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: engine
125 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Oct 5, 2011
WAS DRIVING APPROX 60 MILES PER HOUR AND FUEL PRESSURE DROPPED; ENGINE SHUT OFF. WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND DRIVE BUT FOR ONLY A FEW MILES AT THE TIME. THIS HAPPENED OVER COURSE OF COUPLE OF DAYS. HAD FUEL PUMPED REPLACED. AFTER FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED I HAD PROBLEMS FUELING VEHICLE. GAS WOULD BUBBLE UP AND SPRAY OUT OF GAS TANK. HAD TO PUMP SLOWLY. GAS WOULD GET ALL OVER ME, VEHICLE AND GROUND. RETURNED VEHICLE BACK TO REPAIR SHOP SIX TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF SIX WEEKS; HAD OTHER PART REPLACED. VEHICLE STILL LOSING FUEL PRESSURE, SHUTTING OFF AND NOT ABLE TO PUMP GAS WITHOUT IT SPURTING OUT OF TANK. VEHICLE PARKED AS I FEEL IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE FOR ME OR DAUGHTER. OUT OF 600 DOLLARS AND NOT VEHICLE TO DRIVE. SOMETHING FROM MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE DONE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I AM AFRAID OF VEHICLE STARTING A FIRE WITH ME IN IT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 2, 2011
CRANKSHAFT BOLT WAS REPLACED AFTER RECALL IN 2007. CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED IN APRIL 2011 AFTER MALFUNCTIONING AND CAUSING CAR TO STALL OUT AT ANYTIME, INCLUDING WHILE DOING 65 ON THE FREEWAY. WHILE DRIVING A FEW DAYS BACK, SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKE AND BATTERY LIGHTS CAME ON. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE WE WERE TOLD THAT THE BOLT, WHICH HAD BEEN REPLACED PER THE RECALL, HAD BROKEN, BUT THE WARRANTY ON THE REPLACED BOLT IS ONLY 1 YEAR. NOW REPAIR ON THIS WILL COST OVER $300 AND NEW BOLT WILL STILL ONLY BE WARRANTIED FOR ONE YEAR. SO THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS FAULTY PART COULD CONTINUE, BUT THE PART IS ONLY UNDER WARRANTY FOR ONE YEAR. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 9, 2011
WHILE DRIVING OUR 2003 KIA SORENTO WE HEARD A LOUD CLUNK AND BANG. PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND FOUND THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY LAYING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST WAS IN JUNE OF 2010 WITH 78,560 MILES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BROKEN BOLT. (PART NUMBER 23127 39801QQK) THIS IS WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. WHEN THE BOLT FAILED IT CAUSED THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL DAMAGE, TIMING BELT, SENSOR CRANK ANGLE, BLADE SENSING CRANK. THE TOTAL BILL CAME TO 1197 FOR A BOLT FAILING. THE BOLT FAILED AGAIN 14 MONTHS LATER ON AUGUST 8TH 2011. SAME EXACT PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED THE FIRST TIME. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AND I'M FIGHTING WITH THE DEALER NOW TO REPAIR IT UNDER WARRANTY. I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THIS AND THIS IS BECOMING A GROWING ISSUE WITH THE SORENTOS. IF YOU OWN ONE HAVE THE BOLT ON INSPECTED DURING EVERY OIL CHANGE. IF THE BOLT SEEMS LOOSE HAVE IT CHECKED OUT IMMEDIATELY. IT COULD SAVE YOU THOUSANDS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 18, 2011
MY CAR BROKE DOWN WHILE DRIVING.....MY MECHANIC ADVISED ME THAT THE PULLEY BROKE OFF & I NEEDED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER... THE DEALER ADVISED, IT WILL COST ME ALMOST $5000...I CALLED KIA CORPORATE & WITH MY VIN#, THEY FOUND THAT IT WAS RECALLED IN 2007 & FIXED IT & CAN NOT BE FIXED AGAIN.... MY QUESTION HERE IS, IF IT WAS DEFECTIVE PART & BROKE AGAIN, HOW CAN THIS BE MY FAULT? I HAVE NO CAR NOW TO USE, I CAN NOT AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED, I STILL OWE MORE THAN $5000 ON THE CAR....THE CAR IS NOT WORTH $5000.. I TRIED TO RENT A CAR FOR A WEEK TO SEE WHAT COULD BE DONE, THAT WILL COST OVER $400.... I AM DESPERATE FOR YOUR HELP!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!! *KB
Engine and engine cooling, May 18, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 TO 20 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED ON A FEW OCCASIONS AND OTHER TIMES HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE FUEL PUMP. ON ANOTHER OCCASION IT WAS TOWED AGAIN AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,400.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 6, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BOLT CRANKSHAFT SENSOR BOLT FAILED AND CAUSED THE BELTS TO FRACTURE AND THE POWER STEERING TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED YET THE FAILURE RECURRED SHORTLY AFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 106,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 22, 2010
2003 KIA SORENTO. CONSUMER STATES SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE PIN THAT HELD THE CRANKSHAFT TOGETHER BROKE LOOSE. THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR LOCATED BEHIND THE TIMING BELT FAILED. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 8, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT BOLT FAILED IN AUGUST OF 2008. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT BOLT FOUR TIMES. THE REPAIRS DIDN'T CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE CONTINUOUS FAILURES WERE DEALER ERROR, AND THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,404 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility, Nov 9, 2010
I HAVE HAD MY 2003 KIA SORENTO SINCE MARCH 2010. IT WAS PURCHASED WITH 32,000 MILES ON IT, AND AS OF THE END OF OCTOBER 2010, IT HAD 36,000 MILES. SO FAR, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE COOLANT RESERVOIR, BECAUSE IT WAS CRACKED. I WAS DRIVING, AND IT OVERHEATED OUT OF NOWHERE. IT WAS IN THE SHOP FOR FOUR DAYS, BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM EVEN AFTER DOING SEVERAL PRESSURIZED SYSTEMS TESTS. AT THE END OF OCTOBER 2010, I HAD TO REPLACE THE OIL PUMP, BECAUSE IT HAD A CRACK IN IT. NO ONE ANYWHERE I CALLED COULD BELIEVE I HAD TO REPLACE AN OIL PUMP. ALL THE MECHANICS STATED THAT'S ONE OF THE FEW THINGS THEY NEVER HAVE TO REPLACE ON ANY VEHICLE, AND CERTAINLY NOT AT 36,000 MILES. ANYWAY, DUE TO OIL LEAKING ONTO THE TIMING BELT, THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED ALSO. THE TIMING BELT WAS IN FINE CONDITION OTHERWISE. CONSEQUENTLY, I NOW HAVE ENGINE PROBLEMS. I'M SURE THE ENGINE WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED FROM OVERHEATING AND THEN HAVING NO OIL. AT HIGH RPMS, YOU CAN HEAR A SLIGHT TICK, WHICH I'M PRETTY SURE IS A LIFTER ISSUE. HEADLIGHTS BURN OUT QUICKLY. I WAS DRIVING ONE DAY, AND BOTH BURNT OUT AT THE SAME TIME. I HAD TO DRIVE ON HIGH BEAMS IN THE CITY. CONSTANT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE DASH. DASH LIGHTS RARELY WORK, AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL THE LIGHTS WILL START FLASHING HERE AND THERE - DASH LIGHTS FLASH ON/OFF, CEILING LIGHT FLASHES ON/OFF, ALL BACK AND FORTH WHILE I'M DRIVING IN THE DARK. VERY DISTRACTING, ESPECIALLY IN TRAFFIC. THE TRUCK ITSELF (SEATS, COMFORT, ETC.) IS AWESOME, BUT IT WAS DEFINITELY MANUFACTURED POORLY. WORST PURCHASE EVER. GLAD I BOUGHT THE 5 STAR WARRANTY OR I'D BE PAYING FOR A TRUCK I CAN'T DRIVE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Sep 14, 2010
CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT FAILED. BROUGHT TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. BOLT WAS PART OF NHTSA RECALL. DEALER STATED THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE CRANKSHAFT AS WELL. DEALER RETURNED VEHICLE W/O REPLACING CRANKSHAFT. 15 MONTHS LATER THE SAME BOLT FAILED. TOOK TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, THEY EXPLAINED THE CRANKSHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TOOK BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY REPLACED BOLT AND DIDN'T REPLACE CRANKSHAFT. ON 9/13/10 THE BOLT FAILED AGAIN, INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND A DIFFERENT DEALER VERIFIED THE NEED FOR CRANKSHAFT TO BE REPLACE. CONTACTED KIA OF AMERICA, AND CASEY KIA WITH NO SIGN OF RESOLUTION. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 22, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 2007. THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY BOLT RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY BOLT SNAPPED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN 1 MILE TO HER DESTINATION AND THEN TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY BOLT IN MAY 2010. THE FAILURE HAPPENED AGAIN ON JULY 22, 2010. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE DEALERS POSSESSION WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,779. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Structure, Interior lighting, Dec 22, 2009
