Air Bag Problems of Kia Motor Sorento - part 1

The clock spring needs fixed no features including the horn is working in my airbag light is staying on. Also I now have a loud knock in my motor I understand this should fall under the extended 15 yr 150k warranty; 2012 kia vehicles (specifically the Sorento) with v6 engines are covered under major safety recalls for engine failure and fire risks. The primary issue involves metal debris from manufacturing that can cause premature engine bearing wear, stalling, and fire. You should check your VIN on the NHTSA site or kia's recall page to confirm, as these recalls are still active.

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I am submitting this revised complaint to correct a prior report that was not accurately documented during a phone submission. Vehicle: 2025 kia Sorento (259 miles at purchase) within approximately two months of ownership (~3,000 miles), the vehicle began experiencing serious safety-related issues, including intermittent stalling, braking problems, and electrical malfunctions. Symptoms include: •vehicle stalled and failed to restart, leaving me stranded •radio/display screen went blank •heating/climate system became nonfunctional •vehicle would not shift into neutral •persistent burning odor inside and outside the vehicle these issues raise concern about a potential fire risk. In may 2025, the vehicle was inspected by two separate dealerships, both of which reported no issues. The condition worsened, resulting in a complete failure requiring towing. A dealership later identified “electrical issues,” but key symptoms were not documented. A second dealership has since stated the vehicle is operating normally; I disagree, as I believe the root cause has not been resolved. Issues began at ~3,000 miles, with major failure at ~22,000 miles. I have contacted kia and requested a buyback due to repeated failures and safety concerns. This request was denied twice; a goodwill credit was offered but not accepted. This complaint is submitted to report ongoing safety defects involving stalling, braking, electrical failure, and a potential fire risk.

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My airbag light is on after picking it up from a kia dealership service and they are refusing to correct the issue that was caused by the dealership. I escalated the issue to kia America and filled a formal case#25916418 on 2/26/2026. On 3/4/206 tori at kia customer service informed me that it will not be covered because the dealership claims its a pre-existing issue. The dealership has failed to provide proof that that is true. Attached are: -the dealership’s diagnostic report -all text communications with the service advisor -also have video documentation of misaligned steering wheel I was unable to attach. Prior to dealership service, my vehicle was evaluated for approximately one week at a reputable independent repair facility for a cracked head gasket. At no time were there airbag warnings, steering issues, or safety system concerns. The vehicle was driven directly from the independent shop to the dealership where they preformed a warranty service. Upon pickup, I immediately observed: - misaligned steering wheel - illuminated airbag warning light - coolant system air bubble (later corrected per dealership) the steering misalignment indicates the steering system was disturbed during repair. The airbag warning light appeared immediately afterward. The dealership’s report references “history” fault codes, but provides no proof the warning light was active prior to service. History codes can result from battery disconnection or electrical interruption during major repairs and do not establish a pre-existing defect. Given that: - the airbag system functioned properly before service - the steering wheel was returned misaligned - the airbag light appeared immediately after repair - there is no documentation proving a prior active fault I am concerned a critical safety system has been compromised. An active airbag warning indicates the system may not function in a collision. I am requesting that kia fix this at no charge to me due to the reasons listed above.

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On [xxx] I was in a car accident. When it happened the airbags did not deploy and the seatbelt not locking. This resulted in me hitting my head in on the dash and chest on the steering wheel multiple times and having to go to the er to receive care and be put out of work. This is a major safety risk information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

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1. **component or system failure:** - the malfunction occurred in the **automatic braking system** while the vehicle was in **snow mode**. The brakes engaged and locked the wheels, resulting in a loss of traction. - this system is available for inspection upon request to assess the failure, where the car was towed to. 2. **safety risk:** - the automatic brakes locking the wheels put the driver at risk by causing the vehicle to slide uncontrollably. - the situation was further exacerbated by the fact that the vehicle collided with a tree, indicating a significant safety concern. 3. **reproduction of the problem:** - it is unclear if the issue has been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center, but given the nature of the malfunction, it would be advisable to have it inspected by a professional to verify the problem. 4. **inspection by authorities:** -the vehicle was inspected by police and the towing coming stating the car was a total loss because of the damages . 5. **warnings or symptoms:** - there were no indications of a problem prior to the failure, such as warning lamps or messages. The incident occurred suddenly when the brakes engaged, leading to the vehicle losing traction and ultimately colliding with a tree. - the failure of the airbags to deploy on the passenger side is also a critical point that needs further investigation. ### key takeaways - the automatic braking system malfunctioned in snow mode, leading to a loss of traction and a collision. - safety was jeopardized due to the vehicle's sliding and the failure of the airbags to deploy. - further inspection by qualified professionals is necessary to confirm and address the issues.

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Vehicle: 2022 kia Sorento ex VIN: [xxx] date defects discovered:[xxx} a kia dealership confirmed multiple instances of airbag tampering in this vehicle: • driver knee airbag missing • driver a?pillar airbag missing • wiring harnesses cut • electrical resistors spliced into the circuits to bypass srs fault detection • technician warned there may be additional missing airbags pending further disassembly • estimate for known srs repair is $11,294. 30 carfax shows this vehicle was involved in an airbag?deploying crash on [xxx] prior to my purchase. No airbags were replaced before resale. This is a serious safety hazard. The airbag indicator light was prevented from illuminating due to the resistor splice, masking critical srs faults. Additional mechanical tampering was found: • stop-leak blocking heater core • improper coolant bypass fitting this complaint is being filed to report the airbag safety violation and request investigation. Attachments: exhibits a, b, d, g. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

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Hit a deer going 80, airbags did not deploy and car did not attempt to brake.

In a letter dated August 14, 2019, kia advised that the warranty coverage for the driver's front airbag clock spring assembly was extended to 15 years. The clock spring is an electrical connection which rotates with the steering wheel to maintain proper functioning of the airbag unit. If the airbag light stays on, and the car continues to be used without repair, the driver's airbag may eventually not deploy in a frontal impact. This is a safety issue, since the airbag may not work, kia knew about it in 2019!! the 2011 kia that I own is now 16 years old, and of course kia refuses to pay for the repair. Now I am faced with an approximately $500. 00 repair bill to make sure I'm safe in case of an accident. This should be investigated, and kia should pay for the repair since it is an airbag safety issue.

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I was involved in an automobile collision. It was a t- bone collision on the driver side. My vehicle flipped on it's side, the moon roof completely shattered, my seatbelt released me and I was ejected through the moon roof. The vehicle landed on top of me. All of my air bags did not deploy even though my vehicle rolled over twice.

My airbag sensor light is on; kia dealer says it is an OCS sensor has an internal fault for the passenger side, but the sensor comes on when only the driver seat is occupied. I am told not to drive the car until it is fixed because the airbag will not deploy. Dealer has confirmed the issue and is quoting $1100 to fix if there is no recall posted on the vehicle. The system first appeared about 3 days prior to taking it into the dealer for inspection. Car is still at the dealer while review of recalls are undeway. We've found recalls for kias for 2018 but not 2017.

The contact owns a 2012 kia Sorento. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was permanently illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

The contact owned a 2021 kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving 15-20 mph and making a quick left turn to avoid a truck that did not have the right-of-way, another vehicle crashed into the driver's side door of the vehicle. The driver's side curtain air bags deployed. The front driver's seat air bag deployed but failed to inflate. The front passenger's side seat belt retracted even though the front passenger's side seat was not occupied. There was no injury sustained. No police report was filed. Both drivers were able to drive away from the scene. The vehicle was taken to an autobody repair shop, where an estimate of the damage sustained was provided. The vehicle was totaled by the insurance company. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the front driver's seat air bag and the front passenger's side seat belt operated as designed. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.

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Airbag light on drivers side lit up, clock spring is defective.

Upon collision with another vehicle, there was no deployment of any airbags. The vehicle is available for inspection. I was in a head on collision and due to the severity and deployment of the other vehicles airbags, I believe that mine should have as well. The vehicle is currently in the process of being inspected by insurance. A police report was filed for the incident. There was no prior indication of this malfunction.

The contact owns a 2013 kia Sorento. The contact stated that when starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.

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The contact owned a 2018 kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, another vehicle had abruptly attempted to merge into the opposite traveling lane and caused the front end bumper to crash into the front driver-side door of the other vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed away to a local tow yard. A traffic accident information form was filed by the local police department. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the opposite insurance provider, and the contact was not deemed at fault. In addition, the contact was taken out of the vehicle safely by paramedics and was taken to a nearby ugentcare where he sought medical attention for neck and hand pains and severe mental distress. The local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.

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I am writing to bring to your attention a concerning issue regarding the instrument panel of the 2016-2020 kia Sorento. My car - 2017 kia Sorento. In approx. 2021, I noticed a small 2 cm crack resembling a razor blade cut on my instrument panel (part number: 84710-c5000wk, also 84710-c6000wk and 84710-c6001wk). At the time, I did not find this defect alarming as it was minor and located far from the airbag area. However, over time, the situation has deteriorated significantly. The small crack has now developed into three substantial cracks measuring between 6 to 8 inches, with some of them encroaching upon the airbag area. I am increasingly concerned that these cracks may impact the airbag deployment mechanism and potentially result in fragments from the panel flying out during a collision, an issue that has been documented in other vehicle brands in the past. After conducting some research, I found that this problem appears to be common among the kia Sorento models manufactured between 2016 and 2020. Numerous sources online indicate that these dashboard cracks pose a safety hazard. I have made attempts to address this issue directly with kia. However, I was informed that the initial inspection fee is $150, and the estimated cost for part replacement and installation is approximately $3,959. This amount is quite significant. I urge your organization to investigate this matter further and consider providing a remedy for affected customers. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Hey I’ve recently wrecked my vehicle due to malfunctions this year just a few months ago & I reported it to the dealer before I crashed it. That something was wrong with the engine and also sent the dealership I purchased it from videos before hand but nobody would listen to me. Now my car is sitting in a lot engine blowed and I can’t afford another one. I have proof , names and also couldn’t get my car fixed because I only had liability insurance only. No report was filed because me and the other vehicle was transported to uab hospital.

My car has been in the kia shop for engine. We just stopped on the freeway and for the module recall and my safety bag is just constantly on since I’ve gotten it and now I’m noticing electrical issues that shouldn’t be someone told me. Hey you need to file a complaint because your car can catch on fire and I don’t know what else to do but to do a paper trail just in case but it’s been recalls after recalls.

For some reason, kia has halted production of the air bag clock spring mechanism for 2003 kia Sorento's ex with cruise control. In my opinion, this was a vital component of the air bag safety system for any vehicle. So why the halt in the production of this vital part. Kia part #93490-3e160. Maybe the NHTSA can get an answer to this. I'm sure I not the only one driving a 2003 with the air bag light illuminated.

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A crack on my dashboard by the airbag above glove box. I use a windshield screen and armor all it to protect it I’m afraid if there’s an accident the airbag will not work as designed and it could cause injury or death kia said after 5 years it’s normal wear and tear I bought car new oct 2019.

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The contact's wife owned a 2014 kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 33-35 mph, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact's passenger side fender hit a pole, the vehicle continued to a hill, and the vehicle's front passenger side crashed into a utility pole where the vehicle came to a stop. The contact mentioned the first pole that was crashed into was very close to the roadway. The contact stated that the steering wheel air bag deployed, but deployed partially. The contact sustained a concussion, left arm burn, swollen left knee, and foot injuries that required medical attention via the hospital which confirmed the contact had a mild concussion. An ambulance provided medical attention on the scene but the contact declined to be transported to the hospital however took himself to the hospital a couple of days after the impact. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a lot where it was deemed totaled. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

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I have been trying to set up a appointment with citrus motors kia, ontario California. 1350 s woodruff way ontario California 91761. And they are giving me the rounds. Seen last week I have been texting them and calling. And no answer.

The clock spring went bad with no warning.

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The contact owned a 2017 kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 mph, another vehicle t-boned into the driver’s side between the front and rear drivers' side doors. The contact mentioned that the other driver failed to stop for the red light which caused the collision. The airbags in the vehicle failed to deploy correctly. The contact sustained knee, back and shoulder injuries. The contact's wife sustained a concussion and the daughter sustained bruises on the shoulders caused by the seat belt. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was towed and deemed destroyed. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

Every light is on in the dash compartment. Power steering goes in and out. Brake lights not working even after being replaced. Car stuck in park unable to put into reverse. Abs/ airbag light showing- abs sensor replaced and still not working recall in 2022. Kia repaired vehicle and now that same issues are occurring kia refuses to even look at vehicle without payment of 180. 00 to just look!.

Component: electrical system / forward collision-avoidance assist / speedometer incident summary: ?I am reporting a catastrophic and uncorrected safety defect in my 2021 kia Sorento (VIN: [xxx] ). ?pre-accident attempts: before April 2024, I repeatedly sought diagnosis for instrument cluster 'glitches. ' the kia dealer misdiagnosed this as a battery failure, charging me out-of-pocket for a replacement that did not resolve the issue. ?collision (April 22, 2024): while driving, the instrument cluster suffered a total system crash into 'factory mode,' losing all telemetry. Simultaneously, the vehicle's forward collision-avoidance assist (fca) failed to engage. Despite the vehicle being equipped with automatic emergency braking designed to detect and mitigate collisions, the system provided no warning and no autonomous braking prior to striking a deer. ?post-accident failures: following the crash, geico insurance funded a wiring harness replacement at a kia facility (backed by a geico lifetime warranty). However, the glitches and 'factory mode' errors have returned, proving the vehicle's core safety systems remain compromised. ?safety risk: this vehicle is non-compliant with fmvss 101 and 127. The failure of both the speedometer and the autonomous emergency braking creates an extreme risk of further injury or death. Kia corporate has failed to address this documented accident history. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The passenger airbag light remains on even when someone is sitting in it. Also the airbag on the front passenger side has made my dashboard split open. Which if it fully comes open can make the airbag full explode causing harm to the person in the front seat and potentially causing an accident due to a premature expulsion of the airbag.

The airbag light stays on and the tunersville NJ dealership charged me $169 for a diagnostic of the problem. The error code was a b1448 oc sensor mat defect and they need to replace the cushion because the occupant detection system (ods) sensor pad is located inside the seat and quoted me around $2000 to replace it. I was told by the dealership that if the passenger mat detection is not working then the airbag will not work if an accident happens. I found that kia Sorento from 2011- 2015 has the same issue and the company replaced it without a charge and extended the warranty for this airbag sensor to 15 yr with unlimited miles. This is a known defect for kia corporation and they don't address this issue until somebody gets hurt in an accident and the airbag malfunctions.

There is a engine recall for this vehicle u have to be safe where u park it at all time.

I was t boned while driving aprox 25 30 non of my air bags deployed and to bolts holding the door had the head shear off while bolts were still stuck in door frame.

Airbag system is not functioning. Kia motors America has extended the warranty coverage for the front passenger occupant detection system (ods) sensor pad to 15 years with unlimited milage. My local kia dealership, prestige kia in eau claire, WI, has refused to repair it. When called they informed me, that I am no longer welcome at the dealership. When asked why, I was told a note was on the manager’s desk. I have called and emailed the manager to obtain an explanation, however have not heard back. A Kia Motors representative called the dealership on my behalf and was told the same, that I was no longer welcome. Kia motors advises to not drive the vehicle, yet will not provide towing to the next nearest dealership. The next closest dealership is 64 miles away. Attached please find the kia letter regarding the airbag system warranty extension, as well as the information obtained at hanson kia. Information found regarding this issue at hanson kia website: it's not safe to drive if the srs or airbag light turns on, the best thing you can do is to call for a tow truck. Sure, you can probably keep driving and not notice anything different. However, it only takes one distracted driver and an airbag that doesn't deploy when it should to change your life forever. For this reason, we recommend contacting your local kia dealership to get the cause of the airbag light addressed properly.

Turned the steering wheel to the right, and the airbag warning light came on. It’s a safety issue that needs to be addressed. If I’m ever in an accident will it deploy? this is ridiculous. Waiting to get an appointment with the dealership.

The contact's mother owns a 2015 kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing an abnormal oil consumption. The contact stated that the vehicle had consumed three quarts of oil after 367 miles. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the vehicle could be experiencing an internal oil leak. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where an oil consumption test was initiated. The dealer informed the contact to come back after 300 miles. Additionally, the contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated, and the front passenger's side seat belt pretensioner failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.

The contact owned a 2012 kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 42 mph, another vehicle failed to stop at a stop sign, and she collided with the other vehicle head-on. As a result, her vehicle careened off the roadway and into a ditch, colliding with an unoccupied parked vehicle before coming to a complete stop. The air bags did not deploy. A police report and injuries were reported. The driver and her passengers were transported to an area hospital by ems and treated for various injuries. The driver was treated for injuries to her neck, right shoulder, both wrists, lower back, and left knee; her husband was treated for a two-inch laceration to his neck; and her son was treated for an injury to his right knee. The driver of the other vehicle was treated at an area hospital for unknown injuries. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard, where it remained as the contact had yet to hear from her insurance provider. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.