Kia Sorento Complaints (2003)

305 consumer complaints on file.

#10371734December 22, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2003 KIA SORENTO. CONSUMER STATES SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE PIN THAT HELD THE CRANKSHAFT TOGETHER BROKE LOOSE. THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR LOCATED BEHIND THE TIMING BELT FAILED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10369632December 8, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT BOLT FAILED IN AUGUST OF 2008. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT BOLT FOUR TIMES. THE REPAIRS DIDN'T CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE CONTINUOUS FAILURES WERE DEALER ERROR, AND THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,404 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10368812November 28, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WHEN FUELING THE VEHICLE FUEL HAS BEEN SPRAYING BACK OUT OF THE FUEL FILLER NECK IF THE FUEL IS PUMPED AT A NORMAL RATE. THIS HAS OCCURRED SINCE WELL BEFORE THE 1ST INCIDENT DATE. THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP THE FUEL FROM SPRAYING OUT IS TO PUMP THE FUEL VERY SLOWLY AND STOP. FUEL WOULD SPRAY ALL OVER ME, MY WIFE AND THE VEHICLE. WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE FUEL GAUGE REGISTERS 3/4 FULL AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS GOING UPHILL THE VEHICLE RPM'S WILL DROP, THE THROTTLE BECOMES UNRESPONSIVE AND THE VEHICLE LOSSES SPEED. THE VEHICLE WILL RECOVER AFTER REACHING LEVEL GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA AND NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. AGAIN WHILE TRAVELING FOR THE HOLIDAYS ON 11/24/10 AND 11/28/10 THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED AGAIN WHEN THE FUEL GAUGE REGISTERED 3/4 FULL AND IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON I-65 ALMOST CAUSING VEHICLES TO RUN OVER ME DUE TO MY SPEED DROPPING ABRUPTLY. I REACHED THE NEAREST FUEL STATION AND FILLED THE TANK UP. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ABOVE 3/4 FULL. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING AROUND TOWN. THE PROBLEM WITH FUELING THE VEHICLE IS ALL THE TIME.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10365235November 10, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS DISPENSING THE GASOLINE BACK OUT TOWARDS HER AS SHE ADDED GASOLINE. WHEN THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE THE FUEL GAUGE READS FULL WHEN IT WAS NOT COMPLETELY FULL. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HER THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS IN REFERENCE TO THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10365305November 10, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
I BOUGHT A 2003 KIA SORENTO ABOUT 6 YEARS AGO AND I'VE HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS. THE WORST AND MOST RECENT PROBLEM IS THE GAS SPEWS OUT OF THE TANK EVERY TIME I TRY TO FILL IT. IT RUNS DOWN THE SIDE OF THE CAR AND ON MY WHEEL. SOMETIMES IT GETS ON ME. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW. IF YOU PUMP VERY SLOW AND STOP EVERY .80 CENTS IT LESSENS THE AMOUNT OF TIMES IT SPEWS OUT, BUT THIS IS SO VERY TIMELY. THE GAS GAUGE PERIODICALLY GOES OUT. THE HORN HAS NEVER WORKED. THE POWER STEERING PERIODICALLY GOES OUT. WHEN USING CRUISE CONTROL IT WILL PERIODICALLY GO OFF ON IT'S OWN. THE PAINT LOOKS HORRIBLE AND HAS PEELED OFF ON THE SIDE MIRRORS. THE LEATHER SEATS HAVE NOT HELD UP WELL. THE DOME LIGHT WILL NOT WORK WHEN YOU OPEN THE DOOR, BUT IF YOU PRESS THE DOME LIGHT BUTTON IT WILL COME ON. PERIODICALLY THE DASH LIGHTS HAVE FLICKERED AND I'M WONDERING IF THEY ARE ABOUT TO GO OUT. I'VE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE AC COMPRESSOR AND THE DRIVE SHAFT, BOTH OF WHICH HAVE REALLY SET ME BACK FINANCIALLY. I REALLY WANT TO GET THE GAS TANK ISSUE FIXED AS IT IS THE WORST ISSUE AT HAND AND I FEAR IT COULD BE DANGEROUS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10365133November 9, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VISIBILITY
I HAVE HAD MY 2003 KIA SORENTO SINCE MARCH 2010. IT WAS PURCHASED WITH 32,000 MILES ON IT, AND AS OF THE END OF OCTOBER 2010, IT HAD 36,000 MILES. SO FAR, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE COOLANT RESERVOIR, BECAUSE IT WAS CRACKED. I WAS DRIVING, AND IT OVERHEATED OUT OF NOWHERE. IT WAS IN THE SHOP FOR FOUR DAYS, BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM EVEN AFTER DOING SEVERAL PRESSURIZED SYSTEMS TESTS. AT THE END OF OCTOBER 2010, I HAD TO REPLACE THE OIL PUMP, BECAUSE IT HAD A CRACK IN IT. NO ONE ANYWHERE I CALLED COULD BELIEVE I HAD TO REPLACE AN OIL PUMP. ALL THE MECHANICS STATED THAT'S ONE OF THE FEW THINGS THEY NEVER HAVE TO REPLACE ON ANY VEHICLE, AND CERTAINLY NOT AT 36,000 MILES. ANYWAY, DUE TO OIL LEAKING ONTO THE TIMING BELT, THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED ALSO. THE TIMING BELT WAS IN FINE CONDITION OTHERWISE. CONSEQUENTLY, I NOW HAVE ENGINE PROBLEMS. I'M SURE THE ENGINE WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED FROM OVERHEATING AND THEN HAVING NO OIL. AT HIGH RPMS, YOU CAN HEAR A SLIGHT TICK, WHICH I'M PRETTY SURE IS A LIFTER ISSUE. HEADLIGHTS BURN OUT QUICKLY. I WAS DRIVING ONE DAY, AND BOTH BURNT OUT AT THE SAME TIME. I HAD TO DRIVE ON HIGH BEAMS IN THE CITY. CONSTANT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE DASH. DASH LIGHTS RARELY WORK, AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL THE LIGHTS WILL START FLASHING HERE AND THERE - DASH LIGHTS FLASH ON/OFF, CEILING LIGHT FLASHES ON/OFF, ALL BACK AND FORTH WHILE I'M DRIVING IN THE DARK. VERY DISTRACTING, ESPECIALLY IN TRAFFIC. THE TRUCK ITSELF (SEATS, COMFORT, ETC.) IS AWESOME, BUT IT WAS DEFINITELY MANUFACTURED POORLY. WORST PURCHASE EVER. GLAD I BOUGHT THE 5 STAR WARRANTY OR I'D BE PAYING FOR A TRUCK I CAN'T DRIVE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10363841November 3, 2010
AIR BAGS
THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE SRS SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (AIR BAG) KEEPS GOING OFF WENT OUT OF FACTORY WARRANTY AT 80,000 MILES IT STARTED AROUND 80, 800 DEALER WOULD NOT COVER REPAIRS. LIGHT IS NOW CONSTANT AND WHEN I WAS SEARCHING THE INTERNET FOUND SAME COMPLAINTS WITH THE SRS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10355577September 14, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT FAILED. BROUGHT TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. BOLT WAS PART OF NHTSA RECALL. DEALER STATED THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE CRANKSHAFT AS WELL. DEALER RETURNED VEHICLE W/O REPLACING CRANKSHAFT. 15 MONTHS LATER THE SAME BOLT FAILED. TOOK TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, THEY EXPLAINED THE CRANKSHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TOOK BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY REPLACED BOLT AND DIDN'T REPLACE CRANKSHAFT. ON 9/13/10 THE BOLT FAILED AGAIN, INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND A DIFFERENT DEALER VERIFIED THE NEED FOR CRANKSHAFT TO BE REPLACE. CONTACTED KIA OF AMERICA, AND CASEY KIA WITH NO SIGN OF RESOLUTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10355414September 13, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I HAVE A 2003 KIA SORENTO AND LAST YEAR IT STARTED TO SPRAY GAS OUT AT ME EVERYTIME I WENT TO FILL IT UP. I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING. MY KIA IS STILL DOING THIS AND I AM GETTING TIRED OF GETTING SPRAYED WITH GAS EVERYTIME I TRY TO PUT GAS IN THE THING. IT NEEDS FIXED AND KIA SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. THIS IS A HAZARD AND SOMEBODY WILL EVENTUALLY GET HURT. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS SITUATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10353466September 2, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE THE DRIVER COULD SMELL AN ODOR OF GASOLINE. UPON EXAMINATION GASOLINE COULD BE SEEN LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V353000, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 104,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10352746August 30, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO FILL THE FUEL TANK, THERE WAS A RESTRICTION THAT ONLY ALLOWED THE FUEL TO ENTER THE FILLER NECK SLOWLY. THE FUEL WOULD ALSO COME BACK OUT (FUEL EXPULSION). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 69,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10344716July 22, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 2007. THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY BOLT RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY BOLT SNAPPED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN 1 MILE TO HER DESTINATION AND THEN TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY BOLT IN MAY 2010. THE FAILURE HAPPENED AGAIN ON JULY 22, 2010. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE DEALERS POSSESSION WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,779. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10344804July 22, 2010
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING A 2003 KIA SORRENTO AND FELL A SLEEP AT THE WHEEL AFTER COLLEGE EXAMS. SHE DROVE INTO THE REAR OF A TRACTOR TRAILER TANKER AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. SHE HAD A CONCUSSION AND A CRACKED STERNUM. STATE FARM INSURANCE DECLARED THE CAR A TOTAL LOSS DUE TO A BENT FRAME, ENGINE MOUNT FAILURE AND A TOTALED FRONT END. AFTER CONTACTING KIA, THEIR RESPONSE TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THAT THE ANGLE THE CAR HIT THE TRAILER, WAS SUCH THAT NONE OF THE SENSORS WAS COMPROMISED , THERE FOR THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. BASICALLY IS WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM WITH THEIR EQUIPMENT OF THE CAR. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10326406April 19, 2010
