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Electrical systemPart report

2003 Kia Sorento Electrical system Problems

Complaints
29about this part
Share
10%of 305 total for the year
Median mileage
67,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Kia Sorento, 10% of the 305 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,000 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Engine light is on, airbag light is on, clock can't keep right time, now won't start at all, I wished I never bought this 2003 Kia Sorento, they are nothing but junk. Please anybody who reads this do not buy a Kia vehicle. I hate Kia vehicles, I will never own one again, I would not take a Kia vehicle, even if they give me one. To many problems, since I bought it, haven't been anywhere in two weeks, because Kia vehicle is junk.”

NHTSA complaint #10735581, filed 2015-07, 178,000 miles

“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”

NHTSA complaint #11043741, filed 2017-11, 93,632 miles

“All lights come on, horn blows, but will not start at all, this Kia Sorento is junk, its falling apart, I got a disable mother, now can't take her to her doctor appointments, every since I had it, its been nothing but junk, we live on fixed income, can't afford to get another vehicle, and this 2003 Kia Sorento should not be on the road, all Kia Sorento vehicles are junk, clock is messed up, comes off and on, airbag light is on, now won't even start at all, something needs to be done about Kia dealerships selling junk vehicles, will complain again and again, they are junk!”

NHTSA complaint #10735552, filed 2015-07, 174,000 miles

“I am single old lady, late jan.2014 , driving back from orlando,fl. To my home<2 hrs away> on I-95 car slows down, all lights go on dashboard. Get home at 40 miles an hour.next day go to tire plus, can not fix car, engine trouble..go to dealer bev smith Kia, ft.pierce, fl, I am a regular there,with car problemsell me can needs new lower engine, $7000 I almost faint, , car not safe, I left anyway, they would not exactly tell me what wrong with car...coworker at walmart, tells me of mechanic,can fix it...take it there, he tells me what really is wrong with car..screw that hold harmony part…”

NHTSA complaint #10609501, filed 2014-07, 150,000 miles

“Driving at night when all of a sudden interior lights started blinking off & on like strobe lights at a disco. I tried turning them off, nothing. It seemed related to the dimmer switch because if I kept pressure on it to the lowest degree, the flashing stopped. For awhile I wedged a pin in the switch & that worked. Eventually, though that stopped working & the light show would begin. It happened day & night, just more noticeable at night. I finally removed the fuse for the cabin lights & as a result, have no dash lights either while driving in the dark. …”

NHTSA complaint #10485940, filed 2012-11, 107,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026117%
20252229%
20241126%
20233830%
20223116%
20214718%
20202014%
20196816%
20183012%
20179712%
20161078%
2015588%
201415315%
201311612%
201212714%
201124616%
20091425%
20083215%
20072114%
20065322%
20054916%
20042813%
20032910%

Other parts of the 2003 Kia Sorento

Engine cooling
81 complaints
Fuel system
77 complaints
Engine
43 complaints
Steering
31 complaints
Air bags
30 complaints
Brakes
24 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
22 complaints
Suspension
17 complaints
Exterior lighting
16 complaints
Body and structure
12 complaints
Vehicle speed control
8 complaints
Equipment
5 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 Kia Sorento

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology