2004 Kia Sorento: engine failure

Filed Sep 2, 2014 · Engine, Steering · 106,000 miles · NE

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 kia sorento. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized and excessive forced was required. The failure occurred on several occasions. The dealer replaced the bolts. While driving at various speeds, the bolts fractured from the harmonic balancer. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who indicated that the crank shaft and engine might need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.

Filed Jun 30, 2014 · Engine · 142,133 miles · VA

While in a fast-food drive-thru line, my car shut down. I immediately tried to restart the car and after several attempts, it tried to turn-over, but it didn't start. I didn't want to flood the engine, so I waited a few minutes. When I tried again, it started right up and I headed straight home thinking I must have some water in my gas because no warning lights came on. After talking with my husband, he agreed with my assessment and put some dry gas in the tank. I drove the next day, monday, june 23rd, with no problems, but tuesday, the car shut down again. It took a longer time to restart and then finally I couldn't restart it and had to get it towed to our mechanic who told us that the engine needed to be replaced. He assured us that there was nothing we could have done to prevent this from happening - according to our car mechanic, the cam sensor was actually burnt which LED to a catastrophic engine failure.

Filed Feb 23, 2014 · Engine · 155,000 miles · WI

My daughter was driving on highway @ 55 MPH with two children ages 2 and 1 year old in january 14. She heard a loud noise and power steering went out. Scared the[xxx] out of her. It took all of her strength to steer it to the side of the highway.the sorento was towed to repair shop and was told the crankshaft bolt (pulley) broke that drives all the other pulleys including the power steering. Half the bolt was still in the engine. It was repaired with a kia updated bolt and remember being told, "this is known to be a problem with this model" . Thank goodness nothing happened to her and my grandchildren. On 21 february, the power steering went out again caused by the same reason as before. What I do not understand is: 1. The bolt itself has been recalled but it is obviously not a bolt issue. It is a "design issue" that kia is well aware of and they are ignoring this issue. 2. A class action suit is in process against kia,"kia sorento engine defect class action lawsuit" case is robinson et al v. Kia motors america inc. Et al., case no. 13-cv-00006 u.s. District court for the district of new jersey. This is for kia sorento's 2002-2009. 3.a number of incidents have occurred and reported to the federal safety agency (safecar.gov). 4. Performing a fmeca (failure mode effect criticality analysis) it would show this failure could lead to engine failure, loss of power steering, hazard to other drivers due to engine parts breakage, injury and potential death. What does it take for an agency such as the federal safety agency to take action. The death of a child. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Apr 4, 2012 · Engine · 75,000 miles · NV

Summary: I was driving along the interstate at aprox. 65 MPH. I heard a ticking noise and looked at the dash. No warning lights my friend asked if the car felt like it was losing speed and it was I immediatly pulled over. Moving to the emergency lane the engine stalled. None of the guages indicated anything wrong , and even after the engine failed the engine check light does not light up, none of the safety indicators light up. The vehicle has 75,000 miles only 13,000 of which I am responsible for. I am not covered under the warranty because I am not the original owner which is ridicualous in itself because the warranty should cover mileage as it states not owners. However, this problem occurred because of the fluid leaking out of the water reservoir/or possibly a failed water pump that kia knows will fail. If kia was aware of this problem and did not issue a recall, knowing that this could cause serious engine problems or death, why are they not responsible for this motor? The repairs are going to cost more than 5000 dollars this should not be tolerated. If you spend any money on a vehicle, change the oil every 3 to 5 thousand miles follow all safety recalls, you should expect more than 75,000 miles out of it. Kia should be held accountable! I have contacted a lawyer in this matter I believe that kia knows its vehicles are faulty and are waiting for the cost of lawsuits against them to increase to be more than the cost of a recall for this problem, before they do anything to rectify the issues.

Filed Dec 14, 2010 · Engine · 63,000 miles · MI

I was driving my children in the summer and my engine began squealing very loudly, the A/C stopped working, and the steering locked up. We took the car to get it fixed and they said the crank shaft bolt in the engine had broken completely. They said the only thing we could do is replace the entire engine, which is $4000. We found someone who replaced the bolt, because we couldn't afford a new engine, and now the heat doesn't work, it still squeals, and our radio completely stopped working as well. We have had nothing but problems with this vehicle, and we are only at 65000 miles.

Filed Sep 11, 2010 · Engine · 60,000 miles · AZ

While driving in the fast lane on the interstate, my 2004 kia sorento overheated and the engine seized, we were able to coast off the freeway at an exit and pull over safely. Upon inspection, we noticed the coolant reservoir was cracked on the bottom, allowing all the coolant to leak out. After a little research, I found the tsb about this old model coolant reservoir cracking and a new model was out. This damaged tank caused my engine to overheat, seize on the freeway and now has blown the head gasket and warped the aluminum heads. Why wasn't I told that these tanks were a problem, I had my oil changed at the dealership 3 weeks prior and 3 months before that, nobody said anything.

Filed Dec 15, 2009 · Engine · 82,000 miles · FL

My 2004 kia sorento was in the dealership for diagnostics due to engine misfire. During which phil smith kia technicians gave my cooling system green check that all was ok. Approximately ten miles afterwards the engine suffered failure, headgasket blown. Vehicle was towed to the dealership. Was advised by service manager when they started the vehicle the engine seized. Dealership is refusing to cover under warranty, claiming that the car overheated causing the failure. The even occurred within 5 minutes of the car starting and it never overheated. I have contacted kia consumer and received no assistance. Despite having documentation to support the cooling system was fine, they will not accept the claim. I am forced to pay for charges relating to the engine tear down, approximately $400 before they will release my vehicle back to me. I will then have to take it elsewhere to be repaired.

Filed Nov 17, 2009 · Engine · 77,000 miles · FL

No problems before hand to indicate there was a problem until complete power loss with engine failure, within a 50 second span of driving on interstate. This was the only failure , as stated, with this car. Nothing could be done. The coolant reservoir tank was faulty on this model . Informed of this from the dealership and local corporate rep., after the fact. I was never informed of this faulty part at any time. Even when car serviced. This was a 3 year known faulty part that manufacturer knew about. Car was new when bought. Had a engine warranty of 10/100,000. I only had 5 years and 77,000 on car. Car corporation refuses to honor or deal with replacing engine. Was told the first week twice it would be covered. Local corp. Rep. Then said no to warranty coverage. I have since pay for a new engine out of my own pocket.

Filed Nov 17, 2009 · Engine · 61,500 miles · NV

My response is to the person who filed the below complaint: mine was 2004 same exact thing happened to me 6500. For new engine! Absolutely nothing was covered by kia excuse after excuse I also had all records on the car. I also had in writing ten days before proof that their was not a crack in reservoir because I had service done---kia's response was that I must have known I had issues with the car if I took it in for service...mind you this was my normal 3 month-3000 mile normal routine check up...........kia is horrible...... I am on board with you for class action suit to get my money back that they should have paid for!!! My 2003 kia sorento stopped with no warning or indication of a problem at 67,735 miles due to what was later determined to be engine overheating. At first the kia dealer said it was due to the coolant reservoir cracking and going empty. Since this is not a part of the engines actual means of cooling, they changed their story to the thermostat failed. Kia said that this portion of the warranty passed at 65,000 miles. Their warranty says 100,000 miles. Cost over $3,600.00 to repair, similar situation at 80,000 miles for $1,400.00. Still no warranty coverage. I have furnished complete maintenance records showing maintenance at every interval required by kia. Looking for some one to join in a class action suit.

Filed Sep 15, 2009 · Engine · 87,000 miles · IL

On sat. Sept. 12, 2009, I was on the express way and noticed that my 2004 kia sorento was slowing down. I immediately looked at my dashboard to see if any lights were on, none on. I then noticed that my heat gauge was at h. I immediately pulled of at the next exit and there was a gas station at the corner. Steam started to come from under the hood and fluid from under the car. I had it towed home because it would not start. I then had it towed to a kia dealership service dept and they looked at the vehicle. The service manager called to inform me that my engine was gone. I said gone. How did that happen. He said because I drove it too long after it started to shut off. Ii explained the car was slowing down and I immediately pulled off the express way to a gas station (which is right off the ramp). I did not drive it far. He told me I had 2 choice, a new engine for $10, 000+ or a used engine $6300+. It was no longer under warranty as of 10/2008. I am devastated. I thought the company offered a 100,000 mile warranty. I had about 87,000 miles on the vehicle. I called kia headquarters and they are looking into this matter. I am awaiting a reply from them.

Filed May 25, 2009 · Engine · 103,000 miles · TX

Cooling system failure cause blown engine without any warning.

Filed Jul 25, 2008 · Engine · 61,000 miles · TX

I purchased a 2004 kia sorento in july 2004, had a few problems such as brakes wearing out too soon and things like that but the dealership was great to make the repairs at no cost. On may 13, 2008 while sitting out a stop sign in my neighborhood the engine began making a very loud banging noise and then stalled. The check engine light came on and my immediate fear was the engine had blown. I knew the oil and preventive maintenance service work had just performed and now the serento had 61k miles on it. I had a wrecker truck tow the serento to the bayway kia dealership (houston) which is where I had service work done before. The nice service manager named "joe' had the engine inspected and found the engine failed because of a item falling off the fuel injector into a cylinder, thus blowing the engine. "joe" advised the engine repair (replacement) would be covered under warranty because of a known defect. Now it has been 3 months, still no repair, bayway kia is now owned by a different company, thus "joe" is no longer there, and the kia dealership keep stalling on the repair. They only have one certified mechanic who has been snowed under with work. This entire week the certified mechanic is on vacation and twenty-five (25) cars in the repair shop waiting on him... Hummm.... They basically refused to allow me taking it to another dealership because they have the engine taken apart and ordered the replacement parts. What good is a 100k warranty if they keep the vehicle for months and months, while I still pay the finance company?