2004 Kia Sorento Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/12/2026

46Engine complaints

20.9%Of all 220 complaints

#1Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

ENGINE46 · 20.9%

SUSPENSION28 · 12.7%

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING26 · 11.8%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM25 · 11.4%

POWER TRAIN23 · 10.5%

Share of the 220 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2004 Kia Sorento overview page.

What owners report

“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…”NHTSA complaint 10521701 — filed 06/25/2013

“THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT BROKE AND MESSED UP THE STEERING, I WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW AND CONTINUES TO…”NHTSA complaint 10493231 — filed 01/16/2013

“WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT BROKE, THE TIMING BELT AND DRIVE BELT CAME LOOSE.”NHTSA complaint 10492068 — filed 01/10/2013

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Kia Sorento have engine problems?

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2004 Kia Sorento: 46 of 220 complaints on file (20.9%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2004 Kia Sorento have in total?

220 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 11 involved a crash, 12 involved a fire, 16 reported injuries, and 1 reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.