2004 Kia Sorento problems and complaints

Owners have filed 220 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Kia Sorento. The most-reported areas: Engine (46), Engine And Engine Cooling (46), Power Train (40).

Key takeaways

  • 220 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 11 involve a crash, 12 a fire, 16 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine4621%
Engine And Engine Cooling4621%
Power Train4018%
Suspension3014%
Structure2813%
Electrical System2813%
Steering2411%
Air Bags146%
Exterior Lighting146%
Unknown Or Other136%
Service Brakes115%
Fuel/Propulsion System84%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2004 Kia Sorento 4-DR. w/SABNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Power Train - filed 2021-12-20

Crank pully bolt snapped. Causing crank pully to fall, and critical belts to fail.

Structure - filed 2020-08-25

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. ALIGNME...

Structure,service Brakes - filed 2020-01-21

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...

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More for the 2004 Kia Sorento

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.