Major Problems with 2003 Kia Sorento Derived from Complaints & Recalls

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Worst 3 complaints of 2003 Kia Sorento

2003 Kia Sorento TIRES Victims: 5

2003 Kia Sorento STEERING Victims: 2 Mileage: 120000 miles

2003 Kia Sorento FRONTAL Victims: 1 Mileage: 84000 miles

Browse 2003 Kia Sorento complaints by category

Problems with ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM are the most frequent issues recorded by the NHTSA from Kia Sorento owners.

Problem Category	Number of Problems
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING while driving the engine blew out the first time on 10-04-04. it was replaced and it blew again on 01-21-05....	46 ~ 59888 miles
ENGINE driving my 2003 kia sorento in town when the brake oil and check engine lights come on and lost my...	43 ~ 102932 miles
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia sorento. while driving approximately 75 mph the vehicle began to decelerate independently. the...	34 ~ 101271 miles
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE i purchased a 2003 kia sorento in feb 2003 vehicle spins over for quite sometime and then slowly finally turns...	33 ~ 61187 miles
STEERING i purchased the sorento 5/31/03 while making a right hand turn the power steering completely went out i almost hit...	24 ~ 83418 miles
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM electrical failure cooling system failure rough running-engine misfire purchased car 2-22-2003 brand new this car has spent a lot of...	20 ~ 66687 miles
AIR BAGS i purchased a 2003 ex kia sorento in june 2003. on july 13 2003 the air bag light system came...	18 ~ 44982 miles
SUSPENSION vehicle vibrates at highway speeds. took to dealer they said wheels were unbalanced. dealer balanced wheels and still no change.	13 ~ 65823 miles
EXTERIOR LIGHTING electrical failure cooling system failure rough running-engine misfire purchased car 2-22-2003 brand new this car has spent a lot of...	12 ~ 30479 miles
COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING engine and cooling system. *jb...	11 ~ 59897 miles
POWER TRAIN 1. engine started knocking ( mileage 68 000 ) 2. engine shut down and would not restart 3. a mechanic...	10 ~ 184136 miles
SERVICE BRAKES tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia sorento. the contact stated that while exiting a parking lot at 10 mph...	9 ~ 94751 miles
ROTOR > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS front brake rotors and pads had to be replaced by dealer after only 20 000 miles. dealer said that this	9 ~ 11866 miles
ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING vehicle would not start/has been in shop 4 times in last week/1st trip replace throttle body 2nd recalibrate engine 3rd...	9 ~ 47077 miles
BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS > GASOLINE > ENGINE dt*: the contact stated while driving 65 mph there was a screeching noise that came from the engine. the dealer...	7 ~ 59944 miles
FRONTAL > AIR BAGS the vehicle was involved in an accident and none of the air bags deployed. *jb...	6 ~ 29821 miles
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL vehicle would not start/has been in shop 4 times in last week/1st trip replace throttle body 2nd recalibrate engine 3rd...	6 ~ 54041 miles
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN while driving at highway speed consumer smelled a burning odor. then smoke came from the rear of the vehicle. as	5 ~ 45389 miles
SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE > FRONTAL > AIR BAGS i was driving my vehicle to work. for the past 2 to 3 days i noticed some noise from my...	5 ~ 24513 miles
HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM > STEERING 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...	5 ~ 30672 miles
UNKNOWN OR OTHER customer would like to know if any pending safety recalls or investigations for the 2003 kia sorento*cc jb...	5 ~ 62447 miles
BODY > STRUCTURE approx. a week prior heard a noise like something was loose and beating underneath the car only at times. took...	4 ~ 426925 miles
CRANKCASE (PCV) > EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM dt*: the contact stated while traveling 35 mph without warning there was a loss of power. the vehicle was pulled...	4 ~ 57745 miles
EQUIPMENT the vehicle was purchased in april 03. not long after that there was a strange sound then there was oil...	4 ~ 70669 miles
STRUCTURE my 2003 kia sorento start vibrating as i was pulling into my driveway and before i can park it i...	3 ~ 112003 miles
TANK ASSEMBLY > STORAGE > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE like many 2003 kia sorento owners the overflow tank in mine developed a crack in the bottom that is only...	3 ~ 16667 miles
WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM electrical failure cooling system failure rough running-engine misfire purchased car 2-22-2003 brand new this car has spent a lot of...	3 ~ 37333 miles
TIRES vibration at 70+ mph. *jb...	3 ~ 32327 miles
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC purchased 2003 sorento only to find the brakes and rotors need replaced every 8 000 miles a costly figure to...	3 ~ 24301 miles
MECHANICAL > EQUIPMENT bought 2003 sorento july 1 2003. soon after the back brakes or something after braking would "clunk". whether is was...	3 ~ 48411 miles
DRIVESHAFT > DRIVELINE > POWER TRAIN vehicle driveshaft installed 180 degrees out (upside down) causing severe vibration. driveshaft turned 180 degrees. still has vibration. dealer not	3 ~ 41 miles
UNDERBODY SHIELDS > FRAME AND MEMBERS > STRUCTURE was having my tires changed when mechanic noticed a significant amount of rot on the frame on the right side...	2 ~ 148890 miles
FRAME AND MEMBERS > STRUCTURE i purchased my 03 kia sorento in 2004 and have had many issues since then. i have had to replace...	2 ~ 38000 miles
12V/24V/48V BATTERY > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM while driving on saturday 7/15/06 i noticed a high pitched noise while steering. i was under the impression that the...	2 ~ 35500 miles
HORN > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM dt*: the contact stated the horn works intermittently. the vehicle has been to the dealer five times for the problem....	2 ~ 28000 miles
SIDE/WINDOW > AIR BAGS dt*: the contact stated while driving on a paved street at 35 mph the drivers side-impact and both frontal air...	2 ~ 54500 miles
RADIATOR ASSEMBLY > COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING when i stopped at 12 000 ft mt pass summit in remote area i noticed fluid draining from my kia...	2 ~ 70760 miles
FRONT > SUSPENSION dt: front axle causes tires to wear faster on the inside. significant wear differences between inside and outside of the...	2 ~ 13952 miles
IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM while driving the engine blew out the first time on 10-04-04. it was replaced and it blew again on 01-21-05....	2 ~ 62974 miles
ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC accelerate after stopping pressing brake pedal hard vehicle leaped forward. *bf when beginning to accelerate after stopping suddenly or pressing...	2 ~ 3000 miles
HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS > DELIVERY > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 1) upon purchase exhaust smell was strong inside suv leading to headaches and queasiness. 2) took it in within weeks...	2 ~ 52006 miles
EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 1) upon purchase exhaust smell was strong inside suv leading to headaches and queasiness. 2) took it in within weeks...	2 ~ 22056 miles
GASOLINE > ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING the sorento suv was bought in june 2003. with less than 1000 miles in june 2003 the sorento was brought...	2 ~ 450 miles
HEADLIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING 2003 kia sorento headlights since new have continued to burn out (theirs/ours any manufacture) it does not make a difference...	2
VISIBILITY/WIPER the wiper motor strips out easily. took it in to have it fixed and it still slams down into the	1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL while driving on hwy 275 at 60 mph. engine lights came on and steering wheel locked..total system power failure..2 daughters...	1 ~ 120000 miles
VISIBILITY i have had my 2003 kia sorento since march 2010. it was purchased with 32 000 miles on it and...	1 ~ 36000 miles
UPPER ARM > CONTROL ARM > FRONT tl*-the contact owns a 2003 kia sorento. while the contact was driving approximately 25 mph there was a loud noise...	1 ~ 53000 miles
INTERIOR LIGHTING i purchased my 03 kia sorento in 2004 and have had many issues since then. i have had to replace...	1 ~ 45000 miles
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER i have a 2003 kia sorento that failed the emissions test. when going onto the website for recalls it comes...	1
REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER > VISIBILITY there is a plastic cap holding on the rod to the windshield wipers that will popped off without any kind...	1 ~ 71233 miles
FRONT > SEAT BELTS tl*the contact owns a 2003 kia sorento. while driving 15-20 mph another vehicle crashed into the driver side door of...	1 ~ 86000 miles
FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE while driving my 2003 kia sorento on august 14 2007 the engine began to make noises loose power and slow...	1
TAIL LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING last feb. the coolant reservoir cracked lost all coolant. towed to dealer. they fixed it and told me that i...	1 ~ 54700 miles
FILLING/CHARGING > TANK ASSEMBLY > STORAGE 2003 kia sorento. gas tank will not fill and when attempting to fill the car will spew gas onto the...	1 ~ 58981 miles
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM i was dropping off someone at work when the car made a thump and all the dash warning lights came...	1 ~ 63000 miles
UNIVERSAL JOINT > DRIVELINE > POWER TRAIN 2003 kia sorrento-there has been no crash==the drive line from the rear makes a noisy thump almost every time...	1 ~ 45000 miles
DIFFERENTIAL UNIT > DRIVELINE > POWER TRAIN i drive a 2003 kia/sorento/4d. on or about dec 15 2006 i notice a loud noise an server vibration coming...	1 ~ 124 miles
DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM > VISIBILITY dt*: the contact stated while attempting to turn on the defogger/defrost system the heater failed to operate and no heat...	1 ~ 45000 miles
RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. > ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT dt*: the contact stated while driving various speeds a noise and a vibration was noticed. upon further inspection unusual wear...	1 ~ 27903 miles
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR while driving on saturday 7/15/06 i noticed a high pitched noise while steering. i was under the impression that the...	1
DOOR > BODY > STRUCTURE both rear interior door panels and liftgate are rusting out on vehicle that is 1.5 years old (and garage kept)....	1 ~ 24000 miles
LOCK > HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES both rear interior door panels and liftgate are rusting out on vehicle that is 1.5 years old (and garage kept)....	1 ~ 24000 miles
HEATER CORE > DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM > VISIBILITY vehicle went in for repair of heater core at which time the dashboard was removed. 2 days later the airbag...	1 ~ 65000 miles
CRUISE CONTROL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL electrical failure cooling system failure rough running-engine misfire purchased car 2-22-2003 brand new this car has spent a lot of...	1
ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT air bag light keeps coming on. kia fixed this issue at least 5 times now the light is back on...	1 ~ 20000 miles
HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE > BODY > STRUCTURE rust spots appear on the rear liftgate within the warranty period for paint. both auto manufacturer and dealership did not	1 ~ 35000 miles
CALIPER > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS dt: the consumer's vehicle was making a clicking noise took it to the dealer. they said the caliper was missing...	1
WHEEL BEARING > FRONT > SUSPENSION while driving the engine blew out the first time on 10-04-04. it was replaced and it blew again on 01-21-05....	1 ~ 58947 miles
FOG LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING while driving the engine blew out the first time on 10-04-04. it was replaced and it blew again on 01-21-05....	1 ~ 58947 miles
ACCELERATOR PEDAL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL on saturday april 3 2004 my 2003 kia sorrento was parked in the middle of my driveway while i moved...	1 ~ 17800 miles
DRIVELINE > POWER TRAIN bought 2003 sorento july 1 2003. soon after the back brakes or something after braking would "clunk". whether is was...	1
ANTI-THEFT DEVICES > ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT i purchased a 2003 ex kia sorento in june 2003. on july 13 2003 the air bag light system came...	1
PADS > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS front brake rotors and pads had to be replaced by dealer after only 20 000 miles. dealer said that this	1 ~ 20000 miles
AXLE SHAFT > AXLE ASSEMBLY > POWER TRAIN i have a 2003 kia sorento that i purchased in september of 2003. i bought the sorento with 5000 miles...	1 ~ 5100 miles
ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM > STEERING 2003 kia sorento would loose power steering assistance when transitioning from moderate speeds (30-50 mph) to low speed (5-10 mph)...	1 ~ 19000 miles
AXLE ASSEMBLY > POWER TRAIN the sorento suv was bought in june 2003. with less than 1000 miles in june 2003 the sorento was brought...	1 ~ 900 miles
PUMP > HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST > STEERING bought car new. power steering never worked. needed to be replaced. *la...	1 ~ 1398 miles
DELIVERY > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE vehicle takes a long time to start. sometimes as long as ten seconds. the engine cranks and cranks and then	1 ~ 300 miles
FUEL PUMP > DELIVERY > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE consumer purchased vehicle on 11/25/02. vehicle turns over but will not start. car has been in for service 3 times.	1

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