Kia Sorento Complaints (2004)

220 consumer complaints on file.

#10224893April 18, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10223359April 4, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0
#10222596March 28, 2008
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217683February 11, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215316January 18, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209292November 19, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202794September 12, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202463September 11, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202218September 7, 2007
STEERING:RACK AND PINION, STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
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.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202108September 6, 2007
TIRES
DRY ROT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10201055August 28, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10200922August 27, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10199805August 16, 2007
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197373July 24, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10196700July 18, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10190173May 8, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10189593May 2, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10189393May 1, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED CAUSING OVERFLOW OF ATF ONTO EXHAUST MANIFOLD IGNITING A FIRE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10187855April 14, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10185529March 19, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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