2003 Kia Sorento complaints

I PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW FROM STEVENS KIA IN PATCHOGUE, NY AND HAD THEM REPLACE THE TIMING BELT @ 58K MILES AS PER THEIR GUIDE LINES. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR I LOST MY POWER STEERING AND ELECTRICAL CHARGING SYSTEM, I WAS GOING AROUND 45MPH, I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT ANY DAMAGE TO THE CAR OR ANYTHING ELSE. I CALLED CORPORATE KIA AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY.(IT HAS 123K MILES ON IT). THEY TOLD ME IF I WANTED I COULD HAVE IT TOWED TO A KIA DEALER AND THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT FOR A DIAGNOSIS FEE, BUT IT WAS STILL OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY ALSO TOLD ME MY VIN# DIDN'T FALL INTO THE RECALL THEY HAD CONCERNING THAT ISSUE. I HAD MY MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND HE TOLD ME THE CRANKSHAFT DOWEL PIN SNAPPED ON THE TIMING GEAR CAUSING THE HARMONIC BALANCER TO FALL OFF THUS TAKING ALL THE BELTS WITH IT. IT COSTED ME OVER $2,000 TO HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED. AFTER DOING A GOGGLE SEARCH IT SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND IS BEING IGNORED BY CORPORATE KIA. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND WITH THE FUEL TANK GAUGE AT 3/4 OR BELOW, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND VIBRATE BEFORE STALLING. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE AT LEAST 75 PERCENT FULL TO PREVENT THE FAILURE FROM OCCURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 209,000.

THE CRANK BOLT BROKE JULY 23, 2013. THE SECOND TIME WAS, THE CRANK BOLT AGAIN AND IT BROKE DECEMBER 19, 2014. THE ODOMETER WAS AT 133181 FOR THE SECOND BOLT BREAK. *TR

I HAVE SERVICE RECORDS SHOWING I HAD THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY REPLACED AT 55,000 MILES UNDER WARRANTY BY KIA. THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BROKE OFF AT 105,000 MILES. I WAS ABLE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED COST $1500 OUT OF MY POCKET. ON 1/11/2015 THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BROKE OFF FOR A 3RD TIME, SHEARING THE THREADS TO THE ENGINE, AND CAUSING THE ENGINE TO NO LONGER WORK. ALL 3 EVENTS CAUSED LOSS OF POWER AND ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. *TR

DRIVING VEHICLE AT ABOUT 45MPH, ENGINE STARTED MAKING A SCREECHING NOISE AND GOT LOUDER WHEN ACCELERATING. THERE WAS A LOUD BANG FROM ENGINE AREA AND IMMEDIATELY LOST ALL POWER AND ABILITY TO STEER AND BRAKE. WE WERE APPROACHING A BUSY INTERSECTION AND HAD TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO AVOID RUNNING A RED LIGHT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO OUR DEALERSHIP. THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT SNAPPED OFF AND THE BELT AND PULLEY FELL OFF. THE BOLT DID NOT BREAK FAR ENOUGH INTO THE ENGINE BLOCK SO REPAIR WAS ABLE TO REPLACE IT. AFTER THIS HAPPENED WE LEARNED OF THE SAFETY CONCERN WITH SAID VEHICLE AND KIA DENIES ANYTHING WRONG WITH THEIR SORENTOS. THERE IS A PENDING LAWSUIT AGAINST KIA FOR THIS KNOWN PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND WE ADVISED THE DEALER THAT WE WANT TO TRADE THE VEHICLE AS IT POSES A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. KIA SHOULD PROVIDE A MAJOR RECALL. NOW GETTING A HARD TIME FROM DEALER. WE ARE STUCK IN THE MIDDLE AND STILL OWE A LOT ON THIS HAZARDOUS VEHICLE. *TR

APPROX. A WEEK PRIOR HEARD A NOISE LIKE SOMETHING WAS LOOSE AND BEATING UNDERNEATH THE CAR ONLY AT TIMES. TOOK IT TO LOCAL GARAGE AND PUT IT ON RACK AND THE MECHANIC HAD ME TO COME LOOK FOR MYSELF. MY HEART DROPPED. THE FRAME IS SHOT. IT'S EAT UP. HE ASKED ME IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS CAR? AND AS FAR AS I KNOW THERE ISN'T, BUT FOR SURE, SHOULD BE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. ONE BIG BUMP AND THE WHOLE THING IS GONE. YOU CAN TOUCH IT AND THE METAL FLAKES OFF. THIS CAR RUNS SO GOOD AND STILL IS A GOOD LOOKING CAR. HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN A GARAGE NEVER LEFT OUT IN THE WEATHER. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THEY DON'T MAKE CARS LIKE THEY USED TOO. MY ANSWER WAS MAYBE SO, BUT THIS IS WHAT GETS PEOPLE KILLED, I AM A PERSON THAT WHEN SOMETHING I KNOW IS NOT RIGHT OR HEAR A NOISE I KNOW THAT SHOULDN'T BE THAT WAY!! I GET IT CHECKED OUT. NOW SOME PEOPLE DON'T THAT'S WHY THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE KILLED ON THE ROADS DUE TO DEFECTS ON CARS THEY PAID THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR. I NEED HELP!! WHAT DO I DO NOW? I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT TO MAILBOX AND BACK. *TR

I BOUGHT MY KIA SORENTO 2003 IN NOVEMBER 2013. IN JANUARY OF THE FOLLOWING YEAR I NOTICED A GAS SMELL. I LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND FOUND A FEW DRIPS ON THE GROUND UNDERNEATH, WHICH WAS GAS. I HAD THE LINE UNDER THE CAB ALONG SIDE DOOR REPLACED. I AM NOTICING A STRONG GAS SMELL COMING FROM THE SIDE TOWARD FRONT AND CAN'T SEE ANYTHING LEAKING. I SAW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS YEAR AND MAKE SO I CALLED KIA AND ASKED THEM IS MY VEHICLE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND THEY SAID NO AFTER GIVING THEM MY VIN NUMBER. I SEE THAT ITS NOT JUST THE 2003 VEHICLES WITH THIS ISSUE. JUST BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT VIN NUMBER THEY SHOULD STILL HONOR MY COMPLAINT. REGARDLESS I'M STILL HAVING THE SAME FUEL ISSUES AS THE ONES ON RECALL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. WHILE EXITING THE DRIVEWAY WITH THE BRAKES ENGAGED, THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE CORROSION THAT FRACTURED THE SUBFRAME AND DAMAGED THE BRAKE LINES. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE CENTER SECTION OF THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE CUT AND REPLACED. THE SUBFRAME WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.

WHILE THE CAR WAS IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE THE TECH NOTICED A COUPLE OF BRAKE LINES LOOKED WET, WHEN THEY WHERE CHECKING THE LINES THEY NOTICED THE REAR SUB-FRAME WHICH THE LINES WERE CONNECTED TOO WAS TOTALLY RUSTED OUT. THE CAR IS NO LONGER DRIVABLE DUE TO THE FACT THAT THIS SUB-FRAME HOLDS THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IN PLACE. *TR

WHEN FUELING THE VEHICLE THE GAS PUMP AUTOMATICALLY SHUTS OFF CONSTANTLY. THE TANK CAN BE EMPTY AND THE PUMP WILL SHUT OFF AS SOON AS YOU START FILLING IT AND CONTINUE TO DO SO AS YOU FILL IT. IT WILL ALSO SPIT GAS OUT OF THE TANK WHILE YOU ARE FILLING IT. THERE SHOULD BE PLENTY OF ROOM FOR GAS AS THE GAS INDICATOR SHOWS EMPTY BUT EVEN AFTER PUTTING ONE GALLON IN THE TANK, THE PUMP WILL SHUT OFF AND/OR GAS WILL SPILL/SPLASH OUT. I HAVE TO STAND BACK WHEN FILLING THE TANK SO THAT I DON'T GET IT ALL OVER ME. THE DATE LISTED FOR INCIDENT IS WHEN IT FIRST STARTED HAPPENING BUT IT CONTINUES TO DO SO EVERY TIME I PUT GAS IN THE VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN THE BATTERY AND ANOTHER UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP AND THE POWER STEERING STOP WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY BOLT WAS HOLDING TOO MUCH WEIGHT CAUSING IT TO FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

THE WIPER MOTOR STRIPS OUT EASILY. TOOK IT IN TO HAVE IT FIXED AND IT STILL SLAMS DOWN INTO THE CAR. I WENT BACK IN AND IT STILL DOESN'T WORK. NOW IT COMPLETELY QUIT. *TR

THE OVERFLOW BOTTLE FOR THE RADIATOR HAS BEEN LEAKING AGAIN. THE FIRST ONE THAT CAME WITH THE CAR WAS REPLACED IN 2011 AND NOW WE ARE HAVING TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR RESERVOIR AGAIN. *TR

WE WERE ATTEMPTING TO FILL THE SORENTO UP WITH GAS WHEN IT SUDDENLY SPIT GAS OUT OF THE TANK WHEN WE HAD ONLY PUT $11 INTO TO. IT WAS CLOSE TO EMPTY WHEN WE GOT TO THE GAS STATION. WE TRIED A COUPLE TIMES WITH THE SAME RESULT. THE CAR WOULD NOT TAKE ANYMORE GAS. *TR

I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT "SOMETHING HAPPENED INSIDE THE ENGINE THAT CANNOT BE REPAIRED". PRIOR TO THE ENGINE FAILURE (MAY, 2014) THE REAR THROTTLE PLATE CAME APART AND LODGED IN THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE THE SCREWS AND ONE WAS EVEN LODGED IN A CYLINDER HEAD. A THROTTLE PLATE ASSEMBLY WAS INSTALLED AND THE CAR WAS DRIVABLE BUT WITH AN AUDIBLE NOISE. AT THIS TIME I WAS TOLD THE SAME PROBLEM EXISTS WITH MANY KIA'S AND YET A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED. MY CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE, IT'S A V6 AND THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE IS COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND I FEEL KIA COULD HAVE AVOIDED THIS WITH A RECALL WHEN THEY HAVE KNOWN FOR YEARS THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTS. *TR

I BOUGHT A 2003 KIA SORENTO FROM MY NIECE BACK IN NOVEMBER 2013 FOR $2000 AND NOT EVEN TWO WEEKS INTO OWNING THIS VEHICLE, THE CRANK SHAFT BROKE IN HALF! THE BOLT BROKE OFF IN HALF INSIDE THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY AND THE OTHER HALF OF THE BOLT WAS INSIDE THE CRANK SHAFT CASE. TO MY UNDERSTANDING, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE CRANK SHAFT NEEDED REPAIRING (MY NIECE, HUSBAND WHO WERE THE FIRST AND ORIGINAL OWNERS TO THIS KIA SORENTO HAD IT BREAK DOWN ON HIM ON THE FREEWAY AS WELL, HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO KIA THEN PAID THEM TO FIX IT WHEN THEY OWNED THE VEHICLE) BUT THIS TIME, WHEN THIS ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE I OWNED THE VEHICLE, THE CRANK SHAFT FAILED IN A GREATER AND MORE COSTLY CONDITION THEN THE FIRST TIME THE CRANK SHAFT FAILED ON THEM. WHICH THEN CAUSED ENGINE FAILURE, LOSS OF POWER STEERING, LOSS OF THE CHARGING SYSTEM, LOSS OF THE COOLING SYSTEM AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, EVERYTHING SHUT DOWN, VEHICLE WOULDN'T START UP AFTER THAT AND IT COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS IT HAPPENED WHILE ON THE FREEWAY AND WHILE MY HUSBAND, MY DAUGHTER AND MY GRANDDAUGHTER WAS IN THE VEHICLE TRAVELING. IT COULD HAVE JEOPARDIZE THEIR LIFE'S AS WELL AS OTHER! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY PLACING FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. THE FUEL WOULD NOT ENTER THE TANK AND LEAKED OUT WHILE THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO INSERT FUEL. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW CANISTER FILTER, FUEL CAP, AND FILLER PIPE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 10/8/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALLS DUE TO BEING THE SECOND OWNER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. UPDATED 3/24/2015 *JS

I WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK ONE DAY ,WHEN THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT CAME OUT OF MY CAR .I BARELY MADE IT HOME .BUT THE FRONT END WAS JARRING MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON MY BREAKS LIKE SAME ONE AND I DID NOT HAVE NO CONTROL OF MY STEERING .THEN IT COST ME 1700 .THEN ONE DAY I WAS IN TOWN AND THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT CAME OUT OF MY CAR AGAIN WHICH THIS TIME I DID NOT HAVE NO CONTROL OF THE STEERING IT TOOK EVERY MUSCLE THAT I HAD TO KEEP IT IN THE ROAD THE FRONT AND SHOOK SO BAD IT JARRED EVERYTHING I LOSE MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON MY BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON SEAT BELT LIGHT CAME ON IT WAS A HAZARDOUS ON THE HIGHWAY SERIOUSLY KILLED ME OR SOMEONE ELSE OR REALLY BADLY HURT THEM.THEN I TOOK IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC AGAIN AND HE SAID WELCOME IT'S GOING TO COST YOU 1700 MORE WHICH I DID NOT HAVE SO I LET THE BANK HAVE IT BACK WHICH NOW IT HAS RUN MY CREDIT BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO GET IT FIXED AND I LOST MY CREDIT BECAUSE OF THISSO YES THEY NEED TO DO A RECALL ON THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT BEFORE IT DOES KILL SOMEONE IS THAT WHAT THEY'RE WAITING FOR FOR SOMEONE TO DIE BEFORE THEY DO SOMETHING ABOUT.AND I KEEP ON REPLACING BUGS BRAKE LIGHTS HEADLIGHTS AND EVERYTHING THEY KEEP ON BLOWING IN THIS IN THE KIA AND I KEEP ON PUTTING MONEY IN IT FOR ME TO GET IT INSPECTED IT COST ME A HUNDRED SIXTY TWO DOLLARS AND 22 DISH TO REPLACE BULBS THAT I JUST REPLACE NOT EVEN A MONTH BEFORE THAT I HAVE RECEIPTS I AM SO TIRED OF PUTTING MONEY INTO THIS KIA I DIDN'T HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO LET THEM TAKE IT BECAUSE

FUEL LINE LEAKING. FIXED AND NOW LEAKING AGAIN SOMEPLACE ELSE. *TR

WHILE PUMPING, THE FUEL SPITS BACK OUT FROM THE TANK. IT IS RATHER ANNOYING AS I LOSE MONEY FUELING AND IT TAKES FOREVER TO FUEL. NORMALLY WHEN I REACH ABOUT $15.00 IN GAS IT BEGINS REGURGITATING. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I ATTEMPT TO FUEL. *TR

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

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 S

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

THE CAR BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE FIRST YEAR , I CALLED DISTRICT MANAGER FOR KIA BACK IN 2004,TOLD HIM CAR WAS SKIPPING BEAT, AND SHAKING...HE TOLD ME IS WAS MY IMAGINATION...THE 2ND BIG PROBLEM<WHICH I HAD TO SOLVE THROUGH COMPUTER INVESTIGATION> CAR WOULD JUST START LOSING POWER IN I-95 OR FL.TURNPIKE AND COME TO STAND STILL, NO MATTER HOW MUCH I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL, NO GO, ALMOST GOT IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS IN I-95,FLORIDA LATE AT NITE...SPEND $800 AT KIA OF KENDALL IN FLORIDA, IN MIAMI, TOLD ME WAS FUEL PROBLEM...WAY BACK HOME THAT SAME DAY, CAR DID SAME THING SLOWED DOWN IN RUSHING TRAFFIC IN I-95 FLOIRDA,ALMOST GOT DEADLY ACCIDENT FROM CAR BEHIND ME, TOOK IT TO KIA OF FT.PIERCE , KEPT CAR 1 WEEK, MECHANIC COULD NOT FIGURE OUT PROBLEM, ...I FOUND ON LINE,PROBLEM WAS AT THE FUELING ENTRANCE,SOMETHING DISSOLVED AND PARTICLES WENT TO FUELING INJECTORS,CLOGGING IT AND CAUSING PROBLEMS, TOLD MECHANICS ,REPLACED THIS PART ,CAR GOT FIXED....LAST INCIDENT,MAJOR ONE, BACK 3 YEARS AGO TOOK CAR TO KIA DEALER, DUE TO LETTER FROM KIA CORPORATION, MAJOR RECALL ON SCREW THAT HOLD HARMONEY BLANCER TO LOWER ENGINE CASE...THEY REPLACED IT...1/9/2004.DRIVING BACK FROM ORLANDO,FL,AT NITE, CAR JUST SLOWS DOWN, SHAKES, BATTERY LIGHT AND BRAKE LITE COME ONE...MIRACLE , 1 HOUR I DROVE CAR SLOWLY BACK HOME...FRIDAY I TAKE TO SHOP,FIND OUT SAME RECALL ,REPLACED SCREW,RUSTED OFF ,SHEARED OFF, HALF OF IT STILL IN ENGINE,HARMONEY FELL OFF,..MIRACLE I DID NOT GER MAJOR FIRE IN CAR,LATE AT NITE,ON I95..TOOK

