Kia · Sorento · 2004
2004 Kia Sorento
0
Recalls
220
Complaints
N/A
NCAP overall
The 2004 Kia Sorento has no recalls and 220 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most frequent stored component label: engine and engine cooling (33 reports).
Stored NHTSA configuration: 2004 Kia Sorento 4-DR. w/SAB NCAP Vehicle ID: 1184
Ratings describe one stored NHTSA configuration, not every trim, body style or drivetrain for this model year. How this configuration is selected
Source: NHTSA Public Records
NHTSA source checks for this vehicle year
- Complaints
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Recalls
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Safety ratings
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Investigations
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Manufacturer communications
- Separate successful check not recorded.
Checks are recorded separately for each dataset, not for the whole page. Dates use UTC. A missing check date does not mean no records exist.
Vehicle import recorded: Apr 28, 2026. This is the stored import date, not confirmation that every source was successfully refreshed.
Research Context
The 2004 Kia Sorento page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most frequent complete stored component label is engine and engine cooling with 33 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2004 Kia Sorento currently shows no active NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 220 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows no overall NHTSA safety rating in our current dataset.
- The most frequent complete stored component labels on this page are engine and engine cooling (33), engine (21), power train (19).
- Vehicle
- 2004 Kia Sorento
- Recalls
- 0
- Complaints
- 220
- Stored Configuration Overall Rating
- Not available in this dataset
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Configuration Test Results
Stored NHTSA configuration: 2004 Kia Sorento 4-DR. w/SAB NCAP Vehicle ID: 1184
Ratings describe one stored NHTSA configuration, not every trim, body style or drivetrain for this model year. How this configuration is selected
No overall score is available in our current dataset. The individual results below are not a combined safety rating; compare vehicles within the same test program and model year.
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
No rollover risk estimate available in this dataset
Safety Features
ESC: NoForward Collision Warning: NoLane Departure Warning: No
Owner Complaints
220 totalPOWER TRAIN
Dec 20, 2021
Crank pully bolt snapped. Causing crank pully to fall, and critical belts to fail.
STRUCTURE
Jun 28, 2020
THIS KIA WAS HOUSED AND STORED IN A GARAGE FOR MOST OF ITS LIFE AND DRIVEN ONLY IN THE SUMMER. IN THE WINTERS OF MICHIGAN IS WAS HOUSED IN A CLEAN DRY GARAGE. THIS KIA WAS A 2 OWNER CAR. I AM THE SECOND OWNER. I HAD DRIVEN IT ONE WINTER AND THIS SUMMER TOOK IT TO GET AN ALIGNMENT...
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STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES
Dec 30, 2019
WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME THE BRAKE LINES TOWARD THE REAR SUSPENSION RUSTED THROUGH. ALSO THE SUPPORT FOR THE REAREND RUSTED THROUGH MAKING THE VEHICLE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THE BRAKE LINES FROM FRONT TO BACK WERE CHAN...
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SUSPENSION
Dec 19, 2019
2004 KIA SORRENTO 97,000 MILES. THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM BRACKETS RUSTED OFF.
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
FIREOct 13, 2019
I BOUGHT MY 04 SORENTO FROM MY AUNT WHO WAS THE ONLY OWNER. IT HAD A POWER STEERING ISSUE AT THAT TIME WHICH TOOK SEVERAL ATTENPTS TO FIX. ABOUT A MONTH LATER WE WE VISITING FAMILY AND HAD TO TURN AROUND. UPON STOPPING WE NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SO I GRABBED MY...
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VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Oct 2, 2019
I WAS DRIVING WHEN I HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE, AND MY TRUCK SHIFTED. SO I PULLED OVER TO SEE THE MY REAR LOWER ARM FELL FROM SUBFRAME CORRSION DUE TO HEAVY SALT USE HERE IN WI. I HAD TO GET CAR TOWED HOME.
AIR BAGS
Aug 9, 2019
TAKATA RECALL AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON THE DASH CAN I GET THIS REPLACED FOR NO CHARGE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME.
AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
Aug 9, 2019
"TAKATA RECALL" I BOUGHT THIS CAR JUST RECENTLY AND THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG STAYS ON ALL THE TIME THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS BUT NOT ON MY CAR IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE THIS LIKE THIS OR IS IT DANGEROUS AND THE FACTORY SHOULD SEND OUT A RECALL ON THIS RIGHT !
STEERING
CRASHApr 1, 2019
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE AT 65MPG ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY BABY IN THE CAR, THE STEERING JERKED TO THE LEFT. I ALMOST CRASHED INTO A DESIEL TRUCK !! I THEN CORRECT IT AND PULLED OVER. I DROPPED MY SON OFF AT MY MOM'S HOME AND WENT TO THE GARAGE TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. ON THE WAY, IT ...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
FIREFeb 15, 2019
MY SORENTO WAS IN PARK RUNNING IN MY DRIVEWAY STARTED SMOKING AND CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED UP IN A MATTER OF MINUTES. I'M AWARE OF RECALLS WITH KIA VEHICLES CATCHING FIRE. I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE ADDRESSED AND INVESTIGATED AS I FEEL IT WAS DUE TO A MALFUNCTION. 911 WAS CALLED AND T...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 220 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2004 Kia models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Kia Sorento Years
2005 Kia SorentoCompare this year against 2004 for complaint and recall shifts.307c2003 Kia SorentoCompare this year against 2004 for complaint and recall shifts.1r305c2006 Kia SorentoCompare this year against 2004 for complaint and recall shifts.1r242c2007 Kia SorentoCompare this year against 2004 for complaint and recall shifts.4r154c2008 Kia SorentoCompare this year against 2004 for complaint and recall shifts.3r215c2009 Kia SorentoCompare this year against 2004 for complaint and recall shifts.3r55c
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2004 Kia OptimaAnother 2004 Kia option for same-year comparison.1r225c2004 Kia SedonaAnother 2004 Kia option for same-year comparison.2r212c2004 Kia AmantiAnother 2004 Kia option for same-year comparison.73c2004 Kia SpectraAnother 2004 Kia option for same-year comparison.1r71c2004 Kia RioAnother 2004 Kia option for same-year comparison.2r50c
Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2004 Kia Sorento have?
The 2004 Kia Sorento has 0 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2004 Kia Sorento?
NHTSA has received 220 owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Kia Sorento.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2004 Kia Sorento?
An overall NHTSA safety rating is not available in our current dataset for the 2004 Kia Sorento. Individual crash-test results may still be available.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Kia Sorento?
The most frequent complete stored component labels for the 2004 Kia Sorento are engine and engine cooling (33 reports), engine (21 reports), power train (19 reports). These are exact-label counts, not broader component-group totals or confirmed defects.
Does the 2004 Kia Sorento have any recalls?
NHTSA does not currently list any recalls on record for the 2004 Kia Sorento. To verify the status of your specific vehicle, check nhtsa.gov/recalls with your VIN.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.