The driver’s seat frame and adjustment mechanism failed. The seat broke off from the frame, resulting in the seat only being able to move left and right, with no ability to adjust forward/backward or recline. The dealership confirmed a seat frame malfunction and addressed the issue. My safety was put at risk because I was unable to properly adjust the driver’s seat to a safe driving position. Without proper positioning, I could not safely reach the pedals or maintain appropriate control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of losing control or being unable to react quickly in traffic. The dealership confirmed the seat frame malfunction and performed repairs to address the issue. No warning lights, messages, or prior symptoms were present before the failure. The issue occurred suddenly without warning.
NHTSA complaint #11732433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Subject: Broken Driver Seat Metal Rod – Safety Hazard in 2015 Kia Sorento To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to report a serious issue involving the driver’s seat in my 2015 Kia Sorento, specifically a broken metal rod inside the seat frame. This part appears to be part of the seat's internal adjustment mechanism and should not fail under normal use. Its failure presents a potential safety hazard. 📌 Vehicle Details: Make/Model: 2015 Kia Sorento VIN [XXX] 5 Registered Owner [XXX] m Address [XXX] 4 Email [XXX] m 📌 Part Label Information: Label reads: “4 Way Manual” Manufacturer: Johnson Controls, Inc. [XXX] MI The part appears to be a seat adjustment rod or structural component Attached is a photo showing the damaged part and label ⚠️ Description of the Problem: While I was driving I hear a snap my seat then slid forward and I was telted to my left side I was going 65 on the freeway almost crashed into wall I discovered a broken metal rod inside the seat frame. This rod is clearly not meant to break under typical use and poses a risk of: Sudden seat movement while driving Decreased driver safety in the event of a crash Reduced structural integrity of the seat I believe this could be a design or manufacturing defect, and it warrants inspection. I am requesting that this issue be investigated and that I be informed if there are any recalls, extended warranties, or safety programs covering this defect. 📎 Attached: Photo of the damaged part and manufacturer label Please let me know how I should proceed. I am concerned about my safety and would like to ensure that others are not at risk from this same issue. Sincere [XXX] [XXX] com INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11722038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The 'Gear' on the drivers seat towards middle of car (right hand drivers seat) snapped in some fashion and the seat rocks. I hear this is quite common in this car and that it costs upwards of $2,000 to repair because the entire seat has to be replaced.
NHTSA complaint #11720177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was started and running, the air conditioner failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that the front passenger’s seat was moldy, and the sunroof had seized. Additionally, the sunroof headliner fell while changing lanes. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed; however, the result was not provided. The windshield washer, the sunroof assembly, the reservoir pump, and the front axle seal assembly were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and informed the contact that the issue would be escalated to the corporate level and the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 61,000.
NHTSA complaint #11691079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Subject: Urgent: Structural Failure of Driver Seat Component – 2015 Kia Sorento I am writing to report a serious structural failure in the driver seat of my 2015 Kia Sorento. While driving under normal conditions, the torsion tube under the driver’s seat snapped, causing the seat to become unstable and compromising my safety. This part is labeled: “4 Way Manual” Johnson Controls, Inc., Holland, MI Markings: [XXX] &&[XXX] and [XXX] This torsion tube is a core part of the seat structure and should not fail under normal use. The failure occurred with no warning and while the vehicle was in motion. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11675047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The paint all over the car had begun to delaminate and its only a 2013. The entire front of the hood, the side bar of the windshield on both the passenger and driver sides, and the roof along the windshield are flaking off manufacturers paint in large sheets. The back side has begun to develop small chips that will eventually match the front. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Because the loss of the protective paint on my car can and has been leading to rust issues on the metal underneath the paint. This is known to weaken the vehicle's body structure. This is especially problematic in potential areas of the car that are prone to collision, thereby compromising the vehicles safety over time, if allowed to continue to delaminate. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? All across the internet people are posting their pictures of their white Kia Sorento having the exact issue mine has. Also in the small town I live in there are at least 10 people who drive a white Kia Sorento like mine and each one is losing their paint to peeling and delamination. Just driving across California you can see that this is a manufacturing issue that has effected most all their customers who bought a white Kia from 2013 - 2018. After reading this question I am making an appointment to go into an Official Kia dealership to address this issue and get their feedback and hopefully a resolution on their end. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? I have not had anyone inspect it to date, but intend on getting an appointment with Kia at their next available opening. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? There were no precursors. Car was perfect when I purchased.
