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
220 reports, newest first.
Suspension, Mar 20, 2012
VEHICLE IS ONLY 8 YEARS OLD. I CONSTANTLY HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THE FIRST TIME I HAD THIS PROBLEM I SLID WHILE TRYING TO HOLD BRAKES, THERE WAS ALSO A LOT OF WEIRD SOUNDS AND THE REAR END DID NOT FEEL STURDY. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE FOUND METAL BRACKET WELDED TO THE REAR AXLE THAT HOLDS THE UPPER CONTROL ARMS HAD COMPLETELY FAILED! THE NORMAL TORQUE FROM THE REAR AXLE WAS BROKEN BOTH BRACKETS HOLDING THE UPPER CONTROL ARM TO THE CARS FRAME. ALL THAT IS HOLDING THE REAR AXLE IN PLACE IS THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND THE SWAY BARS. THERE ARE NO WEEP HOLES TO ALLOW WATER TO DRAIN OUT OF THE BRACKET WELDMENT, CAUSING WATER TO FILL THE CUP-LIKE CONDITION CREATED. THIS CONDITION HAS (AN WILL) CAUSE PREMATURE FAILURE OF ALL KIA SORENTO REAR AXLE/UPPER CONTROL ARM CONNECTIONS. WHILE DRIVING THE REAR AXLE COULD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO EXCESSIVE STRESS PLACED ON THE REMAINING PARTS. REGULAR DRIVING COULD CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, AND RENDER THE VEHICLE UNCONTROLLABLE, WITH THE LIKELIHOOD OF MASSIVE INJURY AND POSSIBLY DEATH AS A RESULT!!! HE ALSO SAID THAT IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM FOR ME BECAUSE I STILL HAVE A CAR NOTE TO PAY. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CONDITION!!! THESE CARS NEED TO BE RECALLED NOW BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED!!! *KB
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Exterior lighting, Feb 22, 2012
I BOUGHT MY SARENTO IN 2004, NEW. I REPLACED THE COOLANT RESERVOR AT 61000 MILES DUE TO OVERHEATING, REPLACED THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BULBS ON 4 OCASIONS, TAIL LIGHTS ON 2 OCASIONS. MY VEHICLE, 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION, STARTED TO HAVE A ROARING NOISE APPROX. 6 MONTHS AGO AND THE U-JOINTS WERE REPLACED. IT STILL ROARS. IT QUIT RUNNING ON 2-16-12 WHILE I WAS DRIVING, BUT RESTARTED. IT FINALLY QUIT AGAIN AND WOULD NOT RESTART ON 2-17-12. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT INDICATE A FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR PROBLEM, BUT MECHANIC SAYS THIS SHOULD NOT CAUSE THE PROBLEM I PRESENTLY HAVE. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SINCE 2-18-12. THE MECHANIC SAID IT STARTED FOR HIM. I INSISTED HE LET IT RUN FOR A WHILE AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS. SURE ENOUGH, IT QUIT. KIA MECHANIC TOLD ME IT MAY BE A CRANK OR CAM SENSOR ISSUE. OTHER PROBLEMS--FRONT DOME LIGHT OFF AND ON AT WILL, REAR ONE WORKS, CLOCK ON AND OFF AT WILL, VEHICLE HUMS LOUDLY WHEN DRIVING FOR A WHILE. IT HAS BEEN A RELIABLE VEHICLE FOR THE MOST PART, BUT WHEN THERE IS AN ISSUE, IT IS HARD TO DETECT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 28, 2011
WHILE DRIVING I SUDDENLY HEARD A SOUND COMING FROM MY ENGINE AND SEVERAL DASHBOARD LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR TO THE AUTO MECHANIC THAT WORKS ON MY CAR WHO INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS A CRANK PULLEY BOLT THAT HAD SHEARED OFF. THE MECHANIC ALSO INFORMED ME THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH KIAS. AFTER DOING A LOT OF INTERNET RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS TRUE. THE CAR HAS 135,000 ON IT. I HAVE SPENT OVER $4,000 ON REPAIRS ON THIS CAR IN THE LAST YEAR. IT SEEMS THAT EVERYTHING DECIDED TO GO THIS YEAR. I ONLY DO HIGHWAY DRIVING AND I AM THE ONLY OWNER. I AM VERY CAREFUL WITH MY CAR. ANY CHANCE KIA WILL REIMBURSE? *TR
Power train, Dec 14, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORRENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMALLY LOUD NOISE WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE MUFFLER TAIL PIPE HANGER AND THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT BOTH COMPONENTS WERE CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DENIED ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
Suspension, Power train, Wheels, Dec 3, 2011
VEHICLE IS ONLY 7 YEARS OLD. METAL BRACKET WELDED TO THE REAR AXLE THAT HOLDS THE UPPER CONTROL ARMS HAS COMPLETELY FAILED! THE NORMAL TORQUE FROM THE REAR AXLE HAS BROKEN BOTH BRACKETS HOLDING THE UPPER CONTROL ARM TO THE CARS FRAME. ALL THAT IS HOLDING THE REAR AXLE IN PLACE IS THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND THE SWAY BARS. THERE ARE NO WEEP HOLES TO ALLOW WATER TO DRAIN OUT OF THE BRACKET WELDMENT, CAUSING WATER TO FILL THE CUP-LIKE CONDITION CREATED. THIS CONDITION HAS (AN WILL) CAUSE PREMATURE FAILURE OF ALL KIA SORENTO REAR AXLE/UPPER CONTROL ARM CONNECTIONS. WHILE DRIVING THE REAR AXLE COULD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO EXCESSIVE STRESS PLACED ON THE REMAINING PARTS. A TYPICAL TRAFFIC MANEUVER COULD CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, AND RENDER THE VEHICLE UNCONTROLABLE, WITH THE LIKELYNESS OF MASSIVE PAIN, INJURY AND DEATH AS A RESULT!!! THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CONDITION!!! THESE CARS NEED TO BE RECALLED NOW BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED!!! PS IF YOU SEE A KIA SORENTO ON THE FREEWAY...STAY AWAY FROM IT FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY!
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 28, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY HAD TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,500.
Suspension, Sep 27, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED THE REAR END ROCKED BACK AND FORTH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE HANGERS ON THE REAR END WERE CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 15, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A LOOSE INDUCT CONTROL VALVE FELL INTO THE ENGINE, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BECOME DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,648. UPDATED 11/08/11*LJ
Air bags, Aug 28, 2011, crash
WHILE APPROACHING TO AN INTERSECTION THE KIA CRASH THE FRONT LEFT SIDE TO THE BACK OF A LAND ROVER, AND DESPITE THE BIG IMPACT AND DAMAGES THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T OPENED ENDANGERED THE LIFE OF MY DAUGHTER. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE BIG IMPACT AS OF THE FACT THAT THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T OPENED.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 25, 2011
I AM WRITING THIS COMPLAINT AGAINST KIA MOTORS WHO WILLINGLY KNOWS OF ISSUES WITH ITS FUEL SYSTEMS IN ALL 2004 KIA SORENTOS. EVEN LOOKING ONLINE YOU SEE THOUSANDS OF KIA OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SENSOR GO OUT ON THIS MODEL CAR AFTER THE CARS 100000 WARRANTY, AND THEN KIA CLAIMS IT IS PAST THE WARRANTY THEY HAVE AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THIS CAUSES THE GAS TO ALWAYS READ INCORRECTLY EVEN WITH A FULL TANK THE CAR READS "E" AND CONTINUOUSLY EVERY DAY HAVE TO PLACE MORE GAS IN CAR FOR FEAR THAT THE "E" MAY COME ON AND LIKE SEVERAL DAYS AGO I WAS LEFT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FROM THIS. WHEN YOU REACH OUT TO KIA THEY OFFER NO HELP STATING THERE ARE NO DOCUMENTED CASES AND WHEN YOU TELL THEM TO LOOK