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Comments
Anyway...on page 5-42 in your Sorento Owner's Manual...it notes that the if your trailer weighs more than 1,650 lbs...you need a trailer with its own brakes.
Does that help???
You can pull tsb summaries from The Edmunds Maintenance Guide.
This has been a toughie for you since last November - bummer. Good luck!
Steve, Host
But from what I have read I'de be better off spending more money and have less headache's
The vehicle definately lacks dependability, and quaility, with vibration, squeaking belts, windows that don't work.
I'll buy a used Acura MDX, with 30K on it and get a much nicer(dependable) vehicle.
The sweetness of quality will long outlast the biterness of price.
Steve, Host
I don't know about MDX. But I remember I began to spend more money on my cars after 40K miles. I am talking about normal maintenance like replace brake pads, muffler, minor tune up, tires replacement. I think MDX is no different than other cars. I was also looked at a '99 used RX300. But I decided to spend the same money on my full loaded Sorento. At least I can enjoy the first 3, 4K carefree miles without worry about who drove the car before. Good luck!
I've had my Sorento since November of last year - 4,600 miles on it and I have not had a single issue. No vibration, no squeeks, rattles, nothing.
This is one of the more solid and quiet SUVs I test drove - and I test drove many. Hope you find what you are looking for, but you might keep in mind those without problems aren't posting to the problem board and I have not seen a trend on any serious issues.
Heck I haven't seen one major problem with the Sorentos yet on here.
-mike
It doesn't matter that much, in 4-low it *should* shift gears up to 4th gear. Of course the Low-range transfer case will be turning at 2.XX times less than it normally will turn. So for instance in 4th if you normally cruise at like 3000rpms @ 70mph, you'd be turning like 8K rpms in low range.
If I need low-range generally I will be going in some deep snow or mud, so i keep my speeds to a low roar of 50mph or less. But in theory once you engage the 4-low (in nuetral) you can run it up to redline in 4th gear w/o issue so long as you are not on dry pavement.
-mike
Talk about rattles and squeaks. go drive a honda cr-v. so much for honda quality
-mike
-mike
To answer some of the questions about Sorento problems....Remember, not every vehicle can come of the assembly line totally perfect. In fact, I have several friends who own Mercedes vehicles and they all complain about problems...and they're spending 30 to 100+k for their vehicles. It's not worth it. I got my Sorento, with every option I'd ever want for 1/2 or even in some cases, 1/4 of their price. The Acura MDX, which is basically a Honda made SUV , is selling for around 50k! Let me tell you, I looked at the MDX and it's nothing special. The MDX is not all that! I think the Sorento has it beat in many categories...looks, comfort, options, price, warrantee. The Mercedes ML...I looked at that too, It's nice, but it's nothing special either. For 40k to 50+K? What for? You have to remember that we live in a disposable society, and they make vehicles like cigarette lighters, you use them until they don't work anymore, and you get a new one. The only time I'd spend more money for the same type of vehicle that I liked and could get cheaper, is if... 1) I was rich and money was no object 2) they made cars and trucks that lasted forever. The bottom line is, the Sorento is an awesome SUV, with a great warrantee at a reasonable and "sane" price. ... Just as a side note...I have a 10 year warrantee, I drive about 9,000 miles a year (with fun miles included) okay...so that means after my loan is done, I'll have many years where I don't have to worry about paying for any mechanical problems at all. which means, I can go 4x4'ing with piece of mind. Try taking a Mercedes Benz or an Acura, Lexus or Infinity to the shop...It's expensive to get them repaired. By the way, so far I've had no problems at all with my Sorento. Allot of first-time buyers come to message boards like this to hear about the problems before they make a buying decision. For that reason, I wanted to post my comment here. The Sorento is a great SUV. Thanks!
For the problem part, the Sorento is relatively new in U.S. (was introduced in Korea for a year)It is still too early to say it is a trouble free car. I have to say this even I am a Sorento owner. Of cause, I do hope there won't be any problem with this SUV. I am so impressive with Sorento. And this is properly the best Korean car ever made. However, remember those initial write ups for Honda Odyssey? Honda has to extended the factory warranty on 1999 and 2000 Odyssey (and few other Honda vehicles) because of a high volumes of transmission problem. Anyway, 2700 miles and still no single problem. Happy motoring.
Different strokes....
Steve, Host
I was wondering what gas mileage folks are getting -- particularly from the EX TOD 4x4. Right now, with 1800 miles under my belt, I can't seem to get more than 11.5mpg around town -- and thats on a good tank! I even wondered if I was driving too smoothly (I pride myself on getting the best milage possible out of a vehicle...) so I added more lead to my foot for a tank and the mileage dropped accordingly. Anyway, I'm about to visit the dealership and wondered if I can make a case for some sort of 'problem'.
Besides this one problem and the fact that the doors don't stay open on the slightest incline, I love this thing -- makes me itch for snow...but here on the coast of California we just don't seem to get any....
I understand reliability issues, resale issues, service issues, etc. I have owned 2 Hondas, 2 Subarus, 2 Toyotas and a Mazda in my lifetime. You can certainly see where I'm going with this...
However, I drove the Hondas...I drove the Jeeps....I drove the Toyotas...and then, I drove the Kia. The Kia....for the money...is better. Period. I'll take the gamble with the shoddy reliability of previous Kia models. I'll risk my personal belief that you "get what you pay for". And I'll even risk the resale value. But this I can tell you. I know that the Sorento and future Kia products are going to be far superior to the ones they sold just 4 years ago. Something Honda and Toyota aren't doing.
