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, Aug 25, 2008
ENGINE COOLANT LEAKING. CAR PARKED IN GARAGE AT 66,000 MILES. WON'T HOLD COOLANT IS LEAKING AT HEATED COIL. I HAVE TAKEN THIS KIA TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM YET. I SAW AND READ THE MANY COMPLAINTS AND SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THE KIA SORENTO COOLING SYSTEM. THAT IS WHY I AM ENTERING ANOTHER COMPLAINT TO HELP GET SOMETHING DONE. WITH EVERY VEHICLE THERE WILL BE PROBLEMS. HOWEVER, THIS SORENTO SEEMS TO HAVE A TON OF ENGINE COOLANT PROBLEMS. THE ONLY RECALL I HAVE ON THIS 2003 KIA SORENTO IS A FUEL ASSEMBLY ISSUE. I WOULD LOVE TO RECEIVE A LIST OF ANY AND ALL RECALLS. HOPEFULLY ADD THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM TO IT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 29, 2008
ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BACK IN FEBRUARY AND HAD IT TO TWO DIFFERENT MECHANIC SHOPS WHICH REPLACED SPARK PLUGS AND ONE COIL PACK. ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON SO I TOOK TO KIA DEALER AND THEY REPLACED SPARK PLUGS WITH PLATNIUM ONES AND REPLACED OTHER 2 COIL PACKS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN BACK TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS FOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REPLACING INTAKE MANIFOLD DUE TO RECALL BUT LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND THEY HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE MOST RECENTLY FOR THE PAST 4 WEEKS. I WENT TO PICK IT UP YESTERDAY AS THEY SAID THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE CYLINDER HEADS WITH RECONDITIONED ONES AND ALL GASKETS AND SEALS. AS I STARTED TO LEAVE THE DEALERSHIP LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND VEHICLE IS THERE AGAIN. OBVIOUSLY MECHANICS AT DEALERS DON'T KNOW WHAT'S CAUSING THESE PROBLEMS AND CANNOT FIX THEM. I FEEL THAT KIA SHOULD BUY EVERYONE OUT OF THEIR SORENTOS PLUS GIVE THEM THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE (WITHOUT DEDUCTING FOR PROBLEMS) PLUS A 15% COMPENSATION FOR PUTTING THE CUSTOMERS THROUGH THIS OR MAYBE PUT A BRAND NEW ENGINE IN VEHICLE. A NEW ENGINE OR REMANUFACTURED ENGINE WAS REPLACED IN THIS VEHICLE BACK IN AUGUST, 2006. I ORIGINALLY PUT MY DATE DOWN AS MARCH, BUT LOOKING BACK, THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE FEBRUARY!! THIS IS THE SECOND COMPLAINT I AM FILING. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 23, 2008
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. HAD INTAKE MANIFOLD VALVE REPLACED PER KIA, NEW SPARK PLUGS, CORE COVERS AND NEW VALVES PLUS HEADS WERE SENT OUT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN BACK AND FORTH TO DEALER FOR PAST MONTH AND A HALF BUT HAS BEEN THERE ENTIRELY FOR THE PAST 2 WEEKS. VERY FRUSTRATING AS KIA WILL NOT PROVIDE A RENTAL BUT AFTER SOME DISCUSSION WITH SERVICE AT DEALER, THEY HAVE PUT ME IN A RENTAL. DEALER HAS BEEN ON PHONE WITH KIA AND STILL CANNOT COME UP WITH A SOLUTION. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 18, 2008
WHILE DRIVING THE SORENTO TO HIS GIRLFRIENDS HOUSE MY SON NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAGE WAS HIGHER THAN NORMAL. HE WASN'T TO FAR FROM TOWN SO HE CALLED AND I TOLD HIM TO GET SOME 50/50 ANTIFREEZE TO PUT IN THE RESERVOIR. HE DID THIS AND HAD NO MORE PROBLEMS UNTIL THE NEXT DAY ON HIS WAY HOME. HIS GIRL LIVES ABOUT 20 MILES FROM US. ABOUT HALFWAY HOME THE VEHICLE JUST DIED. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO KIA DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR GAUGES IDENTIFIED ANYTHING WRONG. WAS ALSO TOLD THAT ENGINE WAS DRIVEN WHILE EXCESSIVELY HOT. NOT BECAUSE A WARNING LIGHT OR GAUGE TOLD US SO! IF ALL OF THIS COST TO US IS DUE TO A SMALL PIECE OF PLASTIC SOMEONE NEEDS TO TAKE KIA OUT TO THE WOODSHED. "THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COOLANT TANK WAS CRACKED AND ALL OF THE COOLANT LEAKS OUT THE VEHICLE. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR STOPS WORKING. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATS WITHOUT THE CONTACTS KNOWLEDGE; THEREFORE, HE CONTINUES TO DRIVE UNTIL IT FAILS. THE DEALER DID NOT WANT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE AND NO RECORDING OF PRIOR MAINTENANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 16, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COOLANT TANK WAS CRACKED AND ALL OF THE COOLANT LEAKS OUT THE VEHICLE. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR STOPS WORKING. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATS WITHOUT THE CONTACT'S KNOWLEDGE; THEREFORE, HE CONTINUES TO DRIVE UNTIL IT FAILS. THE DEALER DID NOT WANT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Apr 15, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORRENTO. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICE THE COOLANT WAS LOW. APPROXIMATELY A WEEK LATER HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE RESERVOIR TANK. HE REPLACED THE RESERVOIR TANK. AS OF APRIL 15, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. AS OF APRIL 15, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE FOR THIS FAILURE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 13, 2008
SAME THING ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON I PULL OVER TANK CRACKED , ENGINE RUINED, KIA TOLD ME THEY DON'T CARE AND WON'T HELP. ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEFECT CAR HAD 110 K ON IT, BUT THEY KNEW ABOUT THE TANK AND THE ENGINE CONCERNS, KIA SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH THIS, $4,000 LATER I HAVE A CAR THAT SHOULD NEVER HAD BROKEN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 7, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO DISASSEMBLE THE ENGINE AT THE COST OF $861. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEAD GASKETS, WATER PUMP ASSEMBLY, AND THE COOLANT TANK RESERVOIR. THE TOTAL REPAIR COST WAS $1,691. AFTER RETURNING HOME, THE CONTACT HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO HIS LOCAL DEALER TWO WEEKS LATER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO DISASSEMBLE THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO LOCATE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER IDENTIFIED WARPED CYLINDERS AS BEING THE FAILURE COMPONENT, AND THE HEAD GASKETS, PUMP ASSEMBLY, AND THE COOLANT TANK RESERVOIR WERE REPLACED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,400 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 66,800. THE COOLANT RESERVOIR LEAKED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. UPDATED 05/13/08. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 23, 2008
SECOND OCCURRENCE IN LESS THAN 900 MILES, THIRD OCCURRENCE OVERALL, OF THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT COMING LOOSE. LOSE OF POWER STEERING OCCURS WHEN BELTS COME LOOSE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 27, 2008
WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 KIA SORENTO ON AUGUST 14, 2007, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE NOISES, LOOSE POWER AND SLOW DOWN RAPIDLY. TWO BELTS POPPED COMPLETELY OFF AND THE CAR LOST ALL ITS POWER AND SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. I TOWED THE CAR TO THE KIA DEALER AT ARBOR PLACE IN DOUGLASVILLE, GEORGIA FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT WAS BROKEN AND DID DAMAGE THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY AND SPROCKET. THE DEALER MADE THE REPAIRS BUT AFTER DRIVING THE CAR A FEW DAYS LATER ON AUGUST 22, 2007 IT BEGAN LOOSING POWER AGAIN. I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES AND TRIED TO START IT UP AGAIN BUT IT WOULD NOT START AT ALL. I AGAIN TOWED IT TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP AT ARBOR PLACE. IN SHORT, THEY SAID THAT THE CAR WAS DUMPING GASOLINE INTO THE CYLINDERS AND THAT WHEN THEY TEST DROVE IT, THE CAR LOOSES GASOLINE RAPIDLY. THE CAR CLEARLY HAS MAJOR MANUFACTURER DEFECTS THAT SHOULD BE FIXED BY KIA AT NO COST TO ME. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Nov 30, 2007
LIKE MANY 2003 KIA SORENTO OWNERS THE OVERFLOW TANK IN MINE DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE BOTTOM THAT IS ONLY VISIBLE WHEN IT IS PRESSURIZED. ALTHOUGH KIA KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE OVERFLOW TANK IN MOST IF NOT ALL 2003 KIA SORENTO'S AND HAS SENT OUT A TSB TO THEIR MECHANICS OVER HOW TO REPLACE IT. AS SOON AS MY CAR HAD OVERHEATED DUE TO THE LEAK, I HAD TO PAY AROUND $100 TO BUY A NEW TANK FROM THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP BUT ALAS AFTER OVER HEATING MY CAR DEVELOPED MORE PROBLEMS AND ENGINE HAVING TO BE THROWN OUT. THIS HAS COST ME OVER $4300 IN REPAIRS SO FAR, AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR I AM STILL MAKING MONTHLY PAYMENTS ON IN NINE MONTHS. NONE OF WHICH ARE COVERED TO THE WARRANTY DUE TO THEIR "10 YEAR 100,000 MILE" POWERTRAIN WARRANTY NOT BEING TRANSFERABLE TO THOSE WHO BUY THE CAR USED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 14, 2007
ENGINE COOLANT OVERFLOW CONTAINER IS CRACKED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 24, 2007
2003 KIA PART # 25430-3E201 TSB # KT2007073101 DRIVING DOWN ROAD COOLANT OVER FLOW TANK SPLITS LEAKS FLUID OUT, RUINS ENGINE, FIND OUT KIA HAD A TSB OUT TO REPLACE TANK WITH STRONGER RE-ENGINEERED TANK. NEVER NOTIFIED PUBLIC, BAD DESIGN COSTS ME THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS BECAUSE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I AM LEFT STRANDED 10 PM AT NIGHT ON SIDE OF INTERSTATE IN POURING RAIN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 2, 2007
MY VEHICLE STARTED ACTING UP WHENEVER I TURNED ON THE AIR CONDITION I WOULD LOSE POWER. THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD GET REAL TIGHT AND I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO TURN IT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A KIA DEALERSHIP WHERE IT HAS BEEN FOR 3 WEEKS NOW WAITING ON PARTS. NOT TO MENTION I CALLED KIA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FOR 4 DAYS STRAIGHT BEFORE A TOW COMPANY FINALLY CAME AND TOWED MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A CRANK SHAFT, TIMING BELT, AND A ENGINE WHICH IS ALL COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY OF THE PARTS NEEDED FOR MY CAR. I AM STILL WITHOUT A VEHICLE KIA SAYS THEY DO NOT DO LOANER CARS OR RENTALS SO I AM JUST FRUSTRATED WITH THE WHOLE ORDEAL. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 27, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN JULY OF 2007 REGARDING THE CRANK SHAFT BOAT. HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL AND THE ENGINE FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY. HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TIMING BELT CAUSED THE FAILURE. AN INSPECTOR FROM CARFAX STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED BECAUSE OF THE CRANK BOAT SHAFT. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WITHOUT A SERVICE CHARGE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 67,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 31, 2007
