NHTSA Complaint #10456374 — 2006 KIA SORENTO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL THEN BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE BRAKE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ALSO ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT BOLT FRACTURED, CAUSING THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING BELT ALSO BECAME LOOSE AND CAUSED THE POWER STEERING TO FAIL. THERE WAS A VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR THE 2004-2005 KIA SORENTO ADDRESSING THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE 2006 MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.