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2003 Kia Sportage problems

The most common problem on the 2003 Kia Sportage is fuel and propulsion system. It has fewer complaints than a typical Sportage model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
95/100
Owner complaints
4
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
6
Worst area
Fuel system

The worst 2003 Kia Sportage problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Fuel system
    2
  • Engine
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Fuel system
    2
  • Engine
    1

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Kia Sportage 6

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

What 2003 Kia Sportage owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 6, 2011 · Fuel system · 150,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia sorrento ex (na). While the contact dispensed fuel into the fuel tank, fuel would spray out onto the ground and clothing. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis and repair. The failure continued to occur after the repair. The dealer was notified and recommended the vehicle be diagnosed to determine the cause of failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Apr 11, 2011 · Fuel system · 109,209 miles · TX

April 11, 2011 to whom it may concern, this letter is to officially submit a complaint about the safety of our 2003 kia sorento with mileage of 109209 my husband and I purchased this vehicle before the birth of our baby back in may 2010, because we needed the extra space. Unfortunately, we have some concerns about the safety of the vehicle. After much research we found that this particular complaint along with other fuel pump complaints are common among other kia owners. I am asking the person or department in charged to please look into this matter and take the proper action. Our complaints are as follows. The main problem and concern is with the fuel tank, every time we pump gas the gas shoots back and sprays me or my husband and it runs down the side of the car. We have to constantly stop pumping gas every 10 seconds to prevent the spraying of gas. On numerous occasions the gas has almost sprayed me on my eyes, and just recently it sprayed me in both arms, and burned my skin. I have to be very careful every time I pump gas, I'm afraid this is going to spray me in my face or worst yet harm my child! Our second complaint is that the kia needs constant anti-freeze because the heat thermometer shows the vehicle overheats about every 3 months. We have taken our vehicle to various mechanics, and twice to the kia dealerships, however they can not find a problem, on both of the issues listed above. The kia is the main vehicle we use to get around, however lately I have been very concern about the safety of the car. Please take this letter as our official complaint, and we look forward to having an official response back. I?m concern about our safety, but also the safety of other drivers with the same kia model. Please look into the matter, and I trust the right thing will be done to solve this problem. Thank you in advance.

Filed Jun 14, 2007 · Engine · TX

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 kia sportage. The contact stated that a couple of years ago, the blades on his cooling fan began to come off, causing the vehicle to overheat. The dealer could not find anything wrong with the vehicle. The contact stated that he recently received recall notice # 07v161000 (engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan). The purchase date and failure mileage were unknown. The current mileage is 93,314.

Filed Oct 23, 2003 · CA

Problems with 2002 kia sportage/ lemon vehicle..*mr the consumer was requesting that kia of america inc purchase the defective vehicle immediately. Please respond promptly in resolving matters* cb

Compare the 2003 Kia Sportage

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2003 Kia Sportage

Is the 2003 Kia Sportage reliable?

Owners have filed 4 complaints about the 2003 Kia Sportage, fewer than a typical Sportage model year.

What is the 2003 Kia Sportage year score?

The 2003 Kia Sportage scores 95 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Kia Sportage: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2003 Kia Sportage?

Fuel and propulsion system, with 2 complaints. Next is engine (1).

How many recalls does the 2003 Kia Sportage have?

No recalls on record.

What year does the Kia Sportage have the most fuel system problems?

The Kia Sportage model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2000 (90 complaints), 2002 (67 complaints) and 2001 (62 complaints).

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