2005 Kia Sorento owner complaints

My car has broken down 3 times in the last month. I have a 2005 Kia sorento with 115,000 miles on it. Ever since I bought my car, it has continually had electrical issues such as replacement of the headlights every few months. I have just dealt with it and learned how to replace them myself. One month ago though, my car broke down and I had it towed to my local mechanic. He said it was the alternator and went ahead and replaced it. Everything was running smooth when I drove it away but then 2 weeks later, I broke down again (same symptoms occurred from when I broke down the first time - brake & battery light blinks and then the airbag light comes on and boom, no power). Brought it to the same mechanic and this time it was the battery that needed replaced so he went ahead and replace

Own a 2005 Kia sorento. We have a continuous problem with the lights burning out. This includes the headlights, brake lights, park lights, and fog lights. These lights burn out about every 3 to 4 months. Now the power seat has stopped moving forward or back. The driver's side power seat will not move forward or backward. A shorter person that my wife moved her car and she adjusted the seats. When my wife got into the car she was unable to put the seat in the original position. I have tried to jockey the switch back and forth and up and down and the seat will not move. *tr

I constantly have to change tail lights and head lights on my vehicle. Every 4/5 months they are going out. Also the interior light above in the back seating area does not come on when the doors are open, only if manually pressed on and off. The light behind the panel controlling the heat/air temperatures is no longer functional. No one else seems to change their lights as frequently as I do, if at all since they've had their cars. It seems to be an issue with the electrical system. *kb

I own a 2005 and a 2006 Kia sorento ex. In both vehicles I must replace lightbulbs continually. On average, I replace headlights approximately once every 60 to 90 days. Brake light bulb replacement is less frequent, but does occur often within the year. There is obviously a problem with the electrical system in these vehicles but Kia will not acknowledge any problems. *tr

Lighting (bulbs) very short life, bulbs last 1/5 to 1/10th of the life in other vehicles. Most recent both low beam bulbs failed within 5 minutes leaving us with no lighting while driving at highway speed on unlit divided highway. We have been replacing bulbs every 2-3 months. We always replace both headlights when one burns out. My other vehicles last many years, this vehicle is the only one I have ever had that headlights only last months. The vehicle is only driven 4 days per week and the headlight life is actually less than 50 hours use. We have tried sylvania (standard, silverstar and silverstar ultras, ge, hella and recently phillips bulbs all with the same lifespan (within days) something is wrong. There is a tsb but no recall. *tr

Help!! I am constantly replacing head lights, tail lights, brake lights, fog lights. Every single month it's one light or another in a continuous cycle. I see many complaints for this same issue. I love my Kia sorrento other than this problem. I feel that this is a safety issue as much as it is a nuisance not to mention an expense!!! Kia, do the right thing!! Please. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

Bought the car used drove home .... Car sat for a while came out to the smell of gas so strong the gas tank is leaking at the seams... Tank is damp from gas soaking in..... Bought a used tank fixed it and the leak it 100x worse!!!! You can't see the holes it's as if it's not sealing I have read this is a commom problem in this car. And not a cheep fix!!! No recalls?????

My 2005 Kia Sorento’s headlights keep going out. I get new bulbs and even replaced the whole headlight thing and checked the wiring hoping to fix the problem and nothing. Works great for one day and then the next one or both are out. It is very dangerous to myself and my children who are under the age of 5. This is my only vehicle as I am a single mother and cannot afford the constant repairs let alone a new vehicle. This is ridiculous. I can’t go no where after 5 in the winter time since my lights go out and I have errands to run, school and work. I’ve heard this happens too often. This is a problem that not only should be addressed but is extremely dangerous for all drivers !

Battery and brake light came on and lost power steering control, power steering belt came off and ac belt had to get towed home. When I went under the hood noticed the damper pulley was wobbly the bolt in the middle was still in place had this happen twice before issue was fixed and it happened again. Can't afford to take to a professional mechanic because I'm a single mother of 4 children and I need my car running. I was driving into a shopping plaza parking lot when it happened and as I turned in that's when this happened.

Brackets that hold the rear end upper control arms are completely rusted into two useless pieces. Only the lower control arms and side link or canard is holding the rear end in place, any torque applied could potentially twist the rear causing catastrophic damage, obviously the metal is bad and with no weep holes salt, water, etc. Hold in bracket. I thought the handling felt bad, and heard slight, ever so slight clunking, would never have suspected this until too late except I was checking brake pads and noticed the disconnected suspension, now must grind off old brackets, fabricate new ones and weld on after freeing up upper control arm bolts, not your normal mechanic work on a 6 year old car,,[xxx],,I fear what could happen to the unsuspecting normal person,,stay well clear of any sore

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Kia sorento. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the contact heard a loud noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brackets on the rear end of the vehicle were corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000. The VIN was not available.

December 18, 2010 Kia motors america, inc. Dear Kia this letter is to complain about an internet posted and known defect in your 2005 Kia sorento. I recently broke down because 'the crankshaft bolt broke off inside the engine'. It cost me $85.00 to get it towed and now will run an additional $1,200+/- to repair it. From what I'm reading on the internet when the problem is fixed there is no way of guaranteeing it won't happen repeatedly. Through no fault of sorento owners as told by your service mechanic (scott) of Kia of dutchess county (ny). 'just a bad part'. Apparently, this bolt shears off and falls inside the engine causing additional damage. Your fix supposedly, is to torque the bolt properly, well that bolt is factory torqued! I have no complaints with scott as he is courte

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Kia sorento. The contact stated that all of the instrument panel light illuminated as the vehicle stalled. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the crankshaft position sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The failure and the current mileage was 110,522. Updated 1/29/13 *cn updated 2/6/2013*js

I was driving down the highway and all the sudden my car gave a big sound and died. The steering was really hard to steer, luckly I was in the slow lane and coasted off the edge of the road. Had it towed to mechanic the started was bad, along with the fuel line and fuel pump. After got it running once again ran fine hour later the crank shaft sensor went out. I have read many many complaints about the same issues, also was told that my fuel tank and bottom was rusting out. And my sway bar is bad. My car shakes, I have had new tires and brakes put on and a new muffler put on. I have had all my oil changes and tune ups. They say there is no recalls, how could there not be recalls here in the usa. They had a class action law suit in canada and Kia was made to fix these same issues.

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 Kia sorrento. The contact was attempting a turn while driving approximately 2 MPH when the steering wheel abnormally locked. The contact was unable to turn the wheel and the vehicle was immediately shut off. The vehicle was then towed to an independent repair facility where she was informed that a bolt within the driveshaft had fractured and caused the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 64,000.

Passenger air bag seat matt faulty. Passenger airbag does not come on.

While heading east during a snow storm, collided with a snow plow. The Kia sorento was totaled beyond repair. Impact was at drivers side door. Destroyed front of vehicle, rear door and ripper part of roof open, driver hit face on side window causing bleeding on brain. Was hospatized for 3 days. Not one air bag was deployed. Not front nor side air bags. Notified Kia corp. Sent pictures and report. Said they didnt think it was the fault of Kia. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Kia sorento. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal but the vehicle would not accelerate. The contact stopped the vehicle on the shoulder. The contact was able to drive without failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing however, the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 1,500. ..updated 01/16/2013 *bf updated 129/2013 js

Front passenger door will not (open) from inside of vehicle.. It locks and unlocks but door opening connection link is not opening. This presents a crash and fire hazard as passengers must either open the window and reach out to open or have someone outside open the door! Had it repaired and it broke again shortly after repair. *tr

Idler air control valve- bad on 2005 Kia sorento, 75, 000 miles repair cost steven Kia wichita ks, $570.00 dealer said the valve would need replaced, and pins cleaned.. Symptoms, vehicle dies when slowing down wont stay running, car one time idled up on it own at a very high acceleration, scared me, I had to tap the gas pedal it didn't work, then turn off ignition switch to stop car. *tr