2003 Kia Sorento Engine Problems
- 43
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 43 stored complaint records:
- 3 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- crankshaft bolt · 11 records
- lost power · 9 records
- power steering · 9 records
- crankshaft pulley · 8 records
- failure mileage · 7 records
- crank shaft · 7 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 15 |
| 150–400k mi | 9 |
| 30–60k mi | 8 |
| 60–100k mi | 7 |
| 1–30k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Engine
N/A
ODI 10821761
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, the check engine light illuminated before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact also indicated that while refueling, fuel spilled from the filler neck. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 58,000.
ODI 10587220
Engine
Driving vehicle at about 45mph, engine started making a screeching noise and got louder when accelerating. There was a loud bang from engine area and immediately lost all power and ability to steer and brake. We were approaching a busy intersection and had to pull the emergency brake to avoid running a red light into oncoming traffic. Had vehicle towed to our dealership. The crankshaft pulley bolt snapped off and…
ODI 10669823
Engine
In february this beautiful vehicle became a nightmare quick. A horrid sound came from below and i lost steering, several lights on the dashboard lit up and our was very difficult controlling the suv. Me and my children were very afraid. I allowed the suv to slow n it veered off and jumped the curb. After a tow, $2000 bucks plus, and several shops including kia is just sitting like hunks unless i can stuff another…
Crash reported
ODI 10586074
Electrical System · Engine · Fuel System, Gasoline
I am single old lady, late jan.2014 , driving back from orlando,fl. To my home<2 hrs away> on i-95 car slows down, all lights go on dashboard. Get home at 40 miles an hour.next day go to tire plus, can not fix car, engine trouble..go to dealer bev smith kia, ft.pierce, fl, i am a regular there,with car problemsell me can needs new lower engine, $7000 i almost faint, , car not safe, i left anyway, they would not…
ODI 10609501
Engine · Steering
I bought a 2003 kia sorento from my niece back in november 2013 for $2000 and not even two weeks into owning this vehicle, the crank shaft broke in half! The bolt broke off in half inside the crank shaft pulley and the other half of the bolt was inside the crank shaft case. To my understanding, this is the second time that the crank shaft needed repairing (my niece, husband who were the first and original owners to…
ODI 10628320
Engine
I was driving along and my battery, brake lights came on. I lost power steering and brakes. I popped the hood and realized that i had lost 2-3 belts. I had it towed to a mechanic shop, national chain who said the harmonic balancer had fallen off. Upon inspection, the crankshaft bolt had broken. Many, many complaints about this problem online. *tr
ODI 10553306
Engine · Service Brakes · Steering
As i was leaving work, the crankshaft bolt broke,and the bottom/pulley came out and hit the road.thank god i was still in the parking lot. I had it towed to a automotive shop to have it fixed it ,has $ 768.45 plus 75.00dollars to tow it. I got my 2003-sorento back on 06/20/2013 on 07/06/2013 i was going down the hwy about 55mph. And the crankshaft/bolt broke again after only having driven 1,674miles. I am a single…
ODI 10523562
Engine
I was driving and heard a screeching sound and lost my power steering. I had vehicle towed to my local garage and was informed that the crankshaft bolt, roll pin and crankshaft sprocket were all damaged because the bolt had broken. The garage repaired the car and i was informed that this is a common problem with kia sorento models. The crankshaft bolt part number had changed and been redesigned which shows that kia…
ODI 10493031
Engine
Driving my 2003 kia sorento in town when the brake, oil and check engine lights come on and lost my power steering. After almost hitting a couple cars got it to my in laws house to find that the crankshaft bolt had backed out of the harmonic balancer and caused all the belts to stop. Called my mechanic and he said it is a common thing for kia's. Told me to take the bolt out and inspect it to see if the threads are…
ODI 10469221
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. In addition, fuel would spew from the filler neck when refueling and the interior lights would flicker on and off sporadically. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to have a diagnostic performed, who was unable to generate a failure code. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the…
ODI 10504675
Electronic Stability Control · Engine · Steering
While driving on hwy 275 at 60 mph. Engine lights came on and steering wheel locked..total system power failure..2 daughters almost lost their lives trying to maneuver this death missile to emergency lane..just in time to miss multiple tractor trailers vehicles from crushing them..not to mention multiple passenger cars in harms way from defective part replaced malfunctioning again... Kia claims no responsibility…
2 injuries
ODI 10469909
Engine · Vehicle Speed Control
Crankshaft pulley bolt sheered off and then the pulley fell off busting the power steering pull completely off. Making me almost loose control and flying off the freeway at 60mph with my child with me, very scary. Car was still under warranty but because it was the bolt that broke the bolt was not covered by warranty work. Replaced all by manufacture on july 16th 2012. Costing $1,300. This last week on fathers day…
ODI 10520418
Engine · Steering
While driving my daughter to school, vehicle lost steering in a turn causing us to narrowly miss hitting a utility pole. Vehicle had to be towed to service garage where they confirmed that the crankshaft pulley bolt had become loose causing the harmonic balancer pulley to wobble, break and cause damage to all surrounding engine components. $1700.00 repair did not work and issue recurred. After a second repair…
ODI 10508347
Engine
I purchased car from orginal owner about 4 years ago with around 47k miles. Within a month or two the engine light came on. After numerous visits over the course of the last 4 years to the dealership, comments on the work orders that they could not figure out the problem, replacing the timing belts, plugs, wires and coils i am told that the 4th cylinder is bad and based upon the issue i am looking at between…
ODI 10499793
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle was shaking abnormally on multiple occasions. The battery warning light and the brake warning light were illuminated as the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who diagnosed that the crank shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The dealer replaced the crankshaft a second…
ODI 10575233
Engine · Steering
I was driving the vehicle in the parking lot when i heard a loud noise and lost control of the steering because the car died and the steering wheel locked up. I looked under the hood and notice all the belts and front of the motor fell off and was laying at the bottom. I called the tow truck they towed it to the kia dealer. Where they told me its a problem the 2003 kia sorento has. They told me they will replace the…
Crash reported
ODI 10565741
Electrical System · Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
The car been a problem since first year , i called district manager for kia back in 2004,told him car was skipping beat, and shaking...he told me is was my imagination...the 2nd big problem<which i had to solve through computer investigation> car would just start losing power in i-95 or fl.turnpike and come to stand still, no matter how much i pressed the gas pedal, no go, almost got in several accidents in…
ODI 10559543