2008 KIA SORENTO Engine Problems

Run away throttle, then part throttle, then stalls. Very unsafe. NHTSA action# dp21003 Problem comes and goes regularly

Even after having the ESC and relay box replaced the vehicle has become much worse. It's shuts down my accelerator pedal and won't move I have to shut it off completely for it to reset its extremely unsafe and is now affecting my job. And the ability to take car of my son. And Kia wants to charge me $200 plus for a diagnosis when it clearly keeps shutting down the vehicle and the esc off light is on. I even replaced the accelerator pedal assembly $180 and it did not fix the problem please help. Also this has been an on going issue since August 2020 and even after running diagnostic on it. I keep getting the run around from everyone stating a different issue each time.

WHENEVER WEATHER IS MOIST OR RAINY THE ENGINE HAS BOGGED DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND HAS NO POWER EVEN WITH GAS PEDDLE PRESSED TO FLOOR. THIS HAS LEFT US STRANDED TWICE NOW BUT WHEN TAKEN TO BE CHECKED THEY CAN'T DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. ALSO TPMS IS ALWAYS ON EVEN THOUGH TIRE PRESSURES HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND IT WILL NOT GO OFF. HAS BEEN THIS WAY FOR OVER 1 1/2 YEARS NOW WITH NO EXPLANATION.

Mileage: 65,000

WHEN IT'S HUMID OUTSIDE OR THERE IS ANY KIND OF MOISTURE IN THE AIR MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON ALONG WITH THE ESC LIGHT. THE CAR SEEMS BOGGED DOWN AND WONT GO ABOVE 2000 RPM. IT TAKES 15 MINUTES JUST TO GET THE CAR UP TO 50 MPH AND THATS WITH THE GAS PEDDLE PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. IT DOES IT MAINLY WHEN I'M DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHICH IS SCARY. IT LOOSES MOST OF ITS ACCELERATION POWER

Mileage: 140,000

MY LEFT TAIL LIGHT IS OUT. I HAVE GONE TO THE MECHANIC, CHANGED THE LIGHT BULB BUT NO FIX. I WAS ADVISED THERE WAS SOME SORT OF SHORT HAPPENING FROM KIA THROUGH A RECALL LETTER. SINCE I'VE RECEIVED THE LETTER NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. I WAS TOLD NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR AND TO PARK IT AWAY FROM OTHER CARS IN CASE OF IT CATCHING FIRE. I LIVE IN THE BAY AREA AND DO NOT HAVE THE LUXURY OF PARKING IT AWAY FROM OTHER CARS, THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE. I NEED TO KNOW WHEN THEY'RE GOING TO FIX THIS? I CAN'T MOVE AROUND WITHOUT MY CAR AND I ALSO FEAR FOR MY NEIGHBORS ASSETS IF THIS CAR WOULD TO IGNITE AS THE RECALL STATES. PLEASE HELP AND ADVISE ON WHAT CAN BE DONE TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE PROMPTLY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 4 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V088000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NAPLETON'S NORTHLAKE KIA (3626 NORTHLAKE BLVD, PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL 33403, (561) 285-2325) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REMEDY WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 174,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V088000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REMEDY WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 66,000

THE MANUFACTURER HAS ISSUED A RECALL REGARDING A REMEDY ON HECU REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT. THEY ARE ASKING US TO PARK OUR CAR AWAY FROM OTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE THE RECALLED CAR MAY GET IN FIRE. HOW THE OTHER PEOPLE MAY KNOW TO PARK AWAY FROM MY DEFECTIVE CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME AND FOR OTHER PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY. THIS IS THE ONLY CAR I HAVE AND I HAVE TO USE IT EVERY DAY. IF KIA IS NOT ABLE TO FIX THE RECALL ,THEY MUST PROVIDE ME WITH A SUBSTITUTE CAR UNTIL THEY CAN REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND STALLED. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL THUMPING NOISE AND THE CHECK ENGINE, AIR BAG, AND ELECTRONIC CONTROL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC CONTROL SENSOR, REAR SENSOR BEARING, AND REAR LINE DRIVESHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

Mileage: 128,000

SUNDAY SEPT 9TH AT AROUND 9 - 9:30 AM I SMELLED SMOKE AND WALKED AROUND THE HOUSE AND SMELLED THAT IT WAS COMING FROM THE GARAGE. WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR I SAW FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND SMOKE AND FIRE ON TOP OF THE HOOD. I CALLED THE PALM BAY FIRE DEPARTMENT WHEN THEY GOT THERE THEY PUT THE HOSE ON THE CAR UNTIL THE FIRE WAS OUT THEY HAD TO CUT THE HOOD IN ORDER TO FINISH PUTTING OUT THE FIRE. THEY FIRE MARSHALL CAME AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE IT COULD HAVE BEEN AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. WHEN I CALLED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY GAVE ME A CLAIM NUMBER AND THEY TOLD ME WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE KIA DO FOR YOU . THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT SAID THEY WILL GIVE THE CLAIM TO THE RIGHT DEPARTMENT AND THEY WILL GET BACK TO ME IN 3 TO 5 BUSINESS DAYS. THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND IT HADN'T BEEN TURNED ON SINCE FRIDAY . THIS VEHICLE WAS A 2008 SORENTO WITH LESS THAN 90,000 MILES IT WAS IN GREAT CONDITION ALSO.

Mileage: 87,550

MY 2008 KIA SORRENTO, WITH ONLY 92K MILES ON IT... I HAD IT IN THE SERVICE SHOP AT THE KIA DEALER, FOR A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE.. THEY INFORMED ME IT WAS THE MAIN BARRING GOING OUT.. AND THEY QUOTED ME 12K TO REPLACE MY ENGINE AS A FIX... OF COURSE I SAID NO, THAT WAS 3 YEARS AGO, MY SORRENTO IS STILL SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY UN-DRIVEN, WHICH IS COMPLETELY PAID OFF.. INSTEAD I PURCHASED ANOTHER CAR FROM KIA... RECENTLY I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEMS ON NEWER VERSIONS OF THE SORRENTO'S... I WROTE KIA CORPORATE, ABOUT THIS, AND OF COURSE NO RESPONSE BACK FROM THEM AT ALL. I AM A LOYAL KIA DRIVER, HOWEVER I WISH KIA WOULD STEP UP AND CLAIM RESPONSIBILITY OF THIS MAIN BARRING DEFECT.. A LOUSY $20 DOLLAR PART FAILED ON A 30K PURCHASED SORRENTO, AND THEY WILL NOT ANSWER ME BACK.

Mileage: 92,000

I DROVE MY 08 KIA SORENTO HOME AT ABOUT 730 AM. I WORK NIGHT SHIFT AND WENT TO SLEEP AND WAS WOKEN UP AT 945 BY EMS TO MY CAR UP IN FLAMES. IT WAS SHOWING NO SIGNS OF ANY PROBLEMS, NOT RUNNING HOT, NOTHING. IT WAS PARKED FOR ABOUT AN HOUR WHEN IT WENT UP IN FLAMES. THE FIRE CHIEF WAS ON THE TRUCK THAT DAY AS HE HAD ORIENTEE'S, AND SAID THE FIRE STARTED BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL/DASH AND THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL ENGINE FIRE WHICH IS STATED ON MY FIRE REPORT. I CONTACTED KIA THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NO WAY IT WAS THEIR PROBLEM AND HAD TO BE A USER ERROR. I HAVE PHOTOS BUT MY COMPUTER WOULD NOT LET ME UPLOAD THEM FOR A REASON.

Mileage: 63,000

THE STARTER BURNED OUT AND THE STARTER RELAY IS STICKING. IT STARTED STICKING AND MAKING FUNNY NOISES AROUND MID OCTOBER OR BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER 2017 AND ACUTALLY BURNED OUT DECEMBER 8, 2017 AND WAS REPLACED DECEMBER 9, 2017. NOW THE STARTER WENT OUT AGAIN JANUARY 16, 2018. ALSO I HAD MY DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT BULB REPLACED AROUND JULY OR AUGUST 2017 AND NOW THE SAME DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT IS OUT AGAIN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO SHAWNEE MISSION KIA (7591 SHAWNEE MISSION, KS 66202), BUT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE SIX YEARS AGO. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,970. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 31,970

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TIRE DISCOUNTERS FOR AN OIL CHANGE. IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND OIL INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT 200 MILES LATER, THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTO MALL OF DAYTON WHERE IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

Mileage: 95,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY TO 30 MPH AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER HOWEVER, A TECHNICIAN REVIEWED THE VEHICLE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

Mileage: 170,000

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.

Mileage: 70,000

CHECK ENGINE AND ESC LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. TRUCK IMMEDIATELY LOSES POWER.

Mileage: 119,000

THE ENGINE MAKES A HIGH PITCH WHINING NOISE. HAVE NOT HAD ANY REPAIRS AS OF YET. KIA THINKS IT'S THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. KIA STATES THIS WILL COST 4000 OR MORE TO FIX

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 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V473000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

Mileage: 180,000

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.

Mileage: 38,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 20 MPH WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE SEC AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

WE WERE DRIVING ON A BUSY FREEWAY ON THE WAY TO WORK, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED GETTING STIFF SO WE SLOWED DOWN AND MOVED OVER TO THE FAR RIGHT. THE CAR DIED BUT WE WERE ABLE TO COAST OVER OUT OF TRAFFIC THOUGH THE BACK OF THE CAR WAS STILL NOT OUT ALL THE WAY DUE TO THE ANGLE. WE WERE NOT ABLE TO STEER AND STRAIGHTEN THE CAR. THE CAR WOULD NOT START. WE CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO JUMP THE CAR. IT WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE ENGINE WAS LOCKED. THE MECHANIC SAID A SCREW BROKE OFF. THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE CRANKSHAFT. I HAD TO GET A NEW ENGINE PUT IN AT THE COST OF JUST OVER $2400. *JS

Mileage: 160,000

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN AND THE ALL THE PANEL LIGHTS CAME ON. HAD TO STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO START THE CAR. OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND TOOK TO MY MECHANIC. REPLACE ON OIL PUMP AND CAR WILL NOT START. HE STATED MOTOR WAS GONE. PLEASE HELP ME. HAVE 30 MORE PAYMENTS ON THIS 2008 KIA SORENTO. GOD BLESS ND HAVE A GOOD DAY. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

TWO DAYS AGO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED (AND STAYED ON) WITH INTERMITTENT ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATED; VEHICLE ACCELERATION BECAME SLUGGISH AND SOMETIMES UNRESPONSIVE. VEHICLE CODES USING OBDII POCKETSCAN SHOWED ACTIVE AND STORED CODES OF P2138 (ACCELERATOR), P2127 (ACCELERATOR) AND P2106 (LIMP MODE). I MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 09/25/13. ON THE DAY OF APPOINTMENT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED, BUT THE DEALERSHIP FOUND STORED CODES IN THE COMPUTER OF P2138, P2127 AND P2106. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO FIX THE VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT AN ACTIVE CODE (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT) ON AT THE TIME OF THE APPOINTMENT AND THE PART WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY FOR THE TIME BEING. WHEN ASKED IF IT WAS THEIR POLICY OR KIA MOTORS POLICY NOT TO REPLACE COMPONENTS THAT WERE FAILING, THEY STATED IT WAS KIA MOTORS POLICY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE ACCELERATOR ASSEMBLY HAS FAILED IN THIS VEHICLE. THE LAST FAILURE WAS 08/23/12 AT 27,545 MILES. A VAST MAJORITY OF THE COMPLAINTS WITH NHTSA FOR THIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR VEHICLE INVOLVE THESE CODES AND THIS COMPONENT. A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, OR LOSS OF LIFE SHOULD NEVER BE THE DETERMINING FACTOR WHEN MAKING A DECISION THAT A MANUFACTURER SHOULD TAKE ACTION TO CORRECT A FAULTY COMPONENT; BY THEN IT IS MUCH TOO LATE. *JS

Mileage: 39,790

ESC LIGHT COMES ON THEN THE ENGINE LOSES POWER, IT ALSO DID THIS 2 YEARS AGO ON 10/31/2011. *JS

Mileage: 26,358

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ESC OFF LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER DRIVING AROUND FOR THE DAY IT WENT OFF. THEN LAST NIGHT SEPT. 2 2013 THEY BOTH CAME ON AGAIN. *JB

Mileage: 9,786

CURRENT AND ONGOING PROBLEMS BEGAN JUST A FEW DAYS AFTER RECEIVING A NOTICE OF RECALL FROM KIA REGARDING THE FAULTY/DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE SWITCH WAS FAULTY AND THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS COMING ON UPON BRAKING AS WELL AS "ESC OFF" AND "CHECK ENGINE" MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHTS APPEARING AND STAYING ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE VEHICLE WAS PROMPTLY TAKEN TO A KIA DEALERSHIP WHERE THE RECALL SERVICE WAS PERFORMED. REPLACEMENT OF A FAILED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN DID NOT ELIMINATE THE PROBLEMS/CODES THAT BEGAN WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED. SHORTLY AFTER THE REPAIR (LESS THAN A MONTH AFTERWARD AND VERY FEW MILES DRIVEN) THE "ESC OFF" AND "CHECK ENGINE" MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHTS APPEARED, STAYED, THEN CAME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WITH ENGINE NOT GOING OVER PAST APPROXIMATELY 2,000 RPMS RESULTING IN UNPREDICTABLE VEHICLE BEHAVIOR ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO MERGING ONTO A HIGHWAY/INTERSTATE OR GETTING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE SERVICE ADVISORS GAVE ASSURANCES THAT THE NEW BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH IS NOT DEFECTIVE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE SERVICE ADVISORS/TECHNICIANS COULD NOT SPECIFICALLY DIAGNOSE WHAT NEEDS REPLACEMENT TO ULTIMATELY SOLVE THIS ONGOING PROBLEM OR IF IT IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE OF THE OF THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

