2003 Kia Sorento Fuel/Propulsion System Problems
- 34
- 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 34 stored complaint records:
- 0 indicate a crash
- 2 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- fuel tank · 8 records
- failure mileage · 8 records
- spit back · 5 records
- notified failure · 4 records
- refueling fuel · 4 records
- independent mechanic · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 14 |
| 60–100k mi | 7 |
| 150–400k mi | 5 |
| 30–60k mi | 4 |
| 1–30k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Fuel/Propulsion System
When pumping gas there is a sudden spewing of gasoline out of the tank and all over me. I managed several times to get a few gallons in by pumping slowly but the next day the gas gage reads empty and has actually run out of gas several times! So not only am i having a problem putting gas in, it is immediately draining or leaking out!
ODI 11149624
Fuel/Propulsion System
After purchasing car from private seller i discovered that when trying to pump gas, my fuel sprays back out all over myself, my vehicle, and the ground. Have even had it spray into my eyes. Did research and saw that this is a very common occurrence for this year/make/model. I believe its a fire and safety hazard and should have been recalled years ago!
1 injury
ODI 11094097
Electrical System · Fuel/Propulsion System · Power Train
My 2003 kia sorento drives for 15 minutes and stalls out. I wait 5 min and it'll start and drive for a block or 2and continues to that until i get it towed home
ODI 11043741
Fuel/Propulsion System · Suspension · Unknown Or Other
The 2003 kia sorento has a problem with extensive frame rusting, to the point where some owners have had the suspension detach from the frame. One owner in particular has had issues with the gas tank needing to be replaced, and kia motors refuses to do anything about the problem. They built the car, sold it to people, and when consumers have complaints about their vehicle, they (kia) says that they're not…
ODI 10967402
Fuel/Propulsion System
When i pump gas into my car, the fuel spits back out at me. I have to pump real slow for this not to happen. This is dangerous, gas gets on my hands and car,i have to carry soap and water to wash this off of my car. I called about this and was told because my car vin # was not on the their list there was nothing they could do for me
ODI 10954291
Fuel/Propulsion System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia sorento. While stationary, the vehicle spewed fuel onto the ground when fuel was being added. This issue recurred regardless of the amount of fuel being added to the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 185,000.
ODI 10871521
Fuel/Propulsion System
Every time i have to fill the gas tank on my kia sorento 2003 it shoots back the gasoline like a proyectile. It takes an eternity to fill the gas tank if you don't want to have gas all over you. I have even being kicked out of some service stations because spiling so much gas is a hazard. Is there any safety recall for this problem? I have not heard a word from kia.
ODI 10876553
Fuel/Propulsion System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia sorento. When refueling the vehicle, fuel ejected out of the refueling hole. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 101,300.
ODI 10887431
Fuel/Propulsion System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia sorento. While refueling, fuel spewed back out of the filler neck without warning. The contact mentioned that fuel splashed all over the floor and his clothes. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 102,000.
ODI 10811636
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia sorento. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle decelerated and stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart. In addition, when the contact inserted fuel in the vehicle, fuel spewed out the fuel tank. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.
ODI 10947627
Fuel/Propulsion System
I attempted to fill my 2003 kia soento ex and after pumpming about $2.75 worth of gas, the fuel began to spit back up through the filler hose and spurted/ gush back out on to me. It gives you a false sense that the tank is full but it's not. I attempted to re-fuel and again, the gas spurt/ gush back out. I could get no more than $5.00 dollars in the car. I spoke with the kia dealership in lithonia, georgia and they…
ODI 10777780
Fuel/Propulsion System
I have fuel still spitting out of the fuel tank, even after the supposed tank air filter replacement by bill dodge kia, saco, me. I can only trickle fuel in the vehicle without it spitting back out on me and the ground. I have already had a bad rash due to fuel spilling on me with shorts on last summer. The vehicle is not repaired as stated. I refuse to start trying to just throw money at it and not knowing if it…
1 injury
ODI 10821177
Fuel/Propulsion System
Fule is shooting back of gas tank while putting in gas.this is very dangerous. Pleas tell me a fix for this. Car is stationary.
ODI 10782188
Fuel/Propulsion System
When fueling, after about 45 seconds, gas sprays back up and out all over me and the car and the ground. If the fuel pump handle is barely depressed, which pumps the gas very very slowly, fuel will be accepted. Takes forever - tired of gas-soaked clothes and gas-soaked shoes; tired of spilling gas all over the car and wasting on the concrete; - tired of dangerous situation!! Need kia to issue a recall on whatever is…
ODI 10811408
Fuel/Propulsion System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia sorento. The contact stated that the fuel was not going into the fuel tank properly upon refueling the vehicle and there was a clicking noise as if it were full. The contact had to take an extended period of time to ensure the fuel tank was actually full. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they did not diagnose the failure. The vehicle was to be taken to an independent mechanic…
ODI 10732070
Fuel/Propulsion System
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 kia sorento. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and with the fuel tank gauge at 3/4 or below, the vehicle began to sputter and vibrate before stalling. The contact indicated that the fuel tank needed to be at least 75 percent full to prevent the failure from occurring. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to diagnose the cause of the…
ODI 10690328
Fuel/Propulsion System
We were attempting to fill the sorento up with gas when it suddenly spit gas out of the tank when we had only put $11 into to. It was close to empty when we got to the gas station. We tried a couple times with the same result. The car would not take anymore gas. *tr
ODI 10629630
Fuel/Propulsion System
While pumping, the fuel spits back out from the tank. It is rather annoying as i lose money fueling and it takes forever to fuel. Normally when i reach about $15.00 in gas it begins regurgitating. This happens every time i attempt to fuel. *tr
ODI 10615429
Fuel/Propulsion System
When fueling the vehicle the gas pump automatically shuts off constantly. The tank can be empty and the pump will shut off as soon as you start filling it and continue to do so as you fill it. It will also spit gas out of the tank while you are filling it. There should be plenty of room for gas as the gas indicator shows empty but even after putting one gallon in the tank, the pump will shut off and/or gas will…
ODI 10641275
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
Fuel/Propulsion System
I bought my kia sorento 2003 in november 2013. In january of the following year i noticed a gas smell. I looked under the vehicle and found a few drips on the ground underneath, which was gas. I had the line under the cab along side door replaced. I am noticing a strong gas smell coming from the side toward front and can't see anything leaking. I saw that there was a recall for this year and make so i called kia and…
ODI 10663495
Fuel/Propulsion System
My fuel pump was replaced in august 2013; not long after i began having fueling problems that have increased in severity. Any time i try to put gas in my tank, it explodes back out at me like a volcano erupting. I can't put gas in my car unless i let it trickle in and stop fueling in intervals...it takes about 30 minutes at least to fill my car. I'm tired of smelling like gas. This is dangerous and ridiculous and…
ODI 10561305
Fuel/Propulsion System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia sorento. The contact experienced difficulty placing fuel in the vehicle. The fuel would not enter the tank and leaked out while the contact attempted to insert fuel. An independent mechanic stated that the vehicle needed a new canister filter, fuel cap, and filler pipe. The vehicle had not been repaired and the manufacturer had not been notified. The approximate failure mileage was…
ODI 10628094
Fuel/Propulsion System
We have a 2003 kia sorento, and since november while pumping gas, fuel suddenly spews out -- like a soda can that had been shaken. Online we can find other 2003 kia sorentos also complaining about what's known as fuel spit-back. . The national highway traffic safety administration investigated over 100 complaints of spit-back on 2003 kia sorentos. Complaints allege that while refueling the vehicle, fuel can spill…
ODI 10488797
Fuel/Propulsion System
When i try to fill gasoline in my car, the pump will click off after filling about 1/2 gallon and will then spray gasoline back at me for the first 3-4 times it clicks off. I noticed a recall was done on this model for the fuel tank evaporator filter which is the issue. I had the recall performed but still have the issue. *tr
ODI 10479324