2003 Kia Sorento problems and complaints
Owners have filed 308 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Kia Sorento. The most-reported areas: Engine And Engine Cooling (82), Engine (43), Fuel System (43).
Key takeaways
- 308 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
- 10 involve a crash, 3 a fire, 12 reported injuries.
- Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 82 | 27% |
| Engine | 43 | 14% |
| Fuel System | 43 | 14% |
| Gasoline | 41 | 13% |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 34 | 11% |
| Steering | 31 | 10% |
| Air Bags | 30 | 10% |
| Electrical System | 29 | 9% |
| Service Brakes | 25 | 8% |
| Power Train | 22 | 7% |
| Suspension | 17 | 6% |
| Exterior Lighting | 17 | 6% |
One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Kia Sorento 4-DR. | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | 3/5 |
Latest complaints, as filed
Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.
Air Bags - filed 2025-03-20
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 the NHTSA can get...
Engine - filed 2019-10-01
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 CONTACT WA...
Engine - filed 2019-08-30
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 WERE NO INJURIES REPOR...
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More for the 2003 Kia Sorento
Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.