[TheSyndicate]

How is it a design flaw? Lots if vehicles out there with large holes in the grill. Maybe it is for aesthetics or for air flow but it sounds like you took one hell of an impact to put a hole in your radiator.

 

[TD Charlie]

Get your 2021 Sorento a radiator guard

Bought a Sorento EX a month ago. Feels good, drive it around, until last Saturday. A stone flew through the lower grill of the front bumper and hit the radiator. I didn't hear any sound, nothing wrong from the dashboard, no high temperature. However, I saw pink fluid around the front bumper and...

www.kia-forums.com

It’s been discussed. The gaps on the lower section of the bumper are enormous and low to the ground. Best to cover it up

 

[noshortcuts]

We have a DIY fix. Give a search. I imagine Kia is not the only brand with broken radiators due to style-over-function engineering. If you take a walk and look, VERY MANY cars have grille holes as big or bigger in front of radiators.

 

[bigluke888]

Happened to me a month ago. Rock impact and leaking radiator. Cost 1480$ covered by insurance. Installed the amazon grill afterwards.

 

[someofthetime]

I think this could be getting into class-action territory. A vehicle should be able to drive in typical conditions without getting a critical part destroyed.

I skimmed through the thread but haven’t seen whether or not the grill blocks the radar array.

 

[noshortcuts]

I think this could be getting into class-action territory. A vehicle should be able to drive in typical conditions without getting a critical part destroyed.

I skimmed through the thread but haven’t seen whether or not the grill blocks the radar array.

Most brands have cars with large holed grills these days. I think it's an unfortunate fashion. Unless other brands have rock proof radiators, then I imagine all brands have the same problem. Maybe there can be a class action against the ICE industry's unfortunate fashion choice.
You'd think engineers wouldn't be stupid. You'd think car manufacturers wouldn't want new radiators breaking from normal usage. But, alas...

 

[bigluke888]

What I think is that as times goes the aluminum grade gets cheaper and cheaper and also the coolant passes are getting thinner for better heat dissipation. Before I installed the diy grill after the radiator was replaced I could alredy after one week see new dents from rocks hitting it. After the grill was installed I don't see new impacts on the radiator but surely can see discoloration from rocks on the grill. Called Kia Canada to complain only response that I get is the car was engineered this way for better cooling purposes and they will do nothing to help.

 

[noshortcuts]

What I think is that as times goes the aluminum grade gets cheaper and cheaper and also the coolant passes are getting thinner for better heat dissipation. Before I installed the diy grill after the radiator was replaced I could alredy after one week see new dents from rocks hitting it. After the grill was installed I don't see new impacts on the radiator but surely can see discoloration from rocks on the grill. Called Kia Canada to complain only response that I get is the car was engineered this way for better cooling purposes and they will do nothing to help.

Stupid engineering is their answer.
If it was for "better cooling" then they succeeded because a stalled car remains cool but a car with an "Amazon grill" warms up with every drive. 😆

 

[C-Trink]

See post #54 👍.