Kia Sorento Maintenance and Repair

drpepper

I hadn't heard about a problem with the crankshaft pulley until a bolt on mine broke, and I found this site. First indication of a problem was the battery and brake light coming on, on the dash, when the the AC was turned on. Turn off the AC, the lights went out. By the time I got home the power steering would periodically fail, and I just made it into the driveway. Had it towed to dealer. The fix was to replace the entire motor, as it appears that the entire valve train was affected by the failure of the bolt. My 2005 KIA Sorento only has 15000 miles on it.

tobyamp

Good Day---Welcome to the club! :sick: I am on week 5 now awaiting for the final touches for the engine installation.
My recommendation---GET RID OF THAT PIECE OF JUNK! :mad:

hciaffa

I wish more people would write to the NHSTA and put a complaint in against this. Maybe with enough of us doing so they could get KIA to recall and repair, seeing that this could really screw up us and the vehicle if it breaks at highway speeds.

hamby

A lot of cranky people who post only problems, not solutions. Never had a problem with my Kia and I ride it hard off road. Best car I ever bought!

lok888

I didn't follow these posted problems much, but I think some did telling us the solution like replacing the engine. I don't know. My '03 Sorento has enough problems lately. It has been in and out the shop without permanent fix.

hciaffa - You (your wife) still driving the same Sorento. Mine has 48800 miles on it. I noticed the 60,000 miles is gonna be a costly one.

sorento05_id

I bought a new kia sorento 05 4x4 lx in march and have had nothing but problems with it. After about a month my horn went out. Then my drivers and paxs side running boards have both come loose. After that I noticed a shaking/jerking at a complete stop which I called the kia dealer and they said sometimes on short runs it gets flooded and said if it happens again call back. Then about a week later I went out to start it and it did the same thing and the check engine light came on and stayed on and i brought it in and they couldnt find a problem but found a belt was loose. I have also noticed lately at complete stops it kicks like someone has rearended me? Dont know what that might be. Then my back door actuator went out and they had to replace that which when I asked the dealer about all this the service guy said sometimes bad parts get put in. Sounds to me the whole car is a bad part. Then when I got it back the back door wouldnt open from the inside. Also there Is a noise in the front tire area which they said all sorentos have that noise but mine is louder than usual. I never had that noise when I bought it. What should I do and can I request a new vehicle as this one is obiously defective! Please let me know anything! I have only ahd this for 5 months!Also my sorento has ended up with a dead battery twice know. The 1st time was about 3 weeks after ownership and then the last time was yesterday and nothing was left on. They said they had hooked it up to there computer over there and found nothing to be wrong but something has to be!

beyond_help

one, defective 4wd control moduel, the dealer should know to check the number on the moduel to id the defective ones

two, defective radio (as in my case draining batt) would not got into (standby mode) causing batt to go dead, radio was replaced to fix problem

i see you have a realy bad dealer also!!

don't delay use your lemon law, call a lemon law attorney now !!

gmarco

I have a 2005 EX w/4WD, I've had a shutter while making turns left or right doesn't matter! New rear installed last week and still shutters, the dealer seems stumped! Has anyone had a simular issue and what was the resolution?

cashcow88

1. shaking/jerking at a complete stop
2. the check engine light came on and stayed on
3. at complete stops it kicks like someone has rearended

My '05 SOrento had the above symptoms couple months ago. All of the symptoms went away after the tech flashed the ECM and replaced the fuel sensors.

gmarco

Thanks for info on the ECM but my sorento only shutters on turns! No engine light and no kicking.

slacky

Can any one help I have moved back to the UK from OZ and while I was there I bought a Sorento which I bought back with me three months ago. Cant drive the car because the UK DVLA needs confirmation the car conforms to all european standards with regards to the components/systems ie. emission levels. We need help to get confirmation that the sorento supplied to Australia has the same safety standards as the european model. Can anyone point us in the right direction of where we can get written confirmation of this as the car has been sat on the drive for three months and I cant drive it. No one at any Kia garages in UK seem to be able to help or know who I can contact in Korea to get this info. I just want to be able to drive my car, especially after having it sent to the UK!!!

assemblage

Our 2006 Kia Sorento LX's drainage line for the air conditioner condensate has stopped up twice. We "made an appointment" as soon as we had an indication and had that fixed. Unfortunately the entire system now stinks like mildew. The service guys seems to have a line practiced... I'm not supposed to run the A/C on maximum or recirculate interior air for any extended period of time or the humidity will build up and cause mildew. Never saw that in the manual. Besides being told we can't operate the a/c like we should be able to, it's queer advice since the outside air is much more humid than recirculated air and either way the humidity that was taken out of the air should be drained. Never had a car with this problem, except for a Kia Sephia. Gave it a month for the smell go to away, but it's just not. Hope the dealership will take it seriously since the car interior smells like a u-pull-it junkyard car.

