2010 KIA Sorento

Recalls

2 recalls name the 2010 KIA Sorento. Newest first.

• Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch

  Apr 1, 2013NHTSA 13V114000980,377 vehicles

  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…

  Risk and remedy

  Risk

  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.

  Full recall details →

• Equipment

  Oct 6, 2011NHTSA 11E0410002,398 vehiclesEquipment

  Curt manufacturing IS recalling certain tow package wiring harnesses, part number 56024, that connect tow vehicle lighting circuits to trailer lighting circuits sold for use on certain model year 2009 through 2011 hyundai veracruz and KIA sorento vehicles. the units are not water-tight and moisture can seep into the converter module and defeat the module's…

  Risk and remedy

  Risk

  Without the circuit protection, the module can overheat possibly resulting in a fire.

  Remedy

  Curt manufacturing will notify owners and replace the tow package wiring harness. the remedy will be performed free of charge. the safety recall began on october 17, 2011. owners may contact curt manufacturing at 1-715 831-8713.

  Full recall details →

Owner complaints

What owners report most

1. Air bags1
2. Engine1
3. Suspension1

Latest complaints

• Apr 12, 2016NY24,000 mi
  Suspension
  TL* the contact owns a 2010 KIA sorento. While driving at any speed, the vehicle pulled to the right without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who re-balanced the tires and re-aligned the wheels, but the failure recurred. The contact notified two KIA dealers about the…

  TL* the contact owns a 2010 KIA sorento. While driving at any speed, the vehicle pulled to the right without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who re-balanced the tires and re-aligned the wheels, but the failure recurred. The contact notified two KIA dealers about the failure. Both dealers were unaware of the failure and stated that there were no recalls available. The manufacturer stated that the failure was not a known issue and advised the contact to visit a local dealer. The failure was not diagnosed. The failure mileage was 24,000.

• Dec 12, 2013MD52,000 miCrash1 injury
  Engine
  TL* the contact owns a 2010 KIA soul. The contact stated that the engine oil notification system failed to indicate that the engine oil was empty, causing the contact to crash into a curb before the engine stalled. the contact sustained injuries to the right side of her body. A police report was…

  TL* the contact owns a 2010 KIA soul. The contact stated that the engine oil notification system failed to indicate that the engine oil was empty, causing the contact to crash into a curb before the engine stalled. the contact sustained injuries to the right side of her body. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who confirmed that the engine failed due to premature oil consumption and caused the engine to seize. As a result, the engine would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 52,000. mailed out 01/13/15*lj

• Feb 1, 2013GA40 miCrash
  Air bags

  I had an accident while getting off highway the person in front of me suddenly stopped and I rear ended her car. My car was pushed in from front and air bags did not pop out. It concerns me. At what speed should they deployed? *tr

Defect investigations

NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.

• Throttle control system vulnerabilities

  DP21003Opened Nov 12, 2021Closed Jun 20, 2023
  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.…

  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.

Service bulletins

Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.

• 10201529TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to some Kia models that may exhibit fogging, condensation, and/or moisture inside a headlamp assembly. Generally, a fogging condition is considered normal and can be eliminated by turning on the headlamps with the engine running for up to 30 minutes or during normal driving conditions. Headlamp assembly replacement WILL NOT be necessary in most cases.
• 10183431TSB - USE OF AFTERMARKET USB CHARGING CABLES IN USB/12V PORTS - This article provides information regarding the use of USB ports and 12V power outlets to connect/charge mobile phones. Customers may experience issues with their head units that may be related to the use of aftermarket USB charging cables, including; * Electrical interference and limited or no functionality when attempting to play music, or when charging a device through the USB port * Excessive static or noise when listening to the audio source * Malfunctions and screen freeze of the head unit screen * Slow down of the system response while device is plugged in * Music will not play from iPhone 5 or 6 with Kia iPod cable and aftermarket adapter * No or limited functionality when trying to play music from an Apple device
• 10179255PITSTOP - BRAKE CALIPER LEAK INSPECTION - This PITSTOP provides information related to a brake caliper fluid/oil substance found on some Kia vehicles, due to possible excess assembly oil applied during assembly.
• 10109812TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners, which are designed to lock into place once fully attached, are utilized in various Kia models and are strictly intended for ?one time use.? Some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other similar hardware, including threaded fasteners with pre-applied ?thread-locking adhesives.? It is critical for technicians to be aware that ALL such locking fasteners, regardless of type, are for ?one time use? only.
• 10109777TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners utilized in various Kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. Though not limited to the following, some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other similar hardware, including threaded fasteners with pre-applied ?thread-locking adhesives.?
• 10090713Tsb: windshield washer pump inlet filter replacement - this bulletin provides information relating to possible foreign debris accumulation on the windshield washer pump inlet filter. Over time, some KIA vehicles may exhibit a limited application of windshield washer fluid when the washer function IS used. Limited application of windshield washer fluid can be caused by foreign debris on the washer pump inlet filter. To correct this condition, replace the washer pump inlet filter and perform the windshield washer reservoir flushing procedure outlined in this tsb.
• 10088983Tsb: kds - audio update module (aum) - the gds audio update module (aum) was introduced in fourth quarter of 2013. This special service tool (sst) was developed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of updating 2010my, and later, KIA audio head units using a gds, and now, the same functionality IS available on kds. Some technicians may not be aware of the benefits the aum tool has to offer. The aum eliminates the need for multiple usb flash drives for specific vehicle models and applications which, if misapplied, may result in an improper audio system software update and/or locked up head unit. Additionally, field reports have indicated that usb drives for audio updates are easily lost or misplaced.
• 10058126KIA 2011 sorento, 2010 soul, 2010 forte : procedures to replace the tire valves stems to prevent loss of tire pressure in some vehicles. The valve stem assembly in wheels will crack if become corroded. Updated 10/02/15.
• 10044560KIA: due to design of drain holes in valley of lambda V6 engines, a misdiagnose of a possible oil leak source in rear main seal or oil pan, when actual leaks coming from engine valley,oil filter housing, oil pressure switch, and/or gaskets.

Every KIA Sorento model year

Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.