IllustrationDT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THERE WAS A SCREECHING NOISE THAT CAME FROM THE ENGINE. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE BOLT ON THE DRIVE SHAFT PULLEY HAD SHEARED OFF AND THAT THE CRANK SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 7/13/2006 - *NM
2003 Kia Sorento
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2003 Kia Sorento do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 242.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sorento years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
350–25K
3725–50K
5050–75K
4275–100K
57100–150K
22150K+
243 reports with mileage · 62 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 81 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
10 crash reports3 fire reports8 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
81 reportsTHE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN APRIL 03. NOT LONG AFTER THAT THERE WAS A STRANGE SOUND, THEN THERE WAS OIL LEAK UNDER THE CAR. TOOK IT IN. CHECKED. DID DYE CHECK. REPLACED SOME BOLTS. REPLACED A PART. EVERY FEW MONTHS UP TO TODAY FEB 2006, THERE HAS BEEN AN OIL LEAK. TAKING CAR AGAIN TO DEALER ON FEB 3, 2006 TO SEE WHAT THEY …
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THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN APRIL 03. NOT LONG AFTER THAT THERE WAS A STRANGE SOUND, THEN THERE WAS OIL LEAK UNDER THE CAR. TOOK IT IN. CHECKED. DID DYE CHECK. REPLACED SOME BOLTS. REPLACED A PART. EVERY FEW MONTHS UP TO TODAY FEB 2006, THERE HAS BEEN AN OIL LEAK. TAKING CAR AGAIN TO DEALER ON FEB 3, 2006 TO SEE WHAT THEY SAY NOW. THE OIL IS FELT WHEN ONE TOUCHES UNDER THE CAR AND THERE IS A PUDDLE IN THE DRIVEWAY (OIL STAIN). THE CAR HAS ONLY BEEN SERVICED BY THE KIA MECHANICS AT THE KIA DEALER. CRISWELL KIA AS OF JANUARY 06 NO LONGER SERVICES KIA. I HAVE TO NOW TAKE THE CAR TO FARRISH KIA IN VIRGINIA. *NM
ELECTRICAL FAILURE,COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE,ROUGH RUNNING-ENGINE MISFIRE PURCHASED CAR 2-22-2003 BRAND NEW THIS CAR HAS SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON THE DEALERS LIFT. ALSO HAS SEEN ITS SHARE OF TOW TRUCKS. IN THE PAST 1 1/2 YEARS I HAVE REPLACED 18 LEFT SIDE HEADLIGHTS,23 RIGHT SIDE HEAD LIGHT ,16 FOG LIGHTS,8 LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS AND 6…
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ELECTRICAL FAILURE,COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE,ROUGH RUNNING-ENGINE MISFIRE PURCHASED CAR 2-22-2003 BRAND NEW THIS CAR HAS SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON THE DEALERS LIFT. ALSO HAS SEEN ITS SHARE OF TOW TRUCKS. IN THE PAST 1 1/2 YEARS I HAVE REPLACED 18 LEFT SIDE HEADLIGHTS,23 RIGHT SIDE HEAD LIGHT ,16 FOG LIGHTS,8 LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS AND 6 TAIL LIGHTS THE TRUCK HAS BEEN TO 3 DEALERS AND THEY ALL SAY ITS EITHER NORMAL OR IT'S ONLY BECAUSE I DID NOT BUY THE BULBS FROM KIA WELL SOME I DID AND THEY DO NOT LAST EITHER. THE LAST TIME IT WAS IN THEY HAD THE TRUCK FOR 9 1/2 MINUTES AND TOLD US THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AND FOR $149.00 THEY WILL PUT IN A NEW BULB. NO WARRANTY ON HOW LONG IT WILL LAST..... THE TRUCK ALSO MISFIRES AND THE DEALER ALSO CANNOT FIX IT THEY SAY THE COMPUTER SAYS ITS GOOD SO IT MUST BE GOOD. WELL YOU CAN FEEL THE MISFIRE EVEN THE DEALERS MECHANIC STATED IT IS MISFIRING BUT HE CANNOT FIX IT MAYBE AFTER THE WARRANTY IS OVER WE WILL BE ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM..... ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THE COOLING SYSTEM IN THE PAST 3 YEARS IT HAS HAD THE RECOVERY TANK REPLACED 2 TIMES THE RADIATOR REPLACED THE CONNECTING Y BEHIND THE MOTOR REPLACED ... I HAVE SPENT OVER $200.00 ON RENT A CARS WITH NO HELP FROM KIA EACH TIME MY CAR IS TOWED IN THIS CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY SO WHY CANT THEY FIX IT O YEAH THE LAST THING IS THE FOG LIGHTS ARE MELTING OR SHALL I SAY ITS THE INSIDE CHROME COATING IS BURNING AND I WAS TOLD ITS NOT WARRANTY AND THERE ABOUT $85.00 EACH WHY WONT KIA MEET WITH ME ?????????????? CAN ANYONE PLEASE HELP ME. *NM
ELECTRICAL FAILURE,COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE,ROUGH RUNNING-ENGINE MISFIRE PURCHASED CAR 2-22-2003 BRAND NEW THIS CAR HAS SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON THE DEALERS LIFT. ALSO HAS SEEN ITS SHARE OF TOW TRUCKS. IN THE PAST 1 1/2 YEARS I HAVE REPLACED 18 LEFT SIDE HEADLIGHTS,23 RIGHT SIDE HEADLIGHTS ,16 FOG LIGHTS,8 LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS AND 6…
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ELECTRICAL FAILURE,COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE,ROUGH RUNNING-ENGINE MISFIRE PURCHASED CAR 2-22-2003 BRAND NEW THIS CAR HAS SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON THE DEALERS LIFT. ALSO HAS SEEN ITS SHARE OF TOW TRUCKS. IN THE PAST 1 1/2 YEARS I HAVE REPLACED 18 LEFT SIDE HEADLIGHTS,23 RIGHT SIDE HEADLIGHTS ,16 FOG LIGHTS,8 LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS AND 6 TAIL LIGHTS THE TRUCK HAS BEEN TO 3 DEALERS AND THEY ALL SAY ITS EITHER NORMAL OR IT'S ONLY BECAUSE I DID NOT BUY THE BULBS FROM KIA WELL SOME I DID AND THEY DO NOT LAST EITHER. THE LAST TIME IT WAS IN THEY HAD THE TRUCK FOR 9 1/2 MINUTES AND TOLD US THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AND FOR $149.00 THEY WILL PUT IN A NEW BULB. NO WARRANTY ON HOW LONG IT WILL LAST..... THE TRUCK ALSO MISFIRES AND THE DEALER ALSO CANNOT FIX IT THEY SAY THE COMPUTER SAYS ITS GOOD SO IT MUST BE GOOD. WELL YOU CAN FEEL THE MISFIRE EVEN THE DEALERS MECHANIC STATED IT IS MISFIRING BUT HE CANNOT FIX IT MAYBE AFTER THE WARRANTY IS OVER WE WILL BE ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM..... ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THE COOLING SYSTEM IN THE PAST 3 YEARS IT HAS HAD THE RECOVERY TANK REPLACED 2 TIMES THE RADIATOR REPLACED THE CONNECTING Y BEHIND THE MOTOR REPLACED ... I HAVE SPENT OVER $200.00 ON RENT A CARS WITH NO HELP FROM KIA EACH TIME MY CAR IS TOWED IN THIS CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY SO WHY CANT THEY FIX IT O YEAH THE LAST THING IS THE FOG LIGHTS ARE MELTING OR SHALL I SAY ITS THE INSIDE CHROME COATING IS BURNING AND I WAS TOLD ITS NOT WARRANTY AND THERE ABOUT $85.00 EACH WHY WONT KIA MEET WITH ME ?????????????? CAN ANYONE PLEASE HELP ME. *NM
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 …
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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. NO AUTHORIZED REPAIR SHOP IN AREA AND KIA WANTED ME TO CROSS MT PASS TO GET INTO DENVER 100 MILES AWAY!--KIA REFUSES TO HONOR WARRANTY AS I WAS NOT AT AUTHORIZED SERVICE SHOP-IT TOOK ME DAYS TO LOCATE THE NEEDED PARTS AND HAVE THE REPLACEMENT DONE. UPON RETURNING HOME TO AUTHORIZED KIA DEALER FOR A GENERAL INSPECTION OF THE PROBLEM I WAS TOLD THERE WERE 3 OTHER VEHICLES WITH SAME INCIDENT--NOW THERE ARE 2-3 MORE CRACKED AND LEAKING RESEVOIRS PLUS MINE -(TOLD TO ME BY THE KIA SERVICE DEPARTMENT)--KIA SORENTO 2003; MILEAGE 33,500--OLD PART IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION--INTERESTING TO NOTE-NEW RESEVOIR IS OF DIFFERENT DESIGN, SO KIA KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM!*JB
I HAVE CONSISTENTLY HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR FROM THE 1ST MONTH OF PURCHASE. THE MAJOR PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVE SHAFT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED APPROXIMATELY 2 ATTEMPTS AFTER IT FIRST APPEARED. IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A PROBLEM WITH THE TSP. THE PROBLEM…
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I HAVE CONSISTENTLY HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR FROM THE 1ST MONTH OF PURCHASE. THE MAJOR PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVE SHAFT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED APPROXIMATELY 2 ATTEMPTS AFTER IT FIRST APPEARED. IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A PROBLEM WITH THE TSP. THE PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVE SHAFT HAS NOT YET BEEN RESOLVED AS IT STILL CONTINUE TO VIBRATE AT SPEEDS HIGHER THAN 65 MPH. THESE PROBLEMS CONCERN ME AS IT MAY INTERFERE OR HINDER WITH MY DRIVING ABILITIES AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *JB
HARMONIC BALANCER BOLT BROKE. TRAVELING LESS THAN 5MPH. VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE. UPON INVESTIGATION, FOUND THAT THE MAIN BOLT HOLDING THE HARMONIC BALANCER IN HAD SHEARED OFF. THERE WERE SOME RUST DEPOSITS AT THE BREAKAGE POINT. THIS OCCURED WHILE ON AN OFFROAD TRIP. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT IN THE BACKCOUNTRY. I WILL HAVE …
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HARMONIC BALANCER BOLT BROKE. TRAVELING LESS THAN 5MPH. VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE. UPON INVESTIGATION, FOUND THAT THE MAIN BOLT HOLDING THE HARMONIC BALANCER IN HAD SHEARED OFF. THERE WERE SOME RUST DEPOSITS AT THE BREAKAGE POINT. THIS OCCURED WHILE ON AN OFFROAD TRIP. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT IN THE BACKCOUNTRY. I WILL HAVE TO ATTEMPT TO MAKE REPAIRS IN THE FIELD IN ORDER TO GET IT TO THE DEALER. THERE IS NO WAY TO TOW THE VEHICLE OUT OF ITS CURRENT POSITION.
WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE BLEW OUT THE FIRST TIME ON 10-04-04. IT WAS REPLACED AND IT BLEW AGAIN ON 01-21-05. THE VEHICLE IS ON ITS THIRD ENGINE. *AK THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAS HAD TRANSMISSIONS AND ENGINE PROBLEMS SINCE HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE F…
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WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE BLEW OUT THE FIRST TIME ON 10-04-04. IT WAS REPLACED AND IT BLEW AGAIN ON 01-21-05. THE VEHICLE IS ON ITS THIRD ENGINE. *AK THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAS HAD TRANSMISSIONS AND ENGINE PROBLEMS SINCE HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE DAMAGED. THE FOG LIGHT WAS INOPERATIVE. *JB
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE TO WORK. FOR THE PAST 2 TO 3 DAYS, I NOTICED SOME NOISE FROM MY ENGINE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A LOOSE BELT. NO PROBLEM, I COULD REPLACE IT ON THE WEEKEND. ON THE WAY TO WORK, MY POWER STEERING WENT AND THE ENGINE LIGHT FLICKERED ON AND OFF. I DIDN'T WANT TO BE STUCK ON A BACKROAD IN MAINE WITH NO CELL SERVICE…
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I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE TO WORK. FOR THE PAST 2 TO 3 DAYS, I NOTICED SOME NOISE FROM MY ENGINE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A LOOSE BELT. NO PROBLEM, I COULD REPLACE IT ON THE WEEKEND. ON THE WAY TO WORK, MY POWER STEERING WENT AND THE ENGINE LIGHT FLICKERED ON AND OFF. I DIDN'T WANT TO BE STUCK ON A BACKROAD IN MAINE WITH NO CELL SERVICE SO I CONTINUED, SLOWLY, TO WORK. AFTER REACHING WORK, I HAD THE 24 HOUR SERVICE TOW MY KIA SORENTO TO THE NEAREST DEALER. THIS VEHICLE IS 18 MONTHS OLD AND THEY TELL ME THE BOLT HOLDING THE CRANKSHAFT TO THE PULLEY HAS SHEARED OFF. THEY CANNOT REMOVE THE BOLT PIECES FROM THE CRANKSHAFT AND HAVE TO REPLACE IT. TO TOP IT OFF, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON, FOR THE SECOND TIME, AND THE RADIO HAS BEEN REPLACE TWICE. *LA
THE SORENTO SUV WAS BOUGHT IN JUNE 2003. WITH LESS THAN 1000 MILES IN JUNE 2003 THE SORENTO WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER'S SERVICE TO CHECK AN OIL LEAK ON THE FRONT AXLE. THE DEALER CITED AN OVERFILLED GEAR OIL AND THE GEAR OIL LEVEL WAS CORRECTED. AFTER FEW WEEKS, IN JULY 2003, THE SORENTO WAS BROUGHT BACK AGAIN TO THE SAME DEALE…
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THE SORENTO SUV WAS BOUGHT IN JUNE 2003. WITH LESS THAN 1000 MILES IN JUNE 2003 THE SORENTO WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER'S SERVICE TO CHECK AN OIL LEAK ON THE FRONT AXLE. THE DEALER CITED AN OVERFILLED GEAR OIL AND THE GEAR OIL LEVEL WAS CORRECTED. AFTER FEW WEEKS, IN JULY 2003, THE SORENTO WAS BROUGHT BACK AGAIN TO THE SAME DEALER BECAUSE THE GEAR OIL LEAK WAS STILL THERE. THE DEALER KEPT THE SORENTO, CITED NON-DRIVABLE AND HAVE TO ORDER THE PART. THE GASKET WAS REPLACED AND SORENTO WAS TEST DRIVEN. THE GEAR OIL LEAK STILL SHOWED UP. NOW THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY GOT HOLD OF KIA AND CITED THAT THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE BLEEDER TUBE. THE BLEEDER TUBE WAS REPLACED AND THE GEAR OIL LEAK DID NOT GO AWAY. AT THIS TIME, THE WHOLE UNIT OF THE FRONT DRIVE AXLE WAS ORDERED AND REPLACED THE ORIGINALLY INSTALLED UNIT OF THE SORENTO. AFTER THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE NEWLY INSTALLED FRONT AXLE, THE GEAR OIL WAS STILL LEAKING. AT THIS TIME, FOR ALMOST A MONTH, THE SORENTO IS STILL IN THE REPAIR BAY OF THE DEALER AWAITING DIRECTION FROM KIA. *AK
Official recalls
105V353000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Aug 4, 2005
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE A SECTION OF THE FUEL LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 10, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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.