NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
305 reports124,000 miles · Jul 11, 2014
Engine
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 2 MONTHS AGO AND I BROUGHT IT TO A KIA DEALERSHIP WHO TOLD ME IT WAS THE CYLINDERS THAT WERE MISS FIRING AND THE BELTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACES AND THEY FIXED THAT. I ASKED ABOUT THE CRANKSHAFT AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS FINE. WHEN I LEFT THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND THEY TOLD ME I NEED NEW SPARK PLUGS, FIX…
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MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 2 MONTHS AGO AND I BROUGHT IT TO A KIA DEALERSHIP WHO TOLD ME IT WAS THE CYLINDERS THAT WERE MISS FIRING AND THE BELTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACES AND THEY FIXED THAT. I ASKED ABOUT THE CRANKSHAFT AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS FINE. WHEN I LEFT THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND THEY TOLD ME I NEED NEW SPARK PLUGS, FIXED THAT AND THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AGAIN. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE BREAK LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR BEGAN TO LOOSE POWER. NOW THE CAR IS AT ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE TELLING ME IT'S THE CRANKSHAFT. AFTER READING WHAT HAS HAPPENED WITH MANY OTHER PEOPLE I CAN SEE THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM WAS THE CRANKSHAFT.I HAVE SPENT OVER $4K ON FIXING THE CAR AND THE CAR IS NOT WORTH IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10609842
150,000 miles · Jul 10, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineFuel System, Gasoline
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…
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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, HAD BROKEN OFF, HALF OF IT WAS STILL STUCK INTO LOWERE ENGINE< BY THE WAY, THIS WAS A RECALL BACK 3 YEARS AGO, IN WHICH I HAD COMPLYED WITH KIA AND THEY HAD REPLACED NEW HARMONY SCREW>...THIS HONEST MECHANIC, TOLD ME LEAVE KIA OVER THE WEEKEND, WILLPUT PUT SCREW SOFTENER ON SCREW STILL IN ENGINE, SEE IF IT COMES OUT...IT DID, THEY PUT NEW SCREW, GIVE ME ALL NEW BELTS, I PAID $1,800 OF MY OWN MONEY, ..I GO AHEAD AND DRIVE TO MIAMI, FLL< 2 HRS AWAY> DAY LATTER I DRIVE TO ORLANDO ,FL.< 3 HRS AWAY>...IN I 95....NEXT DAY,TRY TO GET OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, SAME THING HAPPENED...GOOD MECHANIC COMES OVER TO MY HOUSE, SAID SAME SCREW CAME OFF...HE FIXES IT AGAIN, $1,500, ...HE TELLS ME, GET NEW CAR, DO NOT KEEP THIS KIA SORENTO 2003, CAR HAS FLAW, CAN NOT BE FIXED....IF KEEP IT, JUST FOR AROUND TOWN DRIVE, UNDER 50 MILES AN HOUR, DO NOT TAKE TURNPIKE OR INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS...I CONTACTED KIA MOTORS, BEV SMITH KIA, TOLD THEM ABOUT RECALL SCREW REPLACEMENT , TELL ME OUT OF WARRANTY, NEITHER WILL REALLY ANSWER BACK...NO MONEY, NO NEW CAR....KIA MOTORS IS A CROOK,...TELL ME CAR OUT OF WARRANTY, THAT WHAT DO I WANT WITH OLD CAR...CAN NOT FIND ANY OTHER PRIOR COMPLAINTS I MADE WITH CAR, SINCE FIRST YEAR I BOUGHT IT... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10609501
130,000 miles · Jul 7, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineSteering
AS MY FAMILY AND I DROVE DOWN 146 TOWARDS BAYTOWN, TX FROM DAYTON, TX I HEARD A LOUD "THUD". IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF A/C, POWER, AND STEERING. I PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER IMMEDIATELY AND POPPED THE HOOD. I SAW THE HARMONIC BALANCE LYING ON THE SPLASH GUARD AND A BELT LYING BESIDE IT, AS WELL AS ANOTHER BELT LOSS B…
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AS MY FAMILY AND I DROVE DOWN 146 TOWARDS BAYTOWN, TX FROM DAYTON, TX I HEARD A LOUD "THUD". IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF A/C, POWER, AND STEERING. I PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER IMMEDIATELY AND POPPED THE HOOD. I SAW THE HARMONIC BALANCE LYING ON THE SPLASH GUARD AND A BELT LYING BESIDE IT, AS WELL AS ANOTHER BELT LOSS BUT STILL HANGING ON THE OTHER PULLEYS. I GOT A FRIEND TO TOW ME BACK TO MY STUDIO. I BEGAN SEARCHING ONLINE FOR WHY THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE BALANCE COULD JUST BREAK. I FOUND NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM, AS WELL AS LAW SUITS FILLED IN OTHER STATES FOR THIS VERY ISSUE. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10608643
Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2014
SteeringUnknown Or Other
