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Model Year Problem Record

Kia Sorento 2003 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2003 Kia Sorento: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

304Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
1Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
4Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
16Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Engine125 complaints

125 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System77 complaints

77 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 05V353000.

Air Bags32 complaints

32 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering31 complaints

31 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System30 complaints

30 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes26 complaints

26 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train23 complaints

23 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension17 complaints

17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting17 complaints

17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

05V353000Reported August 4, 2005 - 2,935 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on August 4, 2005. The campaign covers an estimated 2,935 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

PE10023Opened July 12, 2010 - Closed December 21, 2011

Fuel Spill During Refueling. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE10023Opened July 12, 2010 - Closed December 21, 2011

Fuel Spill During Refueling. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE10023Opened July 12, 2010 - Closed December 21, 2011

Fuel Spill During Refueling. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE10023Opened July 12, 2010 - Closed December 21, 2011

Fuel Spill During Refueling. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20022
200311
200417
200513
200628
200734
200818
200924
201017
201121
201223
201315
201426
201523
201613
201711
20183
20194
20251
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.