NHTSA opens investigation into Kia Sorento and older Subaru Impreza models

13 years, 8 months ago - 13 April 2011

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into the 2011 Kia Sorento for possible driveshaft failure that results in a sudden loss of power.

According to NHTSA, there have been four complaints about the intermediate driveshaft and another five alleging that the power loss was due to a transmission failure which may be related to the driveshaft issue. The investigation will look into 50,000 2011 model year Sorento CUVs.

The second, separate investigation concerns possible corroded lower control arms on the 2002-2003 Subaru Impreza. According to The Detroit News, there have been seven complaints alleging that the control arms on the Subaru can break at more than 50 miles per hour, with two claimants saying that the failure sent their car outs of control. The Subaru investigation affects 84,000 Impreza models.

Though no recall has been ordered yet in either case, Kia has reportedly issued a technical service bulletin to address a clunking or squealing noise from the intermediate driveshaft.