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2008 Kia Sorento

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Kia Sorento do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 242.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

178 reports with mileage · 39 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports9 fire reports14 injury reports

What owners actually said

217 reports
60,300 miles · Sep 25, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineService Brakes

2008 KIA SORENTO START-UP STALLING TEMPERAMENTALLY FOR THREE WEEKS. ON 9/11/2012 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ESC OFF LIGHT APPEARED, FOLLOWED WITH A "PUTTING" ENGINE AND LIMP MODE. THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN FOOT APPLIED TO GAS PEDAL. KIA DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED TPS AND BRAKE SENSOR FAILURE AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL NE…

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2008 KIA SORENTO START-UP STALLING TEMPERAMENTALLY FOR THREE WEEKS. ON 9/11/2012 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ESC OFF LIGHT APPEARED, FOLLOWED WITH A "PUTTING" ENGINE AND LIMP MODE. THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN FOOT APPLIED TO GAS PEDAL. KIA DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED TPS AND BRAKE SENSOR FAILURE AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL NEEDED REPROGRAMMING. (ERROR CODES READ: P2135, P0638, AND P2A00 OR P2A03.) KIA PUBLISHED BULLETIN TSB 044: HTTP://WWW.KIA-FORUMS.COM/ATTACHMENTS/KIA-CARENS-RONDO-FORUM/5552D1272512047-ENGINE-RACING-STOP-TSB-TPS.PDF DANGER ASPECT: THE CAR SEEMED DRIVABLE, HOWEVER, THE LIMP MODE DOES NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO ACCELERATE TO THE SPEED LIMIT OR FLOW OF TRAFFIC. RESEARCHED MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS -- PLEASE ISSUE AN INVESTIGATION FOR A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10477012

53,455 miles · Aug 27, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE RPM READINGS INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED TO 20 MPH. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE BRAKES WERE HESITANT TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT ALSO USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWIC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE RPM READINGS INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED TO 20 MPH. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE BRAKES WERE HESITANT TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT ALSO USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,455.

NHTSA ODI #10472663

1,000 miles · Aug 24, 2012
Air Bags

THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IS TURNED OFF WHEN AN ADULT SETS IN THE SEAT. THE OCS MISS CLASSIFIES THE ADULT IN THE FRONT SEAT AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON WHICH TURNS THE FRONT AND THE SIDE AIR BAG OFF. KIA HAS A RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR CERTAIN SORENTOS TO BE REPROGRAMMED. HOWEVER WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO THE KIA DEALER I WAS TOLD TH…

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THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IS TURNED OFF WHEN AN ADULT SETS IN THE SEAT. THE OCS MISS CLASSIFIES THE ADULT IN THE FRONT SEAT AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON WHICH TURNS THE FRONT AND THE SIDE AIR BAG OFF. KIA HAS A RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR CERTAIN SORENTOS TO BE REPROGRAMMED. HOWEVER WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO THE KIA DEALER I WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT IN THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPROGRAMMING MY SELF. THIS DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME BECAUSE MY SORENTO WAS MANUFACTURED WITHIN THE RECALL DATES AND HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULD ME PAID FOR MY KIA MOTORS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10472414

50,000 miles · Aug 23, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE ACCELERATION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE ACCELERATION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

NHTSA ODI #10472024

27,534 miles · Aug 22, 2012
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE AND ESC LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. VEHICLE HAD SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION AND WOULD NOT GO BEYOND 40MPH. SPEED DECREASED BELOW 40MPH ON HILLS. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO HAVE PROBLEMS EVEN AFTER RESTARTING. A CHECK OF THE ODB-II CODES GAVE P2138, P2127 AND P2106. ALL OF THE CODES REFLECT A MALFUNCTION IN THE …

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WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE AND ESC LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. VEHICLE HAD SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION AND WOULD NOT GO BEYOND 40MPH. SPEED DECREASED BELOW 40MPH ON HILLS. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO HAVE PROBLEMS EVEN AFTER RESTARTING. A CHECK OF THE ODB-II CODES GAVE P2138, P2127 AND P2106. ALL OF THE CODES REFLECT A MALFUNCTION IN THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEM. AWAITING REPAIRS BY LOCAL KIA DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10471955

Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

WE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH OUR 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE ESC LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND ABS LIGHTS HAVE COME ON. I HAVE CHANGED BRAKES, CHECKED THE BATTERY AND THESE LIGHTS GO OFF AND ON. MY CAR HAS EXPERIENCED REDUCING SPEED WHEN ESC LIGHT HAS COME ON AND STARTED MALFUNCTIONING AT AROUND 64,000 MILE…

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WE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH OUR 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE ESC LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND ABS LIGHTS HAVE COME ON. I HAVE CHANGED BRAKES, CHECKED THE BATTERY AND THESE LIGHTS GO OFF AND ON. MY CAR HAS EXPERIENCED REDUCING SPEED WHEN ESC LIGHT HAS COME ON AND STARTED MALFUNCTIONING AT AROUND 64,000 MILES. ABS LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE HAVE WENT OFF. ESC LIGHT IS STILL GOING OFF AND ON. THE BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE FAILED ON US. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY WIFE'S SAFETY TO ALL THESE DEFECTS THAT ARE HAPPENING, AND WOULD LIKE FOR YOUR HELP IN RESOLVING THESE ISSUES WITH KIA. I HAVE READ OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME ISSUES AND SAW TO REPORT THIS TO NHTSA. FURTHERMORE I TOLD KIA OF AN OIL LEAK I WAS HAVING AND ASKED IF IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY FAILED TO ANSWER, AND DID NOT FIX IT. NEVER HAD ANY TROUBLE WITH THE CAR UNTIL I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED AND AFTER THAT IS WHEN ALL THE PROBLEMS STARTED HAPPENING. PLEASE HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10468375

27,000 miles · Jul 9, 2012
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THERE WAS ONE REPORTED INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY FROM THE LOCATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 27,000.

NHTSA ODI #10464743

22,000 miles · May 16, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

FOR THE 3RD TIME MY WIFE'S CAR ESC LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS THE VEHICLE SPEED CAME TO ALMOST A STOP. THIS IS VERY DANGERS FOR UP HILL OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. SHE ALSO HAD PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE ESC LIGHT AND TPS LIGHT COMING ON. TAKEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST YEAR. WE WERE TOLD TODAY IT WAS A T…

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FOR THE 3RD TIME MY WIFE'S CAR ESC LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS THE VEHICLE SPEED CAME TO ALMOST A STOP. THIS IS VERY DANGERS FOR UP HILL OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. SHE ALSO HAD PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE ESC LIGHT AND TPS LIGHT COMING ON. TAKEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST YEAR. WE WERE TOLD TODAY IT WAS A THROTTLE SENSOR PROBLEM. IT WAS REPLACED TODAY AND HOPEFULLY THAT FIXES THE PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH I SEE ON THE INTERNET WHERE THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRING PROBLEM. I HOPE SOMEONE DOES NOT HAVE TO GET HURT BEFORE THIS IS A RECALL ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10458745

Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2012
Power Train

I PURCHASED THIS KIA BRAND NEW IN 2008. HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES WITHIN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS BECAUSE WHEN I REACHED BETWEEN 40 AND 50MPH THE VEHICLE JERKED. WAS TOLD EACH TIME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. ON THE FINAL TIME THE SERVICE MANAGER RODE WITH ME AND TOLD ME IT WAS THE WAY I DROVE. I HAVE NOW HAD THIS VEHICLE …

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I PURCHASED THIS KIA BRAND NEW IN 2008. HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES WITHIN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS BECAUSE WHEN I REACHED BETWEEN 40 AND 50MPH THE VEHICLE JERKED. WAS TOLD EACH TIME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. ON THE FINAL TIME THE SERVICE MANAGER RODE WITH ME AND TOLD ME IT WAS THE WAY I DROVE. I HAVE NOW HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 3 AND HALF YEARS. IT HAS 67,000 MILES. I AM STILL HAVING THE JERKING ISSUE AND NOW THE ENTIRE REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE RESEARCHED DIFFERENT FORUMS ON DIFFERENT WEBSITES AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE FOR A LOT OF KIA SORENTO OWNERS. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT HONOR MY WARRANTY BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE THE SERVICE DONE AT AUTHORIZED KIA SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT SO I HAD TO OUT OF POCKET PAY $1100 TO HAVE MY 3 AND HALF YEAR OLD VEHICLE FIXED. I HAVE OWNED MANY NEW CARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS MUCH OF AN ISSUE AS I HAVE HAD WITH A KIA WITH UNDER 100,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10454804

