2005 Kia Sorento electrical problems

Filed Oct 13, 2022 · Electrical · FL · fire · 1 injury

Electrical fire under drivers dash. While trying to drive the kia . called fire department and they responded quickly. I know there was recall on 2006 and believe 2005 should have been included Thanks [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Feb 1, 2022 · Electrical · OR

The battery fails constantly, which means I am faced with a dead battery and a car that won't start. This has happened with no pattern of circumstance; for example: the battery will be dead after driving for 15 miles, parking for 10 minutes while shopping, and returning to a dead battery; or after the car has been parked all day, only to have a dead battery; or a dead battery after being parked at my house overnight (in every sort of weather condition); it is completely random...and, be assured, I do not leave ANY ELECTRICAL items (radio, temperature controls, interior or exterior lights, etc.), turned on when I park my car. Therefore, I do not feel safe driving and parking my car ANYWHERE that I am remote, isolated, or unable to get a jump. I carry jumper cables in my car at all times because I never know when I may need them. Sometimes, it takes a long time to charge the battery enough to even start my car. Sometimes the battery is so dead, that the key fob doesn't even work and I have to manually open my doors...other times it's a quick jump. I have to always park my car in a position that I'm able to access the battery for a jump, if need be. I regularly went through (high-end) batteries well before their expiration date and took my SUV into the KIA dealership for diagnostics regularly - and the only answer they had is that the cause must be a "phantom (electrical) draw," which they were never able to identify. I also took my SUV into other mechanics and battery specialists, but no one had any answers for me. Still, after 17 years, I have this same problem and burn through a lot of batteries. No answers. The dealership stopped assisting me, even when I was still on my extended warranty. No help from Corporate. Very disappointed in KIA in their response over all these years, beginning with my purchase of the brand new 2005 KIA Sorento. I have always taken my SUV into the KIA dealership for the regularly scheduled service. Have others had this problem?

Filed May 6, 2018 · Electrical · 176,000 miles · SC · fire

I drove my kia and parked in a grocery parking lot. I came back outside to find my car's engine compartment was totally engulfed in flames. The fire department was actively putting out the flames as I approached. No warning this would occur. Kia has refused to return my calls or emails. Very reliable vehicles (I bought 2 brand new in 2005). Very dangerous, and apparently not an unheard of event with certain kias. Several reports online and in person. Could have been disastrous had I been driving, or parked closer to other vehicles (or any structure).

Filed Feb 28, 2018 · Electrical · 1,430 miles · CO

Truck has a manufacturer defect (among many) as stated in service bulletins 2004-2014 that causes alternator radio frequencies to interference with transmission signaling thus shutting off or interrupting shift signaling due to inadequate shielding of transmission to TCM cable. This causes the truck to cut out between 3rd and 4th gear consistently when ascending or descending steep mountain passes at high altitude. As there was no advance warning of failure of shift kit to downshift, brakes had to be used on icy roads to slow an underpowered/overweighted truck. This is a very dangerous issue requiring expert driving skills to navigate and should have been addressed, but was not, by kia motors as a refund of purchase price and recall of trucks. The files regarding this problem and other problems with this vehicle are so vast they would crash your system. I have them if needed and can provide hard copies as the stack is about 3 inches deep and spans 11 years. I have 2 key factors that are also factors here. !. I am the daughter of a race car driver and skilled at navigating car issues. 2. I have been very ill for a decade and unable to work so have been caught in the refusal of kia to address the issues with this vehicle as I am unable to sell the car. I would feel it unconscionable to pass these issues on to another less capable driver. Needless to say it has been enormous stress to own this defective car and stress to try to get kia motors to step up to the responsibility of their warranties, and customer satisfaction guarantees in spite of the problems being apparent almost from point of sale.

Filed Jan 14, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 180,000 miles · GA

Have experienced repeated failure of cam sensor, cam shaft pulley bolt, failure of engine cooling system, failure of clutch assembly and transmission, failure of air conditioning, failure of electrical system for exterior lights.. All issues are as documented by the hundreds and hundreds of complaints by other owners who are waiting for an investigation, a recall, or enough deaths and injuries to receive any assistance of any kind from this organization or the manufacturer. I can not justify spending one more dollar ( $16,000 in the 3 years since purchased for $4,000).to repair this vehicle and it is once again inoperable for the same issues. . No car dealer wants it as a trade in, the standard offer is $300. I cannot sell it to anyone and then face myself in mirror. Perhaps a public sake... $1 per minute to anyone who wants to bash a kia (sledgehammer provided). Proceeds will be applied to purchase of replacement vehicle, which will not be a kia.

