Kia Sorento Maintenance and Repair

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  • sbilodeausbilodeau Member Posts: 5
    MY 2004 KIA SORENTO WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO GET STUCK IN 5TH GEAR SOMETIMES. IT STALLS OUT IN ALL OTHER GEARS WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE CLUTCH. WILL SLOWING CREEP FORWARD IN 5TH GEAR UNTIL IT GETS UP TO SPEED AND THEN RUNS FINE. DOESN'T HAPPEN VERY OFTEN THANK GOD, BUT IS VERY FRUSTRATING. CAN'T SEEM TO DUPLICATE IT WHEN IT TAKE IT INTO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS WRONG. ANYONE OUT THERE WITH A SOLUTION?
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    MANUAL TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO GET STUCK IN 5TH GEAR

    Are you saying that you can't move the stick out of 5th gear? Are you pressing the clutch pedal down far enough? It may need an adjustment.

    By the way, I recommend turning off your CAPS LOCK. People tend to ignore messages typed in ALL CAPS.

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • sbilodeausbilodeau Member Posts: 5
    I can shift it into the different gears, but when I take my foot off the clutch it stalls. The only gear that it does not stall in is 5th gear.
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Please don't take this the wrong way but are you new to manual transmissions? I.e., are you pressing the gas pedal sufficiently when you change gears?

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • beyond_helpbeyond_help Member Posts: 110
    this is a known issue with sorento manuals, but in the USA the dealer has to verify it to replace the trans under warrenty then Kia may also send somebody to verify

    the next time ti does it DO NOTHING let it stay locked up and have it towed to the dealer or if you do manage to unjam it they will say "sorry we can't duplcate your problem" their usual answer

    even if its get to them jammed in gear, the dealer might have to get a Kia rep to verify before it is replaced

    Kia warrenty is not very consumer friendly as i have and others have found out

    if not in the USA your experiance may be different
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    this is a known issue with sorento manuals

    Thanks for the additional info!

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • taomernitaomerni Member Posts: 18
    Update:
    I did take it to another auto shop and they informed me that the wheels were toe'd OUT .. , So I had them rotate the worn wheels to the back and the good ones up front .. Hopefully this fixes " my tires are wearing out prematurely problem " I will keep an eye the the front tires and see if this fixes it :)
    Otherwise she still purrs down the road
  • piesonpizzapiesonpizza Member Posts: 5
    A notice to all 03-04 owners who are approaching the 60Kmiles mark.
    Many (including mine) of this year model have faulty radiator reservoirs. It's been posted before in many boards.
    I took my EX in for a timing belt change and mentioned it to woman righting up work order. She said they'll check it.
    lo and behold they had to replace it under warranty :) .
    A co-worker with same model and year but 66K miles had lost 3/4 of coolant. Took it in and the reservoir had crack in it. Not covered under warranty. Cost= $270
    Not sure if any long term damage was done to engine. Still runs.
    One more note.
    The headlights that you keep replacing every 3 months or so......
    Faulty ground. Covered under warranty.
    We were lucky to just get in there @ 59,640 miles.
    Our A/C was blowing hot air. The wiring harness was messed up or something. It works now, but that repair was covered too. 360 miles and I'm on my own. These are the only probs I've ever had with this truck. Owned it since it had 10 miles on her.
    Just wanted to give back to people. I've learned alot on boards about certain repairs for particular models.
    Peace
  • paopao Member Posts: 1,867
    the coolant reservior is a long standing problem with the early sorentos...its not a matter of it..its a matter of when.......$270 is very high....had my replaced at 90K for $160....and that included the part and labor....

    faulty ground......do they point out exactly where the poor ground was???

    03 EX here....92K on it..and still running strong.....nothing but tune up..diff fluid changes and timing belt..for major services.....
  • jlmanjlman Member Posts: 2
    i have a 2004 kia sorento and i need to know how to change the fuel filter
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    There are some in-tank fuel filter replacement instructions available online from Kia. You need to go to kiatechinfo.com and register, and then drill down to the Tech Times section.

    Here's the direct link:

    Kia Global Information Systems

    There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of helpful info there as far as actually changing the filter - mostly cautions about the O rings and the seal, so if anyone here can help, please speak up!
  • lok888lok888 Member Posts: 1,788
    This is my fourth anti-freeze coolant tank on my 2003 Sorento EX 4WD, currently with 58000+ miles. The last replacement was near 2 years ago. It's so far so good, probably the time Kia realized the problem on 2003 to 2005 model years. And they came out with a new design of the tank.

    I didn't see any leaking (dealer said slow leak) but many times the engine temperature guage was at 3/4, plus no heat or A/C.

    So far, no problem with the headlights but still many warranty repairs for the past 4+ years of ownership. And I am going to spend big bucks for 60K mile service. Most dealers here in MA charge $600 for 60K service and another $500 for timing belt. But my local shop quoted around $780.
  • scottrell8scottrell8 Member Posts: 1
    I have an '06 Sorento as well with the same problem, only mine has a harsh shift from 1st to 2nd. Have had it back to the dealership and they can't find anything wrong, of course. Do you have your paperwork on your repair with the part number for the cable? That would really help me out with getting mine fixed.
  • leonchinleonchin Member Posts: 10
    who can tell me that the price of oil filter in your market?
  • keahaterkeahater Member Posts: 20
    This 2003 Kia is a junk!!!!!!! I want to get rid of it. Don't buy one, anyone!!!!!!
  • keahaterkeahater Member Posts: 20
    Did you get rid of it? If you did...how'd you do it? I hate this car and am scared to drive it. :lemon:
  • paopao Member Posts: 1,867
    not all are bad.....a simple generalization doesnt fit all sorentos...an 03 EX here...93K on it..not one problem...regular maintenance...and dealer serviced in most cases at a fair price........
  • kevenskevens Member Posts: 3
    I know that this is from 2004 but is there any othersout there that has a 2004 Sorento that has had transmission issues with their car ? i just bought my Sorrento 1 year ago today and my Engine has now has to be replaced ! they told me that my Crank Shaft & Bearings are shot and its going to cost me 5300.00 to get a Used Engine? the Warrenty is over and now im stuck with a Car that needs a new ENGINE ! am i the only one with this problem in 2007 ?
  • kevenskevens Member Posts: 3
    I bought a Used 2004 Sorento with 4200 miles on it 1 year ago today and on Saturday my check engine light came on and the as i pulled over the car began to shake and make this really loud clicking noise! i had the care towed to my Local Kia dealer to be advised today that i need to have a new engine put in this 2004 Sorento ??? its only 3 years old i only have had it for 1 year and was told that that the Cranks Shaft and bearings are bad and that they do not repair these types of issues but recommend that i get a new or used engine at the cost od 5300/00 dollars ? im still paying on this car ? i get the oil changes when needed and get the car serviced at its normal times so not sure what happened but has anyone else had this issue ?
  • kevenskevens Member Posts: 3
    Hello -
    I have a 2004 Sorento and i am the 2nd owner as well. my check engine light came on then the car started to shake and make this loud humming noise so when i had the car towed to the dealer he advised me that my crank shaft and bearings were shot and that i need a new engine that will cost me 5300.00 dollars i have just had the car for 1 year today and have been told that he warranty has passed ? what i still have 4 years left to pay on this beast and yet its sitting at the service shop at the Kia dealership in St Petersburg FL ! can i ask what happened with your car ? Much Thanks :lemon:
  • paopao Member Posts: 1,867
    go back and look at msg 1685...or you could have had the infamous crank shaft bolt issue......in the first case the pieces get ingested into the engine...in the second case, beleive the timing belt goes..when the bolt breaks...cause damage......most are usually covered under warranty..if new....dont know if the 5/100k drive train warranty transfers to a second owner......you should ask....both of these are common problems with the sorie....start calling KIA USA and complaining loudly!!!!
  • esj1esj1 Member Posts: 6
    I was given a worst case scenario by the dealer that my engine may need to be replaced and that they could not guarentee that any work they did on my car would help - think this was an effort to "cma" by them - anyway, I followed their advice for repair that would hopefully save my car - I had the dealer replace the intake valve and do a comprehensive cleaning of the engine. I also had the timing belt replaced which was overdue. Total cost for all work came to aprox $2000 - I have not had any issues since - the car seems to be running fine. It's been about 3 months. I hope that the car will last for at least 2 more years and then I will move to something historically more reliable - honda, toyota, acura. This was a nightmare for a car with only 75K on it!
  • paopao Member Posts: 1,867
    and why didnt they do the work under their 5/100 drive train warranty????
  • esj1esj1 Member Posts: 6
    I am a second owner so the warranty did not apply any longer.
  • lbarnhilllbarnhill Member Posts: 1
    So, I'm new here but this site looks helpful. I have recently noticed my 2005 Sorento's clock has started blinking at random. Is this a major problem? Also, I have heard debates on wether or not the 30,000 mile service is a must or not. Any thoughts?
  • paopao Member Posts: 1,867
    service interval should be followed....depending on your dealership...they may or may not honor the warranty if you havent followed recommended scheduled maintenance......simply talk to your service department....and see how they recommend maintenance...and what interval....normal or severe conditions...
  • rchall1rchall1 Member Posts: 1
    My wife has an 04 Sorento. I'm sure it needs plugs (65,000 miles) So, I took the engine cover off, thinking...this should be quick. Where are the freekin plugs??
  • paopao Member Posts: 1,867
    believe you have to take the mainfold cover off...that is why its a $300-$400 dollar tuneup at the dealership....because of the labor involved....welcome to Kia....if you have 65K on yours..have you replaced the timing belt yet?...beleive its due as well....per normal maintenance....and should be done to maintain warranty.....that's another $300-$400 depending on your dealer as well.......KIAs have a high scheduled maintenance cost....all the way around..

    have an 03 sorento here
  • faybetnfaybetn Member Posts: 8
    You might ask about the "lifters" going bad. That is what happened to my Sorento.
  • faybetnfaybetn Member Posts: 8
    I have 77000+ miles on my car and in May the check engine light came on, car started to hesitate like it was going to die and then a loud clicking began in the engine. The diagnostic said Cylinder #3 misfire check lifters. Dealership said, "well, maybe" but suggested I replace the iginition coils $900. The next week, same thing happened,same diagnostic, had the car towed to the dealer and then he suggested "well maybe we should change the spark plugs" $200. So the 3rd week, same thing happened, needless to say, I was FURIOUS!. $1100 into it and still having the same trouble. The dealer decided to replace the lifters, and car seems to be fine. Well, now 1 month later, same thing happened again!!! Now the dealer is trying to say it is the timing belt but said there is one on the drivers side and one on the passenger side?????? I know I need to have it replaced, but my other mechanic (not at the dealer) said it was still in good condition.

    PS - As much as I have complained, I still have not gotten a loaner!! Good thing they dont charge for towing, because I have used it 4 times!!!

    If anyone has had any trouble like this, please reply. I would like to hear from someone else about this.
  • paopao Member Posts: 1,867
    if the timing belt failed....you would have more than these problems...sounds like the service department doesnt know what they problem is....my question is...whey wasnt a lot of this work done under the 5/100K drive train warranty...at least the coils and the lifters???...and if you have a sorento...you say your car......the sorento only has one drive belt!!!..depending on you year sorento...the timing belt, in order to maintain warranty should be replaced at 40 or 60k intervals....unless your in CA......read the scheduled maintenance service in the owners manual
  • esj1esj1 Member Posts: 6
    Sounds alot like my problem which I have had resolved. Look at my original post #1685 and then follow up posts #1719 thru 1722. Hope this helps narrow down what is going on with your car.
  • faybetnfaybetn Member Posts: 8
    As of Friday afternoon, the dealership took the head off of cylinder #6. the butterfly piece that is a part of the intake/exhaust broke off and went thru the system and somehow damaged c#6. So, they are sending the head to the mechanic shop to make sure it is not damaged. They are saying it should be back by Tuesday. They rexplained the timing belt when I asked about it (2 belts). He said there is only 1, but that they have to make sure it is in time on both the drive and passenger side. He said the pistons look fine. So far, it is all covered under warranty, BUT, still no loaner and they SUCK at getting back to you about anything they are doing on the car. I guess I will wait and see what happens next week.

    I agree that the iginition coils should have been under warranty, but when I called Kia consumer assistance, they said even the lifters were not covered, but the dealership said they were, so I let the dealer take care of it.

    In the meantime, the owner of the dealership will not return our phone calls. We are trying to get our $1100 back (or at least part of it). I'm not holding my breath, thoug.

    As soon as it is fixed, I am getting rid of it! As much as I like my KIA, this is the only dealer close by and I dont want to deal with them anymore.
  • faybetnfaybetn Member Posts: 8
    Yes, that is what is going on with it. They took the whole week to try and find the part that broke and could not find it. With so many people having this trouble, isn't there a way we can claim it as a LEMON? How many people does it take to breakdown with the same problem before KIA will acknowledge they have a PROBLEM? Same goes for all of the headlight issues I have read thru the forum. I have replaced mine 8 times (3 on drivers side and 5 on passenger). Yes, we have been EXTREMELY careful to not touch the bulb.
  • faybetnfaybetn Member Posts: 8
    the dealer said the timing belt was fine. When I took it in May, he said I should have the belt changed before I get to 80K miles. It was also going to cost $850 and since they would keep it all day, they would give me a loaner. ??? That doesn't make sense unless they have marked up the service charge to cover the cost of a rental for the day.

    They did explain there was only 1 belt, but that they have to make sure it is in time on both the driver's side and passenger side.

    The work they are doing on it now is a part of the 10y/100K warranty since it is a part of the powertrain, but they said the iginition coils were not.

    I think this service department doesn't know what they are doing and they are under staffed with techs if it took them ALL WEEK to look at my car and then decide on Friday to remove the head.
  • beyond_helpbeyond_help Member Posts: 110
    if i read your post correctly kia is warrenting the repair due to the failed intake system after the 5/60 warrenty ?, very interesting
  • paopao Member Posts: 1,867
    that how I read it as well...didnt think the intake was covered under the 10/100k drive train warranty...but remember...they have $1100 of their $$ already....
  • bobo85301bobo85301 Member Posts: 14
    WOW, I had the same problem with my 04 sorento. butterfly gasket ate my motor up. They had to replace it with a new long block at 43k under warranty Whew
  • bobo85301bobo85301 Member Posts: 14
    That was a defected part
  • bobo85301bobo85301 Member Posts: 14
    If your sore is still in the shop please make sure they put in your reciept, no piston slap
  • beyond_helpbeyond_help Member Posts: 110
    my intake system failed at only 4800 miles !! and took out the engine they replaced the entire engine (long block)
  • tparrtparr Member Posts: 1
    Help! I have a 2004 Kia Sorento and have problems when refueling. When I fill up with gas allowing the pump to automatically shut off gas spews back out. Anyone else have problems when re fueling?
  • nailladynaillady Member Posts: 1
    I bought a new 2005 Kia Sorento. At 40,000 the bolt broke off the crankshaft and went through the motor. They completely tore the motor down put NEARLY all new parts
    in it. The mechanic also did'nt put some hose on while he was test driving and it got hot. I'm sure this caused more damage. But now it is a little over a year later and guess what it tore up Saturday July 7 and is in the shop with the same problem 72,000 miles. It is still under warrenty. I will be going there tomorrow to talk to them about a new motor. Hope you get yours fixed.
  • paopao Member Posts: 1,867
    dont know if the part was defective or it simply failed...there are other owners over at other kia and sorento sites that have stated their dealerships didnt cover the repair after the 5/60 warranty expired on other components...and their service departments stated the intake piece was not part of the "drive train"..that only applied to the differentials, drive shaft, and transmission.....not internal engine components...thus the reason for my comment
  • keahaterkeahater Member Posts: 20
    Do not buy a Kia Sorento!!!!!!!!!!! I have had so many problems and extremely dangerous defects!!!!!!!!! This car is the most horrible thing I ever bought, and have even contacted a lawyer before it kills me. :lemon:
  • keahaterkeahater Member Posts: 20
    Yeah-there is none, until your bolt of the drive shaft pulley breaks off when you're going down the hiway at 70 and lose your steering and stall. Then you'll know. be careful!!!!!!!! check out consumer complaints on mycarstats.com 2003 kia sorento ex
  • paopao Member Posts: 1,867
    the crankshaft bolt is a known issue with the 03 Sorento....but we dont know the actual failure rate of this bolt....I have an 03 EX with 95K on it and only two minor problems with it.....regular maintenance per the owners manual seems to be the key to keeping the sorento running IMHO.....and it is maintenance intensive.....
  • beyond_helpbeyond_help Member Posts: 110
    the crankshaft bolt issue not only effects 03's but all sorentos with 3.5 v6 engines 03 to 06 years and there is no real fix yet and yes maintance is expensive on sorentos to keep the warrenty in effect :cry:
  • bobo85301bobo85301 Member Posts: 14
    True on not under warrenty after 60k which I think is BS. I can tell you right now, I will have my lawyer on this if It ever happens at a high speed and I hope I can survive it because I will be driving a cady with the money I get from Kia. I will report the this nd see if others have done so too. Will update
  • bobo85301bobo85301 Member Posts: 14
    Update, Anyone with an a problem with the crankshaft bolt braking or failing in this case, Please call and file a complaint with the NHTSA 1-888-327-4236 after that call the F TC for your warrenty issues in regards to not covering a defective part after 60k, there phone is 1-877-382-4357. Sooner or later some is going to get killed it this bolt breaks off at high speeds. Those that have not had this problem, I hope you are not on the freeway when this occurs.
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