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 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.
Fuel system, Other, Sep 18, 2007
2003 KIA SORENTO. GAS TANK WILL NOT FILL AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO FILL THE CAR WILL SPEW GAS ONTO THE CONSUMER AND ALL OVER THE CAR AND SURROUNDING AREA CREATING A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. ACCORDING TO KIA I HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE GAS TANK ASSEMBLY BECAUSE IT'S DEFECTIVE. FOR NOW I HAVE TO PUMP THE GAS IN EXTREMELY SLOWLY AND IT TAKES APPROXIMATELY 12 TIMES LONGER THAN NORMAL. *TR
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
Seat belts, Aug 21, 2007, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 15-20 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR OF THE CONTACTS VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT DISENGAGED, WHICH CAUSED THE PASSENGER TO SUSTAIN BRUISES TO THE CHEST. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS NOT YET DETERMINED IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 86,000. *UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF MISSOURI ACCIDENT REPORT. UPDATED 12/12/07 *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
Air bags, Aug 3, 2007
IN SEPTEMBER, 2006, AT APPROXIMATELY 55200 MILES, THE AIRBAG FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON. DIAGNOSIS BY THE DEALER ON 5 SEPT 2006 (INVOICE 107484) REVEALED "ORDERED DRIVERS AIR BAG, FAULT B1346, 1ST STAGE RESISTANCE TO [SIC] HIGH." ON 25 SEPT 2006, AFTER FIRST ORDERING THE WRONG PART(INVOICE 107945), THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG (INVOICE 108174). ON 31 JULY 2007, AT APPROXIMATELY 59200 MILES, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER ON 1 AUGUST, AND ON 2 AUGUST THE DEALER REPLACED THE AIR BAG. THE DEALER INVOICE INDICATES "56910R00 REPLACED DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG. RESISTANCE TO [SIC] HIGH." (INVOICE 119075). ON THE MORNING OF 3 AUGUST 2007, AT APPROXIMATELY 59220 MILES, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS HAVE NEVER BEEN DEPLOYED. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT AND IS ONLY 4-1/2 YEARS ONLY. DESPITE THE DRIVER-SIDE AIRBAG BEING REPLACED TWICE, THE CAR IS INDICATING FOR THE THIRD TIME THAT THE DRIVER-SIDE AIRBAG HAS FAILED. *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
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 14, 2007
BOTH REAR INTERIOR DOOR PANELS AND LIFTGATE ARE RUSTING OUT ON VEHICLE THAT IS 1.5 YEARS OLD (AND GARAGE KEPT). KIA STATES THEY HAVE A "5-YEAR/50K MILE BUMPER-TO-BUMPER WARRANTY" FOR POOR CRAFTSMANSHIP & FAULTY MATERIALS. APPARENTLY, A BRAND NEW VEHICLE RUSTING OUT DOESN'T MEET KIA'S DEFINITION AS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND WILL NOT FIX IT. KIA'S WARRANTY IS OVERSTATED. NO VEHICLE (EVEN ONE'S BUILT INTO 1950'S RUST OUT WITH IN A YEAR. POOR MATERIALS....LOUSY WARRANTY. *TR
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
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, May 17, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HE GETS AN OIL CHANGE, THE VEHICLE'S EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR LIGHTS BLOW OUT. AS OF MAY 17, 2007, THE DOME LIGHT IS CURRENTLY OUT AND HAS BEEN SINCE NOVEMBER 25, 2005. KIA MOTORS STATED THAT EVEN THOUGH HER VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY, SHE STILL HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. KIA ALSO STATED THAT IN ORDER TO KEEP HER WARRANTY, THE CONTACT WOULD NEED TO PAY $1,000 PLUS THE REPAIR COSTS. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT PROVIDED A SATISFACTORY EXPLANATION AS TO WHAT IS CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY EIGHT TIMES. SHE STATED THAT THE BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED EVEN THOUGH IT WAS ALSO STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 62,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,600. THE DEALER STATED GAS PEDAL STICKS WHEN ACCELERATING . THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HD TO PURCHASE 2 BATTERIES. UPDATED 06/07/07 *TR
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
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 18, 2007
I HAVE NOW HAD THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY BREAK 3 TIMES, THE ENGINE AND OTHER PARTS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THIS. IT MAKES THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY INOPERABLE AND UNSAFE.*AK
Steering, Apr 9, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND COULD NOT TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT A BOLT AND BALANCER DETACHED FROM THE HINGES. THE CONTACT SUGGESTED THAT THE POWER STEERING MAY HAVE BEEN LOW IN FLUID. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 79,000.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 2, 2007
CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BROKE OFF. KIA DEALER RECOMMENDS ENGINE REPLACEMENT. COST WOULD BE $7000. RESEARCHING THIS TOPIC FIND OTHERS WITH SAME SITUATION. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. THE POWER STEERING BECOMES INOPERABLE AND THE POWER SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. *JB
Other or unspecified, Mar 27, 2007
CUSTOMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ANY PENDING SAFETY RECALLS OR INVESTIGATIONS FOR THE 2003 KIA SORENTO**CC *JB
Steering, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Mar 18, 2007
I OWN A 2003 KIA SORENTO LX. I USED IT MAINLY TO GO FROM HOME TO WORK. THIS HAPPENED 2 DAYS AGO, MARCH 16, 2006, AT 32247 MILES. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN FROM A STOPLIGHT, I HAD COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, IT WOULD NOT LET ME STOP IT AND I COULD NOT CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL, IT KEPT TURNING SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT, AND I LANDED ON THE SIDEWALK. LUCKILY, IT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS JUST ENTERING MY NEIGHBORHOOD, GOING AT MODERATE SPEED, AND THERE WERE NO CARS BESIDES OR BEHIND ME. TO THINK IF I WERE DRIVING 65-70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAVE THIS HAPPENED AND LOSE CONTROL, I WOULD HAVE BEEN DEAD. BUT IT IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENS IN 3 1/2 YEARS. THE FIRST TIME WAS ABOUT 1 1/2 YEAR AGO, BUT I DID NOT PAY ATTENTION TO IT SINCE I THOUGHT IT WAS DUE TO WET CONDITIONS. I WAS ENTERING THE MULTI-LEVEL PARKING LOT WHERE I WORK. I WAS GOING UP TO THE 4TH FLOOR WHERE I PARK, AND WHEN I TURNED LEFT ON THE 3RD FLOOR, THE CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL, KEPT GOING ROUND, AND I COULD NOT STOP. LUCKILY AGAIN, IT WAS SO EARLY IN THE MORNING THAT THERE WERE NO CARS IN THAT FLOOR. SURELY, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS. WHAT HAPPENED FRIDAY ALMOST GOT ME KILLED. IT HAS HAPPENED ONLY TWICE IN ALL THESE YEARS, BUT, NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, I WILL NEVER FEEL SAFE ON THIS CAR AGAIN. I CANNOT TAKE ANY OTHER CHANCE OF BEING KILLED BECAUSE OF A CAR'S DEFECT. I WILL BE NOW USING MY HUSBAND'S CAR TO TRAVEL BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. BESIDES THAT BIG PROBLEM, I HAVE ENCOUNTERED OTHER PROBLEM WITH MY SORENTO. THE FRONT AND BACK BULBS BLOW QUITE OFTEN. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP EVERY TIME IT HAS NEEDED REPLACEMENT, AND I HAVE ALL THE INVOICE SHEETS. I WOULD PREFER TO HAVE SOMEONE CONTACT ME IN SPANISH. THANK YOU KINDLY.
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 5, 2007
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMPLAINT ABOUT MY 03 KIA SORENTO. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED IN 2004. MY HUSBAND CALLED KIA TO CHECK TO SEE IF THE WARRANTIES WHERE TRANSFERABLE AND THE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD HIM THEY WERE. SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR TAIL/BRAKE LIGHTS 3 TIMES, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE COOLANT BOTTLE, MY ROTORS WERE VIBRATING WHEN I BRAKED SO I HAD THEM SURFACED AND NOW THEY VIBRATE AGAIN. MY BLOWER FAN HAS GONE OUT AND NOW MY CRANKSHAFT BOLT HAS BROKE LAST WEEK. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER. I DIDN'T BUY AN EXTENDED WARRANT BECAUSE I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION ECT WAS COVERED UP TO 100,000 OR 5 YEARS, WHICH I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS ONLY FOR THE ORIGINAL OWNER. AT FIRST, I WAS JUST THINKING THAT IT WAS JUST MY BAD LUCK, UNTIL I STARTED RESEARCHING IT ON THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED THAT MANY PEOPLE SEEM TO BE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS I AM AND THAT IS ONLY THE THOSE OF USE WHO ACTUAL POST IT ON THE INTERNET, I AM SURE THAT THERE ARE PROBABLY MANY MORE THAT ARE NOT REPORTED. AT THIS TIME, I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW MUCH THIS IS GOING TO COST ME AT FIRST THE DEAL TOLD ME $765.00, THEN THEY SAID MAY BE $3700.00. I THINK IT IS RIDICULES THAT SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT BRAKING OFF AND RUINING THE MOTOR OF A VEHICLE THAT IS 3 YEARS OLD AND KIA HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I ALSO HAVE SEEN THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THERE COOLANT BOTTLE LEAKING, AGAIN LIKE MINE, BUT THEY HAVE BLOWN THEIR ENGINES. AGAIN WHY IS IT THAT KIA IS NOT RECALL THIS VEHICLES FOR THESE PROBLEMS. IF MY CRANKSHAFT BOLT HAD BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, IT CHILLS ME TO THINK OF WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED. SOMEONE REALLY NEEDS TO HELP ALL OF US KIA OWNERS WHO ARE ALL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB