Diagsheet

2014 Kia Sorento · symptom sheet

Airbag warning light or recall

  • 49owner reports
  • 81,330median miles
  • $1,700median quote
  • 7involved a crash

Newest report Oct 21, 2024 · checked Sep 9, 2026

49 of the 941 complaints on this car describe airbag.

Tick what matches of 49 reports

39
15
6
1
2

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the occupant sensor (12 reports) and the clock spring (3 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the airbags covers the 2014 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.

NHTSA investigations into the airbags on the Sorento

EA09-017opened Nov 19, 2009
Airbags · model years 2007 to 2008

Air bag occupant classification system. Closed sep 26, 2011, led to recall 11V-473.

NHTSA summary
The Sorento's front passenger air bag may be turned off when an adult is seated in the passenger seat. The front passenger air bag is designed to be turned off in limited circumstances including when children and small adults are seated in the front passenger seat, there is a child restraint in that seat, or the seat is not occupied.But the Sorento has misclassified adults sitting in the passenger seat.This causes the passenger side frontal air bag to deactivate and the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF light to illuminate. On May 12, 2009, Kia launched a Technical Service Bulletin campaign (SC076) to address this problem, installing upgraded occupant classification system (OCS) software in vehicles built prior to the 11/27/2007 production date. ODI and Kia identified 908 owner reports and 927 warranty claims related to this OCS issue.Kia also reported one crash where the passenger frontal air bag did not deploy in a frontal crash due to misclassification.Testing of Sorento vehicles built prior to December 2007 shows that misclassification can occur.As of April 2011, Kia reports that approx. 46,000 of the 57,228 vehicles have been upgraded with the revised software.On September 6, 2011, Kia submitted a defect notice and will recall the affected vehicles that have not been upgraded.Owner notification is scheduled to start in late-September 2011.The recall will upgrade the OCS software.Accordingly the investigation is closed.
PE09-034opened Jul 17, 2009
Airbags · model years 2007 to 2008

Air bag ocs. Closed nov 30, 2009.

NHTSA summary
KIA REPORTS THAT FOR VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE SOFTWARE UPDATE OF 11/27/2007, THE VEHICLES CAN IMPROPERLY CLASSIFY AN ADULT AS A CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT AND THUS ILLUMINATE THE AIRBAG OFF WARNING LIGHT AND SUPPRESS THE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIRBAG.ON MAY 12, 2009, KIA LAUNCHED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (SB076) CAMPAIGN TO RE-FLASH ALL VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE 11/27/2007 PRODUCTION DATE.KIA ALSO BELIEVES THAT INTERMITTENT OCCUPANT MOVEMENT AND OUT OF POSITION SEATING CONTRIBUTED TO THE HIGH NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS.905 OF THE 947 COMPLAINTS AND 1,014 OF THE 1,107 WARRANTY CLAIMS WERE ASSOCIATED WITH THE 57,228 VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE 11/27/2007 PRODUCTION DATE.THERE WAS ONE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIRBAG NON-DEPLOYMENT CRASH THAT RESULTED IN ONE MINOR INJURY OF A BELTED ADULT PASSENGER OCCUPANT.THIS PRELIMINARY EVOLUTION IS BEING UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA09-017) TO FURTHER ASSESS THIS ISSUE FOR ALL MY2007-2008 SORENTO VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE 11/27/2007 PRODUCTION DATE.

None of these investigations covers the 2014 model year.

What owners paid

5 of the 49 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,400 to $2,000.

$1,400$1,700$2,000
$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 62,000 and 115,000 miles, from the 31 reports that gave a mileage.

115
116
617
818
1219
620
421
322
523
324

What owners wrote

“Every light is on in the dash compartment. Power steering goes in and out. Brake lights not working even after being replaced. Car stuck in park unable to put into reverse. ABS/ Airbag light showing- ABS Sensor replaced and still not working Recall in 2022. Kia repaired vehicle and now that same issues are occurring Kia refuses to even look at vehicle without payment of 180.00 to just LOOK!”

Filed Jun 27, 2024

“I have not had my car a year and the seatbelt light came on 2 days ago. I am keeping the services up and all of these things were supposedly passed during the inspection before I purchased my car. Also, the paint is peeling off the car. There are so many cars that has peeling paint when passing. Paint should not peel like that. I've never had this problem with any car I have purchased.”

Filed Apr 10, 2023

“Vehicle engine shut down while I was driving on the highway situation was very dangerous other vehicles had to take evasive maneuvers in order not to collide with me I was very scared as I had my grand children with me the vehicle is currently at auto nation in keennesses Georgia it is available for inspection there were no warnings or other indications”

Filed Feb 20, 2023

“I received notice mid August 2021 about recall and warranty repairs that needed to be made to my car. Brought it to the dealer on 8/30/21. On 8/31/21 I was given the car back and told, yes, it needed the repairs but I needed to wait for parts and they'd be in touch. I have heard nothing from KIA, despite complaining to them several times.”

Filed Apr 11, 2022

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 7 of 49 reports involved a crash and 6 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.

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