2003 Kia Sorento Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · data through 07/14/2026

46Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

15.1%Of all 305 complaints

#1Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine and engine cooling ranks on this vehicle

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING46 · 15.1%

ENGINE43 · 14.1%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM34 · 11.1%

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE33 · 10.8%

STEERING24 · 7.9%

Share of the 305 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2003 Kia Sorento overview page.

What owners report

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY…”NHTSA complaint 10223606 — filed 04/07/2008

“LIKE MANY 2003 KIA SORENTO OWNERS THE OVERFLOW TANK IN MINE DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE BOTTOM THAT IS ONLY VISIBLE WHEN IT IS PRESSURIZED…”NHTSA complaint 10210353 — filed 11/30/2007

“I WAS DROPPING OFF SOMEONE AT WORK WHEN THE CAR MADE A THUMP AND ALL THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. I DROVE IT HOME…”NHTSA complaint 10196392 — filed 07/15/2007

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Kia Sorento have engine and engine cooling problems?

Engine And Engine Cooling is the most-reported problem area on the 2003 Kia Sorento: 46 of 305 complaints on file (15.1%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2003 Kia Sorento have in total?

305 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 10 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, 12 reported injuries, and 1 reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine and engine cooling category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.