Owner-stated complaints are the norm for this type of vehicle. Fuel mileage tops the list, followed by a rough ride in certain models, and then by issues like a ‘thin’ paint job and some interior noises as the vehicle ages.
Some standard and Sorento-specific checks are advised on a test-drive before agreeing to purchase the vehicle you’re considering. After ensuring all electronics and accessories function as expected, be sure to cycle the Sorento’s transfer case through all of its 4x4 settings, ensuring each engages and works properly. Some owners cite what looks like an actuator problem that prevents the front wheels from engaging when four-wheel drive is selected. As this is a pricey part to repair, owners are advised to make double sure it’s working.
If you’re considering a Sorento with a manual transmission, ensure the shift lever moves freely from gear to gear, noting any questionable grinding sounds or ‘clunking’ during gearshifts, which could indicate a problem. You’ll also want to make sure the vehicle’s previous owner didn’t fry the clutch. Ask a mechanic for help if you’re not sure how to check.
While visiting your mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection, have him look beneath the vehicle for signs of leaking fluid, suspension component wear, excessive rust or floor-pan damage suffered during careless off-roading, too. Remember that a pre-purchase inspection might cost a few hundred bucks, but it can save major headaches down the line. This holds especially true in vehicles like the Sorento, given their complicated drivelines and additional power-handling hardware.
Note that whining or grinding sounds from the rear-end likely indicate a worn or failing differential, and intermittent surging or lagging of engine power could indicate a bad sensor. Other issues seem hard to nail down concretely from information in the online Sorento owners community, thanks to relatively low sales volumes. Note that some owners have complained of instrument or dashboard light failure, airbag system malfunctions, and frequent burning out of headlight bulbs.
Patience and a thorough inspection of any used Sorento are key to success in finding a good deal on a well-maintained model that’s likely to be reliable. Buying a used Sorento without a pre-purchase mechanical inspection is not advised, and for peace of mind, shoppers are advised to look for a dealer-serviced model that’s as new as their budget allows.
If pricing, mechanical-soundness and overall condition check out, the last-generation Sorento should prove relatively solid and worry-free if drivers follow regular maintenance requirements.
Some standard and Sorento-specific checks are advised on a test-drive before agreeing to purchase the vehicle you’re considering. After ensuring all electronics and accessories function as expected, be sure to cycle the Sorento’s transfer case through all of its 4x4 settings, ensuring each engages and works properly. Some owners cite what looks like an actuator problem that prevents the front wheels from engaging when four-wheel drive is selected. As this is a pricey part to repair, owners are advised to make double sure it’s working.
If you’re considering a Sorento with a manual transmission, ensure the shift lever moves freely from gear to gear, noting any questionable grinding sounds or ‘clunking’ during gearshifts, which could indicate a problem. You’ll also want to make sure the vehicle’s previous owner didn’t fry the clutch. Ask a mechanic for help if you’re not sure how to check.
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| 2009 Kia Sorento (Photo: Kia) |
While visiting your mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection, have him look beneath the vehicle for signs of leaking fluid, suspension component wear, excessive rust or floor-pan damage suffered during careless off-roading, too. Remember that a pre-purchase inspection might cost a few hundred bucks, but it can save major headaches down the line. This holds especially true in vehicles like the Sorento, given their complicated drivelines and additional power-handling hardware.
Note that whining or grinding sounds from the rear-end likely indicate a worn or failing differential, and intermittent surging or lagging of engine power could indicate a bad sensor. Other issues seem hard to nail down concretely from information in the online Sorento owners community, thanks to relatively low sales volumes. Note that some owners have complained of instrument or dashboard light failure, airbag system malfunctions, and frequent burning out of headlight bulbs.
Patience and a thorough inspection of any used Sorento are key to success in finding a good deal on a well-maintained model that’s likely to be reliable. Buying a used Sorento without a pre-purchase mechanical inspection is not advised, and for peace of mind, shoppers are advised to look for a dealer-serviced model that’s as new as their budget allows.
If pricing, mechanical-soundness and overall condition check out, the last-generation Sorento should prove relatively solid and worry-free if drivers follow regular maintenance requirements.
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