Engine
3.5L 6-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 307 of 307 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 248 of 307 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Engine & cooling
108 complaint records3 fire reports3 crash reports
"AT UNDER 20,000 MILES I WAS TOLD I NEED A NEW ENGINE. THEY HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR TWO WEEKS AND WON'T GIVE ME A RENTAL IN THE MEANTIME.*AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →
Lighting
61 complaint records1 fire report
"WE HAVE TO CHANGE THE TWICE HEADLIGHTS AND THE TWICE TAILLIGHT FOUR SETS OF PARKING LIGHTS,ON OUR 2005 KIA SORENTO EX THIS IN A 18 MONTHS. *TR..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse lighting parts in the directory →
Electrical system
49 complaint records2 fire reports2 crash reports
"ALL OF A SUDDEN THE KIA IGNITION WONT ENGAGE THE STARTER ,THE HEADLIGHTS WONT WORK AND THE SPEED ODOMETER MOVING AND THE AC APPEARS NOT TO WORK. *JS..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008212 2008-06-18 | Engine | 13,411 | On certain vehicles, a metal clip which is part of the Induction Control Valve (ICV) in the engines intake manifold may sever off. |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSB_BOD055_R1 Sep 2021 | Structure | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. | |
| PS539 Mar 2018 | Engine And Engine Cooling | PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine. | |
| TSB-GEN085R1 Jan 2017 | Equipment | TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners, which are designed to lock into place once fully attached, are utilized in various Kia models and are strictly intended for ?one time use.? | |
| TSB-GEN085 Nov 2016 | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners utilized in various Kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. | |
| PS443 Apr 2016 | Equipment | TSB - USE OF AFTERMARKET USB CHARGING CABLES IN USB/12V PORTS - This article provides information regarding the use of USB ports and 12V power outlets to connect/charge mobile phones. |
Show 20 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| PS233 Jan 2013 | Engine | PITSTOP: 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 A COMPLAINT RELATING TO MIL ON (DTC P)#)X) WITH A MISFIRE DURING ACCELERATION AND/OR YOU FIND UNUSUAL FUEL TRIM... | |
| 034 Jan 2011 | Power Train | KIA: THERE MAY BE ERRATIC SHIFTING, SHIFT SHOCK, AND A MALFUNCTION LIGHT ON WITH STORED TROUBLE CODES. THIS IS CAUSED BY A PROBLEM WITHIN THE TRANSFER MOTOR. *RM | |
| TSB-019 Nov 2010 | Fuel System | KIA: FUEL TANK AIR FILTER REMINDER. THE AIR FILTER CAN ACCUMULATE DIRT OVER TIME AND NEEDS TO BE MAINTAINED. *RM | |
| TSB-068 May 2010 | Engine And Engine Cooling | KIA: INTERMITTENT MIL ON WITH NO FAULT CODE STORED; INFORMATION ABOUT DTC P1330. PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO CERTAIN VEHICLES. | |
| TSB-044 Nov 2009 | Electrical System | KIA: ECM UPGRADE WITH TP SENSOR REPLACEMENT-MIL ON WITH DTC P2135/P0638. INFORMATION RELATED TO ECM SOFTWARE AND TP SENSOR UPGRADE ON SOME VEHICLES WITH 2.7L ENGINES WHICH MAY EXPERIENCE A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED WITH THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC)... | |
| KT-2008120901 Dec 2008 | Exterior Lighting | KIA: HEAD LIGHT BULB LIFE CONCERN. THERE MAY BE CONCERNS OF SHORT HEADLAMP BULB LIFE IN VEHICLES. A NEW RESISTIVE WIRE HARNESS HAS BEEN INTRODUCED TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF THE LOW BEAM BULBS. *PE | |
| KT-2008082201 Aug 2008 | Parking Brake | KIA: ALL MODELS. ARTICLE PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO THE IMPROVED DURABILITY OF BULB LIFE FOR REAR COMBINATION BULB; REAR STOP LAMP/TAIL LAMP BULB UTILIZED ON MULTIPLE KIA MODELS. *PE | |
| 073 May 2008 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SORENTO ICV REPLACEMENT. *NJ | |
| 013 Apr 2007 | Fuel System | THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR W/ 3.5L ENGINES. *KB | |
| 018 Jan 2007 | Power Train | AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ADAPTIVE VALUE RESET/RELEARN. *KB | |
| 017 Dec 2006 | Power Train | TRANSMISSION SHIFT HESITATION. *KB | |
| 011 Apr 2006 | Engine And Engine Cooling | CANISTER CLOSE VALVE INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT. MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT (MIL) RELATED TO THE CANISTER CLOSE VALVE AND/OR EVAPORATIVE SYSTEM. *TT | |
| 92 Jan 2006 | Power Train | POSSIBLE ABNORMAL VIBRATION/NOISE WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR REVERSE DUE TO INSUFFICIENT TORQUE AT THE REAR DRIVESHAFT RETAINING BOLTS AT THE TRANSFER CASE. *TT | |
| 008 Sep 2005 | Fuel System | WHEEL GUARD REPLACEMENT TO PREVENT DIRT, ICE AND SNOW FROM ACCUMULATING ON THE EVAPORATIVE SYSTEM AIR FILTER. *TT | |
| 81 Jan 2005 | Equipment | NEW SPECIAL SERVICE TOOL (SST) KIT. *TT | |
| 83 Jan 2005 | Electrical System | KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER. *TT | |
| 85 Jan 2005 | Equipment | 2003-2005 CLOCKS NOT HOLDING TIME OR RESETTING - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS. *TT | |
| 006 Dec 2004 | Fuel System | ENHANCED DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR FOR P0446/P2422. *TT | |
| 010 Aug 2004 | Power Train | NEW 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *TT | |
| 76 Jan 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | NEW NAME & MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR EVAP CANISTER VENT FILTER. KIA TECHNICIAN TIMES. *TT |
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
- Do a full walk-around with every light on.Condensation inside a lens, a dim side, or a flickering tail light match this vehicle's lighting cluster.
- Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Kia Sorento →