2004 Kia Sorento Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 40about this part
- Share
- 18%of 220 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 83,904miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 40 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Kia Sorento, 18% of the 220 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 83,904 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving our 2004 Kia Sorento with my 3 young children in the car. Driving down a city street at 45 MPH the car began to jerk as all the lights flashed on the dashboard. I lost all power, but I was able to cruise to park next to a curb, however the vehicle would not restart. I had it towed to my mechanic. The mechanic found that the crankshaft sprocket, key shaft, damper pulley, and crank bolt all were damaged and needed to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10883147, filed 2016-07, 121,000 miles“While I was driving out of my complex my the lights on the dash came on and it seemed as if I lost my brakes (which I cost to the side road as well as no steering. I had the vehicle towed and I was told that the pulley mounting bolt had broken off inside the crankshaft.”
NHTSA complaint #10639488, filed 2014-09, 102,000 miles“Rusted brackets recalled in europe, refused by Kia to replace even tho they were rusted under warranty, pose a dangerous safety risk to unsuspecting owners. The entire bracket holding the differential rusted through creating a safety hazard. Presented with a small squeak in rear. I asked Kia to send people letters warning and they would not address the request. How Kia is getting away with severe rust, causing safety hazards in all vehicles, is beyond me. I know they are less expensive, is it worth it? …”
NHTSA complaint #10885382, filed 2016-07, 98,000 miles“Well, there is an annoying, over time driven hissing sibilant noise coming from under the Kia Sorento 2004 vehicle I went to Kia, and complaint about it . They claimed that they heard the noise, but it was not enough loud for them to fix the problem. In my life I never had a car that made such noise . Could something be done about it?”
NHTSA complaint #10190173, filed 2007-05, 500 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10453918, filed 2012-04, 120,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10037693Jan 1, 2011Kia: there may be erratic shifting, shift shock, and a malfunction light on with stored trouble codes. This is caused by a problem within the transfer motor.
- 10019917Jan 1, 2006Possible abnormal vibration/noise when shifting from park to drive or reverse due to insufficient torque at the rear driveshaft retaining bolts at the transfer case.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 19 | 25% |
| 2024 | 5 | 11% |
| 2023 | 22 | 17% |
| 2022 | 68 | 35% |
| 2021 | 144 | 56% |
| 2020 | 18 | 13% |
| 2019 | 51 | 12% |
| 2018 | 9 | 4% |
| 2017 | 37 | 5% |
| 2016 | 126 | 10% |
| 2015 | 42 | 6% |
| 2014 | 72 | 7% |
| 2013 | 69 | 7% |
| 2012 | 55 | 6% |
| 2011 | 265 | 17% |
| 2009 | 9 | 16% |
| 2008 | 23 | 11% |
| 2007 | 20 | 13% |
| 2006 | 35 | 14% |
| 2005 | 38 | 12% |
| 2004 | 40 | 18% |
| 2003 | 22 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2004 Kia Sorento
46 complaintsEngine cooling
46 complaintsSuspension
30 complaintsElectrical system
28 complaintsBody and structure
28 complaintsSteering
24 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsExterior lighting
14 complaintsFuel system
14 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Kia Sorento
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology