2004 Kia Sorento Suspension Problems
- 27
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 27 stored complaint records:
- 0 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
What owners report
- rear axle · 13 records
- cross member · 7 records
- control arms · 7 records
- rusted through · 6 records
- upper control · 5 records
- rear cross · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 11 |
| 60–100k mi | 10 |
| 150–400k mi | 2 |
| 30–60k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Body · Suspension
2004 kia sorento ex with extensive rust damage to rear cross-members #2 and #3. Discovered during tire rotation in nov 2018, but is obvious the damage has existed for a substantial amount of time. Cross-member #2 is just in front and above the rear axle and has the mounting brackets for the axle struts, which keep the axle in place, it also has a mounting bracket for the fuel tank, as well as a pass through bracket…
ODI 11153412
Suspension
Took my car in for nys inspection and was alerted to an issue with my rear suspension. The rear cross member is completed rotted out and the upper trailing arm have become separated from the cross member due to rust and corrosion. This is a 2004 kia sorento ex that i purchased new and now has 103,000 miles. This corrosion is an extremely hazardous situation and the vehicle cannot be repaired. Needless to say it…
ODI 11132949
Suspension
Was driving wife to work , stopped at light when light turned green i pushed the gas pedal and i heard a bang so loud i thought someone hit us from behind. I drove car home and looked under it and i couldn't believe it ! The rust on the rear end brackets and the two bars connected to them were totally rusted through and hanging off. I went to the kia dealer where i originally bought the car and asked them about it…
ODI 11103610
Suspension · Unknown Or Other
While driving approximately 35 mph, the rear of the vehicle shook violently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who noticed that the crossmember bars were severely corroded through and were not able to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. Major safety hazard. The entire bracket holding the differential rusted through. The frame rear cross member also rusted through causing the control arms is…
ODI 11073051
Suspension
My daughter took my car a 2004 kia sorento in for a nysi and the shop dead lined the car and made me flatbed it home due to the fact that the rear end was falling out due to excessive rot on the brackets and they deemed the car unsafe to drive. The women that runs the shop told my daughter and son that this isn't the first time that she has seen this on a kia. In fact its a prevalent issue! Upon coming home i did…
ODI 11067017
Suspension
The rear axle is falling apart and it's rusted where i can't even weld a bracket for the rear suspension it's so rusted that i was told by a mechanic that the rear axle can actually fall off the vehicle i would have to replace the entire rear axle so i can put a bracket or it will come with a bracket it will cost me $4000 and i think a kia should be responsible because the whole entire car underneath it rusted…
ODI 11023841
Frame And Members · Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 kia sorento. While driving approximately 50 mph, the rear of the vehicle shook violently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who noticed that the crossmember bars were corroded through and were not able to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000. The vin was not available.
ODI 11020676
Power Train · Suspension
Rusted brackets posing a dangerous safety risk, 2004 kia sorento with 162,000 miles. The entire bracket holding the differential rusted through. The frame rear cross member also rusted through causing the control arms is detached from the rear end also creating a safety hazard. There is a design flaw that allows water to stay inside the hollow cross member that caused the corrosion. Drain or weep holes in the cross…
ODI 10891523
Body · Suspension
Purchased used, was driving to grandson's ball game, when car started making funny noise and acted as the the rear end was going to fall out, we pulled over in grocery store parking lot, got out and looked, could not see anything, had daughter follow us home, just in case, took it to friend who noticed the rear bracket arms are completely rusted out , looks like it is what holds the rear end in place. I'm not sure…
ODI 10894101
Suspension
This is a follow up to nhtsa id #10852665. I contacted manufacturer regarding the rusted frame. Suggested towing to dealer for diagnosis. Towed to dealer, who called saying it was bad and to call kia back. Called kia and a case was opened #k3156514. Was told i would hear back by wednesday the 6th of april have not received any return calls, left 2 voicemails car is still at dealer, its been 8 days and no info..kia…
ODI 10854341
Suspension
Mechanic at a gas station told my mil she needed a new rear axle. When i checked the axle i found the top left stabilizer bracket was badly rusted. I took the car to the local kia dealer to get a recall repair. This should never happen to a car with only 60k miles. The dealer has not completed the estimate. The car is not drive-able. There should be a recall
ODI 10851141
Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 kia sorento. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who stated that the rear control arm bracket was corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000. Updated 02/26/16*lj the consumer stated the control arm bracket completely detached from the axle. Updated 03/01/16.*jb
ODI 10818905
Suspension · Unknown Or Other
I brought this vehicle for inspection and was told it will not pass because one of the control arms is detached in the rear end. I was told not to drive the vehicle at all because it is not safe. Additionally there is rot under the entire vehicle. The left side frame was welded and repaired by the previous owner but the right side is now rusted badly and in need of repair. Axles are leaking due to rust. Brakes are a…
ODI 10766828
Power Train · Suspension · Unknown Or Other
On monday, august 10th, 2015 i was driving my 2004 kia sorento lx and heard a loud bang and then the vehicle began to fishtail. I was traveling at a low speed of around 35 mph. I immediately slowed down and managed to drive the vehicle to a nearby garage. At the garage the vehicle was placed on the lift and it was identified that the drivers side frame rail had completely broken in half and was severely corroded.…
ODI 10759086
Suspension · Underbody Shields · Wheels
Major rust problem with frame and suspension kia sorento purchased march 30 2004 2 months past the warranty 85392 miles having just driven on the highway 65mph vehicle was entering school parkinglot, at the entrance vehicle went over speed bump at this point there was a loud bang and the vehicle started shaking and squealing. Upon inspection the passenger side rear stabilizer-traction bar broke completely off the…
ODI 10606993
Body · Suspension
Was driving vehicle when frame broke and almost crashed it found out from a body shop that the frame had corroded and broke and we owe money on this piece of junk and the kia corporation has never heard of this happening. *tr
ODI 10559031
Power Train · Suspension
Rusted brackets recalled in europe, refused by kia to replace even tho they were rusted under warranty, pose a dangerous safety risk to unsuspecting owners. The entire bracket holding the differential rusted through creating a safety hazard. Presented with a small squeak in rear. I asked kia to send people letters warning and they would not address the request. How kia is getting away with severe rust, causing…
ODI 10885382
Suspension
Brought vehicle to dealer for oil/filter change at 53,000 miles. Dealer found one of the two brackets on top of rear end was completely rusted and broken off and the other bracket was severely rusted. Dealer would not allow me to drive vehicle and is not repairable. There are no new replacement rear ends for vehicle and the brackets are not available as a replacement part. I noticed other very similar complaints on…
ODI 10498311
Electrical System · Engine And Engine Cooling · Suspension · Visibility/Wiper
Picked up vehicle after having rear support bearings repaired driving back home at 65mph on i-35/texas 410 east started to experience strong smell of exhaust fumes in passenger compartment. During drive home started to rain, activated wipers, drivers side wiper blade fell off during rainstorm had to open driver side window to navigate! Upon arrival at home noticed, smoke coming from engine compartment (passengers…
Fire reported
ODI 10497873
Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 kia sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced by the dealer when the dealer advised that the rear housing linkage was corroded. The manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 107,000 and the current mileage was 107,500.
ODI 10462546
Electrical System · Engine And Engine Cooling · Exterior Lighting · Fuel System, Gasoline · Power Train · Suspension
Summary: update to below problem i bought my sorento in 2004, new. I replaced the coolant reservoir at 61000 miles due to overheating, replaced the low beam headlight bulbs on 4 occasions, tail lights on 2 occasions. My vehicle, 5 speed manual transmission, started to have a roaring noise approx. 6 months ago and the u-joints were replaced. It still roars. It quit running on 2-16-12 while i was driving, but…
ODI 10453918
Power Train · Suspension · Wheels
Vehicle is only 7 years old. Metal bracket welded to the rear axle that holds the upper control arms has completely failed! The normal torque from the rear axle has broken both brackets holding the upper control arm to the cars frame. All that is holding the rear axle in place is the lower control arms and the sway bars. There are no weep holes to allow water to drain out of the bracket weldment, causing water to…
ODI 10439449
Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 kia sorento. The contact stated when the accelerator pedal was engaged the rear end rocked back and forth. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where the mechanic confirmed that the hangers on the rear end were corroded. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 90,000 and the current mileage was 101,000.
ODI 10427559
Suspension
Vehicle is only 8 years old. I constantly have this problem. The first time i had this problem i slid while trying to hold brakes, there was also a lot of weird sounds and the rear end did not feel sturdy. I took it to my mechanic and he found metal bracket welded to the rear axle that holds the upper control arms had completely failed! The normal torque from the rear axle was broken both brackets holding the upper…
ODI 10452414
Power Train · Suspension
Two brackets (one left, one right) that hold the rear upper control arms to the rear axle housing have completely snapped off. This leaves a very dangerous condition which will cause the rear axle of the car to rotate and fall out of the car. If this happens at speed, serious injury and/or death is likely. There are many many posts about this same problem online and kia refuses to address the problem stating that…
ODI 10471369