NHTSA Complaint #10749008 — 2005 KIA SORENTO

WHILE EXAMINING THE REAR SUSPENSION PRIOR TO REPLACING THE SHOCKS I SAW THAT THE UPPER CONTROL ARM BRACKETS ON THE REAR AXLE ARE BADLY RUSTED. THE LEFT IS SLIGHTLY WORSE. I DO NOT LIVE IN A RUST BELT AREA. WESTERN WASHINGTON TO BE SPECIFIC. THERE IS NO OTHER RUST OR CORROSION ON THIS CAR. THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT ALLOWS WATER TO STAY IN THE AREA ABOVE THE AXLE AND CORRODE THE BRACKET. WHEN THE BRACKET BREAKS THE REAR AXLE IS NO LONGER HELD IN PLACE. THE CAR WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND THE WHEELS COULD LOCK UP. THE ADDITION OF A WEEP HOLE AND AN ANTI-CORROSION COATING WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS. THERE ARE REPORTS HERE ON NHTSA WHERE THESE BRACKETS HAVE ROTTED AWAY AND FAILED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A KNOWN DESIGN FLAW THAT IS JUST NOW APPEARING ON THE OLDER CARS. THERE ARE A MULTITUDE OF COMMENTS ON THE INTERNET WORLDWIDE. THERE WILL EVENTUALLY BE MORE OF THESE FAILURES AND THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FATAL ACCIDENTS FROM LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. IN THE UK KIA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND HAS BEEN REPAIRING SORENTOS FOR FREE SINCE 2013. KIA USA NEEDS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS DESIGN FLAW AND ISSUE A RECALL BEFORE PEOPLE ARE KILLED.