WHILE DRIVING AT A SAFE SPEED (35MPH) WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR MY POWER STEERING FAILED AND ALL MY DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER THIS TIME OUT OF HARMS WAY. ONCE I GOT THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE I HAD NOTICED THAT ONE OF MY BELTS CAME OFF. I GOT IT TOWED TO THE MECHANIC FIRST THING THE NEXT MORNING AND TOLD ME …
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WHILE DRIVING AT A SAFE SPEED (35MPH) WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR MY POWER STEERING FAILED AND ALL MY DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER THIS TIME OUT OF HARMS WAY. ONCE I GOT THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE I HAD NOTICED THAT ONE OF MY BELTS CAME OFF. I GOT IT TOWED TO THE MECHANIC FIRST THING THE NEXT MORNING AND TOLD ME A BOLT CAME OFF THE PULLEY AND THE PULLEY WAS OFF. THEY FIXED THE CAR AND I WAS GOOD UP UNTIL IT HAPPENED 4 MORE TIMES. LUCKILY I WAS THE ONLY IN THE CAR AT THE TIME IT HAPPENED THE LAST TIME DUE TO THE FACT I WAS ON A HIGHWAY AND GOING 70MPH. ONCE AGAIN I MANAGED TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO SAFETY. WITH THIS HAPPENING NUMEROUS TIMES NO ONE WANTS TO FIX THE CAR ANYMORE AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY A RECALL HAS YET TO BE MADE ON SOMETHING SO SIMPLE. ALSO IN MY STATE MY CAR IS NOT PROTECTED UNDER THE LEMON LAW. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10598036
155,000 miles · Jun 10, 2014
EnginePower TrainSteering
THE BOLT ON THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY AS WELL AS THE PIN BROKE OFF CAUSING THE MOTOR TO STOP AND OVERHEAT DUMPING ALL THE ANTIFREEZE AND STOPPING ALL BELTS. MY MOTHER COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED WHILE DRIVING BUT IT ENDED UP BEING SHE WAS JUST BLOCKING TRAFFIC THANKFULLY AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH …
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THE BOLT ON THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY AS WELL AS THE PIN BROKE OFF CAUSING THE MOTOR TO STOP AND OVERHEAT DUMPING ALL THE ANTIFREEZE AND STOPPING ALL BELTS. MY MOTHER COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED WHILE DRIVING BUT IT ENDED UP BEING SHE WAS JUST BLOCKING TRAFFIC THANKFULLY AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT AND PIN. KIA SAYS THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING AS IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THIS MAY HAVE BEEN FIXED ONCE BEFORE ON THE VEHICLE DUE TO FAILURE AND I AM VERY WORRIED THIS MAY HAPPEN AGAIN WITH WORSE CONSEQUENCES. MY MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE A TEMPORARY/PERMANENT FIX BUT WE REALLY DODGED A BULLET AND IT COULD HAVE CAUSED IMMEDIATE CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE. I'M DISAPPOINTED WITH ALL OF THE SERIOUS COMPLAINTS THAT KIA STILL HAS NOT RECALLED IT FOR 2002-2009 SORENTO MODELS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10597334
58,000 miles · May 8, 2014
EngineFuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT WHILE REFUELING, FUEL SPILLED FROM THE FILLER NECK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAIL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT WHILE REFUELING, FUEL SPILLED FROM THE FILLER NECK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
NHTSA ODI #10587220
160,753 miles · May 2, 2014
EngineCrash
IN FEBRUARY THIS BEAUTIFUL VEHICLE BECAME A NIGHTMARE QUICK. A HORRID SOUND CAME FROM BELOW AND I LOST STEERING, SEVERAL LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIT UP AND OUR WAS VERY DIFFICULT CONTROLLING THE SUV. ME AND MY CHILDREN WERE VERY AFRAID. I ALLOWED THE SUV TO SLOW N IT VEERED OFF AND JUMPED THE CURB. AFTER A TOW, $2000 BUCKS PLUS,…
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IN FEBRUARY THIS BEAUTIFUL VEHICLE BECAME A NIGHTMARE QUICK. A HORRID SOUND CAME FROM BELOW AND I LOST STEERING, SEVERAL LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIT UP AND OUR WAS VERY DIFFICULT CONTROLLING THE SUV. ME AND MY CHILDREN WERE VERY AFRAID. I ALLOWED THE SUV TO SLOW N IT VEERED OFF AND JUMPED THE CURB. AFTER A TOW, $2000 BUCKS PLUS, AND SEVERAL SHOPS INCLUDING KIA IS JUST SITTING LIKE HUNKS UNLESS I CAN STUFF ANOTHER $2000 OR SO IN. KIA NEEDS TO FIX THIS!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10586074
34,878 miles · Mar 27, 2014
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING ABNORMALLY ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WERE ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING ABNORMALLY ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WERE ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT A SECOND TIME BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE RECURRING FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34878.
