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.
When steering the vehicle at speeds between 40 and 70 mph the steering will feel sticky or get a notch feel to it. When making minor adjustments to the wheel to keep the vehicle going straight there will be resistance, then when enough force has been applied it will move. This sudden movement of the wheel causes the vehicle to over steer on the direction the steering wheel was being moved. This can result in an overcompensation the other direction. Although these are small movements the driving experience is unsettling for the driver, and for others around. The dealership is aware of the issue, confirmed it, and applied a software fix to the vehicle per KIA TSB 060 Rev 5. This has made the issue intermittent at best, instead of correcting it. Upon my second visit the dealership they reset the vehicle computer and I believe applied the software again. Upon testing they could not recreate the issue. On the third visit they were not able to recreate the issue yet again. After every visit I could feel the vehicle exhibiting the problem on the drive home - it's is a 2.5 hour drive to the dealership. The vehicle currently has less than 20K and this issue has been occurring since about 8K miles on the odometer. There has been no indicators or trouble codes, only the driving experience. The first occurrence was during the winter and more pronounced. The sticky feeling and the way that affected my steering on icy roads was somewhat scary. KIA's TSB states if the vehicle fails the recommended course is replacement of steering components. After multiple visits I have found a serious reluctance for them to do anything more than software fixes. I simply want a safe vehicle to transport my loved ones in.
I reported earlier that my steering became "sticky" at highway speeds. Now, the problem is occurring at lower speeds. Today it began at 35 mph. Was just driving down the country road from my house and the steering started to stick.
At highway speeds, the steering appears to "stick." Think of it as as a flat spot on a wheel. That's what it feels like. The higher the speed, the more it sticks. Using cruise control makes it worse. This sticking causes overcorrection. Had a bit of an issue going through a construction zone over the Nueces River in Corpus Christi, TX. I have researched this issue, and you do have complaints. I am scheduling service for the car next week. I do have a notice from Kia on steering issues. A type of extended warranty for steering. The "sticky steering" issue has no warning lights/lamps.
While driving the steering wheel gets stuck in the direction you turned it. This is especially true when steering in a curve. I have to constantly make minor adjustments while negotiating a curve. I have to constantly pull cw and ccw because it sticks after each adjustment. I ask the dealer to look at it during an oil change and the attendant told me they didn't have enough service people because of COVID. I called several months later and the service person said it has motorized steering assist and that is the way it is. If you are going around a curve close to the center line it would be very easy for the power assist steering to make you cross into oncoming traffic I noticed it after buying the car and kept putting off having it looked at. I've had heart surgery and covid came along with lock-downs and I've just neglected to have the problem resolved. I've searched for similar reports and problems and there are many more owners with the exact same problem. KIA should have a recall to remedy the situation before someone is killed.
- Dalton, GA, USA
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I purchased a new 2017 Kia Sorento LX AWD and have been having an issue with the steering for a few years. When attempting to keep the car traveling straight at highway speeds, there is a need to force the wheel. This results in overcompensation in steering and can be dangerous. I have seen this issue described as Notchy and Sticky steering. Initially in an effort to correct the problem I had the tires rotated and an alignment done however this did not make a difference. The issue seems to only occur if driving 50 MPH or higher and traveling in a straight direction.
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel seized upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact stated that the failure did not occur while turning the steering wheel but rather while driving straight. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer on three separate occasions and was recently informed that the failure was normal vehicle operation. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 59,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering assist intermittently. The vehicle was still drivable during the failure. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering assist and seized without warning. The contact was able to safely guide the vehicle off the roadway. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that there was a mechanical defect in the steering assembly and had to be addressed by a dealer. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the battery and a faulty ball joint replaced. The dealer stated that the failure was not due to the steering. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
The electronic steering "sticks" and makes it necessary to force the steering wheel to make driving corrections. This in turns causes an oversteer situation and a safety issue. The vehicle is difficult to keep lane control. New tires, alignment, and a TSB software upgrade by Kia service did nothing to correct the problem. Kia determined (15 Feb 2022) the vehicle needed the electronic steering column replaced. The Kia service rep stated my factory and extented warranty will not cover the cost of repairs. The problem has been intermittent for over 2 years and getting worse. My research indicates many owners having the same issue with this vehicle.
While driving at highway speeds steering is sticky or notching when trying to direct car in a curve, lane change in a right or left direction. Takes excessive pressure to get steering to move in any direction. Brought to dealer while under warranty, dealer said they could not replicate problem. safety issue causes you to over correct to get steering wheel to move.
