2007 Kia SORENTO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
154 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
55,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2007 model year. Data snapshot: . 120 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 31 of 154 complaints (20.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 32 | 20.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 17 | 11.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 12 | 7.8% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 5.2% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 3.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 31 |
| Electrical System | 19 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 18 |
| Service Brakes | 18 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 14 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 13 |
| Exterior Lighting | 10 |
| Power Train | 9 |
Air Bags: 31; Electrical System: 19; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 18; Service Brakes: 18; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 14; Air Bags:Frontal: 13; Exterior Lighting: 10; Power Train: 9
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 46 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 13 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 21 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 25 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 46; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 13; 75,000 to 99,999: 21; 100,000 to 149,999: 25; 150,000 and above: 6
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (46). 34 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 24 |
| 2008 | 21 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2011 | 10 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2014 | 14 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 11 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2007: 24; 2008: 21; 2009: 5; 2010: 7; 2011: 10; 2012: 9; 2013: 9; 2014: 14; 2015: 8; 2016: 10; 2017: 8; 2018: 6; 2019: 5; 2020: 11; 2021: 2; 2022: 2; 2023: 2; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 32 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 17 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 12 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10223642 · 2008-04-07 (April 7, 2008)
WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 35 MPH, HIT BRAKES BUT WAS UNABLE TO AVOID FRONTAL COLLISION IN KIA SPECTRA RENTED FROM ALAMO. THE CRASH WAS HEAD ON. THE KIA'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS WEARING A SEATBELT. ALAMO HAS BEEN COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE, SO NOTHING FURTHER CAN BE LEARNED ABOUT THE CAR. I HAVE PICTURES TAKEN AT THE SCENE WITH A CELL PHONE CAMERA CLEARLY DEPICTING THE FAILURE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10223642 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10239898 · 2008-08-27 (August 27, 2008)
I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO THE PURCHASING DEALER 7 TIMES FOR MULTIPLE ISSUES INCLUDING TRANSMISSION OR TORQUE CONVERTER DIFFICULTY SWITCHING GEARS, THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS FELL DOWN INTO THE DASH, POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE. THE MAJOR ISSUE HAS BEEN THE RANDOM, BUT DAILY ESC OFF LIGHT COMING ON AND OFF. THE DEALER SEEMS EITHER UNWILLING OR INCAPABLE OF CORRECTING THIS ISSUE. I HAVE FILED A CUSTOMER SERVICE REQUEST WE KIA TWO WEEKS AGO, RANDY EXT 45295 KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE ASSURED ME HE WOULD 'GET BACK TO ME' IN TWO BUSINESS DAYS. TODAY IS T…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10239898 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10218976 · 2008-02-24 (February 24, 2008)
I WAS DRIVING MY 2 MONTH OLD 2007 KIA OPTIMA EX 6 CYC WITH 4,000 MILES ON FEB 16 ABOUT 10:45 PM WHEN IT LOST POWER STEERING AND OTHER CAR FUNCTIONS. I HAD JUST EXIT AN EXPRESSWAY (IH 35) TO REACH MY HOME WHEN I HEARD A LARGE CLUNK AND WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED RE: LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER FROM TO THE BATTERY. I WAS UNABLE TO INITIAL STEER THE VEHICLE B/C THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING WITH SIGNIFICANT DIFFICULTLY I GAINED CONTROL FOR THE SHORT MILE DISTANCE TO MY HOME. THIS CAR IS BEING USED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. I LOOKED UNDER THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10218976 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10230315 · 2008-06-09 (June 9, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. AFTER OWNING THE VEHICLE FOR A WEEK, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR SEAT PASSENGERS COULD NOT ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ELECTRONICALLY OPENING THE DOOR. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO MANUALLY OPEN THE DOOR AND REQUIRES GREAT STRENGTH. HE CONSIDERS THIS TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH OR LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER, THE DOORS WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY IT FOR OVER SIX DAYS. WHEN THE CONTACT RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT …
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10230315 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10190763 · 2007-05-15 (May 15, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO LX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION SURGES AND HAS DIFFICULTY SWITCHING GEARS. SHE HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A KIA DEALERSHIP TWICE BECAUSE THE TORQUE CONVERTER CONTINUES TO LOCK UP. THE FAILURE IS NOTICEABLE AT 35 MPH. DURING THE FIRST SERVICE VISIT, A SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS PERFORMED. ON THE SECOND VISIT, THE DEALER STATED THAT NO REPAIR WAS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 720 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100.
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10190763 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10205099 · 2007-10-05 (October 5, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, MAINLY BETWEEN 42 AND 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKS AND VIBRATES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS. THE SECOND TIME, THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVESHAFT, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,600 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 959. UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB THE DEALER WASN'T SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THEY STATED THE PROBLEM MAY BE A SOFTWARE OR TORQUE CONVERTER ISSUE. UPDATED
Owner-reported narrative. 959 miles reported. Look up ODI 10205099 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10206143 · 2007-10-17 (October 17, 2007)
HUBCAPS HAVE 3/8" GAP BETWEEN RIM AND HUBCAP. HAVE TRIED WEEKLY SINSE MAY TO GET KIA TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS AIR SPACE AT HIGHWAY SPPEDS COULD CAUSE UN STABLE STEERING AND WHEEL BEARING WEAR. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 55 miles reported. Look up ODI 10206143 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10217395 · 2008-02-07 (February 7, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ALIGNED THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND REPAIRED A CASTING CAM UNDERNEATH THE FRONT END; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,100.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10217395 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10213705 · 2008-01-04 (January 4, 2008)
I BOUGHT MY 2007 KIA SORENTO IN OCTOBER 2007, AND I HAVE HAD IT INTO THE SHOP MORE TIMES THEN I CAN COUNT FOR A VIOLENT JERKING, STUTTERING, STALLING. EACH TIME I TAKE IT IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DRIVES IT AND TELLS ME THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I HAD IT IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND THEY ADJUSTED THE AIR INTAKE VALVE WHICH HELPED BUT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IF THEY CAN'T FIX IT SOON IT WILL BE PUSHED OFF A CLIFF....
Owner-reported narrative. 1,050 miles reported. Look up ODI 10213705 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10329660 · 2010-05-10 (May 10, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORRENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY BEGAN JERKING VIOLENTLY AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER YET THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT IN THE DEALER'S POSSESSION WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 58,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10329660 at NHTSA ↗