One problem related to engine clicking and tapping noises has been reported for the 2004 Kia Motor Sorento. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2004 Kia Motor Sorento based on all problems reported for the 2004 Sorento.
@ 62,894 miles: driving from gas station to home less than 1 mile away, engine made noise and started running rough. Parked car overnight, then drove about 3 miles to closest repair shop. Diagnosed as sheered off crankshaft pin/bolt. Repaired under extended warranty with new parts from kia, but one week later had to be towed in because it happened again. Crankshaft was warped so engine was rebuilt with used crankshaft and new parts from kia. @ 104,595 miles: driving on rural road in heavy traffic, lights on dashboard came on and lost power steering. Speed was 55 mph. Managed to steer car off road without incident. Towed to repair shop. Crankshaft pin/bolt sheered off. Cost to repair $895. 30. @ 109,885 miles: engine began making clicking noises and lost power steering, etc. Crankshaft pin/bolt sheered off. Repair not recommended. Replacement engine recommended. There is a class action lawsuit pending against kia for this problem. Please search online and you will find there are literally thousands of people who have had this issue with this same vehicle (2002-2009) and many had accidents because of it. Why is this not in the news? kia knows this part is bad, they know this design is bad, and they continue to put band aids on engines rather than fixing them.