2004 Kia Sorento Engine Problems

Your Kia has a known issue where the pulley bolt keeps breaking, and there was a recall and lawsuit about this problem. You never received a recall notice, but your pulley bolt has broken multiple times and Kia has refused to repair it under warranty. This will likely require replacing the pulley bolt and possibly inspecting the pulley system for related damage.

Your engine's pulley bolt keeps breaking repeatedly even after you've replaced it three times. This is causing the pulley to fail and will eventually leave you stranded if it breaks completely. The underlying cause needs to be identified and fixed, possibly involving the pulley itself, serpentine belt alignment, or engine mount damage.

CRANK SHAFT BOLT ISSUES. I AM ON MY 3RD HARMONIC BALANCER AND NOW MY MECHANIC IS SAYING IT IS THE CRANK SHAFT BOLT. . I CALLED A&B KIA AND THEY SAID NO ISSUES . I HAVE RECEIVED A CLAIM LETTER FOR THIS ISSUE AND A&B KIA IS REFUSING TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE.

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.

HARMONIC BALANCER PULLEY BOLT BROKE. VERY BAD DESIGN. DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IT BROKE OFF CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING. BOLT SNAPPED OFF INSIDE CRANKSHAFT.

I BROUGHT A 2004 KIA SORENTO USED IN JUNE 2015 WITH 96,000 MILES ON IT AND NOTICED THE ENGINE WAS MAKING NOISE AFTER A SHORT TIME IT WASENT THAT BAD I THOUGHT, UNTIL IT STARTED GETTING WORSE. THEN I TOOK IT IN TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP AND GOT A CALL FROM THEM AND I WAS TOLD THE BLANCER PULLEY BOLT BROKE OFF IN THE CRANKSHAFT AND WAS A BIG ISSUE AND THEY WOULD LET ME KNOW IF THEY COULD GET IT OUT, THEY DID BUT FOUND THE SPROCKET WAS DAMAGED ALSO, I WENT ONLINE TO SEE IF THEIR WAS A RECALL AND FOUND MANY KIA OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE. I HAD TO PAY 1300 DOLLARS TO GET THIS FIXED BECAUSE OF A BAD PART BY KIA. I'M VERY UPSET.

ON 10-4-2015 I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 80 FROM HASTINGS, NE TO KEARNEY, NE. MY GIRLFRIEND HEARD A BANG FROM THE ENGINE, SHORTLY AFTER THAT NOISE I LOST ALL POWER. I MANAGED TO STEER OUR 2004 KIA SORENTO ONTO AN OFF RAMP. I POPPED THE HOOD AND SAW THE HARMONIC BALANCER AND THE LOWER TIMING SPROCKET LAYING ON THE SKID PLATE. WE HAD HER BROTHER-IN-LAW COME GET US. WE PUT THE KIA SORENTO UP ON HIS TRAILER AND TOWED IT TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC TOLD US THAT THE CRANK SHAFT BOLT HAD SHEARED OFF. AFTER FIXING THIS BOLT, AND PUTTING EVERYTHING BACK TOGETHER HE THEN INFORMED US THERE WAS NO COMPRESSION IN THE ENGINE. IT HAS BEEN SITTING EVERY SINCE. *JS

THREE TIMES THIS WEEK I HAVE BEEN TRAVELING 35 MILES AN HOUR OR LESS AND THE CAR HAS JUST TURNED OFF. THE FIRST TIME I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND HAD TO PUSH IT INTO A STALL (CRACKING MY TAIL LIGHT WHILE DOING THAT QUICKLY TO GET OUT OF THE WAY.) THE SECOND TIME WAS TURNING A CORNER AND IT DIED. THE THIRD TIME I WAS JUST ENTERING THE FREEWAY ON-RAMP WHEN IT DIED. IT GIVES NO WARNING OTHER THAN SILENCE AND A LAST GASP OF GAS GOING THROUGH. ALL THREE TIMES I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR, PUT IT IN PARK AND RESTART IT. IT HAS BEEN HARDER AND HARDER TO GET IT STARTED AFTER THAT. I TOOK IT INTO THE MECHANIC AND HE CLEANED THE FUEL FILTER, BUT IT HASN'T STOPPED THE PROBLEM TOTALLY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND AFTER OPENING THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVE BELTS FRACTURED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY WAS LOOSE AND THE CRANK SHAFT BOLT HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 177,000. UPDATED 9/21/15 *LN.....UPDATED 10/01/15*BF

