2004 Kia Sorento: engine overheating

Filed Sep 13, 2016 · Transmission · 75,000 miles · AZ

Crankshaft bolt broke with approx 75,000 miles. Kia issued service bulletin and replaced the bolt. But the motor was destroyed when it broke and continuously overheated and was undrivable. It required a new motor. Not having $ to replace motor & kias zero accountability. Vehicle sat at a repair shop for 2 years & they filed for an abandoned title. At the time valued at approx $7500. Wasted!!!! Thanks kia!

Filed Apr 3, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · 120,000 miles · FL

Summary: update to below problem I bought my sorento in 2004, new. I replaced the coolant reservoir at 61000 miles due to overheating, replaced the low beam headlight bulbs on 4 occasions, tail lights on 2 occasions. My vehicle, 5 speed manual transmission, started to have a roaring noise approx. 6 months ago and the u-joints were replaced. It still roars. It quit running on 2-16-12 while I was driving, but restarted. It finally quit again and would not restart on 2-17-12. Check engine light indicate a fuel pressure sensor problem, but mechanic says this should not cause the problem I presently have. It has been in the shop since 2-18-12. The mechanic said it started for him. I insisted he let it run for a while and see what happens. Sure enough, it quit. Kia mechanic told me it may be a crank or cam sensor issue. Other problems--front dome light off and on at will, rear one works, clock on and off at will, vehicle hums loudly when driving for a while. It has been a reliable vehicle for the most part, but when there is an issue, it is hard to detect. Above work was completed at a cost of 1126,00. But now crankshaft bolt broke while driving costing damage to engine heads. Vehicle went back into shop and is still waiting repairs. Kia owes it customers better service and must pay repair cost and take responsibility for the faulty crankshaft bolts they provide to the mechanics .

Filed Feb 22, 2012 · Engine, Lights · 120,200 miles · FL

I bought my sarento in 2004, new. I replaced the coolant reservor at 61000 miles due to overheating, replaced the low beam headlight bulbs on 4 ocasions, tail lights on 2 ocasions. My vehicle, 5 speed manual transmission, started to have a roaring noise approx. 6 months ago and the u-joints were replaced. It still roars. It quit running on 2-16-12 while I was driving, but restarted. It finally quit again and would not restart on 2-17-12. Check engine light indicate a fuel pressure sensor problem, but mechanic says this should not cause the problem I presently have. It has been in the shop since 2-18-12. The mechanic said it started for him. I insisted he let it run for a while and see what happens. Sure enough, it quit. Kia mechanic told me it may be a crank or cam sensor issue. Other problems--front dome light off and on at will, rear one works, clock on and off at will, vehicle hums loudly when driving for a while. It has been a reliable vehicle for the most part, but when there is an issue, it is hard to detect.

Filed Nov 7, 2010 · Engine · CA

I bought a kia back in 2006. The kia was a 2004 sorento. After having this vehicle for one year the coolant started leaking. The dealership stated that the coolant case was cracked. They fixed it and when I picked the car up I drove off and 10 minutes later realized my car was overheating. I stopped and popped the hood and realized they didn't reconnect my fan belts. Then in 2007 I was hearing some noise in the engine and the next day the power steering locked up and the car would barely move. Come to find out my crank shaft bolt had broken. The car was under warranty but they would not pay for it to be replaced stating that I didn't change the oil. I argued with them and nothing. Remind you the quote on fixing this problem the right way cost close to 9,000.00. I paid them 900.00 to replace bolt and shove it back in there and hope that it would last. On friday nov of 2010 my husband was driving the car and the crank shaft bolt fell out almost causing an accident. I still owe one year on this vehicle and it doesn't work. I have read several complaints on the internet about the exact same problems that have occurred in 2004 kia sorento. I feel this is a defect in their product and that they should half to pay for all these peoples problems with this vehicle. There was also a recall on 03 and 06 models on crank shaft bolts. Tell me there isn't a consistent problem.

Filed Oct 12, 2010 · Engine · 66,000 miles · TN

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 kia sorento. The contact was driving approximately 55 MPH when the engine completely stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the crank bolt was sheared and the engine hermetic balancer completely detached from the vehicle. The technician advised that the failure was very unusual. The dealer replaced the crank bolt and the owner was responsible for the additional repair expenses. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, there were certain areas the vehicle exterior paint sustained excessive chipping after the defective surface was touched up with paint. Also, the engine overheated and the temperature gauge failed to function correctly, even though the thermostat was replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.

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 · 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 Jul 24, 2008 · Engine · 62,000 miles · TX

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 kia sorento. While driving 65 MPH, the power steering failed and the vehicle shut down. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they diagnosed that the radiator water overflow container cracked. As a result, fluid leaked and overheated the engine, which caused it to fail. The engine will need to be replaced at the cost of $11,000. The vehicle has over 60,000 miles; therefore, the manufacturer will not assist. The current and failure mileages were 62,000.

Filed May 8, 2008 · Engine · 61,000 miles · AZ

2004 kia sorento leak in A/C coolant bottle. My car was in for a pressure test three weeks before this and it past just fine without any leaks or cracks. On the freeway, over heats, pull over, all the fluid leaks out, engine is dead and must be replaced. Just hit 61,000 miles. Kia does not offer 100,000 mile coverage unless you are the original owner. I am the second owner and have had the car three months. $5000. Later I have my car back. Kia will not honor to do the work because they say it was a long term leak. Well, before I purchased the car, kia did all the maintenance on this car for four years..... If it was a long term leak, shouldn't they have caught it? They say no. I also purchased an extended 80,000/3 year warranty when I purchased the car, they also declined my car coverage because they cover nothing due to any overheating. This is really just a complete joke. I did nothing wrong. Kia serviced the car for four years. I had the car in three weeks before it blew up and it was tested and filled with fluids. Why does this not make any sense???

Filed Nov 19, 2007 · Engine · 64,000 miles · FL

I was told by the florida state attorney general's office this is the site to enter information for a possible product recall. This is not a safety issue. The radiator reservoir on kia sorrento's start leaking for no apparent reason. If the consumer does not notice it then the engine will overheat and stop working. Although the engines are warranted for 10 yrs or 100,000 miles I see potential for many consumers losing their engines and the response from kia be that the customer let the engine overheat. It is not easy to realize that the car is overheating. Rather than a flashing light the temperature indicator is a gauge. You have to actually notice that the needle has moved. It seems a shame that so many people may lose their engines because of what amount to a plastic part that just starts leaking. I believe the replacement radiator reservoir is a redesigned part and I strongly believe that the original part is defective should be recalled. I own a kia, this did not happen to me. I was luck enough to notice that the radiator reservoir was leaking. My sorrento is a 2004 but I believe other sorrentos around that year use the same defective part.

Filed May 1, 2007 · Transmission · 32,135 miles · AK · fire

Transmission overheated causing overflow of atf onto exhaust manifold igniting a fire.