2003 Kia Sorento recalls and problems

The 2003 Kia Sorento has 1 recall and 305 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is engine.

How the 2003 compares

High

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

High complaint count among 24 Sorento model years — 10th most.

1recalls

305complaints

10crashes

3fires

12injuries

74,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

1 recall

Fuel System

Aug 4, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V353000 · 2,935 vehicles

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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Original NHTSA wording

FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy & notes

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.

Kia recall no. Sc-052.customers May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Engine124

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

NHTSA investigations

Fuel Spill During Refueling

PE10023 · opened Jul 12, 2010 · closed Dec 21, 2011

Summary

Complaints allege that while refueling the vehicle, fuel can spill out or spit back from the fuel filler port on model year (MY) 2003 Kia Sorento vehicles (subject vehicles).Consumers report that the spilled fuel can splash on the person fueling the vehicle, or on the side of the vehicle and the ground.The subject vehicles are equipped with an evaporative emissions control system that, among other things, manages air exchange between the fuel tank and the atmosphere in an environmentally safe manner.The system consists of a vapor canister, various control valves and tubing, and a canister filter (fuel tank air filter) through which the air that flows in and out of the fuel tank must pass.Kia's testing found that if the canister filter becomes significantly clogged, excess pressure can build up in the fuel tank and cause fuel to spit back from the filler port during refueling.Kia has stated that the canister filter requires regularly scheduled service maintenance; however, the component is not listed as a maintenance item in the owner's or service manual for the subject vehicles.ODI notes that Kia does list the filter on the maintenance schedule in the owner's manual for MY 2005 and newer Kia Sorento vehicles.To address the issue of fuel spit back during refueling, Kia will conduct a service campaign of approximately 86,000 MY 2003 and 2004 Kia Sorento vehicles.The campaign will provide a one-time replacement of the canister filter, at no cost to the owner.Kia will begin notif…

2003 vs. other Kia Sorento years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2003. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2003 Kia Sorento have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign covering the 2003 Kia Sorento, the latest from Aug 4, 2005 (fuel system). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Kia Sorento?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention engine (124), fuel system (77), steering (31). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.