2004 Kia Sorento
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 220 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 13th highest complaint count among 23 Sorento model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 11 involved a crash and 12 involved a fire. 16 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints: engine and engine cooling
46 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 15, 2009
ON SAT. SEPT. 12, 2009, I WAS ON THE EXPRESS WAY AND NOTICED THAT MY 2004 KIA SORENTO WAS SLOWING DOWN. I IMMEDIATELY LOOKED AT MY DASHBOARD TO SEE IF ANY LIGHTS WERE ON, NONE ON. I THEN NOTICED THAT MY HEAT GAUGE WAS AT H. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OF AT THE NEXT EXIT AND THERE WAS A GAS STATION AT THE CORNER. STEAM STARTED TO COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND FLUID FROM UNDER THE CAR. I HAD IT TOWED HOME BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT START. I THEN HAD IT TOWED TO A KIA DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT AND THEY LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLED TO INFORM ME THAT MY ENGINE WAS GONE. I SAID GONE. HOW DID THAT HAPPEN. HE SAID BECAUSE I DROVE IT TOO LONG AFTER IT STARTED TO SHUT OFF. II EXPLAINED THE CAR WAS SLOWING DOWN AND I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE EXPRESS WAY TO A GAS STATION (WHICH IS RIGHT OFF THE RAMP). I DID NOT DRIVE IT FAR. HE TOLD ME I HAD 2 CHOICE, A NEW ENGINE FOR $10, 000+ OR A USED ENGINE $6300+. IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AS OF 10/2008. I AM DEVASTATED. I THOUGHT THE COMPANY OFFERED A 100,000 MILE WARRANTY. I HAD ABOUT 87,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I CALLED KIA HEADQUARTERS AND THEY ARE LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER. I AM AWAITING A REPLY FROM THEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 25, 2009
COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSE BLOWN ENGINE WITHOUT ANY WARNING. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Dec 13, 2008
I BOUGHT MY 2004 SORENTO NEW. IN MAY 2008 AND AT 64,000 MILES THIS YEAR THE WATER PUMP STARTED LEAKING. I TOOK IT INTO THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS UNDER A RECALL AND REPLACED IT. THEY ALSO RECOMMENDED A TIMING BELT CHANGE AT THAT TIME AND I DID THAT TOO. AFTER I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP AND DROVE INTO MY GARAGE, WATER WAS POURING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGERS SIDE TIRE, WHERE THE RESERVE TANK WAS. I TURNED AROUND TOOK IT RIGHT BACK AND SHOWED THEM. THEY SAID IT WASN'T ANYTHING THEY DID TO BUST IT, IT MUST OF BEEN THAT WAY ALREADY. I INFORMED THEM THAT I KNOW IT WASN'T THAT WAY BECAUSE I HAD BEEN POURING TONS OF WATER IN IT UNTIL I COULD GET MY CAR IN FOR THAT APPOINTMENT SINCE THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING AND THE LEAKING BEFORE WAS COMING FROM THE CENTER OF THE CAR, NOT BY THE TIRE. I ALSO INFORMED THEM, THAT I KNEW THEY BUSTED BECAUSE THEY HAD TO PUT PRESSURE ON THE WATER PUMP LINE TO TEST IT AND THEREFORE IT WAS THERE FOUGHT. THEY STILL SAID EVEN THOUGH THEY DIDN'T DO IT THEY WOULD GO AHEAD AND REPLACE IT FOR FREE. WHY DO THEY NOT WANT TO OWN UP TO IT TO BEGIN WITH? IF I HAD NOT MADE A SCENE IN FRONT OF THEIR OTHER CUSTOMERS THEY WHERE GOING TO MAKE ME PAY FOR IT. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE WIPER PARK AREA BURN OUT. SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM MY WINDSHIELD ON HE INSIDE AND NOW THE HEATED WIPER PARK AREA IS NOT WORKING. IT WILL NEED A WHOLE NEW WINDSHIELD. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Air bags, Structure, Nov 28, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY AND RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. ON SIX SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES, BUT THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE CONTACT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR EXPENSE BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT, CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, TIMING BELT, AND DRIVE BELT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000. UPDATED 12/23/08 THE AIR BAG ILLUMINATED AND WOULD NOT GO OUT, EVEN WHEN SOMEONE WAS SEATED IN. THE HEADLIGHT WAS BLOWN, THE REAR HATCH WOULD NOT STAY UP. THE DEALER HAD TO ORDER HOOD STRUTS. UPDATED 12/23/08.*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 1, 2008, fire
