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.
Air bags, Sep 17, 2010, crash
2004 KIA SORENTO. ROLLOVER. KIA SAYS THAT THE AIR BAGS ARE TURNED OFF IN A ROLL OVER NOT WHEN HIT ON THE SIDE! WHAT GOOD ARE THEY THAN? THIS INFORMATION IS NOT GIVEN WHEN THE KIAS ARE PURCHASED.... RESEARCH NEEDS TO BE DONE FOR HOW OFTEN IT OCCURS AND THAT THERE MAY BE MORE ROLLOVERS THAN SIDE IMPATCTS, WHY THEY ROLLOVER SOO MANY TIMES, AND THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS FOR OTHER KIAS THAT THE AIRBAGS HAVE NOT DEPLOYED IN CRASHES. CONSEQUENCES WERE THAT THE DRIVER DIED THIS TIME DUE TO THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY! THERE WAS ONLY ONE PERSON THE DRIVER IN THE KIA, THE CRASH WAS WHEN THE VEHICLE HIT THE ROCK AND THAN THE GROUND 15 TIMES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 11, 2010
WHILE DRIVING IN THE FAST LANE ON THE INTERSTATE, MY 2004 KIA SORENTO OVERHEATED AND THE ENGINE SEIZED, WE WERE ABLE TO COAST OFF THE FREEWAY AT AN EXIT AND PULL OVER SAFELY. UPON INSPECTION, WE NOTICED THE COOLANT RESERVOIR WAS CRACKED ON THE BOTTOM, ALLOWING ALL THE COOLANT TO LEAK OUT. AFTER A LITTLE RESEARCH, I FOUND THE TSB ABOUT THIS OLD MODEL COOLANT RESERVOIR CRACKING AND A NEW MODEL WAS OUT. THIS DAMAGED TANK CAUSED MY ENGINE TO OVERHEAT, SEIZE ON THE FREEWAY AND NOW HAS BLOWN THE HEAD GASKET AND WARPED THE ALUMINUM HEADS. WHY WASN'T I TOLD THAT THESE TANKS WERE A PROBLEM, I HAD MY OIL CHANGED AT THE DEALERSHIP 3 WEEKS PRIOR AND 3 MONTHS BEFORE THAT, NOBODY SAID ANYTHING. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 31, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIBRATION DAMPER ON THE FRONT OF THE CRANK SHAFT FAILED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL, BUT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED, EVEN THOUGH HIS VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,000.
Steering, Jul 30, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND UPON EXAMINATION THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT TWO OF THE WHEELS WERE TURNED IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS AND THE TIE ROD WAS OUT OF POSITION. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 22, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE 74 TIMES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THEY HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW BATTERY EVERY YEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE HIT A BUMP SHE COULD HEAR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SURGING AND THE LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE HEADLIGHTS OR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 12000.
Engine and engine cooling, May 10, 2010
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) WE HAVE A 2004 KIA SORENTO AUTOMOBILE THAT HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT IN SEPT. 2009. THE REPAIR COST OVER $1000.00. WE LATER FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS SOME KIND OF "REPAIR CAMPAIGN" (SC072) FOR THE SAME ISSUE. WHEN WE CONTACTED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR REPAIR REIMBURSEMENT WE WERE TOLD OUR VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED 11 DAYS AFTER THE VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. KIA OFFERED NO GRACE PERIOD AND TOLD US THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. ON SATURDAY, 5/8/10, THE SAME BOLT BROKE AGAIN WHICH RENDERS THE VEHICLE UNDRIVEABLE. IF THIS BOLT WERE TO BREAK WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE CONSEQUENCES WOULD BE CATASTROPHIC. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED BACK TO BILL DODGE KIA IN WESTBROOK, ME. AGAIN FOR REPAIR, AND HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED AS KIA CASE # [XXX] . THE CASE WAS OPENED BY CONTACTING KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE (ALBERT) AT 800-333-4542, EXT. 45060. THE KIA REGIONAL MANAGER FOR THIS PART OF THE U.S. IS GARY AIROLDI AND KIA WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL CONTACT INFORMATION FOR MR. AIROLDI. I CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER IF THE STATE OF MAINE SHOULDN'T LEAD THE WAY IN FORCING KIA MOTORS INTO A NATIONAL RECALL AND REPAIR EFFORT FOR ALL OF THEIR VEHICLES IMPACTED BY THIS DEFECT AND REIMBURSE THOSE WHO HAVE INCURRED OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES AND/OR INJURIES AS A RESULT. OUR DESIRE IS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT NO COST (CONSIDERING THE PREVIOUS REPAIR CAMPAIGN) AND TO RECOUP THE $1030.30 SPENT ON THE PREVIOUS REPAIR. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR REVIEWING OUR INQUIRY AND WE APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN OFFER. PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO ALSO CONTACT ME AT WORK AT [XXX] . [XXX] *TR
Air bags, Apr 30, 2010, crash
THE SIDE AIRBAGS ON OUR 2004 KIA SORENTO DID NOT DEPLOY IN A SIDE IMPACT WITH A UTILITY (ELECTRIC) POLE. CAR SLID FROM ROAD IN A SUDDEN HAIL STORM AND SLID PASSENGER SIDE INTO THE POLE. SPEED WHEN CONTROL OF CAR WAS LOST, APPROX 45 MPH. THE IMPACT BROKE THE POLE INTO 4 PIECES AND TOTALED THE CAR. THE IMPACT WAS IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, JUST INFRONT OF THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FRAME. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 15, 2009
MY 2004 KIA SORENTO WAS IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTICS DUE TO ENGINE MISFIRE. DURING WHICH PHIL SMITH KIA TECHNICIANS GAVE MY COOLING SYSTEM GREEN CHECK THAT ALL WAS OK. APPROXIMATELY TEN MILES AFTERWARDS THE ENGINE SUFFERED FAILURE, HEADGASKET BLOWN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. WAS ADVISED BY SERVICE MANAGER WHEN THEY STARTED THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE SEIZED. DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY, CLAIMING THAT THE CAR OVERHEATED CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE EVEN OCCURRED WITHIN 5 MINUTES OF THE CAR STARTING AND IT NEVER OVERHEATED. I HAVE CONTACTED KIA CONSUMER AND RECEIVED NO ASSISTANCE. DESPITE HAVING DOCUMENTATION TO SUPPORT THE COOLING SYSTEM WAS FINE, THEY WILL NOT ACCEPT THE CLAIM. I AM FORCED TO PAY FOR CHARGES RELATING TO THE ENGINE TEAR DOWN, APPROXIMATELY $400 BEFORE THEY WILL RELEASE MY VEHICLE BACK TO ME. I WILL THEN HAVE TO TAKE IT ELSEWHERE TO BE REPAIRED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 17, 2009
MY RESPONSE IS TO THE PERSON WHO FILED THE BELOW COMPLAINT: MINE WAS 2004 SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED TO ME 6500. FOR NEW ENGINE! ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WAS COVERED BY KIA EXCUSE AFTER EXCUSE I ALSO HAD ALL RECORDS ON THE CAR. I ALSO HAD IN WRITING TEN DAYS BEFORE PROOF THAT THEIR WAS NOT A CRACK IN RESERVOIR BECAUSE I HAD SERVICE DONE---KIA'S RESPONSE WAS THAT I MUST HAVE KNOWN I HAD ISSUES WITH THE CAR IF I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE...MIND YOU THIS WAS MY NORMAL 3 MONTH-3000 MILE NORMAL ROUTINE CHECK UP...........KIA IS HORRIBLE...... I AM ON BOARD WITH YOU FOR CLASS ACTION SUIT TO GET MY MONEY BACK THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE PAID FOR!!! MY 2003 KIA SORENTO STOPPED WITH NO WARNING OR INDICATION OF A PROBLEM AT 67,735 MILES DUE TO WHAT WAS LATER DETERMINED TO BE ENGINE OVERHEATING. AT FIRST THE KIA DEALER SAID IT WAS DUE TO THE COOLANT RESERVOIR CRACKING AND GOING EMPTY. SINCE THIS IS NOT A PART OF THE ENGINES ACTUAL MEANS OF COOLING, THEY CHANGED THEIR STORY TO THE THERMOSTAT FAILED. KIA SAID THAT THIS PORTION OF THE WARRANTY PASSED AT 65,000 MILES. THEIR WARRANTY SAYS 100,000 MILES. COST OVER $3,600.00 TO REPAIR, SIMILAR SITUATION AT 80,000 MILES FOR $1,400.00. STILL NO WARRANTY COVERAGE. I HAVE FURNISHED COMPLETE MAINTENANCE RECORDS SHOWING MAINTENANCE AT EVERY INTERVAL REQUIRED BY KIA. LOOKING FOR SOME ONE TO JOIN IN A CLASS ACTION SUIT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 17, 2009
NO PROBLEMS BEFORE HAND TO INDICATE THERE WAS A PROBLEM UNTIL COMPLETE POWER LOSS WITH ENGINE FAILURE, WITHIN A 50 SECOND SPAN OF DRIVING ON INTERSTATE. THIS WAS THE ONLY FAILURE , AS STATED, WITH THIS CAR. NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE COOLANT RESERVOIR TANK WAS FAULTY ON THIS MODEL . INFORMED OF THIS FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND LOCAL CORPORATE REP., AFTER THE FACT. I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THIS FAULTY PART AT ANY TIME. EVEN WHEN CAR SERVICED. THIS WAS A 3 YEAR KNOWN FAULTY PART THAT MANUFACTURER KNEW ABOUT. CAR WAS NEW WHEN BOUGHT. HAD A ENGINE WARRANTY OF 10/100,000. I ONLY HAD 5 YEARS AND 77,000 ON CAR. CAR CORPORATION REFUSES TO HONOR OR DEAL WITH REPLACING ENGINE. WAS TOLD THE FIRST WEEK TWICE IT WOULD BE COVERED. LOCAL CORP. REP. THEN SAID NO TO WARRANTY COVERAGE. I HAVE SINCE PAY FOR A NEW ENGINE OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. *TR
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
Structure, Sep 9, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR DOORS HAVE CORROSION ON THEM AND HAVE CAUSED PIECES OF RUST TO FALL OFF WHEN THE DOOR WAS OPENED. THE DEALER CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE ENTRANCE OF ROCK CHIPS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT AN EXPENSE OF $70.00 BY USING A BLACK SPRAY TO ELIMINATE THE CORROSION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
Tires, Aug 24, 2009
FRONT PASSENGER TIRE TREAD CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD AND CAUSE PASSENGER AIRBAG TO DEPLOY, WE WERE LUCKY CAR DID NOT ROLL OVER AND WE ALL WERE KILLED. BRIDGESTONE IS THE TIRE MANUFACTURER (DUELER 684, P245/70R16) AND WHEN I DO A WEB SEARCH ALL KINDS OF INFORMATION COMES UP WITH RECALLS BUT COULD NOT FIND MY TIRE TYPE BUT FOUND ALL KINDS OF BLOGS WITH PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT MY TYPE OF TIRE AND THE TREAD COMING OFF. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 25, 2009
COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSE BLOWN ENGINE WITHOUT ANY WARNING. *TR
Air bags, Jan 6, 2009, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING IN A SNOW STORM AT 55 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK A PINE TREE. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. HE WAS WEARING HIS SEAT BELT AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH, BUT HIS HEAD STILL STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT WANTS TO KNOW WHY THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING THE HIGH SPEED CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
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
Suspension, Dec 10, 2008
RECENT (6 MO. AGO) PURCHASE OF A 2004 KIA SORRENTO. AT TIME OF PURCHASE APPROX. 75,000 MI. LOGGED. TIRES APPEAR TO BE IN VERY GOOD.CONDITION. WITHIN A MONTH OR TWO OF PURCHASE, IT BECAME OBVIOUS THAT THERE WAS A TRACTION PROBLEM ON WET OR EVEN SLIGHTLY WET ROADS. AS OF TODAY, DEC. 10, 2008, I HAVE SKIDDED TWICE AND "FISHTAILED" ONCE, GOING VERY SLOWLY (20 MPH OR LESS) TODAY IT WAS BARELY SPRINKLING AND AS I LITERALLY CREPT AROUND A CORNER, THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY BEGAN TO SWERVE AND FISHTAIL. IT WAS A LITTLE SCARY AND I'M SURE THE PEOPLE BEHIND ME FREAKED ME OUT... DESPITE MY SURPRISE, I TRIED NOT TO JERK THE WHEEL . THE CAR STRAIGHTENED UP AFTER A FEW TAIL END SWISHES BACK AND FORTH. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET RECENTLY AND HAVE SEEN CONSUMER REFERENCE TO "POOR TRACTION ON WET SURFACES" (UNDERSTATEMENT). I HAVE MENTIONED IT TO A KIA REPAIR SHOP, BUT WAS TOLD TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AND BRING IT IN. SINCE I DO NOT HAVE THOUSANDS FOR A MAJOR SUSPENSION (OR ?) REPAIR, I HAVE BEEN PRAYING FOR DRY WEATHER. I HAVE ALSO HEARD AND FELT STRANGE NOISES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ACCIDENTALLY SWITCHED TO 4 WHEEL DRIVE, BUT IT IS NOT APPARENT WHEN IN 2 WHEEL DRIVE. AND, THE TRANSITION FROM ONE GEAR TO ANOTHER IS NOT SOOTH AND IS A LITTLE SLOW. ANYWAY, THE MAIN ISSUE IS SKIDDING ON WET ROADS. I AM VERY SURPRISED THERE HAS NOT BEEN SOME KIND OF SAFETY ALERT OR RECALL. THANKS FOR LISTENING. THERESA ARNEY *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
Exterior lighting, Nov 15, 2008
HEADLIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS BLOW OFTEN AND FAKE CHROME PLATING ON DOOR INSIDE HANDLE PEELING AWAY AND CUTTING FINGERS. *TR
Structure, Oct 28, 2008
KIA SORRENTO INSIDE DOOR HANDLES: CHROME PEELS AND LEAVES SHARP JAGGED EDGES AND I CUT MY FINGERS EVERY DAY. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 22, 2008
I HAVE A 2004 KIA SORRENTO WITH 57,000 MILES. I HAVE OWNED IT FOR 2 YEARS. THE HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY GO OUT. I HAVE REPLACED EACH HEADLIGHT 4 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 5 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS I NEVER KNOW WHEN MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE OUT UNLESS SOMEONE STOPS AND TELLS ME. *TR
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