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AWD Slipping ? Rear Slipping ?

148K views 217 replies 64 participants last post by  Tripplec 
#1 ·
Wondering if anyone else has experienced this. I have a 2014 Sorento SX AWD ~18,000 miles. At a dead stop, if I turn the wheel approx. 1 full turn left or right and accelerate I get the feeling of going over a rumble strip as if the awd might be slipping or the rear is slipping. Occasionally I can duplicate the issue if I am going 10-15 mph and turning. Has anyone else experienced this and or know what this may be ? I don't recall it ever doing this before. I did take it to my Kia dealership and took a mechanic out to duplicate the issue, however he told me he would need to contact Kia to find out what to do..? Any help / thoughts are appreciated.
 
#94 ·
Yeah, thats what I am sensing may be the case.
 
#95 ·
How many 2015 or later have had a 2nd occurance of this after their original failed? I expect the replacements are the MAGNA built unit I recently heard used.
 
#96 ·
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I have just got work from my dealer that my 2016 Sorento needs another coupler. The first one went at about 42,000kms and gave the usual rear end locking signs that most people are getting. I just got back from a 8 hour (one way) road trip and that proved to be too much for my Kia as the AWD malfunction light illuminated on the way back and dealer says the coupler is gone again (54,000kms). I will mention I didn't have the locking up of the rear end that I did the first time, just the AWD malfunction light on the dash.

Just paid this thing off so not sure what to do... keep it till warranty is up, or trade it in now, or hope it's good this time and hang on to it for a long time yet.
 
#97 ·
I think I posted my idea about that problem on this thread or another one....but botched KIA/Hyundai AWD software is my favorite culprit...so I have installed a switch to totally disable the AWD at will....that is, 99% of the time, so the coujpler does not try to act in unneeded conditions. Really need AWD? Switch on, period.
My switch replaces the AWD fuse...
58000 km now, all is OK.
 
#98 ·
I have mentioned in another thread I create that I had mine fail and fixed recently around 49k km, bought like that. I noticed it when I was driving as its my wifes. Dealer replace it as its under warranty. I asked about managing this and was told there isn't anything we can do. Its active all the times especially in corners or turns and you give it power to push through fast it drives the clutches in the rear which are suppose to be in an oil bath. Somewhere I also read the part is made by Magna now and not china. Whether its better or not knowone could or would say.

With the fuse out do you get a fail LED on the dash or any codes?
 
#102 ·
for the great majority. We only need the AWD (rear available during the Winter, whatever period that is). If it mean saving the rear coupler and its massive cost because it is self destructing when in use. An under the hood switch with the inline fuse would take care of it. But any codes or on the dash changes when its out of the circuit?
 
#111 · (Edited)
LMP, could you post some photos of your installation ?
...mmm....I took a picture from the fuse box .....but the introduction of the 2 lugs at the end of the 2conductor wire into each side of the fuse holder is somewhat critical...very cramped place...so since I have been able to do it and it works, I would not dare pulling it out and try to do it again....sorry.
I have routed the wire through the firewall and installed the switch under the instrument panel in a convenient place.
Notice I used a six conductor wire (that I had on hand) but joined 3 together on one side, and 3 on the other, making it a 2 conductor. THe individual conductors were small but to accept the eventual 20amps, it needed to be beefed up by joining several together. Normally I would have used a normal 2 conductor lamp wire that would have been correct.
Also notice a piece of insulator between the 2 lugs so they do not make contact together.

www.avigex.ca/kia/awd2.JPG
www.avigex.ca/kia/awd1.JPG
 
#104 · (Edited)
FYI - on my 2014 Sorento EX - AWD coupler broke first time at 20K (car was under lease at the time with different owner). I purchased the Sorento as CPO with 36K, AWD coupler broke (2nd time) at 40K and replaced free under warranty. Looks like it will continue to break every 20K or so. Currently Sorento has 47K, I will update if it breaks a 3rd time and also will update if it gets to 60K and AWD coupler still works.

Other issues at 47K:
Sunroof no longer works.
Backup camera no longer works.
UVO no longer syncs POI of my cell phone, but works with cell phone in all other aspects.

Had dealer drain\fill tranny fluid twice, once at 40K and once more at 45K to get more of the old tranny oil out. Then a week later when I looked inside the fill tube I saw a small tree leaf in there (long story, to pissed off to talk about it.....)

How did I ever get sucked into buying Kia twice in my lifetime......... LOL

I pray this car last as I still have 4 more years of finance payments on it.
 
#105 ·
Wanted to let you all know that I had also been noticing a thumping when making tight turns in either direction, particularly when starting from a low speed or a stop, and also mostly when the car had warmed up a bit. Because of the posts here, I took my 2015 CPO Sorento to a local Kia dealership and reported the issue, and told them that I'd read on a Kia forum (this forum) that many others had a similar sounding problem that was later diagnosed as the AWD Coupler, and that it had been replaced as a repair. A tech did a test drive with me, and was able to hear/feel the problem, and they called later in the day to say they'd confirmed that the AWD Coupler needed replacing. They've ordered the part, and are waiting for it to arrive.

For what it's worth, my Sorento has about 47,000 miles on it.
 
#106 ·
Yep and will it happen again with the new part. See if they know if its different in any way or manufacturer. Likely not when I asked.
 
#107 ·
Well that'll suck. I know others have said they've had it happen more than once. I thought there was also some discussion about it being fixed in the newer version of the part. Is that what you're saying I should ask them about--whether or not it's just the exact same part and manufacturer, or if it's from a different source/etc.?
 
#108 ·
both, there is no verification at this time if the new parts are different or better. There is no update or software change released that I know for sure.
 
#109 ·
Is it at slow speeds when you are turning from a stop - like at a stop sign turning left or right into an intersection? If you are getting a "binding" thump like an old 4WD truck with the hubs locked on dry pavement, it could very well be the rear AWD coupler. That seems to be a common problem at about 30K miles.

Check out this thread and see if that is what you are experiencing: https://www.kia-forums.com/2014-2015-sorento-forum/199345-awd-slipping-rear-slipping.html The correct verdict was not found until page 2 or 3 on the thread, so be patient and read through.

Hope you are under warranty - when mine was replaced, they told me it would be around $1,200-$1,500 if I had to pay. Our KIA dealer had replaced so many of them, they kept a few on hand.


.
 
#110 ·
AS you see from the above link, this issue has been WIDELY discussed and is a systematic occurrence that is not solved by replacinmg the coupler..it just happens again ..hence a design failure that I blame on a botched AWD firmwire then ends up frying the coupler. Since mine was still OK and I was concerned that it could happen, I have designed MY preventive solution described at posts 99/100 in the above link.
 
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#115 · (Edited)
LMP, Do you get any error messages with the switch off?
Also, would this screw anything up or void our warranties?....
Yes..the "slip" icon (different from the ESPoff) shows when AWD is turned off but no error code. The icon disappears when AWD is switched back ON. THe extra wiring is easily put aside and fuse reinstalled to normal if service is needed. As I said in the other thread, this is MY solution and I am comfortable with it .....anyone is free to copy or keep away from it.
 
#113 ·
Yeah its thin wire without bundling for sure. I am debating doing something but its my wifes ride. I'd have to leave it on all winter and off after...

I have one of these couple systems in an 2008 Sante Fe. No trouble with that coupler so why now on newer builds ....
 
#114 · (Edited)
I have one of these couple systems in an 2008 Sante Fe. No trouble with that coupler so why now on newer builds ....
INdeed why?.....I think the the 2008 coupler is different from the present one. In that case the AWD logic might have been reworked. The present system works with a hydraulic pump, pressure sensor and feedback loop. Other systems (like wife's Suzuki SX4) are purely electric....and the SX4 switch has a AWD"off" position
 
#116 ·
Thanks LMP!

I was thinking about your idea that this is a software issue. If that is true, wouldn't we expect all the Sorento's with the current design to have the problem? As far as I know, a small number of people have reported it, and others are fine, even those with higher mileage. What do you make of that?

Oh, Can you switch the AWD on while driving, or do you need to be stopped? (Mostly I'm wondering in case the switch got accidently turned on while driving.)
 
#118 ·
Are these a DTNAMAX system. I came across a detailed principle of operation and picture of the workings of the system on the Sante Fe forum. The two lines share mostly the same power train although other aspect maybe different but it requires tech who is trained to clarify this. There are just too many people out there just guessing. Even when I asked one it didn't seem like he new. Any more than I already did about it.
 
#119 ·
What kills me is the fact that my local Kia dealer acts as if this is not a common problem.. I hate dealerships..

Sorry looks like your another victim. I am also trying to figure out what to do after I had similar banging/thumping type noise . Got the new coupler (700+$), planning on doing it myself , but now concerned its going to just come back over and over. Which is why we got rid of my wife's CX'9 because the AWD crapped out in the middle of winter..

My old Subaru's never had AWD issues like these cars.. True AWD, not this fake crap..Built in obsolescence..
 
#120 ·
Ah but they are full time systems and don't use electronics engaging coupler.

This is my wifes and I have a Highlander which is full time 4WD power train.

i am quite concerned about it failing again. It a new one in it now.
 
#123 ·
I have 2014 Sorento AWD which I bought used in 2016 - I've had this problem since about 3 months after I bought the car. I have taken it to 2 different dealerships - in the past 2 years for this problem and they have never been able to duplicate the problem. I tell them it is as if you run over a rumble strip. The car has been in for service for the same issue 5 times between the 2 dealerships while it was still under warranty and they could never fix the problem. It has gotten worse and I actually had a friend who is a service tech ride in my car and immediately told me what the problem is Coupler and/or rear-end differential. I took it back to the dealership and told them this. They now say they know what the problem is "Coupler - Rear-End Differential" - however, the car is no longer under warranty and it will cost me $4,000 to fix. This is such BS! The car was under warranty the last 5 times I took it in and now that it is out of warranty you find the problem!!!! Can anyone tell me what steps I need to take to make the dealership fix the car without me paying for it. It seems to me this is their issue - they failed to find the problem and fix it when it was under warranty.
 
#127 ·
#124 ·
If you have the reported earlier work order show than otherwise escalate it through customer service.

I hate hearing things like this...
 
#126 ·
Thanks, I am in Canada. I'd have to locate a source here. I have guest from England at this time so I am not spending too much time on it. My (her vehicle) is extremely unhappy about it after getting it in late April this year.
 
#128 ·
I think the solution is as mentioned earlier... show the dealer the work order that proves the problem already existed during the warranty period but was not repaired. Then if the dealer still won't help, go to the regional supervisor (and take it to a different dealer if possible). A dealer can't make a warranty repair go away simply by ignoring it until after the warranty expires.
 
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