Complaints
341
Crashes
15
Fires
24
Injuries
16
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 2004 Kia Sorento Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#146 complaints
Engine Problems
Avg mileage:133,390 mi
Fires:5
#228 complaints
Suspension Failures
Avg mileage:107,279 mi
Fires:1
#326 complaints
Engine & Cooling
Avg mileage:81,293 mi
Fires:2
Considering a 2004 Kia Sorento?
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Kia Sorento.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 46 | — | 5 | 133,390 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 28 | — | 1 | 107,279 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 26 | — | 2 | 81,293 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 25 | — | 6 | 101,473 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 23 | — | — | 151,158 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 20 | 1 | 1 | 104,053 mi | |
| Body Structure | 19 | — | 1 | 127,519 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 12 | — | — | 76,847 mi | |
| Airbags | 11 | 3 | — | 79,816 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 10 | — | — | 80,425 mi | |
| Fuel System | 8 | — | 1 | 122,000 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 7 | — | — | 67,833 mi | |
| Brakes | 7 | — | — | 116,231 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 6 | — | — | 106,336 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 5 | — | — | 101,140 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 5 | 1 | 1 | 20,827 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Crankcase (Pcv) | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 2 | — | — | — |
Engine Problems
46
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
5
Avg Miles
133,390
Suspension Failures
28
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
107,279
Engine & Cooling
26
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
81,293
Electrical Faults
25
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
6
Avg Miles
101,473
Transmission / Drivetrain
23
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
151,158
Steering Defects
20
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
104,053
Body Structure
19
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
127,519
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
76,847
Airbags
11
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
79,816
Headlight/Taillight Failures
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
80,425
Fuel System
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
122,000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
67,833
Brakes
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
116,231
Unintended Acceleration
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
106,336
Gasoline Fuel System
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
101,140
Automatic Transmission
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
20,827
Tire Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Manual Transmission
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structural Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electronic Stability Control
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Crankcase (Pcv)
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive)
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Kia Sorento. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Kia Sorento Years
2004 Kia Sorento — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2004 Kia Sorento reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2004 Kia Sorento has 341 NHTSA complaints, 15 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 46 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2004 Kia Sorento?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (46 complaints, avg 133,390 mi); Suspension Failures (28 complaints, avg 107,279 mi); Engine & Cooling (26 complaints, avg 81,293 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Kia Sorento?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 108,091 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2004 Kia Sorento?
NHTSA complaints for the 2004 Kia Sorento include 15 crash-related reports, 24 fire reports, 16 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2004 Kia Sorento have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2004 Kia Sorento as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2004 Kia Sorento?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Kia Sorento reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2004 Kia Sorento
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99