I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND MY BATTERY, BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. I LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. I POPPED THE HOOD AND REALIZED THAT I HAD LOST 2-3 BELTS. I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC SHOP, NATIONAL CHAIN WHO SAID THE HARMONIC BALANCER HAD FALLEN OFF. UPON INSPECTION, THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT HAD BROKEN. MANY, MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ONLINE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT BOTH REAR AXLES WERE FRACTURED DUE RUST CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY AND THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PERFORM NORMALLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT ONCE THE FUEL TANK WAS BELOW 3/4 FULL, THE ENGINE WOULD LOSE POWER AND BEGAN TO IDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED BUT WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

AS I WAS LEAVING WORK, THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT BROKE,AND THE BOTTOM/PULLEY CAME OUT AND HIT THE ROAD.THANK GOD I WAS STILL IN THE PARKING LOT. I HAD IT TOWED TO A AUTOMOTIVE SHOP TO HAVE IT FIXED IT ,HAS $ 768.45 PLUS 75.00DOLLARS TO TOW IT. I GOT MY 2003-SORENTO BACK ON 06/20/2013 ON 07/06/2013 I WAS GOING DOWN THE HWY ABOUT 55MPH. AND THE CRANKSHAFT/BOLT BROKE AGAIN AFTER ONLY HAVING DRIVEN 1,674MILES. I AM A SINGLE MOM OF TWO ,LIVING WEEK TO WEEK AND I CAN,T AFFORD TO FIX IT AGAIN AND IT IS OUR ONLY CAR. IF KIA IS NOT GOING TO FIX THE CRANK/SHAFT BOLT ( IT IS A DEALER ITEM ONLY) AND THEY KEEP BREAKING ,JUST LOOK AT ALL THE REPUTE INCIDENTS,OVER AND OVER, THEN THEY NEED TO BE MADE TO DO A RECALL , I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THEIR IS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT ON THIS MATTER. *TR

CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT SHEERED OFF AND THEN THE PULLEY FELL OFF BUSTING THE POWER STEERING PULL COMPLETELY OFF. MAKING ME ALMOST LOOSE CONTROL AND FLYING OFF THE FREEWAY AT 60MPH WITH MY CHILD WITH ME, VERY SCARY. CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT BECAUSE IT WAS THE BOLT THAT BROKE THE BOLT WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY WORK. REPLACED ALL BY MANUFACTURE ON JULY 16TH 2012. COSTING $1,300. THIS LAST WEEK ON FATHERS DAY MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CAR TO GET HIS DAUGHTER AND THE BOLT SHEERED OFF AGAIN AND IT IS LESS THEN 12 MONTHS SINCE THIS HAPPENED BUT BECAUSE THE WARRANTY IS 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES, WE WERE 1,000 MILES OVER AND NOW THE DEALERSHIP SAYS ITS OUR PROBLEM AND NOW WE HAVE TO BUY A WHOLE NEW ENGINE THIS TIME. OUR CAR WAS FIXED BY PORTLAND KIA AND NOW ITS AT WASHINGTON KIA, WASHINGTON KIA IS SAYING THAT PORTLAND DID IT INCORRECTLY AND THEY SHOULD MAKE THIS RIGHT BUT PORTLAND KIA IS NOT TAKING ANY FAULT FOR OVER TORQUING THE BOLD WITH 130 POUNDS OF A TORQUE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH AND MY POWER STEERING WAS GETTING HARD ALMOST CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IN THE EXPRESSWAY, I CHECK POWER STEERING FUEL AND IS FINE, BELT TO POWER STEERING FINE TOO, I JUST WONDER IF THERE IS A RECALL PARTS IN THIS PROBLEM, IM VERY AFRAID TO DRIVE MY KIA AGAIN, PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *TR

WHEN I TRY TO START THE VEHICLE IT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL I OPEN THE DRIVER DOOR THEN IT WILL START. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE VEHICLE SWERVED OUT OF LANE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE REAR SUB FRAME HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR FRAME WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 7/1/13 *CN UPDATED 07/17/2013*JS

WAS HAVING MY TIRES CHANGED WHEN MECHANIC NOTICED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF ROT ON THE FRAME ON THE RIGHT SIDE REAR WHERE THE ARM CONNECTS TO THE FRAME. HIGH POTENTIAL FOR THE ARM TO PULL OUT OF FRAME WHICH COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. CAR STARTED RUSTING AROUND FENDERS AND ROCKERS 4 YEARS AGO. THIS FRAME ROT IS A STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY ISSUE. CONTACTED KIA AND SAID THAT DUE TO MILEAGE AND YEAR THAT IT WAS NOT THEIR ISSUE REGARDLESS OF THE 3 PREVIOUS CLAIMS I FOUND ON THE NHTSA SITE AND THE FACT THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURES DEFECT. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL, VEHICLE LOST STEERING IN A TURN CAUSING US TO NARROWLY MISS HITTING A UTILITY POLE. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO SERVICE GARAGE WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT HAD BECOME LOOSE CAUSING THE HARMONIC BALANCER PULLEY TO WOBBLE, BREAK AND CAUSE DAMAGE TO ALL SURROUNDING ENGINE COMPONENTS. $1700.00 REPAIR DID NOT WORK AND ISSUE RECURRED. AFTER A SECOND REPAIR ATTEMPT, SAME ISSUE OCCURRED AGAIN THIS TIME WITH THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT HAVING SHEERED OFF. VEHICLE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD, IS NOT DRIVABLE AT THIS TIME, AND WILL THIS TIME COST MINIMALLY $3500.00 FOR A REPLACEMENT MOTOR....AND POTENTIALLY A LIFE. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE NHTSA MANDATE A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES AS IT IS LUDICROUS TO WAIT FOR A DEATH OR MULTIPLE DEATHS BEFORE ACTING ON WHAT I AM WELL AWARE IS A COMMONLY REPORTED AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROBLEM. A GOOD PART OF "SAFETY" OCCURS IN BEING PROACTIVE. THE ABSENCE OF A RECALL ON THIS IS MIND BOGGLING. NHTSA MUST ACT. *TR

I HAD JUST PURCHASED MY 2003 KIA SORENTO ON FEBRUARY 23 2013 FROM A LOCAL USED CAR DEALER. THE CAR HAD 85,000 MILES AT TIME OF PURCHASE. IT WAS DRIVING FINE UNTIL MARCH 31, 2013. AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY THE CAR STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND THEN I LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING ALMOST GOING INTO MY NEIGHBORS DITCH. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC(TOWED) WHERE HE FOUND THAT THE BOLT GOING INTO THE CRANK SHAFT HAD BEEN SHEARED OFF CAUSING THE BELT TO COME OFF. THE PROBLEM IS THAT EVEN AFTER HE FIXES IT (1800.00 +) HE SAID IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN.THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. AFTER READING COUNTLESS ACCOUNTS ONLINE OF OTHER KIA SORENTO OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, I FEEL KIA NEEDS TO RECALL THIS PART. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, FUEL WOULD SPEW FROM THE FILLER NECK WHEN REFUELING AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD FLICKER ON AND OFF SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED, WHO WAS UNABLE TO GENERATE A FAILURE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

I PURCHASED CAR FROM ORGINAL OWNER ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO WITH AROUND 47K MILES. WITHIN A MONTH OR TWO THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER NUMEROUS VISITS OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST 4 YEARS TO THE DEALERSHIP, COMMENTS ON THE WORK ORDERS THAT THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM, REPLACING THE TIMING BELTS, PLUGS, WIRES AND COILS I AM TOLD THAT THE 4TH CYLINDER IS BAD AND BASED UPON THE ISSUE I AM LOOKING AT BETWEEN $2800.00 TO $4,000 TO FIX. IF ITS THE TOP END THE LESSER OF THE TWO NUMBERS AND IF ITS THE BOTTOM END I WAS TOLD THAT I SHOULD CONSIDER WETHER OR NOT I WANT TO SINK $4,000 INTO THE CAR AT THIS POINT. WHATS MORE DISTURBING IS WHEN RESEARCHING THE ISSUE ON VARIOUS WEBSITES I COME TO FIND OUT THE MOST REOCCURING PROBLEM IS THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT COMING OUT AND CAUSING SERIOUS DAMAGE AND A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THE DRIVER. THE RESPONSE BY KIA SEEMS TO BE CONSISTENT AND NOW KNOWING THAT THEY DO NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR WARRANTIES, ISSUE RECALLS(CRANKSHAFT BOLT 2007) AND STILL EXPECT THEIR CUSTOMERS TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS I CAN CONFIDENTLY SAY I WILL NEVER PURCHASE A KIA PRODUCT AGAIN. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS 67,00 MILES ON IT AND I AM INTRIGUED BY THE COMMENTS AND REQUESTS FOR A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST KIA. I AM HOPPING THAT A ENOUGH PEOPLE HAVE THE DESIRE TO FOLLOW THROUGH AND IF NEEDED I WOULD SUPPORT. *TR

WHEN PUMPING AS INTO THE TANK, GAS SHOOTS OUT OF THE TANK LIKE OPENING A SODA AFTER SHAKING IT UP. FUEL PROJECTION IS VERY FORCEFUL. NO MATTER IF I TRICKLE GAS IN. I HAVE BEEN REJECTED FROM GAS STATIONS BECAUSE TRUCK SPITS OUT SO MUCH GAS & I WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE IS A FIRE HAZARD. KIA PERFORMED TWO RECALLS SC092 & SC073. THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. KIA CUSTOMER CARE NOR THE MECHANICS AT BAY KIA IN NORFOLK, VA HAVE BEEN VERY UNHELPFUL AND INSTEAD OF INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM, SAY THAT IT IS USER ERROR! *TR

I WAS DRIVING AND HEARD A SCREECHING SOUND AND LOST MY POWER STEERING. I HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO MY LOCAL GARAGE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT, ROLL PIN AND CRANKSHAFT SPROCKET WERE ALL DAMAGED BECAUSE THE BOLT HAD BROKEN. THE GARAGE REPAIRED THE CAR AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH KIA SORENTO MODELS. THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT PART NUMBER HAD CHANGED AND BEEN REDESIGNED WHICH SHOWS THAT KIA KNOWS OF AN ISSUE. THE SHOP HAD TO REPLACE THE CRANKSHAFT SPROCKET, ROLL PIN AND CRANKSHAFT BOLT. *TR

WE HAVE A 2003 KIA SORENTO, AND SINCE NOVEMBER WHILE PUMPING GAS, FUEL SUDDENLY SPEWS OUT -- LIKE A SODA CAN THAT HAD BEEN SHAKEN. ONLINE WE CAN FIND OTHER 2003 KIA SORENTOS ALSO COMPLAINING ABOUT WHAT'S KNOWN AS FUEL SPIT-BACK. . THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION INVESTIGATED OVER 100 COMPLAINTS OF SPIT-BACK ON 2003 KIA SORENTOS. 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. CONSUMERS REPORT THAT THE SPILLED FUEL CAN SPLASH ON THE PERSON FUELING THE VEHICLE, OR ON THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE GROUND. JUST LIKE OURS. THEN IN JANUARY 2012, 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. TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF FUEL SPIT BACK DURING REFUELING, KIA CONDUCTED 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 -- THIS WAS DONE ON OUR CAR ON MARCH 6, 2012. BEFORE THIS SERVICE, THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH FUEL SPIT-BACK, NOW IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME WE FUEL UP. THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE US TO FIX IT, THE COMPANY IS OF NO HELP YOUR AGENCY CLOSED ITS INVESTIGATION, BUT IT SEEMS YOU MUST REOPEN IT. AGAIN, WE DID NOT HAVE THE FUEL SPIT-BACK PROBLEM UNTIL AFTER THE SERVICE!!!!!!!!!!! *TR

