5th Nov 2008, 11:53

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.

15th Dec 2008, 13:11

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.

26th Dec 2008, 18:03

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.

11th Jan 2009, 00:09

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!!!

13th Jan 2009, 07:09

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.

23rd Jan 2009, 11:52

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!

1st Feb 2009, 04:28

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.

24th Feb 2009, 14:29

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.

16th Mar 2009, 15:49

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.

19th Mar 2009, 13:30

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!