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.
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.
Steering, Electrical system, Jul 3, 2008, fire
ON MONDAY, 06-30-08, AT ABOUT 1400 HOURS, I PARKED MY VEHICLE A 2004 KIA SORRENTO 4X4 EX WITH APPROX. 80,000 PLUS MILES. SHORTLY AFTER PARKING THIS VEHICLE I ENTERED A BASKIN AND ROBINS TO HAVE AN ICE CREAM CONE. I WAS INFORMED BY FRANTIC PASSERBY'S THAT A VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. I TOOK A LOOK OUTSIDE AND WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THAT MY VEHICLE MENTIONED ABOVE WAS SMOKING AND FLAMING UP. THIS FIRE APPEARED TO START ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY VEHICLE NEAR THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND ALTERNATOR. MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN OPERATING FINE UNTIL THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED AND ONLY WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ROUTINE SERVICING UNDER WARRANTY. THE HONOLULU POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE NOTIFIED AND REPORTS DOCUMENTED UNDER HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT #08-242969 AND THE HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT #24891. FIRE AND POLICE OFFICIALS INFORMED ME THAT A POSSIBLE FUEL LINE MALFUNCTION IS A POSSIBILITY BUT CAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME. *TR
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
Electrical system, Apr 18, 2008
THE ORIGINAL BATTERY FAILED AT 2 1/2 YEARS AND THE REPLACEMENT BATTERY (KIA BATTERY) FAILED AFTER ONLY 1 1/2 YEARS. I HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS (4 TIMES), FOG LIGHTS (2 TIMES), TAIL LIGHTS (2 TIMES), AND LICENSE PLATE LIGHT. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CHECK SHOWED NO PROBLEMS THAT COULD BE CAUSING ALL OF THESE FAILURES. *TR
Air bags, Apr 4, 2008, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HYDROPLANE. THE VEHICLE TURNED AND CRASHED HEAD ON WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 45 MPH AS WELL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SENT PICTURES OF THE CRASH AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THE IMPACT WAS NOT POWERFUL ENOUGH TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT'S WIFE AND TWO OTHERS WERE INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 57,000. UPDATED 04/23/08 *BF
Power train, Mar 28, 2008
2004 KIA SORENTO MANUAL TRANSMISSION TRANSMISSION LOCKS UP RANDOMLY. I AM UNABLE TO CHANGE GEARS. THE SHIFT STICK MOVES TO THE VARIOUS POSITIONS BUT THE CAR REMAINS IN GEAR. THIS OCCURS WHILE DRIVING OR STOPPED AND TRYING TO UPSHIFT OR DOWNSHIFT . I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE TO THE KIA DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS, BUT THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND HENCE, CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. LAST OCCURRENCE, ON 3/27/2008, HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER, HOWEVER THEY SAID THAT IT WAS NOT LOCKED UP WHEN THEY DROVE IT. NO HELP FROM KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE EITHER. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 11, 2008
ROTORS WARPED. I EXPERIENCE SHUTTERING WHEN STOPPING AT ANY SPEED. I PLAN TO TAKE INTO THE SHOP THIS WEEK FOR REPAIRS. MY FRIEND WITH A JEEP CHEROKEE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND JEEP ISSUED A RECALL. LOOKING AT THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS I'VE FOUND ON THIS FOR KIA SORENTO, I FEEL KIA SHOULD TAKE THE SAME ACTION. *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
Steering, Suspension, Sep 7, 2007, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURN TO THE RIGHT AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE FENDER WAS BADLY DAMAGED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW RACK AND PINION, TIE ROD, UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY, STEERING KNUCKLE, AND A PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 38,000.
Tires, Sep 6, 2007
DRY ROT. *TR
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
Electrical system, Aug 27, 2007, fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH SHE COULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS FLUID LEAKING UNDER THE VEHICLE AND CATCHING FIRE AS IT HIT THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES WITHIN 5 MINUTES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD, THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,000.
Power train, Aug 16, 2007
CAR STARTED MAKING A SQUEAKING RUBBER NOISE IN AFTERNOON THEN BY NEXT EARLY MORNING CAR WAS MAKING A LOUD SQUEALING NOISE THEN A LOUD THUNK AND BY THE TIME WE GOT IT TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP IT WAS SLIGHTLY SHAKING. WAS TOLD THE WHOLE DRIVE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND IT WOULD TAKE 6 DAYS TO GET THE PART IN! NO LOANER CAR AVAILABLE SO I'M LEFT WITH NO TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM WORK!! THANK GOD THIS IS WARRANTY WORK OTHERWISE I'D BE SCREWED EVEN MORE! *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.
Power train, May 8, 2007
WELL, THERE IS AN ANNOYING, OVER TIME DRIVEN HISSING SIBILANT NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE KIA SORENTO 2004 VEHICLE I WENT TO KIA, AND COMPLAINT ABOUT IT . THEY CLAIMED THAT THEY HEARD THE NOISE, BUT IT WAS NOT ENOUGH LOUD FOR THEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IN MY LIFE I NEVER HAD A CAR THAT MADE SUCH NOISE . COULD SOMETHING BE DONE ABOUT IT?*AK
Exterior lighting, May 2, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41380. THE TAIL LIGHTS HAD BEEN CHANGED FIVE TIMES AND KEPT BURNING OUT. THE CONTACT STATED THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE SOMEONE COULD RUN INTO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE.*AK
Power train, May 1, 2007, fire
TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED CAUSING OVERFLOW OF ATF ONTO EXHAUST MANIFOLD IGNITING A FIRE. *TR
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 19, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. THE VEHICLE VIBRATES WHEN THE BRAKE IS DEPRESSED AT 40 MPH. THE FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED AND LATER RESURFACED AT 18,000 MILES. THE VIBRATION DUPLICATED APPROXIMATELY 6,000 MILES AFTER THE RESURFACING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS, HOWEVER THE VIBRATION RECURRED APPROXIMATELY 29,000 MILES LATER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS FOR THE SECOND TIME. PRESENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS BEGINNING TO VIBRATE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 33,700 MILES.