2004 Kia Sorento Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 220 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2004 Kia Sorento overview page.
What owners report
“WE PURCHASED OUR SORENTO USED (APPROX 65K MILES)ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. SINCE THEN, WE'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE GAS TANK ($1500) AMONG OTHER THINGS. THIS…”NHTSA complaint 10535016 — filed 08/12/2013
“ENTERING I-35 NORTH FROM ACCESS ROAD IN SAN ANTONIO TEXAS. TIME 08:15AM (RUSH HOUR) LOUD BANG FROM REAR OF VEHICLE SPEED IMMEDIATELY DROPPED TO 20MPH…”NHTSA complaint 10497869 — filed 02/12/2013
“WHILE DRIVING ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND ALL BELTS BROKE STEERING WOULDN'T WORK.”NHTSA complaint 10494779 — filed 01/26/2013
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2004 Kia Sorento have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 2004 Kia Sorento: 23 of 220 complaints on file (10.5%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2004 Kia Sorento have in total?
220 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 11 involved a crash, 12 involved a fire, 16 reported injuries, and 1 reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
