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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 own a 05 kia sorento, I bought it from a buy here pay here place I had the car 85 day before the crank bolt broke I took it in to the buy here pay here shop to have it fixed. the whole time they did not call me once I had to call for updates on the car I finally called the man who sold me the car to see if he had any say so in the shop he said no but would file a complaint and keep me updated after not hearing anything for another week I called he said they are working on trying to get the bolt out but they have never done a repair like this before. To me that means they are not qualified to do the job but by then it was to late to send the car some where else I asked why they were working on my car when they don’t know what they are doing I was told that they were confident that they could do the job. after 3 weeks the car was finally done but they told me it was not running right and that it would need a new short block so a 100 repair turned into 5150.28 that I was responsible to pay for they added it to the back of my loan. 21 days after I got the car back it started to make a horrible taping noise so I took it to kia instead they called me two days after it was in the shop and told me it was coming from the short block and that buy here pay here was paying for the tear down of the short block. I called a few days ago and I was told that the oil was staying at the bottom of the engine where the short block was instead of traveling up through the engine so the rod barring were grinding together and blew my whole engine I was also told that the gasket was not put back correctly that there were some bolts that were broke or missing some weren’t replaced. the guy from kia told me that he found it really unbelievable that a brand new manufactured short block blew up after 21 days and that he doesn’t understand why they didn’t tightened any of the bolts down or replace the broken ones said that it didn’t seem right I asked him the other day how was paying for the repairs on my car he said buy here pay here was covering the cost so far to me that makes them guilty of blowing up my engine because they weren’t qualified to do the job they were sloppy and unprofessional now they are trying to put a used engine from a junkyard in my car to me its not about the mileage on a car its how the car was taken care of was the oil changed regularly and all that what happens if it blows up 2 months down the road because they wanted to buy the cheapest engine. my warranty is void after they put the engine in the car so if it blows I have to pay full price for a repair that should have already been fixed so im out 5200 dollars and I get a used engine I think this is robbery and fraud.
I own a 2003 Kia Sorento, I have the same problem its a crappy design, but it can be fixed, although Kia wants your warranty to run out first so they don’t have to absorb any costs. The crankshaft bolt and only one rollpin, come an engine with this much power should have been designed better!!!! Simply get a hardened steel bolt, and weld a hardened roll pin in it and then try to tack weld the bolt also, as for the lawsuit, I would like to join in, but Kia is all about making money. They are a large corporation, so we all need a lot of luck. My husband has worked on vehicles his whole life, I consider myself very lucky we are in the process of getting mine fixed now. Just use a hardened steel bolt in the crank, Fastenal Company can get it for you. I would like info on the class action suit please …
In approximately June 2012 we experienced this “breaking bolt” problem with our 2005 Sorento, approx. 50k miles. We brought it to the dealership and they fixed it under the warranty, but only after a few days of haggling over the phone with Kia. HOWEVER, the bagged us for several hundred dollars worth of repairs to pumps and sensors.
THIS WEEK (Aug 2013, 60k miles) a loud tapping sound started coming from the engine. Brought the Sorento to a Kia service center and was told that a BOLT was found inside the engine and that it must have been from the previous repair. Now they want over $1,000.00 from me to continue to break down the engine or they wont continue working. I told them that this should be covered under the 10yr/100k mile warranty and the service center says no. Kia is not returning my phone calls.
You cant even get a firm answer from Kia as to what their 10yr/100k mile warranty covers.
Maybe its time to join the lawsuit.
In approximately June 2012 we experienced this “breaking bolt” problem with our 2005 Sorento, approx. 50k miles. We brought it to the dealership and they fixed it under the warranty, but only after a few days of haggling over the phone with Kia. HOWEVER, the bagged us for several hundred dollars worth of repairs to pumps and sensors.
THIS WEEK (Aug 2013, 60k miles) a loud tapping sound started coming from the engine. Brought the Sorento to a Kia service center and was told that a BOLT was found inside the engine and that it must have been from the previous repair. Now they want over $1,000.00 from me to continue to break down the engine or they wont continue working. I told them that this should be covered under the 10yr/100k mile warranty and the service center says no. Kia is not returning my phone calls.
