Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Powertrain (other) reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
9
Latest Oct 11, 2017
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
6%
of 154 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1
What this page shows
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2007 Kia Sorento submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 9 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming powertrain
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Oct 11, 2017
WE HAD AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THE CAR AND IT WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP A COUPLE HUNDRED MILES FROM HOME. THERE THE DEALER NOTICED THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE REAR END ON HAD RUSTED AWAY AND IT WAS LEAKING FLUID. THE CAR HAS AROUND 45,000 MILES ON IT AND I FEEL THAT AN ISSUE LIKE THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL AS I HAVE SINCE FOUND IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND WAS RECALLED IN EUROPE FOR THE SAME THING. MY DAUGHTER COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN A KIA DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES SO FAR THIS YEAR FOR AN OIL LEAK ISSUE AND THEY SHOULD HAVE MENTIONED THIS ISSUE. THE WARRANTY RAN OUT IN MAY AFTER THE LAST VISIT UP TO THIS ONE. THE DEALER EVEN SAID THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A FIRE.
NHTSA ID
11032964
Incident
Oct 6, 2017
Mileage
45,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 11, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MOVING THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER FROM PARK TO DRIVE, THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
NHTSA ID
10819315
Incident
Jan 9, 2016
Mileage
110,000 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 10, 2014
I OWN A 2007 KIA SORENTO LX WITH 47,760 MILES ON IT CURRENTLY (TODAY'S DATE 09/10/2014). THE FIRST SYMPTOMS HAPPENED A FEW MONTHS AGO WHERE MY CAR WOULD HESITATE UPON ACCELERATION AND/OR I WOULD BE TRAVELING BETWEEN 30-45 MPH AND THE CAR WOULD BEGIN BUCKING/JERKING FOR A FEW SECONDS. THIS WAS VERY INTERMITTENT AND RANDOM. IF I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL, THEN REAPPLIED THE GAS THE CAR WOULD BE FINE. THEN THAT SYMPTOM WENT AWAY AND I GAINED A NEW SYMPTOM. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY ECS OFF LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY, AND I INSTANTLY LOST POWER/ACCELERATION. IT APPEARS THAT WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE CAR GOES INTO "LIMP HOME" MODE? IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE TO ME IN THE PAST 3 DAYS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE LOSS OF POWER/ACCELERATION IS INSTANT, IT HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING, AND IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING. THIS COULD CAUSE LOSS OF LIFE IF IT HAPPENS ON A HIGHWAY AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. ALL OF THESE SYMPTOMS BEGAN TO APPEAR RIGHT AFTER I HAD THE RECALLS DONE ON MY VEHICLE (I.E. BRAKE SWITCH AND ECM UPGRADE). MY CAR WAS FINE BEFORE I HAD THE RECALLS DONE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10632129
Incident
Mar 1, 2014
Mileage
47,760 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 7, 2014
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
NHTSA ID
10577846
Incident
Apr 5, 2014
Mileage
71,885 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 5, 2011
THIS CAR WAS PURCHASE NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED BY THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER A RECENT OIL CHANGE I HEARD A "WHINE" NOISE IN THE REAREND SO I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER INSPECTION THEY SAY I NEED A NEW REAR END FOR $2000 AND THAT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE ON PREVIOUS WORK THEY MENTIONED THAT A CHANGE IN FLUID WAS REQUESTED. IF THIS CHANGE IN FLUID WAS SO IMPORTANT WHY WAS I NOT INFORMED. THIS IS LIKE A DOCTOR SAYING IF YOU DO NOT DO THIS YOU WILL DIE. I ALSO HAVE PURCHASED A SECOND KIA FROM THIS DEALERSHIP AND AM VERY LOYAL. NOW I FEEL THAT BOTH KIA AND THE DEALERSHIP HAVE THROWN ME UNDER THE BUS. WHO CAN ONE TRUST IN TODAY'S WORLD. *TR
NHTSA ID
10434312
Incident
Nov 1, 2011
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 15, 2011
AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE POWER FROM ACCELERATOR GREATLY REDUCES. APPEARS TO GO INTO 1ST GEAR, AND VEHICLE ONLY ABLE TO DRIVE AT 5MPH. STOPPED CAR ON SHOULDER, TURNED ENGINE OFF AND PARKED. RESTARTED VEHICLE WITH NO POWER OR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS; CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. AFTER 5 MINUTES OF DRIVING, REPEAT IN ACTIVITIES. OCCURRED 5 TIMES WITHIN 20 MILE DRIVE. VERY UNSAFE TO HAVE OCCUR ON HIGHWAY. *TR
NHTSA ID
10430318
Incident
Oct 15, 2011
Mileage
15,500 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 10, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORRENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY BEGAN JERKING VIOLENTLY AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER YET THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT IN THE DEALER'S POSSESSION WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 58,000.
NHTSA ID
10329660
Incident
May 9, 2010
Mileage
58,000 mi
AirbagsHeating & air conditioningElectrical+4 more
Filed Jul 22, 2008
Crash reported1 injury reported
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. THREE DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS DEACTIVATED. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40-45 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND JERKED. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN OR A RED LIGHT, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT HAS HAD TO STRIKE THE DASHBOARD IN ORDER TO GET THE AIR CONDITIONING TO WORK. IN ADDITION, NONE OF THE WINDOWS WILL ROLL DOWN. THE BLINKERS, TURN SIGNAL, AND CRUISE CONTROL DO NOT WORK. AFTER OWNING THE VEHICLE FOR TEN MONTHS, THE ALTERNATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED AND IT CURRENTLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE RAILS TO STEP UP INTO THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. DURING A CRASH WITH A DEER, BOTH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOYED AND THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT WORK. AS A RESULT, THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BROKEN ARM. ON TWO OCCASIONS, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE ROTATED AND ALIGNED. ON THE THIRD OCCASION, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE, SHE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WITH MANY COMPLAINTS, BUT THEY HAVE NEVER MADE ANY REPAIRS. A HYUNDAI INSPECTOR STATED THAT THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF SPECIFICATIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600. UPDATED 09/23/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER HIT A DEER AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT PERFORM AS THEY WERE DESIGNED. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DELAY IN SHIFTING AND WOULD NOT SHIFT IN THE CORRECT GEAR. UPDATED 09/24/08. *JB
NHTSA ID
10235319
Incident
Jan 11, 2007
Mileage
600 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 24, 2008
I WAS DRIVING MY 2 MONTH OLD 2007 KIA OPTIMA EX 6 CYC WITH 4,000 MILES ON FEB 16 ABOUT 10:45 PM WHEN IT LOST POWER STEERING AND OTHER CAR FUNCTIONS. I HAD JUST EXIT AN EXPRESSWAY (IH 35) TO REACH MY HOME WHEN I HEARD A LARGE CLUNK AND WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED RE: LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER FROM TO THE BATTERY. I WAS UNABLE TO INITIAL STEER THE VEHICLE B/C THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING WITH SIGNIFICANT DIFFICULTLY I GAINED CONTROL FOR THE SHORT MILE DISTANCE TO MY HOME. THIS CAR IS BEING USED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND SAW THAT THE MAIN ENGINE BELT HAD COME OFF AND A LARGE ROUND METAL CIRCULAR GEAR WAS LAYING AGAINST THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE ENGINE BELT HAD COME OFF ALL THE PULLEYS WHICH RUNS MANY MAJOR ENGINE FUNCTIONS. I HAD THE KIA TOWED IT THE FOLLOWING MONDAY (2/18/08) AT 8AM TO KIA IN GEORGETOWN, TX . KIA SERVICE MGR., MATT, AROUND 5PM SAID THAT THE HARMONIC BALANCER "BROKE AND IT WASN'T SUPPOSED TO DO THAT". WHEN ASKED HOW THIS COULD HAPPEN WITH A BRAND NEW CAR, HE SAID IT JUST HAPPENS. KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE REP, EDDY, TOLD ME THIS WAS A MAJOR PART AND REPAIR. BOTH KIA REPS REMAINED VERY VAGUE ON EXPLAINING IF THIS PART WAS A RESULT OF AN OPTIMA DEFECT THAT CAUSED THE HARMONIC BALANCER TO FAIL EARLY AND EASILY. THIS WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD THAT MAY/COULD HAVE RUIN MY CRANKSHAFT, ENGINE, AND CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY TO MANY DRIVERS PRESENT. I REALIZED THAT I WAS VERY LUCKY THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT 70 MPH ELSE YOU WOULD NEVER HEAR THIS STORY. THIS REASON AND KIA'S SUSPICIOUSLY VAGUE EXPLANATIONS IS WHY I FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE REPORTED TO YOU AND INVESTIGATED. *TR
NHTSA ID
10218976
Incident
Feb 16, 2008
Mileage
4,400 mi
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own