There is 1 US recall for the 2003 Kia Sorento, and 2 in Canada. Owners filed 305 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and engine cooling.
Check by VIN to confirm the exact model and see every recall for it.
Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
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.
On certain vehicles, a metal clip which is part of the Induction Control Valve (ICV) in the engines intake manifold may sever off. If this occurs, abnormal engine noise and vibrations may occur, along with impaired engine functioning and loss of vehicle power. The problem may illuminate the "Check Engine" light on the dashboard. However, the problem may exist, and engine damage may occur, with or without "Check Engine" light illumination. Engine damage could result in lost propulsion which, in conjunction with traffic and road conditions, and the driver's reactions, could increase the risk of a crash. Correction: Dealers will replace the ICV with an updated version.
Certain vehicle may experience a fuel leak from the main fuel tube and/or the return tube near the fuel tank due to interference (insufficient clearance) with the vehicle frame. A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire. Correction: Dealers will replace the fuel tubes.
Owners filed 305 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Kia Sorento (10 crashes, 3 fires, 12 injuries, 1 deaths reported). Among 24 model years of this model, it ranks #10 for the most complaints (median 255).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 81 | |
| Engine | 43 | |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 41 | |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 34 | |
| Steering | 31 | |
| Air bags | 30 | |
| Electrical system | 29 | |
| Power train | 22 |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Kia Sorento.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Kia Sorento 4-DR. | – | – | – | 3★ |
EPA ratings for each 2003 Kia Sorento version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sorento 2WD 3.5 L Automatic 4-spd | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Sorento 4WD 3.5 L Automatic 4-spd | 13 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada). Recalls updated 2026-10-30.