1.7

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
94,751 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Kia Sorento brakes problems

brakes problem

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2003 Kia Sorento Owner Comments

problem #9

Dec 152015

Sorento

  • 114,283 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Crankshaft bolt backed out lost power steering brakes, Kia is aware of this problem from 2002 to 2009 many reports have been filed, its the manufacturing of the bolt which is to small, they are not standing by this defect, there is no permenant fix for this and Kia isn't warning anyone of this problem which could lead into a fatile accident with injuries and death.going at a high rate of speed there would be no control even at slow there is no easy turning the wheel.now im stuck with this problem and a temp fix wont fix it, so now I have no vehicle or anyway to get one, no way to work, no money to temp fix it, this is unjust and this vehicle should have never passed specs to be on the road.Kia should step up and honor there products, they are deceiving buyers and putting there life in danger and U don't know it till it happens, I didn't...I was taking my daughter to school I am thankful I wasn't on the highway possible resulting in my familys life or someone else on the road, with no control all because of there negligence not caring for peoples lifes but for money, its sad.if U pull up crankshaft bolt for Kia it will show you all the complaints and problems and this is a manufacturing problem and a dangerous defect, because you lose control of handiling of your vehicle.

- Washington, IN, USA

problem #8

Jul 012014

Sorento

  • 31,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Kia Sorento. While exiting the driveway with the brakes engaged, the brakes failed to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that there was excessive corrosion that fractured the subframe and damaged the brake lines. As a result, the brake lines needed to be replaced and the center section of the frame needed to be cut and replaced. The subframe was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 31,000.

- Glenville, PA, USA

problem #7

Oct 182014

Sorento

  • 121,780 miles
While the car was in for an oil change the tech noticed a couple of brake lines looked wet, when they where checking the lines they noticed the rear sub-frame which the lines were connected too was totally rusted out. The car is no longer drivable due to the fact that this sub-frame holds the rear differential in place.

- Medford, NY, USA

problem #6

Sep 032012

Sorento

  • 36,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle made an abnormal noise when the battery and another unknown warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact had to pump the brake pedal several times before the vehicle would stop and the power steering stop working. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the crank shaft pulley bolt was holding too much weight causing it to fracture. The vehicle had been repaired but the failure recurred on numerous occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 36,000.

- Ferrum, VA, USA

problem #5

May 142013

Sorento

  • 140,000 miles
I was coming home from work one day, when the crankshaft bolt came out of my car.I barely made it home.but the front end was jarring my airbag light came on my breaks like same one and I did not have no control of my steering.then it cost me 1700.then one day I was in town and the crankshaft bolt came out of my car again which this time I did not have no control of the steering it took every muscle that I had to keep it in the road the front and shook so bad it jarred everything I lose my airbag light came on my brake lights came on seat belt light came on it was a hazardous on the highway seriously killed me or someone else or really badly hurt them.then I took it back to the mechanic again and he said welcome it's going to cost you 1700 more which I did not have so I let the bank have it back which now it has run my credit because I didn't have the money to get it fixed and I lost my credit because of thisso yes they need to do a recall on the crankshaft bolt before it does kill someone is that what they're waiting for for someone to die before they do something about.and I keep on replacing bugs brake lights headlights and everything they keep on blowing in this in the Kia and I keep on putting money in it for me to get it inspected it cost me a hundred sixty two dollars and 22 dish to replace bulbs that I just replace not even a month before that I have receipts I am so tired of putting money into this Kia I didn't have no other choice but to let them take it because it C and the tires at 8 my tires up and I put new tires on which cost me 800 800 again to put IN800 again to put inand when this bit when this happened I called Kia in charlottesville Virginia and they said they put a new crank bolt in at the kids embrace Chevrolet before I boarded so this would make three times the crankshaft bolt had been replaced I want this Kia..................

- Orange , VA, USA

problem #4

Jun 132013

Sorento 6-cyl

  • 173,174 miles
As I was leaving work, the crankshaft bolt broke, and the bottom/pulley came out and hit the road.thank god I was still in the parking lot. I had it towed to a automotive shop to have it fixed it, has $ $768.45 plus 75.00dollars to tow it. I got my 2003-Sorento back on 06/20/2013 on 07/06/2013 I was going down the hwy about 55mph. And the crankshaft/bolt broke again after only having driven 1,674miles. I am a single mom of two, living week to week and I can, T afford to fix it again and it is our only car. If Kia is not going to fix the crank/shaft bolt ( it is a dealer item only) and they keep breaking, just look at all the repute incidents, over and over, then they need to be made to do a recall, I would like to know if their is a class action law suit on this matter.

- Danielsville, GA, USA

problem #3

Jul 062012

Sorento 6-cyl

  • 69,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driving car down road when brakes went soft pulling into my driveway was able to stop before brakes went out fully. My son was practicing for his road test. Car also has control issue does not feel very stable. Feels like it want to tip over. Noise in front end dealer said you will get used to it. When it gets bad enough they may be able to find it. Biggest piece of junk I have ever owned. Would never buy another Kia.

- Mohawk, NY, USA

problem #2

Apr 302012

Sorento 6-cyl

  • 83,525 miles
Power brake system failed when attempting to brake while going 15 mph. Took vehicle to service center. They reported that the brake lines had rusted through causing total loss of brake fluid and brake system functionality. Once the brake line was perforated it completely rendered all but the emergency brake inoperable. Luckily I was able to stop using the emergency brake because of the low rate of speed. Had this occurred at a higher rate of speed (e.g. 65 mph) it could have been disastrous. All brake lines had to be replaced at a cost of $670. I've owned many vehicles in my lifetime with similar age and mileage, but have never had brake lines rust through. I live in a northern climate (NY state), but this should not happen. Friends of ours bought their 2003 Kia Sorento one week after we did. Their vehicle suffered the exact same brake line rust through as we did las year, with only 40,000 miles on the vehicle, so I'm interested in knowing what percentage of same make/model vehicle has experienced the same failure.

- Manlius, NY, USA

problem #1

May 102012

Sorento

  • 84,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while exiting a parking lot at 10 mph, the brakes were depressed and felt spongy. The vehicle failed to respond and the contact had to utilize the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who advised the contact that the brake lines were rusted and fractured, causing the loss of brake pressure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 84,000.

- Manlius, NY, USA

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