2003 KIA Sorento Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Sorento years
- More complaints than other years 10th of 24 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 1 recall: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 305 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 KIA Sorento. That ranks 10th out of 24 Sorento model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (81 complaints, 27%), typically at around 67,290 miles. Complaints mention 10 crashes, 3 fires, 12 injuries. There is 1 safety recall covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
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- 305owner complaints
- 1safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 10complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2003 KIA Sorento problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling problems | 81 | 27% | 67,290 | “crank shaft” (15%) | $5,050 |
| Engine | 43 | 14% | 118,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 41 | 13% | 82,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 34 | 11% | 113,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 31 | 10% | 79,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 30 | 10% | 60,100 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 29 | 10% | 67,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 22 | 7% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 17 | 6% | 79,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 16 | 5% | 36,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 14 | 5% | 22,500 | — | — |
| Structure | 12 | 4% | 45,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 9 | 3% | 84,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 | 3% | 32,247 | — | — |
| Equipment | 5 | 2% | 67,375 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 5 | 2% | 156,117 | — | — |
| Visibility | 4 | 1% | 55,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 3 | 1% | 48,490 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 2 | 1% | 58,981 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 0% | 120,000 | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 0% | 45,000 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 0% | 24,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 0% | 86,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2003 KIA Sorento recalls (1)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: 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.
Risk: Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Fuel Spill During Refueling (PE10023) — opened Jul 12, 2010, closed Dec 21, 2011.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
For some reason, KIA has halted production of the Air Bag Clock Spring mechanism for 2003 Kia Sorento's EX with cruise control. In my opinion, this was a vital component of the Air Bag safety system for any vehicle. So why the halt in the production of this vital part. Kia part #93490-3E160. Maybe…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST MOTIVE POWER WHILE DRIVING THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY WHEN THE VEHICLE STALL THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT IT WAS RELATED TO THE FUEL SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE SPUTTERED AND STALLED. THE…
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 kia sorento. While driving at 60 mph, the contact stated that smoke came from out of the vents. The contact pulled over on the shoulder and exited the vehicle. There were sparks coming from the engine and the vehicle caught on fire. A police report was filed and there…
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia sorrento. The contact stated that while driving at 45 mph, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also mentioned that a 'snow' warning light illuminated as well. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RPMS WOULD NOT GO OVER 4,000 AND SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEED WOULD NOT EXCEED 40 MPH AND THE ENGINE WAS DRAINING THE OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PEAK KIA (5077 S WADSWORTH BLVD, LITTLETON…
Other KIA Sorento years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sorento | 6 | 2 |
| 2025 Sorento | 76 | 3 |
| 2024 Sorento | 42 | 2 |
| 2023 Sorento | 123 | 3 |
| 2022 Sorento | 192 | 6 |
| 2021 Sorento | 253 | 4 |
| 2020 Sorento | 137 | 1 |
| 2019 Sorento | 430 | 2 |
| 2018 Sorento | 255 | 3 |
| 2017 Sorento | 806 | 4 |
| 2016 Sorento | 1,254 | 8 |
| 2015 Sorento | 752 | 3 |
| 2014 Sorento | 988 | 6 |
| 2013 Sorento | 981 | 5 |
| 2012 Sorento | 880 | 5 |
| 2011 Sorento | 1,519 | 7 |
| 2010 Sorento | 3 | 1 |
| 2009 Sorento | 55 | 2 |
| 2008 Sorento | 217 | 3 |
| 2007 Sorento | 154 | 4 |
| 2006 Sorento | 242 | 1 |
| 2005 Sorento | 307 | 0 |
| 2004 Sorento | 220 | 0 |
| 2003 | 305 | 1 |
See all KIA Sorento problems by year, every KIA model, or the KIA VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2003 KIA Sorento?
Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, engine, fuel system, gasoline problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 81 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2003 KIA Sorento?
Yes, 1 safety recall. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2003 KIA Sorento a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Sorento model years, the 2003 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.