I am the owner of the 2017 KIA Sorento, which I purchased new. When I first contacted the NHTSA, I stated within the last few months that after driving the vehicle the highway or expressway for an extended period (approximately 60 mins to 90 mins), the steering wheel would bind when turning on the road to change lanes or maintain the vehicle on the road. This binding occurs in the turning position without warning. I'm concerned the steering will lock, which will result in a bad accident. I initially took the car to the dealership (Gunther KIA), where I purchased the vehicle. The service adviser told him because the steering wheel has electronic components, the problem could occur when the battery needed replacement. I agreed to have the battery replaced; however, the binding of the steering wheel re-occurred. After the second failure, I returned the car to the dealership's service dept. At the advice of their technicians, they performed a software update on the vehicle. Unfortunately, a couple of days after the second repair, the same failure recurred for the third time. Once again, I took the car back to the dealership, where a case was filed and opened; however, the dealership could not diagnose or duplicate the failure after a few days in their possession. At one point, the master adviser (Randy Rosario) at the dealership told me that he had the same experience with his own Sorrento. And he learned to deal with it and said I should learn to deal with it because the dealership would not give me a new vehicle. I replied by stating that I didn't want a new car; I wanted my car fixed because I feared for my safety and the safety of my family and grandchildren. The adviser also mentioned that a recall should happen, but the manufacturer has never issued one. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. As a result, the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 43,490 Fortunately, during the week of January 10th, 2022, I once again called the dealers
While driving 40mph+, steering appears to "stick" and driver has to make a more forceful jerk with the steering wheel to "unstick" the steering. Driver ends up over compensating for stuck steering and is jerking the car on the road. Steering appears to not "stick" as much when going under 40mph. Steering sticks more often going around bends or small turns on the open road.
The contact owns a 2017 KIA Sorento, which he purchased new. The contact stated within the last few months that after driving the vehicle the highway or expressway for an extended period (approximately 60 mins to 90 mins), the steering wheel would bind when turning on the road to change lanes or maintain the vehicle on the road. This binding occurs in the turning position without warning. The contact had initially taken the car to the dealership (Gunther KIA), where he purchased the vehicle as new. The service adviser told him because the steering wheel has electronic components, the problem could occur when the battery needed replacement. The contact agreed to have the battery replaced; however, the binding of the steering wheel re-occurred. After the second failure, the vehicle was returned to the dealership-€™s service dept. They performed a software update on the car. Unfortunately, a couple of days after the second repair, the same failure recurred for the third time. The contact had taken the vehicle back to the dealership, where a case was filed and opened; however, after a few days in their possession, the dealership could not diagnose or duplicate the failure. At one point, the master adviser at the dealership told the contact that he himself had the same experience with his own Sorrento. And he learned to deal with it and said to the contact (car owner) should learn to deal with it because the dealership would not give him a new vehicle. The contact replied by stating that he didn-€™t want a new car; he wanted his car fixed because he fears for his family-€™s, and grandchildren-€™s safety. The adviser also mentioned that a recall should happen, but the manufacturer has never issued one. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. As a result, the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 43,490.
power steering sticks when driving causing you to constantly over correct to keep the car going in a straight line. This leads to erratic driving as you are weaving back and forth on the road to keep the car going straight. There are many complaints on the internet of this problem with most dealers saying they don't see a problem and others replacing the steering column.There should be a recall to fix this problem while under warranty, any problem with a cars steering down a road should be fixed as this is a safety issue.
This is an ongoing condition of the vehicle that my mechanics were unable to address. The steering wheel sticks in the straight ahead position and requires unexpected force to make small corrections to the car's direction. This mostly happens at highway speeds or at lower speeds on long straightaways. The mechanics informed me this was not an uncommon condition and suggested that I report it to Kia and to the NHTSA.
Steering is sticky and has play during highway speeds. Driver must constantly adjust to keep vehicle aligned. Power steering after sticking point over corrects vehicle. This is very dangerous.
On some occasions the steering was not smooth, as if it stuck just a little and I would have to lightly jerk it. This was always highway. Then about a week ago my oil light flickered and I mean only a second and then again on the way home. When I checked my oil, there wasn't a drop on the dipstick and it looked to have a little burnt oil on very tip. It was also very hard to get the oil cap on to add oil. I had to add 3 quarts! why did my oil light come on before this and why did it not stay on" my car is a 2017 Kia Sorento and has only had maintenance at the dealer where it was bought. I was shocked when I looked online and saw this was an issue for years. Why isnt someone making Kia accountable" I cant afford to pay upfront for repairs and when courts decide years later maybe we'll get reimbursed, they don't wait on their payments for the vehicles.
Engine burns up oil very quickly way before 3,000 miles and there are no alerts that the oil is low. Steering gets "stuck" at times for brief amounts of time and needs to be readjusted in the road. This happens on straight highways and in curve. Windshield wiper fluid function does not work.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Wenatchee, WA, USA