Diseases of the 1st generation Kia Sorento. Weak points of the Kia Sorento (Kia Sorento), will additives help? How much does it cost and with what problems is it sold?

    The first generation of the Kia Sorento I frame SUV appeared in 2002. In 2006, the model underwent restyling, which slightly changed its appearance and the range of internal combustion engines. In 2009, the second generation Sorento was released.

    For the Russian market, the Sorento (BL) was initially assembled in South Korea, but for some time now it has been produced in Russia.

    Pre-restyling Sorento models were produced with a 140-horsepower diesel turbocharged 2.5-liter CRDi engine and two naturally-aspirated engines running on gasoline - 2.4 and 3.5 liters (139 and 195 horsepower). After restyling, 2.5l diesel. boosted to 170 “horses”, and a 3.3-liter 248-horsepower engine was introduced into the gasoline line. Also on the automobile market you can find a small number of restyled versions of cars with a 3.3 liter engine. (238hp) and 3.8l. (262hp).

    Modifications and characteristics of the first generation Kia Sorento engines

    The diesel Sorento caused the most “hemorrhoids” to its owners. The reasons for most of his troubles lie in the low quality of Russian diesel fuel. The elements of the fuel system begin to suffer first, then the engine begins to work intermittently, and sometimes it becomes difficult to start.

    Russian diesel fuel does not have sufficient fat content, which affects the quality of lubrication of fuel injection pump elements, and seizures appear in it. Metal particles then enter the fuel supply channels, the tank and the injectors.

    Very often, when trying to replace glow plugs on a diesel Sorento, owners encountered the problem of spark plugs sticking. Particularly strong car enthusiasts broke the spark plug when trying to rip it out of place.

    Poor starting of a diesel engine or its sudden stop during operation is associated with overflow of injectors. This problem usually begins to appear after 150 thousand kilometers. Treated by replacing or repairing injectors.

    The restyled diesel engine also did not please its owners. At high speeds of a car moving with a load, a connecting rod on one of the internal combustion engine pistons broke, and then the piston crushed the engine from the inside. The unit had to be replaced after that. The cases are rare, but they did happen. This happened in the range of 30-80 thousand km.

    Also, the updated diesel internal combustion engine became famous for the breakage of the bolt securing the injector, which led to it jumping out during operation. Most often this concerned the fourth injector. This happened after 70 thousand km. The manufacturer recognized the problem and replaced the bolt with a more reliable one.

    There are no big complaints about the turbocharger. But on the updated diesel engine it fails more often. A whistling sound and the appearance of oil in the air duct will inform you of its imminent demise. Typically, all these phenomena begin after 100 thousand km, and the turbine resource is at least 150 thousand km.


    Kia Sorento I 2007

    Due to a failure of the injection pump pressure reducing valve, the diesel engine may idle unstably. The pump itself runs more than 200 thousand km.

    The gasoline engines in the Sorento 1 are not so capricious, but they also have certain disadvantages. The timing drive on such engines is belt driven, and its service interval is 60,000 km.


    Kia Sorento I 2007

    The 2.4-liter internal combustion engine surprises with overheating in cold weather (not all engines, of course, but there have been cases). And all due to the fact that the thermostat does not work correctly initially. The manufacturer tried to solve the problem, but in vain. Someone tried to select a thermostat from another car, but this did not always give results. After 100 thousand km, these engines often begin to eat oil (from 0.3 to 0.8 liters per thousand km).

    3.5-liter engines suffer from failure of the drive belt damper after a mileage of more than 100 thousand km. The pulley was torn off due to the destruction of the bolt that secures it. Typically the bolt would fail after the worn pulley began to run unbalanced. If this happens, it is better to replace the pulley, as it will tear and tear off.

    Also, such an engine has a problem with air leaking through the intake manifold, which causes the engine to start running unstably. The damper on the intake manifold can break after 100 thousand km, after which it flies directly into the cylinder.

    The 3.3-liter internal combustion engine did not show any serious problems. There is a small drawback, which is expressed in a rattling sound in the first 2-3 seconds of starting the engine. This is most likely caused by insufficient lubrication at the beginning of its operation.


    Kia Sorento I 2007

    The generator belt tensioner roller needs 130-140 thousand before replacement. You don't have to change the video itself. It is enough to limit yourself to replacing the bearing.

    The pump lives a little over 100 thousand km, and the coolant expansion tank can leak closer to 150 thousand. The catalyst lasts about the same amount of time.

    Manual transmissions in Sorento are quite reliable. The clutch lives more than 100 thousand km.

    Automatic transmission is very rare, but it can still start to become “stupid”. This can be treated by flashing the transmission control unit. Incorrect flow meter readings on pre-restyling cars can disrupt the transmission algorithm, which will cause it to change gears untimely.

    The air flow sensor lives approximately 130-140 thousand km. By the way, don’t rush to throw it away and buy a new one. Very often, cleaning it with a carbocleaner solves the problem.

    Do not forget to periodically inject the crosspieces and splines of the driveshaft and transfer case.

    The first generation Sorento has a fairly strong, tenacious suspension. The stabilizer rods and bushings last almost 100 thousand km. Then the hinges of the levers fail, followed by shock absorbers and silent blocks. At 150 thousand km, it is usually necessary to replace the tie rod ends and front wheel bearings.

    Problems with the steering rack were officially recognized by the manufacturer. The rack begins to play quite quickly and can leak and knock. But its wear stops there, and replacement will be required when the mileage is close to 150 thousand km.

    After 150,000 km, the power steering pump often fails, which will be evident from the noise that appears when the steering wheel is turned.

    Factory brake pads last at least 50 thousand km on the front axle and 90-100 on the rear axle. If your Sorento's brake pedal starts to sink when you press it for a long time, then it's time to change the brake cylinder. The brake vacuum pump may begin to leak after 100 thousand km. Around the same time, brake hoses may begin to fail, as indicated by “hernias” on their surface.

    The body is quite resistant to corrosion, and will not rust for up to 9-10 years. The places where the chips will begin to turn red will be the first to begin to turn red. Over time, the plastic on body kits will peel off.

    The Sorento's interior does not irritate with squeaks. On some examples, the sound insulation under the windshield may squeak, rubbing against the metal in the central part. In frosty weather, doors may creak when closed. The driver's window may begin to make a slight tapping sound after 100,000 km.


    Salon Kia Sorento I 2007

    The driver's seat belt often does not retract automatically into place. Moreover, replacing it and its mechanism does not solve the problem.

    Sometimes on restyled models (70-80 thousand km) a clicking sound is heard when the windshield defogger is turned on. This jams the damper drive. Repair does not help, only replacement can help.

    The first Sorento models released in 2002 had a very weak heater radiator installed, which was very noticeable in Russian frosts. In 2003 it was changed, and the problem was partially solved. It became warmer in diesel cars, but the driver’s feet still froze, but due to poor air distribution.

    The generator lasts 150 and a little more than thousand km before repair. Starter - a little over 100.

    The fuel level indicator in the tank will begin to lie at about 150 thousand km. It can be treated by replacing the corresponding sensor.

    Another problem that does not have a clear solution is the AIRBAG lamp that lights up with a corresponding error. Often this problem appears after a “crooked” alarm installation.

    Let's summarize. The car is definitely worth the money, but not the diesel version.

    A selection of reviews, video reviews and test drives of the Kia Sorento 1:

    Crash test Kia Sorento I BL:

“Please tell us about the KIA Sorento II. I’m interested in both the car as a whole and specifically the 2.2 diesel, its service life, maintainability, as well as the automatic transmission installed on this car.”