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR STARTED STALLING THE IT PICKED UP. LITTLE WAYS DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS DRAGGING THEN THE BELT BROKE I PULLED IT OVER. WHEN REACH THE SHOP THE MECHANIC SAID THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY BROKE APART. *TR

LOUD CRACK WAS HEARD WHILE DRIVING. LOST POWER STEERING. PIN IN THE CRANK PULLEY SNAPPED AND BELTS STOPPED TURNING. CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND FORTUNATELY WE WERE ABLE TO GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS CAR HAS A 10 YEAR, 100M MILE WARRANTY WHICH EXPIRED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2014. DEALER CONTENDED THAT THIS PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH PART OF THE ENGINE WAS NOT COVERED. *TR

WHILE DRIVING HOME THERE WAS A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE. GET HOME TO FIND OUT THAT MY CAMSHAFT PULLEY IS COMPLETELY LOOSE AND BROKE! THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED!!!! COMPLETELY UNSAFE TO BE DRIVING LUCKILY I WAS ONLY A MILE AWAY FROM HOME. *TR

THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT BROKE. THIS HAS BEEN A HUGE PROBLEM AND IS A RECALL IN THE 2003 KIA SORENTO'S. IT SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED FOR 2004 IMMEDIATELY! *TR

SON HEARD SQUEALING SOUND FROM BELTS, HAD BELTS CHANGED. 1 WEEK LATER BELT CAME OFF PULLEY AND NEVER WOULD LINE UP. REPAIR SHOP CAME BACK SAYING THAT IT WAS THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY AND THAT A BOLT HAD BROKEN. AFTER CHANGING TIMING GEARS, BELTS, GASKETS AND OTHER FRONT END PARTS END OF COSTING 1500. I THEN READ THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE ON LINE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND BECKY ACT LIKE THIS WAS THE FIRST THEY HAD HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR

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. *TR

WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT,POWER STEERING FAILEDBY THE GRACE OF GOD WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE INTERSTATE. LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND SEEN THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY AND BOLT LAYING ON THE TIE ROD UNDER CLOSE EXAMINATION THE SPRING PIN WAS SHEARED OFF FROM THE TIMING CHAIN PULLEY. THE FIRST TIME TOOK THE VEHICLE TO KIA OF BRANDON FLORIDA , INWHICH THEY SAID OTHER THINGS WERE WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AS WELL, THE TOTAL BILL CAME TO AROUND 800.00 DOLLARS. I THINK THEY JUST TIGHTENED DOWN THE BOLTS BECAUSE THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY CAME OFF AGAIN, WENT BACK TO KIA OF BRANDON AND THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR IT, STATING THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR FREE, THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ANOTHER 800.00 DOLLARS...SO VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC THAT REATTACHED THE PULLEY...AND THE PULLEY CAME OFF AGAIN THIS TIME THE BOLT BROKE OFF IN THE CRANK SHAFT,THE TIMING CHAIN SPROCKET ALSO CAME OFF. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE ONLY REPAIRING CERTAIN VIN NUMBERS OF THAT YEAR. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN THE CAR ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE POWER SHUT DOWN AND THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. I HAD TROUBLE TRYING TO MERGE OVER INTO A SAFE LANE BEFORE THE CAR STOPPED ROLLING. I DID MANAGE RESTARTING THE VEHICLE TO MOVE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BEFORE IT CUT OFF ON ME AGAIN. ONCE I WAS SAFE I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND LET IT RUN A COUPLE OF MINUTES BEFORE I WAS SAFE TO PULL BACK OUT. THIS HAPPEN TO ME A COUPLE OF TIME BEFORE BUT THIS TIME IT WAS SO UNSAFE I ALMOST WAS KILLED MY A 18 WHEELER TRUCK. I CONTACT MANY DEALERSHIPS TO SEE WHAT CODE COMES UP AND NO CODE COMES UP. *TR

@ 62,894 MILES: DRIVING FROM GAS STATION TO HOME LESS THAN 1 MILE AWAY, ENGINE MADE NOISE AND STARTED RUNNING ROUGH. PARKED CAR OVERNIGHT, THEN DROVE ABOUT 3 MILES TO CLOSEST REPAIR SHOP. DIAGNOSED AS SHEERED OFF CRANKSHAFT PIN/BOLT. REPAIRED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY WITH NEW PARTS FROM KIA, BUT ONE WEEK LATER HAD TO BE TOWED IN BECAUSE IT HAPPENED AGAIN. CRANKSHAFT WAS WARPED SO ENGINE WAS REBUILT WITH USED CRANKSHAFT AND NEW PARTS FROM KIA. @ 104,595 MILES: DRIVING ON RURAL ROAD IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD CAME ON AND LOST POWER STEERING. SPEED WAS 55 MPH. MANAGED TO STEER CAR OFF ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. CRANKSHAFT PIN/BOLT SHEERED OFF. COST TO REPAIR $895.30. @ 109,885 MILES: ENGINE BEGAN MAKING CLICKING NOISES AND LOST POWER STEERING, ETC. CRANKSHAFT PIN/BOLT SHEERED OFF. REPAIR NOT RECOMMENDED. REPLACEMENT ENGINE RECOMMENDED. THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT PENDING AGAINST KIA FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE SEARCH ONLINE AND YOU WILL FIND THERE ARE LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE WITH THIS SAME VEHICLE (2002-2009) AND MANY HAD ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF IT. WHY IS THIS NOT IN THE NEWS? KIA KNOWS THIS PART IS BAD, THEY KNOW THIS DESIGN IS BAD, AND THEY CONTINUE TO PUT BAND AIDS ON ENGINES RATHER THAN FIXING THEM. *TR

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 NHTSA (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 NHTSA 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). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AS THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT AND THE PARKING BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 154,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST COMPLETE POWER AND ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,471.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, SHE HEARD AN ABNORMAL TICKING NOISE AS THE BATTERY AND ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VIBRATION DAMPENER HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 81,000.

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. *TR

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. *TR

WHILE DRIVING I SUDDENLY HEARD A SOUND COMING FROM MY ENGINE AND SEVERAL DASHBOARD LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR TO THE AUTO MECHANIC THAT WORKS ON MY CAR WHO INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS A CRANK PULLEY BOLT THAT HAD SHEARED OFF. THE MECHANIC ALSO INFORMED ME THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH KIAS. AFTER DOING A LOT OF INTERNET RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS TRUE. THE CAR HAS 135,000 ON IT. I HAVE SPENT OVER $4,000 ON REPAIRS ON THIS CAR IN THE LAST YEAR. IT SEEMS THAT EVERYTHING DECIDED TO GO THIS YEAR. I ONLY DO HIGHWAY DRIVING AND I AM THE ONLY OWNER. I AM VERY CAREFUL WITH MY CAR. ANY CHANCE KIA WILL REIMBURSE? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY HAD TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,500.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A LOOSE INDUCT CONTROL VALVE FELL INTO THE ENGINE, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BECOME DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,648. UPDATED 11/08/11*LJ

JUST NORMAL DRIVING THE RESERVE RADIATOR TANK SPLIT AT THE SEEM. THE CAR HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT. IT LEAKED ALL OVER IN MY GARAGE AND MY TWO PUPPIES ALMOST LICKED UP THE COOLANT FROM THE FLOOR. *TR

CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT - THIS IS A RECALLED PART THAT WAS REPLACED IN 2008. SNAPPED OFF WHILE DRIVING. THANKFULLY NOT ON THE FREEWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED. REPLACEMENT IS JUST AS FAULTY AS ORIGINAL. MANY MULTIPLE KIA OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM SOME HAVE HAD THIS SAME OCCURRENCE HAPPEN A THIRD TIME. OBVIOUSLY, REPLACEMENT BOLT IS NOT WORKING EITHER AND CANNOT SURVIVE THE STRESS THAT IS NEEDED TO OPERATE SAFELY. THIS IS A COSTLY AND TIMELY REPAIR TO REPLACE A BOLT THAT SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 2 1/2 YEARS. NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND REPLACED WITH A BETTER QUALITY BOLT. CALLED KIA AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR, STATE OUT OF 1 1/2 YEAR WARRANTY. 1ST YEAR OF CAR OWNERSHIP, CAR STALLED WHILE TURNING LEFT WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC APPROACHING DUE TO THREE FAULTY STARTER COILS. KIA NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR LESS THAN RELIABLE VEHICLES. POOR QUALITY PARTS. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ALSO FAULTY, HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS CONSISTENTLY GO OUT.

SHORTLY AFTER I HAD SOME BELTS REPLACED ON MY 2004 KIA SORENTO, THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT BROKE (AROUND 90,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE). I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PART, BUT NOT FOR MY VIN NUMBER. I HAD TO PAY OVER $700 TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED AND MY MECHANIC HAD TO BUY THE PART FROM KIA TO FINALLY GET IT FROM CONTINUALLY BREAKING. NOW, ALMOST TWO YEARS LATER, IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN (AROUND 130,000 MILES). I CALLED KIA TO SEE IF THEY EXTENDED THE RECALL TO COVER MY VEHICLE, BUT THEY DID NOT AND REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. ONCE AGAIN, IT IS COMING OUT OF MY POCKET TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH VEHICLES OTHER THAN THE ONES THAT WERE ORIGINALLY COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORRENTO. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 15 MPH WHEN THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT FRACTURED AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR, TIMING BELT, DAMPER PULLEY, AND THE CRANKSHAFT SPROCKET. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO ADVISED REPLACING THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 76,000.

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. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE INTERSTATE AT APROX. 70 MPH. I HEARD A TICKING NOISE AND LOOKED AT THE DASH. NO WARNING LIGHTS. I ROLLED THE WINDOW UP, COULD NOT HEAR THE NOISE ANY LONGER AND CONTINUED DOWN THE ROAD. I ROLLED THE WINDOW BACK DOWN, THE TICKING GOT LOUDER, ALL LIGHTS ON THE DASH LIGHT UP, ENGINE STALLS, AND AS I'M MOVING TO THE EMERGENCY LANE, THE TEMP. GAUGE MOVES TO THE RED. THE VEHICLE HAS 155,000 MILES ON IT SO THE WARRANTY IS UP. HOWEVER, THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED BECAUSE OF THE FLUID LEAKING OUT OF THE WATER RESERVOIR. IF KIA WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL, KNOWING THAT THIS COULD CAUSE SERIOUS ENGINE PROBLEMS, WHY ARE THEY NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS MOTOR? THE REPAIRS ARE GOING TO COST MORE THAN 5000 DOLLARS AND THAT IS IF I CAN FIND A REPLACEMENT MOTOR FROM A SECONDARY DEALER. I HAVE CONSIDERED TRYING TO FIND A USED MOTOR BUT I AM NOW HEARING THAT THIS PARTICULAR MOTOR HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE #6 CYLINDER WALL FAILING, AND I DO NOT WANT TO SINK THAT KIND OF MONEY INTO THIS VEHICLE WITHOUT THE ASSURANCE THAT I WILL NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS AGAIN IN 6 MONTHS. HAS ANYONE ELSE HEARD OF THIS? ARE THERE ANY CLASS ACTION SUITS AGAINST KIA? THIS SHOULD NOT BE TOLERATED. IF YOU SPEND 28,000 DOLLARS ON A VEHICLE, CHANGE THE OIL EVERY 3 TO 5 THOUSAND MILES, YOU SHOULD EXPECT MORE THAN 155,000 MILES OUT OF IT. KIA SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE! *TR

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. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT SPUN OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT BROKE OFF IN THE ENGINE, THE PULLEYS FELL OFF AND THE TWO BELTS BROKE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED ALREADY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AGAIN. THE CONTACT REFERENCED A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR THE CRANK SHAFT BOLT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THE DIAGNOSIS WAS A DEFECTIVE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,850.

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. *TR

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.

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. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIBRATION DAMPER ON THE FRONT OF THE CRANK SHAFT FAILED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL, BUT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED, EVEN THOUGH HIS VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,000.

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) WE HAVE A 2004 KIA SORENTO AUTOMOBILE THAT HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT IN SEPT. 2009. THE REPAIR COST OVER $1000.00. WE LATER FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS SOME KIND OF "REPAIR CAMPAIGN" (SC072) FOR THE SAME ISSUE. WHEN WE CONTACTED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR REPAIR REIMBURSEMENT WE WERE TOLD OUR VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED 11 DAYS AFTER THE VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. KIA OFFERED NO GRACE PERIOD AND TOLD US THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. ON SATURDAY, 5/8/10, THE SAME BOLT BROKE AGAIN WHICH RENDERS THE VEHICLE UNDRIVEABLE. IF THIS BOLT WERE TO BREAK WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE CONSEQUENCES WOULD BE CATASTROPHIC. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED BACK TO BILL DODGE KIA IN WESTBROOK, ME. AGAIN FOR REPAIR, AND HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED AS KIA CASE # [XXX] . THE CASE WAS OPENED BY CONTACTING KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE (ALBERT) AT 800-333-4542, EXT. 45060. THE KIA REGIONAL MANAGER FOR THIS PART OF THE U.S. IS GARY AIROLDI AND KIA WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL CONTACT INFORMATION FOR MR. AIROLDI. I CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER IF THE STATE OF MAINE SHOULDN'T LEAD THE WAY IN FORCING KIA MOTORS INTO A NATIONAL RECALL AND REPAIR EFFORT FOR ALL OF THEIR VEHICLES IMPACTED BY THIS DEFECT AND REIMBURSE THOSE WHO HAVE INCURRED OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES AND/OR INJURIES AS A RESULT. OUR DESIRE IS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT NO COST (CONSIDERING THE PREVIOUS REPAIR CAMPAIGN) AND TO RECOUP THE $1030.30 SPENT ON THE PREVIOUS REPAIR. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR REVIEWING OUR INQUIRY AND WE APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN OFFER. PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO ALSO CONTACT ME AT WORK AT [XXX] . [XXX] *TR

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. *TR

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. *TR

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. *TR

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. *TR

COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSE BLOWN ENGINE WITHOUT ANY WARNING. *TR

I BOUGHT MY 2004 SORENTO NEW. IN MAY 2008 AND AT 64,000 MILES THIS YEAR THE WATER PUMP STARTED LEAKING. I TOOK IT INTO THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS UNDER A RECALL AND REPLACED IT. THEY ALSO RECOMMENDED A TIMING BELT CHANGE AT THAT TIME AND I DID THAT TOO. AFTER I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP AND DROVE INTO MY GARAGE, WATER WAS POURING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGERS SIDE TIRE, WHERE THE RESERVE TANK WAS. I TURNED AROUND TOOK IT RIGHT BACK AND SHOWED THEM. THEY SAID IT WASN'T ANYTHING THEY DID TO BUST IT, IT MUST OF BEEN THAT WAY ALREADY. I INFORMED THEM THAT I KNOW IT WASN'T THAT WAY BECAUSE I HAD BEEN POURING TONS OF WATER IN IT UNTIL I COULD GET MY CAR IN FOR THAT APPOINTMENT SINCE THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING AND THE LEAKING BEFORE WAS COMING FROM THE CENTER OF THE CAR, NOT BY THE TIRE. I ALSO INFORMED THEM, THAT I KNEW THEY BUSTED BECAUSE THEY HAD TO PUT PRESSURE ON THE WATER PUMP LINE TO TEST IT AND THEREFORE IT WAS THERE FOUGHT. THEY STILL SAID EVEN THOUGH THEY DIDN'T DO IT THEY WOULD GO AHEAD AND REPLACE IT FOR FREE. WHY DO THEY NOT WANT TO OWN UP TO IT TO BEGIN WITH? IF I HAD NOT MADE A SCENE IN FRONT OF THEIR OTHER CUSTOMERS THEY WHERE GOING TO MAKE ME PAY FOR IT. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE WIPER PARK AREA BURN OUT. SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM MY WINDSHIELD ON HE INSIDE AND NOW THE HEATED WIPER PARK AREA IS NOT WORKING. IT WILL NEED A WHOLE NEW WINDSHIELD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY AND RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. ON SIX SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES, BUT THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE CONTACT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR EXPENSE BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT, CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, TIMING BELT, AND DRIVE BELT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000. UPDATED 12/23/08 THE AIR BAG ILLUMINATED AND WOULD NOT GO OUT, EVEN WHEN SOMEONE WAS SEATED IN. THE HEADLIGHT WAS BLOWN, THE REAR HATCH WOULD NOT STAY UP. THE DEALER HAD TO ORDER HOOD STRUTS. UPDATED 12/23/08.*JB

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. *TR

MY SISTER PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW AND HAS HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT AND PROBLEMS WITH DEALERSHIP/KIA HONORING THEIR 10 YEAR/100,000 MILE WARRANTY. SHE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BELIEVING SHE WOULD BE DRIVING A QUALITY VEHICLE (ADVERTISING 10 YEAR/100,000 MILE WARRANTY SHE ASSUMED IT MUST BE OF HIGH QUALITY BECAUSE WHO WOULD OFFER THAT KIND OF WARRANTY IF IT WAS JUNK....WRONG!) SHE HAS HAD NOTHING BUT STRESS, FINANCIAL EXPENSE, LOST WORK TIME, AND A BATTLE OF HER LIFE TRYING TO SEEK CONSUMER JUSTICE...DEALERSHIP, KIA MOTORS, LEMON LAW REQUIRES A PART TO FAIL FOUR TIMES, ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE, CONCILIATION COURT, WRITING TO RUUKIVINA, OBERSTAR, AND MOST RECENTLY AMY KLOBUCHAR...ALL FAILED. NO ONE HAS SAID THAT THEY WILL INVESTIGATE KIA AND PROTECT THE CONSUMERS FROM THIS FRAUDULENT AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURER. WHY? THE PROBLEMS SHE HAS HAD WITH HER VEHICLE CONSIST OF RUST ON THE TAILGATE AND REAR DOORS JUST A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING, ALL KINDS OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS FROM HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS BURNING OUT NUMEROUS TIMES, THE DIGITAL DASH FOR RADIO AND HEATER GOING BLACK, THE HEATER NOT WORK, A RELAY SWITCH FOR FAN FAILED, FOAM BETWEEN WINDSHIELD AND FRAME COMING OUT TAPPING ON THE WINDOW, A PROBLEM WITH THE COOLANT RESERVOIR, THE REAR DRIVESHAFT FAILED, THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AND MOST RECENTLY THE TRANSFER CASE. SAFETY ISSUES AND CONCERNS WOULD BE WITH TAIL LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS BURNING OUT PREMATURELY AND FREQUENTLY AND THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT BROKE CAUSING TO LOOSE ALL ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE PROBABLY OTHER PROBLEMS SHE HAS HAD WITH THE VEHICLE BUT I DO NOT RECALL AT THIS TIME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ANTIFREEZE WAS LEAKING FROM THE TANK ASSEMBLY RESERVOIR. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE TANK ASSEMBLY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 77,600. UPDATED 09/15/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE COOLANT STORAGE TANK WAS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC. UPDATED 09/17/08. *JB

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? *TR

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.

CAR WAS SERVICED BY DEALER FOR FOUR YEARS. I PURCHASE THE CAR, HAVE THE COOLANT WATER FLOW TANK PRESSURED TESTED AND THREE WEEKS LATER LEAK OR CRACK IN THE COOLANT WATER FLOW TANK. ALL LIQUIDS LEAKED OUT, ENGINE OVER HEATED AND BLEW. HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. OVER 6000. TO REPAIR. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 MAGENTIS WHICH I HEARD IS LIKE THE SERENTO. THE TIMING BELT JUMPED AND THIS TOOK OUT THE MOTOR. UP TO THIS I LOVED MY CAR. KIA SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BUT REPLACE THE ENGINE AT MY COST AND I WOULD NOT GET IT BACK UNTIL IT WAS PAID FOR. WELL BEING A SINGLE MOTHER OF 4, STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THE CAR FOR ANOTHER 4 MORE YEARS. NEEDLESS TO SAY I HAVE A CAR WITH NO MOTOR AND MAKING PAYMENTS. *TR

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??? *TR

I HAVE A 2004 KIA SORRENTO WHICH I PURCHASED NEW. IT CURRENTLY HAD 64,000 MILE AND I HAVE KEPT UP WITH ALL MAINTENANCE ITEMS AND HAVE HAD THEM PERFORMED BY KIA SERVICE IN THE DEALERSHIP. WHILE I HAVE HAD SOME MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR (BAD LIFTERS, VALVES, RADIATOR LEAKS, ETC), MY MAIN ISSUE IS THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TO DATE, I HAVE REPLACED VARIOUS BRAKE LIGHT BULBS, HEADLIGHT BULBS, DOME LIGHT BULB AND MY RADIO UNEXPLAINABLE TURNS ON/OFF. WHILE I HAVE DEALT WITH THESE ISSUES AS THEY ARISE, MY CAR HAS NOW TURNED OF WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD TWICE. ON BOTH OCCASIONS, ALL OF THE CAR LIGHTS, DISPLAYS, ETC, TURN OFF COMPLETELY AND THE CAR SIMPLY COASTS WHILE OFF. ONE OF THE OCCURRENCES I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE GOING 65 MPH, AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN. BOTH TIMES I PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WHEN I TURNED THE KEY, IT STARTED AGAIN. MY OBVIOUS CONCERN IS THAT OF SAFETY AS IT RELATES TO THE VARIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS (WHICH ARE NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY) WHICH THIS CAR HAS HAD. WHILE I CANNOT SPEAK FOR OTHER KIA OWNERS, THERE ARE A HOST OF FORUMS WHICH RELATE TO SIMILAR ISSUES. ADDITIONALLY, THE DEALERSHIPS THEMSELVES ARE AWARE OF THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES, AS NOTED TO ME PERSONALLY BY ONE OF THE TECHNICIANS. I AM REQUESTING FOR KIA TO PROVIDE THE LEVEL OF CUSTOMER SERVICE WHICH WE (AS KIA OWNERS) HAVE EXPECTED. THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE WELL DOCUMENTED AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. FURTHERMORE, I AM LOOKING FOR ASSISTANCE IN MY PERSONAL SITUATION NOW THAT MY CAR IS ONLY 4,000 OUT OF WARRANTY AND HAS THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THE HAZARDOUS PROBLEM OF SHUTTING DOWN. I AM MORE THAT HAPPY TO PROVIDE ANY RECORDS WHICH WILL DOCUMENT THE PROBLEMS DETAILED ABOVE. ALSO, I AM AVAILABLE ANYTIME TO DISCUSS FURTHER IF NEEDED. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE. *TR

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. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND HESITATE AND THEN IT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE COOLANT COMPARTMENT HAD A LEAK AND WAS DRIPPING COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHICH CAUSED IT TO HESITATE. SHE CALLED THE KIA CORPORATE OFFICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE REPAIR WOULD NOT BE FREE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,537.

