Is the 2004 Kia Sorento a bad year?
219 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 89, 1.7× a quiet Sorento year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 64k–122k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2004 Sorento owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 93,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 82 (37%) | 70k–124k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 39 (18%) | 32k–120k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Suspension | 30 (14%) | 85k–128k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Body structure | 28 (13%) | 81k–146k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 28 (13%) | 62k–129k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Steering | 24 (11%) | 75k–120k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Air bags | 14 (6%) | 15k–115k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 14 (6%) | 20k–94k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 14 (6%) | 65k–126k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Brakes | 11 (5%) | 30k–115k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Engine and cooling | 8 (4%) | 60k–77k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Equipment | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 93,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 219 complaints: 11 mention a crash · 12 mention a fire · 9 report an injury · 1 says the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Dec 2021.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I was driving approximately 35-40 MPH and my car suddenly lost power with all the dash lights briefly coming on (Battery, oil, etc.).
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 was driving my children in the summer and my engine began squealing very loudly, the A/C stopped working, and the steering locked up.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 93,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2004 Kia Sorento: 0
No recall campaign lists this model year.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Kia: 11
Repair instructions Kia sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2004 Kia Sorento. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable…
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…
Intermittent MIL on with no fault code stored; information about DTC P1330
ECM upgrade with tp sensor replacement-mil on with DTC P2135/P0638
Neighbouring years
2003 Sorento: 305 complaints, consider selling · 2005 Sorento: 307 complaints, consider selling.
Every Kia Sorento year
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Questions
Is the 2004 Kia Sorento a bad year?
219 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 89, 1.7× a quiet Sorento year. At 93,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 64k–122k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Kia Sorento?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (82), transmission and drivetrain (39), suspension (30), body structure (28), electrical system (28). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 64k–122k miles.
How many recalls does the 2004 Kia Sorento have?
No recall campaign lists this model year in NHTSA data. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.