Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2003 Kia SorentoRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 308 owner complaints for the 2003 Kia Sorento. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (82) and engine (43). The EPA rates it 15 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
15mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Aug 2005
Owner complaints
308
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$4,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Aug 4, 2005NHTSA 05V353000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

308 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2002 – Mar 2025
  1. Engine and engine cooling82
  2. Engine43
  3. Fuel system, gasoline41
  4. Fuel/propulsion system34
  5. Steering31
  6. Air bags30
  7. Electrical system29
  8. Power train22
  9. Suspension17

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Sorento model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2003308
2004220
2005307
2006242
2007154
2008217
200955
20111,520
2012880
2013983
2014988
2015755
20161,262
2017808
2018255
2019435
2020140
202125
2022194
2023126
202444
202577
20266
Crashes reported
10
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
12
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

82 reports1 fire
“THE CRANK BOLT BROKE JULY 23, 2013. THE SECOND TIME WAS, THE CRANK BOLT AGAIN AND IT BROKE DECEMBER 19, 2014. THE ODOMETER WAS AT 133181 FOR THE SECOND BOLT BREAK. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 1, 2015Engine and engine coolingODI 10680375

Engine

43 reports3 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST MOTIVE POWER WHILE DRIVING THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY WHEN THE VEHICLE STALL THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT IT WAS RELATED TO THE FUEL SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE SPUTTERED AND STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHERE THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED, A TUNE UP WAS PERFORMED, THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR, AND TIMING BELT WAS ALSO REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. LAKESHORE KIA, 330 E HOWZE BEACH RD #2, SLIDELL, LA 70461, (888) 220-8645, WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED NOR INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 1, 2019EngineODI 11265349

Fuel system, gasoline

41 reports
“IT IS BEYOND ME HOW KIA MOTORS CAN GET AWAY WITH TELLING A BUNCH OF AUTOMOBILE ENGINEERS, THAT THE PROBLEM WITH THERE VEHICLES SPITTING BACK GASOLINE ONTO A PERSON AND KIA MOTORS TELLING THEM IT'S AN AIR FILTER. I TOOK MY2003 KIA SORENTO BACK TO THE DEALERS THINKING I WAS GOING TO GET A NEW CHARCOAL FILTER WHEN ALL WAS SAID AND DONE I RECEIVED A $20 AIR FILTER FOR THE CHARCOAL CHAMBER WHICH HAD NO PROBLEM TO BEGIN WITH. I STILL HAVE A 2003 KIA SORENTO THAT SPITS FUEL BACK ON TO ME AND I"M WAITING FOR THE DAY SOMEONE THROWS A CIGARETTE BUTT AT ME AND I CATCH FIRE< BECAUSE I WILL OWN KIA OF AMERICA AND A WEALTHY LAWSUIT AGAINST THE NATIONAL TRAFIC SAFETY PANEL. DO YOU KNOW I HAD A SHORT ACCESS TO A KIA SITE RECENTLY AND SEEN OVER 100 SERVICE BULLETINS, NOT JUST 8 THAT ARE ON THIS SITE I GUESS YOU PEOPLE FORGOT WHO YOU WORK FOR THE UNITED STSTES PEOPLE/NOT KIA MOTORS AND YOU CAN BET YOUR ASS I'M NOT DONE UNTIL EVERYONE OF MY SERVICE BULLETINS IS ADDRESSED SO YOU BEAN COUNTERS BETTER START FIGURING BLAME BECAUSE AS I SAID WHEN I'M DONE YOU'LL SEE THIS IS BULLSHIT IF THIS WERE FORD, CHEVY OR CHRYSLER YOU WOULD HAVE DRAGGED THEY'RE ASS ACROSS THE COALS WELL YOU…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 28, 2016Fuel system, gasolineODI 10822953
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Sorento 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141815$4,150592
Sorento 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131715$4,150592
  • Sorento 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    14 city · 18 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Sorento 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    13 city · 17 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Kia Sorento as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 4720
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2003 Sorento questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Kia Sorento have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2003 Kia Sorento problems?

Owners filed 308 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (82), engine (43), fuel system, gasoline (41). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2003 Kia Sorento get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Kia Sorento at 15 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026