Every specification in this manual was published by Kia for one vehicle: the 2004 Sorento. It is matched to this exact year, its single 3.5L V6 and both factory trims, so the values you work to are the ones Kia wrote for your Sorento, not approximations pulled from a neighboring model year.
Engines covered
- 3.5L V6 — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
Body styles covered
- 4-door sport utility
Trims covered
- EX
- LX
Known issues on the 2004 Sorento. No recalls are on federal record for the 2004 Sorento. Owners have nonetheless filed 341 complaints for the year, and Kia has issued 21 technical service bulletins for that model year.
Whether you are tracing one of those 341 owner-reported concerns or keeping the 3.5L V6 on its service schedule, this manual puts Kia's own procedure behind the work on your 2004 Sorento.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This b
TSB - USE OF AFTERMARKET USB CHARGING CABLES IN USB/12V PORTS - This article provides information regarding the use of USB ports and 12V power outlets to connect/charge mobile phones. Customers may experience issues with their head units th
PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine.
TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners, which are designed to lock into place once fully attached, are utilized in various Kia models and are strictly intended for ?one time use.? Some example
TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners utilized in various Kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. Though not limited to the following, some examples are: axle shaft nuts with sta
PITSTOP: UNUSUAL FUEL TRIM VALUES AND/OR MISFIRE CODES AFTER INCORRECT ENGINE REPAIR - THIS OUTLINES THE PROCEDURE TO FOLLOW IF AFTER AN ENGINE REPAIR YOU ENCOUNTER A COMPLAINT RELATING TO MIL ON (DTC P)#)X) WITH A MISFIRE DURING ACCELERATI
SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
KIA: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. FUEL TANK AIR FILTER REPLACEMENT. *KB
Showing the 8 most recent of 22 technical service bulletins on file with NHTSA.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS FLIPPED BY THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT. THE FRONT AND SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK, NECK, HIPS AND EYES. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED A HEAD CONTUSION, INJURIES TO THE SHOULDER, HIPS, LEGS AND BACK, IN ADDITION TO INTERNAL BRUISING. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WERE THREE SMALL CHILDREN WHO WERE S
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HYDROPLANE. THE VEHICLE TURNED AND CRASHED HEAD ON WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 45 MPH AS WELL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SENT PICTURES OF THE CRASH AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THE IMPACT WAS NOT POWERFUL ENOUGH TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT'S WIFE AND TWO OTHERS WERE INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILE
THE SIDE AIRBAGS ON OUR 2004 KIA SORENTO DID NOT DEPLOY IN A SIDE IMPACT WITH A UTILITY (ELECTRIC) POLE. CAR SLID FROM ROAD IN A SUDDEN HAIL STORM AND SLID PASSENGER SIDE INTO THE POLE. SPEED WHEN CONTROL OF CAR WAS LOST, APPROX 45 MPH. THE IMPACT BROKE THE POLE INTO 4 PIECES AND TOTALED THE CAR. THE IMPACT WAS IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, JUST INFRONT OF THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FRAME. *TR
THE CONSUMER APPROACHED A DRIVEWAY WHICH HAD A SLIGHT INCLINE. THE CONSUMER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE WITH THE ENGINE STILL RUNNING AND THE DRIVER'S DOOR OPENED. AT LEAST TWO MINUTES LATER, A CLICK WAS HEARD AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS UNTIL IT HIT A TREE. A KIA REPRESENTATIVE CAME THREE DAYS LATER, INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND CLAIMED NO RESPONSIBILITY. *AK *SC *JB
WHILE APPROACHING TO AN INTERSECTION THE KIA CRASH THE FRONT LEFT SIDE TO THE BACK OF A LAND ROVER, AND DESPITE THE BIG IMPACT AND DAMAGES THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T OPENED ENDANGERED THE LIFE OF MY DAUGHTER. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE BIG IMPACT AS OF THE FACT THAT THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T OPENED.
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO, WHEN THE CONTACT LIFTS THE FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL THE THROTTLE CABLE STICKS. THERE WAS A COLLISION WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, AND THE PASSENGER WAS INJURED RESULTING IN A 2 DAY HOSPITAL STAY. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT HAS REFERENCED RECALL#05V329000 AS THE EXACT FAILURE IN HIS VEHICLE. THE RECALL STATED THAT ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, FREEZING CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE WATER ON THE THROTTLE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING IN A SNOW STORM AT 55 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK A PINE TREE. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. HE WAS WEARING HIS SEAT BELT AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH, BUT HIS HEAD STILL STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT WANTS TO KNOW WHY THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING THE HIGH SPEED CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
2004 KIA SORENTO. ROLLOVER. KIA SAYS THAT THE AIR BAGS ARE TURNED OFF IN A ROLL OVER NOT WHEN HIT ON THE SIDE! WHAT GOOD ARE THEY THAN? THIS INFORMATION IS NOT GIVEN WHEN THE KIAS ARE PURCHASED.... RESEARCH NEEDS TO BE DONE FOR HOW OFTEN IT OCCURS AND THAT THERE MAY BE MORE ROLLOVERS THAN SIDE IMPATCTS, WHY THEY ROLLOVER SOO MANY TIMES, AND THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS FOR OTHER KIAS THAT THE AIRBAGS HAVE NOT DEPLOYED IN CRASHES. CONSEQUENCES WERE THAT THE DRIVER DIED THIS TIME DUE TO THE AIR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURN TO THE RIGHT AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE FENDER WAS BADLY DAMAGED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW RACK AND PINION, TIE ROD, UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY, STEERING KNUCKLE, AND A PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 38,000.
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE AT 65MPG ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY BABY IN THE CAR, THE STEERING JERKED TO THE LEFT. I ALMOST CRASHED INTO A DESIEL TRUCK !! I THEN CORRECT IT AND PULLED OVER. I DROPPED MY SON OFF AT MY MOM'S HOME AND WENT TO THE GARAGE TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. ON THE WAY, IT LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND I COULD NOT TURN CORRECTLY. SOMEONE HIT THE BACK OF MY CAR AND SHOVED IT INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE FRONT. SO NOW MY BACK AND FRON IN LOOKS LIKE CRAP AND I HAVE NO POWER STEERING.. BUT MY SON
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD AN UNCONTROLLED HYDROPLANE INCIDENT ON WET PAVEMENT WHICH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE CROSSING THREE TRAFFIC LANES AT 45-50 MPH. THIS OCCURRED WHILE ENTERING THE FREEWAY. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS INDICATING A PROBLEM. *AK UPDATED 01/25/06.
I BOUGHT MY 04 SORENTO FROM MY AUNT WHO WAS THE ONLY OWNER. IT HAD A POWER STEERING ISSUE AT THAT TIME WHICH TOOK SEVERAL ATTENPTS TO FIX. ABOUT A MONTH LATER WE WE VISITING FAMILY AND HAD TO TURN AROUND. UPON STOPPING WE NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SO I GRABBED MY 4 Y/O DAUGHTER OUT OF THE CAR AND BY BOYFRIEND OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND A SMALL FIRE ON OPPOSITE SIDE FRO WHERE BATTERY IS. ONCE FIRE WAS PUT OUT WE DROVE .5 MILES ON A CITY RD TO FAMILY. THE POWER STEERING WAS GONE AT
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.
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
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE STATIONARY. FIRE STARTED IN FRONT COMPARTMENT NEAR FUSES. TOTAL LOSS
Showing the 15 most serious of 220 complaints filed with NHTSA.
