Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2003 Kia Sorento, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling81
- Engine43
- Fuel system, gasoline41
- Fuel/propulsion system34
- Steering31
- Air bags30
- Electrical system29
- Power train22
- Suspension17
- Exterior lighting16
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 12 injuries and 1 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 8 2003 Sorento vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 8 people died inside them, and 3 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2003 Kia Sorento failed the safety check 1.15% of the time — 45% less often than the average 2003 passenger car (2.11%). Median odometer at inspection: 134,583 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
68 first registered in 2003 are on Dutch roads; 7% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde48
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen33
- Waarschuwingsinrichting airbag- / gordelsysteem geeft defect22
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm21
- Band onvoldoende profiel17
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt16
- Stabilisator ondeugdelijk bevestigd, gebroken of gescheurd12
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld11
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
89 cars built in 2003 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 349 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 241 of these cars first registered in 2003 took their annual MOT test. 53% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2003 the figure was 57%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2003 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 23.7% | 21.6% |
| Brakes | 23.2% | 13.9% |
| Suspension | 19.9% | 16.4% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 10.8% | 9.4% |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 10.4% | 3.1% |
| Visibility | 10.4% | 7.7% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In New Zealand
14 2003 cars are on the New Zealand register; 21% arrived as used imports, 79% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 15.3–15.9 L/100 km (about 15 mpg US), CO₂ 352–366 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sorento · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 17.2 | 12.9 | 15.3 |
| Sorento 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 17.8 | 13.7 | 15.9 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 2003 Kia Sorento.
| 2008212 18 Jun 2008 | Engine On certain vehicles, a metal clip which is part of the Induction Control Valve (ICV) in the engines intake manifold may sever off. If this occurs, abnormal eng… |
| 2005244 22 Aug 2005 | Fuel System Certain vehicle may experience a fuel leak from the main fuel tube and/or the return tube near the fuel tank due to interference (insufficient clearance) with t… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Kia told its dealers about the 2003 Kia Sorento: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 637380 | SUBJECT REGARDING SORENTO HIGHLIGHTS. *TT |
| 637365 | SUBJECT REGARDING ACCESSORIES FOR THE 2003 SORENTO. *TT |
| 637362 | SUBJECT REGARDING 2003 SORENTO TRAINING. *TT |
| 637360 | INFORMATION ON THE NEW 2003 KIA SORENTO. *TT |
| 10201529 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to some Kia models that may exhibit fogging, condensation, and/or moisture inside a headlamp assembly. Generally, a fogging condition is considered normal and can be eliminated by turning on the headlamps with the engine running for up to 30 minutes or during normal driving conditions. Headlamp assembly replacement WILL |
| 10183431 | TSB - USE OF AFTERMARKET USB CHARGING CABLES IN USB/12V PORTS - This article provides information regarding the use of USB ports and 12V power outlets to connect/charge mobile phones. Customers may experience issues with their head units that may be related to the use of aftermarket USB charging cables, including; * Electrical interference and limited or no functionality when attempting to play music, or when charging a device through the USB port * Excessive static or noise when listening to the audio source * Malfunctions and screen freeze of the head unit screen * Slow down of the sys |
| 10133170 | PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine. |
| 10109812 | TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners, which are designed to lock into place once fully attached, are utilized in various Kia models and are strictly intended for ?one time use.? Some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other similar hardware, including threaded fasteners with pre-applied ?thread-locking adhesives.? It is critical for technicians to be aware that ALL such locking fasteners, regardless of type, are for ?one time use? only. |
| 10109777 | TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners utilized in various Kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. Though not limited to the following, some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other similar hardware, including threaded fasteners with pre-applied ?thread-locking adhesives.? |
| 10090606 | PITSTOP: UNUSUAL FUEL TRIM VALUES AND/OR MISFIRE CODES AFTER INCORRECT ENGINE REPAIR - THIS OUTLINES THE PROCEDURE TO FOLLOW IF AFTER AN ENGINE REPAIR YOU ENCOUNTER A COMPLAINT RELATING TO MIL ON (DTC P)#)X) WITH A MISFIRE DURING ACCELERATION AND/OR YOU FIND UNUSUAL FUEL TRIM VALUES OUTSIDE THE NORMAL PARAMETERS. |
| 10060226 | SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE. |
| 10043654 | KIA: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. FUEL TANK AIR FILTER REPLACEMENT. *KB |
| 10037693 | KIA: THERE MAY BE ERRATIC SHIFTING, SHIFT SHOCK, AND A MALFUNCTION LIGHT ON WITH STORED TROUBLE CODES. THIS IS CAUSED BY A PROBLEM WITHIN THE TRANSFER MOTOR. *RM |
| 10037420 | KIA: FUEL TANK AIR FILTER REMINDER. THE AIR FILTER CAN ACCUMULATE DIRT OVER TIME AND NEEDS TO BE MAINTAINED. *RM |
| 10034246 | KIA: INTERMITTENT MIL ON WITH NO FAULT CODE STORED; INFORMATION ABOUT DTC P1330. PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO CERTAIN VEHICLES. IN AFFECTED VEHICLES AN INTERMITTENT SHORT TO GROUND IN A CIRCUIT ONLY INTENDED FOR TESTING PURPOSES MAY CAUSE THE MIL TO ILLUMINATE AND A DTC P1330 (SPARK TIMING ADJUST) TO BE STORED. *PE |
| 10033464 | KIA: ECM UPGRADE WITH TP SENSOR REPLACEMENT-MIL ON WITH DTC P2135/P0638. INFORMATION RELATED TO ECM SOFTWARE AND TP SENSOR UPGRADE ON SOME VEHICLES WITH 2.7L ENGINES WHICH MAY EXPERIENCE A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED WITH THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC) SYSTEM RELATED DTC P2135 OR P0638 OR P2A00 OR P2A03. *PE |
| 10028268 | KIA: HEAD LIGHT BULB LIFE CONCERN. THERE MAY BE CONCERNS OF SHORT HEADLAMP BULB LIFE IN VEHICLES. A NEW RESISTIVE WIRE HARNESS HAS BEEN INTRODUCED TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF THE LOW BEAM BULBS. *PE |
| 10026726 | KIA: ALL MODELS. ARTICLE PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO THE IMPROVED DURABILITY OF BULB LIFE FOR REAR COMBINATION BULB; REAR STOP LAMP/TAIL LAMP BULB UTILIZED ON MULTIPLE KIA MODELS. *PE |
| 10025153 | SORENTO ICV REPLACEMENT. *NJ |
| 10022518 | CRANKSHAFT BOLT REPLACEMENT. *KB |
| 10021446 | THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR W/ 3.5L ENGINES. *KB |
| 10019926 | CRANKSHAFT BOLT TORQUE. *TT |
| 10018506 | 2003-2005 CLOCKS NOT HOLDING TIME OR RESETTING - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS. *TT |
| 10016851 | ENHANCED DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR FOR P0446/P2422. *TT |
| 10015248 | THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATED TO REPLACEMENT OF THE AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC UNIT (ADU). SOME OWNERS MAY COMPLAIN OF THE SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION RESULTING IN ONE OR MORE SEAT TRACK POSITION SENSOR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC). *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Fuel Spill During Refueling
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation