Hi Everyone
I tow my caravan with a '55' Sorento. It is a cracking tow car but rust is starting to raise its head underneath. So far I have found no mention of what follows on this Forum - so I thought I would share the following:
I guess that some of you will be aware that Kia started a FREE rework programme about 6 months ago in the UK for one particular aspect - the Rear Axle Trailing Arm Mounting Brackets. In brief there is a design problem causing the brackets to rust away.
There is no RECALL but Kia UK Main Dealers are very helpfully either modifying the brackets, or replacing them, cleaning the axle and reprotecting the axle FREE.
I recommend that if this topic is new to you and your car has not been actioned yet by Kia, that it is asap. - ideally before this Winter.
WARNING: MINE LOOKED GOOD UNDERNEATH LAST NOVEMBER - THIS SPRING IT LOOKED AWFUL – WITH FLAKY PASTRY, PAINT MISSING AND EXTENSIVE RUST - PLEASE DO NOT BE COMPLACENT.
I have had mine done without the brackets being replaced BUT, this is potentially a serious matter if left, because a current Poll is suggesting that up to 40% of 1st Generation Sorentos have had to have new metal. This matter should not be left because in the worst case, it has been known for the axle housing to rust right through and drop its oil.
All that needs to be done is to ring your local Kia Main Dealer armed with your VIN No. Do not worry if your car has not been near one for a while - as far as I know, no UK owner has ever been refused the rework by Kia.
TO FIND YOUR LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP CLICK ON THIS LINK: www.kia.co.uk/find-a-dealer.aspx?gclid=CMPe84zE17kCFTMftAodaD4Awg
TO LEARN ALL ABOUT THE TECHNICAL SIDE WITH PICS, CLICK ON THIS LINK: http://kiasorento.proboards.com/thread/10315/rear-axle-frame-read-important
For sharing, it would be very helpful if owners on this Practical Caravan Forum could take part in the following Poll to better determine the true extent of the problem.
HERE IS THE VOTING LINK: kiasorento.proboards.com/thread/10853/poll-extent-rear-axle-corrosion
(Signing Up to the site to be able to Vote is FREE and there are no strings)
I hope that Members of this Practical Caravan Forum find this post useful.
Any problems or questions - please post me and I will do my best to answer.
Thank you.
I tow my caravan with a '55' Sorento. It is a cracking tow car but rust is starting to raise its head underneath. So far I have found no mention of what follows on this Forum - so I thought I would share the following:
I guess that some of you will be aware that Kia started a FREE rework programme about 6 months ago in the UK for one particular aspect - the Rear Axle Trailing Arm Mounting Brackets. In brief there is a design problem causing the brackets to rust away.
There is no RECALL but Kia UK Main Dealers are very helpfully either modifying the brackets, or replacing them, cleaning the axle and reprotecting the axle FREE.
I recommend that if this topic is new to you and your car has not been actioned yet by Kia, that it is asap. - ideally before this Winter.
WARNING: MINE LOOKED GOOD UNDERNEATH LAST NOVEMBER - THIS SPRING IT LOOKED AWFUL – WITH FLAKY PASTRY, PAINT MISSING AND EXTENSIVE RUST - PLEASE DO NOT BE COMPLACENT.
I have had mine done without the brackets being replaced BUT, this is potentially a serious matter if left, because a current Poll is suggesting that up to 40% of 1st Generation Sorentos have had to have new metal. This matter should not be left because in the worst case, it has been known for the axle housing to rust right through and drop its oil.
All that needs to be done is to ring your local Kia Main Dealer armed with your VIN No. Do not worry if your car has not been near one for a while - as far as I know, no UK owner has ever been refused the rework by Kia.
TO FIND YOUR LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP CLICK ON THIS LINK: www.kia.co.uk/find-a-dealer.aspx?gclid=CMPe84zE17kCFTMftAodaD4Awg
TO LEARN ALL ABOUT THE TECHNICAL SIDE WITH PICS, CLICK ON THIS LINK: http://kiasorento.proboards.com/thread/10315/rear-axle-frame-read-important
For sharing, it would be very helpful if owners on this Practical Caravan Forum could take part in the following Poll to better determine the true extent of the problem.
HERE IS THE VOTING LINK: kiasorento.proboards.com/thread/10853/poll-extent-rear-axle-corrosion
(Signing Up to the site to be able to Vote is FREE and there are no strings)
I hope that Members of this Practical Caravan Forum find this post useful.
Any problems or questions - please post me and I will do my best to answer.
Thank you.