Page 2 of 5 · complaints 51–100 of 220

2004 Kia Sorento complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2004 record →

Air Bags
Filed Nov 30, 2015115,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE GOING THROUGH INSPECTION, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. IN ADDITION, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Nov 27, 2015VA

I WAS DRIVING TO A FAMILY MEMBERS HOUSE AT NIGHT. WHEN WE GOT THERE HE TELLS ME I HAVE NO LIGHTS IN THE BACK. THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO THE AUTO STORE AND BOUGHT NEW LIGHTS TO PUT IN. THAT DID NOT WORKING SO I WENT BACK. HE HOOKED IT UP TO THE COMPUTER AND FOUND OUT IT WAS A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. I GOT THAT REPLACED. I START LOOKING UP ON LINE FOR ANOTHER ISSUE I AM HAVING AND FOUND OUT THAT ALOT OF OTHER KIAS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 27, 2015VA

MY AIR BAG LIGHT TURNED ON. IT TURNED ON JUST UNDER A 100,000 MILES. I LOOKED AROUND ON LINE AND ALOT OF PEOPLE ARE COMPLAININF ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THE SAME MAKE AND YEAR. IT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE OF IT AND THAT IT WILL COST ME AT LEAST $200 TO FIX IT.

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 5, 2015144,000 milesRI

A SECTION OF THE MAIN FRAME RAIL IS ROTTED COMPLETELY THROUGH, WHERE THE REAR SWAY CONTROL ARM WHICH ATTACHES TO THE REAR DRIVETRAIN. THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS THE REAR DRIVETRAIN IS AT RISK OF DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Nov 3, 2015100,000 milesWA

200 MILES FROM HOME, OUT OF THE BLUE, CAR ACTED LIKE IT WAS MISFIRING THEN LOST POWER AND DIED ON HIGHWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER OR CRANK. CALLED TOW TRUCK TO BRING VEHICLE HOME FOR $490.00 AND MECHANIC CAME OUT AND HOOKED UP MACHINE TO IT AND CODE CAME OUT CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR SYSTEM. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WASN'T ON AT ALL, UNTIL WE GOT IT HOME AND IT STARTED UP LIKE NO PROBLEM, BUT THEN DIED AGAIN. WEREN'T THE CRANKSHAFT BOLTS ALREADY RECALLED AND FIXED?! MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE ALWAYS KEPT UP TO DATE AND WOULDN'T YOU KNOW, HAPPENED ONE MONTH TO THE DAY THAT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED! STILL HAVEN'T HAD IT TO SHOP, CAN'T AFFORD TO BRING IT IN AFTER HAVING IT TOWED 200 MILES, OTHERS THINKS IT CAN BE FUEL FILTER/PUMP OR THE BRAIN, ECM. WHO KNOWS. SITTING WITH NO VEHICLE IS SO MUCH FUN, THANKS, KIA!

Engine
Filed Oct 10, 2015126,000 milesCO

THREE TIMES THIS WEEK I HAVE BEEN TRAVELING 35 MILES AN HOUR OR LESS AND THE CAR HAS JUST TURNED OFF. THE FIRST TIME I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND HAD TO PUSH IT INTO A STALL (CRACKING MY TAIL LIGHT WHILE DOING THAT QUICKLY TO GET OUT OF THE WAY.) THE SECOND TIME WAS TURNING A CORNER AND IT DIED. THE THIRD TIME I WAS JUST ENTERING THE FREEWAY ON-RAMP WHEN IT DIED. IT GIVES NO WARNING OTHER THAN SILENCE AND A LAST GASP OF GAS GOING THROUGH. ALL THREE TIMES I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR, PUT IT IN PARK AND RESTART IT. IT HAS BEEN HARDER AND HARDER TO GET IT STARTED AFTER THAT. I TOOK IT INTO THE MECHANIC AND HE CLEANED THE FUEL FILTER, BUT IT HASN'T STOPPED THE PROBLEM TOTALLY.

Suspension
Filed Sep 21, 2015110,000 milesMA

I BROUGHT THIS VEHICLE FOR INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD IT WILL NOT PASS BECAUSE ONE OF THE CONTROL ARMS IS DETACHED IN THE REAR END. I WAS TOLD NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT ALL BECAUSE IT IS NOT SAFE. ADDITIONALLY THERE IS ROT UNDER THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THE LEFT SIDE FRAME WAS WELDED AND REPAIRED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER BUT THE RIGHT SIDE IS NOW RUSTED BADLY AND IN NEED OF REPAIR. AXLES ARE LEAKING DUE TO RUST. BRAKES ARE A PROBLEM BUT I HAVEN'T INVESTIGATED FURTHER TO KNOW IF ITS CAUSED BY ROT. I HAVE BEEN ON MULTIPLE FORUMS FOR THIS ISSUE AND IT SEEMS MANY PEOPLE HAVE SAME ISSUES ESPECIALLY THE CONTROL ARM PROBLEM. I CAN NOT RETURN THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE I WAS SCAMMED AND AM NOW STUCK WITH A DANGEROUSLY ROTTED CAR. I AM TOLD ITS NOT WORTH FIXING. THIS CAR LOOKS FINE AND WITHOUT LOOKING UNDERNEATH A PERSON WOULD NOT KNOW A PROBLEM EXISTED PERHAPS UNTIL AN ACCIDENT.

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Sep 2, 2015190,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FAN AND AIR CONDITIONER. THE BATTERY INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THIS WAS A RECURRING FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NEIGHBOR ASSISTED HER WITH THE FAILURE BY CHECK UNDER THE ENGINE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER BELT FRACTURED, WAS ON TOP OF THE ENGINE BLOCK, AND THE PULLEY WAS LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

Suspension
Filed Aug 25, 201583,904 milesPA

ON MONDAY, AUGUST 10TH, 2015 I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 KIA SORENTO LX AND HEARD A LOUD BANG AND THEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISHTAIL. I WAS TRAVELING AT A LOW SPEED OF AROUND 35 MPH. I IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN AND MANAGED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO A NEARBY GARAGE. AT THE GARAGE THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON THE LIFT AND IT WAS IDENTIFIED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE FRAME RAIL HAD COMPLETELY BROKEN IN HALF AND WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS ALSO SEVERELY CORRODED BUT NOT BROKEN ALL THE WAY THROUGH. THE CROSS-MEMBER ABOVE THE REAR AXLE IS ALMOST COMPLETELY GONE. I NOW HAVE AN 11 YEAR OLD VEHICLE WHICH SHOULD HAVE A RETAIL VALUE OF AROUND $5K WHICH IS NOW COMPLETELY WORTHLESS. I DID SOME INTERNET RESEARCH AND FOUND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THIS SEVERE CORROSION PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL KIA. I AM SURPRISED THERE HAVE BEEN NO SAFETY RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM. HAD MY INCIDENT HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE STORY MAY BE A LOT DIFFERENT.

Engine
Filed Aug 19, 2015930,000 milesNC

ABOUT TO GET ON HWY IN NC, RED LIGHT TURNED GREEN STARTED DRIVING NOT EVEN 10 SECONDS LATER GAS PEDAL GOES STRAIGHT TO FLOOR AND SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING DROPS. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD CAR JUST STOPS WITH NO WARNING-RIGHT BEFORE MAJOR HWY. TRY TO CRANK THE KIA, NOTHING. AGAIN, NOTHING. PHYSICALLY PUSH THE CAR OFF ROAD WHILE OTHERS ARE SPEEDING BY-ACCIDNET WAITING TO HAPPEN THANK GOD IT DIDNT. GET IT TOWED HOME. SAT IN YARD EVER SINCE. REPLACED MULTIPLE PARTS. STILL DOES NOT RUN..

Electrical System
Filed Aug 17, 201592,400 milesMI

I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH AND MY CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER WITH ALL THE DASH LIGHTS BRIEFLY COMING ON (BATTERY, OIL, ETC.). FORTUNATELY I WAS CLOSE TO A SIDE STREET AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE A HARD TURN AND COAST TO THE CURB. I WAITED A MINUTE AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. I DROVE HOME AND THERE WAS ONE MORE INCIDENT WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER (LIGHTS DIMMED) HOWEVER I PUSHED ON THE GAS AND IT POWERED UP AGAIN. I HAVE HAD THE LIGHTS DIM AND THE CAR SEEMINGLY LOSE POWER SEVERAL TIMES. JUST PRIOR TO THIS THE CAR TYPICALLY HESITATES WHEN YOU ARE GOING FULL SPEED AND THEN THE DIMMING OCCURS. I'VE HAD MY CAR IDLE AT STOP SIGNS AND AT TRAIN CROSSINGS AND HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ANY POWER LOSS. IT ALWAYS SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING 35-40 MPH OR MORE. I'VE HAD IT HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING 60-70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAD A DIAGNOSTIC RUN ON THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH NO CONCERNING RESULTS. I'VE HAD A MECHANIC I TRUST CHECK THE ALTERNATOR, THE SPARK PLUGS, FLUSH THE COOLANT, PUT IN FUEL CLEANER, ETC. AND HE CANNOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM.

Engine
Filed Jul 27, 2015177,000 milesNM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND AFTER OPENING THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVE BELTS FRACTURED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY WAS LOOSE AND THE CRANK SHAFT BOLT HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 177,000. UPDATED 9/21/15 *LN.....UPDATED 10/01/15*BF

Engine
Filed May 13, 2015124,094 milesNC

IN THIS INSTANCE, THE CAR FAILED TO START. HOWEVER, THERE WERE SEVERAL MORE INCIDENTS CONCERNING THE SAME ISSUES. IN THOSE INSTANCES, THE CAR WOULD SUDDENLY LOSE POWER, STALL OUT AND IF ABLE TO BE RESTARTED, COULD BE DRIVEN WITH A LAG IN THE ENGINE A SHORT DISTANCE BEFORE ALL THE DASH LIGHTS WOULD TURN ON AND THE CAR WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING. IN TWO INSTANCES, THE POWER STEERING WAS SUDDENLY LOST WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN WITH A BREAK ACROSS ONCOMING TRAFFIC.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Apr 20, 2015120,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND OBSERVED THAT THE REAR FRAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Steering
Filed Mar 8, 2015120,000 milesNY

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 55 POWER STEERING WENT CAR LOST POWER LIGHTS WENT CRAZY CAR SHUT DOWN. I ALMOST WRECKED HARMONIC BALANCER FELL INTO PIECES ALL PULLEY BELTS AND PIN HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I JUST GOT THIS CAR I HAVE A PAYMENT ON IT. GOING TO COST 1200 TO FIX. THIS IS ON TOP OF IT SPUTTERING AND SPOTTYING. REPLACE HEAD LIGHTS THE RADIO GLITCHES THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME AND IF U TURN THE INTERIOR DASH LIGHTS UP IT TURNS THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ON.OVER DRIVE BUTTON DOES NOT WORK AND TRANSMISSION LAGS... I HAVE READ AL THESE COMPLAINTS OVER AND OVER AGAIN WHY ISN'T ANYONE FORCING A RECALL? THESE ARE SERIOUS ISSUES I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED AND THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM COULD CAUSE FIRE.... SOMEONE IS GOING TO END UP VERY HURT IF KIA IS NOT FORCED TO FIX THESE. COULD U IMAGINE THIS HAPPENING ON A THRU WAY? *TR

Power Train
Filed Mar 6, 2015159,600 milesMN

I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK ON TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2015. IT WAS ABOUT 7:30/7:40 A.M. I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 KIA SORENTO EX. I HAD JUST DRIVEN THROUGH ST. PETER, MN ON HWY 169 SOUTH ON MY WAY TO MANKATO AND WAS STARTING TO PICK UP MY SPEED AS THE SPEED LIMIT INCREASES AS YOU LEAVE TOWN. ALL OF A SUDDEN, WITHOUT WARNING, MY VEHICLE JUST SHUT DOWN. THE "DUMMY LIGHTS" ALL LIT UP. I HAD NO POWER STEERING, NO BRAKES, NO ACCELERATOR - NOTHING WAS WORKING. THANK GOODNESS THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE THERE WAS NO POWER, SLOWED TO A STOP WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT A COLLISION AND NO ONE WAS HURT. I PUT IT IN PARK AND TURNED THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION. I TRIED TO SEE IF IT WOULD START AGAIN AND ABSOLUTELY NOTHING HAPPENED WHEN I TURNED THE KEY. I CALLED AAA AND THE SORENTO WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC SHOP. WITHOUT INVESTING TOO MUCH TIME IN IT BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT A HUGE BILL, THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT HAS ELECTRICAL POWER - HAS GOOD POWER TO THE STARTER, BUT THE ENGINE DOES NOT ROTATE. THEY COULD NOT EVEN PHYSICALLY ROTATE THE ENGINE. HE TOLD ME THAT REGARDLESS OF WHAT IT WAS, IT WOULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR IT BECAUSE, AT THIS POINT, THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. THAT'S WHEN I GOT ON FACEBOOK AND STARTED ASKING IF ANYONE HAD ANY IDEAS OF WHAT COULD BE WRONG AND A FRIEND TOLD ME ABOUT THE KIA SORENTO ENGINE DEFECT CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. I BELIEVE MY 2004 KIA SORENTO EX IS AFFECTED BY THIS ENGINE DEFECT. IT WAS DANGEROUS TO BE DRIVING AND I

Engine
Filed Mar 5, 2015109,000 milesMI

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HAVE NO POWER AND CAN NOT GO OVER 25 MPH. HOW SAFE IS THAT ON THE HIGHWAY, ESPECIALLY AS I AM DRIVING WITH MY KIDS!!!?? THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. THE 1ST TIME, IT SELF CORRECTED WHEN I WENT TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO LOOK AT. THIS TIME, IT HAS NOT. THE LIGHTS CONSTANTLY GO OFF AND ON AT ANY MOMENTS NOTICE (REAL SAFE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT)- AND REMAIN OFF FOR GREAT LENGTHS OF TIME. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FUSE THAT CONTROLS THE FAN IN THE ENGINE TWICE ALREADY. I WOULD SHUT THE CAR OFF AND THE FAN WOULD NOT TURN OFF UNLESS I POPPED THE HOOD AND PULLED THE FUSE MYSELF AND POCKETED IT UNTIL IT WAS TIME TO DRIVE AGAIN. NOT TO MENTION MAJOR RUST ISSUES ON THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE COSMETIC I CAN DEAL WITH, THE LOSING POWER WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY I CANNOT. IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL SOMEONE IS VERY SERIOUSLY INJURED, OR KILLED. THE SMELL OF EXHAUST COMES THORUGH THE VENTS, EVEN WITH NORMAL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. THIS CAR IS FULL OF DANGERS AND I AM SHOCKED THERE ARE NOT RECALLS OF THESE ISSUES. IN PARTICULAR, THE LOSING POWER WHILE DRIVING, AND THE LIGHTS TURNING ON AND OFF FOR NO REASON. TRY GOOGLING ANY OF THIS AND YOU WILL BE AMAZED HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE DEALING WITH THE SAME ISSUES. UNBELIEVABLE THAT THESE COMPLAINTS HAVE NOT BEEN TAKEN INTO SERIOUS CONSIDERATION. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Feb 16, 201559,000 milesOR

FAN RELAY SENSOR IS FAULTY. ALL THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS IS QUESTIONABLE, FROM HEADLIGHTS ALWAYS NEEDING REPLACEMENT TO DASH LIGHTS THAT TURN ON OR OFF AT ANY GIVEN TIME. MY NEWEST ISSUE IS WITH THE HEATER, IT WILL ONLY BLOW WARMED AIR IF THE MOTOR IS BEING REV'D..TEMP IS WARM ON ENGINE BUT IF I AM DRIVING DOWN HILL, IT WILL FEEL LIKE AIR CONDITIONER INSTEAD. FOR A FEW MONTHS MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD OPEN FROM INSIDE ONLY. MAGICALLY IT HAS RESOLVED THAT ONE AND ONLY ISSUE... *TR

Engine
Filed Jan 3, 2015PA

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR STARTED STALLING THE IT PICKED UP. LITTLE WAYS DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS DRAGGING THEN THE BELT BROKE I PULLED IT OVER. WHEN REACH THE SHOP THE MECHANIC SAID THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY BROKE APART. *TR

Engine
Filed Dec 21, 201476,308 milesPA

LOUD CRACK WAS HEARD WHILE DRIVING. LOST POWER STEERING. PIN IN THE CRANK PULLEY SNAPPED AND BELTS STOPPED TURNING. CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND FORTUNATELY WE WERE ABLE TO GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS CAR HAS A 10 YEAR, 100M MILE WARRANTY WHICH EXPIRED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2014. DEALER CONTENDED THAT THIS PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH PART OF THE ENGINE WAS NOT COVERED. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Dec 16, 2014160,000 milesCA

MY 2004 KIA SORENTO HAS AN INTERMITTENT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT DISPLAYS ERROR CODE P0446. THE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF AS IT PLEASES. THERE IS A TSB FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM, BUT THERE ARE NO DETAILS. THIS INTERMITTENT LIGHT IS CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO FAIL IT'S SMOG INSPECTION. I HAVE REPLACED THE GAS CAP AS INDICATED BUT THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 20, 2014125,000 milesMA

MY SON WAS DRIVING THIS CAR WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD BANG AND LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING IN A ROUNDABOUT IN TAUNTON MASS AND NEARLY CRASHED THIS VEHICLE DUE TO LOSING THE ABILITY OF STABILIZING IT, BUT WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO SIDE OF ROAD THANKFULLY BECAUSE OF THE SPEED OF TRAVEL AT THE TIME, THANKFULLY HE WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY OR I MAY BE TELLING A DIFFERENT STORY. UPON DRIVING VEHICLE HOME, MY HUSBAND LOOKED OVER VEHICLE TO SEE WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS AND NOTED FRAME NEAR RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD RUSTED TOTALLY THROUGH WHERE IT ATTACHES TO AN ARM OF SOME SORTS MAYBE A STABILIZING ARM(NOT SURE). WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE MARCH 2014-7 MONTHS AGO AND IT PASSED INSPECTION AT THE TIME, BUT I DON'T BELIEVE THAT IT SHOULD HAVE AS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO CHECK THE FRAME AS LISTED ON INSPECTION REPORT AND THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY IT RUSTED THROUGH THAT BADLY IN 7 MONTHS TIME WITH ROUGHLY 6,000 MILES PUT ON IT. THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED ON MANY BLOG SITES AS WELL AS ON THIS SITE, THEIR SHOULD BE A RECALL AS IT SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM, AND CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY POSSIBLY THEIR LIFE FOR SUCH A DEFECT. I HAVE PICTURES OF THIS ISSUE, AND WILL ALSO BE NOTIFYING KIA ABOUT THIS AS WELL. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 12, 2014PR

MY COMPLIANT WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE IT SPILLS BACK OUT FUEL. SPITTING ME, THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND SIDEWALK. CONSTANT ENGINE LIGHT ON. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 9, 2014116,000 milesFL

I WENT TO GET MY OIL CHANGED ON/AROUND 9/5 AND THEY WOULDN'T CHANGE IT DUE TO SEVERE RUST DAMAGE THAT HAD RUSTED THROUGH THE OIL PAN, BRAKE LINE, AT LEAST ONE CRACK IN THE FRAME FROM RUST, AND THE TIRES ARE BARELY HELD ON TO THE CAR DUE TO RUST DAMAGE. NOW MY BRAKES DON'T WORK BUT I STILL HAVE TO DRIVE THE CAR. I WENT TO 2 OTHER SHOPS AND NO ONE WILL WORK ON MY CAR DUE TO IT FALLING APART FROM RUST. I PURCHASE MY CAR AT ABC MOTOR CREDIT AUGUST OF 2013 AND RE-LOCATED TO FLORIDA BEFORE WINTER HIT. I CALLED THEM AND THEY REFERRED ME THEIR WARRANTY COMPANY, LISA WARRANTY GROUP. OF COURSE, RUST DAMAGE AND FRAME WORK IS NOT COVERED. ABC MOTOR CREDIT SOLD ME A CAR THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TOTALED, NOT RE-SOLD TO A CONSUMER FOR $12,000!! I HAVE TRIED 5 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS TO HELP GET INTO A NEWER, SAFER VEHICLE, BUT NO ONE WILL FINANCE ME DUE TO THE NEGATIVE EQUITY ON THIS LOAN. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO? I SHOULD NOT BE STUCK PAYING $367 A MONTH FOR THE NEXT 2 YEARS AFTER ALREADY INVESTING OVER $4,000 INTO A USELESS VEHICLE. I HAVE TO CONCLUDE THAT ABC MOTOR CREDIT SOLD ME THIS CAR FULLY KNOWING THE EXTENT OF THE RUST DAMAGE BEFORE PUTTING IT ON THEIR LOT. I HOPE THERE IS SOME LAW PROTECTING CONSUMERS FROM THIS SORT OF BUSINESS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO! *TR

Engine
Filed Oct 7, 2014115,000 milesOR

WHILE DRIVING HOME THERE WAS A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE. GET HOME TO FIND OUT THAT MY CAMSHAFT PULLEY IS COMPLETELY LOOSE AND BROKE! THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED!!!! COMPLETELY UNSAFE TO BE DRIVING LUCKILY I WAS ONLY A MILE AWAY FROM HOME. *TR

Engine
Filed Oct 6, 2014101,000 milesMA

THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT BROKE. THIS HAS BEEN A HUGE PROBLEM AND IS A RECALL IN THE 2003 KIA SORENTO'S. IT SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED FOR 2004 IMMEDIATELY! *TR

Steering
Filed Sep 27, 2014102,000 milesPA

WHILE I WAS DRIVING OUT OF MY COMPLEX MY THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON AND IT SEEMED AS IF I LOST MY BRAKES (WHICH I COST TO THE SIDE ROAD AS WELL AS NO STEERING. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE PULLEY MOUNTING BOLT HAD BROKEN OFF INSIDE THE CRANKSHAFT. *TR

Engine
Filed Sep 26, 2014GA

SON HEARD SQUEALING SOUND FROM BELTS, HAD BELTS CHANGED. 1 WEEK LATER BELT CAME OFF PULLEY AND NEVER WOULD LINE UP. REPAIR SHOP CAME BACK SAYING THAT IT WAS THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY AND THAT A BOLT HAD BROKEN. AFTER CHANGING TIMING GEARS, BELTS, GASKETS AND OTHER FRONT END PARTS END OF COSTING 1500. I THEN READ THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE ON LINE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND BECKY ACT LIKE THIS WAS THE FIRST THEY HAD HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Crankcase (pcv)
Filed Sep 2, 2014106,000 milesNE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND EXCESSIVE FORCED WAS REQUIRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BOLTS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BOLTS FRACTURED FROM THE HARMONIC BALANCER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT AND ENGINE MIGHT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

EngineFire
Filed Aug 11, 2014161,000 milesWI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE AND FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,000.

Suspension
Filed Jun 30, 201485,392 milesMA

MAJOR RUST PROBLEM WITH FRAME AND SUSPENSION KIA SORENTO PURCHASED MARCH 30 2004 2 MONTHS PAST THE WARRANTY 85392 MILES HAVING JUST DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY 65MPH VEHICLE WAS ENTERING SCHOOL PARKINGLOT, AT THE ENTRANCE VEHICLE WENT OVER SPEED BUMP AT THIS POINT THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING AND SQUEALING. UPON INSPECTION THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR STABILIZER-TRACTION BAR BROKE COMPLETELY OFF THE FRAME RAIL JUST FORWARD OF THE WHEEL. THIS CAUSES THE REAR AXEL TO MOVE FREELY FORWARD AND BACK. FURTHER INSPECTION BY KIA DEALERSHIP SHOED MORE COMPONENTS ABOVE THE REAR AXEL BROKEN FREE. I FILED A GOOD WILL COMPLAINT WITH KIA WHO RESPONDED WITH A BIG NO REGARDING ANY HELP. FORTUNATELY THIS BREAKDOWN HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT AND NO INJURIES HAPPENED BUT IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR ACCIDENT WITH POSSIBLE INJURIES OR DEATH IF THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER . THIS WAS VERY GOOD LOW MAINTENANCE LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE AND WE WERE HOPING FOR A FEW MORE YEARS OF USAGE, NOW WE ARE DISAPPOINTED WITH KIA THAT NO NOTICES OF MAJOR RUST ISSUES WERE MADE AVAILABLE. NOW WHAT WE HAVE IS A CAR THAT WORTHLESS AND DOESN'T LIVE UP TO THE WARRANTY LIMITS. *TR

Engine
Filed Jun 30, 2014142,133 milesVA

WHILE IN A FAST-FOOD DRIVE-THRU LINE, MY CAR SHUT DOWN. I IMMEDIATELY TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, IT TRIED TO TURN-OVER, BUT IT DIDN'T START. I DIDN'T WANT TO FLOOD THE ENGINE, SO I WAITED A FEW MINUTES. WHEN I TRIED AGAIN, IT STARTED RIGHT UP AND I HEADED STRAIGHT HOME THINKING I MUST HAVE SOME WATER IN MY GAS BECAUSE NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. AFTER TALKING WITH MY HUSBAND, HE AGREED WITH MY ASSESSMENT AND PUT SOME DRY GAS IN THE TANK. I DROVE THE NEXT DAY, MONDAY, JUNE 23RD, WITH NO PROBLEMS, BUT TUESDAY, THE CAR SHUT DOWN AGAIN. IT TOOK A LONGER TIME TO RESTART AND THEN FINALLY I COULDN'T RESTART IT AND HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO OUR MECHANIC WHO TOLD US THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE ASSURED US THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WE COULD HAVE DONE TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING - ACCORDING TO OUR CAR MECHANIC, THE CAM SENSOR WAS ACTUALLY BURNT WHICH LED TO A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. *TR

Engine1 injured
Filed May 13, 2014FL

WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT,POWER STEERING FAILEDBY THE GRACE OF GOD WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE INTERSTATE. LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND SEEN THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY AND BOLT LAYING ON THE TIE ROD UNDER CLOSE EXAMINATION THE SPRING PIN WAS SHEARED OFF FROM THE TIMING CHAIN PULLEY. THE FIRST TIME TOOK THE VEHICLE TO KIA OF BRANDON FLORIDA , INWHICH THEY SAID OTHER THINGS WERE WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AS WELL, THE TOTAL BILL CAME TO AROUND 800.00 DOLLARS. I THINK THEY JUST TIGHTENED DOWN THE BOLTS BECAUSE THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY CAME OFF AGAIN, WENT BACK TO KIA OF BRANDON AND THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR IT, STATING THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR FREE, THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ANOTHER 800.00 DOLLARS...SO VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC THAT REATTACHED THE PULLEY...AND THE PULLEY CAME OFF AGAIN THIS TIME THE BOLT BROKE OFF IN THE CRANK SHAFT,THE TIMING CHAIN SPROCKET ALSO CAME OFF. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE ONLY REPAIRING CERTAIN VIN NUMBERS OF THAT YEAR. *TR

Engine
Filed Apr 10, 2014143,439 milesMI

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN THE CAR ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE POWER SHUT DOWN AND THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. I HAD TROUBLE TRYING TO MERGE OVER INTO A SAFE LANE BEFORE THE CAR STOPPED ROLLING. I DID MANAGE RESTARTING THE VEHICLE TO MOVE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BEFORE IT CUT OFF ON ME AGAIN. ONCE I WAS SAFE I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND LET IT RUN A COUPLE OF MINUTES BEFORE I WAS SAFE TO PULL BACK OUT. THIS HAPPEN TO ME A COUPLE OF TIME BEFORE BUT THIS TIME IT WAS SO UNSAFE I ALMOST WAS KILLED MY A 18 WHEELER TRUCK. I CONTACT MANY DEALERSHIPS TO SEE WHAT CODE COMES UP AND NO CODE COMES UP. *TR

Engine
Filed Apr 2, 201462,894 milesFL

@ 62,894 MILES: DRIVING FROM GAS STATION TO HOME LESS THAN 1 MILE AWAY, ENGINE MADE NOISE AND STARTED RUNNING ROUGH. PARKED CAR OVERNIGHT, THEN DROVE ABOUT 3 MILES TO CLOSEST REPAIR SHOP. DIAGNOSED AS SHEERED OFF CRANKSHAFT PIN/BOLT. REPAIRED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY WITH NEW PARTS FROM KIA, BUT ONE WEEK LATER HAD TO BE TOWED IN BECAUSE IT HAPPENED AGAIN. CRANKSHAFT WAS WARPED SO ENGINE WAS REBUILT WITH USED CRANKSHAFT AND NEW PARTS FROM KIA. @ 104,595 MILES: DRIVING ON RURAL ROAD IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD CAME ON AND LOST POWER STEERING. SPEED WAS 55 MPH. MANAGED TO STEER CAR OFF ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. CRANKSHAFT PIN/BOLT SHEERED OFF. COST TO REPAIR $895.30. @ 109,885 MILES: ENGINE BEGAN MAKING CLICKING NOISES AND LOST POWER STEERING, ETC. CRANKSHAFT PIN/BOLT SHEERED OFF. REPAIR NOT RECOMMENDED. REPLACEMENT ENGINE RECOMMENDED. THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT PENDING AGAINST KIA FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE SEARCH ONLINE AND YOU WILL FIND THERE ARE LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE WITH THIS SAME VEHICLE (2002-2009) AND MANY HAD ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF IT. WHY IS THIS NOT IN THE NEWS? KIA KNOWS THIS PART IS BAD, THEY KNOW THIS DESIGN IS BAD, AND THEY CONTINUE TO PUT BAND AIDS ON ENGINES RATHER THAN FIXING THEM. *TR

Air BagsCrash5 injured
Filed Mar 31, 2014130,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS FLIPPED BY THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT. THE FRONT AND SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK, NECK, HIPS AND EYES. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED A HEAD CONTUSION, INJURIES TO THE SHOULDER, HIPS, LEGS AND BACK, IN ADDITION TO INTERNAL BRUISING. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WERE THREE SMALL CHILDREN WHO WERE SEATED IN THE REAR THAT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES AND ABRASIONS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Mar 26, 2014NH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Engine
Filed Feb 23, 2014155,000 milesWI

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY @ 55 MPH WITH TWO CHILDREN AGES 2 AND 1 YEAR OLD IN JANUARY 14. SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND POWER STEERING WENT OUT. SCARED THE[XXX] OUT OF HER. IT TOOK ALL OF HER STRENGTH TO STEER IT TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY.THE SORENTO WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT (PULLEY) BROKE THAT DRIVES ALL THE OTHER PULLEYS INCLUDING THE POWER STEERING. HALF THE BOLT WAS STILL IN THE ENGINE. IT WAS REPAIRED WITH A KIA UPDATED BOLT AND REMEMBER BEING TOLD, "THIS IS KNOWN TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL" . THANK GOODNESS NOTHING HAPPENED TO HER AND MY GRANDCHILDREN. ON 21 FEBRUARY, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN CAUSED BY THE SAME REASON AS BEFORE. WHAT I DO NOT UNDERSTAND IS: 1. THE BOLT ITSELF HAS BEEN RECALLED BUT IT IS OBVIOUSLY NOT A BOLT ISSUE. IT IS A "DESIGN ISSUE" THAT KIA IS WELL AWARE OF AND THEY ARE IGNORING THIS ISSUE. 2. A CLASS ACTION SUIT IS IN PROCESS AGAINST KIA,"KIA SORENTO ENGINE DEFECT CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT" CASE IS ROBINSON ET AL V. KIA MOTORS AMERICA INC. ET AL., CASE NO. 13-CV-00006 U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY. THIS IS FOR KIA SORENTO'S 2002-2009. 3.A NUMBER OF INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED AND REPORTED TO NHTSA (SAFECAR.GOV). 4. PERFORMING A FMECA (FAILURE MODE EFFECT CRITICALITY ANALYSIS) IT WOULD SHOW THIS FAILURE COULD LEAD TO ENGINE FAILURE, LOSS OF POWER STEERING, HAZARD TO OTHER DRIVERS DUE TO ENGINE PARTS BREAKAGE, INJURY AND POTENTIAL DEATH. WHAT DOES IT TAKE FOR AN AGENCY SUCH AS NHTSA T

Electrical System
Filed Jan 13, 2014120,000 milesHI

BATTERY WAS LOW AND THEN THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ON. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AND THE LIGHT STILL ON. LOOKING ONLINE AND FIND OUT THIS ISSUE IS TYPICAL ON ALL KIA SORENTOS. WONDERING WHY THIS ISSUE IS NOT BEING RECALL. CALLED DEALER AND THEY MENTIONED THAT A $130 DIAGNOSE TEST NEEDS TO BE PAID IN ORDER TO KNOW WHAT IS THE PROBLEM. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Jan 8, 2014137,000 milesOH

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN FRAME BROKE AND ALMOST CRASHED IT FOUND OUT FROM A BODY SHOP THAT THE FRAME HAD CORRODED AND BROKE AND WE OWE MONEY ON THIS PIECE OF JUNK AND THE KIA CORPORATION HAS NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING. *TR

Steering
Filed Dec 7, 201375,033 milesPA

LOSS OF POWER ASSISTED STEERING DUE TO LOSS OF FLUID FROM CORRODED STEEL LINES BETWEEN STEERING RACK AND STEERING DIRECTIONAL CONTROL UNIT. THIS IS THE THIRD INCIDENT OF CORRODED STEEL LINES ON THIS VEHICLE. FIRST WAS THE BRAKE LINES THEN THE FUEL LINES. PREVIOUS ISSUES WERE ALSO REPORTED ON THIS WEBSITE. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 6, 2013136,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED DUE TO RUSTING OF THE FRAME, WHICH DAMAGED THE BRAKE LINES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

Power Train
Filed Nov 26, 2013100,300 milesVA

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HWY, 70 MPH, THE HARMONIC BALANCE BOLT AND ROLL PIN SHEARED OFF LEAVING BROKEN OFF STUBS IN CRANKSHAFT. CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, I HAD DEALER REPLACE ALL FAN BELTS BECAUSE OF SQUEALING FOR THE TRIP, 300 MILES BEFORE THE FAILURE. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 9, 201372,560 milesPA

WHILE EXITING MY DRIVEWAY AT HOME (WHICH IS ON A AN INCLINE AND EXITS ONTO A STATE HIGHWAY) I LOST ALL BRAKING CAPABILITY. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR INTO MY LOCAL GARAGE TO HAVE THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED I WAS TOLD THE BRAKE LINES WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED THROUGH WHICH CAUSED THE LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY. WHILE ATTEMPTING THE REPAIRS THE MECHANIC SMELLED GASOLINE FUMES AND FOUND THAT THE FUEL LINES WHERE THEY EXIT THE TANK HAS ALSO CORRODED THROUGH. I STARTED TO NOTICE UNDER BODY CORROSION SEVERAL YEARS AGO WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE BODY ATTACHMENT POINTS ON THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL CORRODED AND BECAME DISLODGED. ALL OF THIS CORROSION SEEMS TO BE OCCURRING MUCH SOONER THAN I WOULD EXPECT AND SOONER THAN I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED WITH OTHER VEHICLES I HAVE OWNED MANUFACTURED BY OTHER COMPANIES. *TR

Engine
Filed Aug 15, 2013123,000 milesIL

TRAVELING A 45MPH AND CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BROKE OFF INSIDE CRANKSHAFT SPROCKET. 3RD INSTANCE OF SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Engine
Filed Aug 15, 201396,000 milesIL

TRAVELING AT 40MPH CRANKSHAFT BOLT BROKE OFF INSIDE CRANKSHAFT SPROCKET CAUSING HARMONIC BALANCER AND BELT TO FALL OFF. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE A/C COMP, WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELT DUE TO DAMAGE. 1ST INSTANCE. *TR

Steering
Filed Aug 15, 2013105,000 milesIL

TRAVELING AT 40MPH CRANKSHAFT BOLT BROKE OFF INSIDE CRANKSHAFT SPROCKET CAUSING HARM BALANCER AND BELT TO FALL OFF. 2ND INSTANCE. *TR

Power Train
Filed Aug 12, 2013112,000 milesGA

WE PURCHASED OUR SORENTO USED (APPROX 65K MILES)ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. SINCE THEN, WE'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE GAS TANK ($1500) AMONG OTHER THINGS. THIS YEAR HAS BEEN ABSURD: HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR, WATER PUMP, COMPUTER SYSTEM (2 MONTHS, $4700), BRAKES ($750) AND 2 BATTERIES. 2-3 MONTHS AGO, WE NOTICED A CLUNKING/CHUNKING SOUND THAT GREW STEADILY WORSE. IT SOUNDED AS IF THE 4WD WAS ENGAGING AND DISENGAGING EVERY 3 SECONDS AND FELT VERY UNSAFE AT HIGH SPEEDS. I TOOK IT TO KIA OF COBB COUNTY AND WAS JUST GIVEN A QUOTE FRIDAY FOR A NEW TRANSFER CASE, DRIVE SHAFT, "REAR END CHUNK" (ALL THE SERVICE REP COULD TELL ME) AND 4 NEW TIRES. QUOTE FOR THIS WORK ($9767). THE TRANSFER CASE ALONE WAS AROUND $5700. THIS VEHICLE NOW HAS 112K MILES AND IS LESS THAN 10 YEARS OLD. THE BLUE BOOK VALUE IS (WAS) AROUND $5-6000 AND WE'RE TOLD IT'LL TAKE $10,000 TO FIX IT? I CALLED KIA'S CORPORATE OFFICE TO ASK IF THIS WAS TO BE EXPECTED AT KIA. I WAS TOLD THAT OUR VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. I SAID, " I'M JUST ASKING IF THERE'S ANYONE AT KIA HEADQUARTERS WHO BELIEVES IN THEIR PRODUCT AND WANTS TO PROTECT THE KIA NAME AND YOU JUST KEEP APOLOGIZING." THE REP RESPONDED, "I'M SORRY, SIR." WE'VE FOUND MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ONLINE FROM KIA OWNERS REPORTING SIMILAR ISSUES (CHUNKING, TRANSFER CASE, ETC). WHEN DOES THIS BECOME.A RECALL ISSUE? A SAFETY ISSUE? *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 1, 2013114,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING AN ANNUAL INSPECTION PERFORMED, THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER CONTROL ARM HANGERS WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED. AS A RESULT, THE ENTIRE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000. ...UPDATED 12/03/13 *BF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON 09/13/13

Engine
Filed Jun 25, 2013154,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AS THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT AND THE PARKING BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 154,000.

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2004 Kia Sorento → · Every Sorento year → · How the figures are calculated →