I PURCHASED MY 03 KIA SORENTO IN 2004 AND HAVE HAD MANY ISSUES SINCE THEN. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE LIGHTS FROM THE FRONT TO THE BACK NUMEROUS TIMES. I'VE BEEN DRIVING DOWN OUR REMOTE COUNTRY ROAD AT NIGHT AND HAD MY HEADLIGHTS GO OUT. MY COOLANT TANK CRACKED AND LEFT ME STRANDED ON ANOTHER COUNTRY ROAD IN THE SNOW LAST YEAR. I LATER FOUND OUT IT WAS RECALLED FOR THAT PARTICULAR DEFECT; AFTER I HAD IT REPLACED. THE LIGHTING ISSUE IS MY BIGGEST CONCERN RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OF WHERE I LIVE (REMOTE COUNTRY ROADS, DEER AT NIGHT, ETC) I HAVE TO HAVE PROPERLY FUNCTIONING HEADLIGHTS AT ALL TIMES. NOW, I AM HAVING PROBLEMS CONCERNING THE BEARINGS ON IT. IT MAKES A HORRIBLE SCREECHING NOISE THAT IS NOW; ALMOST CONTINUOUS. IT DOESN'T MATTER THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE, DRIVING CONDITIONS, ETC. IT HAS BECOME HARDER TO STEER AND THE POWER STEERING FLUID IS FINE. I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE ANYMORE, AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO JUST GO OUT AND BUY SOMETHING NEW. I JUST ASK THAT IF FAULT LIES WITH KIA; THEN THEY SHOULD FIX IT AT THEIR EXPENSE....NOT MINE! I HAVE INVESTED WAY TOO MUCH TIME, MONEY AND PATIENCE THUS FAR AND FEEL IT'S KIA'S RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THEY CREATE A VEHICLE THAT FUNCTIONS PROPERLY. AND WHEN THEY DON'T...FIX IT!!! AS FOR THE QUESTIONS BELOW; WAS THERE A FIRE?...NOT YET!!! WAS THERE PROPERTY DAMAGE?....THERE PROBABLY WILL BE WHEN MY BEARINGS GO OUT AND THE WHEELS FALL OFF! WHERE THERE ANY DEATHS OR INJURIES?....DEAR LORD, I PRAY EVERY TIME I GET IN MY TRUCK THAT NOTHING LIKE THAT EVER HAPPENS TO ME OR MY SON....BUT; WITH AN UNRELIABLE VEHICLE THAT HAS CONSTANT ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL PROBLEM; THEN WHO KNOWS.... *TR
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Nov 20, 2009
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
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Oct 18, 2009
MY 2003 KIA SORENTO STOPPED WITH NO WARNING OR INDICATION OF A PROBLEM AT 67,735 MILES DUE TO WHAT WAS LATER DETERMINED TO BE ENGINE OVERHEATING. AT FIRST THE KIA DEALER SAID IT WAS DUE TO THE COOLANT RESERVOIR CRACKING AND GOING EMPTY. SINCE THIS IS NOT A PART OF THE ENGINE'S ACTUAL MEANS OF COOLING, THEY CHANGED THEIR STORY TO THE THERMOSTAT FAILED. KIA SAID THAT THIS PORTION OF THE WARRANTY PASSED AT 65,000 MILES. THEIR WARRANTY SAYS 100,000 MILES. COST OVER $3,600.00 TO REPAIR, SIMILAR SITUATION AT 80,000 MILES FOR $1,400.00. STILL NO WARRANTY COVERAGE. I HAVE FURNISHED COMPLETE MAINTENANCE RECORDS SHOWING MAINTENANCE AT EVERY INTERVAL REQUIRED BY KIA. LOOKING FOR SOME ONE TO JOIN IN A CLASS ACTION SUIT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 25, 2009
2003 KIA SORENTO HARMONIC BALANCER BOLT BROKE OFF REPORTED TO KIA THEY WILL NOT HONOR ANY RECALLS, THEY SAID IT WAS A RECALL FROM SEVERAL YEARS AGO . BUT IF ITS A SAFETY ISSUE LIKE THIS THEY SHOULD TRY HARDER TO INFORM PEOPLE OF THIS BEFORE THERE IS MAJOR ACCIDENT . JUST WISH THEY WOULD HONOR A RECALL THAT THEY HAVE HAD WITH THIS BOLT. I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE OR IT IS NOT POSTED ON ANY SITE THAT I COULD FIND, ,JUST WANT MY CAR FIXED WITHOUT A $2900 BILL AT THE END . *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 31, 2009
