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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

What owners actually said

305 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

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

NHTSA ODI #10146681

25,000 miles · Jan 2, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

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

NHTSA ODI #10146679

36,000 miles · Dec 5, 2005
SuspensionTires

VIBRATION AT 70+ MPH. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10144519

16,000 miles · Nov 17, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ROTORS WARPING AT 16000 MILES CAUSING HIGH SHUDDER AT STOPPING. REPAIR BY DEALER AT A COST AND IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN AT 27000 MILES HAVE TALKED TO OTHER SORENTO OWNERS AND SOME HAVE EXPERIENCED SAME PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10142966

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

PURCHASED 2003 SORENTO ONLY TO FIND THE BRAKES AND ROTORS NEED REPLACED EVERY 8,000 MILES A COSTLY FIGURE TO GO ALONG. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO MERCHANTS DUE TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM THEY INDICATED NOTHING WAS FOUND AND ALL WAS GOOD ONLY TO LEAVE THE STATION PAYING THE PRICE FOR TIRE BALANCE/FRONT END JOB/BRAKE BLEEDING/AND TURNING O…

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PURCHASED 2003 SORENTO ONLY TO FIND THE BRAKES AND ROTORS NEED REPLACED EVERY 8,000 MILES A COSTLY FIGURE TO GO ALONG. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO MERCHANTS DUE TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM THEY INDICATED NOTHING WAS FOUND AND ALL WAS GOOD ONLY TO LEAVE THE STATION PAYING THE PRICE FOR TIRE BALANCE/FRONT END JOB/BRAKE BLEEDING/AND TURNING OF ROTORS LETS NOT FORGET THEY REPLACED FRONT BRAKES FOR $1,000. JUST TO LEAVE AND HAVE THE PROBLEM STILL THE JERKING,SHAKING WHEN APPLYING BRAKES WHEN SPEEDS 30 MILES PER HR WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THE CAR FELT AS IF IT WERE TO FALL APART. I CALLED THE FACILITY BACK AND THEY WOULDN'T WARRANT THE SERVICE. I THEN CALLED KIA OF WESTMINSTER MD WHERE I WAS TOLD TO BRING THE CAR BACK AND THEY WOULD REVIEW THE PROBLEM AND GIVE ME A CALL, AGAIN THE BACK BRAKES THIS TIME AND THE ROTORS WERE PULLED AND REPLACED TO GET A BILL OF $400 AND ABOVE. WAS ONLY OUT OF THE SHOP FOR LESS THEN 5,000 MILES AND IT STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO REPORT THIS AND THEY BROUGHT THE CAR BACK IN JUST TO DO THE BACK ALL OVER AGAIN, BUT I WAS WARNED THAT IF IT GOES AGAIN I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THIS REPLACED BOTH FRONT/BACK AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO CHARGE ME. WELL GUESS WHAT ????? WE HAVEN'T EVEN PUT 8,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND IT'S GOING ON A SPELL AGAIN. I HAVEN'T DECIDED WHAT I'M GOING TO DO AS OF YET - I DO NEED A 4X4 DUE TO THE WINTER AND GETTING BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. LUCKILY MY FATHER HAS OFFERED TO DO THE WORK FOR ME JUST BUY THE PARTS MAYBE IT WILL LAST LONGER THIS TIME. I HAVE TO BUY MY SON A CAR WE KNOW WHICH NOT TO BUY- I'VE READ HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE KIA WHICH EVER MODEL AND IT SEEMS THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS AND THE BIGGEST IS THAT THE MANUFACTURER HASN'T NOTED ANY FOR RECALL - WOULDN'T YOU THINK BRAKE LOSS OF UNABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR WHEN BRAKING WOULD THROW UP RED FLAGS ------I GUESS THEY DON'T CARE WHO THEY HURT. I HAVE TOLD EVERYONE I KNOW THAT THIS ISN'T A GOOD PRODUCT TO BUY. LUCKILY I'VE STOPPED MANY FROM MAKING A MISTAKE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10139459

33,520 miles · Sep 25, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

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

NHTSA ODI #10137536

Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DT: THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE, TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID THE CALIPER WAS MISSING AND BRAKES WERE GONE. ALSO, THEY SAID THE INDICATOR LIGHT WAS MISSING ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NINE MONTHS AGO FROM THE KIA DEALER, AND THEY SAID THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY…

