general problems of the 2009 Kia Motor Sorento

The contact owns a 2009 kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving out of the driveway, the warning message "asc-off" appeared on the instrument panel and the vehicle inadvertently stalled. The contact stated as she turned off the vehicle, she was able to restart the vehicle and parked in the driveway. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring and several warning lights including the asc warning light, check engine warning light, and air bag passenger warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 20v088000 (electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic). The contact stated that the recall repair was completed, however, the asc warning light, the check engine warning light, and the passenger’s side air bag warning light remained illuminated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

My son was traveling on a main road in town when the car hydroplaned at about 30 mph and he lost control. It sent him slamming into a culvert, then it bounced out of the culvert and ran up on a residential porch and hit a tree. The drivers side took the majority of the impact. None of the airbags deployed (front or side). He was slammed into the drivers door panel and the center console. He has continuing pain in his back.

'passenger air bag off' light on repeatedly with a passenger in seat and after turning engine off and on and re-positioning of passenger more than 1 dozen times! this vehicle was purchased used as a replacement vehicle, after surviving being hit head-on, severely injured and our vehicle destroyed. Air bags helped save our lives. The Sorento has had this problem since date of purchase in February 2010. We have repeatedly talked to kia headquarters and dealerships regarding this problem. Normal passenger is much heavier than 120 lb "gray area" noted to affect activation. One dealership printed a readout "proving" usual passenger "sits light" - advised adjusting sitting position. Yesterday temps in az exceeded 110 degrees and the problem was severe. The light came on when vehicle was started, would go off and come back on as soon as the shifting lever was moved. The passenger lifted and readjusted each time to no avail. This process was repeated each time the vehicle was started. Often the light comes on when shifting into reverse to exit driveway or parking place, with no movement from passenger. This is a serious safety hazard!! must someone die before kia corrects this problem?!?! (air bag should always be activated!!!!!) kia should be mandated to fix this life threatening problem before fatalities occur!!!!!!!! correction of this problem is surely less expensive than lawsuits for injuries/deaths caused by inactive air bags!.