2003 Kia Sorento Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 81about this part
- Share
- 27%of 305 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 67,290miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 81 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Kia Sorento, 27% of the 305 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,290 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Same thing engine light comes on I pull over tank cracked , engine ruined, Kia told me they don't care and won't help. Engine failure due to manufacturer defect car had 110 k on it, but they knew about the tank and the engine concerns, Kia should not be allowed to get away with this, $4,000 later I have a car that should never had broken.”
NHTSA complaint #10224358, filed 2008-04, 112,000 miles“I have a 2003 Kia Sorento. As I left the garage at my office around 6 p.m. Monday 11/16, the car began making a horrible squealing noise. It immediately lost power steering, several warning lights came on, and it felt like the parking brake was on (it wasn't). I managed to get out of the garage to a space on the street. I turned the car off. When I tried to start it again, it wouldn't start. …”
NHTSA complaint #10292997, filed 2009-11, 79,000 miles“Where do I start?....well not long after we got the piece of junk we had to take it to the Kia dealer because the engine light kept coming on, they said it was because the gas cap wasn't being twisted enough and air got in. Well for about 2 weeks the engine light stayed off, we took it back numerous times but it kept coming back on. …”
NHTSA complaint #10173143, filed 2006-11, 40,000 miles“A screw that hold the crank shaft & the tamper get broken while I was driving to my house. The dealer in puerto rico said that I have to pay$2,521.00 to fix it. But I heard from an insurance agent that Kia was told by some government agency, I think that agency is NHTSA; to modify the screw involved in my incident, causing the lost control of my Sorento. The steering get hard to move.”
NHTSA complaint #10177458, filed 2007-01, 67,290 miles“When I stopped at 12,000 ft mt pass summit in remote area I noticed fluid draining from my Kia Sorento. I limped into small town -had the radiator checked and refilled-temperature gauge did not register hot- I was sent on my way but then became stranded in middle park area of colorado (kremmling) with what was discovered to be cracked, leaking resevoir. …”
NHTSA complaint #10137536, filed 2005-09, 33,520 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10133170Mar 2, 2018PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned…
- 10034246May 1, 2010Kia: intermittent mil on with no fault code stored; information about dtc p1330. Provides information relating to certain vehicles. In affected vehicles an intermittent short to…
- 10033464Nov 1, 2009Kia: 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…
- 10025153May 1, 2008Sorento icv replacement.
- 10022518Jul 1, 2007Crankshaft bolt replacement.
- 10019926Jan 1, 2006Crankshaft bolt torque.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 17% |
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 1 | 0% |
| 2020 | 3 | 2% |
| 2019 | 14 | 3% |
| 2018 | 7 | 3% |
| 2017 | 27 | 3% |
| 2016 | 31 | 2% |
| 2015 | 5 | 1% |
| 2014 | 22 | 2% |
| 2013 | 19 | 2% |
| 2012 | 15 | 2% |
| 2011 | 37 | 2% |
| 2008 | 8 | 4% |
| 2007 | 6 | 4% |
| 2006 | 19 | 8% |
| 2005 | 44 | 14% |
| 2004 | 46 | 21% |
| 2003 | 81 | 27% |
Other parts of the 2003 Kia Sorento
77 complaintsEngine
43 complaintsSteering
31 complaintsAir bags
30 complaintsElectrical system
29 complaintsBrakes
24 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
22 complaintsSuspension
17 complaintsExterior lighting
16 complaintsBody and structure
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsEquipment
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Kia Sorento
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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