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM
TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE UPPER CONTROL ARM BOLT HAD BROKEN AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO WOBBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE BOLT AT THE OWNER EXPENSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 53,000. UPDATED 11/16/10. *LJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10321916March 25, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WHEN FUELING MY 2003 KIA SORENTO THE GAS WILL SPEW BACK OUT (AS IF UNDER PRESSURE) ONTO ME, THE VEHICLE AND THE SURROUNDING AREA. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I TRY TO PUT GAS INTO THE SORENTO. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM WITHOUT A COSTLY DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THEY DID 'LOOK' AT THE FUEL LINE AND COULD NOT SEE A PROBLEM. THE ONLY WAY TO PREVENT THE GAS FROM SPEWING IS TO PUT THE GAS IN EXTREMELY SLOWLY. FILLING IT SLOWLY SEEMS TO PREVENT THE PRESSURE BUILD UP THAT CAUSES THE GAS TO SPEW. THE SPEWING GAS IS CAUSING THE PAINT ON MY VEHICLE TO PEEL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10303539February 1, 2010
AIR BAGS
MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WITHOUT WARNING. NOW I'M TOLD MY AIRBAGS WON'T WORK. THE DEALER STATES I NEED A NEW CONTROL MODULE. IT IS COMING UP AS A SEAT POSITION ERROR. THEY SAID IT IS COMMON. THIS IS A REQUIRED SAFETY ITEM ON NEW CARS, THE AIRBAGS. IF IT IS A COMMON DEFECT WHY NO RECALL. KIA WON'T HELP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10298624January 7, 2010
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON. VEHICLE HAS 74,000 MILES ON IT HAS NEVER BEEN WRECKED OR OFF ROAD. THIS IS SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY FOR LIFE. I HAVE NO ACCESS TO THE AIRBAG SYSTEM AND IT NO LONGER FUNCTIONS IN MY VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10296669December 22, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, INTERIOR LIGHTING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
I PURCHASED MY 03 KIA SORENTO IN 2004 AND HAVE HAD MANY ISSUES SINCE THEN. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE LIGHTS FROM THE FRONT TO THE BACK NUMEROUS TIMES. I'VE BEEN DRIVING DOWN OUR REMOTE COUNTRY ROAD AT NIGHT AND HAD MY HEADLIGHTS GO OUT. MY COOLANT TANK CRACKED AND LEFT ME STRANDED ON ANOTHER COUNTRY ROAD IN THE SNOW LAST YEAR. I LATER FOUND OUT IT WAS RECALLED FOR THAT PARTICULAR DEFECT; AFTER I HAD IT REPLACED. THE LIGHTING ISSUE IS MY BIGGEST CONCERN RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OF WHERE I LIVE (REMOTE COUNTRY ROADS, DEER AT NIGHT, ETC) I HAVE TO HAVE PROPERLY FUNCTIONING HEADLIGHTS AT ALL TIMES. NOW, I AM HAVING PROBLEMS CONCERNING THE BEARINGS ON IT. IT MAKES A HORRIBLE SCREECHING NOISE THAT IS NOW; ALMOST CONTINUOUS. IT DOESN'T MATTER THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE, DRIVING CONDITIONS, ETC. IT HAS BECOME HARDER TO STEER AND THE POWER STEERING FLUID IS FINE. I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE ANYMORE, AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO JUST GO OUT AND BUY SOMETHING NEW. I JUST ASK THAT IF FAULT LIES WITH KIA; THEN THEY SHOULD FIX IT AT THEIR EXPENSE....NOT MINE! I HAVE INVESTED WAY TOO MUCH TIME, MONEY AND PATIENCE THUS FAR AND FEEL IT'S KIA'S RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THEY CREATE A VEHICLE THAT FUNCTIONS PROPERLY. AND WHEN THEY DON'T...FIX IT!!! AS FOR THE QUESTIONS BELOW; WAS THERE A FIRE?...NOT YET!!! WAS THERE PROPERTY DAMAGE?....THERE PROBABLY WILL BE WHEN MY BEARINGS GO OUT AND THE WHEELS FALL OFF! WHERE THERE ANY DEATHS OR INJURIES?....DEAR LORD, I PRAY EVERY TIME I GET IN MY TRUCK THAT NOTHING LIKE THAT EVER HAPPENS TO ME OR MY SON....BUT; WITH AN UNRELIABLE VEHICLE THAT HAS CONSTANT ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL PROBLEM; THEN WHO KNOWS.... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10295594December 14, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
2003 KIA SORENTO GAS TANK DOES NOT REGISTER CORRECTLY. AFTER ABOUT 3/4 FULL, IT DROPS TO READ "EMPTY". THIS STARTED HAPPENING AFTER THE CAR WAS ONLY A YEAR OLD. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX IT AND TO JUST TRY TO GAUGE WHEN THE CAR WAS GETTING CLOSE TO EMPTY. I TRAVEL QUITE A BIT FOR MY JOB AND HAVE BEEN STRANDED ABOUT 4-5 TIMES AT NIGHT WITH AN EMPTY GAS TANK....NOT THE SAFEST OF SITUATIONS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10292997November 20, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, STEERING, EQUIPMENT
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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