Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||
| 02/08/2013 | 74000 | 1 | |
| I was driving the car when i suddenly started hearing rattling noises from the engine. the power steering stopped working and the steering wheel would not turn. thankfully, i was on a side street with no other traffic. if i had been in traffic or traveling at a higher speed, this would surely have caused a crash. my mechanic says that the crankshaft bolt is sheared off and must be drilled out to be replaced. kia won't cover this expensive repair, says it is not covered by their warranty. after researching this issue, i see that kia is aware of a defect in the bolt and has issued service bulletins and discontinued the bolt, issuing a new part to replace it. there are already numerous complaints on this and other sites due to this issue, spanning several model years. to date, i have not seen a recall from kia. dangerous defect and alarming lack of concern (not to mention customer service) from kia. i would never have bought this car if i had known the gamble i was taking with my family's safety. i hope others will not make the same mistake. *tr | |||
| 02/08/2013 | 74000 | ||
| I was driving the car when i suddenly started hearing rattling noises from the engine. the power steering stopped working and the steering wheel would not turn. thankfully, i was on a side street with no other traffic. if i had been in traffic or traveling at a higher speed, this would surely have caused a crash. my mechanic says that the crankshaft bolt is sheared off and must be drilled out to be replaced. kia won't cover this expensive repair, says it is not covered by their warranty. after researching this issue, i see that kia is aware of a defect in the bolt and has issued service bulletins and discontinued the bolt, issuing a new part to replace it. there are already numerous complaints on this and other sites due to this issue, spanning several model years. to date, i have not seen a recall from kia. dangerous defect and alarming lack of concern (not to mention customer service) from kia. i would never have bought this car if i had known the gamble i was taking with my family's safety. i hope others will not make the same mistake. | |||
| 07/01/2012 | 160000 | 2 | |
| The crankshaft pulley bolt broke and messed up the steering, i was unable to steer the car. this has happened twice now and continues to be a problem as i'm reading the kia forums. *tr | |||
| 07/01/2012 | 160000 | ||
| The crankshaft pulley bolt broke and messed up the steering, i was unable to steer the car. this has happened twice now and continues to be a problem as i'm reading the kia forums. | |||
| 09/05/2012 | 94186 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2004 kia sorento. the contact stated that while driving at low speeds, steering became very difficult and the battery, check engine, and brake warning lights illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the catalytic converter and the crank shaft bolt and pin needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. the manufacturer was not contacted. the failure mileage was approximately 94,186 and the current mileage was approximately 120,000. the vin was not available. mh | |||
| 09/05/2012 | 94186 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2004 kia sorento. the contact stated that while driving at low speeds the power steering would become extremely hard. immediately after the battery light, check engine and brake light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. after diagnosis they advised her that the catalytic converter, the crank shaft bolt and pin. the vehicle was repaired for the catalytic converter and the crank shaft bolt and pin. after having the repairs done the failure re occurred. the manufacturer was not contacted. the failure mileage was approximately 94,186. the current mileage was approximately 120,000. tb | |||
| 11/03/2012 | 71000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2004 kia sorento ex. the contact stated that while driving approximately 15 mph, there was an unexpected loss of power steering. the contact maneuvered the vehicle to a parking lot with difficult in turning the steering wheel. the vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic who informed the crank shaft bolt fractured. the vehicle was in the process of being repaired.the manufacturer was notified of the problem. the approximate failure mileage was 71,000. pmb | |||
| 11/03/2012 | 71000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2004 kia sorento ex. while driving approximately 15 mph, there was an unexpected loss of power steering. the contact maneuvered the vehicle to a parking lot with difficult in turning the steering wheel. the vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic who informed the crank shaft bolt fractured. the vehicle was in the process of being repaired.the manufacturer was notified of the problem. the approximate failure mileage was 71,000. js | |||
| 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 | |||
| 03/12/2009 | 56000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2004 kia sorento. the contact stated while driving 60 mph the power steering failed. the vehicle was taken to the dealer. the dealer stated he used the wrong steering fluid in the vehicle, which caused the failure. the contact emailed the manufacturer and was awaiting a response. the failure mileage was 56,000 and the current mileage was 60,000. kmj | |||
| 03/12/2009 | 56000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2004 kia sorento. the contact stated while driving 60 mph the power steering lose power. he was able to pull over to the side of the road. he stated he has to wait an hour or two. the vehicle was taken to the dealer. the dealer stated he used the wrong steering fueled. the contact email the manufacturer and they did not repond . the failure mileage was 56,000 and the current mileage was 60,000.jp | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | |||
| 06/30/2008 | 80000 | 1 | |
| On monday, 06-30-08, at about 1400 hours, i parked my vehicle a 2004 kia sorrento 4x4 ex with approx. 80,000 plus miles. shortly after parking this vehicle i entered a baskin and robins to have an ice cream cone. i was informed by frantic passerby's that a vehicle was on fire. i took a look outside and was shocked to see that my vehicle mentioned above was smoking and flaming up. this fire appeared to start on the passenger side of my vehicle near the power steering pump and alternator. my vehicle had been operating fine until this incident occurred and only went to the dealership for routine servicing under warranty. the honolulu police and fire departments were notified and reports documented under honolulu police department report #08-242969 and the honolulu fire department report #24891. fire and police officials informed me that a possible fuel line malfunction is a possibility but cause of this incident is unknown at this time. *tr | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES - KNUCKLE - SPINDLE - ARM | |||
| 08/28/2007 | 38000 | 1 | 10/31/2004 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 2004 kia sorento. while driving 15 mph, the steering wheel failed to turn to the right and the vehicle crashed into a pole. the fender was badly damaged and the vehicle was towed to the local dealer. the dealer stated that the vehicle needed a new rack and pinion, tie rod, upper and lower ball joint assembly, steering knuckle, and a passenger side front wheel. the current and failure mileages were 38,000. | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | |||
| 08/28/2007 | 38000 | 1 | 10/31/2004 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 2004 kia sorento. while driving 15 mph, the steering wheel failed to turn to the right and the vehicle crashed into a pole. the fender was badly damaged and the vehicle was towed to the local dealer. the dealer stated that the vehicle needed a new rack and pinion, tie rod, upper and lower ball joint assembly, steering knuckle, and a passenger side front wheel. the current and failure mileages were 38,000. | |||
| STEERING - RACK AND PINION | |||
| 08/28/2007 | 38000 | 1 | 10/31/2004 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 2004 kia sorento. while driving 15 mph, the steering wheel failed to turn to the right and the vehicle crashed into a pole. the fender was badly damaged and the vehicle was towed to the local dealer. the dealer stated that the vehicle needed a new rack and pinion, tie rod, upper and lower ball joint assembly, steering knuckle, and a passenger side front wheel. the current and failure mileages were 38,000. | |||
| 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 | |||