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 AL…
2005 kia Sorento electrical problems
critical 40 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850
Complaints
40
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$850
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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.…
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 A…
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2005 kia Sorento?
It's a serious issue. 40 complaints have been filed, including 1 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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