Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-75, 76-90, 91-99
I have a 2003 KIA Sorento. This is my second one. My first one was exactly the same, and there were numerous problems with it.
The clock didn't work.
I had 0 dash lights, so I had to guess how fast I was going at night or just gauge myself according to what other people were driving.
My headlights burnt out alllll the time.
My rear wiper blade refused to keep working.
The car heater died.
That's all I can remember from the first one.
I went to go get it serviced, but I had 280,000km on it so nothing was under warranty.
The second one I got; also a 2003 KIA Sorento. This one only has 95,000km on it. Everything was working beautifully on it until just recently.
For some reason my tail running lights work only when they want to... it's like a hit and miss when they work. I took it in to a KIA dealership to get it looked at and they checked my bulbs and they weren't blown. They ran a diagnostic on my computer in the truck and no error codes came up. They checked the fuses and none were blown... WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY TRUCK AND HOW DO I FIX IT!!!
This is now a safety issue because what if there's fog at night and I have no tail lights??? Some semi can crush me because of this problem. If any one can help, I am very open to suggestions, but I am currently at a stand still and don't know how to approach this problem.
I live in Southern Ontario Canada. I bought a 2003 Sorento EX back in April of this year. I do love the look and the drive. We haven't had many problems with this but the few we have had were/are extremely annoying. Bare with me because I'm not too technical.
-we've already replaced two headlight bulbs in 6 months.
-never know which of the overhead interior lights are going to automatically come on.
-back in the summer I was having an issue with the car screetching when I'd turn on the AC which eventually lead to it powering off automatically when the AC was turned on. This happened once before it really died. Turned out it had to do with the crankshaft and pully stuff. After searching the net I found out it was a recall at one point but we had to fight with the dealership this and ended up calling Kia Canada. Our dealership that sold us the vehicle didn't fix it because we had broken down in another city and we would have had to tow it there for 300 bucks. The dealer in the city we broke down in fixed it after talking with Kia Canada. We did have to leave it there for a few days.
- recently a new problem began, a fan under the hood would not turn off when I turned the car off. It started about a month or so ago. When I turned the vehicle on and off it would shut off. Yesterday it wouldn't no matter what I tried. Called the local dealer's service station, the girl new right way what I was talking of and said I could take the fuse out, put it back in when I needed to drive it again. Said I should do this until I get it looked at. I couldn't get the fuse out (I'm not mechanical), eventually took it to the dealership. They wanted to test it. I said fine. They "fixed" it by taking relay switches from the BRAND NEW vehicles (what did they put back in those new vehicles??). Came home this evening from being out... what wouldn't shut off? The FAN!
GRRR!!!
If I could find a way out of this Vehicle I would. It's too bad... because I love the look and the drive. But I need something reliable and dependable.
The customer service from the manager at the service counter is a complete JOKE!!! If the service were even half decent I wouldn't be so peeved. But dealing with them this past summer and again over my fan not shutting off - they are terrible. NEVER will I EVER buy another Kia because of these crazy random issues and the service from the local dealership service.
I've had a two cavaliers. One was a 1990 Z24 handed down to me at 350,000. Of course that started to cost me money at the 500,000 mark so I got rid of it for a 1999 cavalier. No problems in the 5 years I had it, seriously, nothing other than the routine wear and tear. Had a 2001 Ford Taurus for 3 years, same deal, NO major headache, nothing other than routine w&t. We have an old saturn of some time as our second, other than regular wear and tear, nothing wrong. No quirks or bugs on those cars. Then comes the Kia 2003 Sorento... we LOVED it, I still kind of do... but these problems and issues are too much! If I could get out I would!
Hi all. I too own a 2005 Kia Sorrento with issues. I have just crossed 60k miles. Here are some of the resolutions:
1. My tail lights would burn out monthly. Contrary to my belief, I took the dealerships advice, spent $23.00 per bulb to use Kia products, and it's been 12 months so far, no problem, but no real explanation either.
2. I had a severe bacterial overgrowth underneath the car in the heater box that made me and my 3 year old severely sick while driving. They took the car on an emergency fix. "Fridgy Fresh" did not remove the "urine like" smell. They actually had to remove most of the dash to get to the sealed heater box before they told me they had never seen anything like this overgrowth and it was a faulty design, but not enough to cause a re-call. New box installed. Problem resolved but re-appeared 1 year to the date later! Now Regional Rep says he can't smell it even though the service manager and mechanics on duty spelled it the moment the car came in the garage! Thank God it is cold out now and I can't smell it. I hope to be rid of this cheaply made vehicle before next summer.
3. Most recently, I have thunks, clunks, bumps, and crank sounds from underneath, all over on acceleration and turns.
The dealership tells me my rotors are warped and that could be the problem. $188 to repair + $88 for the computerized diagnostic test. Thank goodness for common sense, I challenged them on what rotors have to do with u-joints, bushings, lubrication, etc... and why would they run a PC diagnostic for this?? Just driving it is the appropriate test.
They then claimed they lubed it and the noise is gone. I came back to the shop to find out, WRONG again! They did not drive it anywhere for my miles were exactly the same. I made the service mgr go for a drive with me. We both heard the noises. He said nothing, just that leave it and he will call me later. he called a few hours later said they added bushings, noise is gone.
WRONG again. I am scheduled to return again tomorrow, which is only 4 days later, and now I am beyond 60k warranty. Should be interesting to see what lies they insult me with next.
I will definitely not buy another Kia. I say this from an integrity perspective not the vehicle. All vehicles have their quirks, but KIA personnel avoid, avoid, avoid repairing the vehicles at all expense, which is contrary to their advertisements and boasting about their warranty periods.
Hello all,
I've purchased a 2003 Kia Sorento. I have had nothing but problems since I've gotten it. It ran good the first 3 months and it's been down hill since.
I was very excited when I purchased the vehicle, not so happy now. I've replaced bulbs like everyone else, replaced the radiator, now the windshield wiper linkage has broken. I've replaced pretty much my rear end and the differential. So I feel everyone's frustration and pain.
Mad and furious
Greensboro, NC.
I have a 04 Sorento and have replace the head lights a half dozen times. My new problem is I now have no tails. Fuses are good as well as the bulbs, I guess it is off to the dealer I go.
I purchased a 2003 Sorento brand new; for the most part it has been a nice SUV; I love the size & look of it.
My comment is that we too have been replacing headlights over and over again. The headlights last about 6 months; we also replace (forgive me if I do not know the correct names) parking lights, tail lights, turn signals etc... My dash board light gets bright then fades out then comes back again. The inside light that comes on when you open the door stopped working. My local KIA dealer replaced that for free.
Only other complaint at the moment is that my rear wiper gets "stuck" and then works fine...
Also my air bag light stays on. I addressed that with my local dealer who could not find anything wrong with it but made some adjustment so the light did go out for about a week but has been on ever since.
We also have replaced the battery twice; I do not know if that is unusual or the norm because I am not educated in car stuff.
The reason I am posting today is because my headlight is out AGAIN! I just could not believe it but now I see that I am not the crazy one; that it is happening to others as well. Sorry we are all part of that group!
Richmond, VA.
2003 kia Sorrento - I now realize why Kia offered good warranties. To sucker us in to the ***** car and then not honor anything. They make off with a killing for almost 10 years while American manufacturers starve. We need to fight back.
The engine is doing everything you guys said from bulbs to brakes to acceleration not responding, but fine on the road until stopped and idled. We need to fight back and sue them for faulty advertising and what ever else belongs here! Who's with me!!!
To the person that had the jerking after only a few miles, make sure you have the front differential checked; we own a 2003 Sorento EX and at 60,000 miles ours started this, and due to us being 2nd owners and the warranty being up at 60,000 on 2003, we spent $1700.00 on a new differential. It would have been much more, but I stood my ground with the service manager at the dealership, which by the way is 2 hours from our home.
Now for my problem at 70,200 miles; yesterday my check engine light came on and stayed on. Any suggestions as to why, we just had it tuned up only 150 miles or so ago.
I bought a 2003 Sorento LX in October of 2002. Problems as follows:
- Headlights burn out often.
- AC display looks like the alien alphabet from the movie predator.
- Door locks go off and on by themselves for a few seconds when it is really hot or cold.
- Coolant resevoir cracked/
Even with all those hassles I've been pretty happy with the car - it's paid for and I will drive it until it dies in this Great Depression V2.0!
I own a 2003 Sorento, it has only 40k miles. I've noticed the head light problem, but have used sylvania which while OK, do not last long enough.
The reservoir tank was replaced with the new redesigned model, the y shaped hose at the back of the engine, and the brake rotors are in the works.
I need some help as far as using aftermarket rotors. Which should be the most recommended... also, I'm thinking of getting rid of it before I live some of the nightmares I've read about.
2006 Kia Sorento.
I have had this truck for just over two years... I have 46K on it and for the record, I have replaced the front left low beam light 5 times, and the right low beam 4 times. I knew bulbs were not covered so I was replacing them myself with the Sylvania's.
After the fourth replacement on the right light, I took it in because the plastic casing for the screw that holds the light bracket broke... they wouldn't cover it because I had been doing the work myself... therefore the damage was my fault... fine I guess...
