Kia Sorento Lemon Law

Absolutely. Under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, a vehicle that has been out of service for repairs for a cumulative total of 30 or more calendar days is presumed to be a lemon. Your 45-day wait alone exceeds this threshold. You should send a written demand to Kia and consult an attorney to initiate the buyback or replacement process.

A software reflash counts as a warranty repair attempt under California law. If the transmission continues to exhibit rough shifting after the reflash and subsequent repair attempts, the vehicle may qualify as a lemon under Song-Beverly. Keep records of every TSB or software update applied, as these demonstrate the manufacturer is aware of a systemic defect.

Yes, the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act fully covers leased vehicles in California. As a lessee, you are entitled to a refund of all lease payments made, your down payment and trade-in value, and any remaining lease obligation. Kia must also cover all fees and costs associated with the defective leased Sorento.

A technical service bulletin is not a recall, but it is strong evidence that the manufacturer acknowledges a known defect. Under the Song-Beverly Act, any defect that substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value, or safety qualifies regardless of whether a formal recall has been issued. The existence of a TSB can actually strengthen your case by proving Kia had knowledge of the problem.