Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2004 Kia Sorento
NHTSA data on file today
The 2004 Kia Sorento has no NHTSA recall campaigns and 220 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine 46 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 46 complaints
- Power Train 40 complaints
- Suspension 30 complaints
- Electrical System 28 complaints
- Structure 28 complaints
Of the 220 complaints on file, 11 report a crash and 12 a fire; across all 220 complaints, owners report 16 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,000–$8,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2004 Kia Sorento has a below-average reliability rating, impacted by numerous engine and powertrain-related complaints. High complaint counts for suspension and electrical systems further suggest prevalent issues, although no major recalls directly exacerbate these concerns.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine | 75,000–100,000 miles | $1,200–$3,000 | very common |
| transmission | 80,000–105,000 miles | $1,800–$3,500 | common |
| suspension | 70,000–95,000 miles | $700–$1,500 | common |
| electrical system | 60,000–85,000 miles | $200–$800 | occasional |
| steering | 85,000–110,000 miles | $500–$1,000 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes every 5,000 miles
- Brake fluid replacement every 30,000 miles
- Coolant flush every 50,000 miles
- Transmission fluid replacement every 60,000 miles
- Spark plug replacement every 100,000 miles
- Inspect suspension annually
- Battery check bi-annually
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Check engine light incidents
- Transmission slipping or rough shifting
- Unusual suspension noises
- Frequent electrical issues
- Steering fluid leaks
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2004 Kia Sorento at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.