2004 Kia Sorento Kia Sorento 2004

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2004 Kia Sorento repairs by problem area

Engine (54%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (9%)

Brakes and Traction Control (3%)

Suspension and Steering (14%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (8%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (3%)

Other (9%)

Chart based on 65 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2004 Kia Sorento.

2004 Kia Sorento repair cost distribution

$2500+ (12%)

$1000 - $2499 (6%)

$500 - $999 (12%)

$100 - $499 (35%)

< $100 (37%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 52 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2004 Kia Sorento

Engine not specified

Kia Sorento in Minnesota, United States
Nov 2014 - Jan 2015
Jan 2015 The infamous crankshaft bolt failure. A repair was attempted but was unsuccessful. The cost was covered by the shop as a blessing. The shop won't take accountability, but I believe the previous repair/re-installation of the crankshaft bolt and associated parts was done improperly. The timing belt failed causing the interference engine to seize... turning it into junk!!! 

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2004 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV

192-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed manual RWD

Kia Sorento in Georgia, United States
Mar 2011 - Apr 2017
Dec 2011

90000 mi

US $100
replaced the y fitting that sits in the back of the engine. It runs from the coolant reserve then spits to the rear of the engine and the firewall. When the y adapter breaks you must replace all three hoses. y fitting and coolant replaced 

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2004 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV

192-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range

Kia Sorento in Colorado, United States
Apr 2014 - Aug 2014
Aug 2014

140000 mi
rear wiper ran even with car off, had to disconnect a wire to make it stop. never repaired. 
Kia Sorento in North Carolina, United States
Sep 2009 - Jun 2011
Jun 2009

74000 mi

US $90
4 wheel drive kept trying to engage during transit. Couldn't afford new chip. Had them disconnect fuse to 4x4. Now a two wheel rear drive. 
May 2010

80000 mi

US $500
New transfer case 
Jun 2010

81000 mi

US $500
Front Wheel Bearings 
Aug 2010

82000 mi

US $32
Installed new overflow reservoir 
Kia Sorento in Louisiana, United States
Aug 2011 - Oct 2011
Oct 2011

102000 mi

US $268
Complete belt change out. 
Kia Sorento in Northern Territory, Australia
Oct 2009 - Jun 2011
Nov 2009

77500 mi

A $400
power steering fails to "power" 
Dec 2009

79360 mi
Clutch pedal gets very low - enagagement point inconsistent - like fade. 
Apr 2010

85240 mi

A $250
Heater hose fitting into block failed (plastic! - perished) requiring replacement at my cost as the veh is out of warranty. Took 3 days for Kia to provide the part to my repairer. 

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2004 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV

192-horsepower 3.5L V6 4-speed automatic RWD

Kia Sorento in Georgia, United States
Dec 2010 - Nov 2011
Oct 2011

89000 mi
engine is stalling (2X) within driving a mile after cold start. Could not restart for at least an hour. Dealer says they can not duplicate problem and vehicle checks out ok. Left dealer and it almost stalled. 
Nov 2011

89000 mi

US $541
took vehicle to mechanic and they replaced the crankshaft position sensor 
Kia Sorento in Florida, United States
Oct 2010 - Jun 2011
Dec 2010

166000 mi

US $50
Burning smell coming from engine compartment. Seemed as though coolant smell was also evident. Found burning insulation near exhaust manifold. 
Kia Sorento in California, United States
Mar 2011 - Jul 2011
May 2011

82800 mi

US $3000
ICV recall...butterfly screw came loose and damaged the number 6 valves and piston head. Had to take engine apart to find out about the recall. Had head resurfaced, new gaskets, new ICV and put back together. After ICV was replaced, the engine was in safe mode and chewed up 1/4 tank of gas for 60 miles. We were told that all 3 cat converters were toast. $1600 thru shop, quoted $4000+ thru dealer. Should be done 4 more business days. 
Jul 2011

92000 mi

US $400
Timing was off and shop replaced belt and fixed it. A day later it went back into the shop because the passenger side head gasket is blown. 
Kia Sorento in Ghana
Nov 2010 - Sep 2011
Jul 2011

50520 mi
Front shocks replaced. 
Kia Sorento in Florida, United States
Aug 2009 - Apr 2014
Sep 2011

121000 mi

US $360
Had to replace radiator. 

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2004 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV

192-horsepower 3.5L V6 4-speed automatic AWD w/low range

Kia Sorento in California, United States
May 2010 - Dec 2012
Sep 2012

127000 mi

US $400
a hose keeps failing out or not staying 
Dec 2012

127000 mi
engine blew up 
Kia Sorento in Idaho, United States
Nov 2011 - Mar 2012
Feb 2012

68900 mi

US $90
the fuse for the fuel pump burned out and was replaced 
Kia Sorento in Connecticut, United States
Sep 2011 - Oct 2012
Sep 2011

74000 mi

US $386
steering rack was replaced leaking y pipe was cracked 
Oct 2011

73500 mi

US $100
seat belt sensor bad will need a new set of belts dash light stays on. have not had work done yet, too expensive. seat belt sensor bad will need a new set of belts dash light stays on. have not had work done yet. 
Dec 2011

75000 mi
steering rack replaced, $100 diagnostic and $100 deductible evac system interior light sensor shot. 
Jan 2012

75800 mi

US $250
water pump; also replaced all belts and hoses since most of labor already paid for 

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2004 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV

192-horsepower 3.5L V6 4-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range

Kia Sorento in Alabama, United States
Mar 2012 - Jun 2012
Apr 2012

88300 mi

US $1000
Car very difficult to start. Just had the dealer replace all three coils and tune up. Cost over $1,000 incl tax. Now starting problem after tune up. Dealet wants $80 to even check the car out. 
May 2012

88600 mi

US $4500
Coolant overflow canister cracked again. Just replaced a year ago by Kia dealer. 
Kia Sorento in California, United States
Jul 2009 - Dec 2014
Jan 2009

50000 mi
Power steering hose replaced, leaking. 
Jun 2010

73000 mi
Adjusted liftgate latch to eliminate rattle over bumps. The rear passenger door weather seal had to be re-glued to the body.  
Oct 2011

85500 mi

US $100
heater hose leak 
Aug 2013

109300 mi

US $500
Radiator tank split Pass side ball joint loose, made creaking sounds. replaced ball joint. 
Dec 2013

111000 mi
A/C Compressor has failed. 
Dec 2014

116000 mi
Vibration from drivetrain at 68 to 70 MPH. It felt like it may be expensive to fix but that is just a guess. I sold it "as is". A/C compressor never replaced. 
Kia Sorento in British Columbia, Canada
May 2010 - Jun 2011
Jun 2010

46500 mi

C $800
RH outer CV Joint Bearings shot. They could not get it apart, b/c of rust in outer spline. Had RF Drivetrain replaced. used. I took old unit home and inspected. found no sign of attempt to dissassemble with a little heat I got it apart. 
Kia Sorento in Louisiana, United States
Jul 2009 - Mar 2010
Aug 2009

90000 mi

US $45
There was a leak in the coolant plastic reservoir. Replaced with a better factory replacement. 
Kia Sorento in South Australia, Australia
Dec 2011 - Jul 2016
Jan 2012

148600 mi
Butterfly screw came loose and damaged head, valves and pistons. Still waiting for decision from AWN insurance, will need to ask about KIA recall. Only had the car for 2 months 
Feb 2012

112260 mi

A $1865
Used car dealer paid 4000 for replacement 2nd hand engine and I paid the rest 
Feb 2014

148780 mi

A $4800
Big end bearing. Replaced engine with reconditioned one 
Sep 2014

153760 mi

A $400
Front right wheel bearing 
Feb 2015

155900 mi

A $3020
Harmonic balancer bolt came loose number of items damaged, three ignition coils and all leads replaced. 
Kia Sorento in Ontario, Canada
Nov 2009 - Jun 2016
Dec 2009

78120 mi

C $325
replace external transmission hose/line. 
Mar 2010

81220 mi

C $370
replaced coolant reservoir (cracked) 
Apr 2011

90520 mi

C $350
rusted brake lines 
May 2011

90520 mi
Lots of rust. Also looked like repairs for regular maintenance (timing belt, differential and transmission fluid changes) as well as a feeling that the drive train will need work resulted in costs that would exceed the value of the vehicle. 
Kia Sorento in South Africa
Oct 2011 - Mar 2015
Nov 2011

120280 mi

R 1000
Replaced Clutch Slave Cylinder 
Mar 2014

134540 mi

R 22000
Repair injectors and wiring harness  Engine big end bearing failure 
Feb 2015

143080 mi

R 26000
Crankshaft broke on no 2 Big end journal due to improper machining on the previous repair. Engine was rebuilt, and the crankshaft replaced. 
Kia Sorento in New York, United States
Jan 2011 - Aug 2013
Mar 2011

83000 mi

US $377
replaceed y pipe and gaskets 
Apr 2011

85674 mi

US $100
fuel tank leaked and sending unit rusted Replaced fuel tank and fuel sending unit 
Apr 2012

125700 mi

US $50
Replace left wheel bearing 
Feb 2013

146500 mi

US $50
Front exhaust y pipe flex section removed and replaced. 
Mar 2013

148000 mi

US $450
replaced upper left control arm, bad ball joint, replace front struts and rear shocks 

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2003.5 Kia Sorento

Engine not specified

Kia in Great Britain
Dec 2011 - Dec 2012
Nov 2012

119000 mi

£75
Handbrake cable snapped, was not cheap for the link cable either! 

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2004 Kia Sorento Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2004 Kia Sorento problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.