I PURCHASED MY CAR THREW A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AAP. 8 MO. AGO IT HAD 27,000 AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. ON 8-4-08 THE VEHICLE HAD 34,000 MILES. I WAS DRIVING AT A SPEED OF APP.40 MI. AN HOUR WHEN THE CAR STARTED SMOKING FROM THE ENGINE THE SMOKE GOT THICKER . I QUICKLY PULLED OVER INTO A SMALL PARKING LOT SHUT OFF THE CAR + JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR WITH MY SON. IN A MATTER OF SECONDS THE CAR WAS IN FLAMES. AFTER THAT THERE WAS A HOSE THAT FELL DOWN UNDER THE CAR + WAS SHOOTING FLAMES FROM THAT TOO. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME + PUT IT OUT. THE DASH WAS CAVED IN .THE CAR WAS TOTALED. I REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP + KIA CORPORATION. THEY LISTENED TO MY COMPLAINT WITH NO RESULT AND WOULD NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR. IT . BUYERS BEWARE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility, Structure, Aug 14, 2008
MY SISTER PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW AND HAS HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT AND PROBLEMS WITH DEALERSHIP/KIA HONORING THEIR 10 YEAR/100,000 MILE WARRANTY. SHE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BELIEVING SHE WOULD BE DRIVING A QUALITY VEHICLE (ADVERTISING 10 YEAR/100,000 MILE WARRANTY SHE ASSUMED IT MUST BE OF HIGH QUALITY BECAUSE WHO WOULD OFFER THAT KIND OF WARRANTY IF IT WAS JUNK....WRONG!) SHE HAS HAD NOTHING BUT STRESS, FINANCIAL EXPENSE, LOST WORK TIME, AND A BATTLE OF HER LIFE TRYING TO SEEK CONSUMER JUSTICE...DEALERSHIP, KIA MOTORS, LEMON LAW REQUIRES A PART TO FAIL FOUR TIMES, ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE, CONCILIATION COURT, WRITING TO RUUKIVINA, OBERSTAR, AND MOST RECENTLY AMY KLOBUCHAR...ALL FAILED. NO ONE HAS SAID THAT THEY WILL INVESTIGATE KIA AND PROTECT THE CONSUMERS FROM THIS FRAUDULENT AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURER. WHY? THE PROBLEMS SHE HAS HAD WITH HER VEHICLE CONSIST OF RUST ON THE TAILGATE AND REAR DOORS JUST A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING, ALL KINDS OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS FROM HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS BURNING OUT NUMEROUS TIMES, THE DIGITAL DASH FOR RADIO AND HEATER GOING BLACK, THE HEATER NOT WORK, A RELAY SWITCH FOR FAN FAILED, FOAM BETWEEN WINDSHIELD AND FRAME COMING OUT TAPPING ON THE WINDOW, A PROBLEM WITH THE COOLANT RESERVOIR, THE REAR DRIVESHAFT FAILED, THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AND MOST RECENTLY THE TRANSFER CASE. SAFETY ISSUES AND CONCERNS WOULD BE WITH TAIL LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS BURNING OUT PREMATURELY AND FREQUENTLY AND THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT BROKE CAUSING TO LOOSE ALL ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE PROBABLY OTHER PROBLEMS SHE HAS HAD WITH THE VEHICLE BUT I DO NOT RECALL AT THIS TIME. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 12, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ANTIFREEZE WAS LEAKING FROM THE TANK ASSEMBLY RESERVOIR. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE TANK ASSEMBLY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 77,600. UPDATED 09/15/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE COOLANT STORAGE TANK WAS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC. UPDATED 09/17/08. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Jul 25, 2008