beyond_help

i would not let that service guy even change my oil
it seems at least from my experiance kia mechanics are not very well trained or just got out of vocational school and know EVERYTHING !

joboo1

I could not agree with you more. The Kia mechanics are incompetent and unprofessional. They scratched the hell out of my driver's side door while performing a routine maintenance service and tried to tell me that it was there before I brought the vehicle in. It was good thing I took photos of the entire vehicle (inside and out)that morning knowing their history.

hciaffa

A couple of ways to try to get rid of the musty odor from mildew....
One way is to get a can of Lysol disinfectant that kills germs and mildew and with the car running put the ac in outside air mode and shut the doors and windows and step outside. Now from the outside take the spray and spray it down into the the outside windshield cowl for acouple of minutes allowing it to get into the system. Shut off the car and wait for about 15 minutes. Restart it and put the system in recirc mode shutting off air from the outside. Now take the spray and spray it up under the glove box as I believe this is where the return is. Again spray for a couple of minutes and step outside and let the system run. This will get into the system from the inside and kill off the mildew.
Another practice to get into is..after arriving at your destination and before you shut the vehicle off, shut off the AC and then turn the heater on for about a couple of minutes, turn the temp up to make it hot. This will dry up any moisture in the cooling fins under or behind the glove box thus helping to prevent mildew. The heat will dry up the moisture collected in the duct work as well as kill off the bacteria. Once you think the mildwew smell is gone, when you reach your destination just shut off the AC and run your fan for a minute to dry up the moisture. I hope I didn't ramble on to long but it should help as I have done this method on many of my own family cars and trucks.

assemblage

Thanks, that's good info.

chi2212

Purchase 2004 Kia Sorento in 2004. Constant problems with headlighs. It's gotten to the point now they go out every 2 weeks. Dealer says nothing wrong electrically, I just can't beleive it.If i am not the only one then something is defiantely not right with this vehicle.

paddoris

Funny you bring this up today. I have an EX 2003 and one of the front headlights has gone out. Now the rear lights don't turn on at all. I assume there is a connection between the two but lights should not work that way. Any suggestions or similarities with anyone else out there? I haven't replaced the light yet.

hover

We just traded a '03 GMC Yukon in on a '06 Sorento EX..The little suv has all the options up to and including the auto leveling feature...Only have a couple of thousand miles on it, and so far no items to complain about.After reading all the threads, we're a little nervous.Did we make a mistake? We thought it was a lot of car for not alot of money..I took off the side steps ( black ) if anyone is interested

chi2212

I knew I wasn't the only one having problems. I called Kia as well and I did get a call back. I have been having it switched out by they place that changes my oil. I know they know what there doing. Anyway, they suggested I go to another Dealer and have them look at it, or try switching the bulb out by myself. To me, this is kind of ridiculous because I know something is just wrong.

mr_bots

Don't worry too much about your purchase. Most people are satisfied and aren't having any trouble with their vehicles. Online forums just tend to pull in a lot more people that are having problems with their cars than people that aren't.

hover

Thank you..It's a little worriesome when you read a lot of good stuff, in magazines, do a test drive, think you've made a good purchase, then read all the negative stuff on this site..Took alot to convince the wife to make the change, a change she didn't want to make, so I've got my fingers crossed that we'll have few if any problems.

paddoris

Other than the strange headlamp problem we have, all is good. I've been looking for sidesteps...are you in Canada or the US?

paddoris

I have a 03 EX Sorento and at speeds of 80 - 100 km (around 55 - 60mph) we hear a strange howlling noise that seems to come from the roof. We can't seem to pinpoint it but I was wondering if anyone else hear's this at a higher rate of speed. If is very distiguishable - as if a window was left a bit open.

Mechanically, the car is great.

Thanks in advance...

hover

In the US...California..Headlight problem ? Gee, what next ? We have not had that -YET !

hover

I have a ' 06 Sorento EX. Came with the black sidesteps.Took them off, as they're not needed, nor wanted.If anyone needs/wants them, let me know.I'm in California....

fthkp1

Hi,

I have started having problems with my 2003 Sorento, yeah dealer couldn't find anything wrong either. But have you actually checked the bulbs, we found out that there seemed to be some connection problem, and they were just replacing the bulbs w/o them being burned out. Lately I have been able to hit/shake my headlight and it comes back. We have gently hit the outside of the light casing, as well as, opening it up and gently shaking it. So that is my latest theory. Hope it helps. I've had other problems, but this one is just weird.

chi2212

Hey thank for the advise. I am going to take a look at this today. I love the car and have no other problems this one is just so annoying. I live in Chicago and we will be turning back the clocks so it will be dark at like 4:30pm. Summer I got away with it, but I I don't want to start getting pulled over. Thanks Again, I will try what you said.

