CarCredo

Kia Sorento I (2002–2009)

4.3/5
Reliability score Good
Email-verified reliability report

Model and generation reliability insights from verified owners. Variants are selected when adding reviews.

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Most reported affected parts

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No affected parts have been reported yet.

Engine reliability summary

Petrol

Engine Score Reports Common issues
2.4 i 16V (139 Hp) (G4JS) No reports 0 No issues reported
3.3i V6 Automatic (238 Hp) (G6DB) No reports 0 No issues reported
3.5 i V6 24V (195 Hp) (Sigma / G6CU) No reports 0 No issues reported
3.8i V6 (262 Hp) 4WD Automatic (Lambda / G6DA) No reports 0 No issues reported
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3.8i V6 (262 Hp) Automatic (Lambda / G6DA) No reports 0 No issues reported

Diesel

Engine Score Reports Common issues
2.5 CRDi (170 Hp) (D4CB) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.5 CRDi (170 Hp) 4x4 Automatic (D4CB) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.5 CRDi Automatic (170 Hp) (D4CB) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.5 DCR (140 Hp) (D4CB) No reports 0 No issues reported
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2.5 DCR (140 Hp) Automatic (D4CB) No reports 0 No issues reported

Owner reviews

Verified owner Verified
Model not specified Mileage unknown

Sorento I

A small tank; after suspension facelift and with good tires, it handles light off-road well (not talking about deep mud). Interesting handling, quiet cabin. Front seats aren't very comfortable, thigh support is too short. A bit of rust is starting to appear in typical spots, superficially on the frame, rear axle, and rear wheel arches when doors are open. Need to monitor the frequency and quality of oil and filter changes - variators and chain tensioners fail. Mine had one tensioner fail at 145k km.

Pros: Handles light off-road well with upgrades, Quiet cabin, Interesting handling
Cons: Front seats: short thigh support, Surface rust in common areas, Potential variator/tensioner issues
Verified owner Verified
Model not specified Mileage unknown

Sorento i

A bit noisy at high speeds, but very comfortable. The biggest issues are inherent flaws: rust (despite alleged galvanization) and engine problems mentioned elsewhere. Another issue is Polish discussion forums, rife with sellers posing as helpful advisors, recommending cars from classifieds. A clever tactic: they praise the seller only when someone asks about their car on the forum, and the seller humorously pretends to...

Pros: Very comfortable
Cons: Noisy at high speeds, Rust issues despite galvanization, Engine problems, Deceptive advice on forums
Verified owner Verified
Model not specified Mileage unknown

Sorento i: Off-Road Durability and Reliability

I use this car for off-road touring, mostly moderate terrain without extreme submersion. I've owned it for two years and it has never failed, despite the demands I place on it. In fact, I get it serviced every six months and there's nothing to report. In two years, I haven't had a single visit to a mechanic's workshop. The only work I've done in two years is tire changes and 2x tensioner adjustments for the water pump belt. The only downside I can mention is that it consumes oil, but it's within normal limits, I have to top up a liter every 3-4 thousand kilometers. The chassis is like a bell, only the wheel arches are catching rust.

Pros: Exceptional reliability for off-road use, No unexpected mechanical issues in two years, Solid chassis and frame integrity
Cons: Consumes oil (within normal limits, requires top-up every 3-4k km), Wheel arches prone to rust

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