You cant even get a firm answer from Kia as to what their 10yr/100k mile warranty covers.
Maybe its time to join the lawsuit.
I have a 2005 Kia Sorento and my crankshaft also gave out, the warranty company I bought the vehicle with is refusing to pay for the cost because of “preexisting conditions” I am not sure what that mean. Anyway, the bill is $5000 and I am left without a car nor can I get a new car. I would like to be included in this class action lawsuit. This is terrible :-(
this is to lol I have no idea what the gas milage is about but the bolt is a little different, the guid pin shears off causing the the harmonic balancer aka crank shaft pulley the main pulley the make everything run, after that pin shears off the bolt for it snap off inside the crank shaft, warrant has nothing to do with it, it is a part that is not suppose to break ever, but this has happened hundreds if not thousands of time with the sorento(years 2002-2009) the kia dealer where I live is telling me that they can repair it for 1200, but due to the liklyness of this happening again they would not warrenty there work, and that the only permenant repair is to replace the engine which is 6000 to 7000. however kia hq did say if a kia dealership is repairing the sorento using kia certified parts they have to garentee the work
Attorneys handling this suit:
Bleichman & Klein
Attorneys & Counselors at Law
268 Rt 59
Spring Valley, NY 10977
888-434-0004
845-425-2510
113 Cedarhill Ave. Mahwah, NJ 07430
201-529-3411
Timing chain broke in my 2007 Kia Sorento 4 wheel drive at 65000 miles. I was told by the Kia dealer in Lynchburg Virginia that I have no waranty being the second owner. The vehicle was purchased by my employer brand new. He had a 100,000 mile ten year warranty. I was told that as the second owner that Kia was only giving me only a five year 60,000 mile warranty. I would like to be included in any Class Action Lawsuit.
Tyvvm
@Lol – you must work for Kia or something. Unless you’ve had this VERY EXPENSIVE and inconvenient breakdown happen to you then you have no idea what it’s like. The first time it happened to me the repair was $2500, the second time it was $900. The reason the first was more expensive was because they were unable to drill out the locking pin and the crankshaft was messed up. Kia has known all along the part that holds the pulley on is defective and a consumer should not have to “ask” for a part from another motor!! That’s just asinine.
Sigh, you people are silly. The gas mileage thing is a simple fix. Yes the gas mileage ratings are wrong. However, Kia now issues a debit type card an puts money on it to make up for the difference in gas mileage. Next, this catastrophic engine failure you guys are talking about is just a bolt. Not the engine. Crank bolt shears off and the crank pulley sometimes falls off. Usually does not destroy the engine, because the portion of the bolt that’s left in the crankshaft can simply be extracted with a small drill bit and an easy-out.. Also KIA as a company is not going to do anything for you if you are out of warranty. That’s how all auto manufacturing companies are. It seems like most of you are dealing with a shady dealership with a Kia franchise. Here’s a pro-tip. For those of you who still have your 03-06 sorentos with the 3.5 liter which has the crank bolt problem. When you go to get your timing belt replaced, insist on having a Sedona crank bolt installed instead of the sorento. They fit perfectly and do not snap off inside the crank. Only the sorentos have that problem and it’s solely the design of the bolt and nothing else.
For those of you with the newer style sorentos. 2011-2014’s. They do have issues with the transmission range sensor and brake pedal switches. There are recalls out right this moment to correct those problems.
Keep in mind, all car makers are having a bad time with defects and poor building quality. Not defending Kia solely, I’ve been a dealership technician for a long time now. And I know what it’s like. Hope this helps.
Also- for the person complaining about the loaner cars. Most dealers will not give out a loaner to a person who isn’t a consistent customer or if you don’t live reasonably close. If you live an hour or longer away from a given dealership, they will tell you no. They don’t like to let their cars get too far away from them. Insurance policy’s and other things are involved with those decisions.
I HAVE 2006 KIA SORENTO WITH 110,000 IS THE DEBIT CARD GOOD FOR THIS YEAR AND MILEAGE
So we have had 3 different people try to get the bolt out and it’s still in there. How can we get it out? We loved our sorento and would love to drive it again.
Same problems !!!! My engine is shot… How do I sign up for the lawsuit??!!