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The Kia Sorento is prone to catastrophic engine failure, according to a class action lawsuit filed in New Jersey.
Plaintiffs allege in the Kia Sorento class action lawsuit that Kia Motors knowingly concealed that its 2002-2009 Sorento crossovers were manufactured with a defective engine part called the crank sprocket. This alleged engine defect leads to a catastrophic chain of events that starts with severe heat buildup, the release of debris, and then leads to loss of steering control, engine failure and the potential for a hazardous accident, according to the class action lawsuit.
“Not only did Kia actively conceal the material fact that this particular component is defectively designed (and requires costly repairs to fix), but it also did not reveal that the existence of this defect would diminish the intrinsic resale value of the vehicle,” plaintiffs say in the Kia Sorento class action lawsuit.
The plaintiffs allege Kia has known about the Sorento engine defect for years, as evidenced by numerous online complaints, but has withheld this information from consumers while making numerous statements about the quality and reliability of the Sorento. As a result, Kia’s “scheme of false and misleading advertising and marketing” has caused tens of thousands of consumers to purchase a Sorento over another vehicle without the alleged defect.
When Sorento owners with vehicles still under warranty sought repairs related to the engine defect, Kia only temporarily repaired the damaged parts or replaced them with similarly defective components, the class action lawsuit continues.
Furthermore, the class action lawsuit accuses Kia of profiting from the alleged Sorento engine defect by performing unnecessary replacements, computer reprogramming and software updates despite knowing the true cause of the problem.
The Kia Sorento class action lawsuit is brought on behalf of a nationwide class of consumers that purchased or leased the first generation Sorento. It is seeking damages, injunctive relief – including a recall to repair the alleged defect – and more for alleged breach of warranties, breach of contract, negligence and violations of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act.
The Kia Sorento Engine Defect Class Action Lawsuit case is Robinson et al v. Kia Motors America Inc. et al., Case No. 13-cv-00006 U.S. district Court for the District of New Jersey.
The plaintiffs are represented by the Law Office of Schmuel Klein PC.
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247 thoughts onKia Sorento Engine Defect Class Action Lawsuit
Some times I fart in my car and when I come back it’s still smells like farts and I think he is just terrible that I have to drive around in a party party car I’m so dumb I hate the smell of my own farts.
SERIOUSLY this is what most of these idiotic posts sound like, with absolutely nothing to due with what the lawsuit is about. Lord help us if people get any stupider…
You’re wrong. I am involved in this suit and one of the named plaintiffs. The majority of the people posting on this thread have had the same breakdown on their Sorentos as the suit alleges.
Why are you here? Your attempt to appear flippant and superior falls completely flat and you are, in contrast, stupid yourself.
Can you tell me more about the class action suit? I have a 2012 Kia Sorento that I was driving and it just stalled on me. The Kia dealership told me that it the starter need to be replaced. After replacing the starter, they told me the engine went out & I needed to get a new engine. They also said that when the engine went out that it cause the starter to burn up. Presently they are checking with Kia to see if they will replace the engine at their expense, If the engine caused the starter to go out shouldn’t they pay for the stater replacement?
My Kia Sorento 2006 did the same thing, I needed a new cam and crank due to crank sensor failure…I have low mileage, one and only owner bought new. At 30,000 miles, water pump, belts and thermostat all had to be replaced in May 2013. At 30,800 miles, the A/C compressor went out in July 2013 two months after the water pump and now at 39,000 miles, my cam and crankshaft had to be replaced. I don’t even have 40,000 miles on my car as of today and I’ve owned it for ten years; yes low, low mileage due to not driving the hell out of it.
I despise KIA and will never buy a car from them again! KIA BUYER BEWARE!
No one will “tell you more”. The name of the firm and the case number are in the article. Google it and contact them. That’s the only way.
I bought a 2005 Sorento in Sept. 2015. Haf to have O2 sensor replaced to check engine light off within a month back on.I wad out of town a lot and hardly drove it.It would not pass inspectio so i had to have manifold gasket replaced.Drove it for about three weeks and soon found out it had been overheating for quite some time.The thermostat was not working right and now i need a new engine.Now after spending $2100 for the car plus all the work done on it i dont have a vehicle and disabled and waiting on ssdi.What am i supposed to do now Kia.I will never own another and will advise everyone the same.
My husband and I have a 2004 Kia Sorento. The engine would die suddenly while driving. Didn’t really concern me to much till I was driving on the freeway and the engine stopped power steering gone I was terrified, I had to pull over off the fast lane of freeway. I could of been killed. Kia needs to take responsibility Because of what happened to me Im unable to drive I have panic attacks even being a passenger in the kia.
