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
308 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Mar 2, 2007
2003 KIA SORRENTO - CONSTANTLY REPLACING HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS. RECENTLY STARTED EXPERIENCING INTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM. LIGHTS COME ON AND WILL NOT GO OUT DURING DRIVING AND WHILE HEAT IS ON. DASH LIGHTS GO OUT AND WILL NOT COME ON - NO ASSISTANCE FROM THE DEALERSHIP. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 18, 2007
I HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE CRANKSHAFT BOLTS BREAKING OFF IN THE KIA SORENTO'S. THAT IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM, AND I AM SCARED TO DRIVE MY 2003 OVER 45 MILES AN HOUR. MY SERVICE DEPT, DICK EDWARDS KIA, INFORMED ME TO HAVE THEM CHECK THE TORQUE ON THE BOLT EVERYTIME I GO IN FOR SERVICE. KIA SHOULD OWN UP TO THIS PROBLEM AND NOT HAVE ITS OWNERS SCARED TO DRIVE IT. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 9, 2007
2003 SORENTO EX PURCHASED NEW. REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT ROTOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO, BUT BREAKING HAS RETURNED TO SIGNS OF A WARPED ROTOR AGAIN. VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND LOUD NOISE IN FRONT WHEEL AREA (NON-METAL) SOUND. CAR HAS NEW BRAKE PADS AND RECENT ALIGNMENT. ROTORS ARE NOT LASTING. *NM
Steering, Feb 3, 2007
2003 KIA SORENTO WITH HISTORY OF POWER STEERING FAILURES WHICH RESULTED IN NO POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE WHILE TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS. PROBLEM FIXED MAY 2004 (AFTER THEE VISITS TO DEALER) ALTHOUGH TSB IDENTIFYING CORRECTIVE ACTION WAS ISSUED A YEAR EARLIER. STEERING RACK FOUND TO BE SEEPING FLUID DURING ANNUAL INSPECTION AT 63,760 MI. TAKEN TO DEALER AT 70,000 MILES FOR EVALUATION. DEALER ADVISED THAT SEALS NOT SERVICEABLE, STEERING RACK AND HOSES REQUIRE REPLACEMENT AT COST OF $2000 - NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE ADVISED THAT STEERING RACK COVERED UNDER WARRANTY UNTIL 60,000 MI; NOT PART OF 100,000 MI POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. I HAVE BEGUN A SEARCH FOR A NEW VEHICLE, AND KIA PRODUCTS AREN'T ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION. *NM
Steering, Feb 3, 2007
2003 KIA SORENTO WOULD LOOSE POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE WHEN TRANSITIONING FROM MODERATE SPEEDS (30-50 MPH) TO LOW SPEED (5-10 MPH), SUCH AS WHEN EXITING A HIGHWAY BY SLOWING IN A CENTER TURNING LANE AND TURNING LEFT IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. FIRST OCCURANCE WAS AT 19,000 MILES (SEPT 2003), KIA DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE PROBLEM AND RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO ME. PROBLEM CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY UNTIL 30,000 MILES (MAY 2004) WHEN I RETURNED TO DEALER AND THEY DISCOVERED A TSB ON THIS ISSUE. DEALER REPLACED P/S SENSOR AND LOADED IMPROVED SOFTWARE CODE. THERE WERE A NUMBER OF NEAR COLLISIONS DUE TO THIS FAILURE. *NM
Power train, Jan 29, 2007
I DRIVE A 2003 KIA/SORENTO/4D. ON OR ABOUT DEC 15 2006 I NOTICE A LOUD NOISE AN SERVER VIBRATION COMING UNDER VEHICLE. I TOOK SUV TO FAMILY MECHANIC. HE COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM AND RECOMMENDED THAT I TAKE VEHICLE TO KIA DEALER. ON DEC 27 2006 KIA DEALER TECH INITIAL DIAG READS 4X4 IS STAYING ENGAGED ALL THE TIME. SUSPECTED SWITCH FAILURE. THEREFORE FRONT DIFF STAYING ENGAGED ALL THE TIME. THIS HAS CAUSED INTERNAL DAMAGE TO FRONT DIFF AND FRONT PROPELLER SHAFT. ESTIMATE COST TO REPAIR/2,775.00 I AM AT A LOST CAUSE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I FEEL BECAUSE 4X4 RELEASE/ENGAGE SWITCH FAILURE THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO ENDURE THE FINANCIAL BURDEN. REPAIRING THIS MANUFACTURES DEFECT. *JB
Electrical system, Jan 8, 2007
TL* - THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES CONCERNING THE HORN NOT WORKING. EVERY TIME HE TOOK SIT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY STATED THAT THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON AND OFF. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Jan 8, 2007
2003 KIA SORRENTO-THERE HAS BEEN NO CRASH==THE DRIVE LINE FROM THE REAR MAKES A NOISY THUMP ALMOST EVERY TIME I STEP ON THE BRAKES AND RELEASE THEM--KIA SERVICE IN MIDDLETOWN, NY SERVICE MANAGER AND KIA ZONE REP STATE THAT IS NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE--I DISAGREE AND INFORMED THEM I WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO ANOTHER MECHANIC,I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 34 YEARS AND NEVER ENCOUNTERED THIS SITUATION IN A VEHICLE. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 1, 2007
A SCREW THAT HOLD THE CRANK SHAFT & THE TAMPER GET BROKEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING TO MY HOUSE. THE DEALER IN PUERTO RICO SAID THAT I HAVE TO PAY$2,521.00 TO FIX IT. BUT I HEARD FROM AN INSURANCE AGENT THAT KIA WAS TOLD BY SOME GOVERNMENT AGENCY, I THINK THAT AGENCY IS NHTSA; TO MODIFY THE SCREW INVOLVED IN MY INCIDENT, CAUSING THE LOST CONTROL OF MY SORENTO. THE STEERING GET HARD TO MOVE.
Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Dec 13, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN ON THE DEFOGGER/DEFROST SYSTEM, THE HEATER FAILED TO OPERATE, AND NO HEAT WAS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER, WHO DETERMINED ANTIFREEZE FLUID LEAKED OUT OF THE RESERVOIR TANK BECAUSE IT WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE DEALER, AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED, WHO CONFIRMED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER INSTRUCTED THE CONTACT TO MONITOR THE LEVEL OF ANTIFREEZE FLUID DAILY AND ADD MORE ANTIFREEZE IF NEEDED.
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
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 5, 2006
FIRST INCIDENT - CAR STALLED AND FLUID STEAMED FROM THE HOOD. IT HAD TO BE TOWED AFTER SEVERAL RESTARTS TO DRIVE TO THE DEALER. THE COOLANT RESERVOIR WAS CRACKED. THIS PART IS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER AND I HAVE SO FAR BEEN WAITING APPROX. FOUR WEEKS FOR THE PART. THE DEALER SAID KIA HAS HALTED MANUFACTURING/DISTRIBUTING THE PART JUST FOR NEW CARS AND REQUESTED THAT THE PARTS BE SHIPPED TO THE DEALERS FOR REPAIR INSTALLATIONS. THE DEALER CUSTOMER SERVICE IS GREAT AND I HAVE NO COMPLAINT ABOUT THE DEALER. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 10, 2006
WHERE DO I START?....WELL NOT LONG AFTER WE GOT THE PIECE OF JUNK WE HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE KIA DEALER BECAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON, THEY SAID IT WAS BECAUSE THE GAS CAP WASN'T BEING TWISTED ENOUGH AND AIR GOT IN. WELL FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYED OFF, WE TOOK IT BACK NUMEROUS TIMES BUT IT KEPT COMING BACK ON. THEN ON ONE OCCASION I WAS STRANDED ABOUT 40 MILES FROM HOME...THE CAR WAS DEAD, WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER, ALL THE BELTS HAD COME OFF, THEY TRIED TO MAKE EXCUSES WHY KIA WOULDN'T FIX IT UNDER THE WARRANTY, THANK GOD WE WON THAT BATTLE...KEEP IN MIND, THE ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON AT THIS POINT. NOW THIS YEAR THE HEATER WON'T STAY HOT AFTER ABOUT 30 SECONDS IT TURNS COLD, AS COLD AS THE AIR. THEN WITH NO WARNING THE CAR OVER HEATS AND DIES ON ME. WE HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALER THEY SAY IT IS MY FAULT BECAUSE WHEN I SEEN THE LIGHT COME ON I SHOULD HAVE PULLED OVER, "THE LIGHT NEVER GOES OFF" KIA WON'T FIX IT UNLESS WE PAY FOR IT, AND THE COST IS $10,000. WE HAVE ONE YEAR LEFT AND IT WOULD BE PAID OFF...LESS THAN $7,000 AND NOW THIS. I AM SO ANGRY, THIS IS NOT RIGHT. I THINK THE KIA COMPANY NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE THEY ARE RIPPING EVERYONE OFF. TAKING MONEY FROM WORKING PEOPLE AND SCAMMING THEM. THEY ARE NO BETTER THAN THIEVES AND LIARS. THEY ARE SELLING A PRODUCT ALONG WITH A PROMISE TO SERVICE IT SHOULD SOMETHING GO WRONG BUT NOT HONORING THAT PROMISE. OH AND DID I MENTION THE HEAD LIGHTS ARE ALWAYS GOING OUT? *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 10, 2006
ENGINE AND COOLING SYSTEM. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 23, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, WITHOUT WARNING THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THEN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT. THE PROBLEM RECURRED FIVE WEEKS LATER AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED A SECOND TIME. THE DEALERSHIP PUT LOCK SPRAY IN TO KEEP THE PIN ON THE CRANKSHAFT FROM FALLING OUT.
