Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2004 Kia Sorento: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns for the 2004 Kia Sorento. Owners have filed 220 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
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Recalls (0)

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns for the 2004 Kia Sorento. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (220)

220 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.

11involved a crash
12involved a fire
16injuries reported
1deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Kia Sorento, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 220.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2004 compares with other Sorento years

Best and worst Sorento years →
2003200420052006200720082009201020112012
This year (2004)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 16 mpg combined

16
mpg combined
14
city
18
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$4,200
CO₂ tailpipe
555 g/mi
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle -

What it costs you to run

$4,082per year
$340per month
938gallons a year

Miles ÷ 16 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2004 Kia Sorento configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
3.5 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive14 / 18 / 16$4,200555
3.5 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive14 / 18 / 16$4,200555
3.5 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 18 / 15$4,450593
3.5 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 18 / 15$4,450593

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2004 Sorento for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Sorento years

Where to next

2004 Kia Sorento FAQ

How many recalls does the 2004 Kia Sorento have?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2004 Kia Sorento. Check a specific car with NHTSA's VIN lookup, which also covers newly announced recalls.

What are the most common 2004 Kia Sorento problems?

Owners filed 220 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (46), Engine and engine cooling (46), Power train (40) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2004 Kia Sorento get?

EPA rates the 3.5 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 14 city, 18 highway and 16 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2004 Sorento compare with other years?

Among the 2003–2012 Kia Sorento model years at least five years old, the 2010 drew the fewest complaints (3) and the 2011 the most (1,518). The 2004 drew 220. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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