2003 Kia Sorento
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine and engine cooling is the leading concern among 308 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 23 Sorento model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 10 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 12 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsAug 4, 2005
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A FUEL LEAK FROM FUEL TUBES NEAR THE FUEL TANK DUE TO AN INTERFERENCE FIT WITH THE VEHICLE FLOOR PANEL.
FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE A SECTION OF THE FUEL LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 10, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
Campaign 05V353000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
30 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Mar 20, 2025
For some reason, KIA has halted production of the Air Bag Clock Spring mechanism for 2003 Kia Sorento's EX with cruise control. In my opinion, this was a vital component of the Air Bag safety system for any vehicle. So why the halt in the production of this vital part. Kia part #93490-3E160. Maybe the NHTSA can get an answer to this. I'm sure I not the only one driving a 2003 with the Air Bag light illuminated.
Air bags, Jan 29, 2018
TAKATA RECALL. MY CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH ONE OF THE AIRBAGS. THE CAR HASN'T BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BUT THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND I'M TOLD IT WILL NOT INFLATE. I WAS TOLD TO CHECK FOR RECALLS.
Air bags, Jul 14, 2016
AIR BAGS COIL SPRING HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON AND KIA REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I DON'T KNOW IF THE AIR BAGS WILL DEPLOY IN CASE OF A ACCIDENT. THIS IS BEEN A PROBLEM FROM THE DAY I PURCHASE THE CAR. I DON'T KNOW THE MAKER OF THE AIR BAG SISTEM.
Power train, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Nov 20, 2015
WHEN GO TO SHIFT TRUCK IN DRIVE IT MAKES A CLANK SOUND AND WHEN DRIVING AT A SPEED BETWEEN 65-70 THE TRUCK STARTS VIBRATING, AND WHEN IN REVERSE IT SQUEAKS WHEN BACK UP,AT FIRST MY WIFE IT WAS THE U JOINTS SO WE HAD IT REPLACED BUT IT ALL STARTED HAPPING AGAIN. NEXT OUR BATTERY DIE HAD IT REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE NOW THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE BEST TIME AND AT TIMES IT FEELS LIKE THE ACCELERATOR PEDDLE GETS STUCK AT TIMES.
Air bags, Aug 31, 2015
AIRBAG INDICATOR TURNED ON AND HAS BEEN ON SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR. I HAVE NOT BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE SINCE THE INDICATOR LIGHT TURNED ON IN FEAR OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYING ON THEIR OWN WHILE I'M DRIVING OR NOT DEPLOYING IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS.
Electrical system, Air bags, Engine, Jul 21, 2015
ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, CLOCK CAN'T KEEP RIGHT TIME, NOW WON'T START AT ALL, I WISHED I NEVER BOUGHT THIS 2003 KIA SORENTO, THEY ARE NOTHING BUT JUNK. PLEASE ANYBODY WHO READS THIS DO NOT BUY A KIA VEHICLE. I HATE KIA VEHICLES, I WILL NEVER OWN ONE AGAIN, I WOULD NOT TAKE A KIA VEHICLE, EVEN IF THEY GIVE ME ONE. TO MANY PROBLEMS, SINCE I BOUGHT IT, HAVEN'T BEEN ANYWHERE IN TWO WEEKS, BECAUSE KIA VEHICLE IS JUNK.
Electrical system, Air bags, Engine, Jul 21, 2015
ALL LIGHTS COME ON, HORN BLOWS, BUT WILL NOT START AT ALL, THIS KIA SORENTO IS JUNK, ITS FALLING APART, I GOT A DISABLE MOTHER, NOW CAN'T TAKE HER TO HER DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS, EVERY SINCE I HAD IT, ITS BEEN NOTHING BUT JUNK, WE LIVE ON FIXED INCOME, CAN'T AFFORD TO GET ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND THIS 2003 KIA SORENTO SHOULD NOT BE ON THE ROAD, ALL KIA SORENTO VEHICLES ARE JUNK, CLOCK IS MESSED UP, COMES OFF AND ON, AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, NOW WON'T EVEN START AT ALL, SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT KIA DEALERSHIPS SELLING JUNK VEHICLES, WILL COMPLAIN AGAIN AND AGAIN, THEY ARE JUNK!
