What 977 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving, a sound of an explosion was heard and the sunroof shattered, the slider of the sunroof was closed so the glass did not enter the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11738868

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMALLY LOUD POPPING SOUND AND NOTICED THAT THE SUN ROOF HAD EXPLODED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF WAS NOT IMPACTED BY A FOREIGN OBJECT OR DEBRIS. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SAFELITE AUTO GLASS WHERE THE FRACTURED SUN ROOF WAS REMOVED AND PLASTIC WAS TAPED TO THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. SANDS KIA (13474 N AUTOSHOW AVE, SURPRISE, AZ 85388, (623) 474-3344) WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

NHTSA ODI 11291224

WHILE ON VACATION IN NEW MEXICO, WE WERE DRIVING ON I-40 WHEN WE HEARD A DEAFENING BOOM AND REALIZED THE SUNROOF HAD SPONTANEOUSLY BURST AND THE ARMATURES AND MECHANISM THAT CONTROL THE OPENING AND CLOSING OF THE SUNROOF HAD DETACHED FROM THE CAR. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES BEHIND, BESIDE, OR IN FRONT OF OUR VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. WE WERE FOLLOWING THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT AND THE WEATHER WAS CLOUDY. WHEN THE GLASS BURST, THE INSIDE SLIDE COVER VIBRATED VIOLENTLY AND BEGAN TO OPEN. BOTH MY HUSBAND AND I HAD TO HOLD THE COVER CLOSED WITH OUR HANDS TO AVOID FALLING GLASS UNTIL WE COULD SAFELY PULL OFF THE ROAD TO EXAMINE THE DAMAGE. AFTER PULLING INTO A REST STOP A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD, IT BEGAN TO RAIN. WE HAD TO DRIVE 13 MILES TO THE NEAREST TOWN, WHILE HOLDING THE INSIDE COVER CLOSED WITH OUR HANDS, IN ORDER TO BUY SUPPLIES TO SECURE THE SUNROOF OPENING. WHEN I CALLED THE CLOSEST KIA DEALERSHIP IN ALBUQUERQUE (130 MILES AWAY), THEY INFORMED ME THEY DIDN'T REPAIR GLASS DAMAGE AND I WOULD NEED TO CONTACT AN AUTO GLASS REPAIR SHOP. I HAVE SINCE GONE THROUGH MY PERSONAL CAR INSURANCE AGENT TO HAVE THE SUNROOF REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A SHOP AWAITING REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI 11102486

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 67 MPH WITH THE SUN ROOF CLOSED, THE SUN ROOF FRACTURED. GLASS AND DEBRIS FELL INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. RICART KIA (4255 S HAMILTON RD #210, GROVEPORT, OH 43125, (614) 836-6503) WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

NHTSA ODI 11080343

DRIVING DOWN I-20 WEST (1.5 MILES FROM I-45 SOUTH EXIT) AT 70MPH ON A CLEAR DAY, ON OPEN ROAD WITH MINIMAL TRAFFIC (NO OVERPASSES, NO VEHICLES DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME, ETC.). MY CHILDREN AND I HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND I LOOKED IN MY REVIEW MIRROR TO SEE GLASS POURING OFF OF MY BACK WINDOW. MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I CALLED KIA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE & RECEIVED A CASE NUMBER AND WAS TOLD "DO NOT MAKE REPAIRS UNTIL YOU ARE CONTACTED BY A REPRESENTATIVE". I RECEIVED A MSG FROM MY "CASE WORKER" AND HAVE ATTEMPTED TO RETURN HER CALL EVERY DAY BY LEAVING MESSAGES AND CALLING MULTIPLE TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS. I EVEN CALLED 15 TIMES IN ONE DAY (EVERY 20-30 MINS) WITH NO ANSWERED CALLS AND NO RETURNED CALLS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10916586

SUNROOF EXPLODED. IT JUST SHATTERED, PERFECT DRIVING CONDITIONS, NO DEBRIS, NO ACCIDENT, DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON A HIGHWAY WITHOUT ANY OTHER VEHICLES AROUND OR BRIDGES. ROAD WAS FLAT, EVEN AND NO DEBRIS.

NHTSA ODI 10906999

OUR 42 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY.......... RT 84 IN NEWTOWN, CT........NO BRIDGES OR TRUCKS NEAR-BY..... 2 CHILDREN IN BACKSEAT......PANORAMIC SUNROOF.............. LOUD EXPLOSION AND SUNROOF SHATTERED OVER CHILDREN.

NHTSA ODI 10887642

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE PANORAMIC SUN ROOF FRACTURED AND EXPLODED OUTWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.

NHTSA ODI 10822330

I TOOK T\HE VEHICLE TO A NON DEALER LOCATION TO BE INSPECTED AFTER HAVING MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY BEING FAULTY. UPON INSPECTION I WAS NOTIFIED BY THE MECHANIC ON DUTY THAT THE WIRING ASSEMBLY WAS ACTUALLY MELTING , A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. BECAUSE THIS BEING A FIRE HAZARD HE WAS UNABLE TO REPLACE THE BULBS FOR ME AND SAID HE FELT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE IT WOULD PLACE MYSELF, MY FAMILY AND OTHERS ON THE HIGHWAY AT RISK. HE PROCEEDED TO SHOW ME THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM HAS RESULTED IN MY HAVING TO REPLACE THE BULBS FIVE TIMES IN THE PAST ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND AT LEAST TWICE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE WIRING ASSEMBLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DUE TO THE SAME PROBLEM. HAVE ALSO PROVIDED A PICTURE OF THE REPAIR NOTE OF THE PROBLEM ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO PROVIDING A CLIP SHOWING THAT ACCORDING TO THEIR INSPECTION MY LIGHTS WERE IN WORKING ORDER WHEN IN ACTUALITY THEY WERE NOT. LASTLY NOTING SEVERAL ELECTRICAL ISSUES REMAIN IN ADDITION TO HAVING TO REPLACE THE BATTERY AS IT IS BEING CONTINUALLY DRAWN FROM DUE TO THESE ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI 10787877

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD POP FROM THE SUN ROOF EXPLODING. THE SUN ROOF HAD SHARDS OF GLASS PROTRUDING AND NEEDED TO BE SECURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TEMPORARILY REPAIRED WITH CARDBOARD BUT THE REPAIR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A SECOND DEALER FOR THE SAME TEMPORARY REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,582.

NHTSA ODI 10748676

DRIVING ON ROUTE 55 S IN NEW JERSEY AROUND 3:00 PM , SUNNY DAY BETWEEN EXIT 53 A AND 53 B WINDOWS UP SUN ROOF CLOSED AND AIR CONDITIONING ON WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN OUR SUN ROOF IMPLODED ONTO MY WIFE AND I. WE WERE IN THE PASSING LANE AT THAT TIME AND HAD TO THINK QUICK AS TO WHAT JUST HAPPENED AND PROCEEDED TO REMOVE OURSELVES FROM THE HIGHWAY AND OFF TO THE SIDE . WE CALLED OUR INSURANCE COMPANY LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON WHAT TO DO, BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO RECOMMEND ANY SO WE THEN CALLED 911 AND THE OPERATOR THERE CONTACTED SOMEONE FORM NJDOT WHO RESPONDED TO OUR NEEDS . MY WIFE AND I WERE COVERED IN GLASS WITH A FEW CUTS AND BRUISES BUT NOTHING TO SERIOUS COMPARED TO LOSING CONTROL OF YOUR VEHICLE AND CREATING A NIGHTMARE FOR POTENTIALLY MANY OTHERS AND OURSELVES . WE STARTED TO REMOVE THE GLASS AND WHEN HELP ARRIVED HE HAD SOME DUCT TAPE SO WE COULD TAPE THE SUN VISOR WHICH IS ONLY CLOTH CLOSED . WE JUST STARTED OUR VACATION AND WHAT A RIDE SO FAR ! AFTER THE NJDOT MAN HELPED TO GET US SECURED AS GOOD AS HE COULD WE TRAVELED TO OUR DESTINATION AND STOPPED BY A HOME DEPOT TO PURCHASE A MOVERS CARDBOARD BOX , HEAVY CONTRACTOR DEBRIS BAGS AND MORE DUCT TAPE TO BUTTON EVERYTHING UP . WE THEN CONTACTED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE TO ADVISE OF THE OCCURRENCE. UPDATED 09/17/15*LJ...UPDATED 10/27/15 *BF *CN

NHTSA ODI 10747107

THE DASHBOARD REFLECTS ONTO THE WINDSHIELD REDUCING VISIBILTY AS THE REFLECTIONS CAUSE DISTORTED VISION THRU THE WINDSHIELD. THIS IS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS ON SUNNY DAYS AS THE REFLECTIONS INCREASE DEPENDING ON THE ANGLE OF THE SUN REFLECTING OFF THE SHINY DASHBOARD ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. MAYBE THE DASHBOARD SHOULD NOT BE COATED WITH SUCH A REFLECTIVE AND SHINY MATERIAL TO AVOID THIS ISSUE. IN ADDITION, THE SPEED PANEL HAS DETAILED METALLIC PAINT AROUND THE SPEEDOMETER AND PANEL INFO WHICH REFLECTS BEAMS OF BLINDING LIGHT FROM THE SUN AND BRIGHT LIGHTS INTO THE DRIVERS FACE WHILE DRIVING. AGAIN, MAYBE THE METALLIC PAINT AND SHINY REFLECTIVE DESIGN SHOULD BE CHANGED TO NON-REFLECTIVE OPTIONS TO AVOID BLINDING THE DRIVER. ANNOYING FEATURES WHICH CAUSE THE DRIVER TO ADJUST POSITION WHILE DRIVING OR TRY TO BLOCK THE BLINDING LIGHTS AND VISUAL DISTRACTIONS WHILE IN MOTION ARE DANGEROUS AND COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENTS. KIA PLEASE CONSIDER REDESIGNING THESE DANGEROUS DESIGN DETAILS AND INCREASE THE SAFETY FOR EVERYONE. IF CHANGES ARE NOT MADE ON NEWER MODELS, I WILL NEVER AGAIN PURCHASE ANY KIA PRODUCTS AND WILL WARN OTHERS OF THESE DANGERS ON THIS VEHICLE BRAND. SAFETY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN DESIGN SO PLEASE REMOVE THE METALLIC PAINT FROM THE SPEEDOMETER PANEL AND FIND A NON-REFLECTIVE MATERIAL TO COVER THE DASHBOARD. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI 10717804

SUN ROOF IS ACTUALLY BUCKLING. WITH THE INFORMATION LISTED ABOUT THE SUNROOF RECALL WE ARE NERVOUS THIS MIGHT IMPACT THIS. I AM 7 MONTHS PREGNANT AND AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10669382

I WAS TRAVELING ON I-20 AT ABOUT 70 MPH WHEN I HEARD AN EXPLOSION (FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD) AND GLASS STARTED FLYING OF THE ROOF OF MY SORENTO. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY NAVIGATE TO THE RIGHT LANE AND THEN TO THE SHOULDER OF THE INTERSTATE AND REALIZED THAT MY SUNROOF HAD SHATTERED. I WAS LUCKY THAT THE INNER PANEL WAS CLOSED AND ONLY A SMALL AMOUNT OF GLASS CAME THROUGH. UNTIL THEN (AND I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 40 YEARS), I HAD NEVER HEARD OF A SUNROOF SHATTERING UNLESS THE VEHICLE WAS IN SOME KIND OF ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10651462

2013 KIA SORENTO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SUNROOF SHATTERED INTO A MILLION LITTLE PIECES. *SMD

NHTSA ODI 10649161

I WENT TO MY VEHICLE AND FOUND THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED. THERE WERE NO POINTS OF ENTRY AND THE ENTIRE WINDOW WAS IN TACK, BUT SHATTERED. THERE WERE NO STRIKE MARKS OR BULLET HOLES. AS I WAS LOOKING AT IT, ALL OF THE GLASS STARTED FALLING OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT OUTSIDE OVERNIGHT IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10610901

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY #20 EAST IN QUEBEC CANADA THE FRONT PART OF THE PANORAMIC ROOF SHATTERED IN MILLIONS OF PIECES.. UPDATED 08-20-14 *BF UPDATED 09/3/2014 *JS *TR

