Kia Sorento Maintenance and Repair

beyond_help

let me get this right....you have part time 4WD and have watched the selector switch (the round one on the dash) move on its own? or are you seeing the dash indicator light for 4WD come on when the dash switch still says 2WD/HI ?

karen_em1

I have an 05 Sorento with 17,000 on it. The rotors were warped so they fixed them. Now I am getting a rubbing noise when I am at a complete stop and turn the wheel left to make a left turn the engine cuts down and hesitates and the rubbing noise. I have had it to the dealer twice and they cannot find anything wrong. It sounds like you were having the same sort of problem. Do they know what is causing this in yours?

clancy2

The round selector switch on the dash is the one we have seen move on its own and when that happens the dash indicator changes to 4hi as well. Once we even had a really hard time to get it out of 4WD and back to 2WD.

beyond_help

there have been reports of operators knees rubbing the bottom of the switch and rotating the switch....other than that i don,t know what to tell you

chrismog

Hey everybody, I read that the dome light diode had to be replaced in 03's & some 04's. I have an 05 and the dome light when set to door does not come on. It will work in the on position and when you activate the interior light switch. My sister's Sorento 05 is doing the same thing, she only has 4000 miles. Dealer said bring it in, that's fine but I havemn't been real impressed with their diagnosis of other problems. Any help?

lok888

But, you need to shift the gear to "N" and turn the knob in order to shift it into 4WD or back to 2WD. I don't think touching the knob will shift to 4WD.

beyond_help

shifting in to 4wd hi can be done without beung in "N' or stopped
only 4wd low requires stopped and in "N"

lok888

Mine is 4WD with TOD. So just AUTO and 4Lo. And I do need to shift in to "N".

dlg58

I have a 2005 Kia Sorento EX with keyless entry/alarm. At least several times a week (never does it at the dealer) the alarm will go off after driving my suv and opening the driver door. The alarm isnt even set when I'm driving so cant figure out why it would go off and I am not touching the remote on my keyring either. Last time it was in the shop they adjusted the sensor...said it was set very high so they put it at the lowest level. I am ready to have the thing removed or maybe figure out how to disconnect it myself. Anyone have this problem?

nthappykiaownr

Sounds like mine. I've had it for 2 years now and in the first year we had to change the same headlight 4 times. Then within 1 month it stalled 6 times. Brought it in and they said it was the air flow intake meter and replaced it under warranty. Then within a month or so when I would start it after it sat all night it would really hesitate and almost stall out. I brought it in again and he tried to tell me it was the air flow intake meter (again) when I told him they just replaced it- he said then that's not what it is and that it needs a throttle body cleaning (never heard of such a thing). However, that is routine maintenance and isn't covered under warranty. Of course. They did that as well as adjusted a belt because it seems to squeak constantly and when it's wet out it would squeal. Now a day later- it still has a squeak (not quite as loud as before) and it's doing the same thing when it's started after sitting at night. I am so unhappy with this vehicle and it seems like I get nowhere with the dealership. What do they care they already got my money. I'm now looking to do an even trade with another dealer for a better car. Hope you have better luck with your dealer. :mad:

lok888

I noticed that warning light is on while I still have half a tank of gas on my '03 Sorento. It doesn't happen so often but few times within a month. First, I notice the fuel level went down to the last quarter. Once I park the car and the warning light was on. I brought this to the dealer once and they couldn't find anything wrong. The fuel guage was fine when I was in the shop. Any suggestion?

fordgal9

I don't know if this will help, but I have a 2004 lx 4wd. My 4wd high light came on and then the check engine light came on. Had it into to the dealer and was told it was a sensor problem, sensors were replaced under warranty. A few weeks later had the same problem, took it back to the dealer. They decided it was the computer module, replaced it again under warranty. A few weeks later the problem reoccured again. Took it back to the dealer again. This time was told that there was corrosion on the wiring harnesses. They were cleaned and before I even left the dealership the light was back on. It was decided that all 4 of the wiring harnesses needed to be replaced, under warranty. They found that there was a small pinhole in the lower right hand corner of the windshield and this was how moisture was getting in to the wiring harness compartment(it is located near the floor on the front passenger side). It took them 8 days to get all the wiring harnesses in my vehicle, but so far the problem has not reappeared. Maybe this is something your dealer should check for you.

olifants

Hi

I have the same problem with my Kia. In at the dealer at present (3 days already). Did you manage to get this fixed? and how?