“There is no sadder story in the world...” Speaking about the second generation KIA Sorento, I would like to say a little differently: “There are no more contradictory reviews in the world.” Everyone praises the car in their reports. For a good combination of price/size/quality. For a very high-torque, but economical diesel engine, you feel incredible traction when accelerating and when overtaking, but the on-board computer is unlikely to ever show consumption above 8 liters per “hundred”. For good equipment, a truly bottomless trunk and a spacious interior. At the same time, even those who have already driven 150-200 thousand km are satisfied with their choice - they say, the maintenance is inexpensive, there are no critical shortcomings. In general, you read it and come to the conclusion that you can definitely take it: inexpensive, comfortable, large. And then you type “KIA Sorento II problems” into the search and off you go...

As it turns out, there are also plenty of questions about the second generation Sorento. Let's go from the least problems. Many owners complain about the paint: it scratches easily, chips are common, and “bugs” can appear on some elements like the trunk lid. Although there is a suspicion that the latter “illness” is typical for cars from Russian megacities with their “poisonous” reagents on the roads.

The interior is criticized for its hard, but at the same time easily scratched plastic. Some owners have loose seat fastenings, most often the rear ones, but sometimes the driver’s seat too. There were complaints about poor reception of radio stations, flickering of the backlight of all instruments, an uncertain “location” of the key, as well as a creaking interior in the cold season and a steering wheel that “peeled off” in just a couple of years. At the same time, there have been no widespread complaints about electrical “glitches”, which are typical for almost all modern cars, in relation to the Sorento.

The situation with motors is twofold. The base petrol engine is 2.4 liters and produces 175 hp. deservedly considered problem-free. Although it “eats” quite a lot (you can’t count on less than 15 liters in the average cycle), but it doesn’t bother you with either minor or major problems, even with long runs. However - attention! - There are by no means isolated cases of engine jamming even during warranty runs. Moreover, the reasons were different, from oil starvation in the fourth cylinder to cranking of the liners. Note, however, that this phenomenon is not widespread.

The most popular 2.2-liter turbodiesel, unlike the 2.5-liter predecessor in the “first” Sorento, does not suffer from a passion for self-destruction. But given its age and average mileage at the moment, you need to be prepared for any problems related to the fuel system, injectors or injection pump - this can be said for any modern turbodiesel. But as for our “ward” directly, he can only scare him with a “dead” crankshaft pulley, and with relatively low mileage, almost 70 thousand km. This can be recognized by a metallic clang, and if the problem is not solved in time, then at one point you may be left without power steering, ABS, alternator and, oddly enough, with a “oaky” brake pedal. But, fortunately, with a working engine - “Stalingrad”, that is, a meeting of pistons and valves, this does not threaten.

There are also no serious complaints about the 6-band automatic transmission, which is installed on both petrol and turbodiesel versions. If it was serviced at a normal station and at normal intervals, the same 200 thousand km that are relevant at the moment will take care of it easily. Except that owners of gasoline versions had complaints about slight twitching when switching, as well as clicking noises when jerking in traffic jams.

However, problems with the automatic transmission may still arise, and the culprit will be... the all-wheel drive transmission! And also an overly powerful turbodiesel. During intensive use on bad roads, when the rear axle is used frequently, it cuts off the splines on the transfer case, which is responsible for transmitting torque to the rear axle, and on the differential of the automatic transmission. This breakdown is blamed on a jammed rear axle coupling; repairs are very expensive. So be sure to check the operation of the all-wheel drive!

The remaining problems with the Sorento II are not so critical and, as the owners unanimously claim, are cheap to fix. The support bearings are considered the weak point - experienced ones advise filling them with grease before installing new ones. The suspension, if the car is used not only on asphalt, also cannot boast of endurance, but if the owner drives carefully, then many up to 100 thousand km do not change anything except the stabilizer struts.

In general, this KIA Sorento II is contradictory. Judging by the “multi-colored” reviews, this car only brings negativity to those owners who, for some reason, confuse it with its frame predecessor and operate it in the same modes. While “city dwellers” and girls are only dissatisfied with the windshield cracking in the area where the windshield wipers are heated and the interior creaking “in cold weather.” Therefore, our recommendation: look for a proven and well-maintained car, and not “from the Russian Federation, already in transit” - you will avoid many problems.

Price Pulse

In our second generation KIA Sorento there are more than 50 copies available for sale. Prices start at approximately $12,000.

Moreover, if you keep track, you will notice that prices are now minimal compared to other periods of the past year.

Pavel KOZLOVSKY
website
Photos from open sources

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Original used spare parts for Kia Sorento II inexpensive - look. Bamper.by - look for spare parts correctly!

Timeless classic

The Sorento, which debuted almost eight years ago, has many fans. Let's say, based on the results of sales of new cars in 2006, it was ahead of not only the ultra-fashionable Touareg at that time, but also the almost legendary Pajero. Of course, the success of the Korean all-terrain vehicle is due to its very impressive appearance, hardly inferior to the exterior of the more prestigious BMW-X5 or Lexus-RX. It’s customary for us to greet people based on their clothes. Let's not forget about the fairly roomy and comfortable interior, rich equipment - versions with climate control and leather upholstery are not uncommon, as well as an impressive off-road arsenal. A robust frame structure, a continuous rear axle, and a powerful reduction gear in the era of the widespread dominance of SUVs are especially appreciated by true SUV drivers.

At the same time, the Kia is not bad on the asphalt - it is reliable to drive and quite fast. Finally, there are many cars with automatic transmissions on the secondary market. In general, the choice is quite large.

I CANNOT TOLERATE RUDE: Transmission

On different versions of the Sorento before and after the 2006 restyling, a 4- and 5-speed automatic transmission, as well as a manual transmission, were installed, respectively. If you change the oil on time, they all serve reliably. According to statistics, there is no need to change the clutch for runs less than 100,000 km.

However, there are a couple of weak points in Kia's off-road arsenal. Firstly, the electronically controlled CLUTCH of the transfer case installed on versions with automatically connected TOD all-wheel drive. It happened that mountaineers who neglected downshifts killed the clutches literally after several off-road forays. However, even on the cars of careful owners, over time, jolts and metallic grinding began to occur during the automatic connection of the front wheels. Moreover, this manifested itself both on slippery surfaces and on dry asphalt in turns, when the inner and outer wheels rotate at different angular speeds. True, in about half the cases the mechanics were able to temporarily get rid of the painful symptoms by changing the oil in the transfer case - during the post-warranty period this operation costs 700 rubles. But if the treatment did not help, a new friction clutch had to be installed.

The front driveshaft crosspiece is also not reliable. Signs of critical wear of a part are vibrations when moving. Unfortunately, the crosspiece cannot be changed separately, only together with the cardan.

It is curious that often the owner’s elementary carelessness leads to increased wear of parts. For example, the difference in tire pressure is a trifle that many people do not pay attention to - the electronic sensors of the all-wheel drive system perceive it as a different wheel speed and unnecessarily load the friction clutch.

NEITHER SALT OR SLUD IS HARD: The body and its electrical equipment

In terms of corrosion resistance, the Sorento body is great. It doesn’t care about salt or de-icing agents, so even after 5–6 years of Moscow operation, the car retains its presentation. Specks of rust can only appear in areas of poor-quality repairs or on abrasions and scratches that were not healed in time.

The mechanics do not recall any particular problems related to interior parts. The creaks that are sometimes heard in the right corner of the dashboard, according to the terms of the company warranty, are a completely acceptable phenomenon, therefore, they were not eliminated for free. Everything is fine with the Sorento and with the electrics. In isolated cases, a resistor burned out in the interior heater fan motor, which led to the failure of the entire climate control control unit. Basically, owners only have to change light bulbs that burn out from time to time.

SOONER OR LATER: Engines

About half of all Sorentos on the secondary market are equipped with a 2.5-liter diesel engine. Until 2006, this high-torque and economical unit developed 140 hp. s., and having received an updated control unit and a turbine with rotating blades during restyling - and all 170 “horses”. An excellent weapon for a real jeep, unfortunately, turned out to be not very reliable. There have even been cases of connecting rods breaking! After which we had to install a new motor, of course, under warranty. By the way, for some owners of updated Sorentos, when replacing a unit, the importer indicated for some time the power of the old engine in the documents for making changes to the title. Thus, the owner of a 170-horsepower car, according to official documents, drove a less powerful diesel engine and received tax benefits.

