New York, NY: Kia Motors is facing a consumer fraud class action lawsuit over allegations that its Sorento model is prone to catastrophic engine failure.
The lawsuit, entitled 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, claims that Kia Motors knowingly concealed a manufacturing defect in the crank sprocket of its 2002-2009 Sorento models. This alleged engine defect can lead to a catastrophic chain of events beginning with severe heat buildup, the release of debris, and subsequent loss of steering control, engine failure and the potential for a hazardous accident, the plaintiffs allege.
"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,"the lawsuit states.
The plaintiffs further claim that Kia motors has been aware of the engine defect for several 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 of Kia' "scheme of false and misleading advertising and marketing"thousands of people have purchased a Sorento, without knowledge of the defect, in preference to another vehicle without the alleged defect.
The lawsuit also allege that Kia Sorento owners who sought repairs for their vehicles while under warranty received only temporary repair of damaged parts, which may have included using similarly defective parts.
Additionally, the plaintiffs claim that Kia profits from the alleged Sorento engine defect by performing unnecessary parts replacements, computer reprogramming and software updates, despite knowing the true cause of the problem.
The lawsuit seeks to represent 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 plaintiffs are represented by the Law Office of Schmuel Klein PC.
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I HAVE A 2006 KIA SORENTO LX 4WD MANUAL 5 SPEED THE ENGINE GETS REAL HOT IT KEEPS BLOWIN FAN 30AMP SQARE FUSES A/C COMPRESSER NOT WORKIN GOT MAJOR HEAD GASKETS LEAK AN POWER STEERING LEAK MY REAR DIFERENTIAL MONTHS BROKEN AN ALL GUAGES QUIT NOT FLASHERS WOKIN THE POWER OUTLETS DONT WORK DO I QUALIFY TO BE A PART OF LAWSUIT
Posted by teresa
on
I filled out the claim form sent to me regarding the class action lawsuit on my 2003 kia sorento over a year ago. when will they start to isue payment?
Posted by Donna Scheel
on
I was driving my 2006 Kia Sorento home from work when it let out a big bang sound and quit running. I'm pulled over to the side of the road and exited the vehicle because there was so much steam coming up from underneath and around the vehicle that at first I thought it was on fire. I have now taken it to a repair shop and have been told that a new engine is not available as they no longer make them. Also can not be rebuilt as there are no parts available. So I have a car with less than 86,000 miles on it and it is not worth anything. How is that fair.
Posted by Denise
on
I have a 2012 Kia Sorento that had catastrophic engine failure. Rods knocking. Had it towed to dealership and was told that engine failure was in upper engine and lower engine was in recall. They refused to fix my car. I do know that the rods are in the lower engine. It is my hope that a class action lawsuit gets going about this so I maybe be part of it. I do not have funds to get an attorney to fight this with Kia.
So sad they are treating customer's like this!!
Has anyone been denied repairs for engine failure with there Sorento that. Is under recall?
Posted by Denise Thomas
on
I financed my very first car in my life and it was an 03 Kia Sorrento the car drove beautiful for about a year until I was driving home from school and I heard a noise like something fell from under the hood. My check engine light came on I lost all power steering brake light came on. I didn't know what had happen thankfully I wasn't on the high way. After having it towed to mechanic he said my crankshaft pulley bolt came out he fixed it and about a few months later it came out again causing over 1500.00 in damage. Shame on Kia shame ,shame. What a big disappointment for such a nice vehicle.
Posted by MARGARET THOMAS
on
I have an 2006 kia sorento and I have spent upward toward the amount of $4907.00 so far on engine problems. the dealership still said I need more repairs. the check engine light has been on for years. I just want to get my truck running well or they can give me my money for this crap
Posted by Justin
on
my 2005 Kia Sorrento had 46,000 miles on it when I bought it used, the crankshaft bolt backed out while my wife was driving in Austin traffic, she lost power steering, brakes, AC, which ultimately lead to her getting T-boned, it was light speed and the vehicle body damage could be repaired at the other drivers expense, however the $4300 quote I got from Capital Kia inAustin Texas was not worth it, just today I got a notification in the mail about a class action lawsuit, I'm getting in on this best of luck to you all drive safe .
Posted by maryanne clynes
on
On 10/10/2016, my 2005 KIA Soreto had it's crank shaft bolt back out. I was without power steering, A/C, engine light was on and Parking Brake light was on. I had taken it to South Austin kia 14 months prior to change the serpintine belt, and do $3000.00 worth of maintenance. WoW. my Son who is a mechanic looked at the car later after work was done and found missing bolts, incomplete work etc. When this problem happened on 10/10 I was NOT about to take it back to the dealership for repairs again. I have bit the bullet and purchased a new car. This time american made.....
I bought the KIA new at at north dealership that scammed me, went the south dealership and they are not any better. FORD..... all I'm going to say
Posted by Glenda Simpson
on
I brought a brand new 2012 Kia Sorento. It has always been serviced at Peak Kia North in Windsor CO. The last time it was taken in was Tue Aug 9th for oil change and they performed 43k services mile. Nothing was ever mentioned about any problems of my SUV. I left with my 7 yr old son and 18yr old daughter Fri 12th to head to Phoenix AZ to drop my daughter off to college. 1hr before I reached Phoenix on I17 my SUV starts acting up. I had it on cruise control at 81 miles hr in left hand lane. I heard a rattling sound, then my cruise control clicked off by itself. I had no acceleration power and it was hard to steer, the lights on dashboard all lit up. I try to hurry over to the side of highway I17 as traffic is bearing down on us. I just get over before it shuts off completely. I get it towed to Peroia Kia in Phoenix and after waiting 3 hrs on Sat 13th they tell me my engine is gone, will take a week to get here but it's covered with my warranty. As of right now I don't have my car, stranded in Phoenix AZ while paying for food, car rental and hotel.and they can't say when the engine will arrive. The consumer affairs said they only able to repay you up to $100/day for 3 days but if they can't even get the engine here in 7 days...... kia does not main leaving you homeless and penniless. Do NOT buy from them as they do NOT stand behind their vehicles or care about their customers!
Posted by Kayla
on
2006 kia sorento $3500 new engine 12/23/2015 3 months later $2,995 kia dealership replaces spark plus timing belt coils wires fuel line and cam shaft only to have them tell me that I have to have the vehicle towed back to the engine replacement location whereupon arrival they tell me my warranty is no longer good due to the error of the kia dealers as they cross bred something that voids my warranty. not to mention in 2015 i spent at least $1,200 in repairs for the drive shaft. Although, my 2006 vehicle is clearly not worth have as much ...it would not be so bad if it was actually fixed. Instead, it sits at the shop as I come up with a decision or more money and a college student (myself) has spent over $7,000 on a car and still has to find a way to get to class or walk.
Posted by John Holmes
on
I bought a 2004 Kia Sorento for my wife and all we have had is problems with it. The first thing was the Timing Chain went after 50 thousand miles, the next was front end Ball Joints after 60 thousand miles, after that the main Head gasket started leaking oil. The most recent problem is, it will shut off while driving it and now it wont stay running, so with that, it lives in my driveway as reminder not to ever buy another KIA !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Kim Poole
on
2005 Sorento. Sitting in my driveway. Third time the bolt has caused problems. It's "fixed" but I don't drive it for fear of a fourth event. Fortunately I was driving low speed when they broke, but I had just returned from an out of state trip and shudder to think what a failure on the interstate would have been like.
Posted by Tim Cayer
on
2008 KIA Sorento 100k broken crank bolt.
Posted by l.d. christie
on
IM SITTING WITH NO WAY OF GOING TO WORK,A PAid for 2003 kia sorento,crankshaft bolt backed out lost power steering i read now that this is a manufacturing problem and kia wont back it up,even if i temp fix it it wont last and would be unsafe to drivee very far,this unjust andd the company should be responsible for there manufacturing malfunction,it should have never passed specs to be sold,,,,,,,,,,,,
Posted by Martina sims
on
I drive a Kia sorrento 2007 can I claim anything
Posted by nakiescha Tonia
on
Crankshaft bolt has snapped and another bolt is bent. Lost control of the truck as I was not able to turn the car properly and landed in a ditch since the wheel locked up on me turning. Mechanic advised me it would be cheaper to replace the motor rather than getting the crankshaft fixed because the defect was in the truck itself and problem could persist. 2004 Sorento and not even 80,000 miles
Posted by Cynthia Tyler
on
Per the Kia dealership my $3000+ current repairs were caused by a crank shaft bolt that caused major issues and required replacement of the crank shaft, belts, radiator, etc. While driving my my brake and battery lights went on and then I lost my power steering. The car had to be towed to dealership and I was without the car for over a week. I have service contract on this recently purchased used 2004 Sorento but it would not cover the repairs because it was caused by a bolt.
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