NHTSA Complaint #10554094 — 2006 KIA SORENTO

WIFE WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON WITH NO WARNING. THE ENGINE STOPPED AND SHE HAD NO POWER STEERING AND ALSO NO BRAKES. SHE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A SIDE ROAD AND BARELY GOT THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE STEERING WAS VERY DIFFICULT. IF IT WOULD HAVE BROKE ANOTHER 200 FEET AHEAD SHE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AS LUCKY SINCE THERE IS A VERY SHARP AND DANGEROUS CURVE. THE CURVE HAS A SINGLE GUARD RAIL THAT SHE MORE IN LIKELY WOULD HAVE WENT THROUGH RESULTING IN A 400 FOOT DROP DOWN A STEEP HILL. POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FATAL CRASH.THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO COUGHLIN KIA DEALERSHIP IN NEWARK OHIO. WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT HAD BROKE IN THE MOTOR. THIS CAUSED THE TIMING PULLING AND MAIN PULLEY TO BREAK OFF. THE RESULT WAS MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE.THE SERVICE MANAGER CONTACTED HIS KIA REGIONAL REP.AND WAS INFORMED THE DAMAGE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE 10 YR./100000 MILE WARRANTY. WE DID HAVE THE SAME DEALERSHIP REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN 2YRS. EARLIER AT APPR. 57000 MILES AS KIA REQUIRES THIS MAINTENANCE DONE BEFORE 60000 MILES.THEY ALSO REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT AS KIA RECOMMENDS IT ALSO. THIS WAS A COST OF NEARLY $800 FOR THIS SERVICE. THE ESTIMATE FOR THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT IS $4000 ON A VEHICLE VALUED AT $6000. KIA REFUSES TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE ON THESE MOTORS. THEIR WAS ARECALL ON THE 03 & 04 ENGINES BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE WILL BE KILLED DRIVING THESE VEHICLES. *TR