Steering, Air bags, Service brakes, Aug 16, 2014
I WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK ONE DAY ,WHEN THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT CAME OUT OF MY CAR .I BARELY MADE IT HOME .BUT THE FRONT END WAS JARRING MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON MY BREAKS LIKE SAME ONE AND I DID NOT HAVE NO CONTROL OF MY STEERING .THEN IT COST ME 1700 .THEN ONE DAY I WAS IN TOWN AND THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT CAME OUT OF MY CAR AGAIN WHICH THIS TIME I DID NOT HAVE NO CONTROL OF THE STEERING IT TOOK EVERY MUSCLE THAT I HAD TO KEEP IT IN THE ROAD THE FRONT AND SHOOK SO BAD IT JARRED EVERYTHING I LOSE MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON MY BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON SEAT BELT LIGHT CAME ON IT WAS A HAZARDOUS ON THE HIGHWAY SERIOUSLY KILLED ME OR SOMEONE ELSE OR REALLY BADLY HURT THEM.THEN I TOOK IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC AGAIN AND HE SAID WELCOME IT'S GOING TO COST YOU 1700 MORE WHICH I DID NOT HAVE SO I LET THE BANK HAVE IT BACK WHICH NOW IT HAS RUN MY CREDIT BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO GET IT FIXED AND I LOST MY CREDIT BECAUSE OF THISSO YES THEY NEED TO DO A RECALL ON THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT BEFORE IT DOES KILL SOMEONE IS THAT WHAT THEY'RE WAITING FOR FOR SOMEONE TO DIE BEFORE THEY DO SOMETHING ABOUT.AND I KEEP ON REPLACING BUGS BRAKE LIGHTS HEADLIGHTS AND EVERYTHING THEY KEEP ON BLOWING IN THIS IN THE KIA AND I KEEP ON PUTTING MONEY IN IT FOR ME TO GET IT INSPECTED IT COST ME A HUNDRED SIXTY TWO DOLLARS AND 22 DISH TO REPLACE BULBS THAT I JUST REPLACE NOT EVEN A MONTH BEFORE THAT I HAVE RECEIPTS I AM SO TIRED OF PUTTING MONEY INTO THIS KIA I DIDN'T HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO LET THEM TAKE IT BECAUSE IT C AND THE TIRES AT 8 MY TIRES UP AND I PUT NEW TIRES ON WHICH COST ME 800 800 AGAIN TO PUT IN800 AGAIN TO PUT INAND WHEN THIS BIT WHEN THIS HAPPENED I CALLED KIA IN CHARLOTTESVILLE VIRGINIA AND THEY SAID THEY PUT A NEW CRANK BOLT IN AT THE KIDS EMBRACE CHEVROLET BEFORE I BOARDED SO THIS WOULD MAKE THREE TIMES THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT HAD BEEN REPLACED I WANT THIS KIA..................
Air bags, Mar 20, 2012
4 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE USED OFF DEALERSHIP LOT, I WAS HAVING 4 NEW TIRES INSTALLED FOR WINTER. WHEN I CLIMBED BACK INTO THE CAR AND TURNED OVER THE IGNITION, THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN CONSTANTLY LIT EVER SINCE. *KB
Air bags, Nov 3, 2010
THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE SRS SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (AIR BAG) KEEPS GOING OFF WENT OUT OF FACTORY WARRANTY AT 80,000 MILES IT STARTED AROUND 80, 800 DEALER WOULD NOT COVER REPAIRS. LIGHT IS NOW CONSTANT AND WHEN I WAS SEARCHING THE INTERNET FOUND SAME COMPLAINTS WITH THE SRS. *TR
Air bags, Jul 22, 2010, crash
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING A 2003 KIA SORRENTO AND FELL A SLEEP AT THE WHEEL AFTER COLLEGE EXAMS. SHE DROVE INTO THE REAR OF A TRACTOR TRAILER TANKER AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. SHE HAD A CONCUSSION AND A CRACKED STERNUM. STATE FARM INSURANCE DECLARED THE CAR A TOTAL LOSS DUE TO A BENT FRAME, ENGINE MOUNT FAILURE AND A TOTALED FRONT END. AFTER CONTACTING KIA, THEIR RESPONSE TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THAT THE ANGLE THE CAR HIT THE TRAILER, WAS SUCH THAT NONE OF THE SENSORS WAS COMPROMISED , THERE FOR THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. BASICALLY IS WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM WITH THEIR EQUIPMENT OF THE CAR. *TR
Air bags, Feb 1, 2010
MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WITHOUT WARNING. NOW I'M TOLD MY AIRBAGS WON'T WORK. THE DEALER STATES I NEED A NEW CONTROL MODULE. IT IS COMING UP AS A SEAT POSITION ERROR. THEY SAID IT IS COMMON. THIS IS A REQUIRED SAFETY ITEM ON NEW CARS, THE AIRBAGS. IF IT IS A COMMON DEFECT WHY NO RECALL. KIA WON'T HELP. *TR
