NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
81 reportsClear category filter61,000 miles · Jul 15, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
NO WARNING OF FAILURE. HAPPENED AT 61000 MILES 1000 OVER WARRANTY. CRANKSHAFT BOLT BROKE , AND THE MECHANIC SAD HE NEVER SAW SOMETHING LIKE THIS. SO I THINK KIA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE ..HE GOT THE PARTS FROM KIA, AND ON 7/15/07 THE BOLT CAME OFF AGAIN WHILE CAR WAS IN PARKING LOT OF WIFE'S WORK PLACE. KIA SHOULD FIX IT …
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NO WARNING OF FAILURE. HAPPENED AT 61000 MILES 1000 OVER WARRANTY. CRANKSHAFT BOLT BROKE , AND THE MECHANIC SAD HE NEVER SAW SOMETHING LIKE THIS. SO I THINK KIA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE ..HE GOT THE PARTS FROM KIA, AND ON 7/15/07 THE BOLT CAME OFF AGAIN WHILE CAR WAS IN PARKING LOT OF WIFE'S WORK PLACE. KIA SHOULD FIX IT . I WAS PLANNING ON GETTING A MINI VAN, AND IT WON'T BE A KIA, DEPENDING ON WHAT THEY DO ABOUT MY SERENTO. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10196384
54,700 miles · Jul 10, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting
LAST FEB. THE COOLANT RESERVOIR CRACKED, LOST ALL COOLANT. TOWED TO DEALER. THEY FIXED IT AND TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW BELT. I DIDN'T WANT ANYTHING MORE TO HAPPEN AS I TAKE MY 90 YEAR OLD MOM AROUND, THEY REPLACED ONE BELT FOR $120. NEVER RAN RIGHT AFTER THAT, WITH SCREECHING NOISES AND NO MORE A/C. TODAY, JUST AS I WAS D…
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LAST FEB. THE COOLANT RESERVOIR CRACKED, LOST ALL COOLANT. TOWED TO DEALER. THEY FIXED IT AND TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW BELT. I DIDN'T WANT ANYTHING MORE TO HAPPEN AS I TAKE MY 90 YEAR OLD MOM AROUND, THEY REPLACED ONE BELT FOR $120. NEVER RAN RIGHT AFTER THAT, WITH SCREECHING NOISES AND NO MORE A/C. TODAY, JUST AS I WAS DRIVING ONTO THE HIGHWAY-I STARTED LOSING MY STEERING AND I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER OFF THE RAMP, THEN IT STALLED AS I WAS PULLING OVER. I HAVE READ ABOUT THIS HAPPENING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE AND WAS JUST WAITING FOR IT TO HAPPEN. WELL IT DID AND THANK GOD I WASN'T GOING 70 ON THE HIGHWAY YET. IT HAS BEEN TOWED TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE BOLT ON THE DRIVE SHAFT THAT BROKE. THEN HE SAID THAT SINCE I'M ONLY 8000 MILES AWAY FROM 60K, THEN I SHOULD JUST DO THE TIMING BELT SERVICE NOW BECAUSE IF I DON'T AND IT GOES, THEN MY ENGINE WILL BLOW. SO I GUESS THIS IS WHAT I HAVE TO WAIT TO HAPPEN NEXT AND I'M SURE IT WILL. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE CAN'T BE WRONG. DON'T BUY A KIA!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10196002
48,438 miles · Jul 3, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CRANK SHAFT FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE TOTAL COST OF THE RENTAL EXPENSE WAS $600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE CRANKSHAFT FAILED, HE WAS STRANDED. THE KIA DEALER CLAIMED TO HAVE REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRESENT WHEN…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CRANK SHAFT FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE TOTAL COST OF THE RENTAL EXPENSE WAS $600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE CRANKSHAFT FAILED, HE WAS STRANDED. THE KIA DEALER CLAIMED TO HAVE REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRESENT WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT BE OF ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 48,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER RECALL, SINCE A RECALL WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER HE IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE RENTAL CAR. THE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED DUE TO A LEAK AT THE LOWER SEAM. UPDATED
NHTSA ODI #10195221
33,000 miles · May 22, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
CRANKSHSFT PULLEY BOLT BROKE ON 2003 KIA SORENTO V6 MODEL. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF POWER STEERING IN VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10191455
Mileage unknown · May 15, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
COOLANT TANK CRACKED. CALLED KIA AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY BUT THAT THE PART HAD BEEN RE DESIGNED. SO I GUESS THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TANKS. BUT KIA WOULD NOT COVER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE TANK.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10190810
63,333 miles · May 8, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
"THE BATTERY AND BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ON THE DASHBOARD. ALSO, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. OPENED THE HOOD AND THE ENGINE AREA AND FOUND THE ALTERNATOR BELT FELL OFF ITS PULLEY. THE POWER STEERING BELT RAN OFF THE ALTERNATOR BELT. THIS WAS WHY THE VEHICLE HAD NO POWER STEERING. CHECKED THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY, AND FOUND…
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"THE BATTERY AND BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ON THE DASHBOARD. ALSO, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. OPENED THE HOOD AND THE ENGINE AREA AND FOUND THE ALTERNATOR BELT FELL OFF ITS PULLEY. THE POWER STEERING BELT RAN OFF THE ALTERNATOR BELT. THIS WAS WHY THE VEHICLE HAD NO POWER STEERING. CHECKED THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY, AND FOUND THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY HAD PLAY, AND THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT BACKED OUT OF PLACE. KIA HAS A PIT STOP HIGHLIGHT , STATING THAT THE CRANK SHAFT BOLT BACKED OUT OF PLACE DUE TO IMPROPER TORQUE SETTINGS ON THE CRANK SHAFT BOLT. HIGHLIGHT KT2006042501. REMOVED THE RADIATOR TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY. REMOVED THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY AND INSPECTED. FOUND THE CRANK SHAFT SPROCKET PIN SHEARED OFF DUE TO THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY BACKING OUT PLACE. THE CRANKSHAFT SPROCKET HOLDS THE PULLEY IN PLACE. THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY, SPROCKET, AND BOLT WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. REMOVED THE TIMING BELT AND TO REPLACE THE SPROCKET. INSTALLED EVERYTHING BACK IN PLACE AND STARTED THE VEHICLE. OIL WAS NOW LEAKING FROM BEHIND THE TIMING COVER. REMOVED ALL PARTS AGAIN TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE TIMING BELT. FOUND OIL WAS LEAKING FROM BEHIND THE TIMING SPROCKET. REMOVED THE SPROCKET, AND FOUND THE CRANK SHAFT RUBBER SEAL HAD SIGNS OF WEAR AND WAS SLIGHTLY BENT. REPLACED THE CRANK SHAFT RUBBER SEAL, AND REINSTALLED SPROCKET AND TIMING BELT. STARTED VEHICLE, AND NO SIGNS OF LEAKS WERE NOTICED. ROAD TESTED VEHICLE , AND VEHICLE DROVE PROPERLY. THE OWNER COMPLAINED AND QUESTIONED THE RESULT OF THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING DUE TO THE IMPROPER TORQUE SETTING ON THE CRANK SHAFT BOLT AS SUGGESTED BY THE NARRATIVE OF THE MECHANIC'S REPORT AND AS STATED ABOVE. IF IT WAS SO DOES THE OWNER HAVE REMEDY IN CONTACTING KIA OR THE DEALERSHIP )FOR POSSIBLE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE PARTS AND LABOR ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PART OF MECHANICAL PERFORMANCE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10190138
64,000 miles · May 5, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY, THE ENGINE STALLED AND ALL LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO SAFETY (JUST BY SHEER LUCK) AND CALLED KIA 1-800 FOR TOWING SERVICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP. I WAS INITIALLY TOLD THAT THE TIMING BELT WAS MALFUNCTIONING. SUPPOSEDLY THE ANALYZER SHOWED T…
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AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY, THE ENGINE STALLED AND ALL LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO SAFETY (JUST BY SHEER LUCK) AND CALLED KIA 1-800 FOR TOWING SERVICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP. I WAS INITIALLY TOLD THAT THE TIMING BELT WAS MALFUNCTIONING. SUPPOSEDLY THE ANALYZER SHOWED THAT THERE WERE "MULTIPLE MISFIRES. I WAS ASKED IF THE CAR WAS MISSING PRIOR TO THE STALL. I TOLD THEM IT RAN AS SMOOTH AS SILK. I AUTHORIZED THEM TO REPLACE THE TIMING BELT DESPITE THE FACT THAT IT HAD BEEN REPLACED AS PART OF SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE TWO MONTHS EARLIER. THE DEALERSHIP THEN CALLED AND TOLD ME THEY HAD "GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS". THE TIMING BELT WAS REPAIRED BUT IT APPEARED THE HEAD WAS BLOWN AND THAT KIA REFUSED TO PAY FOR REPAIRS BECAUSE THE OVERFLOW BOTTLE WAS CRACKED. THEY STATED THAT THE HEAD BLEW BECAUSE THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND WAS CAUSED BY MY NEGLIGENCE. THE GAUGES NEVER INDICATED THAT THE CAR OVERHEATED. THEY ARE UNABLE TO TELL ME HOW MUCH THE REPAIRS WILL COST BECAUSE THERE MAY BE FURTHER DAMAGE ONCE THEY TEAR IT DOWN. THE ESTIMATE IS BETWEEN $2500 AND "WORE CASE SCENARIO" $4700 I AM FURIOUS. THE CAR IS NOT YET FOUR YEARS OLD AND STILL HAS 36,000 MILES LEFT ON THE WARRANTY. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10189875
Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE NOW HAD THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY BREAK 3 TIMES, THE ENGINE AND OTHER PARTS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THIS. IT MAKES THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY INOPERABLE AND UNSAFE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10188200
97,000 miles · Apr 2, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BROKE OFF. KIA DEALER RECOMMENDS ENGINE REPLACEMENT. COST WOULD BE $7000. RESEARCHING THIS TOPIC FIND OTHERS WITH SAME SITUATION. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. THE POWER STEERING BECOMES INOPERABLE AND THE POWER SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10186716
72,000 miles · Mar 5, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMPLAINT ABOUT MY 03 KIA SORENTO. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED IN 2004. MY HUSBAND CALLED KIA TO CHECK TO SEE IF THE WARRANTIES WHERE TRANSFERABLE AND THE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD HIM THEY WERE. SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR TAIL/BRAKE LIGHTS 3 TIMES, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE COOL…
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I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMPLAINT ABOUT MY 03 KIA SORENTO. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED IN 2004. MY HUSBAND CALLED KIA TO CHECK TO SEE IF THE WARRANTIES WHERE TRANSFERABLE AND THE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD HIM THEY WERE. SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR TAIL/BRAKE LIGHTS 3 TIMES, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE COOLANT BOTTLE, MY ROTORS WERE VIBRATING WHEN I BRAKED SO I HAD THEM SURFACED AND NOW THEY VIBRATE AGAIN. MY BLOWER FAN HAS GONE OUT AND NOW MY CRANKSHAFT BOLT HAS BROKE LAST WEEK. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER. I DIDN'T BUY AN EXTENDED WARRANT BECAUSE I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION ECT WAS COVERED UP TO 100,000 OR 5 YEARS, WHICH I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS ONLY FOR THE ORIGINAL OWNER. AT FIRST, I WAS JUST THINKING THAT IT WAS JUST MY BAD LUCK, UNTIL I STARTED RESEARCHING IT ON THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED THAT MANY PEOPLE SEEM TO BE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS I AM AND THAT IS ONLY THE THOSE OF USE WHO ACTUAL POST IT ON THE INTERNET, I AM SURE THAT THERE ARE PROBABLY MANY MORE THAT ARE NOT REPORTED. AT THIS TIME, I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW MUCH THIS IS GOING TO COST ME AT FIRST THE DEAL TOLD ME $765.00, THEN THEY SAID MAY BE $3700.00. I THINK IT IS RIDICULES THAT SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT BRAKING OFF AND RUINING THE MOTOR OF A VEHICLE THAT IS 3 YEARS OLD AND KIA HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I ALSO HAVE SEEN THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THERE COOLANT BOTTLE LEAKING, AGAIN LIKE MINE, BUT THEY HAVE BLOWN THEIR ENGINES. AGAIN WHY IS IT THAT KIA IS NOT RECALL THIS VEHICLES FOR THESE PROBLEMS. IF MY CRANKSHAFT BOLT HAD BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, IT CHILLS ME TO THINK OF WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED. SOMEONE REALLY NEEDS TO HELP ALL OF US KIA OWNERS WHO ARE ALL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10184271
NHTSA investigations
1PE10023 · Fuel Spill During Refueling
Opened Jul 12, 2010 · Closed Dec 21, 2011
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
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, or on the side of the vehicle and the ground.The subject vehicles are equipped with an evaporative emissions control system that, among other things, manages air exchange between the fuel tank and the atmosphere in an environmentally safe manner.The system consists of a vapor canister, various control valves and tubing, and a canister filter (fuel tank air filter) through which the air that flows in and out of the fuel tank must pass.Kia's testing found that if the canister filter becomes significantly clogged, excess pressure can build up in the fuel tank and cause fuel to spit back from the filler port during refueling.Kia has stated that the canister filter requires regularly scheduled service maintenance; however, the component is not listed as a maintenance item in the owner's or service manual for the subject vehicles.ODI notes that Kia does list the filter on the maintenance schedule in the owner's manual for MY 2005 and newer Kia Sorento vehicles.To address the issue of fuel spit back during refueling, Kia will conduct a service campaign of approximately 86,000 MY 2003 and 2004 Kia Sorento vehicles.The campaign will provide a one-time replacement of the canister filter, at no cost to the owner.Kia will begin notifying the affected owners in late January 2012 and will inform the owners that the filter must be serviced at regular intervals.Kia will also provide an updated service maintenance schedule.Consumers should refer to the service campaign bulletin number SC092 available in the investigative file.A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.The agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Fuel System, Gasoline
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, or on the side of the vehicle and the ground.The subject vehicles are equipped with an evaporative emissions control system that, among other things, manages air exchange between the fuel tank and the atmosphere in an environmentally safe manner.The system consists of a vapor canister, various control valves and tubing, and a canister filter (fuel tank air filter) through which the air that flows in and out of the fuel tank must pass.Kia's testing found that if the canister filter becomes significantly clogged, excess pressure can build up in the fuel tank and cause fuel to spit back from the filler port during refueling.Kia has stated that the canister filter requires regularly scheduled service maintenance; however, the component is not listed as a maintenance item in the owner's or service manual for the subject vehicles.ODI notes that Kia does list the filter on the maintenance schedule in the owner's manual for MY 2005 and newer Kia Sorento vehicles.To address the issue of fuel spit back during refueling, Kia will conduct a service campaign of approximately 86,000 MY 2003 and 2004 Kia Sorento vehicles.The campaign will provide a one-time replacement of the canister filter, at no cost to the owner.Kia will begin notifying the affected owners in late January 2012 and will inform the owners that the filter must be serviced at regular intervals.Kia will also provide an updated service maintenance schedule.Consumers should refer to the service campaign bulletin number SC092 available in the investigative file.A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.The agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage
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, or on the side of the vehicle and the ground.The subject vehicles are equipped with an evaporative emissions control system that, among other things, manages air exchange between the fuel tank and the atmosphere in an environmentally safe manner.The system consists of a vapor canister, various control valves and tubing, and a canister filter (fuel tank air filter) through which the air that flows in and out of the fuel tank must pass.Kia's testing found that if the canister filter becomes significantly clogged, excess pressure can build up in the fuel tank and cause fuel to spit back from the filler port during refueling.Kia has stated that the canister filter requires regularly scheduled service maintenance; however, the component is not listed as a maintenance item in the owner's or service manual for the subject vehicles.ODI notes that Kia does list the filter on the maintenance schedule in the owner's manual for MY 2005 and newer Kia Sorento vehicles.To address the issue of fuel spit back during refueling, Kia will conduct a service campaign of approximately 86,000 MY 2003 and 2004 Kia Sorento vehicles.The campaign will provide a one-time replacement of the canister filter, at no cost to the owner.Kia will begin notifying the affected owners in late January 2012 and will inform the owners that the filter must be serviced at regular intervals.Kia will also provide an updated service maintenance schedule.Consumers should refer to the service campaign bulletin number SC092 available in the investigative file.A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.The agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
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, or on the side of the vehicle and the ground.The subject vehicles are equipped with an evaporative emissions control system that, among other things, manages air exchange between the fuel tank and the atmosphere in an environmentally safe manner.The system consists of a vapor canister, various control valves and tubing, and a canister filter (fuel tank air filter) through which the air that flows in and out of the fuel tank must pass.Kia's testing found that if the canister filter becomes significantly clogged, excess pressure can build up in the fuel tank and cause fuel to spit back from the filler port during refueling.Kia has stated that the canister filter requires regularly scheduled service maintenance; however, the component is not listed as a maintenance item in the owner's or service manual for the subject vehicles.ODI notes that Kia does list the filter on the maintenance schedule in the owner's manual for MY 2005 and newer Kia Sorento vehicles.To address the issue of fuel spit back during refueling, Kia will conduct a service campaign of approximately 86,000 MY 2003 and 2004 Kia Sorento vehicles.The campaign will provide a one-time replacement of the canister filter, at no cost to the owner.Kia will begin notifying the affected owners in late January 2012 and will inform the owners that the filter must be serviced at regular intervals.Kia will also provide an updated service maintenance schedule.Consumers should refer to the service campaign bulletin number SC092 available in the investigative file.A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.The agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
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, or on the side of the vehicle and the ground.The subject vehicles are equipped with an evaporative emissions control system that, among other things, manages air exchange between the fuel tank and the atmosphere in an environmentally safe manner.The system consists of a vapor canister, various control valves and tubing, and a canister filter (fuel tank air filter) through which the air that flows in and out of the fuel tank must pass.Kia's testing found that if the canister filter becomes significantly clogged, excess pressure can build up in the fuel tank and cause fuel to spit back from the filler port during refueling.Kia has stated that the canister filter requires regularly scheduled service maintenance; however, the component is not listed as a maintenance item in the owner's or service manual for the subject vehicles.ODI notes that Kia does list the filter on the maintenance schedule in the owner's manual for MY 2005 and newer Kia Sorento vehicles.To address the issue of fuel spit back during refueling, Kia will conduct a service campaign of approximately 86,000 MY 2003 and 2004 Kia Sorento vehicles.The campaign will provide a one-time replacement of the canister filter, at no cost to the owner.Kia will begin notifying the affected owners in late January 2012 and will inform the owners that the filter must be serviced at regular intervals.Kia will also provide an updated service maintenance schedule.Consumers should refer to the service campaign bulletin number SC092 available in the investigative file.A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.The agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances.
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