Engine
3.5L 6-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 300 of 305 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 234 of 305 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Engine & cooling
126 complaint records1 fire report3 crash reports
"CRANKSHAFT BOLT RECALLED 2007 THEY BREAK OFF RECALL DONE CRANKSHAFT BOLT BROKE ON 2011CRANKSHAFT BROKE KIA WILL NOT FIX RECALLED PART. *TR..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →
Fuel system
77 complaint records
"FULE IS SHOOTING BACK OF GAS TANK WHILE PUTTING IN GAS.THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. PLEAS TELL ME A FIX FOR THIS. CAR IS STATIONARY...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse fuel system parts in the directory →
Air bags
32 complaint records6 crash reports
"THE AIR BAG SENSOR LOCATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT DID NOT ENGAGED WHEN A PASSENGER SAT IN THE, SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *JB..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse air bags parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE10023 opened Jul 2010 | closed Dec 2011 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 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,... |
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05V353000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 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. | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008212 2008-06-18 | Engine | 13,411 | On certain vehicles, a metal clip which is part of the Induction Control Valve (ICV) in the engines intake manifold may sever off. |
| 2005244 2005-08-22 | Fuel System | 738 | 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. |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSB_BOD055_R1 Sep 2021 | Structure | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. | |
| PS539 Mar 2018 | Engine And Engine Cooling | PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine. | |
| TSB-GEN085R1 Jan 2017 | Equipment | TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners, which are designed to lock into place once fully attached, are utilized in various Kia models and are strictly intended for ?one time use.? | |
| TSB-GEN085 Nov 2016 | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners utilized in various Kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. | |
| PS443 Apr 2016 | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | TSB - USE OF AFTERMARKET USB CHARGING CABLES IN USB/12V PORTS - This article provides information regarding the use of USB ports and 12V power outlets to connect/charge mobile phones. |
Show 21 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| PS233 Jan 2013 | Engine | PITSTOP: UNUSUAL FUEL TRIM VALUES AND/OR MISFIRE CODES AFTER INCORRECT ENGINE REPAIR - THIS OUTLINES THE PROCEDURE TO FOLLOW IF AFTER AN ENGINE REPAIR YOU ENCOUNTER A COMPLAINT RELATING TO MIL ON (DTC P)#)X) WITH A MISFIRE DURING ACCELERATION AND/OR YOU FIND UNUSUAL FUEL TRIM... | |
| SC-092 Jan 2012 | Fuel System | KIA: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. FUEL TANK AIR FILTER REPLACEMENT. *KB | |
| 034 Jan 2011 | Power Train | KIA: THERE MAY BE ERRATIC SHIFTING, SHIFT SHOCK, AND A MALFUNCTION LIGHT ON WITH STORED TROUBLE CODES. THIS IS CAUSED BY A PROBLEM WITHIN THE TRANSFER MOTOR. *RM | |
| TSB-019 Nov 2010 | Fuel System | KIA: FUEL TANK AIR FILTER REMINDER. THE AIR FILTER CAN ACCUMULATE DIRT OVER TIME AND NEEDS TO BE MAINTAINED. *RM | |
| TSB-068 May 2010 | Engine And Engine Cooling | KIA: INTERMITTENT MIL ON WITH NO FAULT CODE STORED; INFORMATION ABOUT DTC P1330. PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO CERTAIN VEHICLES. | |
| TSB-044 Nov 2009 | Electrical System | KIA: ECM UPGRADE WITH TP SENSOR REPLACEMENT-MIL ON WITH DTC P2135/P0638. INFORMATION RELATED TO ECM SOFTWARE AND TP SENSOR UPGRADE ON SOME VEHICLES WITH 2.7L ENGINES WHICH MAY EXPERIENCE A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED WITH THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC)... | |
| KT-2008120901 Dec 2008 | Exterior Lighting | KIA: HEAD LIGHT BULB LIFE CONCERN. THERE MAY BE CONCERNS OF SHORT HEADLAMP BULB LIFE IN VEHICLES. A NEW RESISTIVE WIRE HARNESS HAS BEEN INTRODUCED TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF THE LOW BEAM BULBS. *PE | |
| KT-2008082201 Aug 2008 | Parking Brake | KIA: ALL MODELS. ARTICLE PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO THE IMPROVED DURABILITY OF BULB LIFE FOR REAR COMBINATION BULB; REAR STOP LAMP/TAIL LAMP BULB UTILIZED ON MULTIPLE KIA MODELS. *PE | |
| 073 May 2008 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SORENTO ICV REPLACEMENT. *NJ | |
| 072 Jul 2007 | Engine And Engine Cooling | CRANKSHAFT BOLT REPLACEMENT. *KB | |
| 013 Apr 2007 | Fuel System | THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR W/ 3.5L ENGINES. *KB | |
| 92 Jan 2006 | Engine And Engine Cooling | CRANKSHAFT BOLT TORQUE. *TT | |
| 029 Apr 2005 | Air Bags | THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATED TO REPLACEMENT OF THE AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC UNIT (ADU). SOME OWNERS MAY COMPLAIN OF THE SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION RESULTING IN ONE OR MORE SEAT TRACK POSITION SENSOR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC). *TT | |
| 85 Jan 2005 | Equipment | 2003-2005 CLOCKS NOT HOLDING TIME OR RESETTING - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS. *TT | |
| 006 Dec 2004 | Fuel System | ENHANCED DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR FOR P0446/P2422. *TT | |
| 031 May 2003 | Structure | HOOD ANTI-CORROSION TREATMENT. *TT | |
| 010103 Feb 2003 | Seat Belts | SUBJECT REGARDING THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WIRE HARNESS. *JB | |
| 025 Jan 2003 | Equipment | RATTLE NOISE FROM THE JACK COMPARTMENT WHEN DRIVING ON ROUGH ROAD SURFACES. *TT | |
| 029 Jan 2003 | Seat Belts | SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO INSPECT AND REPOSITION THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE WIRE HARNESS. *TT | |
| 010 Dec 2002 | Steering | ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING (EPS) LOGIC CHANGE TO IMPROVE STEERING FEEL. *TT | |
| 54 Jan 2002 | Unknown Or Other | INFORMATION ON THE NEW 2003 KIA SORENTO. *TT |
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
- Smell for fuel and watch the first restart when hot.Hard starting when warm, hesitation under load, or any fuel odor near the tank or engine bay match this vehicle's fuel-system cluster. Check the recall table for fuel pump campaigns.
- Watch the airbag warning light through a full key cycle.It should light on start and go out within seconds. A light that stays on, or never lights at all, means the system needs attention. Run the VIN for inflator recalls specifically.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 1 recall campaign on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Kia Sorento →