Air bags, Jan 7, 2010
AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON. VEHICLE HAS 74,000 MILES ON IT HAS NEVER BEEN WRECKED OR OFF ROAD. THIS IS SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY FOR LIFE. I HAVE NO ACCESS TO THE AIRBAG SYSTEM AND IT NO LONGER FUNCTIONS IN MY VEHICLE. *TR
Air bags, Dec 23, 2008, crash
REFERENCE NHTSA ITEM NUMBER 10015248 -- TSB# 029 2003 KIA SORENTO -- AIR BAGS PURCHASED CAR IN 8/2003 AND HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH AIR BAG COMING ON AND OFF OVER THE PAST 5 YEARS. NOW THE CAR HAS BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND IS THREE MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY, THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT INCLINED TO COVER THE EXPENSE TO REPLACE THE "ADU" BUT RATHER WISHES TO CHARGE ME MORE THAN $500. MY DAUGHTER WAS IN A SCARY ACCIDENT AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Air bags, Equipment, Feb 12, 2008
AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. KIA FIXED THIS ISSUE AT LEAST 5 TIMES NOW THE LIGHT IS BACK ON AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR BECAUSE I AM OUT OF WARRANTY. IF AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY AT TIME OF IMPACT I HAVE 3 SMALL CHILDREN. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. *TR
Air bags, Aug 3, 2007
IN SEPTEMBER, 2006, AT APPROXIMATELY 55200 MILES, THE AIRBAG FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON. DIAGNOSIS BY THE DEALER ON 5 SEPT 2006 (INVOICE 107484) REVEALED "ORDERED DRIVERS AIR BAG, FAULT B1346, 1ST STAGE RESISTANCE TO [SIC] HIGH." ON 25 SEPT 2006, AFTER FIRST ORDERING THE WRONG PART(INVOICE 107945), THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG (INVOICE 108174). ON 31 JULY 2007, AT APPROXIMATELY 59200 MILES, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER ON 1 AUGUST, AND ON 2 AUGUST THE DEALER REPLACED THE AIR BAG. THE DEALER INVOICE INDICATES "56910R00 REPLACED DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG. RESISTANCE TO [SIC] HIGH." (INVOICE 119075). ON THE MORNING OF 3 AUGUST 2007, AT APPROXIMATELY 59220 MILES, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS HAVE NEVER BEEN DEPLOYED. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT AND IS ONLY 4-1/2 YEARS ONLY. DESPITE THE DRIVER-SIDE AIRBAG BEING REPLACED TWICE, THE CAR IS INDICATING FOR THE THIRD TIME THAT THE DRIVER-SIDE AIRBAG HAS FAILED. *JB
Electrical system, Air bags, Dec 5, 2006
I HAD A 1 YEAR OLD BATTERY REPLACED, WHICH WAS DEFECTIVE (NON-KIA DEALER). AFTERWARDS, I NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. KIA DEALER SAID IT WAS DUE TO A BAD SENSOR ($300 PART, $300 LABOR). IT WAS TOO EXPENSIVE FOR ME TO PURSUE CORRECTING. I TOLD THE DEALER TO FORGET THE REPAIR. *NM
Steering, Service brakes, Air, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Jul 21, 2006
WHILE DRIVING ON SATURDAY, 7/15/06, I NOTICED A HIGH PITCHED NOISE WHILE STEERING. I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LOW. AFTER HAVING AN OIL CHANGE AND CAPPING OFF MY FLUIDS, THE NOISE CONTINUES AND REMAINS WHILE DRIVING. IT IS LOUD ENOUGH TO HEAR OVER THE RADIO AND THE AIR CONDITIONER AT THE SAME TIME. I HAVE PLACED THIS CAR IN THE SHOP FOR NUMEROUS REPAIRS SINCE ITS PURCHASE IN 2003 AND HAVE SPENT COUNTLESS AMOUNTS OF MONEY ON VARIOUS PROBLEMS, INCLUDING REPLACING THE BULBS, REPAIRING THE BRAKS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE, THE AIR BAG SENSOR REMAINS ON AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON. I HAVE PLACED NUMEROUS COMPLAINS TO KIA DIRECTLY AS WELL AS FILED A COMPLIANT WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU TO NO AVAIL. IT WOULD BE MY ASSUMPTION THAT KIA WILL ONLY BE CONCERNED ABOUT FIXING THESE ISSUES OR RECALLING THESE VEHICLES ONLY AFTER SOME SERIOUS INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED.
