Kia · Sorento · 2005
0
Recalls
307
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2005 Kia Sorento has no recalls and 307 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: engine (35 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
I am experiencing a recurring issue with gas backflow at the gas pump, whereby gasoline expulses back out of the nozzle and onto my hands and clothing. It happens every time.
When driving there was a clunking noise and then the steering was hard to steer and the battery light came on & had to have it towed to find out that the harmonic balancer bolt broke. There are hundreds of complaints online about this same issue happening with these engines as this is a poor design. This is a safety hazard and very dangerous since you loose the steering and should be recalled.
Electrical fire under drivers dash. While trying to drive the kia . called fire department and they responded quickly. I know there was recall on 2006 and believe 2005 should have been included Thanks [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Rear suspension rusted from chassis. Google search shows multiple people with same issue. Issue making car unsafe to drive. Car has extreme rust problems.
The contact owns a 2005 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while turning left, the steering wheel was very difficult to turn. The contact mentioned that all her strength was needed to turn the steering wheel. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the crankshaft bolt needed to be replace. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
My 2005 Kia Sorento’s headlights keep going out. I get new bulbs and even replaced the whole headlight thing and checked the wiring hoping to fix the problem and nothing. Works great for one day and then the next one or both are out. It is very dangerous to myself and my children who are under the age of 5. This is my only vehicle as I am a single mother and cannot afford the constant repairs let alone a new vehicle. This is ridiculous. I can’t go no where after 5 in the winter time since my lights go out and I have errands to run, school and work. I’ve heard this happens too often. This is a problem that not only should be addressed but is extremely dangerous for all drivers !
NOTICED THAT I HAD A BRAKE LIGHT OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE,REPLACED IT WITH PROPER BULB 1157.A DOUBLE FILAMENT BULB. IT APPEARS THAT IS ALSO THE TAIL LIGHT? CHECKED LIGHT AND IT WORKED BUT LATER REALIZED THAT WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS OUT.THE NEXT DAY NOTICED THE DRIVER TAIL LIGHT WAS OUT AND REPLACED IT BUT LATER REALIZED THE BRAKE LIGHT DIDNT WORK,AS WELL AS MY CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AT THE SAME TIME.WENT TO AN AUTO CARE STORE THEY REPLACED BOTH OF THE LIGHTSAND AGAIN TAIL LIGHTS WORKED BUT WHEN I PRESSED BRAKE PEDAL NO LIGHTS. CHECKED AND REPLACED THE FUSE JUST TO BE SURE AND AT THIS POINT I GOT ON THE INTERNET AND SEEN 285 COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE MAJORITY OF THEM SAID THERE CRUISE CONTROL HAD STOPPED WORKING AS WELL AS THE SPORTAGE MODEL AND THE KIA SOUL.MOST SUGGESTIONS SAID REPLACE THE BRAKE SWITCH. I ALSO CHECKED FOR FAULTY WIRING AND THAT HAS NOT APPEARED TO BE THE PROBLEM AND MECHANICS 90 % OF THE TIME WERE UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL OR SOME SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM RESEARCHED BY KIA MECHANICS? IM STILL WAITING FOR THE ANSWER AND I SUSPECT MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE TOO!!!!!!THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND IHOPE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SOLVE THIS OR ISSUE A RECALL ON THE BRAKE SWITCH? OR THE CRUISE CONTROL SENSOR MAYBE IDK.
A TRUCK HAULING CARS CAME THROUGH MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND AS HE WAS TURNING HE HIT MY CAR WITH THE TRAILER WHEN MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND DID NOT STOP.
Vehicle's rear end bolts rusted through had to replace the rear-end, we also had a 2004 that the frame rusted and broke in half, and the rear-end rusted out on it too. It was said it was caused by a design flaw that wouldn't allow the water to drain properly. They have recalls on it in the uk and other countries.
THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS SHOWS UP ON THE BOARD OF THE CAR NEED TO KNOW WAS GOING ON WITH THE CAR
PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT MATT FAULTY. PASSENGER AIRBAG DOES NOT COME ON.
THE HARMONIC BALANCER MOUNTING BOLT SHEARED AND STRIPPED THE THREADS IN THE CRANKSHAFT OF MY 2005 KIA SERENTO. THE MECHANIC HAD MY CAR FOR 3 MONTHS TRYING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS EVIDENTLY A DESIGN ISSUE AND SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ISSUED. THIS PROBLEM COST ME A LOT OF MONEY TO FIX. (THE CAR WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE HARMONIC BALANCER FELL OFF) MY WIFE STRUGGLE TO GET THE CAR HOME DUE TO LOST OF BELTS.
THE DRIVE SHAFT PULLEY FELL OFF NOT ONLY ON MINE I KNOW 2 OTHERS THAT DRIVE A KIA AND THEIRS FELL OFF ALSO
I HAVE A 2005 KIA AND THE GAS TANK SEEMS TO BE SPLITTING AT THE SEAMS NOTHING I DID OR HAVE DONE TO CAUSE THIS IT HAS BECOME A BIG FIRE RISK
BATTERY AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND LOST POWER STEERING CONTROL, POWER STEERING BELT CAME OFF AND AC BELT HAD TO GET TOWED HOME. WHEN I WENT UNDER THE HOOD NOTICED THE DAMPER PULLEY WAS WOBBLY THE BOLT IN THE MIDDLE WAS STILL IN PLACE HAD THIS HAPPEN TWICE BEFORE ISSUE WAS FIXED AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. CAN'T AFFORD TO TAKE TO A PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC BECAUSE I'M A SINGLE MOTHER OF 4 CHILDREN AND I NEED MY CAR RUNNING. I WAS DRIVING INTO A SHOPPING PLAZA PARKING LOT WHEN IT HAPPENED AND AS I TURNED IN THAT'S WHEN THIS HAPPENED.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH MY 7 MONTH OLD BABY IN THE BACKSEAT IN HIS CHILD SEAT. I WAS ABOUT 10 MILES INTO MY DRIVE WHEN I HEARD A PUFF AND A SMALL WHISTLE OF AIR. I THOUGHT MY PASSENGER WINDOW HAD COME DOWN SOME OR MAYBE I HAD LEFT THE DOOR OPENED AND IT WAS LETTING AIR IN. WHEN I TRIED TO PUT MY EAR CLOSER TO THE SOUND I HEARD IT COMING FROM THE TOP OF MY CAR. I TURNED TO THE SUNROOF COVER AND SLID IT OPEN SLIGHTLY TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED AND I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THE WHOLE GLASS WAS CRACKED. AS I KEPT GOING DOWN THE ROAD I COULD HEAR SMALL PIECES OF GLASS FALLING OFF AND INTO THE SLOT WHERE THE SUNROOF SLIDES INTO. IF I WOULD HAVE HAD THAT OPEN THERE COULD HAVE BEEN SHARP PIECES OF GLASS THAT COULD HAVE FALLEN ONTO MY BABY.
KIA HAD A LAWSUIT INVOLVING THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT. THE LAWSUIT IS YVONNE ROBINSON VS KIA. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM SOMEONE WITH ONLY 25,000 MILES LAST YEAR 2017. MY CHILDREN WERE DRIVING BACK TO COLLEGE ON 11 AUGUST 2018. THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT BROKE WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LOSE STEERING. MY CHILDREN WERE ALMOST IN A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT WHICH COULD HAVE COST THEM THEIR LIVES. MY SONS GO TO SCHOOL IN ATLANTA AND THE CRANKSHAFT BROKE IN NORTH CAROLINA. I HAD MY CHILDREN CALL OUR INSURANCE COMPANY FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY COULDN'T FIX IT OBVIOUSLY BECAUSE IT WAS THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT. HE GOT THEM SAFELY TO PEPBOYS AND THEY HAD TO SPEND THE NIGHT IN NORTH CAROLINA AND THE NEXT DAY PEPBOYS CONFIRMED IT WAS THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT. I FOUND OUT THERE WAS A LAWSUIT CONCERNING THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT. PEPBOYS SAID IT WOULD BE $2000 TO FIX. I CALLED KIA ON 13 AUGUST 18 AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT AND WOULD CALL IN A COUPLE DAYS. THEY ARE STILL GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND. THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS INVOLVED IN A LAWSUIT AND IT CONCERNS SAFETY. PLEASE HELP ME HOLD KIA ACCOUNTABLE. THEY KNOW THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. THE VEHICLE IS STILL IN NORTH CAROLINA BECAUSE I'M WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM KIA. I'M A RETIRED NAVY VETERAN WHO DESERVES TO BE TREATED FAIR AND NOT HAVE MY LOVED ONES LIFE AT RISK BECAUSE OF THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CRANKSHAFT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER (KIA STORE CLARKSVILLE, 826 E LEWIS AND CLARK PKWY, CLARKSVILLE, IN 47129, (866) 545-2429) WHERE THE CRANKSHAFT WAS REPLACED, BUT OIL STARTED LEAKING FROM THE CAMSHAFT SEAL AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND STATED THAT FURTHER REPAIRS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
MY WIFE DRIVES THIS CAR PRIMARILY. SHE ASKED ME LAST WEEK TO SEE WHAT I THOUGHT ABOUT WEIRD NOISES FROM THE REAR BRAKES WHEN APPLYING. I COULD NOT RECOGNIZE THE NOISES, SO I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SHOP. THE TECHNICIAN HAS FOUND EXTREME RUST ISSUES WITH THE REAR AXLE LINK BRACKETS ON THE AXLE HOUSING BEING RUSTED OUT AND NO LONGER CONNECTED. I HAVE DEALT WITH VEHICLE REPAIR MOST OF MY LIFE, AND KNOW THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CONDITION. MY WIFE CARRIES HER 83 YEAR OLD MOTHER, AND OUR 3 YEAR OLD GRAND DAUGHTER. I WILL NOT ALLOW HER TO DRIVE IT UNTIL I AM ABLE TO GET IT ON A LIFT AND INVESTIGATE FOR MYSELF. I DO NOT HAVE A SPARE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME I HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A VERY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM ON THESE AUTOS, AND AM INQUIRING IF THERE IS ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THERE BEING A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE.
I DROVE MY KIA AND PARKED IN A GROCERY PARKING LOT. I CAME BACK OUTSIDE TO FIND MY CAR'S ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ACTIVELY PUTTING OUT THE FLAMES AS I APPROACHED. NO WARNING THIS WOULD OCCUR. KIA HAS REFUSED TO RETURN MY CALLS OR EMAILS. VERY RELIABLE VEHICLES (I BOUGHT 2 BRAND NEW IN 2005). VERY DANGEROUS, AND APPARENTLY NOT AN UNHEARD OF EVENT WITH CERTAIN KIAS. SEVERAL REPORTS ONLINE AND IN PERSON. COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS HAD I BEEN DRIVING, OR PARKED CLOSER TO OTHER VEHICLES (OR ANY STRUCTURE).
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2005 Kia Sorento has 0 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 307 owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Kia Sorento.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2005 Kia Sorento.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2005 Kia Sorento are engine (35 reports), air bags (29 reports), engine and engine cooling (27 reports).
NHTSA does not currently list any recalls on record for the 2005 Kia Sorento. To verify the status of your specific vehicle, check nhtsa.gov/recalls with your VIN.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.