67 of the
319 complaints about the 2008 KIA Sorento are about the
airbag system — 21% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
38,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sorrento. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the passenger’s side air bag warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The contact stated that the failure also occurred with the driver's side air bag. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V473000 (Air Bags). The failure mileage was approximately 201,000.
NHTSA complaint #11606170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gray Court, SC
AIR BAGS
I bought my sorento used and the airbag light is lit on the front dash in both where the guages are and under the stereo. It doesnt matter if someone is in the seat or not. I found that there was a recall years ago so when i called Kia they told me that my vehicle had been repaired and I told them it must not have been or the repair didnt work. They then told me the date of repair. Crazy thing is they were saying it had been repaired a year before the recall was announced. I said really. Knowing Kia aint gonna pay for a repair that hadnt been part of a recall yet. Now with the newest recall its saying the brakelights might not come on when applied. But with my Sorento the brakelights wont turn off. No matter what you do even when you take the key out and lock the doors, the brakelights remain on. Right when this started the ESC OFF light on the dash came on. The brakelights stayed on so much it apparently fried my battery. I got another battery and replaced the brakelight switch and started it up and it immediately wont idle correctly. It had idle fine before the brakelight issue.
NHTSA complaint #11473833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 136,000 milesHurst, TX
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that she contacted an independent mechanic who advised her that she needed a new OCS seat mat. The contact stated that she then contacted the dealer who advised her that there was a recall for the failure she was experiencing, however the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V473000 (Air Bags). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 136,000.
NHTSA complaint #11458020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Wales, FL
AIR BAGS
Driver airbag light has been on a year I keep checking for recalls but none are shown. What is my next step afraid bag will not work if needed.
NHTSA complaint #11424133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winter Park, FL
AIR BAGS
My 2008 kia Sorento has a faulty passenger air bag, or air bag sensor. The ‘passenger air bag off’ light has been on since I purchased this car from a dealership in January of 2019. This jeopardizes the safety of my passengers because if the sensor or software is faulty, the airbags won’t deploy when needed. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic, but I plan to take it to a dealership as well, it is available to be inspected upon request. I have called kia consumer affairs twice because there was a recall for this same passenger airbag issue in Kia Sorentos manufactured from 2007-2009 (SC067), but the first time they told me there was nothing I could do because the VIN wasn’t listed as affected. The second time I called to get more information, they put me on hold and then hung up on me so I do not know how to progress when kia is refusing to address my concern. I have to drive on the highway frequently and I am very worried about having a faulty airbag system. Thank you for your time!
NHTSA complaint #11423082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,000 milesBarre, VT
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V473000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DAYTONA KIA (510 N NOVA RD, DAYTONA BEACH, FL 32114, (386)252-7000) WHERE THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,000.
NHTSA complaint #11394611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port ST. Lucie, FL
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT STAYS ON. COMPUTER CODE INDICATES THAT THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE SENSOR. AIR BAGS WILL NOT BE ENGAGED DUE TO THE SENSOR MALFUNCTION.
NHTSA complaint #11386065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 153,100 milesSilver BAY, MN
AIR BAGS
DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS ON, PASSENGER SIDE SEEMS OPERATIONAL. IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY, DURING THE SAME TRIP INTERIOR LIGHTS, EXCEPT MANUAL PUSH LIGHTS AND DASHBOARD, DO NOT AUTOMATICALLY TURN ON
NHTSA complaint #11377119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 155,000 milesPortsmouth, VA
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ON FOR BOTH THE PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S SEATS. THE DEALER FIRST TEAM KIA (4834A BRIDGE RD, SUFFOLK, VA 23435, (757) 320-1088) STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE PERTAINING TO THE AIR BAGS. THE DEALER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.
NHTSA complaint #11354403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,000 milesNorman Park, GACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE FELL ASLEEP WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 54 MPH. UPON REALIZING WHAT HAPPENED, THE VEHICLE WAS STEERED OFF THE ROAD, INTO A GRASSY DITCH, TO AVOID OTHER VEHICLES. AS THE DRIVER TRIED TO RE-ENTER THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER A COUPLE OF TIMES FROM EAST TO WEST ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE ROAD AND DAMAGED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SKIN LOSS FROM LACERATIONS ON HIS LEG AND NECK. THE NECK INJURY WAS CAUSED BY THE SEAT BELT'S SHOULDER STRAP. THE CONTACT WAS TREATED BY THE EMERGENCY VEHICLE TEAM AT THE ROADSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000.