15,703 miles · Mar 19, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A 2008 KIA SORENTO I HAVE HAD 6 SERVICE ISSUES WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ESC COMING ON. KIA DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED GAS PEDAL X2, THROTTLE SENSORY ASSY, TIGHTENED CONNECTIONS, CLEARED CODES, APPLIED STABULANT, TIGHTENED PINS, RESET CODES, CLEARED FAULTS, CLEANED GROUND STATION AND NUMEROUS OTHER THINGS. I ONLY HAVE…

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I HAVE A 2008 KIA SORENTO I HAVE HAD 6 SERVICE ISSUES WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ESC COMING ON. KIA DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED GAS PEDAL X2, THROTTLE SENSORY ASSY, TIGHTENED CONNECTIONS, CLEARED CODES, APPLIED STABULANT, TIGHTENED PINS, RESET CODES, CLEARED FAULTS, CLEANED GROUND STATION AND NUMEROUS OTHER THINGS. I ONLY HAVE THESE ISSUES WITH THE CAR IN THE WARMER MONTHS (MAY-AUGUST)? IT LOSES POWER AND WON'T ACCELERATE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10452185

Official recalls

3

20V088000 · Electrical System; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Feb 14, 2020

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the vehicle is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the main junction box to prevent power from being directed to the HECU when the vehicle's ignition switch is turned off, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC186.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.

Consequence: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the vehicle is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the main junction box to prevent power from being directed to the HECU when the vehicle's ignition switch is turned off, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC186.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.

Consequence: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the vehicle is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the main junction box to prevent power from being directed to the HECU when the vehicle's ignition switch is turned off, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC186.

13V114000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Apr 1, 2013

Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.

11V473000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Sep 7, 2011

KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 SORENTO PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 15, 2006 THROUGH NOVEMBER 27, 2007. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY BE TURNED OFF WHEN AN ADULT IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IS DESIGNED TO BE TURNED OFF IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES INCLUDING WHEN CHILDREN AND SMALL ADULTS ARE SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THERE IS A CHILD RESTRAINT IN THAT SEAT OR THE SEAT IS NOT OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS), WHICH CLASSIFIES THE OCCUPANT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, MAY MISCLASSIFY AN ADULT PASSENGER AS A CHILD OR CHILD SEAT AND IMPROPERLY TURN OFF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. WHEN THE AIR BAG IS DEACTIVATED THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE CENTER INSTRUMENT PANEL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS TURNED OFF WHEN THE OCS MISCLASSIFIES AN ADULT PASSENGER. WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF, THE FRONT PASSENGER WILL NOT HAVE THE PROTECTION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAGS IN SOME FRONTAL COLLISIONS, THUS INCREASING THE RISK OF OCCUPANT INJURY.

Remedy: KIA WILL UPDATE THE PROGRAMMING IN THE SORENTO OCS CONTROL MODULE AT NO CHARGE. THE RECALL REMEDY IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE UNDER SERVICE CAMPAIGN SC076. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-333-4542.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities

Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.

EA09017 · Air Bag Occupant Classification System

Opened Nov 19, 2009 · Closed Sep 26, 2011

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

The Sorento's front passenger air bag may be turned off when an adult is seated in the passenger seat. The front passenger air bag is designed to be turned off in limited circumstances including when children and small adults are seated in the front passenger seat, there is a child restraint in that seat, or the seat is not occupied.But the Sorento has misclassified adults sitting in the passenger seat.This causes the passenger side frontal air bag to deactivate and the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF light to illuminate. On May 12, 2009, Kia launched a Technical Service Bulletin campaign (SC076) to address this problem, installing upgraded occupant classification system (OCS) software in vehicles built prior to the 11/27/2007 production date. ODI and Kia identified 908 owner reports and 927 warranty claims related to this OCS issue.Kia also reported one crash where the passenger frontal air bag did not deploy in a frontal crash due to misclassification.Testing of Sorento vehicles built prior to December 2007 shows that misclassification can occur.As of April 2011, Kia reports that approx. 46,000 of the 57,228 vehicles have been upgraded with the revised software.On September 6, 2011, Kia submitted a defect notice and will recall the affected vehicles that have not been upgraded.Owner notification is scheduled to start in late-September 2011.The recall will upgrade the OCS software.Accordingly the investigation is closed.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Air Bags:frontal

The Sorento's front passenger air bag may be turned off when an adult is seated in the passenger seat. The front passenger air bag is designed to be turned off in limited circumstances including when children and small adults are seated in the front passenger seat, there is a child restraint in that seat, or the seat is not occupied.But the Sorento has misclassified adults sitting in the passenger seat.This causes the passenger side frontal air bag to deactivate and the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF light to illuminate. On May 12, 2009, Kia launched a Technical Service Bulletin campaign (SC076) to address this problem, installing upgraded occupant classification system (OCS) software in vehicles built prior to the 11/27/2007 production date. ODI and Kia identified 908 owner reports and 927 warranty claims related to this OCS issue.Kia also reported one crash where the passenger frontal air bag did not deploy in a frontal crash due to misclassification.Testing of Sorento vehicles built prior to December 2007 shows that misclassification can occur.As of April 2011, Kia reports that approx. 46,000 of the 57,228 vehicles have been upgraded with the revised software.On September 6, 2011, Kia submitted a defect notice and will recall the affected vehicles that have not been upgraded.Owner notification is scheduled to start in late-September 2011.The recall will upgrade the OCS software.Accordingly the investigation is closed.

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

The Sorento's front passenger air bag may be turned off when an adult is seated in the passenger seat. The front passenger air bag is designed to be turned off in limited circumstances including when children and small adults are seated in the front passenger seat, there is a child restraint in that seat, or the seat is not occupied.But the Sorento has misclassified adults sitting in the passenger seat.This causes the passenger side frontal air bag to deactivate and the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF light to illuminate. On May 12, 2009, Kia launched a Technical Service Bulletin campaign (SC076) to address this problem, installing upgraded occupant classification system (OCS) software in vehicles built prior to the 11/27/2007 production date. ODI and Kia identified 908 owner reports and 927 warranty claims related to this OCS issue.Kia also reported one crash where the passenger frontal air bag did not deploy in a frontal crash due to misclassification.Testing of Sorento vehicles built prior to December 2007 shows that misclassification can occur.As of April 2011, Kia reports that approx. 46,000 of the 57,228 vehicles have been upgraded with the revised software.On September 6, 2011, Kia submitted a defect notice and will recall the affected vehicles that have not been upgraded.Owner notification is scheduled to start in late-September 2011.The recall will upgrade the OCS software.Accordingly the investigation is closed.

Air Bags

The Sorento's front passenger air bag may be turned off when an adult is seated in the passenger seat. The front passenger air bag is designed to be turned off in limited circumstances including when children and small adults are seated in the front passenger seat, there is a child restraint in that seat, or the seat is not occupied.But the Sorento has misclassified adults sitting in the passenger seat.This causes the passenger side frontal air bag to deactivate and the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF light to illuminate. On May 12, 2009, Kia launched a Technical Service Bulletin campaign (SC076) to address this problem, installing upgraded occupant classification system (OCS) software in vehicles built prior to the 11/27/2007 production date. ODI and Kia identified 908 owner reports and 927 warranty claims related to this OCS issue.Kia also reported one crash where the passenger frontal air bag did not deploy in a frontal crash due to misclassification.Testing of Sorento vehicles built prior to December 2007 shows that misclassification can occur.As of April 2011, Kia reports that approx. 46,000 of the 57,228 vehicles have been upgraded with the revised software.On September 6, 2011, Kia submitted a defect notice and will recall the affected vehicles that have not been upgraded.Owner notification is scheduled to start in late-September 2011.The recall will upgrade the OCS software.Accordingly the investigation is closed.

PE09034 · Air Bag Ocs

Opened Jul 17, 2009 · Closed Nov 30, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

KIA REPORTS THAT FOR VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE SOFTWARE UPDATE OF 11/27/2007, THE VEHICLES CAN IMPROPERLY CLASSIFY AN ADULT AS A CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT AND THUS ILLUMINATE THE AIRBAG OFF WARNING LIGHT AND SUPPRESS THE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIRBAG.ON MAY 12, 2009, KIA LAUNCHED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (SB076) CAMPAIGN TO RE-FLASH ALL VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE 11/27/2007 PRODUCTION DATE.KIA ALSO BELIEVES THAT INTERMITTENT OCCUPANT MOVEMENT AND OUT OF POSITION SEATING CONTRIBUTED TO THE HIGH NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS.905 OF THE 947 COMPLAINTS AND 1,014 OF THE 1,107 WARRANTY CLAIMS WERE ASSOCIATED WITH THE 57,228 VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE 11/27/2007 PRODUCTION DATE.THERE WAS ONE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIRBAG NON-DEPLOYMENT CRASH THAT RESULTED IN ONE MINOR INJURY OF A BELTED ADULT PASSENGER OCCUPANT.THIS PRELIMINARY EVOLUTION IS BEING UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA09-017) TO FURTHER ASSESS THIS ISSUE FOR ALL MY2007-2008 SORENTO VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE 11/27/2007 PRODUCTION DATE.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Air Bags:frontal

KIA REPORTS THAT FOR VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE SOFTWARE UPDATE OF 11/27/2007, THE VEHICLES CAN IMPROPERLY CLASSIFY AN ADULT AS A CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT AND THUS ILLUMINATE THE AIRBAG OFF WARNING LIGHT AND SUPPRESS THE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIRBAG.ON MAY 12, 2009, KIA LAUNCHED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (SB076) CAMPAIGN TO RE-FLASH ALL VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE 11/27/2007 PRODUCTION DATE.KIA ALSO BELIEVES THAT INTERMITTENT OCCUPANT MOVEMENT AND OUT OF POSITION SEATING CONTRIBUTED TO THE HIGH NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS.905 OF THE 947 COMPLAINTS AND 1,014 OF THE 1,107 WARRANTY CLAIMS WERE ASSOCIATED WITH THE 57,228 VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE 11/27/2007 PRODUCTION DATE.THERE WAS ONE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIRBAG NON-DEPLOYMENT CRASH THAT RESULTED IN ONE MINOR INJURY OF A BELTED ADULT PASSENGER OCCUPANT.THIS PRELIMINARY EVOLUTION IS BEING UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA09-017) TO FURTHER ASSESS THIS ISSUE FOR ALL MY2007-2008 SORENTO VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE 11/27/2007 PRODUCTION DATE.

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

KIA REPORTS THAT FOR VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE SOFTWARE UPDATE OF 11/27/2007, THE VEHICLES CAN IMPROPERLY CLASSIFY AN ADULT AS A CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT AND THUS ILLUMINATE THE AIRBAG OFF WARNING LIGHT AND SUPPRESS THE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIRBAG.ON MAY 12, 2009, KIA LAUNCHED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (SB076) CAMPAIGN TO RE-FLASH ALL VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE 11/27/2007 PRODUCTION DATE.KIA ALSO BELIEVES THAT INTERMITTENT OCCUPANT MOVEMENT AND OUT OF POSITION SEATING CONTRIBUTED TO THE HIGH NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS.905 OF THE 947 COMPLAINTS AND 1,014 OF THE 1,107 WARRANTY CLAIMS WERE ASSOCIATED WITH THE 57,228 VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE 11/27/2007 PRODUCTION DATE.THERE WAS ONE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIRBAG NON-DEPLOYMENT CRASH THAT RESULTED IN ONE MINOR INJURY OF A BELTED ADULT PASSENGER OCCUPANT.THIS PRELIMINARY EVOLUTION IS BEING UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA09-017) TO FURTHER ASSESS THIS ISSUE FOR ALL MY2007-2008 SORENTO VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE 11/27/2007 PRODUCTION DATE.

Air Bags

KIA REPORTS THAT FOR VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE SOFTWARE UPDATE OF 11/27/2007, THE VEHICLES CAN IMPROPERLY CLASSIFY AN ADULT AS A CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT AND THUS ILLUMINATE THE AIRBAG OFF WARNING LIGHT AND SUPPRESS THE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIRBAG.ON MAY 12, 2009, KIA LAUNCHED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (SB076) CAMPAIGN TO RE-FLASH ALL VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE 11/27/2007 PRODUCTION DATE.KIA ALSO BELIEVES THAT INTERMITTENT OCCUPANT MOVEMENT AND OUT OF POSITION SEATING CONTRIBUTED TO THE HIGH NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS.905 OF THE 947 COMPLAINTS AND 1,014 OF THE 1,107 WARRANTY CLAIMS WERE ASSOCIATED WITH THE 57,228 VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE 11/27/2007 PRODUCTION DATE.THERE WAS ONE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIRBAG NON-DEPLOYMENT CRASH THAT RESULTED IN ONE MINOR INJURY OF A BELTED ADULT PASSENGER OCCUPANT.THIS PRELIMINARY EVOLUTION IS BEING UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA09-017) TO FURTHER ASSESS THIS ISSUE FOR ALL MY2007-2008 SORENTO VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE 11/27/2007 PRODUCTION DATE.

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