Filed Jan 12, 2016 · Electrical, Lights · 6,000 miles · OH

I purchase my 2005 kia sorrento lx new from taylor kia in toledo ohio.also purchased extra warranty for bumper to bumper.a couple months after I had purchase vehicle my headlight started going out I would take it back get it fixed come back home and another one would be out take it back come back to weeks later another headlight would be out. Then the headlights &taillights would go out and brake lights would go out this went on with every single light on my vehicle.continue to call taylor kia to have the service then about the sixth time one of my lights went out they told me they would not service my vehicle anymore even though it was completely covered everything on my vehicle from bumper-to-bumper. They also red flag to me on their computer so that I could not have my vehicle service because of this problem with my kia sorrento. At one point I even had the service manager tell me that his service guys were upset with me because I did not give them a good rating when my car was not fixed to jd powers.I got kia corporate involved which did absolutely no good because they said that they would someone someone from california to fix my vehicle and ended up not sending anyone sent a wire harness instead. Of course that's did not fix the problem but they would not do anything else to try to find out why all my lights on my vehicles was going out at one time or another.they also told me that my kia was the only one that ever had this problem and they had never heard of this problem before but I could clearly drive down the street see other kia sorrento's with headlights out. Then I got online and read about how many kia had the same problem but kia corporate would not do a thing about it and taylor kia would not do anything at that point. Now my car is broke down with the cam sensor and also crank sensor and bolt because of an issue with these kia sorrento's.

Filed Nov 4, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 107,000 miles · FL

I was turning onto a street and heard a big clunk only to find out the bolt on the crankshaft broke off again on 10/29/15 as well as 7/30/13. The power steering went out & battery light came on. Lost power and everything after a big clunk! This happens all the time: there are a multitude of these same complaints: this engine was replaced in may 2010 and the harmonic balancer and pulley have been worked on twice since 2010. There is a defective bolt that was replaced with a new defective bolt. This is happening numerous times to many kia sorento owners and they are left stranded. Kia knows about it and refuses to do anything! My car is sitting at country kia in charleston, sc because the extended- warranty will not cover this defective bolt and I can't pay $5000.00 on a car that is now only worth $3000.00. I had to stay in charleston, sc an extra 2 days at my expense $79.00 /night, pay $75.00 for the tow bill and an additional $55 or $65 for the kia dealership to check it out. I had to rent a car to come back to fl as I was stranded in charleston without transportation. I cannot afford the $5000.00 for repairs and the $1500.00 to pay it off just to get the title to send this to a junk yard. The mileage just turned to 107,000 or 108,000. This is the 4th time that there was an issue on this part of this car having to do with the same issues related to this defective bolt, harmonic balancer and pulley as a result of this defective bolt. (this is only on one car). You will see how many times this is occurring to many other owners of these kia sorentos. Please read through the complaints on the following link: http://gotaclassaction.com/kia-named-in-class-action-over-first-generation-2002-2009-equipped-with-a-hyundai-manufactured-3-5l-24-valve-dohc-v6-engine/

Filed Jun 3, 2015 · Electrical, Lights · 60,000 miles · SC

The vehicle has had several electronic issues. One owner with a garage parked low mileage SUV. The driver seat will not move forward. All other adjustments work fine. This issue has happened several times over the years but now seems to be a permanent problem. The interior overhead light does not illuminate when you open the doors, the driver side door open alarm dings for no apparent reason and the brake lights continually burn out.

Filed Mar 19, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 120,000 miles · OH

Driving approx 55mph, my lights seemed to dim then my battery and brake light came on. I immediately turned my heater, radio, dashboard lights and lights to low. I continued driving for nothing else seemed to be wrong and was going to pull over when I noticed my power steering also was not working. I was able to get myself to a safe place to stop and put the car in park, it began making an odd sound (thinking a possible belt) it then made a popping sound thinking I broke a serpentine belt, I then turned the engine off and had my mechanic look at it. He said the crankshaft bolt had broken off and was an estimated $3000+ repair. I have also had issues with crankshaft sensor which caused my car to not turn over without a jump. After that was repaired I had to buy a new battery that prior to the winter season tested out to be good. Ihave also been told I need to replace a spark plug which could cost hundreds to replace because of the location. I have to replace headlights/taillights more than normal.I have seem to have issues with alignment and have put 2 sets of tires on after noticing abnormal wear on the insides, I've had it aligned twice. I still owe $6100 on a car that I would have to put $3000 into and now have nothing to drive!

Filed Mar 3, 2015 · Electrical, Lights · 145,000 miles · IL

Vehicle has had continual premature light bulb burnouts of all exterior lamps, headlights, tail lights and stop lights. This happens every 1-2 months.