2004 Kia Sorento: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Oct 17, 2019 · Body, Electrical · 140,000 miles · NC · fire

Oct, 2016 - I am the orignal owner of the vehicle and had maintained regular maintainence on the vehicle. I had just put $700 of new tires on vehicle and had a routine oil change and fluid check before we left for our vacation. I never had any issues with the vehicle and I still own. The vehicle does not run but I wanted to know what started the fire. My daughter and I were headed out of town for a week, about 200 miles into the commute the front of the vehicle began to smoke from under the hood, we were traveling at 55-60 MPH. As I was exiting the 421 highway flames began coming out from around hood and the paint on the hood began to bubble up due to heat. I immediately called the fire dept, as I was driving, pulled onto the shoulder and immediately removed my daughter and our belongings from the vehicle and distanced ourselves from the vehicle. When the fire dept arrived they put the flames out and the vehicle was transported to a local shop, I had the vehicle towed back to our home city upon departure from our vacation. Upon further observation I was able to see the fire started in the area closest to where the engine meets the dash on the drivers side and continued to spread from that point to the front of the vehicle and under on the drivers side.

Filed Mar 9, 2019 · 253,701 miles · MO · fire

My sorento was in park running in my driveway started smoking and caught fire and burned up in a matter of minutes. I'm aware of recalls with kia vehicles catching fire. I would like this to be addressed and investigated as I feel it was due to a malfunction. 911 was called and the fire department came to distinguish the car it is a total loss.

Filed Sep 12, 2018 · 124,000 miles · AL · fire

Vehicle caught fire while stationary. Fire started in front compartment near fuses. Total loss

Filed Oct 19, 2016 · Engine · 170,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 kia sorento. While stationary, the vehicle caught fire without warning. The contact extinguished the fire. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 170,000.

Filed Mar 18, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 107,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 kia sorento. Within less than 30 days of owning the vehicle, the contact stated that the fuel gauge on the instrument cluster continued to indicate full whether the contact refueled the vehicle or not. Also, when the air conditioner was turned off, smoke emitted into the interior of the vehicle and under the hood. The contact exited the vehicle and lifted the hood to fan away the smoke. The contact drove the vehicle to her job. Another consumer called the fire department because the vehicle erupted into flames. The fire department extinguished the flames. Neither a fire nor a police report was filed. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000. The manufacturer was notified of the failure.

Filed Aug 11, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 161,000 miles · WI · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 kia sorento. The contact noticed smoke and flames underneath the vehicle. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 161,000.

Filed Feb 12, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 138,057 miles · TX · fire

Picked up vehicle after having rear support bearings repaired driving back home at 65mph on I-35/texas 410 east started to experience strong smell of exhaust fumes in passenger compartment. During drive home started to rain, activated wipers, drivers side wiper blade fell off during rainstorm had to open driver side window to navigate! Upon arrival at home noticed, smoke coming from engine compartment (passengers side) and smoke underneath vehicle from catalytic converter. Looked underneath vehicle and catalytic converter, was smoking, inside engine compartment a hose at the rear of the engine compartment (sorry not a mechanic) had a hole in it and was smoking also? Vehicle has not been driven since 12/7/12, vehicle was purchased 10/4/12, has limited warranty.

Filed Mar 23, 2011 · Airbags, Electrical · FL

I bought a 2004 kia sorento in 2006 finished paying for it in 2010,over the years I have had to change the lights so many times I cant count,I have had topaint it twice,then the driving shaft broke,the compressor was changed twice, the cd player works on and off the air bags light came on and stayed for months on end the engine light does the same and most recently there is smoke coming from the engine, I am having to stop park and let it cool off before continuing on my journey, at the moment I got scared and I now I have my vehicle parked at home because I am scared to drive it, it is a shame and I am very upset. Is there anyone out there who is trying to do something about these problems us consumers are having? I own my vehicle and has a clean title and would like to trade in or sell but with all these problems how can I pass it on to someone else? I am asking someone from kia to do the responsible thing and give us some answers before someone loses their life,that is if it hasn't happened already. Don't let this be toyota.

Filed Sep 1, 2008 · Engine · 34,000 miles · FL · fire

I purchased my car threw a local dealership aap. 8 mo. Ago it had 27,000 at the time of purchase. On 8-4-08 the vehicle had 34,000 miles. I was driving at a speed of app.40 mi. An hour when the car started smoking from the engine the smoke got thicker . I quickly pulled over into a small parking lot shut off the car + jumped out of the car with my son. In a matter of seconds the car was in flames. After that there was a hose that fell down under the car + was shooting flames from that too. The fire department came + put it out. The dash was caved in .the car was totaled. I reported this to the dealership + kia corporation. They listened to my complaint with no result and would not take any responsibility for. It . Buyers beware.

Filed Jul 3, 2008 · Electrical, Steering · 80,000 miles · HI · fire

On monday, 06-30-08, at about 1400 hours, I parked my vehicle a 2004 kia sorrento 4x4 ex with approx. 80,000 plus miles. Shortly after parking this vehicle I entered a baskin and robins to have an ice cream cone. I was informed by frantic passerby's that a vehicle was on fire. I took a look outside and was shocked to see that my vehicle mentioned above was smoking and flaming up. This fire appeared to start on the passenger side of my vehicle near the power steering pump and alternator. My vehicle had been operating fine until this incident occurred and only went to the dealership for routine servicing under warranty. The honolulu police and fire departments were notified and reports documented under honolulu police department report #08-242969 and the honolulu fire department report #24891. Fire and police officials informed me that a possible fuel line malfunction is a possibility but cause of this incident is unknown at this time.

Filed Aug 27, 2007 · Electrical · 60,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 kia sorento. While driving 65 MPH she could smell something burning. The vehicle was pulled over and turned off. There was smoke coming from under the hood. The check engine warning indicator light was illuminated. There was fluid leaking under the vehicle and catching fire as it hit the ground. The vehicle burst into flames within 5 minutes. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard, the cause of the failure was undetermined. The current and failure mileages were 60,000.

Filed Sep 5, 2004 · Brakes, Steering · 6,653 miles · CO

I have 3 major failures w/my new kia sorento '04 since buying it in dec '03 from peak kia in colo.the 1st failure, the anti lock brake control unit was replaced in dec '03.the brakes engaged when they shouldn't. I have complained many times about a road vibration at 68-72 MPH. Dealer has seen my car 5 times for this problem. The 1st time the dealer said they couldn't find anything wrong, but said they had only driven it to 63 MPH. The 2nd time I took it in, problem had been noted in a number of sorento's nationwide & they were going to need to change the drive shaft. 3rd time for this same problem & upon picking up the car found out that they didn't change the drive shaft, but greased it w/special heavy duty grease &turned it 180 degrees. I asked why hadn't changed drive shaft, & they said the manufacturer's technical service bulletin recommended this procedure 1st. The vibration has slowly returned. I called the dealer & they said they would put me on list to drive car w/regional service mgr. They called & said he was in town, so I went to drive car with local service mgr & regional service mgr.they felt there was nothing highly noticeable about vibration & said it could be the roads. They told me to call back if it got worse. In august '04, were driving & my car began to smoke. A huge trail of smoke coming out from under car. We pulled to the side of the road & called 24hr towing from the dealer. Car towed to osborn kia in colo. & found that the entire rack & pinon steering mechanism & gear box had blown up throwing steering fluid on the engine. So much smoke I thought the car was on fire! What could have happened if our steering would have gone out in a tight turn! The dealer's service mgr said in all of his year's the dealership had never replaced this part. The entire steering system replaced, the car is now vibrating once again at 68-71mph. I am going to contact the dealer but am concerned they will not do anything to fix this.