This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
25 minute drive to town. Squealing sound. Pulled over, the crank shaft pulley was so loose that the bolt could be hand tightened. Mechanic said pin fell out and bolt sheered. May need new engine. Could have destroyed the crank shaft. Also have transmission hesitation, the 4X4 low light on dash goes on and the transmission kicks in low. Have to sit and wait for it to go off. This happens with out the button being turned on. This Kia only has 79,000 highway miles. Its amess. This crank shaft harmonic balancer should last the life off the vehicle. Some one is going to die or get seriously injured because when this happened you could not steer the Kia or use brakes.
The contact owns a 2006 Kia Sorento. While driving approximately 30 mph, the contact heard a clunking noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. The contact stated that the steering wheel then became difficult to maneuver. The brake and check engine lights also illuminated on the instrument panel during the failure. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for a diagnostic test. The mechanic stated that the crank shaft bolt fractured, causing the crank shaft pulley to detach from the vehicle. The power steering belt also became loose and caused the power steering to fail. There was a voluntary recall for the 2004-2005 Kia Sorento addressing the crank shaft pulley failure. The manufacturer stated that the 2006 model was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 118,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the headlights and rear lights had to be replaced at a minimum of one time per year. The contact had to constantly replace the bulbs for the lights but the vehicle had not yet been to the dealer for inspection of the recurring failure. In addition, the vehicle would stall sporadically and without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated to the contact that the crankshaft position sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 71,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that all the lights illuminated on the instrument panel as the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was advised that the crankshaft pulley bolt was stripped and caused the power steering belt to spin abnormally. The dealer also advised that the bolt could not be replaced and that the vehicle would need a replacement engine. The failure and the current mileage was 60,300.
The contact owns a 2006 Kia Sorento. The contact was driving approximately 20 mph when there was a sudden loss of power with the illumination of the warning indicators on the instrument panel. The steering wheel became extremely difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis where the technician stated that the failure was contributed to a defective crank shaft pulley bolt and the engine would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 60,300.
- Easton , PA, USA
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Driving on the highway 230 miles from home, 150 miles from my destination brake light and battery light came on. Pulled off road loss of steering power. Opened hood and found belts off. Towed to nearest town in the middle of nowhere and mechanic diagnosed the crankshaft (harmonic balancer) bolt had sheered off and broken piece still in crankshaft. Towed to nearest Kia dealership 150 miles away and was told possible crankshaft/engine damage. Could not do further diagnosis due to weekend (Saturday) and will need to stay in town until car is repaired (no other transportation). No loaner car offered. This is a dangerous common occurrence with Kia Sorento owners that the company seems to know about but does not want to address or cover cost of repairs. Recall on bolt for 2003 models does not cover later models but dangerous situation still exists with those later models. I am afraid to drive my car after it is repaired knowing that other owners have had this problem reoccur and loss of power steering at highway speed is a dangerous situation.
Crankshaft harmonic balance bolt keeps breaking. Been replaced 2 times now. Saw on some other websites where other people are having the same problem. Some of them are getting lawyers because Kia is refusing to fix the problem. My warranty ran out so they won't fix. All of my repairs have been at my own expense.
Under normal operation at highway speed, the crankshaft bolt broke and allowed the harmonic balancer/crankshaft pulley assembly to come free of the crankshaft. This resulted in a broken crankshaft sprocket, crankshaft position sensor and timing belt. The vehicle was not covered under warrantee because it is not considered part of Kia's drivetrain because it is not a lubricated part. The vehicle was out of service for 14 days. On September 22, 2011 the same bolt came loose and snapped the spring pin aligning the balancer with the crankshaft sprocket. This resulted in the loss of power steering and charging system while my wife and daughters were traveling in the vehicle. The vehicle was not up to speed yet so the damage was minimal. The bolt had to be removed as well as the balancer. The spring pin had to be drilled out of the crank sprocket and replaced.the vehicle was out of service for 7 days.
Was traveling on highway 65mph tried to change lanes but the steering had gone out, had to turn steering wheel very hard to get it to turn, once I pulled over and looked beneath hood the belts were no longer turning and could see what look like a pulley laying at bottom of engine. Matt castrucci Kia in dayton, Ohio stated that my bolt had broken off and caused my pulley to break. Have read a lot of complaints on this happening on Kia's Sorento, enough that a investigation should have taken place by now. What has to happen before this is investigated. Does someone have to die first?
After hearing a loud screeching noise from my engine I called the dealer & told them I was coming in, my car stalled on the way in. The dealer said my crank shaft pulley bolt broke, causing damage to my crank shaft sensor & my timing belt which I had replaced a few months back. I am just learning that this is a very common problem and that Kia is aware of this defective bolt and refuses to cover the damage caused to the engines when it breaks.
Crankshaft bolt sheared off in May 2010 at 63,000 miles causing $1200 in damage and towing. After having a Kia dealer fix the issue out of my pocket because I'm a "second owner", the issue happened again in July 2011 at 101,000 miles. The dealer again has to repair with similar costs out of my pocket. This is extremely dangerous as the belt connecting to the crankshaft pulley is also attached to the alternator which, when broke, causes a loss of all power, even while the car is at full driving speed. This is also an extremely expensive issue which after several conversations with Kia, they have yet to acknowledge is a problem.
Auto losing speed on acceleration and car running poorly, then quit completely. Had towed to nearest shop for repair. Also had timing belt changed at the same time, per Kia required maintenance at 60,000 mi. On Feb. 18, 2011, repairs were made: Crankshaft bolt was gone and cotter pin sheered off. These items were fixed along w/timing belt replacement.. June 15, 2011, car losing speed on acceleration and running very badly. I was on highway. I did make it home. I had aaa come and tow it to my normal repair shop, the dorsch Kia dealer. Dorsch opened her up and said bolts were not tightened down properly. Meantime, performance auto were I originally took my car showed me a bulletin on my make and model that showed issues with this bolt stretching and coming off and or cracking off. Further, they will not replace any parts or labor because it is Kia's issue they said. Now my car is at Kia dealership and my pockets are empty.
Car stalls while driving without any warning. It has stalled in intersections and just riding down the road. When the vehicle stalls it just cuts off and my steering wheel locks up and you have no time to pull over. Almost rear ended 3 times in a week.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Honeoye, NY, USA