2003/04 KIA SORENTO CRANK SHAFT PULLEY BOLT IS FAILING. THERE WAS A NOTICE SENT BY KIA IN JULY 2007 TO NOTIFY THE OWNERS OF THE ISSUE AND TO HAVE IT FIXED. THE REPLACEMENT BOLTS ARE FAILING. WHEN THE REPLACEMENT BOLTS FAIL IT IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STOP NO MATTER WHAT SPEED THE DRIVER IS TRAVELING AND THE STEERING IS LOCKING UP. THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT ADDRESS THIS. THIS IS A AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE. SOME OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THIS PART FAILING UP TO 4 TIMES IN LESS THEN 24 MONTHS. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS JUNE 27, 2007 AND THE SECOND INCIDENT WAS 8/27/2009. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 27, 2009
BACK IN OCT 2008 WENT TO CAR AT 5AM TO GO TO WORK STARTED MY 2003 KIA SORENTO HEARD THIS NOISE GOT OUT TO RAISE HOOD BEFORE I COULD SAW COOLANT COMING FROM UNDER MY CAR DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO REALLY INVESTIGATE HAD MY SISTER TAKE ME TO WORK WHEN I CAME HOME HAD CAR TOWED TO KIA DEALER THEY ADVISED ME THAT MY COOLANT RESERVOIR HAD CRACK AND I NEEDED TO HAVE REPLACED AT 250.XX AT THIS POINT THEY DID TELL ME THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY SORENTO MADE APPT TO TAKE BACK TO HAVE PART REPLACED NEVER, BEFORE THIS SO CALL RECALL PART WAS REPLACED NEVER HAD ANY WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AFTER THEY SAY THEY REPLACED THE PART MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TOOK MY SORENTO BACK TO THE SAME DEALER 5 TIMES WITHIN A 2 MONTH PERIOD THEY KEPT TELLING ME NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR SO I LET THE LIGHT STAY ON, MOVED TO A DIFFERENT CITY TIRED OF SEEING THIS LIGHT ON TOOK TO ANOTHER KIA DEALER THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC FOR 125.00 TO TELL ME NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR BUT I NOTICED WHEN I WAS LEAVING THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS OFF WHEN BACK IN TO FIND OUT WHY AND HOW DID THE LIGHT GO OFF HE STATED HE TURNED IT OFF NOW WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH NO WARNING MY CAR JUST SHUT OFF GOT STARTED BACK BUT THIS TIME WITH A LOUD BANGING NOISE I WAS ONLY ABOUT 3 BLOCKS FROM MY HOME SO I DROVE ABOUT 5 MILES PER HR TO GET HOME TO HAVE TO HAVE A TOW TRUCK COME GET MY CAR THE DEALER HAS YET TO LET ME KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.... *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Tires, Aug 7, 2009
MY 2003 KIA SORENTO KEPT LOSING ANTIFREEZE AND TO FIND OUT THE RESERVOIR HAD A CRACK IN IT. ALSO, AFTER I PURCHASE BRIDGESTONE FIRE DESTINATION TIRES A YEAR LATER THEY WERE WORN AFTER SPENDING $600.00 I HAD TO HAVE TWO OF THEM REPLACED WITHIN A YEAR. P245/70R16. ALSO 2 DEFECTS RECALLS WHEN MY CAR WAS PUT IN THE SHOP ONE FROM 2007 SC073 AND SC072 WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT WAS STILL ON AFTER THE CAR WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED BY QUIRK KIA IN BRAINTREE. WHEN I WAS DRIVING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON. I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS FINE AND IT WAS JUST A SENSOR AND TO FIX IT THE COST WOULD BE OVER $200. A YEAR LATER, I BROUGHT IT TO GET A STICKER, THEY REJECTED MY FOR ANOTHER RECALL THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN LAST YEAR. THE RECALL WAS FROM 2005. NOW I AM TRYING TO CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF THE INCONVENIENCE OF ME GOING TO GET THIS FIXED WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF LAST YEAR. I WILL NEVER BUY A KIA AGAIN, THE DEALERSHIP DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THEIR CARS OR CUSTOMERS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Apr 16, 2009
2003 KIA SORENTO, PURCHASED USED WITH 11,000 MILES ON IT. HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT! HEAD GASKETS WARPED AT 28,000 MILES, OVERHEATED WITHOUT WARNING, NO SPIKE IN TEMP GAUGE, WHAM SMOKE FROM EVERYWHERE AND EVEN WITH PROOF OF MAINTENANCE UPKEEP IT TOOK KIA 2 MONTHS TO DECIDE TO HONOR THE WARRANTY. THIS WAS AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON EVERY TWO SECONDS AND HAVE TO BE IN THE SHOP FOR MONTHS FOR THEM TO SAY NOTHING WRONG WITH IT, EVEN WHEN IT WAS TOWED IN EVERY TIME BECAUSE IT WOULD JUST SHUT OFF. THEN THE HEADLIGHT ISSUES ARE INSANE. EVERY OTHER MONTH AND THAT IS NO EXAGGERATION I HAVE TO REPLACE EITHER LOW BEAMS, HIGH BEAMS, BRAKE LIGHTS & TAIL LIGHTS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 25, 2009
KIA INFORMED ME OF A "CRANK SHAFT BOLT" RECALL FOR MY 2003 SORENTO LX. 3 DAYS AFTER HAVING THIS REPAIR PERFORMED, MY CAR BEGAN TO JUST "DIE" AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE FREEWAY, BUT IT WAS INTERMITTENT AND THE KIA DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THEY PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM IF THEY COULDN'T RECREATE IT. AN INTERNET SEARCH ON THE ISSUE REVEALS MANY CONSUMERS HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM WHICH ULTIMATELY TURNS OUT TO BE A DEFECTIVE "CRANK SHAFT SENSOR" -- BUT KIA SERVICE JERKS PEOPLE AROUND AND KEEPS THEIR CARS FOR DAYS/WEEKS SAYING THAT THEY "CANNOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM". THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE WHEN YOUR VEHICLE JUST SUDDENLY DIES ON THE FREEWAY WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING... NOT EVEN SPUTTERING. I PRINTED OUT SEVERAL CONSUMER ACCOUNTS DESCRIBING MY EXACT PROBLEM--REVEALING IT'S ULTIMATELY THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR, AND KIA IS REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THEIR REPAIR WORK AND THE LIKELIHOOD THAT IT'S THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR -- ADMITTEDLY HOLDING MY VEHICLE WITHOUT EVEN REVIEWING THE BASIC DIAGNOSTICS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 12, 2009
MY ENGINE BLEW ON THE CAR IT ONLY HAS ABOUT 78,000 MILES ON IT GETS REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND NO MAJOR PROBLEMS. I HAVE NEVER HAD A WARNING LIGHT COME ON AS TO INDICATE I HAD SOME OIL OR ENGINE PROBLEMS. THE CAR HAD JUST BEEN INVOLVED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT AND BEEN SITTING SINCE 12/15 I JUST GOT IT BACK ON 01/23 AND THE ENGINE BLOWS ON 01/30 AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME $5,000 TO REPLACE ......I HAVE HEARD THINGS ABOUT KIA ENGINES BUT MY SUV WAS IN FINE CONDITION AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY ENGINES BLOWS....SOUNDS LIKE A DEFECT TO ME. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Exterior lighting, Feb 19, 2009
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND IT HAS BEEN CHECKED BY A DEALERSHIP AND THEY DON'T KNOW THE PROBLEM, THE FRONT HEADLAMPS KEEP BURNING OUT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 31, 2009
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT SHUT OFF. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. DEALERSHIP HAS AT TIMES BEEN RUDE AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH HEADLIGHTS BURNING OUT VERY REGULARLY AND THE BACK HATCH WILL NO LONGER OPEN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 20, 2008
OVERHEATING , THE OVERFLOW AND FILLER TANK CRACKING OPEN ON THE BOTTOM OUT OF SIGHT . CAUSED ME TO REPLACE THE WATERPUMP AND THERMOSTAT BEFORE BEING ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM AND LEFT MYSELF AND FAMILY STRANDED. TOOK TO DEALER WHO FOUND THE CRACK AFTER CHECKING AND STATED THEY NATIONWIDE THEY HAD TO REPLACE OVER A HALF A MILLION TANKS ON THESE VEHICLES AT $200.PLUS PER JOB NOT TO MENTION THE COST OF CREATED PROBLEMS FROM THE OVERHEAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT MULTI MILLIONS OF LOSS TO CONSUMERS . *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 15, 2008, fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH, THE MOTOR IN THE COOLING FAN FAILED. THE MOTOR WAS ATTEMPTING TO TURN OVER; HOWEVER, IT COULD NOT BECAUSE THE FUSE IN THE FUSE BOX DID NOT BLOW OUT AS IT SHOULD. THE WIRE FROM THE TERMINAL BLOCKER MELTED INTO THE FUSE BOX. THIS CAUSED THE WIRES TO BURN AND THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT BECAME ENGULFED IN SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME AND DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS TWO SAFETY FEATURES, ONE IN THE TERMINAL BLOCK AND THE OTHER IN THE FUSE BOX, BUT THEY DID NOT WORK. THE CONTACT CALLED KIA AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE WARRANTY ENDED AT 60,000 MILES. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.