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: steering
31 reports, newest first. Show all
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.
Steering, Dec 22, 2004
ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH POWER STEERING. FEELS LIKE ENGINE IS STALLING AND POWER STEERING IS LOCKING UP WHEN MAKING TURNS AT LOW SPEED. VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. *JB
Steering, Jan 15, 2004
I PURCHASED THE SORENTO 5/31/03, WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY WENT OUT; I ALMOST HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE REGAINING CONTROL. CONTACTED KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS IMMEDIATELY, THEY HAVE COMPLETE LOGS ON FILE. 6/2/03 DEALER REPLACED POWER STEERING RACK. 6/10/03 830 MILES,POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN;HAD TO FIGHT WITH THE STEERING TO CONTROL VEHILE IN PARKING GARAGE.6/12/03 POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED. PICKED UP VEHICLE THAT EVENING AND PULLING OUT FROM THE RESTAURANT THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN. 6/13/03 850 MILES, COMPUTER MALFUNCTION; NEW DOWNLOADS HAD TO BE DOWNLOADED TO VEHICLES COMPUTER. 6/18/03 ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED. NOW 6/20/03 DEALER SAID THEY WONT HELP ME, KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS SAID THEY WONT REPLACE THE VEHICLE NOR BUY BACK THE VEHICLE. I'M TERRIFIED TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE TONIGHT. KIA WANTED ME TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE 30 DAYS MORE THEN CALL BACK AND THEY WILL RE-IMBURSE ME 2 MONTHS PAYMENTS FOR ALL THE TROUBLE. I REPLIED I WONT DRIVE IT, I'LL HAVE IT FLAT BEDDED TO MY HOUSE AND SEEK LEGAL COUNCIL.
Steering, Nov 7, 2003
BOUGHT CAR NEW. POWER STEERING NEVER WORKED. NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *LA
Steering, Aug 25, 2003
INTERMITTENTLY POWER STEERING FAILED, MAKING HARD TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. *AK
Steering, Jun 16, 2003
PURCHASED 2003 KIA SORENTO 4X4 ON 5/26/03. ON 5/31/03 (ODOMETER 600 MILES)WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN THE POWER STEERING FAILED, ALMOST STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE, TRIED TO REGAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD. A FRIEND WAS IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME AND CAN ATTEST TO THE POWER STEERING FAILURE BECAUSE HE TRIED TO STEER THE VEHICLE ALSO. 6/2/03 DEALERSHIP REPLACED POWER STEERING RACK, GEAR AND ASSEMBLY. ON 6/10/03 (ODOMETER 830) POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN WHILE I WAS EXITING DOWN IN A PARKING GARAGE; HAD TO FIGHT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TO GAIN CONTROL. ON 6/12/03 (ODOMETER 850) POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED AND LATER THAT EVENING WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING STALL FROM THE RESTAURANT THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN. DEALERSHIP SAID A TEAM OF 3 KIA SERVICE TECHS NOW FOUND OUT THERE WAS A PROGRAM ERROR ON THE VEHICLES COMPUTER; THEY CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THEY(KIA OR THE DEALERSHIP) DIDN'T HAVE A CLUE. MONDAY 6/16/03 ENGINEER TEAM FROM KIA WAS TO EVALUATE THE VEHICLE. THEY COULD NOT FIGURE THE PROBLEM OUT. AFTERNOON OF 6/16/03 DEALERSHIP SAID KIA'S FIELD INSPECTOR WILL BE OUT WEDNESDAY 6/18/03 TO EVALUATE THE VEHICLE FURTHER. I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE OR MYSELF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WHILE THE POWER STEERING REPEATED FAILED. NOW I'M DEATHLY TERRIFIED DRIVING THE VEHICLE, I'M IN A RENTAL CAR UNTIL WEDNESDAY 6/18/03 WHILE THE KIA FIELD INSPECTOR EVALUATES THE VEHICLE. IN MY OPINION KIA NEEDS TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE AND GIVE MY MONEY BACK. I DON'T NEED TO RISK MY LIFE IN ORDER TO MAKE THE COMPANY LOOK GOOD. KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS WERE KEPT IN THE LOOP FROM DAY ONE BUT NO ONE CARES HOW SERIOUS THIS IS, PLEASE HELP. *NLM