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.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 8, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT WHILE REFUELING, FUEL SPILLED FROM THE FILLER NECK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
Engine, May 2, 2014, crash
IN FEBRUARY THIS BEAUTIFUL VEHICLE BECAME A NIGHTMARE QUICK. A HORRID SOUND CAME FROM BELOW AND I LOST STEERING, SEVERAL LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIT UP AND OUR WAS VERY DIFFICULT CONTROLLING THE SUV. ME AND MY CHILDREN WERE VERY AFRAID. I ALLOWED THE SUV TO SLOW N IT VEERED OFF AND JUMPED THE CURB. AFTER A TOW, $2000 BUCKS PLUS, AND SEVERAL SHOPS INCLUDING KIA IS JUST SITTING LIKE HUNKS UNLESS I CAN STUFF ANOTHER $2000 OR SO IN. KIA NEEDS TO FIX THIS!! *TR
Engine, Mar 27, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING ABNORMALLY ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WERE ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT A SECOND TIME BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE RECURRING FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34878.
Steering, Engine, Feb 25, 2014, crash
I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN THE PARKING LOT WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING BECAUSE THE CAR DIED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICE ALL THE BELTS AND FRONT OF THE MOTOR FELL OFF AND WAS LAYING AT THE BOTTOM. I CALLED THE TOW TRUCK THEY TOWED IT TO THE KIA DEALER. WHERE THEY TOLD ME ITS A PROBLEM THE 2003 KIA SORENTO HAS. THEY TOLD ME THEY WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE THAT WAS AT 38,000 MILE. NOW THE CAR HAS 72,000 MILES ON IT SO THAT'S 34,000 MILES ON THIS MOTOR NOW THEY TELL ME THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING AND THE MOTOR HAS TO BE REPLACED. SO THE KIA MOTOR IS ONLY GOOD FOR 30,000 MILES THAT'S JUST RIDICULOUS AND THE COST IS ON ME. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 24, 2014
MY FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED IN AUGUST 2013; NOT LONG AFTER I BEGAN HAVING FUELING PROBLEMS THAT HAVE INCREASED IN SEVERITY. ANY TIME I TRY TO PUT GAS IN MY TANK, IT EXPLODES BACK OUT AT ME LIKE A VOLCANO ERUPTING. I CAN'T PUT GAS IN MY CAR UNLESS I LET IT TRICKLE IN AND STOP FUELING IN INTERVALS...IT TAKES ABOUT 30 MINUTES AT LEAST TO FILL MY CAR. I'M TIRED OF SMELLING LIKE GAS. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND RIDICULOUS AND APPARENTLY A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM, YET KIA HAS DONE NOTHING. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BY KIA TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY WEREN'T REALLY SURE WHAT TO DO (LOTS OF HELP THERE) AND WANTED TO CHARGE ME ABOUT $2000 TO TRY AND FIGURE IT OUT (THE SAME AMOUNT THEY CHARGED ME TO REPLACE MY FUEL PUMP). I'M TIRED OF BEING RIPPED OFF....CAN'T ANYONE DO ANYTHING TO HELP ALL OF US CONSUMERS HAVING THIS ISSUE?? *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 13, 2014
THE CAR BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE FIRST YEAR , I CALLED DISTRICT MANAGER FOR KIA BACK IN 2004,TOLD HIM CAR WAS SKIPPING BEAT, AND SHAKING...HE TOLD ME IS WAS MY IMAGINATION...THE 2ND BIG PROBLEM<WHICH I HAD TO SOLVE THROUGH COMPUTER INVESTIGATION> CAR WOULD JUST START LOSING POWER IN I-95 OR FL.TURNPIKE AND COME TO STAND STILL, NO MATTER HOW MUCH I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL, NO GO, ALMOST GOT IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS IN I-95,FLORIDA LATE AT NITE...SPEND $800 AT KIA OF KENDALL IN FLORIDA, IN MIAMI, TOLD ME WAS FUEL PROBLEM...WAY BACK HOME THAT SAME DAY, CAR DID SAME THING SLOWED DOWN IN RUSHING TRAFFIC IN I-95 FLOIRDA,ALMOST GOT DEADLY ACCIDENT FROM CAR BEHIND ME, TOOK IT TO KIA OF FT.PIERCE , KEPT CAR 1 WEEK, MECHANIC COULD NOT FIGURE OUT PROBLEM, ...I FOUND ON LINE,PROBLEM WAS AT THE FUELING ENTRANCE,SOMETHING DISSOLVED AND PARTICLES WENT TO FUELING INJECTORS,CLOGGING IT AND CAUSING PROBLEMS, TOLD MECHANICS ,REPLACED THIS PART ,CAR GOT FIXED....LAST INCIDENT,MAJOR ONE, BACK 3 YEARS AGO TOOK CAR TO KIA DEALER, DUE TO LETTER FROM KIA CORPORATION, MAJOR RECALL ON SCREW THAT HOLD HARMONEY BLANCER TO LOWER ENGINE CASE...THEY REPLACED IT...1/9/2004.DRIVING BACK FROM ORLANDO,FL,AT NITE, CAR JUST SLOWS DOWN, SHAKES, BATTERY LIGHT AND BRAKE LITE COME ONE...MIRACLE , 1 HOUR I DROVE CAR SLOWLY BACK HOME...FRIDAY I TAKE TO SHOP,FIND OUT SAME RECALL ,REPLACED SCREW,RUSTED OFF ,SHEARED OFF, HALF OF IT STILL IN ENGINE,HARMONEY FELL OFF,..MIRACLE I DID NOT GER MAJOR FIRE IN CAR,LATE AT NITE,ON I95..TOOK IT FRI.TO FT.PIERCE KIA,MECHANIC SAID CAN NOT BE REPAIRED, NEED SPEND$79000ON NEW ENGINE...NOTHING WAS MENTIONED SAME SCREW ,RECALL, THEY REPLACED BACK 3 YEARS AGO...CAR HAS HISTORY OF MY COMPLAINTS TO CORPORATE KIA..NOTHING EVER DONE. *TR
Engine, Nov 22, 2013
I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND MY BATTERY, BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. I LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. I POPPED THE HOOD AND REALIZED THAT I HAD LOST 2-3 BELTS. I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC SHOP, NATIONAL CHAIN WHO SAID THE HARMONIC BALANCER HAD FALLEN OFF. UPON INSPECTION, THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT HAD BROKEN. MANY, MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ONLINE. *TR
Suspension, Nov 18, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT BOTH REAR AXLES WERE FRACTURED DUE RUST CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Sep 17, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY AND THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PERFORM NORMALLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT ONCE THE FUEL TANK WAS BELOW 3/4 FULL, THE ENGINE WOULD LOSE POWER AND BEGAN TO IDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED BUT WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Jul 7, 2013
AS I WAS LEAVING WORK, THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT BROKE,AND THE BOTTOM/PULLEY CAME OUT AND HIT THE ROAD.THANK GOD I WAS STILL IN THE PARKING LOT. I HAD IT TOWED TO A AUTOMOTIVE SHOP TO HAVE IT FIXED IT ,HAS $ 768.45 PLUS 75.00DOLLARS TO TOW IT. I GOT MY 2003-SORENTO BACK ON 06/20/2013 ON 07/06/2013 I WAS GOING DOWN THE HWY ABOUT 55MPH. AND THE CRANKSHAFT/BOLT BROKE AGAIN AFTER ONLY HAVING DRIVEN 1,674MILES. I AM A SINGLE MOM OF TWO ,LIVING WEEK TO WEEK AND I CAN,T AFFORD TO FIX IT AGAIN AND IT IS OUR ONLY CAR. IF KIA IS NOT GOING TO FIX THE CRANK/SHAFT BOLT ( IT IS A DEALER ITEM ONLY) AND THEY KEEP BREAKING ,JUST LOOK AT ALL THE REPUTE INCIDENTS,OVER AND OVER, THEN THEY NEED TO BE MADE TO DO A RECALL , I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THEIR IS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT ON THIS MATTER. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 18, 2013
CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT SHEERED OFF AND THEN THE PULLEY FELL OFF BUSTING THE POWER STEERING PULL COMPLETELY OFF. MAKING ME ALMOST LOOSE CONTROL AND FLYING OFF THE FREEWAY AT 60MPH WITH MY CHILD WITH ME, VERY SCARY. CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT BECAUSE IT WAS THE BOLT THAT BROKE THE BOLT WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY WORK. REPLACED ALL BY MANUFACTURE ON JULY 16TH 2012. COSTING $1,300. THIS LAST WEEK ON FATHERS DAY MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CAR TO GET HIS DAUGHTER AND THE BOLT SHEERED OFF AGAIN AND IT IS LESS THEN 12 MONTHS SINCE THIS HAPPENED BUT BECAUSE THE WARRANTY IS 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES, WE WERE 1,000 MILES OVER AND NOW THE DEALERSHIP SAYS ITS OUR PROBLEM AND NOW WE HAVE TO BUY A WHOLE NEW ENGINE THIS TIME. OUR CAR WAS FIXED BY PORTLAND KIA AND NOW ITS AT WASHINGTON KIA, WASHINGTON KIA IS SAYING THAT PORTLAND DID IT INCORRECTLY AND THEY SHOULD MAKE THIS RIGHT BUT PORTLAND KIA IS NOT TAKING ANY FAULT FOR OVER TORQUING THE BOLD WITH 130 POUNDS OF A TORQUE. *TR
Steering, Jun 10, 2013
I WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH AND MY POWER STEERING WAS GETTING HARD ALMOST CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IN THE EXPRESSWAY, I CHECK POWER STEERING FUEL AND IS FINE, BELT TO POWER STEERING FINE TOO, I JUST WONDER IF THERE IS A RECALL PARTS IN THIS PROBLEM, IM VERY AFRAID TO DRIVE MY KIA AGAIN, PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 8, 2013
WHEN I TRY TO START THE VEHICLE IT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL I OPEN THE DRIVER DOOR THEN IT WILL START. *TR
Structure, May 30, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE VEHICLE SWERVED OUT OF LANE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE REAR SUB FRAME HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR FRAME WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 7/1/13 *CN UPDATED 07/17/2013*JS
Structure, Apr 30, 2013
WAS HAVING MY TIRES CHANGED WHEN MECHANIC NOTICED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF ROT ON THE FRAME ON THE RIGHT SIDE REAR WHERE THE ARM CONNECTS TO THE FRAME. HIGH POTENTIAL FOR THE ARM TO PULL OUT OF FRAME WHICH COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. CAR STARTED RUSTING AROUND FENDERS AND ROCKERS 4 YEARS AGO. THIS FRAME ROT IS A STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY ISSUE. CONTACTED KIA AND SAID THAT DUE TO MILEAGE AND YEAR THAT IT WAS NOT THEIR ISSUE REGARDLESS OF THE 3 PREVIOUS CLAIMS I FOUND ON THE NHTSA SITE AND THE FACT THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURES DEFECT. *TR
Steering, Engine, Apr 15, 2013
WHILE DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL, VEHICLE LOST STEERING IN A TURN CAUSING US TO NARROWLY MISS HITTING A UTILITY POLE. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO SERVICE GARAGE WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT HAD BECOME LOOSE CAUSING THE HARMONIC BALANCER PULLEY TO WOBBLE, BREAK AND CAUSE DAMAGE TO ALL SURROUNDING ENGINE COMPONENTS. $1700.00 REPAIR DID NOT WORK AND ISSUE RECURRED. AFTER A SECOND REPAIR ATTEMPT, SAME ISSUE OCCURRED AGAIN THIS TIME WITH THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT HAVING SHEERED OFF. VEHICLE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD, IS NOT DRIVABLE AT THIS TIME, AND WILL THIS TIME COST MINIMALLY $3500.00 FOR A REPLACEMENT MOTOR....AND POTENTIALLY A LIFE. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE NHTSA MANDATE A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES AS IT IS LUDICROUS TO WAIT FOR A DEATH OR MULTIPLE DEATHS BEFORE ACTING ON WHAT I AM WELL AWARE IS A COMMONLY REPORTED AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROBLEM. A GOOD PART OF "SAFETY" OCCURS IN BEING PROACTIVE. THE ABSENCE OF A RECALL ON THIS IS MIND BOGGLING. NHTSA MUST ACT. *TR
Steering, Apr 5, 2013
I HAD JUST PURCHASED MY 2003 KIA SORENTO ON FEBRUARY 23 2013 FROM A LOCAL USED CAR DEALER. THE CAR HAD 85,000 MILES AT TIME OF PURCHASE. IT WAS DRIVING FINE UNTIL MARCH 31, 2013. AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY THE CAR STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND THEN I LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING ALMOST GOING INTO MY NEIGHBORS DITCH. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC(TOWED) WHERE HE FOUND THAT THE BOLT GOING INTO THE CRANK SHAFT HAD BEEN SHEARED OFF CAUSING THE BELT TO COME OFF. THE PROBLEM IS THAT EVEN AFTER HE FIXES IT (1800.00 +) HE SAID IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN.THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. AFTER READING COUNTLESS ACCOUNTS ONLINE OF OTHER KIA SORENTO OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, I FEEL KIA NEEDS TO RECALL THIS PART. *TR
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 27, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, FUEL WOULD SPEW FROM THE FILLER NECK WHEN REFUELING AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD FLICKER ON AND OFF SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED, WHO WAS UNABLE TO GENERATE A FAILURE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Engine, Feb 23, 2013
I PURCHASED CAR FROM ORGINAL OWNER ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO WITH AROUND 47K MILES. WITHIN A MONTH OR TWO THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER NUMEROUS VISITS OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST 4 YEARS TO THE DEALERSHIP, COMMENTS ON THE WORK ORDERS THAT THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM, REPLACING THE TIMING BELTS, PLUGS, WIRES AND COILS I AM TOLD THAT THE 4TH CYLINDER IS BAD AND BASED UPON THE ISSUE I AM LOOKING AT BETWEEN $2800.00 TO $4,000 TO FIX. IF ITS THE TOP END THE LESSER OF THE TWO NUMBERS AND IF ITS THE BOTTOM END I WAS TOLD THAT I SHOULD CONSIDER WETHER OR NOT I WANT TO SINK $4,000 INTO THE CAR AT THIS POINT. WHATS MORE DISTURBING IS WHEN RESEARCHING THE ISSUE ON VARIOUS WEBSITES I COME TO FIND OUT THE MOST REOCCURING PROBLEM IS THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT COMING OUT AND CAUSING SERIOUS DAMAGE AND A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THE DRIVER. THE RESPONSE BY KIA SEEMS TO BE CONSISTENT AND NOW KNOWING THAT THEY DO NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR WARRANTIES, ISSUE RECALLS(CRANKSHAFT BOLT 2007) AND STILL EXPECT THEIR CUSTOMERS TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS I CAN CONFIDENTLY SAY I WILL NEVER PURCHASE A KIA PRODUCT AGAIN. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS 67,00 MILES ON IT AND I AM INTRIGUED BY THE COMMENTS AND REQUESTS FOR A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST KIA. I AM HOPPING THAT A ENOUGH PEOPLE HAVE THE DESIRE TO FOLLOW THROUGH AND IF NEEDED I WOULD SUPPORT. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 19, 2013
WHEN PUMPING AS INTO THE TANK, GAS SHOOTS OUT OF THE TANK LIKE OPENING A SODA AFTER SHAKING IT UP. FUEL PROJECTION IS VERY FORCEFUL. NO MATTER IF I TRICKLE GAS IN. I HAVE BEEN REJECTED FROM GAS STATIONS BECAUSE TRUCK SPITS OUT SO MUCH GAS & I WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE IS A FIRE HAZARD. KIA PERFORMED TWO RECALLS SC092 & SC073. THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. KIA CUSTOMER CARE NOR THE MECHANICS AT BAY KIA IN NORFOLK, VA HAVE BEEN VERY UNHELPFUL AND INSTEAD OF INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM, SAY THAT IT IS USER ERROR! *TR
Engine, Jan 15, 2013
I WAS DRIVING AND HEARD A SCREECHING SOUND AND LOST MY POWER STEERING. I HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO MY LOCAL GARAGE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT, ROLL PIN AND CRANKSHAFT SPROCKET WERE ALL DAMAGED BECAUSE THE BOLT HAD BROKEN. THE GARAGE REPAIRED THE CAR AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH KIA SORENTO MODELS. THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT PART NUMBER HAD CHANGED AND BEEN REDESIGNED WHICH SHOWS THAT KIA KNOWS OF AN ISSUE. THE SHOP HAD TO REPLACE THE CRANKSHAFT SPROCKET, ROLL PIN AND CRANKSHAFT BOLT. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 14, 2012