I HAD BACK FIRING AND THE POSSIBILITY OF STALLING. OF COURSE I DID REPORT THIS TO LAWLEYS, BUT THEIR RESPONSE WAS, WELL WE CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM, SO WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, THEN BRING IT BACK. I HAD TRAVELED TO EL PASO, TX. AND WHEN I WAS READY TO COME HOME, I STARTED THIS VEHICLE AND IT HAD A VERY LOUD CLICKING NOISE. I HAD NO OIL IN THE CAR AND THERE WAS NO WARNING. AS FAR AS THE VERIFICATION OF OIL CHANGES, I HAD SOME, BUT I DIDN'T HAVE A RECENT ONE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT TIME TO CHANGE THE OIL UNTIL I GOT BACK HOME, BUT THEY DID NOT CARE. WELL, THE SECOND TIME THAT I HAD A PROBLEM I WAS IN WILLCOX, AZ. IT'S ABOUT 50 MILES OUTSIDE OF SIERRA VISTA. WHEN I GOT OUT THERE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND IF YOU READ YOUR MANUAL, THEN YOU KNOW NOT TO DRIVE THE KIA WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. THEY SAID TO DRIVE IT HOME. THIS WAS ON A SATURDAY. I HAD TO WAIT UNTIL MONDAY TO BRING IT INTO THE SHOP. COME TO FIND OUT, THERE WAS A VERY BIG PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE. THE LACK OF POWER, THE BACKFIRING OF THE ENGINE, IT ALL CAME FROM A CYLINDER MISFIRE. THERE WERE DENTS IN THE PISTON TOP, CYLINDER WALL WAS DAMAGED, AND VALVE DAMAGE, TO INCLUDE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE CYLINDER. IT IS STATED IN MY REPORT THAT THERE WERE CONCERNS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BEING IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WITH OTHER VEHICLES. THIS CAUSED THE DAMAGED AREAS THAT I RECENTLY MENTIONED. THIS OF COURSE CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ENGINE. IF YOU ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH YOUR KIA AND YOUR DEALERSHIP TELLS YOU THEY CAN?T FIND THE PROBLEM, THEN MENTION THE CONCERNS ABOUT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. EVERY DEALERSHIP KNOWS THAT THESE VEHICLES ARE BADLY MADE AND THEY WILL FIND ANY REASON TO NOT HAVE TO PAY TO FIX YOUR VEHICLE. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR RECEIPTS OR THEY WILL NOT BE WILLING TO HELP YOU AT ALL. AFTER MY DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED IT, THEY SAID THAT BECAUSE I WAS MISSING AN OIL CHANGE, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $350 (FOR THE FLUIDS NEEDED) AND THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE ENGINE. *JB

ENGINE SEIZED DUE TO A FACTORY RECALL. RECEIVED THE NOTICE AFTER THE FACT AND KIA IS NOT WILLING TO ACCEPT AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY IN CORRECTLY FIXING MY ENGINE AND PAYING FOR MY $1000 RENTAL CAR. *JB

AFTER ALREADY REPLACING A CRANKSHAFT AND A SPEED SENSOR IN MY 2004 KIA SORENTO EX, I AM NOW EXPERIENCING A KNOCKING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD. IT USUALLY STARTS WHILE WAITING FOR A STOP LIGHT BUT ALSO WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. MY WARRANTY IS OUT AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE IT WORKED ON AT THIS POINT. DON'T EVER BUY A USED KIA SORENTO WITHOUT CHECKING CARFAX FIRST!!!! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT BOLT WAS THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,000.

2004 KIA SORENTO - LOSS OF POWER, BRAKE AND BATTERY LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, VEHICLE STALLED. CRANK BOLT FAILURE. HAPPENED 3 TIMES; REPLACED/FIXED 3 TIMES. A LETTER TO KIA BEING SENT AT THE TIME THIS WAS BEING WRITTEN.*AK

THE ENGINE COOLANT RESERVOIR FAILED CAN'T BE REPAIRED. IT MUST BE REPLACED. THERE ARE NO SUCH PARTS ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATES. PARTS ARE ON A BOAT FROM KOREA. DUE TO THE SUSPECTED NUMBER OF SUCH FAILURES, AND TO THE BASIC LACK OF ADEQUATE DESIGN OF THE PART, WE SUSPECT THAT THERE HAS BEEN A MAJOR DRAW-DOWN ON THE PART, RESULTING IN A STOCK OUTAGE. OPERATING THE VEHICLE W/O THIS MAJOR COMPONENT WOULD RESULT IN ENGINE FAILURE. SUCH ENGINE FAILURE, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT, AND POTENTIAL INJURY. *NM *AK