2003 Kia Sorento: check engine light

Filed May 13, 2019 · Engine · 202,699 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia sorrento. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also mentioned that a 'snow' warning light illuminated as well. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for a diagnostic test or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 202,699.

Filed Jul 21, 2015 · Airbags, Electrical · 178,000 miles · KY

Engine light is on, airbag light is on, clock can't keep right time, now won't start at all, I wished I never bought this 2003 kia sorento, they are nothing but junk. Please anybody who reads this do not buy a kia vehicle. I hate kia vehicles, I will never own one again, I would not take a kia vehicle, even if they give me one. To many problems, since I bought it, haven't been anywhere in two weeks, because kia vehicle is junk.

Filed Jul 11, 2014 · Engine · 124,000 miles · MA

My check engine light came on 2 months ago and I brought it to a kia dealership who told me it was the cylinders that were miss firing and the belts needed to be replaces and they fixed that. I asked about the crankshaft and they told me it was fine. When I left the light came back on and they told me I need new spark plugs, fixed that and the light came back on again. While driving on the highway the break light and battery light came on and the car began to loose power. Now the car is at another dealership and they are telling me it's the crankshaft. After reading what has happened with many other people I can see the original problem was the crankshaft.I have spent over $4k on fixing the car and the car is not worth it.

Filed May 8, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 58,000 miles · NY

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.

Filed Feb 23, 2013 · Engine · 67,000 miles · CA

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 $2800.00 to $4,000 to fix. If its the top end the lesser of the two numbers and if its the bottom end I was told that I should consider wether or not I want to sink $4,000 into the car at this point. Whats more disturbing is when researching the issue on various websites I come to find out the most reoccuring problem is the crankshaft bolt coming out and causing serious damage and a very dangerous situation for the driver. The response by kia seems to be consistent and now knowing that they do not stand behind their warranties, issue recalls(crankshaft bolt 2007) and still expect their customers to pay for the repairs I can confidently say I will never purchase a kia product again. The car currently has 67,00 miles on it and I am intrigued by the comments and requests for a class action lawsuit against kia. I am hopping that a enough people have the desire to follow through and if needed I would support.

Filed Aug 8, 2012 · Driver assistance, Engine · 120,000 miles · FL · 2 injuries

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 even though defective part is clearly at fault..have firestone mechanic willing to substantiate claim and is willing to help in class action lawsuit.. I urge everyone that has any history with this deathtrap to please get the message out that this vehicle will kill you..most likely their other vehicles will as well...do not ever drive or put anyone you love in any vehicle that they make!!!!! My daughters are scarred for life and never want to drive this vehicle or anything at this point..I am going to make sure that everyone that I can reach via social media really really understands the truth of this vehicles death warrant.

Filed Aug 5, 2012 · Engine · 86,200 miles · OH

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 stretched if so to get a new bolt. After trying to get the bolt loose it will not budge. Now its on a trailer on its way to the mechanics house. Just paid my first payment on it last month. Bought it used because my wife liked the vehicle and had a thirty day warranty and wouldn't you know it 36 days after I purchased it something like this happens.

Filed Aug 27, 2009 · Engine · 103,365 miles · OK

Back in oct 2008 went to car at 5am to go to work started my 2003 kia sorento heard this noise got out to raise hood before I could saw coolant coming from under my car didn't have time to really investigate had my sister take me to work when I came home had car towed to kia dealer they advised me that my coolant reservoir had crack and I needed to have replaced at 250.xx at this point they did tell me there was a recall on my sorento made appt to take back to have part replaced never, before this so call recall part was replaced never had any warning lights come on after they say they replaced the part my engine light came on took my sorento back to the same dealer 5 times within a 2 month period they kept telling me nothing was wrong with my car so I let the light stay on, moved to a different city tired of seeing this light on took to another kia dealer they ran a diagnostic for 125.00 to tell me nothing was wrong with my car but I noticed when I was leaving the engine light was off when back in to find out why and how did the light go off he stated he turned it off now while sitting at a traffic light with no warning my car just shut off got started back but this time with a loud banging noise I was only about 3 blocks from my home so I drove about 5 miles per hr to get home to have to have a tow truck come get my car the dealer has yet to let me know what the problem is....

Filed Aug 7, 2009 · Engine, Fuel system · 60,980 miles · MA

My 2003 kia sorento kept losing antifreeze and to find out the reservoir had a crack in it. Also, after I purchase bridgestone fire destination tires a year later they were worn after spending $600.00 I had to have two of them replaced within a year. P245/70r16. Also 2 defects recalls when my car was put in the shop one from 2007 sc073 and sc072 when my check engine light came on. It was still on after the car was supposedly fixed by quirk kia in braintree. When I was driving out of the parking lot the check engine light was still on. I was told the car was fine and it was just a sensor and to fix it the cost would be over $200. A year later, I brought it to get a sticker, they rejected my for another recall that should have been fixed when I brought it in last year. The recall was from 2005. Now I am trying to contact the dealership because of the inconvenience of me going to get this fixed when it should have been taken care of last year. I will never buy a kia again, the dealership does not care about their cars or customers.

Filed Apr 16, 2009 · Electrical, Engine · MD

2003 kia sorento, purchased used with 11,000 miles on it. Has been a nightmare since the day I bought it! Head gaskets warped at 28,000 miles, overheated without warning, no spike in temp gauge, wham smoke from everywhere and even with proof of maintenance upkeep it took kia 2 months to decide to honor the warranty. This was after the check engine light would come on every two seconds and have to be in the shop for months for them to say nothing wrong with it, even when it was towed in every time because it would just shut off. Then the headlight issues are insane. Every other month and that is no exaggeration I have to replace either low beams, high beams, brake lights & tail lights.

Filed Feb 19, 2009 · Engine, Lights · 105,000 miles · NE

The check engine light keeps coming on and it has been checked by a dealership and they don't know the problem, the front headlamps keep burning out.

Filed Jan 31, 2009 · Engine · 50,000 miles · WA

Check engine light will not shut off. Vehicle has been to the dealer several times. Dealership has at times been rude and the problem still exists. They do not know how to fix it. Also have problems with headlights burning out very regularly and the back hatch will no longer open.