2004 Kia Sorento EX from North America

Summary:

Fun to drive, nice options, but needs to be maintained ON TIME!

Faults:

The radiator and thermostat had to be replaced at about 94,000 miles, under an extended warranty I bought.

At about 115k, fuel pump was bad, HUGE expense. Bought a used one and installed it MYSELF instead of paying the dealer $800.

Transmission went out at 120k; replaced.

General Comments:

This car was fun, but given the amount of money I put in after I bought it, I won't buy another of this generation.

I ended up buying the Prius, and it has proved WAY worth the change. THIS KIA IS A GAS HOG! I spent $600 in gas one month.

If the manufacturer suggests replacing something at XX,XXX miles, do it. It's because if you don't it will fall apart. It seems they make the parts to last exactly up to when they say.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 31st October, 2013

2004 Kia Sorento EX from North America

Summary:

Worst car I've ever owned, and I have owned 7 in the past 30 years

Faults:

Two weeks after I got it, I noticed that the paint job in the door jams was bad. Took it back, and 7 years later I'm still waiting for the person that would check this out. Every time I asked the repair person at the dealership, he would say, we didn't call you, he was here last week?

My seat belt wouldn't snap back into position when I released it, they said they fixed it.. not.

But the worst came when my engine blew in 2010 and they refused to repair it, because I didn't have all the service work (oil changes) done at the dealership.

For the past 4 years the electrical system has been giving my wallet a kick.. They say they hasn't been a recall on the 2004..

I would never buy another Kia, none of them.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 29th March, 2011

1st Apr 2011, 02:25

Kia is really the bottom of the barrel when it comes to automakers. Sorry to hear you owned one.

2004 Kia Sorento EX 6 cylinder from North America

Summary:

I like the truck, if all is well - but it's not

Faults:

I took my truck to the dealership for a routine 60K mile service, at the time my truck had 61,032 miles on it. Existing problems at the time was same complaint at 19k miles, truck losing power at times on take-off, mainly during initial start of the day.

The service manager called me and asked me "how's your air conditioning in the truck working?" My response was "fine, I've never had a problem with the air conditioner, and besides, I drove it in with the air conditioner working." The service manager's response was - "well that can't be because compressor is disconnected & upon reconnection, it seized up and you now have to pay to have it fixed." Of course, that didn't sit well with me. After going back & forth with the service department & contacting Kia Corp. Consumer Relations Dept (who was questioning my integrity as well), I had no choice but to get the air conditioner fixed. I was also informed, the 60K mile service did not include the "tune-up", which would be an additional $450. Although, the maintenance schedule in the owner's manual indicated "it was apart of the 60k service".

Anyway, upon attempting to pick-up my truck, I could not turn the steering wheel, I had to back straight back into the service area and the mechanic had to go over the vehicle. At any rate, I finally got the truck home across state lines. The very next day, my radiator went - because the dealership had stripped the screw at the bottom of the the radiator. The list goes on and on. Numerous attempts have been made to remedy my issues. The integrity of the dealerships are now in question... they create problems instead of fixing them.

At this point in time, I am still experiencing a problem with losing power, where the truck cuts off while waiting at traffic lights (which is a safety hazard, because someone could run into me as I attempt to take-off) and parking the truck. I've been told by a dealership, it needs "lower half of upper plenum & spark plugs to be replaced", and another dealership told me it has to do with the crankshaft, etc. Now, it makes me wonder - which is it?

And of course, it's not apart of their great 100k warranty, because it's not located "in the engine." Now what am I to believe? If anyone with good information can instruct me, please do reach out to me. This is the last time, I will ever purchase a Kia product - especially when my previous car was an Acura TL.

Joe.

General Comments:

I would like to have the truth told to me, and the issues fixed under the warranty. Kia took my money for the truck, but did not deliver on the promised warranty, and especially not on the maintenance servicing.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 8th January, 2011

10th Jan 2011, 03:24

Kia makes the worst cars out there... period.

Don't get fooled by the low prices, you get what you pay for, at best.

12th Mar 2011, 10:18

I have an 2005 Sorento with 59000 miles on it. The timing belt broke while me and my children were on the highway. Kia won't honor their fabulous 10 year 100,000 miles warranty, because they say I haven't been regular on oil changes, and won't honor my receipts I have provided. The dealer says I need to replace the engine, and that is no guarantee that the same problem can happen. Kia makes horrible cars, and is a horrible company to deal with.

8th Mar 2015, 00:28

If I were you, I'd take it to an independent and reputable service shop. I bought mine used with 150,000 miles from a used car lot, with a fantastic mechanic staff. I have had 2 problems, a loose belt and the CD player was busted.