NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Kia Sorento. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Crank pully bolt snapped. Causing crank pully to fall, and critical belts to fail.
THIS KIA WAS HOUSED AND STORED IN A GARAGE FOR MOST OF ITS LIFE AND DRIVEN ONLY IN THE SUMMER. IN THE WINTERS OF MICHIGAN IS WAS HOUSED IN A CLEAN DRY GARAGE. THIS KIA WAS A 2 OWNER CAR. I AM THE SECOND OWNER. I HAD DRIVEN IT ONE WINTER AND THIS SUMMER TOOK IT TO GET AN ALIGNMENT BECAUSE IT PULLED TO THE RIGHT. ALIGNMENT CENTER COULD NOT DO THE ALIGNMENT BECAUSE THE WHOLE RIGHT DRIVERSIDE OF THE FRAME WAS RUSTED OUT BEYOND THEIR SAFTY STANDARDS. THE KIA WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT BECAUSE THE WHOLE FRAME ON THE RIGHT SIDE WAS 80% RUSTED OUT AND THE LEFT SIDE WAS ALSO BUT NOT TO THE EXTENT OF THE RIGHT SIDE. THERE ARE FOOT LONG GAPING HOLES IN THE FRAME DUE TO THE RUSTING. IT IS IRREPARABLE. THERE IS NO SAFE SPOT TO WELD TO TO FIX IT EITHER. AFTER A RAIN I NOTICED THE POOLS OF WATER GO DIRECTLY UNDER THE KIA INSTEAD OF ON THE SIDES POOLING AND DRIPPING OFF THE FRAME ON EACH RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE. A FLAW OF DESIGN BUT A DEADLY IF TRAVELLING AND THE CAR SNAPS IN HALF. THE KIA LOOKS PERFECT AND RUNS PERFECT. THE UNDERSIDE IT'S FRAME IS TOTALLY RUSTED BEYOND REPAIR. KEPT IN A GARAGE AND OUT OF ELEMENTS FOR VIRTUALLY ALL OF ITS LIFE, THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. DEFECTIVE STEEL ? DEFECTIVE BODY DESIGN? DEFECTIVE KIA. NOT SAFE NOT DRIVABLE.
WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME THE BRAKE LINES TOWARD THE REAR SUSPENSION RUSTED THROUGH. ALSO THE SUPPORT FOR THE REAREND RUSTED THROUGH MAKING THE VEHICLE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THE BRAKE LINES FROM FRONT TO BACK WERE CHANGED AND I AM LOOKING TO HAVE THE SUPPORT BRACKETS CHANGED.
2004 KIA SORRENTO 97,000 MILES. THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM BRACKETS RUSTED OFF.
I BOUGHT MY 04 SORENTO FROM MY AUNT WHO WAS THE ONLY OWNER. IT HAD A POWER STEERING ISSUE AT THAT TIME WHICH TOOK SEVERAL ATTENPTS TO FIX. ABOUT A MONTH LATER WE WE VISITING FAMILY AND HAD TO TURN AROUND. UPON STOPPING WE NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SO I GRABBED MY 4 Y/O DAUGHTER OUT OF THE CAR AND BY BOYFRIEND OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND A SMALL FIRE ON OPPOSITE SIDE FRO WHERE BATTERY IS. ONCE FIRE WAS PUT OUT WE DROVE .5 MILES ON A CITY RD TO FAMILY. THE POWER STEERING WAS GONE AT THAT TIME AS WELL. 10/13/19 - THE DIRECTIONAL WORKED ALL DAY AND COME NIGHT TIME WHEN I CAME OUT FROM THE STORE AND STARTED VEHICLE THEY DID NOT WORK. THE NEXT DAY THEY WORKED FINEHOWEVER, ON 10/14/19 - I STARTED THE CAR IN AM AND THERE WAS A SQUEAKY BELT. I HIT THE GAS PEDAL QUICKLY AND NOISE WENT AWAY. THEN WHILE DRIVING, THE BATTERY AND BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH AND STAYED ON SO I PULLED OVER AND SHUT CAR OFF. IWAS DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO THE PARK A MILE AWAY FROM HOME WHEN THE BATTERY AND BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. I TURNED CAR OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES AND WHEN I RESTARTED IT THE LIGHTS WERE OFF. I WENT TO TURN AROUND TO GO HOME AND THE STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED SO IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT OR STARTED IT SINCE. MY MECHANIC CAMT TO MY HOME 2 DAYS IN A ROW AND WAS CONVINCED IT WAS CRANKSHAFT BOLT THAT SNAPPED. HE GOT IT INTO HIS SHOP THE FOLLOWING WEEK ON FRIDAY 10/26/19 AND CALLED A SHORT WHILE LATER INFORMING ME THAT IT WAS IN FACT THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT THAT SNAPPED DEEP IN THE SHAFT AND THE CRANKSHAFT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR A COST OF AROUND $3000. I CALLED A FEW OTHER PLACES AND THEY SAID THE ENGINE WOULD NEED REPLACING WHICH WOULD COAT AROUND THE SAME. MY DAUGHTER AND I NOW HAVE NO VEHICLE AND ARE WALKING HER TO SCHOOL WHICH WILL BE DIFFICULT COME WINTER MONTHS.
I WAS DRIVING WHEN I HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE, AND MY TRUCK SHIFTED. SO I PULLED OVER TO SEE THE MY REAR LOWER ARM FELL FROM SUBFRAME CORRSION DUE TO HEAVY SALT USE HERE IN WI. I HAD TO GET CAR TOWED HOME.
TAKATA RECALL AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON THE DASH CAN I GET THIS REPLACED FOR NO CHARGE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME.
"TAKATA RECALL" I BOUGHT THIS CAR JUST RECENTLY AND THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG STAYS ON ALL THE TIME THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS BUT NOT ON MY CAR IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE THIS LIKE THIS OR IS IT DANGEROUS AND THE FACTORY SHOULD SEND OUT A RECALL ON THIS RIGHT !
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE AT 65MPG ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY BABY IN THE CAR, THE STEERING JERKED TO THE LEFT. I ALMOST CRASHED INTO A DESIEL TRUCK !! I THEN CORRECT IT AND PULLED OVER. I DROPPED MY SON OFF AT MY MOM'S HOME AND WENT TO THE GARAGE TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. ON THE WAY, IT LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND I COULD NOT TURN CORRECTLY. SOMEONE HIT THE BACK OF MY CAR AND SHOVED IT INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE FRONT. SO NOW MY BACK AND FRON IN LOOKS LIKE CRAP AND I HAVE NO POWER STEERING.. BUT MY SON AND I ARE STILL ALIVE.. WHEN RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I FOUND OUT IT WAS NOT MY FAULT OR MY CAR.. THIS IS A FAULTY MANUFACTURE SAFTY ISSUE THAT HAS NOT EVEN BEEN RESEARCHED YET !! THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE DANGER OF THIS VEHICLE AND THIS ISSUE I CAN NOT BELIEVE IT'S STILL ON THE ROAD. HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/KIA/SORENTO/2004/STEERING/STEERING.SHTML AND TO FIND OUT THE STATE WAS AWARE OF IT AND JUST NEVER EVEN LOOKED INTO PROTECTING US. THIS IS A DANGER AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED ASAP BEFORE SOMEONE LOOSES THEIR LIFE AND THE LIFE OF THEIR CHILD LIKE I ALMOST DID !!!!
MY SORENTO WAS IN PARK RUNNING IN MY DRIVEWAY STARTED SMOKING AND CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED UP IN A MATTER OF MINUTES. I'M AWARE OF RECALLS WITH KIA VEHICLES CATCHING FIRE. I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE ADDRESSED AND INVESTIGATED AS I FEEL IT WAS DUE TO A MALFUNCTION. 911 WAS CALLED AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO DISTINGUISH THE CAR IT IS A TOTAL LOSS.
2004 KIA SORENTO EX WITH EXTENSIVE RUST DAMAGE TO REAR CROSS-MEMBERS #2 AND #3. DISCOVERED DURING TIRE ROTATION IN NOV 2018, BUT IS OBVIOUS THE DAMAGE HAS EXISTED FOR A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF TIME. CROSS-MEMBER #2 IS JUST IN FRONT AND ABOVE THE REAR AXLE AND HAS THE MOUNTING BRACKETS FOR THE AXLE STRUTS, WHICH KEEP THE AXLE IN PLACE, IT ALSO HAS A MOUNTING BRACKET FOR THE FUEL TANK, AS WELL AS A PASS THROUGH BRACKET FOR THE REAR BRAKE LINES, AND A MUFFLER HANGER. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE IMMINENT DANGER OF A FULL FAILURE. CROSS-MEMBER #2 IS ABOUT 70% RUSTED THROUGH ON THE FUEL TANK SIDE AND PERFORATED IN SEVERAL OTHER PLACES AS WELL. CROSSMEMBER #3 WHICH IS BEHIND THE REAR AXLE CONTAINS NO MOUNTS, BUT A TORSION BAR DOES CONNECT WHERE THE CROSS-MEMBER PASSES THROUGH THE LEFT FRAME RAIL. STRUT MOUNT CONNECTORS ON AXLE ARE ALSO SEVERELY RUSTED. BACKING PLATE FOR REAR DISC BRAKES ON BOTH SIDES IS RUSTED SO SEVERELY THEY CRUMBLE LIKE AN EGGSHELL. CONTACTED KIA AND THEY SAID THEY WILL NOT COVER REPAIR OF THE DEFECT, CASE #12944853 OPENED. IT ONLY TAKES A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE TO FIND THERE ARE MANY CASES OF THIS WITH PARTICULARLY 2004 MODELS.
I HAVE FIXED MY PULLEY BOLT 3 TIME AND IT KEEP BRAKING AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO TO FIX THE PROBLEM
TOOK MY CAR IN FOR NYS INSPECTION AND WAS ALERTED TO AN ISSUE WITH MY REAR SUSPENSION. THE REAR CROSS MEMBER IS COMPLETED ROTTED OUT AND THE UPPER TRAILING ARM HAVE BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE CROSS MEMBER DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THIS IS A 2004 KIA SORENTO EX THAT I PURCHASED NEW AND NOW HAS 103,000 MILES. THIS CORROSION IS AN EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS SITUATION AND THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE REPAIRED. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT CANNOT BE DRIVEN.
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. RPM WOULD RANGE FROM 1000 TO AS HIGH AS 2000 RPM WITHOUT WARNING. IAC VALVE WAS REPLACED AND DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. FINAL DIAGNOSIS WAS CRUISE CONTROL RANDOMLY OPERATING. DISCONNECTED CRUISE CABLE AT THE THROTTLE BODY. PROBLEM CEASED. GREEN LIGHT ON CRUISE SWITCH NEVER INDICATED IT WAS OPERATING. VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS WELL AS STOPPED AT LIGHTS WHEN THIS OCCURRED.
WAS DRIVING WIFE TO WORK , STOPPED AT LIGHT WHEN LIGHT TURNED GREEN I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL AND I HEARD A BANG SO LOUD I THOUGHT SOMEONE HIT US FROM BEHIND. I DROVE CAR HOME AND LOOKED UNDER IT AND I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT ! THE RUST ON THE REAR END BRACKETS AND THE TWO BARS CONNECTED TO THEM WERE TOTALLY RUSTED THROUGH AND HANGING OFF. I WENT TO THE KIA DEALER WHERE I ORIGINALLY BOUGHT THE CAR AND ASKED THEM ABOUT IT THEY SAID THEY NEVER HEARD OF THAT PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT IT ,THEY TOLD ME DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU SEE ON THE INTERNET. THEN THEY SAID THAT IT'S NOT A KIA PROBLEM IT'S A ROAD SALT PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM NOTHING ELSE UNDER THE CAR WAS RUSTED THAT BAD , AND I BELIEVE IT'S A DESIGN PROBLEM. THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO, SO NOW I HAVE A CAR WITH ONLY 83,000 MILES ON IT THAT IS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THIS PROBLEM HAD TO HAVE STARTED WAY WAY BEFORE 83,000 MILES TO HAVE GOTTEN THIS BAD.
IT DRIVES FINE THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN FOOT SAME POSITION ON GAS PETAL IT ACCELERATES.
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO NOTICED THAT THE CROSSMEMBER BARS WERE SEVERELY CORRODED THROUGH AND WERE NOT ABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. THE ENTIRE BRACKET HOLDING THE DIFFERENTIAL RUSTED THROUGH. THE FRAME REAR CROSS MEMBER ALSO RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING THE CONTROL ARMS IS DETACHED FROM THE REAR END ALSO CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD.
MY DAUGHTER TOOK MY CAR A 2004 KIA SORENTO IN FOR A NYSI AND THE SHOP DEAD LINED THE CAR AND MADE ME FLATBED IT HOME DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE REAR END WAS FALLING OUT DUE TO EXCESSIVE ROT ON THE BRACKETS AND THEY DEEMED THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE WOMEN THAT RUNS THE SHOP TOLD MY DAUGHTER AND SON THAT THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME THAT SHE HAS SEEN THIS ON A KIA. IN FACT ITS A PREVALENT ISSUE! UPON COMING HOME I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE LOOKING INTO ORDERING KIA TO DO A RECALL,MY DAUGHTER COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED DRIVING THIS VEHICLE.I ALSO SAW ON THE INTERNET THAT IN THE UK KIA HAD TAKEN CARE OF THIS ISSUE WITH CONSUMERS. I WOULD LIKE CONSIDERATION IN HAVING KIA REPAIR THIS CAR FREE OR PURCHACE THE VEHICLE BACK AT BLUE BOOK PRICING. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT COULD HAVE KILLED MY DAUGHTER OR ANYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD WHERE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE KIA SORENTO.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT PULLEY WAS FAULTY AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE LOCAL DEALER (QUIRK KIA IN BRANKLY, MA) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000. *LN
THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM GOES HAYWIRE. WE WILL BE DRIVING ALONG AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON, THE FRONT DOORS OPEN LIGHTS COME ON AND STARTS BUZZING AND SO DOES THE THE LOCKING MECHANISM ON THE DOORS. WE CHECK TO MAKE SURE THE DOORS ARE CLOSED PROPERLY BUT THEY ALWAYS ARE. THIS IS WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION USUALLY BUT SOMETIMES WHILE STATIONARY AS WELL. SOMETIMES THE DOORS UNLOCK TOO. WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT CAUSED THIS BUT FEEL IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS WELL AS A NUISANCE WHILE DRIVING. IT NEVER SEEMS TO MATTER IF YOU ARE DRIVING STRAIGHT OR TURNING.. WE HAVEN'T TAKEN IT ANYWHERE FOR REPAIRS YET, BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO BE ELECTRICAL AND KNOW THAT IT CAN BE EXPENSIVE.
THE REAR AXLE IS FALLING APART AND IT'S RUSTED WHERE I CAN'T EVEN WELD A BRACKET FOR THE REAR SUSPENSION IT'S SO RUSTED THAT I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT THE REAR AXLE CAN ACTUALLY FALL OFF THE VEHICLE I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE REAR AXLE SO I CAN PUT A BRACKET OR IT WILL COME WITH A BRACKET IT WILL COST ME $4000 AND I THINK A KIA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE THE WHOLE ENTIRE CAR UNDERNEATH IT RUSTED BUCKET FULL OF RUST
WHILE TRYING TO REFULE THE GASOLINE WILL SUDDENLY "SPRAY" FROM THE TANK. VEHICLE STATIONARY.
CRANK SHAFT BOLT ISSUES. I AM ON MY 3RD HARMONIC BALANCER AND NOW MY MECHANIC IS SAYING IT IS THE CRANK SHAFT BOLT. . I CALLED A&B KIA AND THEY SAID NO ISSUES . I HAVE RECEIVED A CLAIM LETTER FOR THIS ISSUE AND A&B KIA IS REFUSING TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO NOTICED THAT THE CROSSMEMBER BARS WERE CORRODED THROUGH AND WERE NOT ABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. WE ARE A FAMILY OF FOUR. ONE OF US OPEN ONE OF THE REAR DOORS AND THE HANDLE CAME OUT COMPLETELY. I DON'T KNOW IF IT CAN BE REPAIR OR NOT. I COVER THE HOLE WITH TAPE TO PROTECT THE INNER PARTS OF THE DOOR FROM THE WATER. THE SAME THING HAPPENS WITH THE HANDLE OF THE OTHER REAR DOOR. BUT IN THIS CASE IT DOES NOT COME OUT COMPLETELY AND I USE TAPE TO MAINTAIN IT IN POSITION. IF SOMETHING HAPPENS AND THE PERSONS IN THE BACK SITS ARE UNABLE TO OPEN THE REAR DOORS FROM THE INSIDE ONE OF THE PERSONS IN THE FRONT SITS HAVE TO GET OUT THE CAR AND OPEN THE DOOR THAT STILL HAVE THE TAPED HANDLE. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS SITUATION IS GOING TO AFFECT THE MECHANISM OF THE INTERIOR HANDLES OF THE REAR DOORS. I DON'T KNOW IF THE TAPED HANDLE IS GOING TO BRAKE OR WHEN IS GOING TO BRAKE. I READ IN THE INTERNET THAT THIS A PROBLEM OF THE SORENTOS OF SEVERAL YEARS. SOME OF THE PERSONS IN THE INTERNET ASK WHY KIA IS NOT MAKING A RECALL. I HAVE A DAUGHTER OF 16 YEARS AND A SON OF ALMOST 15 YEARS. MY SON DOES NOT HAVE MANY LIMITATIONS, BUT HE HAS A SYNDROME. I AM INCLUDING PHOTOS OF THE DOORS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
OCT, 2016 - I AM THE ORIGNAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE AND HAD MAINTAINED REGULAR MAINTAINENCE ON THE VEHICLE. I HAD JUST PUT $700 OF NEW TIRES ON VEHICLE AND HAD A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND FLUID CHECK BEFORE WE LEFT FOR OUR VACATION. I NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE AND I STILL OWN. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RUN BUT I WANTED TO KNOW WHAT STARTED THE FIRE. MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE HEADED OUT OF TOWN FOR A WEEK, ABOUT 200 MILES INTO THE COMMUTE THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD, WE WERE TRAVELING AT 55-60 MPH. AS I WAS EXITING THE 421 HIGHWAY FLAMES BEGAN COMING OUT FROM AROUND HOOD AND THE PAINT ON THE HOOD BEGAN TO BUBBLE UP DUE TO HEAT. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE FIRE DEPT, AS I WAS DRIVING, PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER AND IMMEDIATELY REMOVED MY DAUGHTER AND OUR BELONGINGS FROM THE VEHICLE AND DISTANCED OURSELVES FROM THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE FIRE DEPT ARRIVED THEY PUT THE FLAMES OUT AND THE VEHICLE WAS TRANSPORTED TO A LOCAL SHOP, I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO OUR HOME CITY UPON DEPARTURE FROM OUR VACATION. UPON FURTHER OBSERVATION I WAS ABLE TO SEE THE FIRE STARTED IN THE AREA CLOSEST TO WHERE THE ENGINE MEETS THE DASH ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND CONTINUED TO SPREAD FROM THAT POINT TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND UNDER ON THE DRIVERS SIDE.
WHOLE DRIVING DOWN ROAD STARTED TO LOOSE CONTROL. UPON BRINGING TO A SERVICE STATION FOUND OUT REAR FRAME OF VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY ROTTED AWAY LEAVING SUSPENSION HANGING AND NOT DRIVABLE.
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE STATIONARY. FIRE STARTED IN FRONT COMPARTMENT NEAR FUSES. TOTAL LOSS
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CARS WOULDN'T TURN THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WAS ACTING LIKE IT WAS DYING. IT HAPPENS A BOUT 5 MILES FROM HOME AND WHEN I GOT IT THERE I TOLD MY HUSBAND. HE LOOKED AT IT AND TOLD ME MY HARMONIC BALANCER WAS LOOSE AND IT LOOKED TO HAVE SNAPPED THE BOLT. NOW I CANNOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE UNTIL I CAN GET THE BROKEN BOLT OUT AND GET IT FIXED. I LOOKED UP WHAT TO DO AND NOTICED I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON 28TH THIS PROBLEM.
RUSTED BRACKETS POSING A DANGEROUS SAFETY RISK, 2004 KIA SORENTO WITH 162,000 MILES. THE ENTIRE BRACKET HOLDING THE DIFFERENTIAL RUSTED THROUGH. THE FRAME REAR CROSS MEMBER ALSO RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING THE CONTROL ARMS IS DETACHED FROM THE REAR END ALSO CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD. THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT ALLOWS WATER TO STAY INSIDE THE HOLLOW CROSS MEMBER THAT CAUSED THE CORROSION. DRAIN OR WEEP HOLES IN THE CROSS MEMBER AND AN ANTI-CORROSION COATING WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS. WHEN THE BRACKET(S) BREAKS THE REAR AXLE IS NO LONGER HELD IN PLACE THERE ARE REPORTS ON NHTSA WHERE THESE BRACKETS HAVE ROTTED AWAY AND FAILED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A KNOWN DESIGN FLAW THAT HAS BEEN APPEARING ON THE OLDER CARS WHERE THE ENTIRE FRAME AND REAR END WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THERE WILL EVENTUALLY BE MORE OF THESE FAILURES AND THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FATAL ACCIDENTS FROM LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. I AM AWARE THAT IN EUROPE KIA HAS BEEN REPAIRING SORENTOS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE REAR FRAME THAT CONNECTED THE ROTARY BAR WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BECOME UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,000. UPDATED 03/07/17*LJ CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS FIXED UPDATED 6/20/18*JB
EXCESSIVE RUST TO THE FRAME. IT IS SO BAD NOW YOU CAN POKE HOLES IN THE FRAME WITH YOUR FINGER. IF IT IS THIS BAD NOW IT WAS ALREADY RUSTED BADLY AT OR BEFORE 10 YEARS OLD.
TOOK CAR TO MY MECHANIC FOR SMALL LEAK IN RADIATOR AND ASKED THAT HE CHECK THE BRAKES BECAUSE I HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON CHECKING THE BRAKES (WHICH WERE O.K.) HE FOUND THE REAR FRAME TO BE COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. HE NOTED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AS THERE WAS A RISK OF REAR DRIVETRAIN DETACHING FROM VEHICLE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM KNOWN TO KIA -- AS THERE WAS A RECALL IN EUROPE FOR THIS PROBLEM-- BUT NOT THE US. I ALREADY CONTACTED KIA AND THE ONLY RESPONSE I RECEIVED WAS TO TAKE IT TO A KIA DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHEN WE ALREADY KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. KIA DOES NOT GIVE ANY GUARANTEE THAT THEY WOULD REIMBURSE US FOR THE TEST OR ANYTHING ELSE. PLEASE LET US KNOW WHAT WE CAN DO. HOW CAN WE GET KIA TO ACT RESPONSIBLY? THERE ARE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM
PURCHASED USED, WAS DRIVING TO GRANDSON'S BALL GAME, WHEN CAR STARTED MAKING FUNNY NOISE AND ACTED AS THE THE REAR END WAS GOING TO FALL OUT, WE PULLED OVER IN GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT, GOT OUT AND LOOKED, COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING, HAD DAUGHTER FOLLOW US HOME, JUST IN CASE, TOOK IT TO FRIEND WHO NOTICED THE REAR BRACKET ARMS ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT , LOOKS LIKE IT IS WHAT HOLDS THE REAR END IN PLACE. I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO DO, I PAID OVER $5000 USED AND I CAN'T JUST PARK IT, I THINK KIA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS MISHAP, IT IS NOT LIKE IT CAN JUST BE FIXED, IT NEEDS REPLACED, SO I'M THINKING IT WOULD BE A MAJOR JOB, I'VE READ MANY MANY OTHER FORUMS AFTER FINDING THIS OUT ABOUT MINE AND RESEARCHING, I"M SURE THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BE A SERIOUS OR EVEN LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM, I'M NOT SURE I WOULD WANT TO SELL IT TO SOMEONE ELSE, IF IT IS DANGEROUS, I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS PROBLEM, IS THIS A MINOR OR MAJOR PROBLEM, IS THERE MORE HOLDING THAT REAR END IN PLACE THEN JUST THOSE RUSTED OUT ARMS OR BRACKETS? WOULD YOU WANT YOUR DAUGHTER DRIVING THIS?, I DON'T KNOW IF THE PREVIOUS OWNER WAS AWARE OF NOT, IF SO WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED, I WOULD HATE TO THINK I COULD BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MYSELF AND GRANDBABIES AND SOMETHING HORRIBLE HAPPEN. PLEASE HELP, I"M REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS, ESPECIALLY AFTER ALL THE TROUBLE WITH THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT I" READING ABOUT. I'M SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE THIS THING, IF IT HAD NEVER WENT UP ON A RACK WE WOULD BE NONE THE WISER AND WOULD STILL BE DRIVING DAILY JUST AS IF WE DID NOT KNOW, BUT NOW THAT I KNOW, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE, THERE IS TO MUCH NONSENSE CAR DEALERS GET AWAY WITH ANYWAY FOR US CONSUMERS TO WORRY ABOUT OUR LIVES OR SOMEONE ELSE'S WHILE DRIVING. WILL THE REAR END FALL OUT? IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE? YOU TELL ME? WOULD YOU DRIVE IT?
THIS IS A FOLLOW UP TO NHTSA ID #10852665. I CONTACTED MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE RUSTED FRAME. SUGGESTED TOWING TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. TOWED TO DEALER, WHO CALLED SAYING IT WAS BAD AND TO CALL KIA BACK. CALLED KIA AND A CASE WAS OPENED #K3156514. WAS TOLD I WOULD HEAR BACK BY WEDNESDAY THE 6TH OF APRIL HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RETURN CALLS, LEFT 2 VOICEMAILS CAR IS STILL AT DEALER, ITS BEEN 8 DAYS AND NO INFO..KIA NEEDS TO STEP UP AND RECALL THESE VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED! THIS COMPLAINT STARTS AT 2003 AND SO FAR HAVE READ UP TO 2005 FOR THI ISSUE. EUROPE RECALLED IT BUT NOT HERE? MILEAGE WAS 92000 NOT 82000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR SUB FRAME HAD CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WITHIN LESS THAN 30 DAYS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONTINUED TO INDICATE FULL WHETHER THE CONTACT REFUELED THE VEHICLE OR NOT. ALSO, WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS TURNED OFF, SMOKE EMITTED INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE AND UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND LIFTED THE HOOD TO FAN AWAY THE SMOKE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HER JOB. ANOTHER CONSUMER CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE ERUPTED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. NEITHER A FIRE NOR A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE.
MECHANIC AT A GAS STATION TOLD MY MIL SHE NEEDED A NEW REAR AXLE. WHEN I CHECKED THE AXLE I FOUND THE TOP LEFT STABILIZER BRACKET WAS BADLY RUSTED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALER TO GET A RECALL REPAIR. THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN TO A CAR WITH ONLY 60K MILES. THE DEALER HAS NOT COMPLETED THE ESTIMATE. THE CAR IS NOT DRIVE-ABLE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL WOULD SPEW OUT OF THE TANK. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED UNDER A MANUFACTURER RECALL FOR THE SAME FAILURE IN 2012. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STABILITY BAR/TORQUE BAR THAT SUPPORTS THE REAR SUSPENSION FOR THE TIRE WAS NOT STRUCTURALLY SOUND AND HAD EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION ON THE PIPING. THE PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER NEEDED TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT REPAIR OR SOLUTION TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 10/13/16*LJ *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE REAR CONTROL ARM BRACKET WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000. UPDATED 02/26/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE CONTROL ARM BRACKET COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE AXLE. UPDATED 03/01/16.*JB
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
I WAS DRIVING OUR 2004 KIA SORENTO WITH MY 3 YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE CAR. DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET AT 45 MPH THE CAR BEGAN TO JERK AS ALL THE LIGHTS FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD. I LOST ALL POWER, BUT I WAS ABLE TO CRUISE TO PARK NEXT TO A CURB, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE CRANKSHAFT SPROCKET, KEY SHAFT, DAMPER PULLEY, AND CRANK BOLT ALL WERE DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
ON 10-4-2015 I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 80 FROM HASTINGS, NE TO KEARNEY, NE. MY GIRLFRIEND HEARD A BANG FROM THE ENGINE, SHORTLY AFTER THAT NOISE I LOST ALL POWER. I MANAGED TO STEER OUR 2004 KIA SORENTO ONTO AN OFF RAMP. I POPPED THE HOOD AND SAW THE HARMONIC BALANCER AND THE LOWER TIMING SPROCKET LAYING ON THE SKID PLATE. WE HAD HER BROTHER-IN-LAW COME GET US. WE PUT THE KIA SORENTO UP ON HIS TRAILER AND TOWED IT TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC TOLD US THAT THE CRANK SHAFT BOLT HAD SHEARED OFF. AFTER FIXING THIS BOLT, AND PUTTING EVERYTHING BACK TOGETHER HE THEN INFORMED US THERE WAS NO COMPRESSION IN THE ENGINE. IT HAS BEEN SITTING EVERY SINCE. *JS
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.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026