Fortunately, connecting rod breaks occur very rarely, and therefore Kia does not even take any countermeasures. But many owners have encountered loss of power of the D4CB engine and increased oil consumption associated with breakdown of copper sealing rings where the injectors are installed in the head. The defect is easily diagnosed. It is enough to disconnect the exhaust gas recirculation system pipe from the cylinder head. If smoke comes out of the pressure hole, it means it’s time to change the O-rings. It is advisable not to delay this matter, otherwise you may end up buying new injectors.

Alas, sooner or later the turbine also fails and begins to drive oil into the intake manifold through a worn oil seal. As mechanics say, this happens on almost all diesel cars, the only difference is that for careful owners the supercharger can last a hundred thousand, while for those who like to actively stomp on the gas pedal it doesn’t last up to forty. Moreover, replacing a turbine, as a rule, also entails flushing the intercooler (RUB 2,800) and cleaning the exhaust gas recirculation system valve (RUB 3,500).

If, despite everything, you still decide to choose a diesel engine, keep in mind that for more reliable operation of the fuel equipment, it should be washed at least once every 30 thousand. The operation itself plus solvent will cost about 3,000 rubles.

We recommend taking a gasoline Sorento. Both the pre-restyling 2.4- and 3.5-liter engines, and the new “six” of the “Lambda” family with a displacement of 3.3 liters turned out to be reliable and unpretentious in operation. On each of them it is rarely necessary to change spark plugs before the allotted 45,000 km.

NOT WITHOUT WEAK LINKS: Chassis and steering

Owners of cars with mileage over 120 thousand rarely visit the official service center. However, not all parts of the Sorento suspension remain in good health to such a respectable age, with the exception, perhaps, of the springs. And if the service life of the front and rear shock absorbers of 70–80 thousand km can be considered quite normal, then the non-removable silent blocks of the front levers that last only 50–60 thousand, and even less for active drivers, are already a technical problem. Moreover, the restyled Sorentos now have more powerful rubber-metal joints, but this has almost no effect on their service life. The front stabilizer struts are also not particularly durable; as a rule, they have to be replaced after 30–40 thousand.

At the same time, the steering rack, its rods and tips are quite durable. Everything is in order with the wear resistance of the brakes. The front and rear pads last 30 and 50 thousand, respectively, and only with twice the mileage does the brake discs need to be replaced.

Are we buying?

At today's prices, buying a Sorento second-hand hardly makes sense. As they say, this is not the case. The point is not that the Korean all-terrain vehicle, which has a decent arsenal for off-road driving, turned out to be not the most durable in difficult conditions. After all, Kia spare parts and service are relatively affordable compared to the servicing prices of, say, Japanese jeeps. Another thing is that only versions with a 2.4 liter gasoline engine or a diesel engine allow serious savings. However, the capabilities of the first Sorento are clearly not enough, while the second has enough problems with reliability. There remain modifications with petrol “sixes”.

But even here there is a possibility of a breakdown of the transfer case of the TOD transmission, and besides, the price of such cars is close to that of new ones. Rather than paying 800 thousand for a three-year old car with a petrol V6, in our opinion, it is better to add only 39 thousand and get a new car. Albeit with a turbodiesel, but under the cover of a 5-year factory warranty. In addition, the basic Sorento with a manual transmission is equipped with a simple but more reliable system of rigidly connected all-wheel drive.

KIA Sorento: Not the case

I am also a Sorentovod and also went through a problem with the engine! I had a cranking of the cylinder liner 3 - this is a problem with all Sorentos with a 2.4 petrol engine!
I know another owner who has the same x..!
For me personally, the repair (overhaul with replacement of the crankshaft, all bearings, one connecting rod, gasket) cost 70 rubles including labor! Today the normal flight has completed 6000 km.
The car leaves a double impression.
At first, until troubles appeared, it was a delight!
I drove different cars and there were Germans, Japanese, and Kia representatives, but I always wanted something bigger, and I took Hatchies!
After the problem with the engine, the delight remained, but it turned into fear, or, how could I put it better, into distrust!
And in a way, it’s a pity to part with the car, and that’s what I already wrote about DISCONFIDENCE! Rather, because of it, many people buy a new car from a dealership. On the other hand, the car is inexpensive for its class and has everything in the initial configuration!!! The noise is excellent, the chassis is not a problem. However, every one and a half to two years I change the bones (not expensive).
In general, over 4 years I invested:
1) two replacement seeds, a pair 1000-1100 rubles. (made in Germany) and 500-1000 replacement;
2) pads 600-2500+ replacement 500;
3) disks (the dealer advised me to change them as a fool, but there was no need), I changed them before;
4) bearings (3 pcs) in a circle, come complete with a caliper, identical front and rear!
5) aaaand engine overhaul!!!
Still, I like the car!
If you fold down the back seat, a double air mattress can be placed there, inflate it and you get a good tr.., a good bed for fishing, camping, etc.!
Huge capacity car. My wife and I went to IKEA for the kitchen, everything fit in with extras. equipment (sink hood and countertop (the countertop was loaded onto the trunk) and the same amount would have fit!
Fuel consumption is acceptable 9-13 liters without savings.
The engine is quite enough for acceleration and overtaking and fooling around.
And yet I like him!
Now for those who got in!
I’ll tell you who jumped out of service and there is no money for repairs, and there is also some car under the booty!
Many men and ladies know that there is a guarantee, but not everyone knows that there is a conditional guarantee (the one given by the official dealer) and unconditional (this is the guarantee given by the manufacturer) and the manufacturer is obliged, despite the fact that you undergo maintenance at dealer or do it yourself, it doesn’t matter whether to compensate (correct) the consumer for damage if the breakdown occurred due to the fault of the manufacturer or the fault of its partners. The factory warranty on a car is usually at least 10 years.
Your task:
1) contact an expert (these are the guys who, in the event of an accident, make conclusions for the courts). You receive an independent expert’s opinion (preferably in paper and electronic form);
2) write a letter to the manufacturer, now all foreign cars (most) are assembled in Russia, state the problem and attach a conclusion in electronic form and indicate whatever you want;
3) we are waiting!!!
4) in case of refusal, we go to the lawyer and write a claim with an attached conclusion (paper);
Cost of issue: 8-10 thousand examination (approximate price for the Moscow region) claim - 8-10 thousand rubles, but you can save and write it yourself (samples are available on the internet). In court the claim is free (i.e. no fee)!!! The claim can be filed at the place of residence (registration), at the place of registration of the car or at the place of registration of the legal entity - the manufacturer.
AND GOOD LUCK!

The first generation Kia Sorento was the first attempt by the Korean manufacturer to take its place in the rapidly growing popularity of the SUV segment. And the Koreans were able to successfully cope with this task.
Today, on the secondary market, used Kia Sorento cars can be of Korean and Ukrainian assembly. The Ukrainian-made versions have some disadvantages, but there are not so many of them, and they were eliminated at the time of pre-sale preparation. In rare cases, you can find versions with a six-cylinder engine imported from America on the market, but such examples may have a sad past, so it is better to check them with Carfax before purchasing.
The first owners chose a Kia Sorento car for many reasons: a solid appearance that was at the same time reminiscent of the Lexus RX 300 and Mercedes ML, decent equipment with a leather interior, a cruise control system, good sound insulation, good passive and active safety, as well as powerful engines.
The Kia Sorento SUV was produced in only one body type - a five-door station wagon with a five- or seven-seat interior. In domestic car markets, five-seat modifications are considered the most common.
The body of this vehicle was partially galvanized, which is why the cars do not have big problems with resistance to corrosion processes. Traces of rust can now be found only on copies brought from America and versions of the first years of production, and then under the body kit mounts, which is why additional anti-corrosion treatment is welcome.
The interior of all used Kia Sorento is roomy and comfortable, most often it is trimmed with leather. Less often - velor, but in any case the covering is easily soiled, since it is mostly light. As already mentioned, the standard equipment of this “Korean” is very rich and offers electric drives for all windows, the driver’s seat, exterior mirrors, active front head restraints, central locking, power steering, ABS, immobilizer, cruise control and climate control, heated seats, wipers and mirrors The most problematic additional equipment is the antenna, which eventually stops automatically extending. The risk group also includes the climate control system control unit, heated seats and power windows.
In 2006, the SUV underwent modernization, after which the 141-horsepower 2.4-liter engine was no longer installed. The 3.5-liter six-cylinder unit was replaced with a 238-horsepower 3.3-liter, and the power of the 140-horsepower 2.5-liter turbodiesel was increased to 170 “horses”.
Experts tend to believe that the best choice for buyers is the diesel version due to the fact that this power unit has become the most popular for the Sorento model. Many owners like this engine for its good traction, quiet operation and good dynamics.
The 2.4-liter gasoline engine from Mitsubishi is considered less popular on the secondary market, but experts find it rather weak for a car weighing about two tons. In the city, it consumes approximately 13 liters of gasoline, but you can fill it with 92nd, since this does not affect its throttle response, performance and service life. Among the typical problems associated with this unit, we can only note a leak in the rear crankshaft oil seal, which appears as a result of frequent towing. In rare cases, the thermostat fails. Motorists say that if they have to do a major overhaul of the 2.4-liter gasoline engine, it is the fault of the owners who allow the engine to water hammer when conquering water obstacles.
Individual ignition coils and variable valve timing systems on 3.3 and 3.5 liter engines last a long time, the same applies to the turbines of turbodiesel units. On turbodiesels, a chain is installed instead of a timing belt and it easily withstands the entire service life of the engines themselves. But gasoline engines need to replace the timing belt along with the rollers every 50 thousand km, because when this interval increases, the belts can break, leading to bending of the valves. And in a 2.4-liter unit, along with the rollers and belt, you also need to change the balancing shaft drive belt, since if it breaks, the consequences will also be dire.
A five-speed manual transmission on a used Kia Sorento can only be found in combination with a 2.4-liter gasoline engine and diesel engines. More powerful six-cylinder engines received automatic transmissions, at first they were four-speed, and then five-speed with a sport shift mode. 2.4-liter modifications often appear at service stations to replace the clutch; apparently, owners often try to spin the engine before starting, forgetting that it lacks power.
In general, the gearboxes used in the Kia Sorento are reliable; problems can arise only with the “mechanics”, in which third gear can be knocked out while driving. The transmission must be serviced regularly by changing the oil in a manual transmission every 90 thousand km, and in an automatic transmission every 45 thousand km.
If the suspension of a used Kia Sorento is in good condition, it is somewhat harsh, so it sensitively transmits any unevenness in the road surface, but it has long strokes and is energy-intensive. Probably, many motorists will agree that such a suspension will not bring much pleasure from active driving.
Service workers say that the Sorento's chassis is very reliable. Most often, in a double-wishbone front suspension, you have to change the front stabilizer bushings - every 40-60 thousand km, but other parts, such as front shock absorbers, silent blocks of front levers, ball joints and shock absorbers of the rear beam can easily be maintained for more than 100 thousand km . But with the steering, things are no longer so smooth, because tie rod ends have to be changed after 70-90 thousand km, and steering rack leaks are considered a common occurrence.
Today there are no problems with disassembly for the first generation Kia Sorento, but prices even for used spare parts are high, especially for body parts. The car itself is quoted quite well on the secondary market and is also sold. You can now buy a used Kia Sorento from the very first years of production for 15 thousand dollars, and the newest models cost up to 27 thousand dollars.