NHTSA ODI 10608047

SUN ROOF GLASS AT REAR EXPLODED AT A STOP LIGHT. THE GLASS IS PUSHED UP AND SHATTERED AND THERE ARE NO OBJECTS FOUND THAT CAUSED THE GLASS TO BREAK. IT APPEARS TO BE A DEFECTIVE DESIGN. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10599023

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HE DROVE AT 65 MPH, THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED CUTS TO HIS HANDS. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUFFERED CUTS ON THE BACK AND HANDS. THE PASSENGER IN THE REAR SUFFERED CUTS TO THE HANDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,700.

NHTSA ODI 10584650

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND A LOUD POP OCCURRED AND THE REAR SUNROOF HAD SHATTERED. NO OTHER CARS OR PEOPLE WERE AROUND. STOPPED AND CHECKED THE GROUND WHERE IT HAPPENED AND FOUND NO OBJECTS THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED SUNROOF TO SHATTER. SUNROOF APPEARS TO HAVE SHATTERED WITHOUT EXTERNAL CONTACT OF ANY KIND. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10575487

DRIVING DOWN ROUTE 62 IN ALLIANCE OHIO 44601 ONLY GOING ABOUT 30 35 MPH IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT AND LOOK BACK AND SEEN THE PANORAMIC WINDOW WAS SHATTERED NO SIGNS OF ANYTHING HITTING IT LIGHT TRAFFIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10572959

CLEAR DAY, FOUR LANE HIGHWAY (97-WASHINGTON STATE) MINIMAL TRAFFIC, THE SUNROOF SUDDENLY EXPLODED WITHOUT ANY EXTERNAL CAUSE. FLYING GLASS, NO INJURIES, BUT FRAYED NERVES. SUNROOF NOT ON THE FAILED COMPONENT LIST. ACTUALLY A POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

NHTSA ODI 10567351

ON 2/15/2014 MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING FROM ELKO, NV TO SPRING CREEK, NV AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN THE SUNROOF IMPLODED. IT WAS A CLEAR DAY WITH NO RAIL OR HAIL. THE SUNROOF DID NOT HAVE PRIOR DAMAGE AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF IT GETTING HIT BY AN EXTERNAL OBJECT; THERE WAS NO IMPACT SOUND AND NO FOREIGN OBJECTS IN THE CAR. THE GLASS SIMPLY IMPLODED AND FELL NOT THE VEHICLE ON TOP OF MY WIFE AND I, ALONG WITH THE FRONT AND REAR BARS OF THE SUNROOF. KIA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A KIA DEALERSHIP IN SALT LAKE CITY, UT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10564555

DRIVING AT @ 70 MPH ON SMOOTH INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WITH VERY LIGHT TRAFFIC. HEARD A VERY LOUD BANG AND THEN THE CRACKLING OF GLASS. REACHED BACK TO FEEL THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF AND IT MOVED. PULLED OFF AT NEXT EXIT TO SEE THAT THE ENTIRE ROOF HAD SHATTERED WITH SEVERE CRACKING AROUND THE SIDES AND BACK BUT NO VISIBLE SIGN OF DAMAGE FROM A FOREIGN OBJECT. WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND 34F WITH CLIMATE CONTROL SET AT 72F. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT THERE WERE NO VEHICLES WITHIN .25 MILES IN FRONT OF ME AND NO OVERPASSES AT THE LOCATION. ..UPDATED 04-29-14 *BF

NHTSA ODI 10562460

WE WERE WESTBOUND ON US 60 IN TEMPE AZ. WHEN THE SUNROOF IMPLODED SCATTERING GLASS ON VEHICLES BEHIND US. LUCKY FOR US THE INSIDE SHADE WAS CLOSED PREVENTING THE GLASS FROM COMING INSIDE. THE OUTSIDE TEMP. WAS 73 THE A/C WAS SET AT 70 SPEED WAS 65 MPH.I CONTACTED THE KIA DEALER WHO SAID THEY WERE UNAWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS THAT KIA WAS HAVING WITH THE SUNROOFS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10553341