WE HAVE A 2003 KIA SORENTO, AND SINCE NOVEMBER WHILE PUMPING GAS, FUEL SUDDENLY SPEWS OUT -- LIKE A SODA CAN THAT HAD BEEN SHAKEN. ONLINE WE CAN FIND OTHER 2003 KIA SORENTOS ALSO COMPLAINING ABOUT WHAT'S KNOWN AS FUEL SPIT-BACK. . THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION INVESTIGATED OVER 100 COMPLAINTS OF SPIT-BACK ON 2003 KIA SORENTOS. COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, FUEL CAN SPILL OUT OR SPIT BACK FROM THE FUEL FILLER PORT ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003 KIA SORENTO VEHICLES. CONSUMERS REPORT THAT THE SPILLED FUEL CAN SPLASH ON THE PERSON FUELING THE VEHICLE, OR ON THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE GROUND. JUST LIKE OURS. THEN IN JANUARY 2012, KIA'S TESTING FOUND THAT IF THE CANISTER FILTER BECOMES SIGNIFICANTLY CLOGGED, EXCESS PRESSURE CAN BUILD UP IN THE FUEL TANK AND CAUSE FUEL TO SPIT BACK FROM THE FILLER PORT DURING REFUELING. TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF FUEL SPIT BACK DURING REFUELING, KIA CONDUCTED A SERVICE CAMPAIGN OF APPROXIMATELY 86,000 MY 2003 AND 2004 KIA SORENTO VEHICLES. THE CAMPAIGN WILL PROVIDE A ONE-TIME REPLACEMENT OF THE CANISTER FILTER, AT NO COST TO THE OWNER -- THIS WAS DONE ON OUR CAR ON MARCH 6, 2012. BEFORE THIS SERVICE, THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH FUEL SPIT-BACK, NOW IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME WE FUEL UP. THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE US TO FIX IT, THE COMPANY IS OF NO HELP YOUR AGENCY CLOSED ITS INVESTIGATION, BUT IT SEEMS YOU MUST REOPEN IT. AGAIN, WE DID NOT HAVE THE FUEL SPIT-BACK PROBLEM UNTIL AFTER THE SERVICE!!!!!!!!!!! *TR
Steering, Structure, Dec 10, 2012
MY 2003 KIA SORENTO START VIBRATING AS I WAS PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND BEFORE I CAN PARK IT I HEARD A LOAD NOISE AND MY STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HEAVY TO STEER AND ALMOST LOOSE CONTROL. I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK INTO THE ISSUE AND FOUND THE PULLEY BOLT (HARMONIC BALANCER) BROKE IN HALF. I HAD ALSO CHECK IF THIS IS AN UNUSUAL PROBLEM - CAME TO FIND OUT THAT THIS COULD POTENTIAL DESIGN DEFECT FROM KIA. AS THERE ARE THOUSAND OF THEM THAT HAS SIMILAR PROBLEM COMPLAINED ON THE INTERNET. I HAD CALLED KIA DEALER SHIP AND THEY ARE NOT HELPING ON THIS DESIGN FLAW ISSUE. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 25, 2012
I HAD OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR A YEAR WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN ONE DAY I WAS FILLING UP WITH GAS, HAD PUMPED LESS THAN A GALLON WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE GAS CAME SHOOTING BACK OUT OF THE TANK ALL OVER ME, THE CAR, THE GROUND, EVERYWHERE. I TRIED MORE GAS AS I WAS ALMOST ON EMPTY, & IT HAPPENED OVER & OVER. FINALLY, I HAD TO PULL THE NOZZLE MOST OF THE WAY OUT OF THE TANK, & PUMP AS SLOWLY AS POSSIBLE. I LEARNED THAT IF I LISTENED CAREFULLY, I COULD HEAR THE GAS APPROACHING THE TOP OF THE NECK & IF I WAS QUICK ENOUGH, COULD KEEP THE "BLOW BACK" DOWN TO A TRICKLE & ONLY HAVE IT ON THE VEHICLE & THE GROUND & NOT ON ME. MY SON REFUSES TO DRIVE IT IF IT NEEDS TO BE GASSED UP. IT MAKES ME VERY NERVOUS TO PUMP GAS LIKE THIS. WHAT IF THERE IS A RANDOM SPARK? I NOTICED IN 2005 (LONG BEFORE I PURCHASED) THERE WAS SOME SORT OF FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS RECALL FROM HTTP://WWW.MOTORTREND.COM/CARS/2003/KIA/SORENTO/RECALLS/ DOES THAT RECALL COVER THIS ISSUE? I READ A LOT OF COMPLAINTS FROM MANY PEOPLE HAVING THIS VERY SAME ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 25, 2012
DRIVING AT NIGHT WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN INTERIOR LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING OFF & ON LIKE STROBE LIGHTS AT A DISCO. I TRIED TURNING THEM OFF, NOTHING. IT SEEMED RELATED TO THE DIMMER SWITCH BECAUSE IF I KEPT PRESSURE ON IT TO THE LOWEST DEGREE, THE FLASHING STOPPED. FOR AWHILE I WEDGED A PIN IN THE SWITCH & THAT WORKED. EVENTUALLY, THOUGH THAT STOPPED WORKING & THE LIGHT SHOW WOULD BEGIN. IT HAPPENED DAY & NIGHT, JUST MORE NOTICEABLE AT NIGHT. I FINALLY REMOVED THE FUSE FOR THE CABIN LIGHTS & AS A RESULT, HAVE NO DASH LIGHTS EITHER WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK. I'VE NOT GONE TO KIA AS I AM SURE IT WILL COST WAY MORE THAN I CAN AFFORD. I'M REDUCED TO USING A FLASHLIGHT WHEN ON LONG ROAD TRIPS TO CHECK GAS GAUGE & SPEEDOMETER. *TR