The Lemon IndexAll cars · Kia Sorento · 2003
2003 Kia Sorento. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Engines and drivetrains 2
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | Auto 4-spd | RWD | 14 / 18 / 15 | Regular | $4,150 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | Auto 4-spd | 4Wheel or AWD | 13 / 17 / 15 | Regular | $4,150 |
EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.
Failure mileage by system
Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 39,000 and 111,700 miles. Median 74,000, from 241 complaints with a mileage.
| System | Median | Middle half | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 67,300 | 44,600–82,900 | 69 |
| Engine | 118,000 | 71,200–149,300 | 40 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 82,000 | 31,200–106,200 | 29 |
| Fuel or ev drive system | 113,000 | 88,000–148,000 | 31 |
| Steering | 79,000 | 32,200–130,000 | 27 |
Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.
Complaints by system
| System | Share of complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | 27% |
| Airbags | 21% |
| Brakes | 20% |
| Electrical | 14% |
| Lights | 13% |
One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Severity, all complaints
| Total | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Tows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 305 | 10 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 2 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
Recall campaigns 1
05V353000 Aug 2005 Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery / Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
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.
Risk. 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.
NHTSA investigations
| Status | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closed | Fuel spill during refueling | 2010 | 2011 |
Manufacturer communications 30
Kia filed 30 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- Intermittent mil on with no fault code stored; information about dtc p1330
- Throttle position sensor w/ 3.5l engines
- Ecm upgrade with tp sensor replacement-mil on with dtc p2135/p0638
Safety equipment
| Electronic stability | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning |
|---|---|---|
| Optional | No | No |
Nearby model years
Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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