5.5

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
16,667 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2003 Kia Sorento:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #3

Sep 012011

Sorento 4WD 6-cyl

  • miles
2003 Kia Sorento. Consumer writes in regards to gasoline tank defect. Consumer requests reimbursement the consumer stated she received a voluntary service campaign letter from Kia motors regarding the replacement of the fuel tank ai filter. The consumer stated she experienced the failure in September 2011. However, when she contacted Kia regarding reimbursement, she was informed there was no recall of that nature. Kia informed the consumer she would not be reimbursement for the defect. The consumer stated her vehicle was not operable, due to the fact, she could not get more than one gallon of gasoline into the tank without it spraying back out of the tank. The mechanic found the charcoal canister falling apart and blocking the air flow in close valve, vent filter and roll over valve. The fuel pump assembly was removed and the charcoal cleaned out of the fuel tank and roll over valve.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #2

Jan 022008

Sorento 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles
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.

- Longview, TX, USA

problem #1

Mar 012007

Sorento

  • miles
Like many 2003 Kia Sorento owners the overflow tank in mine developed a crack in the bottom that is only visible when it is pressurized. Although Kia knows there is a problem with the overflow tank in most if not all 2003 Kia Sorento's and has sent out a tsb to their mechanics over how to replace it. As soon as my car had overheated due to the leak, I had to pay around $100 to buy a new tank from the nearest dealership but alas after over heating my car developed more problems and engine having to be thrown out. This has cost me over $4300 in repairs so far, and have not been able to drive the car I am still making monthly payments on in nine months. None of which are covered to the warranty due to their "10 year 100,000 mile" powertrain warranty not being transferable to those who buy the car used.

- Houston, TX, USA