| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
Kia Sorento repairs by problem area
Engine (26%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (10%)
Brakes and Traction Control (7%)
Suspension and Steering (13%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (29%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (9%)
Other (6%)
Select a problem area
- Engine
- Transmission and Drivetrain
- Brakes and Traction Control
- Suspension and Steering
- Electrical and Air Conditioning
- Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim
- Other
Chart based on 1094 repairs.
Kia Sorento transmission repair cost distribution
$2500+ (4%)
$1000 - $2499 (11%)
$500 - $999 (14%)
$100 - $499 (21%)
< $100 (50%)
Chart based on 92 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2016 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
290-horsepower 3.3L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 14880 mi | Transmission get briefly on neutral between 2nd and 3rd gear on hard acceleration at cold causing a rough shift. Couldn't replicate since transmission is now hot and shift smoothly. Will have to bring back vehicle for investigation at cold. |
| 15500 mi | Cold road test and data collection for transmission rough shift issue. After Kia headquarter investigation, they reflashed transmission ECU with upgraded software to prevent this issue. So far, problem seams solved. |
| 22320 mi | On load (towing a trailer), vehicle drivetrain seem to have a parts which slip as we feel regular rapid hesitation in maintaining the speed or while accelerating ... same feeling was perceptible without trailer but less concerning. Appears the AWD viscous coupler was defective. Replaced under warranty by dealer. |
| 144000 mi US $4400 |
Had to have transmission rebuilt from issues with 1st and 2nd gear. |
2016 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
185-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 3720 mi | Tried to shift out of park, gear selector required enormous force. Went to put it back into park, could not engage park - gear selector jammed in R-N-D positions. Dealer found gear selector lever popped out of placed, popped back in. |
| 32240 mi | Replaced transmission and toque converter. Under warranty |
| 64000 mi | Leaking at [transmission] seal. Seal replaced under warranty. |
| 86800 mi | Differential drive |
2015 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
290-horsepower 3.3L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 26000 mi | Boot on driver side drive axle torn and leaking grease and they replaced the left drive axle under warranty |
| 32000 mi | Front drive axle boot replaced. Must not have been installed properly last November |
| 11240 mi | Stumbling and hesitation under light highway acceleration. Changed accelerator pedal sensor, but this was not successful. |
2014 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
290-horsepower 3.3L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 26000 mi | Failed Park position switch |
2014 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
290-horsepower 3.3L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 32000 mi | Sorento for over a year and a half has been sluggish off the line intermittently. Has been in the shop 3 other times with the same complaint with no computer code found for issue. Finally a message came up on vehicle screen of a transmission problem and was directed to take in for repair immediately, even recommended to have towed in. Failure code P0705 found- Inhibitor Switch was replaced. |
| 35000 mi | Passenger CV Boot was found leaking. Repaired under warranty. However, due to incorrect part number identification by Kia, the wrong item was shipped. After resolution of part number, the CV Boot repair kit was missing 1 of 5 clamps. This occurred 3 times, each kit missing a clamp. Dealership finally ordered a new axel with boot kit as part of the whole package and replaced all parts at no cost to us. It just took 7 days to get it done. Dealership provided us at no cost a rental car for use during this time for the inconvenience. |
2014 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
191-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 18000 mi | there was a bit of hard shift occurring in the transmission and it turned out to be a sensor in the gear shifer control |
2013 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
276-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 45800 mi | Argued for 20,000 miles that the Active ECO light would not always work and that it affected the transmission shifting. They checked it but could not find until the Engine light came on and code for Transmission Temp Sensor. They fixed it. |
2012 Kia Sorento
Engine not specified
| 66000 mi | Shift control switch and connector plug |
2012 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
turbocharged 194hp 2.2L I4 Diesel 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 43400 mi $30 |
when turning the car sound come at CV joint. replace the both side CV Joints. |
| 55340 mi $600 |
auto transmission removed for replace tramission fluid. but every seals and sensor oil temp change. damper pully also change. splines of hypoid gear shaft and case differential wested. now running on 2 wheel. |
2012 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
276-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 77000 mi US $350 |
Transmission was serviced due to slipping issues. |
2011 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
276-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 83000 mi US $250 |
Brake Disengage Sensor malfunction. |
| 44000 mi | Parking pawl (safety recall) |
| 29000 mi | Shifter system requires replacement |
| 29300 mi | Replaced shifter |
2011 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
276-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 64000 mi US $700 |
Rear differential was making a loud humming noise. Investigation found the bearings were pitted and the gears were etched |
| 123000 mi US $650 |
Transmission started shifting hard, then dashboard light came on and wouldn't shift into higher gears Tech replaced temperature sensor, checked trans fluid. Eventually found corrosion on electrical connectors that seemed to be the problem. Connectors cleaned and working find 1 year later. |
| 37560 mi | drive shaft replace |
| 6820 mi | March 9th I noticed transmission fluid on driveway. Drove to dealership - close by. Transmission seal at torque converter leading. Ordered replacement unit from USA. Took exceptional length of time to arrive and be installed. NOT HAPPY |
| 7000 mi | Vibration detectable when driving. More noticeable at higher speeds. Shop said they could not feel it, but balanced the tires as "most likely cause". Still detectable. No difference from tire balancing. Will return and drive with tech. |
| 10300 mi | Dealer replaced driveshaft. |
| 39300 mi | The gear position sensor had malfunctioned causing the car to come out of gear when in reverse and go into neutral. The dealership was able to install a new KIA bracket on the transmission cable to prevent the issue from reoccuring. |
2011 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
175-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 113925 mi C $700 |
Right front axle boot torn, axle grinding and had excessive play |
| 42000 mi | A small part caused the transmission to lurch when cold. Took a day to get the part. Replacement fixed the lurch. covered under drivetrain warranty. |
| 59700 mi | After experiencing a forward hestitation/lunge between 27ph and 35mph on downshifts over the past few weeks, I took my vehicle to the dealer. I was told that the transmission was defective and they replaced it. After much research it was determined that the left CV joint also needed replacement as the clip was making a crunching noise inside of the unit.Both parts were replaced. |
| 82000 mi US $300 |
the transmission cooler lines had to be replaced as they were leaking coolant. |
| 20500 mi | car towed b/c intermediate transmission output shaft failed two days after I received a recall notice for it |
| 13000 mi | A faulty fitting on the driveshaft had to be replaced. |
| 26000 mi | Problem was caused by faulty mfg heat treatment process on the drive splines that broke. The drive axel half shaft and transmission were both repaired. |
2011 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
175-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 27900 mi | Shifting weird and bucking, delayed upshift in lower gears, too long to downshift normally. Felt like it had slip after awhile |
| 31700 mi | Clunk and lurch in reverse, engine light on. Dealer unable to replicate, no code in recent history. Dealer reset adaptive driving history. |
2011 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
175-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed manual FWD
| 1000 mi | Replaced manual transmission. Started to grind after 125 miles. Not sure what broke, the dealer pulled it out and sent it back to Kia so they could see what broke. |
2008 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
turbocharged 168hp 2.5L I4 Diesel 5-speed shiftable automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range
| 80600 mi $150 |
Front propeller shaft 2 x U joints |
| 19000 mi | Rear Differential replaced under warranty. |
2008 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
242-horsepower 3.3L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 60000 mi | Humming Noise was being heard coming from the rear of SUV. Rear Differential Assembly needs to be replaced. Rear Differential Repair Dealer quoted 1850.00 N Metro Atlanta. Pricing other. |
2007 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
turbocharged 168hp 2.5L I4 Diesel 5-speed shiftable automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range
| 73000 mi £450 |
Universal joint seized on front propshaft.replaced shaft.rEPLACED REAR BRAKE DISCS/DRUMS AND PADS.REPLACED FRONT DISKS AND PADS |
| 24794 mi | Replaced diff centre due to bearing failure |
| 25420 mi | Rear diff bearing failure |
2007 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
262-horsepower 3.8L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 170000 mi US $3500 |
Would not shift properly |
| 187000 mi US $700 |
U joint |
| 102000 mi US $800 |
The universal joint went out and there is no replacement offered by Kia so I was forced to have the entire driveshaft replaced. This is rediculous to have to replace the entire driveshaft due to a small universal joint. |
| 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. |
2007 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
262-horsepower 3.8L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD w/low range
| 48000 mi US $1400 |
Transfer case was leaking, causing a clunk when stopping or starting. Repair included R&R of transfer case, trans pan gasket, and fluid flush of transmission. |
| 98000 mi US $1300 |
Front wheel bearings froze and stopped the 4wdLow from engaging. Transfer Case Control Module had to be replaced at my cost. |
2007 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
262-horsepower 3.8L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range
| 120280 mi R 1000 |
Replaced Clutch Slave Cylinder |
| 247000 mi US $600 |
R&R rear differential |
| 88000 mi US $900 |
U joint/front drive shaft is one unit. |
2006 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
turbocharged 138hp 2.5L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range
| 70000 mi £450 |
Front prop shaft had wear so I replaced it as a precaution |
2006 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
turbocharged 138hp 2.5L I4 Diesel 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range
| 78000 mi £98 |
5 speed triptronic would not on two occasions disengage from 1st gear. Changed auto transmission fluid and disconnected battery to reset system with no further faults. |
| 91000 mi £200 |
Automatic transmission oil cooler pipe leaking, replaced |
| 105000 mi £618 |
Severe vibration when traveling at approx. 60 to 70mph, garage fond UJ joint on prop shaft about to collapse and would have catastrophic if done so. Garage replaced propshaft as all one unit with UJ, also replaced fluids in transfer box, automatic gearbox and from diff, car now working perfectly. |
2006 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
192-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range
| 58000 mi | 4wd not working - harness was successfully attached |
| 58500 mi | 4wd/awd totally not working - and car did not navigate well in the snow and ice. Replaced a part to fix it. Now it is working fine. |
2005.5 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
turbocharged 138hp 2.5L I4 Diesel 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range
| 55000 mi £660 |
Rear Differential Pinion Bearings, spacer and seal replaced. The person who did my diff said it had been out before. It was less than 2 mnths old when I bought it. Main Dealer servicing also failed. |
| 63000 mi | Juddering and vibration on lock starting off and parking - currently under investigation |
| 64200 mi £2000 |
Diff locking up. Diff replaced but noisy - Kia notified but action delayed because of sickness - have to take up again with Kia |
| 91440 mi R 235 |
Gearchange problem. Strip&clean valve body, flush,new ATF fluid. No change in symptoms. |
| 93000 mi | I was then advised to remove the fuse for the gearbox control for 15 mins. Small improvement. Then added PS23, initially a partial improvement. But over the last 3 days of driving the fault is hardly detectable, and getting better. Resolved. |
2005 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
turbocharged 138hp 2.5L I4 Diesel 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range
| 118000 mi £820 |
Rear differential was replaced with a second hand one obtained from a scrap dealer. Replaced at a 4x4 specialist not a main dealer. |
| 103540 mi R 100 |
Universal on front propshaft broke. Propshaft removed and universal joint replaced. Noise in transfer box when accelerating Noise in transfer box when accelerating Universal on front propshaft broke. Propshaft removed and universal joint replaced. |
| 114080 mi R 1400 |
Replaced transfer box - trust bearing faulty - with spare. Sent original case out for repair, took two months. Replaced transfer box - trust bearing faulty |
| 119660 mi R 2000 |
Noisy transfer box repaired, chain and shaft replaced. Re-installed in car. |
| 140120 mi | Oil seal leaking on transfer case repaired in 2011. Replaced under guantee no charge. |
| 151280 mi R 100 |
Repair transfer box electric operating motor, position sensor not working. |
| 102920 mi €150 |
Clutch cylinder needed to be replaced. |
| 144000 mi US $250 |
Front driveshaft shot |
| 112700 mi £176 |
Automatic sump rusted through and started to leak automatic transmission fluid. Replaced with new sump, gasket and added about 6 litres of Apolloil ATF Red 1 automatic transmission fluid. |
2005 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
192-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed automatic RWD
| 320500 mi US $500 |
replaced drive shaft due worn Ujoints 2nd replacement |
2005 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
192-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range
| 50530 mi | Propshaft repair |
2004 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
192-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range
| 80000 mi US $500 |
New transfer case |
| 79360 mi | Clutch pedal gets very low - enagagement point inconsistent - like fade. |
2004 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
192-horsepower 3.5L V6 4-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range
| 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". |
| 78120 mi C $325 |
replace external transmission hose/line. |
2003 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
turbocharged 138hp 2.5L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range
| 40920 mi | Clutch master cylinder becomes stiff when engine gets hot (3 hours highway, one hour city). Mechanic recommended replacing. Instead I wrapped it with double aluminum sided insulation foam, about 10 mm thick, at least about 3/4 of it is wrapped. |
| 48560 mi | The clutch master cylinder has malfunctioned lately. I had it fixed with a new repair gasket kit. When in heavy idling conditions in mid-day traffic, the engine heat affects the gaskets or something in the fluid perhaps. |
| 70680 mi $5000 |
clutch master cylinder leak, despite replacement of rubber cups. |
2003 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
192-horsepower 3.5L V6 4-speed automatic RWD
| 118000 mi US $454 |
back u-joint needed to be replaced - was in bad shape |
| 107900 mi US $409 |
overhaul and balance drive shaft |
2003 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
192-horsepower 3.5L V6 4-speed automatic AWD w/low range
| 70000 mi US $2000 |
Transmission went out at 64,000 miles. Car would not go forward nor in reverse. Had to replace transmission. |
| 31000 mi US $1550 |
Front axle (AWD)bind up when cornering. Axle lubed - seemed to fix problem. 60K service performed at same time also new timing belt.2 weeks after the visit noticed they had drained the AC (both caps missing) - $200 to refill AC - I'm pissed with dealer. |
| 85560 mi C $2700 |
Transfer case went bad, i have the TOD 4x4 and it would not come out of 4x4 so they removed front driveshaft because repair would have been $4,500. Found used transfer case for $2000 plus $700 labour |
| 172980 mi C $350 |
Faulty TCCU (transfer case control module), ground open EMC (electro-magnetic clutch). $1,500 + $1,600 to fix at dealer, not worth it given age and miles. |
| 65000 mi US $140 |
Over drive switch replaced. |
| 115000 mi | Front transfer case replacement, estimate for repair $4K....and coolant leak....est for repair $500 didnt repair due to cost, needed new front transfer case, part $3200 plus labor, also needed a coolant connector replace, labor 5 hours, again didnt repair due to cost, vehicle donated |
| 115000 mi US $1500 |
front differential rebuilt, two new tires and battery required to pass state inspection |
| 178000 mi | Front differential no longer engaging. |
| 100500 mi £3100 |
Shop also said the transmission needed work, but when I told them to do nothing else it was suddenly ready. |
2003 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
192-horsepower 3.5L V6 4-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range
| 152900 mi US $1100 |
replaced the part that tells the transmission when to shift. |
| 35000 mi | Warranty replacement of front differential. Symptom was small oil leak and hot oil odor from oil hitting exhaust pipe. Could not get info about cause or frequency of this problem from dealer. Have since reached over 88K miles with no other problems. |
See TrueDelta's information for all SUVs
See TrueDelta's information for all Kia models.
