2003 Kia Sorento EX from North America - Comments

Alignment, it seems it was not aligned correctly from the start. When put in for required general 12,000 check-up, the car came back with the same problem after I spent nearly 5 hours waiting.

Back seat does not go down and the side passenger door does not open correctly. Dealer located in Fort Lauderdale will only replace the back seat and mechanism on door. They do not do repair, only order new parts which might seem okay, but then the car needs to go in for a full work day to get new item put in.

Bought in Fort Lauderdale, Maroone, and they could have a better repair department with more convenient hours.

This car "drinks" gas. Afraid to go anywhere because of the cost, even though I barely ever use the air conditioner.

Car feels top heavy.

If it broke down, on a desert island, you'd be Marooned.

Was it top-heavy when you test-drove it?

If it "drinks" gas, chances are you've got the Petrol 3.5 Liter V6.

I bought a 2003 used with 38k on it and so far no problems.

The mpg is compared to most truckswith 3.5 liters.

It is built a lot better than the 98 Ford Explorer I had

and it feels more powerful because the torque is at a lower RPM. My common sense says I should not have traded my sedan

for it, but I'm stuck. Since gas is not going to get

any cheaper I will limit my driving because I like all the bells and whistles plus the high view of the road. I also

have a Toyota Highlander which is smooth, fast, and quality

built, but it costs $12000 more. When the bumper to bumper

warranty expires I will downsize.

Clock goes out in my Sorento after 3 miles, then comes on again requiring resetting. Why?

None of this makes sense.

Take you car to another garage if you are unhappy with the job KIA did on the wheel alignment, which I'm guessing is the problem.

Chances are any car will pull one way or the other after rough off-roading anyway.

KIA has offered to replace the faulty rear seats for you at no cost and needs the car to do it. I can't see the problem in this. Maybe they could lend you a car instead of you having to wait, but they aren't required to do this.

My Sorento isn't top heavy. Are you driving around with a piano on the roof?

It is a 4X4 remember, not a Ferrari.

My Sorento does around 22 to 25 mpg. Not great, but it does what KIA said it would do when i bought it.

I would be interested to hear if you had some real faults because they would be the first I've heard of if that were the case.

Regards,

A VERY happy KIA Sorento Owner.

Would never buy one again. I've had problems with it the first year I got it. I have had alignment problems, rotars replaced 4 times, major electrical problems. Someone made a comment about the clock (mine sticks all the time) KIA couldn't even fix it. Gas guzzler galore. They are top heavy. The engine is too heavy that's why all the problems with alignment and brakes. Always get asked how I like my car and would tell people do not invest in one.

Headlights that don't last, clock that only works when it feels like it, dimmer switch that falls out every 5,000 miles, front-end alignment that doesn't "hold" no matter how often it is done (just rotate the tires every 3 thousand miles) and the best saved for last-

My 2003 Sorento that I bought new now has a tad over 74,000 miles. Last Friday as I pulled out of the parking lot at work there was a tremendous noise coming from under the car (near the front). My first thought was brakes, so I cruised at ten m.p.h the three blocks to a local repair shop to have them check it out. Turns out my drive shaft was about to fall out!

Still covered under warranty, but imagine if this had happened on the Turnpike during morning rush hour.

Word to the wise, if you are in the neighborhood of 70,000 or higher miles on your 2003 Sorento, I suggest you high-tail it to your local repair shop and have the drive shaft checked.