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Electrical systemPart report

2005 Kia Sorento Electrical system Problems

Complaints
49about this part
Share
16%of 307 total for the year
Median mileage
67,625miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 49 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Kia Sorento, 16% of the 307 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,625 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I purchase my 2005 Kia sorrento lx new from taylor Kia in toledo ohio.also purchased extra warranty for bumper to bumper.a couple months after I had purchase vehicle my headlight started going out I would take it back get it fixed come back home and another one would be out take it back come back to weeks later another headlight would be out. …”

NHTSA complaint #10819851, filed 2016-01, 6,000 miles

“My 2005 Sorento started stalling & shutting down while driving down the hwy at 65 MPH (happens at any speed). Code comes up for bad crank shaft sensor, this will be the 3rd time in 4 years I will have replaced it. This has caused some close calls while on the hwy, avoiding other vehicles & nearly being rear ended several times.”

NHTSA complaint #10519390, filed 2013-06, 123,000 miles

“I've repeatedly had to replace the headlights in this car every couple of months. When one light is replaced, the other side goes out next. This has happened several times for the past several years. I have 189,000 miles on the car now. I don't remember exactly when it started. My driver seat also stopped working. The back goes forward and back, but the base seat doesn't move.”

NHTSA complaint #10465821, filed 2012-07, 100,000 miles

“I bought my Kia new it has sports package , I have had to replain shop all the time ce headlights 4 times the last 6 months it has been total mess power steering pressure hoses blew out then in may went to air port picked up daughter car was nothing no start tow truck ..auto shop first said plug in reader said crank shaft sensor then it said starter bad so replaced starter it starts but it now whines I took it back he said it is the starter brand . …”

NHTSA complaint #10606637, filed 2014-06, 115,085 miles

“I have to every 3 -4 months replace the headlights on my 2005 Kia Sorento. Kia has told me because your organization has not issues any type of recall on this I will keep on replacing them. This is insane!!!!! I know that I am not the only owner complaining about this.”

NHTSA complaint #10390441, filed 2011-03, 30,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026117%
20252229%
20241125%
20233830%
20223116%
20214718%
20202014%
20196816%
20183012%
20179712%
20161078%
2015588%
201415315%
201311612%
201212714%
201124616%
20091425%
20083215%
20072114%
20065322%
20054916%
20042813%
20032910%

Other parts of the 2005 Kia Sorento

Engine
63 complaints
Exterior lighting
53 complaints
Engine cooling
44 complaints
Air bags
43 complaints
Steering
39 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
38 complaints
Suspension
25 complaints
Other or unknown
18 complaints
Brakes
14 complaints
Body and structure
14 complaints
Fuel system
12 complaints
Seats
8 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2005 Kia Sorento

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology