Kia Sorento Maintenance and Repair

paisan

and TOD do this as well. No failures due to it and some have well over 100K miles...

-mike

sonnyrocker

I just purchased a brand new 2003 model, with $2,000 rebate. Just love it. I've owned plenty of Honda and Toyota and this is my first Kia. I can't believe how much CAR I got for the price!
Anyway, I have a bad right bottom speaker in the front passenger side, is anyone else has any speakers problems?

sonnyrocker

I got the LX 4X2 because that's all that's left in silver, and we wanted to take advantage of the $2,000 rebate. I've read enough reviews about the 4X4 models. Can someone tell me how is your 4x2 handles in snow? I really wanted to get the 4x4, but it was out of our budget and we don't really drive in bad weather often but for my family's sake, I want to know how the 4x2 handles in bad weather. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

ivygrnsorento

Ditto here...same speaker in my sorento had a bad rattle...Kia replaced it. Though it did take about 3 weeks to get the new speaker. All is well again!

Congrats on your new Sorento...I'm sure you will love it. I have over 36,000 miles on mine...and have enjoyed every mile from it!!!

sonnyrocker

Hey Thanks for the reply!
We drove the hell out of it for 2 days and we have a feeling that this is going to be a reliable car, and thanks for the assurance. All cars have problems, a lot of times it is your luck. With that being said, Toyota and Honda are the most reliable from track record that's for sure. I had a 96 Rav4 and it had a recall for the transmission.
Can you crank your Bass up without blowing the speakers? I know the speakers are kinda cheap but wonder if they can handle the bass from the factory CD player.

jdesjardins

to Sonnyrocker

so far I can't complain but if the back wheels start to slip without front wheels pulling then you are cooked like you would be with any rear wheel car stuck in snow. AT 4000 pounds it is a heavy load to push out

jjwolf

I have a 2WD, and the noise is coming from the front of the car. Does that make sense?

Too bad my dealer is almost an hour away or Id have it in by now.

sonnyrocker

oh yeah, I know what you mean. If a heavy 2WD like this gets stuck, it is done for. But, I am thinking that with the heavy size and the good traction wheels and if you drive careful, you shouldn't get stuck, right? I figure that the roads where I live get clean up pretty quick when it snows, so there is not a lot of chance for me to really drive in really bad weather, so why spend the extra $2,000 for 4WD? That is, of course, you are on a budget like me

sonnyrocker

I am talking about the standard CD player with 8 speaker model. Who makes the stereo? Anyone? My sales person told me Kia makes it, but I seriously doubt it.

Thanks,
Sonny

andrewz

I'm new to the boards and I thinkk they are great. I'm not sure who makes the stereo but I love it. I haven't heard a factory stereo sound this great in a long time. Maybe one of those Bose systems...but they pay large for that. I find the system sounds great with the bass at "0" and the treble almost all the way up. Goes well with every type of music. I pretty much always listen to CD's at volume "30" with no distortion.

Andrew

netcam

andrewz, you must be joking when you say you set volume at '30', right??
The factory stereo am/fm/cd is alright with me too, but I don't think its a Bose. Make is probably listed on the back of the unit.
I have never had my volume above '12' for any of my cd's (store bought or burned) and that is on the highway. Most city driving and a vol level of 6 or 7 is more than adequate. FM Radio is usually higher, in the 10 to 15 range. I've never had it above 15 and can't imagine it higher.
Your Sorento must be 'rocking and shaking all over' at '30' !!

lok888

Kia don't make that. They just put the stereo which made by Delphi Delco Electronic at the factory plant. I hope your sales person won't tell you the same thing when you ask who makes the tires on your car. Anyway, I hope you enjoy your Sorento.

sonnyrocker

What about the speakers? They seem to be kinda cheap. However, I must say that this car pumps out some bass. I have to keep the bass at '0' just like Andrew. I am afraid that the speakers can't handle the bass at '5' or '6'!

lok888

I don't know who makes it unless I unplug it and see. But I have the luxury package. So it comes with a separate amplifier (under the drive's side). I am very satisfied with the speakers. But I am looking for some at Crutchfield. BTW, the size for the stock speaker is 6 & 3/4". I don't know if there is any different on speakers non-luxury model. I guess you still have some bass even without the amp. I tend to set the bass nearly the max level when listening to hip-hop. The speakers handle great.

jdesjardins

TO sonnyrocker

Actually mine is a LX with manual 4wd. I do most driving in 2wheel drive. I had no choice but a 4wd. I do not know if they have 2wd Sorentos in Canada. I am still glad I have the 4wd feature. With a 2000 Caravan trade-in at 11,000$ I paid $21600CDN incl all taxes. I did not think that was a bad deal so I went for it. Other dealer was $1300 over !!!!

So far I love everything except the gas guzzling in winter city driving. One other thing....
the mud guards front and back must have been for a bicycle. I think the dealer or Kia aren't being honest about putting decent mud guards. With tires in the 245/16 range they throw a lot of muck all over the body sides. Pisses me off to spend another 75$ and taxes to replace them. My first check-in is next week. I am planning a serious talk with the service manager about these super cheap add-ons.

slan_canada

jdesjardins...

Cool de voir un nom français

Most of my driving (98%) is city and most of the time, I'm in 4WD mode. The Sorento is not economic in winter situation. I do only about 250 kms (155 miles) with the tank; this is about 150 kms less than summer !

How much kms do you do with your Sorento (winter) ?!

andrewz

Hey netcam...I actually listen to the stereo at "30" when I play Cd's. I usually listen to rock or heavy metal. I sometimes listen to my own music too (shameless plug www.warmachineonline.com). That volume is at the border of being too loud but I am a drummer and you can imagine I have to listen to everything somewhat louder just so I can hear it.

Sonnyrocker, I think the speakers are pretty good quality. I have had the truck for a year and have been playing the music that loud for a while. I sometimes put the bass up too when I listen to some hip-hop and it sounds great. It does distort a bit but I make sure I control the volume for that.

Only problems I have had with my truck so far was an alignment problem 3 weeks after pick up and the rear wiper arm paint started to chip off but they both were fixed under warranty.

sonnyrocker

Thanks for the info bro.
I myself am a guitar player and have been playing for 18 years. I am into the old school 80s Metal/Shred/Hard Rock/Prog Rock. I listen to Whitesnake, Tesla, Dokken, Malmsteen, etc.
So yeah, I like to turn my music up LOUD too

lok888

I agree the mudguards is pretty short. I saw some posting from other discussion board about some aftermarket mudguards. They are long like those on M-Class or Grand Cherokee.

I have about 200 miles per tank in 4 or 5 days for my EX 4WD. It is about 80-90% city driving. It is also the same gas mileage with same driving pattern in summer. But I had 18.6 mpg during a summer trip when cruising along the highway.

netcam

'I have to listen to everything somewhat louder just so I can hear it' !!... LOL

Wow I can't believe it, don't you wear the ear plugs when your playing? Anyway, I followed your shameless plug to your site and it looked good. I downloaded a few songs and though I don't listen to heavy rock on a steady basis (classic and mainstream rock for me), I like your sound. Gives strong hints of a Black Sabbath influence for me. I guess I'll have to burn them to a cd and try them out in the Sorento, see if I can ease my way up to '30', but have doubts about getting there! Good luck with the record deal.

jdesjardins

to slan_canada
I never emptied a tank but 255 km looks ok since half a tank is about 150km. Sometimes only 100Km if I realy keep away from highways

I hope summer comes along soon !!

lok888

andrewz - I have a pretty good luck on MTEC super white light bulbs on my Sorento. The low beam is H7 and high beam is H1. They both draw 55W (like stock bulbs) and have 100W output. MTEC bulbs are made in Japan and have the same rating as PIAA but they cost less. I got those from online auction site. I paid probably the same as your Eurolite bulbs. BTW, I have no problem with the stock bulbs (supplied by GE?). I first checked with my dealer and they only found the part numbers and not the type (H7, H1), not even on the manual.

lilac0422

Not sure of the exact number because I only kept track for the first six months or so but I can get over 300 miles to a tank. Lok, you really only get around 200? I do about 90% city driving in a EX TOD 4WD.

ivygrnsorento

...my mileage is usually around 330-338 per tank. I've seen as high as 345. I have the EX 4x4, not the TOD. lok888, are you sure of your numbers? 200 does seem very low to me. From what I have read, there should be no or little difference from the TOD system and the EX or LX rear drive setup.

What are others getting?

lok888

I probably do a lot of idling and the traffic during rush hours. And I don't do much warm up until these recent cold mornings. It was only 5'F (even the AMB read 12 or more) this morning here in Quincy, MA. Everytime I go to gas station, the number (mileage) is between 200 to 220. But it is before the fuel warning light on. My average mpg is around 13 mpg with the best of 18.6 mpg. Yes. the manual, 2WD and 4WD don't make any major different on gas mileage.

dbgindy

315-360 per tank and that's about 70% highway miles.

Duncan

lilac0422

Lok, does that mean that you still have fuel in the tank when you get more? I get over 300 from full to fuel light being on. Now if you get 200 miles for full to 1/4 of a tank than that would make more sense. Is that what you mean by the fuel light not being on?

iluvmysephia1

and see if Rob Baker and the Tragically Hip boys are jamming and try to jam with them! I sure love their sound...they started out doing Stones covers in bars. Gordon's booming vocals and Paul and Rob's guitars on the corners there with that great rhythm section makes for a dynamic full and rich rock sound. Love 'em!
   Oh, as for loud music in our SUV's...loud music is best, loud LIVE music is even better! Anybody bought those Sorento taillight chrome accent packages yet from your dealer?

lok888

lilac0422 - Sometime I wait until I see the low fuel warning light on before getting gas. That is about 220+ miles with 80%-90% city driving, a lot of idling and traffic.

iluvmysephia1 - I am interested the chrome tail light accents. But I found something that you might be interested, the euro tail lights from www.sharkracing/ex/hyundai/taillight-sorento.html for $200 with shipping.

iluvmysephia1

to check those euro taillights out. I own a '01 Sportage 4x4 but am always on here because the Sorento is a rig I like a lot, too.

ivan4741

I think that letting your tank get really low till the low fuel lite warns you. Is just asking for anything in the bottom of the tank to reach the pre-filter at fuel pump. Not a good idea. ;-)

lok888

Don't we get 3 to 5 gallons in the tank (in Sorento) when the low fuel warning light first on? I don't intend to do this. But I sometime do that to my cars which I used to own for more than 10 years. Not a single problem except a regular maintenance for fuel filter replacement.

dekester

With the cold we've had in the NE here last week - and coming tonight for the rest of this week - you should keep your tank as full as possible! Besides helping to keep air out that could potentially freeze moisture in the tank and strand you, the extra weight comes in handy in the winds and lousy road conditions.

I've rarely - if ever - let my tank get under 1/4 full, no matter where I've lived and what season it was. It's worth stopping every few days when you're down to about half full to top off versus missing a day of work because your car won't start due to frozen fuel lines!

Just my $.02...

Deke

lok888

Yeap. Even AAA advices drivers to keep their tanks at least half full during the cold weather. We warm up a little bit here in MA yesterday and today, but we are back to frigid tomorrow and the next few days.

hciaffa

Here in the New England NY and NJ area we have finally switch over to 10% ethanol in the gas and have gotten rid of the treaded MTBE formula. Now from seeing some auto shows on TV and talking to some auto techs the ethanol alcohol will help with some moisture prevention but if you add in 'dry gas' which is isopropyl alchohol make sure you don't add alot. AAA has warned that the ethanol blend if you allow the tank to ge very low may cause filter blockage as the blend tends to dissolve any gunk in the tank and adding a full container of 'dry gas' can really soften up that gunk and make for some problems. At my Kia and Ford dealers they recommend maybe a quater bottle of 'dry gas'or better yet some Red Line fuel line and carb cleaner as this will ensure the gas gets ignited and the fuel lines stay clean. I'm not advertising the product but I have faithfully used it in all my vehicles for years. My 2cents.

suvshopper4

You say NJ is no longer using MTBE in the gas ("winter gas"), but is using ethanol instead?

Got a source / link for this info?

Thanks.

-ss4

ivygrnsorento

I certainly have heard the same cautionary advise many times over concerning gas levels in colder weather. But I have to ask a question. In all honesty, when is the last time anybody in this forum has had a frozen gas line in any car manufactured in the last 15 years? Anybody?

I can list about 20 things that will go wrong with a car in cold weather before even a thought that "gas" levels and the adverse effects of this, will ever cross my mind. Don't get me wrong... I think being cautious and taking a "preventitive" approach is the best, and in the long run will pay off. But sometimes I read in these forums advice that sorta comes accross as Old Wives Tales... so to speak.

Am I wrong here?

Just my 2 cents worth.

lok888

I am with you. And that's why I mentioned that I something go to gas station after I see the low fuel warning light on. I didn't intend to do that. But I had no problem for my last two cars ('91 Corolla and '93 Accord) and '03 Sorento here in cold climate region, just a regular maintenance on fuel filter replacement for those old cars.

hciaffa

No links but check the pumps when you get gas. I was in NJ last week and while waiting for the gas to be pumped the tank label had "contains 10% ethanol" Here in CT because of the cancer causing effects of MBTE and it getting into the well water systems they have gotten rid of it since Jan 1. I believe this is true for most of New England and I know the Government has banned MBTE as well. It may take a while for most states to comply but this is one reason that the gas prices are going up. The gas manufactures claim if cost more to make.

lok888

We are using RFG contains ethanol here in New England, including New Jersey and Delware area.

hciaffa

lok888

I went to my dealer for an early oil change yesterday. I first noticed some oil residue on my driveway few days ago. I saw oil dripping very slowly from the front. No engine light was on and oil level was full. My service manager explained that he has seen some cases with this problem due to the frigid weather. He told it is probably the oil filter got struck during the cold temparture or maybe the oil filter didn't install tightly. I am not sure about this because I have no problem with my other cars.

hciaffa - I remember that you have complained about the top level of center console. It is hard to open because of the magnetic lock. I saw an '04 Sorento in the showroom with a regular latch, just like the bottom level of the console. It is easy to open. I don't know if we can change that.

hciaffa

right now using 3 small pieces of duct tape is working out just fine. I'll spend the money on some other accessorry. I read your post on the accessory brochure I have to get one. Do you know if the door edge protectors are the metal clip on ones. Still no alarm. Kia is falling behind on this.

lok888

All I can see is the picture with few words on the brochure. It looks like some items which you can find in your local Wal-Mart or Auto Zone. Still no alarm (or engine immobilizer) in U.S. Sorento. I test drove the new Amanti yesterday. It has the keyless remote plus alarm. I can tell the difference of the key. I agree that Kia should put more nice stuffs on Sorento. We only get the basic stuffs in U.S. market. For example, why can't we get the power passenger's seat like the Sedona in U.S? Looking at the Amanti, there are several great features which we can't find in Sorento including the one-touch down for all windows with pinch protection, memory seat & side mirror, stability & traction control.

sonnyrocker

For the price I paid for my Sorento and what I got from that car, I am not complaining

joboo1

Hello Room

Less than a year ago I bought a 2003 Kia Sorento. Recently New Jersey was hit with some really cold weather below 0 with the wind chill factor. I notice that the safety reinforcement bars, located inside in each of the four doors of the truck, started to show through the outside door panels. As the temperature outside started to warm up, the impressions of the safety reinforcement bars seemed to go away. I took pictures of the problem and will be talking to a Kia representative sometime this week. Has anyone else had the same problem.

lok888

joboo1 - That is not a good sign. I have never seen car like this. The only problem that I had during the frigid weather was an oil leak. Few mornings ago, it was -7F plus wind chill here in Boston. It looks like the oil filter was struck a bit due to the extreme cold temparture. Then it expanded when the engine is hot. I had to pay or the oil change because my dealer said this is a environmental issue rather than manufacturer defect. I emailed the Kia to complaint about it. Let's see what they have to say.

ivygrnsorento

I can't tell you how happy I am to see that someone else has had this same problem!!! My 2003 Sorento is doing the very same thing...mostly on the drivers side...both front and rear door. I noticed the same thing..that when the weather is cold, the impressions are more pronounced. And when the weather warms up...they tend to go away. Though here lately the impressions aren't going away like they used to in warm weather. They look as though they are becoming permanent. I've been very concerned with this and it stresses me out every morning its cold out and I walk up to my beautiful Sorento and see those damn indentations! I can only hope that the indentions will go aways this summer. I have to say though. Last year the winter was just as cold...and those deformations never showed up. But this winter they are showing through. How bad will they be next winter and the one after that?

Please, please let me know what you find out. I would also like to voice my concern to anybody you talk to at Kia...if you would pass along the information to me. I think I will be calling Kia today if at all possible.

There for a few months I thought I was going insane or that somebody leaned against my Sorento causing these deformations...though I deep in my mind I knew it was the cold causing it. Thank you joboo for bringing this problem up, I think this is a major issue.

Anybody else have this problem or seen it on other vehicles, or makes?

joboo1

Hi ivygrnsorento

I made it a point to take photos of several 2003 Sorentos on the dealers lot showing the same impressions. i am scheduled to meet with a Kia rep this wed. and will show him the photos and your response. I am new to edmunds town hall and am not sure what info. is allowed to be published. I will let you know what develops.

tidester

Basically, you may provide the name of a dealership but no contact information (including names of salespeople, phone numbers and the like). Also, you may post pictures that are your own and not copyrighted. Click the Town Hall Help link at the top of the left column on this page for information about posting pictures.

tidester, host