000 | 1 | 12/31/2004 |
| I purchased a 2004 kia sorento two years ago. it was not long before i began to experience numerous problems with my vehicle. tail lights/brake lights burning out frequently which is a major safety issue since i deliver rural usda mail. now my transmission is broken!! kia-duluth asked if i had had the transmission flushed at the specified mileage and that they will need verification of this. (i knew immediately their objective was to not honor their warranty (10 years/100,000 mile warranty if i had not flushed the transmission). i faxed them the receipt indicating the transmission had been flushed. i contacted kia-duluth the following day because i had not heard from them. he said he had not heard back from kia yet to authorize the repair. this vehicle has caused me so much lost work time, stress and has been emotionally draining for the past two years. kia's deceptive advertising - i believed that since kia was offering a 10 year/100,000 mile warranty, their vehicle must be really good. boy was i wrong! kia is building vehicles with defective parts and materials and has set-up their warranty plan to be able to void them from having to honor their warranty plan and having any responsibility. for further complaints on kia vehicles, please contact the better business bureau and attorney general offices across the country and you will find numerous complaints. numerous complaints by consumers are also located at the following websites: www.my3cents.com and www.consumeraffairs.com. kia needs to be investigated and put a stop to their scamming and defrauding the consumer and before someone gets seriously hurt or killed due to numerous defective parts in their vehicles. *nm | |||
| 05/18/2004 | 5000 | 2 | 02/01/2004 |
| Since buying my sorento in february 2004, i have noticed that the car sometimes has to think before going into gear and there is no predictability as to when this will happen. in example i was in the center lane merging into traffic when the car just would not get going it hesitates and then drops into gear. i have taken the car in and the service manager said that he has had several complaints like mine but there is nothing he could do to help. he said that it seems to be the combination of the engine and transmission and that since it seems to be just a characteristic of the car, there would be nothing that kia would do. i am concerned that this vehicle can cause an accident under normal driving conditions. since it is a 6 cylinder, i would believe that it should get up and go when you need it. i always need to be aware that i cannot rely on the car to get in gear quickly. this is unsatisfactory, and i have never had a vehicle react in such a way.*ak | |||
| 07/09/2004 | 1500 | 1 | 06/07/2004 |
| The consumer approached a driveway which had a slight incline. the consumer got out of the vehicle with the engine still running and the driver's door opened. at least two minutes later, a click was heard and the vehicle rolled backwards until it hit a tree. a kia representative came three days later, inspected the vehicle, and claimed no responsibility. *ak *sc *jb | |||
| POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE | |||
| 03/21/2011 | |||
| I bought a 2004 kia sorento in 2006 finished paying for it in 2010,over the years ihave had to change the lights so many times i cant count,i have had topaint it twice,then the driving shaft broke,the compressor was changed twice, the cd player works on and off the air bags light came on and stayed for months on end the engine light does the same and most recently there is smoke coming from the engine, i am having to stop park and let it cool off before continuining on my journey, at the moment i got scared and i now i have my vehicle parked at home because i am scared to drive it, it is a shame and i am very upset. is there anyone out there who is trying to do something about these problems us consumers are having? i own my vehicle and has a clean title and would like to trade in or sell but with all these problems how can i pass it on to someone else? i am asking someone from kia to do the responsible thing and give us some answers before someone loses their life,that is if it hasnot happened already. dont let this be toyota. | |||
| POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - DIFFERENTIAL UNIT | |||
| 08/30/2004 | 10243 | 6 | 01/09/2004 |
| 1st- manual transmission, hesitiation of take off..o-ring replaced. 2nd-clinking noise when shifting gears..bearings failing in rear differential was replaced 3rd-felt looseness in emergency brake..i was told no trouble found 4th-rust on metal parts of headrest..dealer to replace.. 5th-metal attachments in trunk area also rusted ..were not replaced.. 6th-the back defrost plastic protectors were never removed when vehicle was delivered, so when back defrost was used the heat melted the strips which caused condensation build up causing the rust. gardendale kia of al had my car for five days and i had to find a way to work on my own. i was told they didn't give loaner cars..very poor customer service. i believed in the company/product and purchased brand new off the lot with a full warranty and because of bad kia products, i should have been able to get a loaner car. i still have to pay full monthly car note. customer service is very important to me and i don't feel that i got it. i had to call back to the service to get a status of where they were repairing my vehicle..i was told it would be 09-01-04 and i did not get a response, so i called on 09-02-04 and was told the part came in but all parts were not included so i had to wait another day 09-03-04. i called at 4:30pm cst to get a status, i was told they were working on it & it would be later that afternoon. this was afternoon, they close at 6:00pm cst..needless to say, i got my car at 5:45pm.. i guess it really did not matter to them since they were not getting any money out of me.*ak | |||
| 08/30/2004 | 10243 | 3 | 01/09/2004 |
| 1st- manual transmission, hesitiation of take off..o-ring replaced. 2nd-clinking noise when shifting gears..bearings failing in rear differential was replaced 3rd-felt looseness in emergency brake..i was told no trouble found 4th-rust on metal parts of headrest..dealer to replace.. 5th-metal attachments in trunk area also rusted ..were not replaced.. 6th-the back defrost plastic protectors were never removed when vehicle was delivered, so when back defrost was used the heat melted the strips which caused condensation build up causing the rust. gardendale kia of al had my car for five days and i had to find a way to work on my own. i was told they didn't give loaner cars..very poor customer service. i believed in the company/product and purchased brand new off the lot with a full warranty and because of bad kia products, i should have been able to get a loaner car. i still have to pay full monthly car note. customer service is very important to me and i don't feel that i got it. i had to call back to the service to get a status of where they were repairing my vehicle..i was told it would be 09-01-04 and i did not get a response, so i called on 09-02-04 and was told the part came in but all parts were not included so i had to wait another day 09-03-04. i called at 4:30pm cst to get a status, i was told they were working on it & it would be later that afternoon. this was afternoon, they close at 6:00pm cst..needless to say, i got my car at 5:45pm.. i guess it really did not matter to them since they were not getting any money out of me.*ak | |||
| POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - DRIVESHAFT | |||
| 08/13/2007 | 73800 | 1 | 02/01/2004 |
| Car started making a squeaking rubber noise in afternoon then by next early morning car was making a loud squealing noise then a loud thunk and by the time we got it to the kia dealership it was slightly shaking. was told the whole drive shaft needed to be replaced and it would take 6 days to get the part in! no loaner car available so i'm left with no transportation to and from work!! thank god this is warranty work otherwise i'd be screwed even more! *jb | |||
| 08/07/2004 | 6653 | 4 | 12/10/2003 |
| I have 3 major failures w/my new kia sorento '04 since buying it in dec '03 from peak kia in colo.the 1st failure, the anti lock brake control unit was replaced in dec '03.the brakes engaged when they shouldn't. i have complained many times about a road vibration at 68-72 mph. dealer has seen my car 5 times for this problem. the 1st time the dealer said they couldn't find anything wrong, but said they had only driven it to 63 mph. the 2nd time i took it in, problem had been noted in a number of sorento's nationwide & they were going to need to change the drive shaft. 3rd time for this same problem & upon picking up the car found out that they didn't change the drive shaft, but greased it w/special heavy duty grease &turned it 180 degrees. i asked why hadn't changed drive shaft, & they said the manufacturer's technical service bulletin recommended this procedure 1st. the vibration has slowly returned. i called the dealer & they said they would put me on list to drive car w/regional service mgr. they called & said he was in town, so i went to drive car with local service mgr & regional service mgr.they felt there was nothing highly noticeable about vibration & said it could be the roads. they told me to call back if it got worse. in august '04, were driving & my car began to smoke. a huge trail of smoke coming out from under car. we pulled to the side of the road & called 24hr towing from the dealer. car towed to osborn kia in colo. & found that the entire rack & pinon steering mechanism & gear box had blown up throwing steering fluid on the engine. so much smoke i thought the car was on fire! what could have happened if our steering would have gone out in a tight turn! the dealer's service mgr said in all of his year's the dealership had never replaced this part. the entire steering system replaced, the car is now vibrating once again at 68-71mph. i am going to contact the dealer but am concerned they will not do anything to fix this. *jb | |||
| 03/12/2004 | 1500 | 1 | 02/28/2004 |
| Since purchasing new 2004 sorento in february 2004, have had the vehicle to two different dealers for five attempts to resolve a vibration from unidentified source. the vibration was first experienced at 70 mph. one dealer has replaced the gear cluster in the rear differential, balance and rebalanced tires, replaced rear u-joints, and replaced front drive shaft. this did not correct problem. second dealer replaced rear drive shaft a second time. vibration is now worse. it can be felt at 50 mph and 70 mph. have met with kia factory rep. kia states they have a technical bulletin on this problem.*ak | |||
| POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - UNIVERSAL JOINT | |||
| 03/12/2004 | 1500 | 1 | 02/28/2004 |
| Since purchasing new 2004 sorento in february 2004, have had the vehicle to two different dealers for five attempts to resolve a vibration from unidentified source. the vibration was first experienced at 70 mph. one dealer has replaced the gear cluster in the rear differential, balance and rebalanced tires, replaced rear u-joints, and replaced front drive shaft. this did not correct problem. second dealer replaced rear drive shaft a second time. vibration is now worse. it can be felt at 50 mph and 70 mph. have met with kia factory rep. kia states they have a technical bulletin on this problem.*ak | |||
| POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION | |||
| 03/21/2011 | |||
| I bought a 2004 kia sorento in 2006 finished paying for it in 2010,over the years ihave had to change the lights so many times i cant count,i have had topaint it twice,then the driving shaft broke,the compressor was changed twice, the cd player works on and off the air bags light came on and stayed for months on end the engine light does the same and most recently there is smoke coming from the engine, i am having to stop park and let it cool off before continuining on my journey, at the moment i got scared and i now i have my vehicle parked at home because i am scared to drive it, it is a shame and i am very upset. is there anyone out there who is trying to do something about these problems us consumers are having? i own my vehicle and has a clean title and would like to trade in or sell but with all these problems how can i pass it on to someone else? i am asking someone from kia to do the responsible thing and give us some answers before someone loses their life,that is if it hasnot happened already. dont let this be toyota. | |||
| 03/27/2008 | 30930 | 5 | 04/11/2007 |
| 2004 kia sorento manual transmission transmission locks up randomly. i am unable to change gears. the shift stick moves to the various positions but the car remains in gear. this occurs while driving or stopped and trying to upshift or downshift . i have had the vehicle to the kia dealer on three occasions, but they are not able to duplicate the problem and hence, can do nothing about it. last occurrence, on 3/27/2008, had vehicle towed to the dealer, however they said that it was not locked up when they drove it. no help from kia customer service either. *tr | |||
| 03/09/2004 | 0 | 1 | 11/17/2003 |
| 1. since new, 2004 kia sorento 5-speed transmission has had a grind when shifting between lower gears. i brought problem to attention of berlin city kia dealership in burlington vt during my first routine service. they confirmed the grind and elected to replace the transmission as an attempted solution. 2. the problem continued with the new transmission, and in fact has gotten worse, particularly on cooler mornings. i have had it back for them to repair the problem, and have been advised that kia is aware of the problem on these particular transmissions, but has no solution at this time. 3. i believe a recall is in order, as the transmissions are known to be defective by the manufacturer. *ak | |||
| POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION - FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY | |||
| 02/10/2007 | 600 | 4 | 05/04/2004 |
| Intermittent shifting defect that causes the gears to get locked up and the truck will not shift into first gear, or the shifter will get very tight and it is extremely difficult to shift gears. *jb | |||
| POWER TRAIN - TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE) | |||
| 01/10/2005 | 14000 | 5 | 06/03/2004 |
| The vehicle has a hesitation on acceleration. it vibrates while on the expressway. the check engine light comes on intermittently while traveling at high speeds. most recently, the transfer case seized up and the front wheels locked up while i was turning and i almost crashed. it is now in the shop getting the transfer case replaced and i'm told there are even more problems with the transmission. please advise me on what to do so the company can possibly buy this vehicle back from me. *jb | |||
| 07/20/2004 | 450 | 25 | 12/31/2003 |
| I am complaining to let you know of a defect in my 2004 kia sorrento v.i.n. kndjc733745181665 and a potential highway disaster if the wheels locked up on this vehicle while i'm driving on the highway it will probably cause a major pile-up and lead to a lot of deaths if they don't fix this when i put the vehicle in four wheel drive it is like trying to drive with the emergency brake on i brought it in for service they said that is the way it's supposed to be and i'm not supposed to use the four wheel drive anyway unless it's absolutely needed this was the service manager at kia of lynnfield mass. phone #781-596-0800 on the 25th of june 2004 i am bringing it in again on july 22nd 2004 but expect the same thing i further went on to question him about using the four wheel drive and he told me i'm not supposed to use it to in rain or snow or for any other reason unless i'm stuck and need it to get out of whatever the problem is so if this vehicle turns up in a disaster you know what happened and where to start your investigation i'm also going to follow up with the mass. lemon law thank you for listening. *la | |||