**Suspected Sudden Unintended Acceleration – 2020 Kia Sorento EX V6** On October 24, 2026, the driver of a 2020 Kia Sorento EX V6 experienced two episodes of suspected sudden unintended acceleration. The vehicle reportedly accelerated unexpectedly while in Reverse (R), causing it to collide with an apartment building. Following the initial collision, the driver shifted the transmission into Drive (D), at which point the vehicle reportedly accelerated forward unexpectedly. According to the driver, both incidents occurred so quickly that she was unable to apply the brakes. The collision caused significant damage to the apartment building, including structural damage requiring reinforcement, and damaged two other vehicles. The airbags did not deploy. No injuries to the driver have been reported. The driver also recalls receiving a previous recall notice for a vehicle component that was not repaired. The specific recall has not yet been identified. The vehicle has been towed and is being preserved for a potential independent investigation, including examination of the Event Data Recorder (EDR). We request that the federal safety agency review this incident as a possible vehicle safety defect. The cause of the unexpected acceleration has not yet been determined.
Kia Sorento no deployment problems
102 of the 10,244 owner complaints about the Kia Sorento describe airbags did not deploy in a crash, most of them for the 2011 model year.
- owner complaints
- 102
- worst model year
- 2011
- typical repair cost reported
- $3,000
- typical mileage
- 55,000
By model year
Often reported together
Airbag light 12Seat belt 5Steering lock-up 3Headlights 3Fire or smoke 3Sudden acceleration 2Knocking 2Engine failure 2
Trouble codes mentioned
B1764 1
What owners say
I was rear ended and my car slammed into the car in front of me and the air bags did not deploy. Instead my head slammed into the steering wheel.
Steering wheel airbag failed to inflate
The contact owns a 2026 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 2 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The vehicle failed to stop and rolled forward. The Forward Collision Avoidance feature also failed, causing the vehicle to crash into a building. No warning light was illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The contact and his wife did not sustain any injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was able to be driven away from the crash site. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who sent the computer system to the manufacturer; however, no data was retrieved. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The insurance company was made aware of the failure but had not yet deemed the vehicle totaled. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they would notify the federal safety agency of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 600.
The contact owned a 2018 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, another vehicle had abruptly attempted to merge into the opposite traveling lane and caused the front end bumper to crash into the Front Driver-side door of the other vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed away to a local tow yard. A Traffic Accident Information form was filed by the local police department. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the opposite insurance provider, and the contact was not deemed at fault. In addition, the contact was taken out of the vehicle safely by paramedics and was taken to a nearby UgentCare where he sought medical attention for neck and hand pains and severe mental distress. The local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.
On [XXX] I was in a car accident. When it happened the airbags did not deploy and the seatbelt not locking. This resulted in me hitting my head in on the dash and chest on the steering wheel multiple times and having to go to the er to receive care and be put out of work. This is a major safety risk INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Hit a deer going 80, airbags did not deploy and car did not attempt to brake
I was involved in an automobile collision. It was a T- Bone collision on the driver side. My vehicle flipped on it's side, the moon roof completely shattered, my seatbelt released me and I was ejected through the moon roof. The vehicle landed on top of me. All of my air bags did not deploy even though my vehicle rolled over twice.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH, she attempted to park the vehicle in her driveway. As the contact tapped on the brake pedal, the vehicle independently accelerated as the contact slammed on the brake pedal and steered the vehicle out of the way of her home. The contact ran over a gutter and a bird feeder before applying the emergency brake, which stopped the vehicle. The contact was uncertain if any warning lights had appeared on the instrument panel prior to the failure. The contact was not injured, the air bags did not deploy, and a police report was not filed. The next day, the contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The contact was informed that rust was discovered on the vehicle's brake rotors; however, they had yet to determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that the engine had been replaced almost a month prior to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.
The contact owned a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while depressing the accelerator pedal to drive inside the garage, the vehicle accelerated to the highest speed unintendedly. The contact depressed the brake pedal continuously, but the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle pushed a table of home items through the rear wall of the garage, hit several gas pipes, and then landed approximately 6 ft. downhill in the backyard, where it continued to accelerate. The contact then noticed steam coming out from underneath the hood and the vehicle stopped. The air bags did not deploy. The contact was able to drive up the backyard hill and enter the residence. The contact did not sustain any injuries. The vehicle was towed and totaled. A police report was not filed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,042.
Related recalls
Air bags: side/window
- What is wrong
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The side curtain air bags on these vehicles have a component that may detach during deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag.
- Risk
- If the component detaches during deployment, it may enter the passenger compartment and be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC159.
Recall number 17V784000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
- What is wrong
- Kia is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 sorento passenger cars manufactured from june 15, 2006 through november 27, 2007. The front passenger air bag may be turned off when an adult is in the passenger seat. The front passenger air bag is designed to be turned off in limited circumstances including when children and small adults are seated in the front passenger seat, there is a child restraint in that seat or the seat is not occupied. The vehicle's occupant classification system (ocs), which classifies the occupant in the front passenger seat, may misclassify an adult passenger as a child or child seat and improperly turn off the passenger side air bag. When the air bag is deactivated the "passenger air bag off" light will illuminate on the center instrument panel.
- Risk
- The passenger side air bag is turned off when the ocs misclassifies an adult passenger. With the front passenger airbag off, the front passenger will not have the protection of the passenger air bags in some frontal collisions, thus increasing the risk of occupant injury.
- Remedy
- Kia will update the programming in the sorento ocs control module at no charge. The recall remedy is currently available under service campaign sc076. Owners may contact kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542.
Recall number 11V473000 · Recall details
Questions about the Kia Sorento no deployment
Which Kia Sorento years have airbags did not deploy in a crash problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2011 (15 complaints), 2008 (10 complaints) and 2014 (9 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix airbags did not deploy in a crash on the Kia Sorento?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $3,000 (median of 7 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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