2008 Kia Sorento Air Bags

THE PASSENGER SIDE "AIR BAG TURNED OFF" SIGN COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY EVEN WHEN AN ADULT IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AT THE STARTING THE VEHICLE AND TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO GET DOWN AND GET BACK IN TO TURN THE SIGN OFF. OCCASIONALLY, THIS SIGN LIGHTS UP WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND IT IS SCARY AT THAT TIME AND NOT POSSIBLE TO TAKE ANY MEASURES AT THE TIME. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO KIA DEALERSHIP AND DIRECTLY TO KIA COMPANY. I WAS TOLD TO GIVE THEM PICTURES TAKEN OF THE LIGHTED SIGN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND THERE WAS PASSENGER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I PROVIDE SUCH PICTURES TOO. HOWEVER, THE DEALER AFTER KEEPING THE VEHICLE FOR OVER A WEEK AT A TIME TOLD US THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPEAT THE PROBLEM AND THAT WE SHOULD KEEP THE LEATHER SEATS TREATED WITH SMOOTHING TREATMENT. THIS IS SCARY SITUATION THAT KIA IS AWARE OF BUT NOT WILLING TO ADDRESS IT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V473000 (AIR BAGS) BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

2008 KIA SORENTO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG LIGHT PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD STAY ON AFTER THE PASSENGER FASTENED THE SEAT BELT. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 169,720. UPDATED 6/10/14*CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHENEVER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED HIM THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR

MY 18 YEAR OLD SON WAS DRIVING MY KIA SORENTO ALONG WITH HIS 16 YEAR OLD BROTHER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WHEN THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED ON A WET ROAD. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IN BETWEEN THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL AND THE DOOR HINGE. MY 18 YEAR OLD MANAGED TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND GET HELP FOR HIS BROTHER THAT UNFORTUNATELY HAD PASSED AWAY ON THE SCENE. AFTER REVIEWING MY VEHICLE, I PERSONALLY NOTICED THAT NONE OF THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGERS AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED. I TRAGICALLY LOST MY 16 YEAR OLD SON IN THE MIST OF THE SITUATION AS WELL AS HAVING MY 18 RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL. MY CONCERN IS THAT WHEN I RECEIVED THE REPORT FROM MY INSURANCE ADJUSTER FOR THE LOSS OF MY VEHICLE... THERE WAS RECALL ATTACHED TO THE FINDINGS FOR THESE AIR BAGS FOR WHICH I HAD NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED OF. I KNOW THIS WILL NEVER BRING HIM BACK TO ME BUT THE AIR BAGS MAY HAVE PREVENTED THE INJURIES AND THE FATALITY!!!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORRENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH IN SNOWY WEATHER, HE ATTEMPTED TO AVOID CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND SWERVED OFF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT TRAVELED OVER A GRASSY AREA BEFORE CRASHING INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT STRUCK HER HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD BUT WAS NOT TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,500.

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

THIS VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR AND AUTO SHUT OFF FEATURE. THE VEHICLES OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL MANUFACTURED ONLY 6 MONTHS PRIOR TO MIND HAVE A RECALL. THE PROBLEM LIES THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT HAS A SENSOR TO TURN ON THE AIR BAG. THE FEATURE WILL ONLY TURN ON IF THE PASSENGER IS 130 LBS OR MORE. SO MY WIFE THAT WEIGHS 120LBS WILL NOT ACTIVATE THE AIR BAG, AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OFF REMAINS ON. I WAS TOLD OF THIS BY MY LOCAL KIA TECHNICIAN THAT SAID THIS IS A PROBLEM ON ALL THE SORENTO OF THIS YEAR. SO THERE IS NOTHING HE CAN DO. MY VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. KIA SAID THEY ARE UNWILLING TO FIX. SO THEY MAY HAVE A LAWSUIT ON THEIR HANDS LATER. THIS NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED ARE THERE ARE MANY ADULTS THAT WEIGH LESS THAN 130LBS. *TR

1. A WHINING NOISE DEVELOPED AROUND 40K AND PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE. WAS TOLD THE DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. COME TO FIND OUT IT WAS A FAULTY BEARING. 2. PASSENGER SIDE SEAT AIRBAG LIGHTS COME ON FOR NO REASON STATING THAT AIRBAGS ARE OFF EVEN WHEN THERE IS AN ADULT PASSENGER IN THE SEAT 3. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND CAR IS LITERALLY NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE, DUE TO SENSOR THAT CONTROLS ACCELERATOR, HAPPENED TWICE BEFORE BEING REPLACED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OFF WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER FOR A SECOND OPINION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,700.

SINCE WE PURCHASED OUR 2008 KIA SORENTO IN MARCH 2009, THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT WHERE WHEN I AM SITTING THERE AND THE "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. I AM 150 POUNDS, AND MOVED MYSELF AROUND IN THE SEAT, WEIGHT CENTERED, SITTING PROPERLY. AT THE SAME TIME WE HAVE BEEN FIGHTING THE ISSUE OF THE ESC OFF AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AS WELL, SO THE 3 TIMES THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO SERVICE FOR THE ESC OFF PROBLEM, WE ALSO TOLD THEM ABOUT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF. MY HUSBAND IS THE ONE WHO TOOK THE VEHICLE AND THE FIRST TIME THEY TOLD HIM THAT I WAS NOT POSITIONED IN THE SEAT PROPERLY. THE SECOND TIME THE VEHICLE WENT TO THE SERVICE DEPT, IT WAS AFTER I BASICALLY YELLED AT THEM ON THE PHONE AND TOLD THEM TO RIP OUT THE SEAT IF THEY HAD TO IN ORDER TO FIX IT. AGAIN, MY HUSBAND TOOK IT, THEY SAID THAT "THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY, BUT IT MIGHT BE SLOW." I KNEW THIS WAS INCORRECT. I KNOW THE WAY IT WORKS AND IF THE SENSOR IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND IT SAYS THE AIRBAG IS OFF, IT WILL NOT DEPLOY. THE THIRD TIME IT WENT TO SERVICE FOR THE ESC OFF LIGHT PROBLEM, MY FATHER WENT AND HAD A STERN CONVERSATION WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER AND ADVISED HIM THAT HE WAS A SERVICE MANAGER AND THAT HE KNOWS THAT IT IS HIS RESPONSIBILITY TO FIND OUT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AND FIX IT, ESPECIALLY BEING THE CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THEY SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THE ISSUE, I'M NOT SURE WHAT THEY DID, BUT WE HAVE ONLY HAD THE PROBLEM AGAIN ONCE IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS, AS OPPOSED TO TWICE A WEEK FOR OVER A YEAR. I HAVE FILED A SEPARATE COMPLAINT REGARDING THE ESC OFF AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. *TR

2008 KIA SORENTO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. 38 Y W/F SITTING IN DRIVER'S SEAT, VEHICLE NOT RUNNING AND NO ONE WAS AROUND VEHICLE. AIRBAG DEPLOYED STRIKING FEMALE ON LEFT SIDE CAUSING INJURY TO ABDOMEN, ARM, SHOULDER AND FACE. ACCORDING TO KIA COMPUTER MALFUNCTION CAUSED PROBLEM. GLAD SHE WAS WAITING ON OTHER SON TO LEAVE CHURCH. KIA'S SOLUTION IS TO REPLACED AIRBAG SYSTEM. VEHICLE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. EVENTS FEMALE SAT IN DRIVER'S SEAT. CONSEQUENCES MODERATE INJURY, DISORIENTED UNABLE TO REMEMBER WHICH CHILD WAS IN THE BACK SEAT SHE WAS TALKING TO AT THE TIME. OFFICIAL MEDICAL VISIT AT URGENT CARE THE NEXT MORNING. X-RAYS AND CAT SCAN. SEVERE CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN DEATH IF IT HAPPENED 5-10 MINUTES LATER GOING DOWN ROAD. WHAT HAS BEEN DONE? I HAVE BEEN INFORMED KIA DOES NOT DEAL WITH HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS. FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN JUST ANOTHER NUMBER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATING THE AIR BAG WAS INOPERABLE, CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATES ON THE DASHBOARD . THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE BOTH CONTACTED AND ADVISED THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT WOULD NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE PASSENGER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 10,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG OFF LIGHT WOULD STAY ON WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. UPDATED EVOQ 12/03/10.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT OCCASIONALLY FAILED TO INDICATE THAT A PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT REPLACE THE COMPUTER BECAUSE IT WAS A SMARTS SYSTEM. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

INTERMITTENT DISPLAY ON DASH "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF'" WHILE PASSENGER IS SEATED AND BELTED INTO PASSENGER SEAT. SEVERAL DOCUMENTED SERVICE APPOINTMENTS WITH DEALER HAVE FAILED TO ELIMINATE PROBLEM. *TW

WE PURCHASED A 2008 KIA SORENTO FROM KIA OF BRADLEY, ILLINOIS, LAST NOVEMBER. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT SIGNALS THAT THE AIR BAG IS OFF, EVEN THOUGH SOMEBODY IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THEN, THAT IF YOU WERE IN A FRONT END ACCIDENT AND THE LIGHT IS STATING THE AIR BAG IS OFF, IT WILL NOT DEPLOY. WE HAVE COMPLAINED NUMEROUS TIMES TO KIA OF BRADLEY, TALKED WITH THE REGIONAL MANGER, AND HIS BOSS AND THEIR STAND IS THAT MY WIFE IS SITTING WRONG IN THE SEAT. I DON'T BUY THIS. THERE WAS A RECALL, WE TOOK IT IN TO BE FIXED, THAT DID NOT HELP. ALSO, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS REPLACED AND THAT DID NOT HELP EITHER. THEY DID ALL THIS WORK BUT CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN THAT MY WIFE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT INCORRECTLY. *TR

"PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT REMAINS ON WHEN ADULT PASSENGERS OVER 108 LB SIT IN SEAT. NO AIRBAG FAILURE LIGHT INDICATED. HAD DEALER REP INSPECT AND DO CALIBRATION TO OCS IN LATE AUG. HOWEVER, THE FAULT STILL HAPPENS ABOUT 1OUT OF 10 TIMES. *TR

PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF WHEN PASSENGER SITS IN SEAT. MEANING THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING INTERMITTENTLY SINCE DECEMBER 2008, THE FIRST DOCUMENTED TIME WAS JANUARY 2009, AND HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED FIVE TIMES. THE ONLY ATTEMPT TO REPAIR WAS TO UPDATE THE COMPUTER CHIP, WHICH DID NOT WORK. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEY WILL NOT REPAIR THIS PROBLEM, WHICH TO ME IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE OCS MISCLASSIFIES THE PRESENCE OF CERTAIN ADULT PASSENGERS BASED ON A COMBINATION OF THEIR WEIGHT, STATURE, BODY SHAPE AND POSITION ON THE SEAT CUSHION. AS CONSEQUENCE THE AIR BAGS MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY IN A SITUATION THAT WARRANTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ONCE ACCORDING TO SERVICE BULLETIN #10030366 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE). THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,321. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30.

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF. I HAVE TAKEN IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP 2 TIMES AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE FIXED THE SENSOR. IT STILL IS NOT FIXED. I HAVE SEEN ON A FEW FORUMS (IE. EDMUNDS.COM) THAT IT HAS BEEN AN ISSUE AND IT IS NOT GETTING RESOLVED. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY PASSENGERS SAFETY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. WHENEVER AN OCCUPANT IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES, WHICH INDICATES THAT IT IS NOT ENGAGED NOR WORKING PROPERLY. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT OTHER CONSUMERS WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT MOVEMENT IN THE SEAT WILL USUALLY ENGAGE THE AIR BAGS. THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER A REMEDY AT THAT TIME. A WEEK LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO SIT IN THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WILL DIM ONCE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RESTARTED A FEW TIMES. THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLED AND STATED THAT A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS FAILURE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNABLE TO BE LOCATED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 150. UPDATED 06/10/09. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG MISCLASSIFIED A SMALL ADULT AS A CHILD. AS A CONSEQUENCE IN A SITUATION THAT WARRANTS, THE AIR BAGS MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND A TECHNICIAN COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. HOWEVER HE SPECULATED THAT THE SEATS WOULD HAVE TO BE POSITIONED FAR AWAY FROM THE AIR BAG IN ORDER TO BE OPERATIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,900.

PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON WITH A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT AND SAYS THAT AIR BAG IS TURNED OFF. WIFE WEIGHTS 160 AND IS A FULL SIZE ADULT. KIA SAYS SHE IS NOT SITTING IN THE SEAT RIGHT, I HAVE HAD IT IN TO THE DEAL TWICE NOW FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. THEY KNOW THEY HAVE A PROBLEM AND ARE AVOIDING IT. IT IA A KIA SORENTO. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND SUDDENLY THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER AN OCCUPANT WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE AIR BAG SENSOR. THE AIR BAG SENSOR AND PAD WERE REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES; HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND AN ENGINEER CONDUCTED AN INSPECTION ON THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS REPROGRAMMED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,400.