user777

interesting. i'd have to say though if it's not the socket, it may very well be the voltage regulation of the alternator. if that isn't working correctly, perhaps the alternator is putting out too high of a voltage.

senglish

Just purchased an 06 Sorento, EX with Remote Start among other options. The manual states that there is a "interior sensor system" that has to be activated by dealer that detects slight to hard impacts on car...I shook car hard,and nothing happens, how do you know if dealer activated? Also, there is suppose to be a "button" on left entry floor panel that deactivates system (remote start) and a diagram is shown, but I cannot find this button....any help would be appreciated. I am just tinkering now, and know I can take to dealer, but that is a few miles away and will if need be.

paddoris

I can't seem to get the tail lights to turn on on my 2003 EX Kia Sorento. They used to work, but all of a sudden - nothing. The daytime running lights stay on but that's it. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

hover

We have the same car.The "button" is just slightly under the dash, on the left side.Ours is just a little bit left of the steering column.Kinda hangs there !

hover

well, it finally happened.. After 645 miles on an '06 Sorento EX, an electrical problem.Put key in ignition , turn on, and nothing.But, all lights and horn work. So, not the battery.If I turn the key full right, wait for the chime to stop,release the key, then turn back to right, it starts...Taking to dealer.Dealer says problem is remote start and the two ket fobs, aren't "talking" to each other.Now, "check engine" light stays on once car starts..At least we had three weeks of no problems..

drpepper

My guess is that it is the roof rack. The cross members need to be in a specific location (marked by tiny arrows) or they will howl. They also must be installed corrrectly. It is possible to install them backwards. They are basically a mini wing and need to be installed with the fatter edge facing forward, and the thinner edge facing to the rear. Hope this helps. Had the same problem on my Sorento as well as a previous Dodge Caravan.

danvance

We have a 2005 Sorento with leather. The door panels are vinyl. They have separated from the underlying foam. If you press on the vinyl it moves about .5 inches and sticks momentarily to the underlying foam and then you can hear a separation sound. It's as if the glue that was used is not strong enough or there isn't enough of it. I got a Kia dealer to order a new drivers side door panel, but they say the other doors aren't doing it, which they are. I've never been in another Sorento with leather, so I haven't been able to feel it myself...it's quite annoying.

Does anyone else have this same issue?

paddoris

My problem turned out to be something with the auto car starter. All is fine now.

Pino

studeguy

Here is one for the positive. I have had an 04 Sorento for over 2 years and have yet to bring it to the dealer for any trouble. Sure there are a few things that should get looked at but they are all minor. I too have had trouble with warped rotors due to heavy brake loads but this was operator induced. Remember you can buy trouble with any vehicle you buy. My biggest troubles were with Ford and Chrysler. Mostly dealer issues except for a valve job at 800 miles on a ford.

lok888

I have been noticed this noise when I making a quick, tight but slow left turn from the front wheels, like parking, U-turn or 3-point-turn.

Is it the ball joints or CV joints problem? Covered by the bumper-to-bumper warranty?

ironmanvx

Had the same problem with the intake clip falling into the #6cyl... The dealer said I was lucky because just the plastic part prior to the steel clip sucked in. The original problem was a rough engine and a check engine light. The plastic piece bent the side electrode and which made the plug gapless. A new lower intake was the fix with new plugs... All warranty. The only problem I notice still is a very slight idle roughness, not bad but not as smooth as before... Any suggestions? Took back to the dealer, but because of no check engine light, they say its normal. I requested them to ask the reg rep for an ok on a compression check.

pao

just like any forum on autos...you mostly hear about bad experiences..the lemons...poor dealerships..lousy service departments etc......I just got back an 03 Sorento EX AWD this past weekend.....I purchased it new in Sept 03...MSRP was over 28K...I drove it off the lot for 24K (including TT&L) with every option available at the time on it......it now has almost 80K on it......the person who had it....didnt do any scheduled maintenance, infrequent oil changes.....and the interior looked like a farm yard when I got it back.....however, the Sorento held up to the abuse and lack of maintenance, I had the 60k service performed on it....changed out all the fluids to synthetic, flushed the radiator, and changed out the plugs..then had a complete detail done interior, exterior and engine compartment. The Sorento looks as good as the day it left the dealership......runs solid, no rattles or squeaks.....and not one problem noted during service....

I immediately took it on a road trip...Northern Va to SC and back..about 1300 miles all total and it drove and handled well.......it will go in for the timing belt change next month.....at about 80K....(recommended at 60K) and that will complete the service on the Sorento......

Very pleased with it....looks good, runs good, and no long term maintenance concerns...despite the abuse it took for two years......gas mileage is still poor...but this is an 03 with the 4 spd auto in it.....averaged about 22 on the highway....

just wanted to let others know...there are good vehicles on the road out here still going strong

hover

Well, we wish we had the same fortune.Ours is a '06 Ex, and we still have some type of ignition problem.At times, never at the dealership though, it just won't start.Fiddle with the key and/or do the remote start, just to get going.Now, the alarm system has a mind of its own.Will just go off whenever it wants to.Back to the dealer next week .This time they can have the remote start and the alarm system.Don't need it anyway.Maybe that'll help

senglish

This is for the person who was having a problem with the alarm going off and starting problems...I just today took my Sorento to dealer in Balt..Nationwide who adjusted the "interior theft sensor" sensitivity so if you bang on the car windows etc it beeps...and again alarms...you can adjust the sensitivity or turn it off with the remote. The dealer gave me instructions on how to do it. Also the remote start override button is located on the harness going to the computer plug the dealer uses to diagnose problems with the car. I would not give up the remote start because it is all part of a very sophisticated security system, which just possibly your dealer knows little about...but it works quite well if it is set properly.

kiasorry

I have a 03 sorento ex 4x4 and around 12/05 i started getting this smell in the cabin. I didn't know it was a problem until it started getting worse. in june i took it to the dealer and they sprayed this deodorizer and it lasted a couple of days and the smell was back. I took it again the following week and they did the same thing and it was back again in the same amount of time. I took it back two times since then and even a rep came and they claim not to spell anything. so i took it to another garage and the mechanic there says that it's the ac evaporator. and that costs a lot of money. does anyone else have this problem recently with the same diagnosis.

pao

try spraying lysol thru the outside vents on the frontunder the windshield...with the fan blowing...on high....cool...the let it blow full on high heat to dry the duct system out....

rcoverdell

I purchased my '06 KIA with 26 miles on it. It had been making a clicking noise from the right front tire everytime I turned left since the day I bought it. I finally took it in at 8000 miles and they told me my wheel bearing was falling off!! Basically my wheel could have fallen off at any time! It was covered under warranty also.
Take it in to get fixed or looked at as soon as possible

rcoverdell

I've had TONS of problems with mine also. I've taken it in numerous times for different problems. I tried to get it purchased back by the dealer under a lemon law and learned a few things. It has to be taken in at least twice (in CA) and the problem must be something that renders the vehicle undrivable or could cause serious injury. If it's been fixed that time doesn't count. Basically If you take it in and they're able to fix it they consider it not a problem. So, to be able to do anything with it, the vehicle has to be taken in more than twice with a NOTICABLE problem and not be able to be fixed by the dealership. Check your manual for lemons laws, or also check BBB autoline. They have lemon laws for each state posted also.

rcoverdell

I read all the great reviews about my vehicle and purchsed it over many other mid-size SUV's. I think the Sorento is a great vehicle, just some of them have a few kinks. It does have a great warranty though if something does go wrong.

hciaffa

Couple of things leading up to my story....last week we noticed the CEL had come on a couple of times and go off right away checked the gas cap for tightness but it was on tight. But on a trip across CT. the light came on and the Sorento started to lose power and the engine shuddered. Pulled off the highway and turned it off, checked under the hood and found nothing, started it up and has run the last four days with no incident. Now coincidently I made an appointment to have a selective 30,000 mile check up done meaning things I can't service becasue of my arthritic hip. Differential and transaxel serviced, anti freeze drained flushed, just a general going over. They also checked the CEL and I mentioned the shuddering which turned out to be the clue they needed. I guess had I driven just a little further I would have been in for a engine as they replaced the intake manifold because that plastic clip was just hanging and ready to drop into the engine also when this happens it creates a vacuum leak. Service manager warned me that it may happen again in the future as the replacement ones are of the same design and KIA has not come out with a new design. So if the CEL goes on and the engine starts to shudder this is the dead give away of impending disaster. Sorie is running smooth now. Have to get new tires though since the Michelins are pretty worn. Mo Money , Mo Money

lok888

My dealer found out there was a problem with the tie rod, possible damaged due to previous powewr steering rack replacement. They also replaced the front wheels too about a month ago. My '03 Sorento has 52K miles now.

beyond_help

went out to the mail box and in the mail was a J.D.Power RELIBILITY survey for my UNRELIABILE sorento

one blown engine after that the crankshaft pully bolt broken (big safty issue loss of power steering) at least 6 dead battery issues, faulty fuel sender, bad blower motor, leaky tailgate window seal (srill leaks after 3 trips to dealer ,i gave up)

dome light diode (common problem)

bad radio

bad 4wd control moduel

leaky radiator

bad ft brake rotors (and now bad again)

and other items they can't duplacate (but i and others who ride in the vehicle can)

and some other items i can't remember at this time

i will be very truthfull, it make for some good reading, if they read them at all.