DRIVING ON A SURFACE STREET WITH A 40 MPH SPEED LIMIT. CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND COULD NOT GET SPEED ABOVE 20 MPH. WE WERE LUCKY THAT THERE WASN'T MUCH TRAFFIC ABOUT AS THIS COULD DEFINITELY HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. WHEN THIS HAPPENED BOTH THE ESC OFF LIGHT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WE HAD TO LEAVE OUR CAR IN NEVADA AND GET A RENTAL CAR TO GET HOME TO ARIZONA, WE HAVE NO IDEA WHEN WE WILL GET OUR CAR FIXED AND BACK HOME. WE WERE OWNERS OF A KIA RONDO AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THAT VEHICLE TOO (NO LONGER OWN THAT ONE). THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY AND KIA NEEDS TO ADMIT THAT THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG AND THAT THEY WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR FIXING IT. TOO MANY OWNERS HAVING EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM, WE SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED. *TR

Mileage: 34,000

I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE WITH A SPEED LIMIT OF 65 MPH WHEN WITH NO WARNING THE "CHECK ENGINE" AND "ESC OFF" LIGHTS CAME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY. AT THE SAME TIME, THE ENGINE LOST POWER, CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY DECELERATE AND ALMOST CAUSING A COLLISION BOTH WITH THE CAR BEHIND ME AND WITH THE CARS MERGING OVER FROM AN ENTRANCE RAMP. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MAINTAIN CONTROL OF MY CAR AND PUT ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS TO WARN OTHER DRIVERS OF MY MUCH SLOWER SPEED. EVEN DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE ABOVE 55 MPH, AND MY SPEED GOING UP HILLS WAS SIGNIFICANTLY SLOWER. ONCE I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY REACH A SHOULDER WITH COMFORTABLE CLEARANCE, I PULLED OVER AND STOPPED THE CAR FOR A FEW MINUTES. I RESTARTED THE CAR, BOTH LIGHTS REMAINED ON, AND I SIMILARLY WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE THE CAR APPROPRIATELY, ESPECIALLY FROM A STOP. I LIMPED ALONG WITH MY HAZARD LIGHTS FOR THE LAST FEW MILES TO WORK WHERE I IMMEDIATELY BEGAN RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ONLY TO FIND THAT THIS IS FAR FROM AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. IN FACT, THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE PERVASIVE IN KIAS OF SIMILAR MODEL YEAR. THERE ARE SCORES OF KIA OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR SERIES OF EVENTS. THE SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS IN ANY SITUATION, BUT ESPECIALLY SO ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN SPEED LIMITS ARE SO HIGH. I WAS SO LUCKY THAT THE DRIVERS AROUND ME AND I WERE ABLE TO AVOID AN INJURY-CAUSING CRASH. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED SWIFTLY AND THOROUGHLY. AGAIN, A SIMPLE SEARCH OF THIS VERY WEBSITE AS WELL AS OTHER ONLINE CAR FORUMS REVEALS A PROBLEM SO WIDESPREAD THAT IT SHOULD WARRANT A RECALL BY KIA. *TR

Mileage: 178,155

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, A LOUD BANGING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ENGINE THREW A ROD, CAUSING A HOLE IN THE OIL PAN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000. *TR

Mileage: 63,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION POWER AND DID NOT ACCELERATE OVER 20 MPH. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED AND REVEALED THAT THE OXYGEN SENOR, BRAKE PEDAL LIGHT SWITCH, AND THROTTLE PEDAL SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FAILED PARTS BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,371 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

Mileage: 55,371

2008 KIA SORENTO START-UP STALLING TEMPERAMENTALLY FOR THREE WEEKS. ON 9/11/2012 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ESC OFF LIGHT APPEARED, FOLLOWED WITH A "PUTTING" ENGINE AND LIMP MODE. THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN FOOT APPLIED TO GAS PEDAL. KIA DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED TPS AND BRAKE SENSOR FAILURE AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL NEEDED REPROGRAMMING. (ERROR CODES READ: P2135, P0638, AND P2A00 OR P2A03.) KIA PUBLISHED BULLETIN TSB 044: HTTP://WWW.KIA-FORUMS.COM/ATTACHMENTS/KIA-CARENS-RONDO-FORUM/5552D1272512047-ENGINE-RACING-STOP-TSB-TPS.PDF DANGER ASPECT: THE CAR SEEMED DRIVABLE, HOWEVER, THE LIMP MODE DOES NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO ACCELERATE TO THE SPEED LIMIT OR FLOW OF TRAFFIC. RESEARCHED MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS -- PLEASE ISSUE AN INVESTIGATION FOR A RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 60,300