2003 Kia Sorento Problems
Typical for Model
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2003 Kia Sorento. Part of Generation 1 — 2003–2009.
Complaints
421
Crashes
13
Fires
3
Injuries
17
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 2003 Kia Sorento Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#146 complaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Avg mileage:72,496 mi
Fires:1
#243 complaints
ENGINE
Avg mileage:110,651 mi
Crash-related:3
#334 complaints
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Avg mileage:107,601 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2003 Kia Sorento.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 46 | — | 1 | 72,496 mi | |
| ENGINE | 43 | 3 | — | 110,651 mi | |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 34 | — | — | 107,601 mi | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 33 | — | — | 77,660 mi | |
| STEERING | 24 | 1 | — | 95,335 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 20 | — | — | 88,915 mi | |
| AIR BAGS | 19 | 2 | — | 80,967 mi | |
| SUSPENSION | 13 | — | — | 77,791 mi | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 12 | — | — | 40,639 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 11 | — | — | 65,886 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN | 10 | — | — | 204,596 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 9 | — | — | 52,961 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 9 | — | — | 94,751 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 9 | — | — | 21,359 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS | 7 | — | — | 69,934 mi | |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 6 | 3 | — | 44,731 mi | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 6 | — | — | 54,041 mi | |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE | 5 | — | — | 30,641 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 5 | — | 2 | 56,737 mi | |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | 5 | — | — | 38,340 mi | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 5 | — | — | 156,116 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV) | 4 | — | — | 57,744 mi | |
| EQUIPMENT | 4 | — | — | 70,669 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 4 | — | — | 426,925 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | 3 | — | — | 56,000 mi | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 3 | — | — | 50,000 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT | 3 | — | — | 124 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 3 | — | — | 36,452 mi | |
| STRUCTURE | 3 | — | — | 112,003 mi | |
| TIRES | 3 | 1 | — | 48,490 mi |
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
46
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
72,496
ENGINE
43
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
110,651
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
34
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
107,601
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
33
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
77,660
STEERING
24
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
95,335
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
20
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
88,915
AIR BAGS
19
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
80,967
SUSPENSION
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
77,791
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
40,639
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
65,886
POWER TRAIN
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
204,596
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
52,961
SERVICE BRAKES
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
94,751
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
21,359
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
69,934
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
6
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
44,731
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
54,041
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
30,641
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
56,737
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
38,340
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
156,116
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
57,744
EQUIPMENT
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
70,669
STRUCTURE:BODY
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
426,925
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
56,000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
50,000
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
124
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
36,452
STRUCTURE
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
112,003
TIRES
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
48,490
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Other Kia Sorento Years
Wider context: See the full Kia Sorento reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
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