2006 Kia Sorento: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Mar 1, 2017 · Suspension · 124,000 miles · MA

While driving I heard a clunk. Soon after my vehicle developed a vibration while accelerating/braking. I figured it was snow in the wheel wheels causing the imbalance. After washing my car and ensuring all the snow was removed, I still felt vibrations while braking/accelerating. I figured maybe my brake rotors were warped which makes no sense as I replaced both brakes and rotors last year. I went to change them and when I lifted my vehicle I saw that both the driver and passenger side rear axle bracket was broken. After investigation, this is a well documented issue in the uk but not in the us. I currently cannot drive my car as it is dangerous to drive as the handling is unstable. The rear axle bracket rusted out and broke due to poor design flaw that causes water to pool and corrode the steel due to lack of drain holes. Http://www.practicalcaravan.com/forum/towcars/48287-kia-sorento-1st-generation-rear-axle-bracket-rust-important?start=10 http://www.kiaownersclub.co.uk/forum/recall-on-rear-subframe-corrosion_topic13285_page2.html

Filed Jan 21, 2016 · Engine · 140,000 miles · WA

6/2015 vehicle began to run rough. Local mechanic discovered crankcase bolt had snapped and the pulley and balancer mounting screw had sheared off. Shop confirmed a kia kit to fix the issue ($1200.00 + 1007.00 for timing gear kit and water pump) 1/15/2016 while driving into the roundabout on portal way (15 MPH) there was a loud clunk from the engine compartment immediately followed by the loss of power steering, asb braking and voltmeter warning lights. The vehicle was towed to mechanics shop where it was confirmed that the new crankcase bolt has broken again damaging the new pulley and balancer also. The shop contacted the local kia dealer and they confirmed that the 2003-2006 v6 3.5l misabishi engines used have a long record of this problem with no permanent fix. The following information was emailed to me from the owner of axton automotive, ferndale wa an ase certified shop, "on wednesday, january 20, 2016, axton automotive wrote: hello, on you kia. It doesn't look like any fix is permanent on the vehicle. Even their own recall/fix is failing. I recommend filing a complaint at the federal safety agency.. I will come up with some options tomorrow and get back to you. But whatever we decide I recommend not using this vehicle. Jim" the vehicle is disabled at this time with no response from kia.

Filed Apr 12, 2013 · Transmission · 56,243 miles · MN

While driving in busy city traffic, heard a loud clunky noise, loss of power steering capabilities immediately along with brake and battery lights appearing on dash. Vehicle taken to local dealership service department where it was found that "crank bolt broken off the crankshaft, removed crank bolt with easy out, replaced damaged crank sprocket, damper pulley, and crank bolt." now ten (10) months later and 7000 miles (approximately) we have the same issue identical to the original. Am currently waiting for resolution from dealership where the vehicle was purchased and serviced. It is currently there waiting repair or replacement. Seems this is an issue that is not fixed by simply repairing or replacing the crank bolt as it has happened twice with my vehicle, leading me to believe that there is a stressor elsewhere! More than likely a manufacturers defect of the engine block somewhere.

Filed Apr 24, 2012 · Engine · 118,000 miles · AR

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 kia sorento. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the contact heard a clunking noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. The contact stated that the steering wheel then became difficult to maneuver. The brake and check engine lights also illuminated on the instrument panel during the failure. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for a diagnostic test. The mechanic stated that the crank shaft bolt fractured, causing the crank shaft pulley to detach from the vehicle. The power steering belt also became loose and caused the power steering to fail. There was a voluntary recall for the 2004-2005 kia sorento addressing the crank shaft pulley failure. The manufacturer stated that the 2006 model was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 118,000.

Filed Oct 31, 2006 · Transmission · 32,000 miles · MA

2006 kia sorento ex 4wd, clunking sound in the rear end when you come to a complete stop and then start again. Rear differential went out and was replaced in aug 2005, but the clunk in the rear end still remains. As of oct 2005 there is also an intermittent sound in the rear end that sounds like the differential is sticking or locking into a positive traction causing one tire to sound and feel like it is sliding on gravel. Previous owner reported same problem "clunk" in the rear end numerous times as well. Possibly a design flaw.