NHTSA complaint #11353218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,981 milesHouston, TX
AIR BAGS
IN JAN 18 2016 NOT KNOWING OF ANY RECALL AS WE MOVE FROM OUR HOME ADDRESS AT THE TIME TO NEW ADDRESS, WE TOOK THE KIA TO DEALER BECAUS THE PASS AIR BAG SHOWS: OFF. DEALER JUST TOLD US THIS WILL COST $1800 TO FIX AND NEVER EVEN BOTHER TO CHECK ON RECALLS. NOW WHEN WE CHECK NHTSA FOR THIS VEHICLE WE FOUND THE RECALL CAMPAIGN # 11V473000 . WR CALL KIA MOTORS AND THEY REFUSE TO HONOR THE CAMPAIGN RECALL ON PASS AIR BAG ON OUR TRUCK CLAIMING THE PART AFFECTED THAT MAKES HAS NOTHIN TO DO WITH THE AIR BAG !! PASSENGER AIR BAG CONTINUES TO BE OFF SO WHEN WE RIDE IN THE SUV I HAVE NO PROTECTION. WE CALLED KIA TODAY 7/23/20 AND THEY REFUSED TO HONOR IT OR INSTRUCT DEALER TO REPARIR IT . IF THE PART AFFECTED HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT, THEN WHY IS THE AIR BAG NOT WORKING IF THIS WAS CORRECT? PLEASE HELP US BECAUSE OF UR MOVING FROM ONE ADDRESS TO ANOTHER WE WERE NEVER TOLD AND IN THE BLOGS AND YOUR WEBSITE ALL KIAS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER AIR BAGS
NHTSA complaint #11341086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,000 milesLansing, MICrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
I WAS IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT 8/18/17 TOSSED BACK AND FORTH LIKE A RAG DOLL MY AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY ON IMPACT UNTIL THE 4TH TIME AND I WAS KNOCK OUT UNCONSCIOUS. DON'T RECALL MY SEAT BELT WORKED I RECALL BEING TOSSED BACK AND FORTH BACK AND FORTH AND TOOK MY LAST BREATH. THIS IS MY 3 TIME DOING THIS. IT WAS MOVING I WAS HIT IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #11330925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kearneysville, WVCrash1 injured1 killed
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HER STEP-SON WHOM WAS A PASSENGER IN A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER STEP- SON PASSED AWAY AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PER THE POLICE REPORT THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN HE LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CROSSING INTO ON-COMING TRAFFIC, COLLIDING HEAD ON INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONTAL DRIVER SIDE AR BAG DEPLOYED HOWEVER, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A BROKEN FOOT THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION HOWEVER, THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED BY THE CONTACT'S FAMILY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *LN
NHTSA complaint #11318775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 203,000 milesWare, MACrash
AIR BAGS
HIT A GUARD RAIL ON THE FRONT; SIDE AND REAR (DID A 360 AND 180) AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS IN MY VEHICLE DEPLOYED. I WAS ON INTERSTATE 90 GOING ABOUT 65-70
NHTSA complaint #11210664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Bedford, MA
AIR BAGS
MY CHECK ENGINE GOES ON AND OFF WHENEVER. PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT GROUT IT TO AUTOZONE FOR CHECK AND IT STATED SENSORS. MY SHOP SAYS THEY FIX IT AND IT CONTINUES I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS NOW
NHTSA complaint #11182252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 86,000 milesThebes, ILCrash3 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 KIA SORENTO. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ALSO SUSTAINED A SIDE IMPACT BY A DIFFERENT VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK, NECK, AND SHOULDER INJURIES AS WELL AS INTERNAL BLEEDING FROM THE SEAT BELT, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGERS ALSO SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11175087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kernersville, NC
AIR BAGS
THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SAYS ITS TURNED OFF WHEN THERE IS AN ADULT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #11166255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 128,000 milesJohn DAY, OR
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11129087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesFort Wayne, IN
AIR BAGS
THE AIR BAG OFF LIGHT IS STILL ON WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGAR SEAT
NHTSA complaint #11100741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 103,000 milesThedes, ILCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF A SECOND VEHICLE. THE CRASH CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A HEAD CONTUSION, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. AN UNKNOWN KIA DEALER IN CAPE DORODO, MISSOURI AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
NHTSA complaint #11044238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Three Springs, PACrash1 injured1 killed
AIR BAGS
I WAS IN A COLLISION THAT WAS MY FAULT, I REAR ENDED A MINI VAN HIT A CONCRETE/STONE/ DIRT BARRIER AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #11019996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesJackson, MS
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE'S PASSENGER ALERT SYSTEM, WHICH INFORMS WHEN THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED, REMAINED ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
NHTSA complaint #10926748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesQuakertown, PA
AIR BAGS
ON OCCASION, "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT GOES ON WHILE AN ADULT (>120LBS.) IS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #10907675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 142,689 milesRiverdale, GACrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
"TAKATA RECALL" I WAS HIT HEAD ON WHERE MY AIRBAGS NEVER CAME OUT. AIRBAG LIGHTS ARE ON BUT AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I WAS AT A COMPLETE STAY STEAL WHEN I WAS HIT.
NHTSA complaint #10876112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 114,000 milesFloyds Knobs, IN1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE AND IN PARK, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LEFT ARM INJURIES AND LEFT LEG INJURIES DUE TO DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
NHTSA complaint #10862788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,648 milesBoynton Beach, FL
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT'S WIFE, WHO WAS 5 FOOT 6 INCHES TALL AND WEIGHED 130 LBS, WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS DEACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE SEAT CUSHION AND RE-FLASHED THE SOFTWARE, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,648.
NHTSA complaint #10838043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON. DEALER TEST SHOWED PROBLEM IS WITH THE SENSOR LOCATED INSIDE THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT. THEY SAY THE SOLUTION REQUIRES ME TO REPLACE THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT FOR $2500.
NHTSA complaint #10824295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,000 milesDiamond, MO
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10808244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesSUN City Center, FL
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON IN DASHBOARD AFTER STARTING THE CAR AND STAYED ON, ALSO LIGHT STATING PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF GOES ON AN OFF. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERS BACK ON 8/9/12 FOR PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT, SUPPOSEDLY IT WAS REPAIRED BUT STILL HAPPENING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR AIR BAG LIGHT IN DASH WAS ADVISED B1448 OCS, PASSENGER BOTTOM SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED WHICH WOULD COST $2219.34. INFORMED DEALER CHOOSING NOT TO HAVE REPAIRED, FEEL IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER RECALL 11V473000, THEY STATED MY VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF RECALL
NHTSA complaint #10790206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesLouisburg, NC
AIR BAGS
THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON WITH THE TROUBLE CODES OF B1511, B1513, AND B1448 ALL AT THE SAME TIME. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT ALL THIS GOES WRONG AT THE SAME TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10781600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.