I could have done the same thing you propose...buy a used Toyota Camry...er...Lexus RX300, or a Nissan Pathfinder...er Infinite Q45 (and yes, the Lexus RX300 is based on the Camry platform). But I didn't want a used vehicle, I wanted a new one...with a nice warranty, good value, and a chance to buy into a company that will know that I appreciate the things they are doing. Something I'm not so certain is happening anymore with Honda or Toyota.
That's my 2 cents worth.
Steve, Host
steve - Isn't it the first 600 to 1000 miles consider break-in? I love to see any improvement on gas mileage for my Sorento.
Lots of people find their mpg increases for the first 10,000 miles and beyond. Mine kept creeping up past 20,000 miles before plateauing. I went from ~15 to ~21 in mixed driving over those miles in my Quest. Hopefully your Sorento's will improve some too.
Steve, Host
I keep track of every tank I put in my van. I can't account for the increases - other than the occasional "wild" tank, it just seems that my mpg kept creeping up little by little for the first 20,000 miles. In fact my lifetime mpg still is on a slight upward trend and I'm at 79,000 miles. But that's a tenth or two a year.
Ok you lurkers - let's have some more mpg reports please! Please include your odometer reading and whether you have a 2WD or 4WD.
Steve, Host
Our long term road tests keep track of mileage over a two year period come to think of it. No Sorento's in the fleet though :-(
I see that the '01 Tribute tested actually saw its mpg go down. So much for my theory, lol. The Vue, Explorer and Sequoia all seem to have enjoyed increasing mpg over the months.
Steve, Host
-mike
jrdowney: Your concerns are valid, I agree with all of them. Here's my perspective. Probably everyone who has purchased a Sorento has been concerned about long term reliability. If you are not willing to take the risk for the money you pay for this car, then it's definitely not the car for you - go with a "proven" brand and pay the money, it really is as simple as that. This car is a great value as far as purchase price. You are absolutely correct, the resale will stink, but put that together with the 6 - 8K initial cost difference with something like a Pilot and you can see where a lot of us are coming from. I intend to buy cars and keep them for the long run, so I'm not much concerned about resale, but I see where you're coming from. I did a lot of test driving, research, and spent some time under the hood of several cars competitive with the Sorento, and KIA is on to something here. KIA as a company really believes in continuous improvement and the Sorento effort shows it. I can stand behind that.
On a side note, I'm a pretty big Honda fan (own an Accord), so I test drove a Honda Pilot a couple of months before I bought the KIA and had a couple of things about it that turned me off. First, I couldn't shift into 1st gear because the shifter hit my leg. I'm pretty average build - 5'11. Honda is usually better than that, oh well. Plus it is not a true 4WD (TOD and not very good clearance) and it cost something like $1200 for a tow package because they need to add a tranny cooler. As much as I liked it, I realized the Pilot isn't really a good comparison to the Sorento- the Pilot is more in the mini van direction if that's what suits you.
Anyway, just my 2 cents
Dave
I looked at several compact SUVs (CR-V, RAV4), midsize luxury SUVs (RX300, MDX) and a minivan (Odyssey) before I bought the Sorento. I was also concerned the Kia reliable. When looked at the ratings on Sedona and the craftsmanship improvements on Sorento (plus Kia warranty coverage), I believe I can go wrong with this.
When I purchased the Sorento, I clearly read, and it's in big bold numbers, a RANGE of 15-18 MPG on the window sticker.
Nothing more, nothing less.
If you are getting between those numbers....its normal. If your getting less...a million reasons could constitute lower mileage. If more...congratulations...your one of the lucky ones alive that gets to drive downhill in both directions with a tailwind.
And I have to ask...is it really, and I mean REALLY, going to matter when my Sorento "breaks in" and suddenly I'm getting 18.8 mpg....when before I was getting 17.6??? No, it isn't. So I get to drive another 15 miles a tank??? Who cares?
When I want to drive a car that gets high mileage and lacks the capabilities I bought my Sorento for...then I drive my wifes Acura RSX.
Ahhh....I feel better now. And for all those other Sorento owners that understand this....I appologize for wasting the space here to make a point....however small it may be.
And for what it's worth...I have an EX with 7900 miles on it. I'm averaging 17.5 mpg. The exact same as when it was new. And I don't expect it to ever get better.
I called Kia's 800 number and had it flatbedded to my local dealer on Sunday. One of the techs drove it on Monday and said that he only detected that the transfer case was in lock mode when he first pulled out of the dealer's lot. When he took it to a large vacant parking lot, it seemed okay. As of yesterday, they still have not been able to determine the problem. The tech who was familiar with the B-W TOD transfer case, said this is the first one that they have seen with this problem. He explained to me that the transfer case doesn't really "lock" the front and rear output shafts. The computer increases the duty cycle on the electromagnetic clutch to close to 100% (full lock mode). There is no mechanical lockup as on other transfer cases. This transfer case has been used in Ford Explorers for a while, Of course, you all know that I have the service manual- but the explanation of the transfer case (what little there is)is very poor. The dealer has been great in that they gave me a loaner although I did not buy my Sorento there. And I don't think Kia's warranty expressly provides for one- although they might have made an exception since my Sorento has 3100 miles on it.
Although I don't have an answer to the problem yet, I am pleased at the way I am being treated.
-mike