Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
AIR BAGS
01/01/20108000
 After numerous attempts to have problem fixed, kia states that it is normal that the passenger air bag sensor does not always detect person on seat. what bs!!! numerous complaints on this issue. what does it take to get a recall? someone dying? or multiple?
12/15/2009100
 Vehicle has has repeated issues with passenger air bag sensor not recognizing 120 lb. female passenger. took vehicle to dealer (fisher kia in boulder, co) and was told air bag had a gray area between 80-120 lbs where it may not activate properly. i find this completely unacceptable and feel unsafe driving the vehicle with passenger airbag deactivated with my wife in passenger seat.
01/03/20111
 2009 kia sorento. consumer states that passenger side airbag light indicated the airbag was disabled. the dealer told consumer that his wife didn't weigh enough for the airbag system to register. *kb
07/28/20107253
 Tl-the contact owns a 2009 kia sorento. the contact stated that the air bag light illuminated when someone was seated in the passenger seat and would not turn off until the vehicle was shut off. the contact called the manufacturer who advised him to take the vehicle to the dealership for a repair. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership where the air bag sensor was replaced but the failure continued. the vehicle had not been repaired successfully at the time of the complaint. the current mileage was approximately 9,000. the failure mileage was 7,253-bk
AIR BAGS - FRONTAL
02/17/20101200
 I have 2 complaints. 1) i have complained about the front passenger air bag not coming on when an adult is seated in it. i have taken it to 2 different kia shops 5 times since 1200 miles and was told it is operating normal. normal is when an adult sits in it, not when you place a purse on the seat or whenever it decides to work. i am following the manual and still no satifaction with repair. 2) at 1200 miles i also complained that the car would buck, stick in 3rd gear, and not shift till it red lines. this does not happen all the time and i was told by kia that unless the check engine light comes on they can not find the problem. even after the #1 repair tech in the world for kia experienced the not shifting till it red lines for himself. i was told the only thing they could do is reprogram the computer. they have reprogrammed it 4 times the problem is still there. i have 22 repair invoices for this car since i purchased it. i am fighting on a daily basis with kia to repair this car. it is a shame to say but i feel someone is going to get hurt or worst killed before kia fixes these issues!
12/07/2009700
 Tl*the contact owns a 2009 kia sorento. the contact stated that when the passenger seat was occupied by an adult, the air bag warning light indicated that the front passenger side air bag was off. the dealer stated that the passenger was seated in the vehicle incorrectly and could not duplicate the failure. the contact was concerned that the manufacturer did not want to admit fault to the failure and was concerned with the overall safety of the vehicle. if involved in a crash, the contact was concerned that the air bags would not deploy. the failure mileage was 700 and the current mileage was unknown. updated 05/11/10.*lj
04/12/200980001
 We have been having a problem with the occupant classification system on our 2008 kia sorento. the system is deactivated when there is an adult passenger in the front seat.. the car has been in for repair four times. the passenger seat has been replaced and the computer has been reprogrammed. at this time the dealer has informed us that kia tech line has determined that the system is working as designed and there are no further repairs that can be performed. we have followed all procedures outlined in the owners manual and still the system does not accurately register a passenger in the seat. with the passenger air bag light off lit, the air bag will not deploy and protect the passenger in the event of an accident. *tr
10/31/20091
 I bought a used 2009 sorento kia and when my wife was seated on the passenger seat the passenger air bag off sign was on. the light comes off/on randomly when a passenger is on the seat. i took the car to the mechanic and they could not find anything wrong, but the problem persists. *tr
01/30/2009178631
 Since january 2009 we have been fighting with kia motors because my passenger airbag light will not activate when someone is seated in the seat. all kia has done is update the vehicles computer system, which hasn't worked. they have issued a safety recall on this problem, but they refuse to fix it saying that the vehicle is operating as it was designed to do. my problem is that my vehicle is now unsafe for me to drive with a passenger. i have brought my vehicle to them 12 times about this problem. the better business bureau has told me there is nothing they can do for me, even though it is under warranty. kia has offered me $1500.00 to go away. i refused. i want this safety issue fixed. *tr
AIR BAGS - FRONTAL - SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
03/01/2010111/29/2009
 2009 kia sorento. consumer states vehicle does not protect the front passenger if the weight is less than 120 pounds. *tgw the consumer stated the panel read passenger air bag off. *jb