TWO WEEKS after they replaced the bulb... out again! Took it back, they reluctantly agreed to fix. Last night I was pulled over and given a fine for the light being out... I showed the officer the work orders for the light and he laughed and said... "buy American" and handed me my ticket. I will be wasting another Saturday to take it in again... when are they going to do a recall on this, as it is CLEARLY a problem with all Sorentos.
I too have an 03 Kia Sorento 4WD, 87K miles. Love the looks, the handling and the ride. Does well in inclement weather, such as the snow.
BULBS!!! Good grief, small fortune spent in replacements. I recently took the SUV in for a different issue (to be discussed in a moment) and asked them to please check the low beams as I have had to continuously change them. I replace them myself, which isn't an easy task. The Dealer did say that they are aware of the problem and the Factory suggests replacing with original parts. phhhbbbtttttt.
OK, here's the big one - We noticed a knocking noise in the engine Sunday morning, 2/8/09. Did not drive the vehicle at all after that. I had the vehicle towed to the local dealership to be inspected. The Service Manager informed me it was the recall issue with the butterfly clip, and it wouldn't be a problem. I left the vehicle, with the understanding the mechanics would be looking into the problem. I received a phone call two days later, stating that the Factory wanted maintenance records, which of course I only had a few, as most of the oil changes were done by myself or my father, every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. I provided them with the few receipts I could find. Two days later, the service manager calls again to inform me that the Factory would like to have me guarantee $1,080 for the tear down of the engine to diagnose the problem, because of lack of maintenance records and that once it was shown it was the recall issue, the money would not have to be paid. So, I agreed, with the understanding that no money would be needed to be paid.
Many days later, I called to find out the status of the SUV, and I was informed that they still didn't know because they were working on other cars that customers were paying for. I finally got an answer at the end of the second week of being in the shop that it wasn't the recall issue and that due to lack of maintenance, whatever the problem was would not be covered by the 100,000 mile warranty.
Very frustrated, I went to the dealership with my mechanic, who agreed to leave his work, with me to inspect what they had done. They had torn the heads off the engine and nothing more. With the service manager, the Kia mechanic and my mechanic there, they discussed the fact that whatever the issue was, was not due to lack of maintenance because there was no sludge or oil buildup in the heads or on the block. The Kia Service Manager agreed and stated he did not know why the Factory denied the warranty coverage, and yet they were stating I needed to replace the engine, as they suspected the problem to be with the #1 cylinder, a rod, a bearing or a risk pin.
I then called the 1-800-333-4245 Customer Care number and filed a case to look into the problem and hopefully come to a positive resolution. After a week of back and forth phone calls, many messages from me, etc., I get a phone call back stating that because I did not change the oil filters with original parts, the warranty was voided and if I wanted to find the actual problem to see if Kia would offer any assistance, I need to authorize another $1080 for further tear down of the engine.
Needless to say, I had my Sorento towed to my mechanics shop yesterday. I will find out the results tomorrow of what they find.
I am so beside myself with this problem, it's exhausted me, it's left me with a huge hardship to fix, and a horrible taste in my mouth. I will NEVER consider buying another Kia or Hyundai after this. Honestly, what sold me was the warranty. Never again... my Ford has done better and it's older!
2003 KIA SORENTO.
The problem with the headlight bulbs in an overcharging problem. I put in those expensive halogen bright white bulbs for seeing deer on the side of the country roads.
Finally KIA came out with a wiring harness for the headlights and the cost is $70 Cdn. The wiring harness is a resistance type of wiring harness to help steady the overcharge voltage spikes from the alternator.
The spikes happen so quick that a usual mechanics voltage meter wouldn't catch the occasional problem.
Have not had any bulbs burn since the harness was put in.
At $30 each for those deer bulbs, it added up for a while.
Bought a 2005 KIA Sorento LX new, have experienced:
-Both front lights burning out, BOTH at the same time, repeatedly.
-Rear tail light bulbs replaced
-Check Engine light /vapor lock issue/fixed
-Odometer does not read correctly and resets
-Speedometer is off by a few miles
-Mileage is not as expected!
And why would anyone want a vehicle that requires over a $1000.00 tune-up EVERY FIVE YEARS? And that is the expected cost of driving a KIA... on top of the other suprises.
I too will be buying the 4 packs of bulbs to carry in my KIA.
Just for fun today I called the dealership... deny, Deny, DENY!
To the person in Va. with the dimming dash lights.
I had a Ford Mustang that would do that for months. Mainly the clock, and sometimes the entire dash including the radio and heating controls. Then one day my car started taking longer to turn over and start. Then about three weeks later it just wouldn't start at all. The alternator had been compensating for a dying battery for months and it took a HUGE beating on all the electrical components. It even shorted out my headlight switch when I installed a new battery.
I would suggest getting a new battery, or at least testing the one you have. The batteries put in new cars are pretty much junk, IMHO.
Hope you figure it out soon.
California.