I PURCHASED A 2004 KIA SORENTO IN JULY 2004, HAD A FEW PROBLEMS SUCH AS BRAKES WEARING OUT TOO SOON AND THINGS LIKE THAT BUT THE DEALERSHIP WAS GREAT TO MAKE THE REPAIRS AT NO COST. ON MAY 13, 2008 WHILE SITTING OUT A STOP SIGN IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING A VERY LOUD BANGING NOISE AND THEN STALLED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY IMMEDIATE FEAR WAS THE ENGINE HAD BLOWN. I KNEW THE OIL AND PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE SERVICE WORK HAD JUST PERFORMED AND NOW THE SERENTO HAD 61K MILES ON IT. I HAD A WRECKER TRUCK TOW THE SERENTO TO THE BAYWAY KIA DEALERSHIP (HOUSTON) WHICH IS WHERE I HAD SERVICE WORK DONE BEFORE. THE NICE SERVICE MANAGER NAMED "JOE' HAD THE ENGINE INSPECTED AND FOUND THE ENGINE FAILED BECAUSE OF A ITEM FALLING OFF THE FUEL INJECTOR INTO A CYLINDER, THUS BLOWING THE ENGINE. "JOE" ADVISED THE ENGINE REPAIR (REPLACEMENT) WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE OF A KNOWN DEFECT. NOW IT HAS BEEN 3 MONTHS, STILL NO REPAIR, BAYWAY KIA IS NOW OWNED BY A DIFFERENT COMPANY, THUS "JOE" IS NO LONGER THERE, AND THE KIA DEALERSHIP KEEP STALLING ON THE REPAIR. THEY ONLY HAVE ONE CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO HAS BEEN SNOWED UNDER WITH WORK. THIS ENTIRE WEEK THE CERTIFIED MECHANIC IS ON VACATION AND TWENTY-FIVE (25) CARS IN THE REPAIR SHOP WAITING ON HIM... HUMMM.... THEY BASICALLY REFUSED TO ALLOW ME TAKING IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE ENGINE TAKEN APART AND ORDERED THE REPLACEMENT PARTS. WHAT GOOD IS A 100K WARRANTY IF THEY KEEP THE VEHICLE FOR MONTHS AND MONTHS, WHILE I STILL PAY THE FINANCE COMPANY? *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 24, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR WATER OVERFLOW CONTAINER CRACKED. AS A RESULT, FLUID LEAKED AND OVERHEATED THE ENGINE, WHICH CAUSED IT TO FAIL. THE ENGINE WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $11,000. THE VEHICLE HAS OVER 60,000 MILES; THEREFORE, THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 1, 2008
CAR WAS SERVICED BY DEALER FOR FOUR YEARS. I PURCHASE THE CAR, HAVE THE COOLANT WATER FLOW TANK PRESSURED TESTED AND THREE WEEKS LATER LEAK OR CRACK IN THE COOLANT WATER FLOW TANK. ALL LIQUIDS LEAKED OUT, ENGINE OVER HEATED AND BLEW. HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. OVER 6000. TO REPAIR. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 22, 2008
I HAVE A 2004 MAGENTIS WHICH I HEARD IS LIKE THE SERENTO. THE TIMING BELT JUMPED AND THIS TOOK OUT THE MOTOR. UP TO THIS I LOVED MY CAR. KIA SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BUT REPLACE THE ENGINE AT MY COST AND I WOULD NOT GET IT BACK UNTIL IT WAS PAID FOR. WELL BEING A SINGLE MOTHER OF 4, STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THE CAR FOR ANOTHER 4 MORE YEARS. NEEDLESS TO SAY I HAVE A CAR WITH NO MOTOR AND MAKING PAYMENTS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 8, 2008
2004 KIA SORENTO LEAK IN A/C COOLANT BOTTLE. MY CAR WAS IN FOR A PRESSURE TEST THREE WEEKS BEFORE THIS AND IT PAST JUST FINE WITHOUT ANY LEAKS OR CRACKS. ON THE FREEWAY, OVER HEATS, PULL OVER, ALL THE FLUID LEAKS OUT, ENGINE IS DEAD AND MUST BE REPLACED. JUST HIT 61,000 MILES. KIA DOES NOT OFFER 100,000 MILE COVERAGE UNLESS YOU ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I AM THE SECOND OWNER AND HAVE HAD THE CAR THREE MONTHS. $5000. LATER I HAVE MY CAR BACK. KIA WILL NOT HONOR TO DO THE WORK BECAUSE THEY SAY IT WAS A LONG TERM LEAK. WELL, BEFORE I PURCHASED THE CAR, KIA DID ALL THE MAINTENANCE ON THIS CAR FOR FOUR YEARS..... IF IT WAS A LONG TERM LEAK, SHOULDN'T THEY HAVE CAUGHT IT? THEY SAY NO. I ALSO PURCHASED AN EXTENDED 80,000/3 YEAR WARRANTY WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, THEY ALSO DECLINED MY CAR COVERAGE BECAUSE THEY COVER NOTHING DUE TO ANY OVERHEATING. THIS IS REALLY JUST A COMPLETE JOKE. I DID NOTHING WRONG. KIA SERVICED THE CAR FOR FOUR YEARS. I HAD THE CAR IN THREE WEEKS BEFORE IT BLEW UP AND IT WAS TESTED AND FILLED WITH FLUIDS. WHY DOES THIS NOT MAKE ANY SENSE??? *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jan 18, 2008
