2008 Kia Sorento transmission problems

Filed Jun 7, 2018 · Driver assistance, Transmission · 88,000 miles · VA

I started my 2008 kia sorento ex when I put it in reverse all of a sudden it makes a loud bump noise and with pressure on the brakes it jumps hard in reverse I look and see my ESC light came on and I could not accelerate, my vehicle in fact slowed down terribly. I have noticed that if I shut my car off then turn it back on sometimes this will take care of the problem for a short time. It looks like this has happened 3 times during hot days. This is very dangerous when driving with my kids in the backseat. If my car slows while on the highway I could end up causing quite an accident not to mention hurting myself or my family that is in the vehicle. Mileage on my vehicle at the time was approximately 88000 miles.

Filed May 18, 2018 · Steering, Transmission · 126,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia sorento. While driving 15 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal noise and the steering became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the drive shaft detached. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified and a complaint was filed. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.

Filed Sep 6, 2016 · Driver assistance, Engine · 119,000 miles · MO

Check engine and ESC light came on while driving down the interstate. Truck immediately loses power.

Filed Jun 25, 2016 · Transmission · 31,000 miles · NV

Purchased this vehicle from a kia dealership now out of business in february 2009 as a new vehicle. The odometer reading today is 31000 miles. Despite regular kia maintainance a few weeks ago we noticed sluggish acceleration and a hum at increased speed from the rear end. We took it to a kia dealership and was diagnosed as entire rear axle assembly needed to be replaced as well as left rear tire. The service tech said it was unsafe without the repairs and the original michelin left driver side tire was close to failure. I notice that reference# 10625749 complaint on this site is nearly identical. Authorized replacement of rear axle at a cost of $2219 and picked up vehicle yesterday and bought new tire from tire store. While car in kia shop I noticed 10 year 100000 mile warranty covered rear axle so called kia motors USA and opened a case. Case still under review but was surprised to learn kia claims 100 k warranty not applicable because their record shows we are not the original owner despite all our purchase documents say it is new and not a used or demonstrator we purchased. Realize that is warranty dispute with kia but shows how kia will try all in its power to cover up defects they should know about and not honor their warranty.

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 18, 2014 · Brakes, Fuel system · 116,000 miles · AZ

I have had nothing but problems with my 2008 kia, first it was the front rotors replaced three times within 3 mos. After multiple diagnoses to figure out the problem. I have had acceleration problems, I just put 800.00 in new rotors and tires and fuel/air induction services. Then the other day driving 45 MPH the vehicle started to shake, making a thud thud thud noise in the front end, felt like I had a flat tire, I pulled over, no flat tires. I started driving again and it happened again, worse than the first time it sounded like a helicopter in my vehicle and it vibrated and while slowly driving it felt like it was gliding. I was afraid the wheels were going to fall off, I took it to the dealer immediately and they called me later with the diagnoses of a carrier bearing coming apart, the carrier bearings are not able to be replaced alone, the whole drive shaft has to be replaced as in this model it is all one piece. To replace the drive shaft it will cost $1100.00 to replace. I declined the repairs I can not afford that, especially after all the money I have had to invest in this vehicle just to keep it running. I feel kia should stand behind their products, I will never buy another kia. Thank you for your time in this matter.

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 Jul 22, 2014 · Transmission · 97,500 miles · LA

After removing the gear from reverse to drive, the acceleration will not comply, goes less than 10 MPH while pressing on the gas. I stopped and switched back to park. Tried the drive gear again, and it was still not acknowledging the change, it responds like it's in neutral. I parked for a few minutes and turned off the vehicle. After 10 minutes I tried it again and it was fine. This has since happened on four different occasions. After the first incident I had the vehicle checked by a mechanic, told the transmission was fine, no sign of the problem. Problem has occurred in public areas where help may not be available should the gears not correct themselves. The problem use to occur only coming off a slanted parking area like a driveway, but it's started happening while parked on a leveled parking space also.

Filed Jun 30, 2014 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · NY

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 Jun 20, 2014 · Transmission · 18,000 miles · LA

After being parked with vehicle off, turned vehicle on and vehicle would only accelerate at a very slow speed, maybe 5 MPH. Tried to switch it to manual shift but it would not register. Turned vehicle off for a few minutes and turned it back on and it was back to normal. This has happened at least three times a month since and has not done it once for the dealer to figure out the problem. They always act like I am insane and don't know what I am talking about. Vehicle is now over 60,000 miles and the dealers could care less about my issue. It is so immensely frustrating.