Thank you
Stuart Pithey
South Africa

olifants

Hi

I have the same problem with my Kia. In at the dealer at present (3 days already). Did you manage to get this fixed? and how?

Thank you
Stuart Pithey
South Africa

skipymcgoo

I do not know if you still need this info but, I pulled my rotors about a year ago on my '03 Sorento and you do not need to remove anything other than the caliper. It took some work to get the rotor off but it will eventually come off over the wheel hub. Also there are two small set screws that you have to take off once the caliper is off, be careful they strip very easily. I had to pound on the back of the rotor to get it to come off, between the rust and the heat they were on there pretty good. I had my rotors cut/resurfaced and now the are in need again. make sure you change the brakes when you put the rotors back on. I think think the brakes are too hard for the rotor.

skipymcgoo

I need new rotors. Is the dealer the only place I can get them? I checked with the local parts stores with no luck and I have looked on line with no luck. Is the dealer the only place to buy?

beyond_help

check ebay you can get all four for about 200 bucks plus shipping, drilled and slotted type

skipymcgoo

thank you very much. i have spent hours looking online and calling junk yards, never thought to check ebay. i ordered them today for $235 with shipping. The dealer wanted $135-160 for each. now i am getting all four for $50.

beyond_help

lets us know how they work out

tomsr1

I bought my Sorrento used with 38K miles and it needed
rotors turned which the dealer did free.Now 10k later
it might need it again.This is not just KIA with this problem.My previous car an 01 Acura had lot's of problem
with warped rotors.How many times can the rotors be turned
before replacing them? :confuse:

beyond_help

generaly rotors can be turned only once, then they become too thin to be used legaly, also one side of the rotor can become too thin (if center vent type) even if overall thickness is ok
if a very small amount was taken off the first time a second cut may be possible
minimum rotor thickness in is marked on the rotor somewhere and should be followed for safty

burden

I have experienced the exact same problem. I would fill my tank, and a day later it would read 1/4, then would gradually increase again. Never sure what the exact amount was.

I brought it in and they tested the indicator/guage, and it was servicable. The only other thing in the system is the sensing unit. It is underneath the back seats, and not hard to get at at all.

I think my local shop took 1 or 1.5 hours to do the repair!!

Keep going back and telling them about it, don't let them convince you that its from parking on a hilll or anything! IT IS an issue, and it needs to be fixed!

Cheers,
Brent

beyond_help

quote "I have experienced the exact same problem. I would fill my tank, and a day later it would read 1/4, then would gradually increase again. Never sure what the exact amount was."

this was the same problem i was having, they replaced the sending unit, according to the dealer sorento sending are going bad "left and right"

lok888

Did they fix the problem yet? What was the exact problem? Under the basic or powertrain warranty? I talked to someone who thinks it is the level sensor problem or it could be the fuel pump as well.

teach4aday

Just put my third battery in the car (original plus two) and chose not to make it a Kia battery this time. Last one lasted only 15 months. It looks like it had a leak. Kia Dealer wanted to charge me $66 for my 50/50 cost and instead I bought a 3yr. free replacement (8)year prorated life battery at AutoZone. My Sorento is an '03 with about 56,000 miles, It has been into the dealer for the electronics on the clock, climate control panel, and had a manifold leak. They also replaced the antifreeze overflow container saying the old one had a leak (at one of the seams). Seems like a lot of problems for a 3 1/2 yr. old vehicle.

teach4aday

Can't remember which two buttons to push to go between the C and F on the auto climate control unit in my '03 Sorento. Could not find it in the Owner's Manual, anyone know the trick?

pao

noticed a lot of problems with brake rotors warping.....we had the same problem with the rotors on the 04 Chevy maxx's.....we narrowed it down to over torguing of the lug nuts...applying uneven pressure......us maxx owners now ensure that the lugs are torgued to specification...and not just rammed on with an air or impact wrench....that has solved our problems.....

BTW have an 03 sorento...guess Ive been lucky..no problems to really speak of......but again....these forums only bring out those that have issues.....and not really those of us that have had no problems

lok888

To change from metric to standard, hold the AMB and down TEMP buttons at the same time for three seconds.

tomsr1

A certain KIA dealer in Escondido Ca. made me wait 5 hours
then told me the electrical technician was not there and I would have to bring my Sorento back.After I raised hell then they said we will see if the alarm guy can look at it.In 30 minutes a diode was replaced and it was fixed.
I told them about the diode when I logged in at the desk.
Thanks to the internet I learned about the common problem.
I am always amazed at incompetence in civilian life as I am prior career military.Whatever happened to customer service?

tobyamp

:sick: :lemon: I have had the same problem twice! The first time at 68K miles, the bolt just worked its way loose and fell out and the pulley went flying. The second time at 77K miles, the bolt sheared off-I was in a left hand turn lane stopped!!!!!!!!--I am in a battle of who is going to pay for repairing this--I believe there is a problem with the crankshaft out of balance and no matter what you do with a single bolt, it will shear off.

kia4pma

I was just wondering what the "signs" were - if any - that something was wrong before the crankshaft broke. I just bought a 2004 Sorento, which I love. However, while at the dealer, having my remote entry programmed, one of the service dept. guys mentioned that one of the Sorentos hanging around the lot was there for crankshaft replacement. He said that they were the major trouble with the model, and either they can get them replaced or have ot put in a whole new engine. Have there been no recalls for this problem? I am having no trouble right now, but am hoping to nothave this happen to mine. Also, wondering if anyone has had rusting underneath sooner than one would expect. Thanks, new Kia owner. :surprise:

beyond_help

the noise that mine made before the crankshft vibration damper/front crankshaft pully fell off was a knocking/rattling appx 20 miles before it fell off 280 miles from home
when it happens you loose your power steering
after it was repaired i ask the service manager if it would happen again his responce was "well it should not" i expect it will happen again but after 60k kia will say sorry its on you now even knowing it is a common problem and they refuse to come up with a real fix for it
i filed a complaint with the NHTSA. i urge everybody else who has has the engine pully fall of due to bolt failure to file one also due to loss of power steering. i am also writing my congressman to light a fire under the NHTSA over this matter
this is one of the problems that should be covered for forever is fas as i am concerned. kia as i has found out is a disreputible company and doesn't stand behind the products very well

beyond_help

i changed my trans fluid today for the first time, took all of a half hour
vehicle, 05 sorento, 5 speed auto, shiftronic, A5SR1 trans
the only fluid you can use is, kia Red-1, $7.02 a quart p/n, um040-ch020
it takes 4 1/2 quarts to fill hot

remove trans drain plug to drain and refill

lok888

OMG! You make nervous. I lose power steerting ocassionally in since a week ago. Power went back on suddenly or after re-start my car. (See my previous post) I have a 2003 Sorento with 47500 miles.

skipymcgoo

As it turns out the company is unable to get the rotors. It took two weeks for them to tell me they could not get them. they now tell me it will take two weeks to get a refund (i used paypal)

goldsuv

tobyamp-Did you have the timing belt changed at 60k miles.
Maybe they did not correctly torque the pulley bolt.

tigger32

A sort of new problem to be aware of with your Sorento is that the "Quick Oil Change Shops" are being instructed to to use the new "Gas Saving" super thin oils. Many manufacturers are going to the thin stuff and the govermnment is pushing it, too.
A while back I went to my usual shop and after they did the job I noticed that they had installed 5W-20 oil. Thinking that it is too thin for our engines, I checked the manual and low and behold it is. It is completely unacceptable for So. California. I tried to convince these guys that it is not what should be in there and they argued with me saying that it is OK to use because of government recommendations. I no longer do business with these guys.
I found a new shop that seemed to be pretty good and have had them do the Lube/Oil/Filter service for a year and a half now. No problems, but I always spec out 20-50 oil on the form.
Last time, the owner of the shop told me that Kia Sorento engines were starting to show up making bad noises and that some were wearing out in 30,000 to 40,000 miles. I think that he meant it as a recommedation to sell the car while it was still OK. I asked him what weight oil he put in Kias and he said 5W-20. He said that they put it in everything unless the customer asks for something else.
I happened to have the owners manual and showed him the oil spec chart and he visibly flinched. I know that he was thinking about all of the possible lawsuits that might be coming his way for putting in oil that won't protect the engine. I really do feel sorry for him but he should not have followed the advice of the industry and government recommendations. He should have done what the manufacturer recommends.
So in conclusion, if you don't do your own oil changes check the owners manual for the correct oil to use for your circumstances. And then be sure to tell the folks that are changing it, what to install.

"If it's got tires, it's gonna give you headaches!"

Jim

stever

The quick change places (and many dealers) buy oil in bulk and many use a weight that works for most cars that come in the bay - just as the "put it in everything" comment you heard would indicate.

