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2003 Kia Sorento transmission problems

22 complaints (7% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 60,000.

owner complaints
22
of this car's complaints
7%
typical mileage
60,000
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission
    5
  • Driveline: driveshaft
    3
  • Driveline: universal joint
    1
  • Driveline: differential unit
    1
  • Driveline
    1
  • Axle assembly: axle shaft
    1
  • Axle assembly
    1

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 transmission problems in other years

20032005201520202025

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2003 Kia Sorento owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 6, 2017 · Electrical, Fuel system · 93,632 miles · MI

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

Filed Mar 18, 2017 · Transmission · 989,000 miles · WI

Vehicle broke down in traffic. Froze up,stalled. Loss of steering. Had it towed to shop & was told the crank shaft sensor & related parts to the crank shaft had to be replaced. Cost for towing & repairs were over $700.

Filed Dec 30, 2015 · Transmission · 237,361 miles · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia sorento. While driving at an unknown speed, the gear shifted independently into four wheel drive. The contact was unable to get it back into drive. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure . The approximate failure mileage was 237,361. The VIN was not provided.

Filed Nov 20, 2015 · Acceleration, Airbags · 10,367 miles · MD

When go to shift truck in drive it makes a clank sound and when driving at a speed between 65-70 the truck starts vibrating, and when in reverse it squeaks when back up,at first my wife it was the u joints so we had it replaced but it all started happing again. Next our battery die had it replaced with a new one now the air bag indicator light stays on all the best time and at times it feels like the accelerator peddle gets stuck at times.

Filed Jan 13, 2015 · Engine, Steering · 135,000 miles · WI

I have service records showing I had the crankshaft pulley replaced at 55,000 miles under warranty by kia. The crankshaft pulley broke off at 105,000 miles. I was able to have the vehicle repaired cost $1500 out of my pocket. On 1/11/2015 the crankshaft pulley broke off for a 3rd time, shearing the threads to the engine, and causing the engine to no longer work. All 3 events caused loss of power and able to steer the vehicle.

Filed Jun 10, 2014 · Engine, Steering · 155,000 miles · MN

The bolt on the crankshaft pulley as well as the pin broke off causing the motor to stop and overheat dumping all the antifreeze and stopping all belts. My mother could have been injured while driving but it ended up being she was just blocking traffic thankfully and not on the highway. This seems to be a very common issue with hundreds if not thousands complaining about the crankshaft pulley bolt and pin. Kia says they won't do anything as it is out of warranty and I am not the original owner. This may have been fixed once before on the vehicle due to failure and I am very worried this may happen again with worse consequences. My mechanic was able to provide a temporary/permanent fix but we really dodged a bullet and it could have caused immediate catastrophic damage. I'm disappointed with all of the serious complaints that kia still has not recalled it for 2002-2009 sorento models.

Filed Sep 17, 2013 · Fuel system, Transmission · 26,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia sorento. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact moved the vehicle off the roadway and the engine rpms increased as the vehicle began to perform normally. The contact also stated that once the fuel tank was below 3/4 full, the engine would lose power and began to idle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was inspected but was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue but provided no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 26,000.

Filed Jan 3, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · NY

Crankshaft bolt recalled 2007 they break off recall done crankshaft bolt broke on 2011crankshaft broke kia will not fix recalled part.

Filed Dec 19, 2011 · Transmission · 127,000 miles · GA

I brought the kia sorento used in 2/2011 with 108,00 miles and replaced all belts,transmission change,front brakes,driveshaft assembly, radiator. Now has 127,000 miles and every month I have been replacing parts.

Filed Mar 16, 2011 · Transmission · 98,000 miles · ME

Vehicle model: kia sorento ex; the transmission keeps failing and the airbag module keeps breaking and displaying red light even after fixing at a dealer shop "bill dodge kia , westbrook, me. The symptoms are as follows: you put the car in drive and the vehicle does not move and only a grinding sound occurs, then you move the transmission shift up and down and after a few moments it generally goes into gear.we almost had several accidents and the car is back in the shop. This car is a nightmare car -- please do notify manufacturer.

Questions about the 2003 Kia Sorento transmission

Does the 2003 Kia Sorento have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 22 complaints about the transmission of the 2003 Kia Sorento, 7% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2003 Kia Sorento transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 60,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Kia Sorento transmission?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Kia Sorento have bad transmission?

The Kia Sorento model years with the most transmission complaints are 2011 (265 complaints), 2021 (146 complaints) and 2016 (126 complaints).

Other 2003 Kia Sorento problems

Engine 124Fuel system 77Steering 31Airbags 30Electrical 29Brakes 24Lights 17Suspension 17Body 12Acceleration 8Visibility 5Tires 3Driver assistance 1Locks 1Seat belts 1

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