Air bags, May 9, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON A PAVED STREET AT 35 MPH, THE DRIVERS SIDE-IMPACT AND BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT IMPACT ANYTHING TO CAUSE THE DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED AND SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER. UPON INSPECTION, THE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC TEST INDICATED THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN A MAJOR COLLISION. THE DEALER IS AWAITING APPROVAL FROM THE MANUFACTURER BEFORE REPAIRS ARE MADE. UPDATED 5/22/2006 - *NM
Visibility, Air bags, Apr 3, 2006
VEHICLE WENT IN FOR REPAIR OF HEATER CORE AT WHICH TIME THE DASHBOARD WAS REMOVED. 2 DAYS LATER THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. WENT BACK TO THE DEALER WHO SAID IT WAS GETTING TO MUCH OF A CHARGE BUT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS NOT CAUSED BY THEM. WHEN ASKED WHAT CAUSED IT THEY DO NOT KNOW. THEY SAID IT WAS OK TO DRIVE THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG.*JB
Air bags, Mar 14, 2006
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. TOOK TO KIA DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED 2003 KIA SORENTO (NEW) WAS TOLD THAT THE "CLOCK SPRING" NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT IT WAS VERY COMMON THAT THEY HAD TO BE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIR. I ASKED IF IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE A LOT WHY HAD IT NOT BEEN A "SAFETY ISSUE" AND A RECALL BEEN ENACTED. THEY DID NOT KNOW. *NM
Air bags, Jan 25, 2005
THE AIR BAG SENSOR LOCATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT DID NOT ENGAGED WHEN A PASSENGER SAT IN THE, SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *JB
Air bags, Dec 17, 2004
THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON AFTER BEING SERVICED NINE TIMES. *JB
Air bags, Oct 18, 2004, crash
THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT-END ACCIDENT. *BF AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAG NOT DEPLOYING, THE CONSUMER SUFFERED NECK AND BACK INJURIES. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Air bags, May 28, 2004
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE TO WORK. FOR THE PAST 2 TO 3 DAYS, I NOTICED SOME NOISE FROM MY ENGINE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A LOOSE BELT. NO PROBLEM, I COULD REPLACE IT ON THE WEEKEND. ON THE WAY TO WORK, MY POWER STEERING WENT AND THE ENGINE LIGHT FLICKERED ON AND OFF. I DIDN'T WANT TO BE STUCK ON A BACKROAD IN MAINE WITH NO CELL SERVICE SO I CONTINUED, SLOWLY, TO WORK. AFTER REACHING WORK, I HAD THE 24 HOUR SERVICE TOW MY KIA SORENTO TO THE NEAREST DEALER. THIS VEHICLE IS 18 MONTHS OLD AND THEY TELL ME THE BOLT HOLDING THE CRANKSHAFT TO THE PULLEY HAS SHEARED OFF. THEY CANNOT REMOVE THE BOLT PIECES FROM THE CRANKSHAFT AND HAVE TO REPLACE IT. TO TOP IT OFF, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON, FOR THE SECOND TIME, AND THE RADIO HAS BEEN REPLACE TWICE. *LA