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DT: THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE, TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID THE CALIPER WAS MISSING AND BRAKES WERE GONE. ALSO, THEY SAID THE INDICATOR LIGHT WAS MISSING ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NINE MONTHS AGO FROM THE KIA DEALER, AND THEY SAID THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE INDICATOR LIGHT WAS MISSING. THE CONSUMER STARTED NOTICING THIS ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER SOON AS THE CONSUMER NOTICED THIS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10136326

Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

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

NHTSA ODI #10135404

Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2005
Power TrainFire

COMMENTS: I WOULD LIKE TO INFORM YOU OF WHAT I THINK IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. SEVERAL WEEKS AGO MY WIFE AND I WERE RETURNING FROM A VACATION IN OUR CAR AND IT CAUGHT FIRE. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR SERIOUS DAMAGE. AT THE END OF THIS LETTER WILL BE ALL THE PARTICULARS. WE WERE COMING FROM SANTA CRUZ ON HIGHWAY 1…

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COMMENTS: I WOULD LIKE TO INFORM YOU OF WHAT I THINK IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. SEVERAL WEEKS AGO MY WIFE AND I WERE RETURNING FROM A VACATION IN OUR CAR AND IT CAUGHT FIRE. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR SERIOUS DAMAGE. AT THE END OF THIS LETTER WILL BE ALL THE PARTICULARS. WE WERE COMING FROM SANTA CRUZ ON HIGHWAY 1, IN CALIFORNIA AND AT WHAT IS CALLED THE SUMMIT, OF I STARTED SEEING SMOKE IN BACK OF OUR VEHICLE. WE STOPPED, TURNED OFF THE CAR ,OPENED THE HOOD AND THERE WAS A SMALL FIRE DOWN ON THE DRIVER SIDE NEAR THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. I CLOSED THE HOOD AND TRIED TO LOCATE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED ITSELF AND WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER A DAY OF TESTING THE ONLY THING THEY FOUND WAS THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIGHTLY OVERFILLED, WHICH WAS MY ERROR. WHILE I REALIZE THAT CAN CAUSE THE PROBLEM HERE IS MY CONCERN. THE TECHNICIAN WHO WORKED ON MY CAR SAID THAT TRANSMISSIONS ARE DESIGNED TO BLOW OUT OR THROUGH OVERFLOW THE TRANSMISSION FILLER TUBE. HE ALSO SHOWED ME THAT ON TOP OF THE DIPSTICK WAS SLOT WHICH WOULD ALLOW THE FLUID TO ESCAPE. HOWEVER IT IS LOCATED RIGHT OVER THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. IT WOULD SEEM THAT IT SHOULD BE LOCATED WHERE THE FLUID WOULD NOT COME IN CONTACT WITH SUCH HOT ENGINE PARTS. I AM NOT SURE IF THIS AFFECTS OTHER VEHICLES BUT IT DOES CONCERN ME. MY VEHICLE IS 2004 KIA SORENTO 6 CYC, AUTOMATIC WE WERE NOT TOWING ANYTHING NOR WHERE WE LOADED DOWN. I THANK YOU FOR YOU TIME. STEVE ELIJAH 225 MERRILL AVE FREMONT, CA 945 SELIJAH@SBCGLOBAL.NET 510.623.8211. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10135094

13,315 miles · Jul 6, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

DT: CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A GAS LEAK IN VEHICLE. SHE FIRST NOTICED GAS COMING OUT OF THE VEHICLE ON JULY 5, 2005. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS FIXED, BUT THEY DID NOT TELL HER WHY IT WAS LEAKING. DEALERSHIP STATED IT WAS THEIR FAULT, AND IT WAS THE THIRD ONE IN THE SHOP TO FIX. SHE HAS BEEN SMELLI…

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DT: CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A GAS LEAK IN VEHICLE. SHE FIRST NOTICED GAS COMING OUT OF THE VEHICLE ON JULY 5, 2005. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS FIXED, BUT THEY DID NOT TELL HER WHY IT WAS LEAKING. DEALERSHIP STATED IT WAS THEIR FAULT, AND IT WAS THE THIRD ONE IN THE SHOP TO FIX. SHE HAS BEEN SMELLING GAS FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10127612

Official recalls

1

05V353000 · 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

1

PE10023 · 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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