ONLINE, THEY CLAIM THOSE COULD JUST BE ANGRY CUSTOMERS PLACING FALSE INFORMATION. THEN THEY WANT TO HANG BEHIND THE "AS IS" CLAUSE STATING THAT I SHOULD HAVE HAD A MECHANIC CHECK THE CAR OUT, WHICH UNLESS THEY ARE A KIA DEALER AND ARE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE WHICH DID NOT SHOW UP TO SEVERAL DAYS LATER AFTER THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. THIS IS KNOWN DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING AS EVIDENCED ONLINE AND FEEL THAT SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE TO MAKE KIA FIX THESE PROBLEMS WITHOUT CUSTOMERS HAVING TO FORK OVER MORE AND MORE MONEY OVER SOMETHING KIA ITSELF IS RESPONSIBLE FOR AND WILL NOT RECTIFY. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 21, 2011
JUST NORMAL DRIVING THE RESERVE RADIATOR TANK SPLIT AT THE SEEM. THE CAR HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT. IT LEAKED ALL OVER IN MY GARAGE AND MY TWO PUPPIES ALMOST LICKED UP THE COOLANT FROM THE FLOOR. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Jul 8, 2011
REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, KEEP GIVING EVAP CODE, REPLACED EVAP CANISTER SOLENOID WITH KIT, HEADLIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS, CLOCK LOSES TIME, . *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 30, 2011
CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT - THIS IS A RECALLED PART THAT WAS REPLACED IN 2008. SNAPPED OFF WHILE DRIVING. THANKFULLY NOT ON THE FREEWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED. REPLACEMENT IS JUST AS FAULTY AS ORIGINAL. MANY MULTIPLE KIA OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM SOME HAVE HAD THIS SAME OCCURRENCE HAPPEN A THIRD TIME. OBVIOUSLY, REPLACEMENT BOLT IS NOT WORKING EITHER AND CANNOT SURVIVE THE STRESS THAT IS NEEDED TO OPERATE SAFELY. THIS IS A COSTLY AND TIMELY REPAIR TO REPLACE A BOLT THAT SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 2 1/2 YEARS. NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND REPLACED WITH A BETTER QUALITY BOLT. CALLED KIA AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR, STATE OUT OF 1 1/2 YEAR WARRANTY. 1ST YEAR OF CAR OWNERSHIP, CAR STALLED WHILE TURNING LEFT WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC APPROACHING DUE TO THREE FAULTY STARTER COILS. KIA NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR LESS THAN RELIABLE VEHICLES. POOR QUALITY PARTS. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ALSO FAULTY, HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS CONSISTENTLY GO OUT.
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Jun 8, 2011
SHORTLY AFTER I HAD SOME BELTS REPLACED ON MY 2004 KIA SORENTO, THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT BROKE (AROUND 90,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE). I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PART, BUT NOT FOR MY VIN NUMBER. I HAD TO PAY OVER $700 TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED AND MY MECHANIC HAD TO BUY THE PART FROM KIA TO FINALLY GET IT FROM CONTINUALLY BREAKING. NOW, ALMOST TWO YEARS LATER, IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN (AROUND 130,000 MILES). I CALLED KIA TO SEE IF THEY EXTENDED THE RECALL TO COVER MY VEHICLE, BUT THEY DID NOT AND REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. ONCE AGAIN, IT IS COMING OUT OF MY POCKET TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH VEHICLES OTHER THAN THE ONES THAT WERE ORIGINALLY COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jun 5, 2011