I got a 2005 Kia Sorento in Oct 2015. Paid almost 9000.00. In the year I had 4 major break downs. The bolt broke off in crank shaft all 4 times. I almost wrecked all 4 times for I lost all power and couldn’t steer the vehicle. The dealership mechanic told me that those vehicles the motors was done wrong they’re too top-heavy going and they are going to break into the crankshaft and Kia knew all about is. I was lucky in a way for neither my children or grandchildren or myself gotten hurt . I also had to have another motor put in that vehicle but that motor also broke down because a bolt broke into the crank shaft. The dealership put a used motor in my Kia Sorento. Kia would not stand behind it for the dealership put in a used motor. This was all in one year. I was afraid to even drive it. I wanted to trade it off but no dealers wanted to give me much for it. It was in excellent condition and was loaded. I did sell it after the 4th breakdown. I got 1200.00 for it and paid close to 9000.00 a year earlier. Talk about being sick. I still don’t have a vehicle today. I’m saving I don’t like going in debt. The vehicle was paid for up front. So I have to save up again but it won’t be another Kia.
Inhave 206,000 in my 04 sorento an besides a constant cel light the old girl is running great .. if you take care of your car people they will last
This is not true. I own a repair shop bought a 2005 Kia Sorento from the dealership with 60,000 miles. It was serviced every 3000 miles new tire brakes etc. Now its parked next to my shop with the valves all down in the head because of a broken crank shaft bolt. The serpentine belt had been replaced 7000 miles before. These models are crap. You are just lucky.
Unless you get a Lemon…
You got lucky, but that doesn’t mean that other people are doing anything wrong. I am a stickler for service and always had my Sorento serviced at the dealer. The crank shaft bolt sheared the pin three times. The first time was at 47,000 miles, fixed under warranty. The second time was at 65,000 miles, I paid to have it fixed, and the third time was just 5,000 miles later. I will be reimbursed for some of my expenses under this class action. Unfortunately, the lawyers are making out with a huge payment while the rest of us get pennies. The original plaintiff chose them and they do not have experience with class action suits. I think he could have done much better with a firm that specializes in automobile class actions. Anyway, something is better than nothing.
I’ve got the same problem as everyone here with a Kia Sorento 2005. I threatened the Kia Dealer with my “local county small claims court” and return receipt complaint to be filed IF the Kia Dealer does not tend to the repair free of charge to me. We here in this forum can group our phone numbers and contact info as witnesses accessible to your local small claims court to reinforce each of our claims against this “specific repair claim”. I think we can do it together and vouch for each other as witnesses in small claims courts. With my threat to file Kia replaced the engine in my Sorento.
Although it may happen again I think small claims should have ultimatum of engine replacement or car model exchange for another used equivalent off their lot. You guys are welcome to my letter as a sample template to draft your claim under your local small claims court instructions and proceed to send and address the filing to the Kia Dealerships Manager.
My email is jr_carri@yahoo.com or 432-386-7191 for a text with your email address. I’ll be happy to send you an attached copy of my sample complaint that can help you draft your own etc.
We bought the 2003 Kia Sorento used with about 125,000 on it. When we first got it the check engine light came on and the code was for the idle control, so we changed that and it seemed to be fine for awhile. Several thousands of dollars later I have changed the a/c compressor 3 times, the throttle body, the timing belt twice, the head gaskets, and just recently the crankshaft sensor and both o2 sensors. The spark plugs are constantly having to be replaced. Now it is backfiring like crazy. I will never own a Kia again in my lifetime. I hate this car. Half of the problems with my car are from the local Kia shop only doing half measures when they fix it. They have caused most of the damage to the head gaskets taking things apart and putting together again. They don’t even hook all the ground wires back on. Just didn’t do enough research when we bought the used vehicle…if I had known I would have never purchased it and would have had a decent vehicle I could have drove for many many years.
tell me more about the class action suit, i just bought a 2008 kia sorento.
No one is going to “tell you more”. You have to do the legwork yourself. The name of the firm and the case number are in the article. Do a google search and contact them.
Just talked to the attorney handling Class Action Suit. Looking like a tentative decision made. Used vehicles are only covered if purchased with 60,000 or less miles. Unfortunately when I purchased mine it had 65,000 miles, so I am screwed. NOT fair. Kia really needs to do better. My Sorento broke down again, for the third time if less than 10 months. Same camshaft pulley bolt issue. Now Im stuck with a vehicle that is worthless. I still owe $4500 on it and cant sell it to anyone in good conscious, already spent $4000 to fix it 3 times! I could have purchased a new reliable vehicle for what I paid and the repairs! How does the automotive industry get away with manufacturing crap ass vehicles, charging way too much for them and not take responsibility for the cost consumers have to pay for repair?
They get away with it for selling us American’s out of the country built cars and charge us a fortune for their cheap labor in building them.