NHTSA complaint #11645681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My heated seats stopped working when my new engine was installed and I took it to the dealership and they never fix it and charged me 200.00 and then my air and heat keeps coming on and off then I got my new engine installed
NHTSA complaint #11644517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My front driver seat slips out of recline position to another position on its own Had engine replaced, got car back, made humming noise, took back to dealer, could not find noise, car still makes noise and now there’s seems to be louder noise coming from steering or front suspension while car is driven, dealer claims with no extension of warranty and over 60,000 miles, any work for this issue with steering/suspension is not covered, this was not an issue before engine was replaced under the engine recall
NHTSA complaint #11608162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The rear passenger seat has a major safety issue. The back will pop forward and then the entire seat moves forward pushing the passenger into the back of the passenger seat. I have brought this to the dealership two times now and it is still an issue that they now refuse to repair. I have video but can't load it here.
NHTSA complaint #11602826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS IS THE SECOND REPORT I AM MAKING. As in my last report this involves the driver’s seat and changing profiles on the infotainment system. - The driver’s seat/profile will keep my settings for a few weeks or months and then it randomly forgets and resets to the factory settings. - On June 18, 2024 the infotainment profile was set for my husband. I switched to my profile and was backing out of my garage and the seat switched to factory settings while the car was actively in reverse. I am short and could not reach the break or gas pedal! - The dealer has not had any other complaints like this.
NHTSA complaint #11597689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Drivers seat is moving all the way forward & inclining all the way towards steering wheel while operating vehicle and I am unable to stop stop it or move it back. This has happened to me 4 times now, 2 of them at high speeds & there is no rhyme or rhythm to when or if you can adjust the seat back. It stayed all the way up after parking & sitting in my driveway for about 14 hours, I was able to move it back but after driving it about 2 miles it moved all the way up again & I so far am unable to move it back. This nearly caused me to crash the first time it happened & I am simply lucky to by thin enough to fit in the tiny space & somewhat see the road long enough to stop. Someone 10 pounds heavier likely would not be so lucky & would most certainly crash.
NHTSA complaint #11595416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that after having routine maintenance on the vehicle, the contact entered the vehicle, and became aware that the driver’s side seat failed to move and had fractured. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact about re-adjusting the seat and the associated fees for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the vehicle failed to start. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
NHTSA complaint #11590071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My car will not turn on, there was no warning light or maintenance required message. Also the two passenger seats recline back but will not go back to forward position.
NHTSA complaint #11566425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The heated seats were turned on high. It was cold outside. Two hours later the occupant got out of the car and discovered blisters on leg from seat heat. Several large blisters from burns. The seat should not be hot enough to burn someone and cause blisters
NHTSA complaint #11560525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the past two weeks the Warning lamp for front passenger seat remains lit up indicating airbag problem in that area second row seats clip areas to lift seats and allow entry to third row were very hard to operate and now malfunctioned and don't work at all to lift seats. This has been checked out by Kia dealer last year to no resolve(they were able to lift seats up with great effort), but I am not able to get the seats lifted rendering access to 3rd row impossible for use.
NHTSA complaint #11547632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
There are two user profiles on the main infotainment system for this vehicle and there are two seat position memory buttons on the door. I am the main driver of the vehicle and have input my seat position into seat memory button #1 on my door making sure my profile on the infotainment is up and the position is confirmed. The system will randomly delete my position and the seat will move to what appears to be the factory setting. I am 5’ 2” so the seat moves lower and so far back I cannot reach the gas nor break pedals. As this has happened what seems like at least 100 times, I mention the problem to the dealer in early August 2023, they had not heard of a similar problem and they ran a diagnostic and all was fine. On Saturday, Sept 9, 2023, I was in the driver seat and put the vehicle into drive. A few seconds later my husband changed the infotainment system from his profile to my profile and the seat went to the factory setting while the vehicle was in drive and I could not reach the gas nor the break pedals. Luckily I had not pressed the gas yet and we were on a flat side street and the vehicle did not move but we were in a residential neighborhood. The second problem has happened around five times with the latest incident on Friday, September 8th. I was on the interstate traveling at 75 mph with light traffic I came up on a few vehicles and noticed the blindspot detectors on both sides of the vehicle did not work while passing the other vehicles. I have also had this happen in heavy traffic with speeds in the 30-50 mph range.
NHTSA complaint #11544710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Well my boyfriend and I where getting the car straightened up swept out wiped down and cleaned up and drove it from one part of our yard to the other and we had to finish what we where doing before that so and hour or so later when my. Boy friend went to go finish the car he realized there was smoke coming from the driver's side and opened the front door and the whole front driver seat was on fire so we got it put out and then we realized we needed to get the car as far away from the house as we could as soon as we got the fire out so I found a lid to it on I had to push a release button under the shifter to move it outta park and stear it away from any other houses or objects so we did that and then the lights for the heated seats on the driver's side came on again without the key that I know of being in it or nothen and it just being on fire so we u plugged to battery and called kia and a town truck
NHTSA complaint #11536733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Both rear doors do not open from the outside and only the passenger rear door will open from the inside, leaving the driver side rear, not accessible from the inside or the outside. The middle row of seats do not adjust backwards or forwards. The controls on the steering wheel do not work at all.
NHTSA complaint #11524578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.