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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.
All class action and lawsuit news updates are listed in the Lawsuit News section of Top Class Actions
247 thoughts onKia Sorento Engine Defect Class Action Lawsuit
I have a 2017 Kia Sorento and my engine has failed! The dealership is trying to get it covered under the lawsuit but Kia says no it’s a compressor pistons issue! I asked if it was any fault of my own and the mechanic said it’s bad engine components! I don’t know what to do? He said that a used or new engine would cost 5-$8,000!! I still am paying monthly on this vehicle! Not to mention the rental at $500 a week I am spending! I need to be part of this lawsuit please?
Im the owner of an 05 Kia Sorento Ex 4wd 3.5l V6. The SUV has been a nightmare from get go. So far, knock on wood, i dont have a crank gear issue, But, Ive had to replace my timing belt & tensioner 3 times! Car would run ok then check engine light would come on and the car starts running really bad, misfiring and unburnt fuel smell. The codes read bank 1, 1,3 5 misfire, possible causes change spark plug wires, plugs & coils on bank 1, also some type of egr solenoid (stuck open). Being a mechanic, I dived in head first. Changed all the ‘possible’ causes to no avail. Then from experience, Im thinking Cam sensor, seeing if its bad I wont get the correct spark. I took apart the whole front of the egine to get to the cam sensor and lord & behold, the timing was off two teeth on the intake cam gear bank 1. Bought a new timing kit & installed to the correct timing @ cams & crank. Re-assembled everything and voila, car ran great again….for a little while that is! It did it again, a month later…long story and knuckles bleeding short story, after the 3rd time if the timing belt jumping 2-3 teeth on the SAME cam gear, bank 1 intake (for those that don’t know the banks, right side of engine, sitting in the drivers seat, also where 1,3&5 are located, its the upper cam towards center) (looking at the engine from under the hood it would then be the left side of engine, has two cam gears, one lower left is exhaust & one upper is intake) I finally ordered a NEW cam gear & belt & tensioner! FIXED. Finally runs decent, (& HAD NOTHING to do with replacing spark plugs, wires & coils, SO owners beware of mechanics telling you any different, IF you have this same problem I did), well except for the electrical issues cause by the water leaks from the roof luggage rack bolts/seals, & the front axles I had to replace along with the carrier bearing which broke into pieces, Kia did a lousy job with workmanship on this SUV & cost me alot of money & my time. Thankfully, I could do most of the repairs myself, I just feel awful for the people, mostly ladies that are stuck with huge mechanic shop bills for these manufacturers defects and mechanics that take advantage of these people full well knowing what the true causes are at the time of service. Good luck all Kia Sorento owners! Oh, yes, Please add me to the Class action lawsuit, if my past issues are sufficient for such inclusion. Thanks
Please help add me to the list whatever if you can I have a 2011 Kia Sorento regular oil changes tires everything every time I start the car it sounds like it’s going to blow up knocking and it has this wine after it starts it says it is the timing chain adjuster and my front end will not stay aligned says it’s tie rod bushings and stuff like that thank you please let me know as soon as possible
I have a 2015 Kia Sorento that I am being told I need a new engine at 136,000 miles. I have had my oil change every 3-5 thousand miles with synthetic oil. This time I went just a bit over and my truck started making a noise, when i checked the oil it was very low. We added oil and took it to a shop where they have told me I need a new engine and it was low again. This is the first time my oil has gotten this low and caused this problem. please advise if anyone else has had this issue. Thanks
Please help me!
I have a 2016 sorento and thwy have ‘replaced’ a e-cvvt seal that is now giving me problems for the 2nd time and they are saying it is no longer under warranty
2016 Kia Sorento SX here 85k miles. Engine failure. No warning. Is this class action still open?
My 2006 kea sorrento caught on fire a total loss add me to the law suit it was parked and not running at the time
I purchased a 2015 Kia Sorento last year with an extended service plan from Doran Ford’s used car lot in Clinton Township, Michigan. It had close to 106,000 miles when purchased now has a little over 116,000 miles. The engine is completely destroyed per Jeffrey Kia dealership in Roseville, Michigan.
The engine is supposed to be covered with service plan but they are refusing to cover because they said the radiator hose was the cause of the engine failure. I just had an oil change at the Kia dealership 6 days before, everything checked out good and was scheduled for regular service that week.
On my way to work that morning the heat didn’t work, and then it started driving rough. No engine warning lights came on but I got off the expressway and as soon as it stopped there was a smell and white smoke. I called for a tow truck and was told the engine is gone and would cost $12,000 to fix.
I’m hoping you can help me with this situation. Or help me find out if this is a cause of the recall I received.
Thank you!
Amanda Antone
Need help I got a 2005 Kia Sorrento car overheated temperature Gauge said it was Running at normal temperature car cut off and now turns over we’ll not start sounds like no compression add name
Please add me to the lawsuit.. My 2006 KIA Sorento cut out on me on the hwy I was nearly rear-ended!!!