2004 KIA SORENTO. THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS AND FRONT FOG LIGHTS BURN OUT FREQUENTLY. THIS LEAVES ME UNKNOWINGLY DRIVING AT NIGHT WITHOUT PROPER LIGHTING. I USUALLY FIND OUT WHEN OTHER DRIVERS TELL ME MY LIGHTS ARE OUT. THERE IS EITHER AN ELECTRICAL OR FUZEBOX PROBLEM WITH THE KIA SORENTO FROM 2003-06. SO FAR, KIA HAS REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. I FOUND MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ONLINE SUCH AS HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F14D197/. *TR
Structure, Other or unspecified, May 25, 2011
ON THE ABOVE MENTIONED DATE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NTB FOR A 90,000 MILE CHECK AND TO REPLACE A BOLT THAT HAD BROKEN LOOSE IT WAS LOCATED NEAR THE REAR AXLE WHEN PUT UP ON THE LIFT A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WAS REVEALED. THE FRAME ABOVE THE REAR AXLE HAD COMPLETELY ROTTED WHICH CAUSED THE BOLT TO BREAK AND THE RESULTING LOSS OF INTEGRITY CAUSED WEAKENING AND AND BOUNCING CAUSING THE GAS TANK TO BE PUNCTURED. THE CAR WAS DEEMED UNDRIVABLE. I HAVE WRITTEN TO KIA WITH NO RESPONSE THE CAR HAD BEEN RELIABLE AND WAS TAKEN CARE OF THIS PUT US IN A TOUGH FINANCIAL SITUATION HAVING TO BUY ANOTHER CAR IN OUR AREA ALONE THERE ARE TWO KIA,S THAT HAD ROTTING FRAMES ONE THE SAME YEAR AND MAKE AS OURS HIS HAD 106,000 MILES THE ROTTING WAS NOT NEAR AS BAD AS OURS BUT THE SAME BOLT BROKE OFF ANOTHER WAS A DIFFERENT MODEL BUT HE HAD TO GET THE FRONT AXLE REPLACED BECAUSE OF ROTTING OUR FAMILY WAS PUT IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED THE FRAME OF THE CAR IS ABOUT THE LAST THING YOU WOULD EXPECT TO FAIL KIA IS SAYING THAT IT IS ANTIPERFORATION AND NOT COVERED ANTIPERFORATION HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE FRAME ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HELPWOULD BE APPRECIATED I AM FILING THIS ON BEHALF OF MY DAUGHTER
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 14, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORRENTO. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 15 MPH WHEN THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT FRACTURED AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR, TIMING BELT, DAMPER PULLEY, AND THE CRANKSHAFT SPROCKET. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO ADVISED REPLACING THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 76,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electrical system, Air bags, Equipment, Mar 23, 2011
I BOUGHT A 2004 KIA SORENTO IN 2006 FINISHED PAYING FOR IT IN 2010,OVER THE YEARS I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE LIGHTS SO MANY TIMES I CANT COUNT,I HAVE HAD TOPAINT IT TWICE,THEN THE DRIVING SHAFT BROKE,THE COMPRESSOR WAS CHANGED TWICE, THE CD PLAYER WORKS ON AND OFF THE AIR BAGS LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED FOR MONTHS ON END THE ENGINE LIGHT DOES THE SAME AND MOST RECENTLY THERE IS SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE, I AM HAVING TO STOP PARK AND LET IT COOL OFF BEFORE CONTINUING ON MY JOURNEY, AT THE MOMENT I GOT SCARED AND I NOW I HAVE MY VEHICLE PARKED AT HOME BECAUSE I AM SCARED TO DRIVE IT, IT IS A SHAME AND I AM VERY UPSET. IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE WHO IS TRYING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS US CONSUMERS ARE HAVING? I OWN MY VEHICLE AND HAS A CLEAN TITLE AND WOULD LIKE TO TRADE IN OR SELL BUT WITH ALL THESE PROBLEMS HOW CAN I PASS IT ON TO SOMEONE ELSE? I AM ASKING SOMEONE FROM KIA TO DO THE RESPONSIBLE THING AND GIVE US SOME ANSWERS BEFORE SOMEONE LOSES THEIR LIFE,THAT IS IF IT HASN'T HAPPENED ALREADY. DON'T LET THIS BE TOYOTA. *TR
Other or unspecified, Mar 6, 2011
CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT_WHILE DECELERATING TO MAKE A TURN, I LOST MY POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. THE BRAKE AND BATTERY INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON. THANKFULLY, I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I MANAGED TO MAKE IT HOME THE LAST TWO MILES USING BATTERY TO SUPPLY IGNITION. THE 2 OF THE 3 BELTS HAD DISLODGED AND THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY WAS LOSE TO THE POINT THAT IT NEARLY DETACHED FROM THE CRANKSHAFT END. I AM GREATLY DISTURBED THAT, AFTER SOME RESEARCH, DISCOVERED THAT THIS EXACT FAILURE HAS BEEN REGULARLY DOCUMENTED. I PURCHASED MY UNIT USED SO I AM UNAWARE IF A PREVIOUS REPAIR HAD BEEN MADE BY KIA. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION OF SUCH. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE. I AM THANKFUL THAT I WAS IN A RURAL AREA WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCURRED. BASED UPON SOME RESEARCH FINDINGS, I HOPE THAT I DO NOT EXPERIENCE BALKING WHILE ATTEMPTING TO HAVE THIS ISSUE REMEDIED, AS OTHERS HAVE. I HAVE REVIEWED SOME DISCUSSION REGARDING A SERVICE BULLETIN #018 (NHTSA ITEM NUMBER : 10009688 DATE OF BULLETIN : JUL 01, 2004 CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT) ISSUED BY KIA CONCERNING THIS FAILURE. I WILL BE ARRANGING FOR THE UNIT TO BE DELIVERED TO MY NEAREST KIA DEALER (45 MILES AWAY IN QUINCY, IL).
Tires, Mar 3, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO EX. THE VEHICLE HAS KUMHO RADIAL 798 TIRES, LINE SIZE P245/70/R16, MANUFACTURED MARCH 2006. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE EXHIBITING ABNORMAL FRACTURES. THE TIRE DISTRIBUTOR WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE HOT CLIMATE. THE TIRES WERE NEITHER REPAIRED NOR REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRES WAS 16,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,501 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,793. UPDATED 05/03/2011*LJ UPDATED 1/5/12 *CN
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 2, 2011
I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE INTERSTATE AT APROX. 70 MPH. I HEARD A TICKING NOISE AND LOOKED AT THE DASH. NO WARNING LIGHTS. I ROLLED THE WINDOW UP, COULD NOT HEAR THE NOISE ANY LONGER AND CONTINUED DOWN THE ROAD. I ROLLED THE WINDOW BACK DOWN, THE TICKING GOT LOUDER, ALL LIGHTS ON THE DASH LIGHT UP, ENGINE STALLS, AND AS I'M MOVING TO THE EMERGENCY LANE, THE TEMP. GAUGE MOVES TO THE RED. THE VEHICLE HAS 155,000 MILES ON IT SO THE WARRANTY IS UP. HOWEVER, THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED BECAUSE OF THE FLUID LEAKING OUT OF THE WATER RESERVOIR. IF KIA WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL, KNOWING THAT THIS COULD CAUSE SERIOUS ENGINE PROBLEMS, WHY ARE THEY NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS MOTOR? THE REPAIRS ARE GOING TO COST MORE THAN 5000 DOLLARS AND THAT IS IF I CAN FIND A REPLACEMENT MOTOR FROM A SECONDARY DEALER. I HAVE CONSIDERED TRYING TO FIND A USED MOTOR BUT I AM NOW HEARING THAT THIS PARTICULAR MOTOR HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE #6 CYLINDER WALL FAILING, AND I DO NOT WANT TO SINK THAT KIND OF MONEY INTO THIS VEHICLE WITHOUT THE ASSURANCE THAT I WILL NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS AGAIN IN 6 MONTHS. HAS ANYONE ELSE HEARD OF THIS? ARE THERE ANY CLASS ACTION SUITS AGAINST KIA? THIS SHOULD NOT BE TOLERATED. IF YOU SPEND 28,000 DOLLARS ON A VEHICLE, CHANGE THE OIL EVERY 3 TO 5 THOUSAND MILES, YOU SHOULD EXPECT MORE THAN 155,000 MILES OUT OF IT. KIA SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 14, 2010
I WAS DRIVING MY CHILDREN IN THE SUMMER AND MY ENGINE BEGAN SQUEALING VERY LOUDLY, THE A/C STOPPED WORKING, AND THE STEERING LOCKED UP. WE TOOK THE CAR TO GET IT FIXED AND THEY SAID THE CRANK SHAFT BOLT IN THE ENGINE HAD BROKEN COMPLETELY. THEY SAID THE ONLY THING WE COULD DO IS REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE, WHICH IS $4000. WE FOUND SOMEONE WHO REPLACED THE BOLT, BECAUSE WE COULDN'T AFFORD A NEW ENGINE, AND NOW THE HEAT DOESN'T WORK, IT STILL SQUEALS, AND OUR RADIO COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING AS WELL. WE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, AND WE ARE ONLY AT 65000 MILES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 29, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT SPUN OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT BROKE OFF IN THE ENGINE, THE PULLEYS FELL OFF AND THE TWO BELTS BROKE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED ALREADY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AGAIN. THE CONTACT REFERENCED A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR THE CRANK SHAFT BOLT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THE DIAGNOSIS WAS A DEFECTIVE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,850.
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 7, 2010
I BOUGHT A KIA BACK IN 2006. THE KIA WAS A 2004 SORENTO. AFTER HAVING THIS VEHICLE FOR ONE YEAR THE COOLANT STARTED LEAKING. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE COOLANT CASE WAS CRACKED. THEY FIXED IT AND WHEN I PICKED THE CAR UP I DROVE OFF AND 10 MINUTES LATER REALIZED MY CAR WAS OVERHEATING. I STOPPED AND POPPED THE HOOD AND REALIZED THEY DIDN'T RECONNECT MY FAN BELTS. THEN IN 2007 I WAS HEARING SOME NOISE IN THE ENGINE AND THE NEXT DAY THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP AND THE CAR WOULD BARELY MOVE. COME TO FIND OUT MY CRANK SHAFT BOLT HAD BROKEN. THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY BUT THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR IT TO BE REPLACED STATING THAT I DIDN'T CHANGE THE OIL. I ARGUED WITH THEM AND NOTHING. REMIND YOU THE QUOTE ON FIXING THIS PROBLEM THE RIGHT WAY COST CLOSE TO 9,000.00. I PAID THEM 900.00 TO REPLACE BOLT AND SHOVE IT BACK IN THERE AND HOPE THAT IT WOULD LAST. ON FRIDAY NOV OF 2010 MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND THE CRANK SHAFT BOLT FELL OUT ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I STILL OWE ONE YEAR ON THIS VEHICLE AND IT DOESN'T WORK. I HAVE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS THAT HAVE OCCURRED IN 2004 KIA SORENTO. I FEEL THIS IS A DEFECT IN THEIR PRODUCT AND THAT THEY SHOULD HALF TO PAY FOR ALL THESE PEOPLES PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. THERE WAS ALSO A RECALL ON 03 AND 06 MODELS ON CRANK SHAFT BOLTS. TELL ME THERE ISN'T A CONSISTENT PROBLEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 12, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CRANK BOLT WAS SHEARED AND THE ENGINE HERMETIC BALANCER COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS VERY UNUSUAL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CRANK BOLT AND THE OWNER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ADDITIONAL REPAIR EXPENSES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THERE WERE CERTAIN AREAS THE VEHICLE EXTERIOR PAINT SUSTAINED EXCESSIVE CHIPPING AFTER THE DEFECTIVE SURFACE WAS TOUCHED UP WITH PAINT. ALSO, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE FAILED TO FUNCTION CORRECTLY, EVEN THOUGH THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 66,000.