COOLANT SPILLING FROM THE RESERVOIR (WHICH WAS REPLACED IN DECEMBER 2006, THE PART WAS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. I WAITED 5 WEEKS FOR THE PART TO ARRIVE). THE CAR STALLED SEVERAL TIMES AND STEAM CAME FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HOOD. TODAY IS 8/31/07, SIMILAR INCIDENT HAPPENED WITH THE CAR. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE HOSE FROM THE COOLANT RESERVOIR WAS CRACKED. I ASKED SINCE THE PART WAS RELATED TO THE RESERVOIR WHY DID I HAVE TO PAY ADDITIONAL FOR THE HOSE REPAIR ($193.30). THE DEALER SAID THE HOSE WAS A SEPARATE PART. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY KIA DOESN'T RECALL THE RESERVOIR AND ANY ASSOCIATED PARTS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 15, 2007
ON JULY 20, 2007 DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN THE RAIN, ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR MADE A LOUD NOISE AND I LOST STEERING AND DID EVERYTHING I COULD TO NOT HIT CARS BESIDE OF ME AND THE POOR GUY BEHIND ME FROM CRASHING IN TO ME. CALLED MY HUSBAND WHO CAME AND PICKED UP THE HARMONIC BALANCE OFF THE HIGHWAY, LIFTED THE HOOD TO FIND A LARGE BOLT (NOW I KNOW CRANKSHAFT BOLT) BROKEN. WHICH I HAVE. I SEARCHED AND FOUND WHERE THERE WERE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS AND THAT KIA WAS GOING TO RECALL. I CALLED KIA ON THE 1ST OF AUG. (CAR HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY BECAUSE IT HAS 68000 MILES AND I AM THE SECOND OWNER), WHO HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE RUSTY WALLACE KIA IN LOUISVILLE, TN. (CHECKED THE MAIL WHEN I CAME HOME AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON CRANKSHAFT BOLTS) IMAGINE THAT. IT IS STILL SITTING THERE AT THE DEALERSHIP. THEY KEEP TELLING ME THE DISTRICT MANAGER IS TRYING TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO FIX IT. I HAD SPOKEN TO A COUPLE OF TECH'S. AND THEY TOLD ME MY MOTOR WAS GONE. THE BOLT BROKE OFF INSIDE THE MOTOR. KIA IS NOW JERKING ME AROUND. I HAVE HAD TO PUT OFF VACATION AND MY HUSBAND AND I ARE SHARING A VEHICLE WHICH IS COSTING ME A FORTUNE IN GAS BECAUSE WE WORK IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS AND I WORK ABOUT 30 MILES FROM MY HOME. CAN NOT GET ANY HELP. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND HUGE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. KIA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jul 15, 2007
I WAS DROPPING OFF SOMEONE AT WORK WHEN THE CAR MADE A THUMP AND ALL THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. I DROVE IT HOME ABOUT TWO MILES AWAY, AND TOOK IT TO A AUTOMOBILE SERVICE CENTER THE NEXT DAY. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY WAS READY TO FALL OFF. THE NEXT DAY I HAD IT TOWED FROM THE SERVICE CENTER TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER SAID THE SAME THING AS THE SERVICE CENTER, AND THAT IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. ALSO, IT A NEEDED A 60000 MILE SERVICE FOR WHICH I PAID EXTRA. WHEN I WENT TO PICK THE CAR 5 DAYS LATER THE CAR WAS MAKING A BELT NOISE, IT WAS SLOW IN STARTING, THE DASH LIGHT WOULDN'T COME ON, AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. WHEN I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY TIGHTENED THE BELTS AND CHECKED THE OTHER PROBLEMS AT A COST OF $150, AND THAT THESE OTHER PROBLEMS WERE NOT UNDER WARRANTY, AND WOULD COST $1400 TO FIX THEM. I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR UNTIL THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILED, AND COULD NOT SEE WHY IF A WARRANTY FAILURE CAUSED SOMETHING ELSE TO FAIL, WHY WASN'T IT FIXED UNDER WARRANTY? ALSO, THE PERSON WHO WORKED ON THE CA RCOMPLAINED ABOUT THE OIL PAN WITH THE SEALER THAT WAS USED TO SEAL THE ENGINE.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 15, 2007
