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!
2003 Kia Sorento fuel system problems
77 complaints (25% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 95,000.
- owner complaints
- 77
- of this car's complaints
- 25%
- typical mileage
- 95,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Storage: tank assembly3
- Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2
- Storage: tank assembly: filling/charging1
- Fuel injection system1
- Delivery: fuel pump1
- Delivery1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Kia Sorento fuel system problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Kia Sorento fuel system
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 05V353000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Fuel Spill During Refueling
Complaints allege that while refueling the vehicle, fuel can spill out or spit back from the fuel filler port on model year (MY) 2003 Kia Sorento vehicles (subject vehicles).Consumers report that the spilled fuel can splash on the person fueling the vehicle, or on the side of the vehicle and the ground.The subject vehicles are equipped with an evaporative emissions control system that, among other things, manages air exchange between the fuel tank and the atmosphere in an environmentally safe manner.The system consists of a vapor canister, various control valves and tubing, and a canister filter (fuel tank air filter) through which the air that flows in and out of the fuel tank must pass.Kia's testing found that if the canister filter becomes significantly clogged, excess pressure can build up in the fuel tank and cause fuel to spit back from the filler port during refueling.Kia has stated that the canister filter requires regularly scheduled service maintenance; however, the component is not listed as a maintenance item in the owner's or service manual for the subject vehicles.ODI notes that Kia does list the filter on the maintenance schedule in the owner's manual for MY 2005 and newer Kia Sorento vehicles.To address the issue of fuel spit back during refueling, Kia will conduct a service campaign of approximately 86,000 MY 2003 and 2004 Kia Sorento vehicles.The campaign will provide a one-time replacement of the canister filter, at no cost to the owner.Kia will begin notifying the affected owners in late January 2012 and will inform the owners that the filter must be serviced at regular intervals.Kia will also provide an updated service maintenance schedule.Consumers should refer to the service campaign bulletin number SC092 available in the investigative file.A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.The agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances.
PE10023
What 2003 Kia Sorento owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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!
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
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 responsible. You need to examine this, because people could get killed by operating an unsafe vehicle. Do something about this now, before it becomes the next pinto. Make kia fix the [xxx] vehicles now!!! Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
While fueling up the sorento, the fuel spit out every time even while fueling at slow speeds. Very frustrating , and dangerous, especially when the fuel gets on my skin & clothes, the vehicle, and at times leaves a huge puddle on the ground which could be a fire hazard. The dealership was contacted and will not help me even though there was a recall issued for the fuel filter, which I mentioned.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Questions about the 2003 Kia Sorento fuel system
Does the 2003 Kia Sorento have fuel system problems?
Owners have filed 77 complaints about the fuel system of the 2003 Kia Sorento, 25% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2003 Kia Sorento fuel system problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 95,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Kia Sorento fuel system?
Yes, 1 recall: 05V353000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Kia Sorento have the most fuel system problems?
The Kia Sorento model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2003 (77 complaints), 2016 (59 complaints) and 2014 (50 complaints).
Other 2003 Kia Sorento problems
Engine 124Steering 31Airbags 30Electrical 29Brakes 24Transmission 22Lights 17Suspension 17Body 12Acceleration 8Visibility 5Tires 3Driver assistance 1Locks 1Seat belts 1
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