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Owner report · 2003 model year

2003 Kia Sorento

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2003 Kia Sorento
Crash-test image: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), U.S. Department of Transportation.

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Engine

Engine leads by volume: 124 of 305 complaints (41%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Suspension, Wheels & Tires include more deaths (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

At a glance

NHTSA complaints
305
Recall campaigns
1
EPA fuel cost per year
$4,150
Combined MPG
15

Complaints by model year

  1. 3052003
  2. 2202004
  3. 3072005

Where owners report problems

  1. Engine124 (41%)
  2. Fuel System77 (25%)
  3. Airbags & Restraints31 (10%)
  4. Steering31 (10%)
  5. Electrical29 (10%)
  6. Brakes25 (8%)
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 3 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.Also cataloged for 2003: 1 configuration(s) of a different vehicle class, excluded from the comparison bar only (but included in the figures above).
Category200320042005vs. 2003 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Annual fuel cost ($)4,1503,900–4,1503,900–4,150
Combined MPG1515–1615–16
City / Highway MPG13–14 / 17–1814 / 1813–15 / 18–20
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)592555–592555–592
Complaints filed305220307Not compared
Recalls issued100Not compared
Crash-involved complaints101117Not compared
Fire-involved complaints3125Not compared
Injuries reported121620Not compared
Deaths reported111Not compared
Configurations compared122

Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.

Common questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Kia Sorento have?

1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 2003 Kia Sorento?

Engine: 124 of 305 NHTSA complaints (41%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Kia Sorento get?

EPA rates it 15 MPG combined.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2003 Kia Sorento?

EPA estimates $4,150 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

Similar Vehicles

EPA-Rated Configurations (2)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Automatic 4-spd63.5LRear-Wheel DriveRegularSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD14 mpg (high)18 mpg (high)15 mpg$4,150592 g/mi
Configuration 2Automatic 4-spd63.5L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularSport Utility Vehicle - 4WD13 mpg (low)17 mpg (low)15 mpg$4,150592 g/mi

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine1243120
Transmission & Drivetrain220200
Fuel System770030
Electrical290000
Brakes250020
Steering311020
Suspension, Wheels & Tires191041
Airbags & Restraints316030
Driver Assistance & Speed Control81000
Body, Seats & Latches120000
Visibility & Lighting200000
Other100000

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (1)

  • FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

    Campaign 05V353000 · Aug 4, 2005

    Defect
    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.
    Consequence
    FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
    Remedy
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE A SECTION OF THE FUEL LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 10, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.