NO WARNING OF FAILURE. HAPPENED AT 61000 MILES 1000 OVER WARRANTY. CRANKSHAFT BOLT BROKE , AND THE MECHANIC SAD HE NEVER SAW SOMETHING LIKE THIS. SO I THINK KIA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE ..HE GOT THE PARTS FROM KIA, AND ON 7/15/07 THE BOLT CAME OFF AGAIN WHILE CAR WAS IN PARKING LOT OF WIFE'S WORK PLACE. KIA SHOULD FIX IT . I WAS PLANNING ON GETTING A MINI VAN, AND IT WON'T BE A KIA, DEPENDING ON WHAT THEY DO ABOUT MY SERENTO. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Exterior lighting, Jul 10, 2007
LAST FEB. THE COOLANT RESERVOIR CRACKED, LOST ALL COOLANT. TOWED TO DEALER. THEY FIXED IT AND TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW BELT. I DIDN'T WANT ANYTHING MORE TO HAPPEN AS I TAKE MY 90 YEAR OLD MOM AROUND, THEY REPLACED ONE BELT FOR $120. NEVER RAN RIGHT AFTER THAT, WITH SCREECHING NOISES AND NO MORE A/C. TODAY, JUST AS I WAS DRIVING ONTO THE HIGHWAY-I STARTED LOSING MY STEERING AND I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER OFF THE RAMP, THEN IT STALLED AS I WAS PULLING OVER. I HAVE READ ABOUT THIS HAPPENING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE AND WAS JUST WAITING FOR IT TO HAPPEN. WELL IT DID AND THANK GOD I WASN'T GOING 70 ON THE HIGHWAY YET. IT HAS BEEN TOWED TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE BOLT ON THE DRIVE SHAFT THAT BROKE. THEN HE SAID THAT SINCE I'M ONLY 8000 MILES AWAY FROM 60K, THEN I SHOULD JUST DO THE TIMING BELT SERVICE NOW BECAUSE IF I DON'T AND IT GOES, THEN MY ENGINE WILL BLOW. SO I GUESS THIS IS WHAT I HAVE TO WAIT TO HAPPEN NEXT AND I'M SURE IT WILL. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE CAN'T BE WRONG. DON'T BUY A KIA!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 3, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CRANK SHAFT FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE TOTAL COST OF THE RENTAL EXPENSE WAS $600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE CRANKSHAFT FAILED, HE WAS STRANDED. THE KIA DEALER CLAIMED TO HAVE REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRESENT WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT BE OF ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 48,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER RECALL, SINCE A RECALL WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER HE IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE RENTAL CAR. THE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED DUE TO A LEAK AT THE LOWER SEAM. UPDATED
Engine and engine cooling, May 22, 2007
CRANKSHSFT PULLEY BOLT BROKE ON 2003 KIA SORENTO V6 MODEL. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF POWER STEERING IN VEHICLE. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, May 15, 2007
COOLANT TANK CRACKED. CALLED KIA AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY BUT THAT THE PART HAD BEEN RE DESIGNED. SO I GUESS THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TANKS. BUT KIA WOULD NOT COVER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE TANK.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, May 8, 2007
