2008 Kia Sorento: sudden loss of power

Filed Jul 28, 2017 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 40,000 miles · TX

Exiting a strip center to cross 2 lanes of traffic and make a left to merge into traffic, I accelerated in a safe gap only to find my vehicle had almost no acceleration. I was nearly in a side impact collision if not for the excellent awareness and reaction of the others on the road. I pulled immediately into a parking lot to try to find out what had happen. At this time my check engine light and the ESC off light were on. They were not went I started the trip from my house about 1 mile away. I shut the car off and restarted and the ESC off light was no longer there, but the check engine was. The normal power had been restored back to my car. I drove to an auto parts shop and had them pull codes on the vehicle. It returned 2 codes: 1. P2138 (throttle/pedal position sensor/switch "d"/"e" voltage correlation, 2. P2106 (throttle actuator control system - forced limited power). I asked them to clear the codes and they did. My drive home triggered no lights. After a month the same issue happened and I cleared the codes once again. It now happens 6 months to year mostly when the temperature get really war (usually july). I got on the internet to research the issue and was amazed to find how many people were having the exact same issue. All were the same story of sudden and unexpected loss of power, both lights on, near accidents, fear for one's safety. Literally hundreds and hundreds. There were many posts of those that went to dealer or called kia with either exorbitant repair costs, lack of concern, and no knowledge of the issue. For most, the problem was never completely solved with dealer repairs and intermittently happens. This is a dangerous problem and people will die, or most likely already have. Too many people with the same problem not to have a recall for kia owners and their children's safety. Please help.

Filed Oct 26, 2016 · Driver assistance, Engine · 70,000 miles · CO

On two seperate occasions approximately 2 months apart on start up and initial drive the engine suddenly lost all power, the check engine light came on and the ESC off light came on. Pulled vehicle to curb, shut off engine, waited several minutes to one hour, restarted engine and had full power.. Check engine light remains on for several start ups then resets itself. This sudden loss of power at highway speeds could be devastating and potentially lead to fatalities.

Filed Dec 3, 2015 · Airbags, Engine · 180,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia sorento. While driving 60 MPH, the ESC, passenger side air bag, and motor light illuminated before the vehicle lost power. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v473000 (air bags). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The aproximate failure mileage was 180,000.

Filed Nov 9, 2015 · 70,000 miles · GA

I've owned this vehicle for less than a year and have observed several affected parts that present significant safety issues and substantial concerns to my overall welfare. Most alarming is the vehicle loses power during operation either in and inability to accelerate or the complete loss of power while merging or driving with the flow of traffic on the highways and intestates. The ESC and check engine lights comes on intermittently and remain on until engine is turned off. The dash panel lights flickers off/on when brake pedal is engaged. The back drivers brake light goes out sporadically. In the event that there is a need to cut the head lights or windshield wipers on while the car is in motion, there is a complete loss of power or acceleration and the car will slow to a complete stop in the midst of heavy traffic conditions. The passenger air bag light is consistently on. The cruise control function comes on while traveling on the highway without prompting and the panel keys are non responsive to off on commands. There is also a heavy shaking that occurs on the front end when traveling at speed of 55 MPH or greater.

Filed Oct 18, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 38,000 miles · FL

Every 6 months the engine light and ecs off lights come on and the car loses power intermittently. This is dangerous when it happens on the freeway. I bought the car from carmax in july 2014. By november, it started to have the issue, it progressed at I checked it on the internet and saw a recall and brought it in to city kia in orlando. The mechanic could not find an issue why the engine light was on and there was no clear code. However, when he replaced the recall lamp switch part it went away until now (oct 2015). It is clear to me that there is an issue with the electrical system that can cause the loss of power. There are numerous comments from others with the same issue and the same symptoms. I expect carmax and kia understand there is an issue. I bought the car with 32k miles on it from carmax and it already had 2 previous owners. The average kia mechanic seems incapable of diagnosing and resolving this issue. They will just change out parts every 6 months and hopefully reset the electronics somehow. I am a licensed mechanical engineer and safety engineer working in the ride industry for 30 years. I believe this is a safety issue and I would like kia to either fix it or take my car back or carmax to take the car back. The loss of power can occur when you start or when you are driving. The engine light and ecs light come on and always accompany this issue. Typical posts on internet jun 30, 2014 - cheektowaga, ny - power train tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia sorento. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle decelerated. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle slowly decelerated to 20 MPH. The service engine and ESC sensors illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

Filed Sep 2, 2015 · Acceleration · 110,000 miles · ID

When driving up hill at 35 MPH in automatic drive our vehicle loses power. When pushing down on gas pedal, it does not respond. We took it to a local mechanic who test drove it and experienced same problem. When using manual shift the car doe not lose power and responds when going up hill. We were told it goes from first gear to fifth gear in about 500 feet when in automatic drive. Local mechanic called kia deals in spokane and I went to edmark kia in nampa each dealership claims to know nothing about this problem. Esc light is also on.

Filed May 17, 2015 · 115,000 miles · IN

Vehicle lost power while driving 30mph since then it will start now but shuts off after a block's drive. Limped it home and have been reading on line this is not an uncommon problem. We've had it in for recall (front seatbelt light) and the ESC light illumination was dismissed at that time.

Filed Aug 26, 2014 · Driver assistance, Engine · 80,000 miles · NY

For the 3rd time in as many years, the check engine light and ESC light come on at the same time causing the car to go into limp mode. Sometimes it will reset if you turn the car off and restart. Have replace catalytic converter. See this is a common theme with this car. I have no idea why it has not become a recall. When losing all power on hwy in traffic this is sure to become a fatality issue before long. I would think the company would rather recall before it becomes a lawsuit..

Filed Aug 16, 2014 · Transmission · 65,989 miles · MA

The vehicle is making a noise coming from the rear end. I had the dealer where I purchased the kia sorento diagnose the problem. They confirmed rear carrier assembly ( rear differential gears) needed to be replaced at a cost of $1942.00. Upon further research I found out it's a common problem with that year vehicle due to sub-standard supplier parts. Vechicle warranty 5yr/60,000 mlies ;not covered. I believe this is a premature and a manufacturer defect , that makes the vehicle unsafe and a danger on the road. The vehicle has lose power (not stalled) while driving the vehicle(not sure if related to problem.

Filed Sep 18, 2013 · Driver assistance · 135,000 miles · SD

I almost killed everyone in my car, along with others on the highway. I pulled out onto the highway and had no power to my vehicle. I could not accelerate at all and had to pull over to the shoulder to get out of the way of traffic. I noticed my ESC off light had come on somehow. I turned my vehicle off and turned it back on and the light disappeared and I had power again. Several times since then the light will randomly come on and I will lose power. I called a couple mechanic shops but when I try to take it in the light doesn't come on. I don't know what causes this to happen but I see I'm not the only one with the issue.

Filed Sep 3, 2013 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 47,500 miles · CO

Driving to work on the highway at 65 MPH, I lost significant power and was unable to accelerate past 40 MPH on a local highway. I was able to slowly drive to a auto center where I was told my transfer case assembly and accelerator pedal assembly was malfunctioning, causing me to lose power and causing my car to shift erratically while driving. I have owned this car for less than 11 months.

Filed Aug 19, 2013 · Acceleration, Transmission · MO

My 2008 kia has had a continuing problem with the ESC off light coming on intermittently. Causing failure to accelerate properly. Dealer ran diagnostics. Replaced an item and said that should take care of it. Within three weeks it started again. The light would come on and I would lose power. The dealer stated it wasn't related but I never lost power until the light would come on. They checked it again and couldn't find any problem. Service tech said he couldn't "recreate" the issue. The light was on when he tested it, but I took it too another licensed mechanic shop and they could tell that there was no acceleration power. Any one who drove the car could tell that it wouldn't accelerate. Now the ESC off light then stays on constantly. No acceleration. Will not allow 4 wheel access to operate. Transmission shifts from 1st to 5th too rapidly not allowing the acceleration. I'm obviously not the only one with this problem that the service tech's can't seem to figure out.