MY 2003 KIA SORENTO START VIBRATING AS I WAS PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND BEFORE I CAN PARK IT I HEARD A LOAD NOISE AND MY STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HEAVY TO STEER AND ALMOST LOOSE CONTROL. I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK INTO THE ISSUE AND FOUND THE PULLEY BOLT (HARMONIC BALANCER) BROKE IN HALF. I HAD ALSO CHECK IF THIS IS AN UNUSUAL PROBLEM - CAME TO FIND OUT THAT THIS COULD POTENTIAL DESIGN DEFECT FROM KIA. AS THERE ARE THOUSAND OF THEM THAT HAS SIMILAR PROBLEM COMPLAINED ON THE INTERNET. I HAD CALLED KIA DEALER SHIP AND THEY ARE NOT HELPING ON THIS DESIGN FLAW ISSUE. *TR

I HAD OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR A YEAR WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN ONE DAY I WAS FILLING UP WITH GAS, HAD PUMPED LESS THAN A GALLON WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE GAS CAME SHOOTING BACK OUT OF THE TANK ALL OVER ME, THE CAR, THE GROUND, EVERYWHERE. I TRIED MORE GAS AS I WAS ALMOST ON EMPTY, & IT HAPPENED OVER & OVER. FINALLY, I HAD TO PULL THE NOZZLE MOST OF THE WAY OUT OF THE TANK, & PUMP AS SLOWLY AS POSSIBLE. I LEARNED THAT IF I LISTENED CAREFULLY, I COULD HEAR THE GAS APPROACHING THE TOP OF THE NECK & IF I WAS QUICK ENOUGH, COULD KEEP THE "BLOW BACK" DOWN TO A TRICKLE & ONLY HAVE IT ON THE VEHICLE & THE GROUND & NOT ON ME. MY SON REFUSES TO DRIVE IT IF IT NEEDS TO BE GASSED UP. IT MAKES ME VERY NERVOUS TO PUMP GAS LIKE THIS. WHAT IF THERE IS A RANDOM SPARK? I NOTICED IN 2005 (LONG BEFORE I PURCHASED) THERE WAS SOME SORT OF FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS RECALL FROM HTTP://WWW.MOTORTREND.COM/CARS/2003/KIA/SORENTO/RECALLS/ DOES THAT RECALL COVER THIS ISSUE? I READ A LOT OF COMPLAINTS FROM MANY PEOPLE HAVING THIS VERY SAME ISSUE. *TR

DRIVING AT NIGHT WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN INTERIOR LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING OFF & ON LIKE STROBE LIGHTS AT A DISCO. I TRIED TURNING THEM OFF, NOTHING. IT SEEMED RELATED TO THE DIMMER SWITCH BECAUSE IF I KEPT PRESSURE ON IT TO THE LOWEST DEGREE, THE FLASHING STOPPED. FOR AWHILE I WEDGED A PIN IN THE SWITCH & THAT WORKED. EVENTUALLY, THOUGH THAT STOPPED WORKING & THE LIGHT SHOW WOULD BEGIN. IT HAPPENED DAY & NIGHT, JUST MORE NOTICEABLE AT NIGHT. I FINALLY REMOVED THE FUSE FOR THE CABIN LIGHTS & AS A RESULT, HAVE NO DASH LIGHTS EITHER WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK. I'VE NOT GONE TO KIA AS I AM SURE IT WILL COST WAY MORE THAN I CAN AFFORD. I'M REDUCED TO USING A FLASHLIGHT WHEN ON LONG ROAD TRIPS TO CHECK GAS GAUGE & SPEEDOMETER. *TR