"THE BATTERY AND BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ON THE DASHBOARD. ALSO, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. OPENED THE HOOD AND THE ENGINE AREA AND FOUND THE ALTERNATOR BELT FELL OFF ITS PULLEY. THE POWER STEERING BELT RAN OFF THE ALTERNATOR BELT. THIS WAS WHY THE VEHICLE HAD NO POWER STEERING. CHECKED THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY, AND FOUND THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY HAD PLAY, AND THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT BACKED OUT OF PLACE. KIA HAS A PIT STOP HIGHLIGHT , STATING THAT THE CRANK SHAFT BOLT BACKED OUT OF PLACE DUE TO IMPROPER TORQUE SETTINGS ON THE CRANK SHAFT BOLT. HIGHLIGHT KT2006042501. REMOVED THE RADIATOR TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY. REMOVED THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY AND INSPECTED. FOUND THE CRANK SHAFT SPROCKET PIN SHEARED OFF DUE TO THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY BACKING OUT PLACE. THE CRANKSHAFT SPROCKET HOLDS THE PULLEY IN PLACE. THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY, SPROCKET, AND BOLT WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. REMOVED THE TIMING BELT AND TO REPLACE THE SPROCKET. INSTALLED EVERYTHING BACK IN PLACE AND STARTED THE VEHICLE. OIL WAS NOW LEAKING FROM BEHIND THE TIMING COVER. REMOVED ALL PARTS AGAIN TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE TIMING BELT. FOUND OIL WAS LEAKING FROM BEHIND THE TIMING SPROCKET. REMOVED THE SPROCKET, AND FOUND THE CRANK SHAFT RUBBER SEAL HAD SIGNS OF WEAR AND WAS SLIGHTLY BENT. REPLACED THE CRANK SHAFT RUBBER SEAL, AND REINSTALLED SPROCKET AND TIMING BELT. STARTED VEHICLE, AND NO SIGNS OF LEAKS WERE NOTICED. ROAD TESTED VEHICLE , AND VEHICLE DROVE PROPERLY. THE OWNER COMPLAINED AND QUESTIONED THE RESULT OF THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING DUE TO THE IMPROPER TORQUE SETTING ON THE CRANK SHAFT BOLT AS SUGGESTED BY THE NARRATIVE OF THE MECHANIC'S REPORT AND AS STATED ABOVE. IF IT WAS SO DOES THE OWNER HAVE REMEDY IN CONTACTING KIA OR THE DEALERSHIP )FOR POSSIBLE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE PARTS AND LABOR ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PART OF MECHANICAL PERFORMANCE. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, May 5, 2007
AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY, THE ENGINE STALLED AND ALL LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO SAFETY (JUST BY SHEER LUCK) AND CALLED KIA 1-800 FOR TOWING SERVICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP. I WAS INITIALLY TOLD THAT THE TIMING BELT WAS MALFUNCTIONING. SUPPOSEDLY THE ANALYZER SHOWED THAT THERE WERE "MULTIPLE MISFIRES. I WAS ASKED IF THE CAR WAS MISSING PRIOR TO THE STALL. I TOLD THEM IT RAN AS SMOOTH AS SILK. I AUTHORIZED THEM TO REPLACE THE TIMING BELT DESPITE THE FACT THAT IT HAD BEEN REPLACED AS PART OF SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE TWO MONTHS EARLIER. THE DEALERSHIP THEN CALLED AND TOLD ME THEY HAD "GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS". THE TIMING BELT WAS REPAIRED BUT IT APPEARED THE HEAD WAS BLOWN AND THAT KIA REFUSED TO PAY FOR REPAIRS BECAUSE THE OVERFLOW BOTTLE WAS CRACKED. THEY STATED THAT THE HEAD BLEW BECAUSE THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND WAS CAUSED BY MY NEGLIGENCE. THE GAUGES NEVER INDICATED THAT THE CAR OVERHEATED. THEY ARE UNABLE TO TELL ME HOW MUCH THE REPAIRS WILL COST BECAUSE THERE MAY BE FURTHER DAMAGE ONCE THEY TEAR IT DOWN. THE ESTIMATE IS BETWEEN $2500 AND "WORE CASE SCENARIO" $4700 I AM FURIOUS. THE CAR IS NOT YET FOUR YEARS OLD AND STILL HAS 36,000 MILES LEFT ON THE WARRANTY. *JB