Bulk oil is purchased not to try to save drivers money on their gas bill but is simply a way to increase the profit margin on an oil change. Even if you spec the oil, unless you watch the tech open the container and pour it in, you really don't know what is winding up in the crankcase.

Interesting read:

Shell Rules the Fast-lube Roost

tobyamp

That is a possibility---left it in the hands of the "expert" KIA technicians! We are now in Week 3 awaiting parts :mad:

erussell1

I have the same problem at 15k! They are putting in a new engine for me. From other posts, it sounds like this will happen a few more times. I also had a problem with a whistling in the engine within the first week that I bought it. Turns out a valve wasn't allowing enough oil in the cylinder.

tobyamp

Well I just got the news that the engine is blown :sick: It seems that when the bolt snapped, it broke the crank shaft as well, which drove a piston into the head. Kia is going to replace the engine (now going on week 4) As soon as I get it back, I am dumping this piece of Korean Junk :mad: We will see what happens!

jxd

Hi, I wanted to change the differential fluid. I have a 05 EX with limited slip. I cannot find the the gear oil that KIA reccomends in my local auto part stores. I stopped in a KIA dealership that also sells Chrysler and they wanted to give me Mopar gear oil. (They said its what they use in the Kia's). Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

beyond_help

80w-90 is what i used unless you have a very early 03 sorento, don't worry about adding any limited slip additive since kia eliminated the spring assy from the center of the diff clutch packs after eary 03's, so chatter is not a concern
most high quality gear oils is listed for limited slip diffs on the container
you can't get the factory fill stuff very easly but any gl-5 spect should be acceptable, but with kia warrenty you never know

make sure the rear of the vehicle is 8 inches higher than the front to put the proper amount in, you can't if the vehicle is level, as per kia service instructions

don't worry about the dark color of the fluid that you drain out of the rear diff (if limited slip) orignal it has grafite in it

remember to protect your warrenty you must change your front and rear diff fluids every 15 mounths or 15,000 miles, read you owners manual carefully under "severe service" since nobody qualifies under "normal service" and i got that right from a kia area rep !

dkllw

I have a 2005 Kia Sorento EX I recently purchased the vechile with 6800 miles on dealer demo. During the Purchase they told be the vechile had a sticky ignition switch with the key. On certain time after you put the vechile in park and turn off the key the key only will stop a the accessory position you cannot turn the key complete off or remove it. So i took the vechile in they replace the switch as so as i get it home it still does the same thing does not tuen off. I have try to turn the steering wheel does not work. The only way to get it out is to crank the vechile up again put it in rev and the back to drive. I thinking the key switch might have a shifter adjustment need? any ideas?

jxd

Thanks for the info.

beyond_help

not being able to remove the key from the ignition....there was the service bulliten on this about enlarging the adjustment slot for the shifter cable, you can replace all the key switches in the world and it will not fix the problem, why don't kia service depts read their own service bullitens

burden

Yes, the fuel sensing unit was the problem, they replaced it and all is good now!
I have nothing but VERY good words to say about my dealership, the guys here in town are the best dealership and parts and service dept I have ever dealt with!!!!
Cheers,
and I hope you get your sorento fixed soon,
Brent

cstabata

Wow, I am also an owner of 2004 Sorento and just recently had the crankshaft bolts broke after only 22K miles. And to think if we were driving 75-80 mph on the freeway and have this crankshaft bolts break on and to lose control of the steering wheel, we would have been dead. Luckily they broke while we just entering our neighborhood (going very slow). Then again just yesterday, someone mentioned to use that there is awful noise coming from our Sorento, and we took it in and again the crankshaft bolts are loose!!!???

Sound like this crankshaft bolts is not strong enough or something.

beyond_help

the breaking of the crankshaft bolt is very common in v6 sorentos, file a complaint with NHTSA like i did and maybe they will force Kia to come up with a REAL fix, this a SAFTY problem

it will happen to you again ! Kia must own up to this problem !

tobyamp

Welcome to the Club! :mad: I have a 2003 Sorento EX,I had the first pully come off at 60,000 miles, it was in the shop for 3 weeks. Now at 77,000 miles the pully bolt broke off, the crank broke in half driving the pistons into the cylinder head, I am now on week 4 + in the shop (fortunately I have a warranty to 100,000 miles) as soon as I have this thing :lemon: back from the shop I am dumping it. Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!