I HAVE A 2004 KIA SORRENTO WHICH I PURCHASED NEW. IT CURRENTLY HAD 64,000 MILE AND I HAVE KEPT UP WITH ALL MAINTENANCE ITEMS AND HAVE HAD THEM PERFORMED BY KIA SERVICE IN THE DEALERSHIP. WHILE I HAVE HAD SOME MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR (BAD LIFTERS, VALVES, RADIATOR LEAKS, ETC), MY MAIN ISSUE IS THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TO DATE, I HAVE REPLACED VARIOUS BRAKE LIGHT BULBS, HEADLIGHT BULBS, DOME LIGHT BULB AND MY RADIO UNEXPLAINABLE TURNS ON/OFF. WHILE I HAVE DEALT WITH THESE ISSUES AS THEY ARISE, MY CAR HAS NOW TURNED OF WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD TWICE. ON BOTH OCCASIONS, ALL OF THE CAR LIGHTS, DISPLAYS, ETC, TURN OFF COMPLETELY AND THE CAR SIMPLY COASTS WHILE OFF. ONE OF THE OCCURRENCES I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE GOING 65 MPH, AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN. BOTH TIMES I PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WHEN I TURNED THE KEY, IT STARTED AGAIN. MY OBVIOUS CONCERN IS THAT OF SAFETY AS IT RELATES TO THE VARIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS (WHICH ARE NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY) WHICH THIS CAR HAS HAD. WHILE I CANNOT SPEAK FOR OTHER KIA OWNERS, THERE ARE A HOST OF FORUMS WHICH RELATE TO SIMILAR ISSUES. ADDITIONALLY, THE DEALERSHIPS THEMSELVES ARE AWARE OF THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES, AS NOTED TO ME PERSONALLY BY ONE OF THE TECHNICIANS. I AM REQUESTING FOR KIA TO PROVIDE THE LEVEL OF CUSTOMER SERVICE WHICH WE (AS KIA OWNERS) HAVE EXPECTED. THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE WELL DOCUMENTED AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. FURTHERMORE, I AM LOOKING FOR ASSISTANCE IN MY PERSONAL SITUATION NOW THAT MY CAR IS ONLY 4,000 OUT OF WARRANTY AND HAS THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THE HAZARDOUS PROBLEM OF SHUTTING DOWN. I AM MORE THAT HAPPY TO PROVIDE ANY RECORDS WHICH WILL DOCUMENT THE PROBLEMS DETAILED ABOVE. ALSO, I AM AVAILABLE ANYTIME TO DISCUSS FURTHER IF NEEDED. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 19, 2007
I WAS TOLD BY THE FLORIDA STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE THIS IS THE SITE TO ENTER INFORMATION FOR A POSSIBLE PRODUCT RECALL. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. THE RADIATOR RESERVOIR ON KIA SORRENTO'S START LEAKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IF THE CONSUMER DOES NOT NOTICE IT THEN THE ENGINE WILL OVERHEAT AND STOP WORKING. ALTHOUGH THE ENGINES ARE WARRANTED FOR 10 YRS OR 100,000 MILES I SEE POTENTIAL FOR MANY CONSUMERS LOSING THEIR ENGINES AND THE RESPONSE FROM KIA BE THAT THE CUSTOMER LET THE ENGINE OVERHEAT. IT IS NOT EASY TO REALIZE THAT THE CAR IS OVERHEATING. RATHER THAN A FLASHING LIGHT THE TEMPERATURE INDICATOR IS A GAUGE. YOU HAVE TO ACTUALLY NOTICE THAT THE NEEDLE HAS MOVED. IT SEEMS A SHAME THAT SO MANY PEOPLE MAY LOSE THEIR ENGINES BECAUSE OF WHAT AMOUNT TO A PLASTIC PART THAT JUST STARTS LEAKING. I BELIEVE THE REPLACEMENT RADIATOR RESERVOIR IS A REDESIGNED PART AND I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THE ORIGINAL PART IS DEFECTIVE SHOULD BE RECALLED. I OWN A KIA, THIS DID NOT HAPPEN TO ME. I WAS LUCK ENOUGH TO NOTICE THAT THE RADIATOR RESERVOIR WAS LEAKING. MY SORRENTO IS A 2004 BUT I BELIEVE OTHER SORRENTOS AROUND THAT YEAR USE THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 12, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND HESITATE AND THEN IT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE COOLANT COMPARTMENT HAD A LEAK AND WAS DRIPPING COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHICH CAUSED IT TO HESITATE. SHE CALLED THE KIA CORPORATE OFFICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE REPAIR WOULD NOT BE FREE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,537.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 11, 2007
I HAD BACK FIRING AND THE POSSIBILITY OF STALLING. OF COURSE I DID REPORT THIS TO LAWLEYS, BUT THEIR RESPONSE WAS, WELL WE CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM, SO WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, THEN BRING IT BACK. I HAD TRAVELED TO EL PASO, TX. AND WHEN I WAS READY TO COME HOME, I STARTED THIS VEHICLE AND IT HAD A VERY LOUD CLICKING NOISE. I HAD NO OIL IN THE CAR AND THERE WAS NO WARNING. AS FAR AS THE VERIFICATION OF OIL CHANGES, I HAD SOME, BUT I DIDN'T HAVE A RECENT ONE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT TIME TO CHANGE THE OIL UNTIL I GOT BACK HOME, BUT THEY DID NOT CARE. WELL, THE SECOND TIME THAT I HAD A PROBLEM I WAS IN WILLCOX, AZ. IT'S ABOUT 50 MILES OUTSIDE OF SIERRA VISTA. WHEN I GOT OUT THERE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND IF YOU READ YOUR MANUAL, THEN YOU KNOW NOT TO DRIVE THE KIA WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. THEY SAID TO DRIVE IT HOME. THIS WAS ON A SATURDAY. I HAD TO WAIT UNTIL MONDAY TO BRING IT INTO THE SHOP. COME TO FIND OUT, THERE WAS A VERY BIG PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE. THE LACK OF POWER, THE BACKFIRING OF THE ENGINE, IT ALL CAME FROM A CYLINDER MISFIRE. THERE WERE DENTS IN THE PISTON TOP, CYLINDER WALL WAS DAMAGED, AND VALVE DAMAGE, TO INCLUDE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE CYLINDER. IT IS STATED IN MY REPORT THAT THERE WERE CONCERNS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BEING IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WITH OTHER VEHICLES. THIS CAUSED THE DAMAGED AREAS THAT I RECENTLY MENTIONED. THIS OF COURSE CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ENGINE. IF YOU ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH YOUR KIA AND YOUR DEALERSHIP TELLS YOU THEY CAN?T FIND THE PROBLEM, THEN MENTION THE CONCERNS ABOUT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. EVERY DEALERSHIP KNOWS THAT THESE VEHICLES ARE BADLY MADE AND THEY WILL FIND ANY REASON TO NOT HAVE TO PAY TO FIX YOUR VEHICLE. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR RECEIPTS OR THEY WILL NOT BE WILLING TO HELP YOU AT ALL. AFTER MY DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED IT, THEY SAID THAT BECAUSE I WAS MISSING AN OIL CHANGE, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $350 (FOR THE FLUIDS NEEDED) AND THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE ENGINE. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 28, 2007
ENGINE SEIZED DUE TO A FACTORY RECALL. RECEIVED THE NOTICE AFTER THE FACT AND KIA IS NOT WILLING TO ACCEPT AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY IN CORRECTLY FIXING MY ENGINE AND PAYING FOR MY $1000 RENTAL CAR. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 24, 2007
AFTER ALREADY REPLACING A CRANKSHAFT AND A SPEED SENSOR IN MY 2004 KIA SORENTO EX, I AM NOW EXPERIENCING A KNOCKING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD. IT USUALLY STARTS WHILE WAITING FOR A STOP LIGHT BUT ALSO WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. MY WARRANTY IS OUT AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE IT WORKED ON AT THIS POINT. DON'T EVER BUY A USED KIA SORENTO WITHOUT CHECKING CARFAX FIRST!!!! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 18, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT BOLT WAS THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 14, 2007
2004 KIA SORENTO - LOSS OF POWER, BRAKE AND BATTERY LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, VEHICLE STALLED. CRANK BOLT FAILURE. HAPPENED 3 TIMES; REPLACED/FIXED 3 TIMES. A LETTER TO KIA BEING SENT AT THE TIME THIS WAS BEING WRITTEN.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 3, 2005
THE ENGINE COOLANT RESERVOIR FAILED CAN'T BE REPAIRED. IT MUST BE REPLACED. THERE ARE NO SUCH PARTS ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATES. PARTS ARE ON A BOAT FROM KOREA. DUE TO THE SUSPECTED NUMBER OF SUCH FAILURES, AND TO THE BASIC LACK OF ADEQUATE DESIGN OF THE PART, WE SUSPECT THAT THERE HAS BEEN A MAJOR DRAW-DOWN ON THE PART, RESULTING IN A STOCK OUTAGE. OPERATING THE VEHICLE W/O THIS MAJOR COMPONENT WOULD RESULT IN ENGINE FAILURE. SUCH ENGINE FAILURE, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT, AND POTENTIAL INJURY. *NM *AK