NHTSA ODI #10575233
38,000 miles · Feb 25, 2014
EngineSteeringCrash
I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN THE PARKING LOT WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING BECAUSE THE CAR DIED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICE ALL THE BELTS AND FRONT OF THE MOTOR FELL OFF AND WAS LAYING AT THE BOTTOM. I CALLED THE TOW TRUCK THEY TOWED IT TO THE KIA DEALER. WHER…
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I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN THE PARKING LOT WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING BECAUSE THE CAR DIED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICE ALL THE BELTS AND FRONT OF THE MOTOR FELL OFF AND WAS LAYING AT THE BOTTOM. I CALLED THE TOW TRUCK THEY TOWED IT TO THE KIA DEALER. WHERE THEY TOLD ME ITS A PROBLEM THE 2003 KIA SORENTO HAS. THEY TOLD ME THEY WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE THAT WAS AT 38,000 MILE. NOW THE CAR HAS 72,000 MILES ON IT SO THAT'S 34,000 MILES ON THIS MOTOR NOW THEY TELL ME THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING AND THE MOTOR HAS TO BE REPLACED. SO THE KIA MOTOR IS ONLY GOOD FOR 30,000 MILES THAT'S JUST RIDICULOUS AND THE COST IS ON ME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10565741
Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System
MY FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED IN AUGUST 2013; NOT LONG AFTER I BEGAN HAVING FUELING PROBLEMS THAT HAVE INCREASED IN SEVERITY. ANY TIME I TRY TO PUT GAS IN MY TANK, IT EXPLODES BACK OUT AT ME LIKE A VOLCANO ERUPTING. I CAN'T PUT GAS IN MY CAR UNLESS I LET IT TRICKLE IN AND STOP FUELING IN INTERVALS...IT TAKES ABOUT 30 MINUTES AT LE…
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MY FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED IN AUGUST 2013; NOT LONG AFTER I BEGAN HAVING FUELING PROBLEMS THAT HAVE INCREASED IN SEVERITY. ANY TIME I TRY TO PUT GAS IN MY TANK, IT EXPLODES BACK OUT AT ME LIKE A VOLCANO ERUPTING. I CAN'T PUT GAS IN MY CAR UNLESS I LET IT TRICKLE IN AND STOP FUELING IN INTERVALS...IT TAKES ABOUT 30 MINUTES AT LEAST TO FILL MY CAR. I'M TIRED OF SMELLING LIKE GAS. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND RIDICULOUS AND APPARENTLY A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM, YET KIA HAS DONE NOTHING. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BY KIA TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY WEREN'T REALLY SURE WHAT TO DO (LOTS OF HELP THERE) AND WANTED TO CHARGE ME ABOUT $2000 TO TRY AND FIGURE IT OUT (THE SAME AMOUNT THEY CHARGED ME TO REPLACE MY FUEL PUMP). I'M TIRED OF BEING RIPPED OFF....CAN'T ANYONE DO ANYTHING TO HELP ALL OF US CONSUMERS HAVING THIS ISSUE?? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10561305
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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