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Sep 27, 2006
1) UPON PURCHASE, EXHAUST SMELL WAS STRONG INSIDE SUV, LEADING TO HEADACHES AND QUEASINESS. 2) TOOK IT IN WITHIN WEEKS (?) 3) A CORRECTION WAS MADE, PART REPLACED. SINCE THEN, THE EXHAUST SMELL IS INTERMITTENT, AND NOT AS STRONG. SERVICE DOES NOT SEE FURTHER ISSUE. *JB
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Aug 18, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS A NOISE AND A VIBRATION WAS NOTICED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, UNUSUAL WEAR ON THE INNER TREAD OF THE FRONT TIRES WAS ALSO NOTICED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 9/11/2006 - THE LEFT FRONT STRUT WAS NOISY DUE TO LOOSE BOTTOM STRUT BOLT. THE DEALER TIGHTENED END AND SECURED BOLT. THE CONSUMER FELT VIBRATION IN BRAKE PEDAL WHEN REVERSING AND MAKING TURNS. THE DEALER RESURFACED THE BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS. THE VIBRATION RETURNED. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND REPLACED THEM. THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE MADE NOISE. THE DEALER ADJUSTED ALL THE BELTS. THE CD PLAYER WOULD NOT EJECT PROPERLY. *NM
Tires, Aug 14, 2006, crash
I AM THE ATTORNEY FOR THREE MINOR CHILDREN. THEY WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED, AND THEIR FATHER WAS KILLED IN A ROLLOVER IN LAS VEGAS, NEVADA IN FEBRUARY, 2006. THE REAR B.F. GOODRICH TIRE ON THE 2003 KIA SORENTO THAT THE FATHER WAS DRIVING BLEW OUT AND SEPARATED, RESULTING IN THE ROLLOVER. THE TIRE WAS APPARENTLY PLUGGED THE DAY BEFORE AT A LAS VEGAS TIRE SHOP. *JB
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 2, 2006
VEHICLE IS A 2003 KIA SORENTO WITH 70,000 MILES, PURCHASED NEW. VEHICLE APPEARS TO HAVE SERIOUS ELECTRICAL ISSUES. I HAVE, TO DATE, REPLACED LIGHT BULBS APPROXIMATELY 38 TIMES. THIS INCLUDES HEAD LIGHT BULBS (HIGH AND LOW), FOG LIGHT BULBS, TAIL LIGHT BULBS AND BRAKE LIGHT BULBS. ALSO THE CLOCK ONLY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY AND THE POWER SUN ROOF HAS CEASED WORKING. DEALER OFFERS NO SOLUTION. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE THE FIRST MONTH OF OWNERSHIP. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 27, 2006
THE RESERVOIR ON MY 2003 KIA SORENTO RUPTURED AND ALL THE COOLANT LEAKED OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND INTO A GAS STATION AND THE LET THE CAR COOL. I THEN ADDED IN ANTI- FREEZE AND FILLED IT WITH WATER AND DROVE ANOTHER 10 MILES AND DROPPED THE CAR AT A REPAIR SHOP. THE NEXT DAY THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE KIA DEALERSHIP IS SAYING IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *JB
Exterior lighting, Jul 22, 2006
I HAVE HAD MY KIA SORENTO FOR ALMOST A YEAR AND I HAVE REPEATEDLY HAD TO CHANGE THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS. AT LEAST 8 TIMES FOR THE HEADLIGHTS AND 4 FOR THE TAIL. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 21, 2006
I PURCHASED MY 2003 KIA SORENTO WITH 17,000 MILES ON IT. I AM THE SECOND OWNER. SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS CAR, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE AND/OR RESURFACE MY ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS AT LEAST 6 TIMES IN TWO YEARS. I HAVE TALKED TO TWO KIA DEALERSHIPS (ONE IN CLARKSVILLE, TN - THE OTHER IN MEMPHIS, TN) AND BOTH LIED TO ME AND SAID THEY DIDN'T SEE THAT TYPE OF PROBLEM EVER. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO TWO OTHER MECHANICS THAT I TRUST AND THEY HAVE TURNED MY ROTORS, REPLACED MY ROTORS WITH GENUINE KIA PARTS AND NOTHING SEEMS TO HELP. JUST THIS WEEK, I HAD TO TAKE MY CAR IN AGAIN. AT THAT TIME, MY MECHANIC TALKED TO OUR LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP, WHO THEN TOLD HIM THAT THEY NOW SEE THIS PROBLEM FREQUENTLY. I AM TIRED OF SPENDING MY OWN MONEY ON THIS PROBLEM THAT IS OBVIOUSLY A KIA DEFECT. KIA KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. I WILL NEVER BUY A KIA AGAIN. I ONLY WISH I HAD RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM BEFORE I BOUGHT MY CAR. THEN I WOULD HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST KIA AT ONE TIME OVER THEIR SEPHIA HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS. MY HUSBAND HAS A 1995 FORD RANGER AND WE'VE NEVER HAD TO DO ANY BRAKE REPAIR.
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.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 19, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THERE WAS A SCREECHING NOISE THAT CAME FROM THE ENGINE. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE BOLT ON THE DRIVE SHAFT PULLEY HAD SHEARED OFF AND THAT THE CRANK SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 7/13/2006 - *NM
Electrical system, Jun 16, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HORN WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES FOR THE PROBLEM. THE FOURTH TIME, THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG, WHICH DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED. THE VEHICLE IS A 2003 KIA SARENTO.*AK