2003 KIA SORENTO Fuel System, Gasoline Problems

IT IS BEYOND ME HOW KIA MOTORS CAN GET AWAY WITH TELLING A BUNCH OF AUTOMOBILE ENGINEERS, THAT THE PROBLEM WITH THERE VEHICLES SPITTING BACK GASOLINE ONTO A PERSON AND KIA MOTORS TELLING THEM IT'S AN AIR FILTER. I TOOK MY2003 KIA SORENTO BACK TO THE DEALERS THINKING I WAS GOING TO GET A NEW CHARCOAL FILTER WHEN ALL WAS SAID AND DONE I RECEIVED A $20 AIR FILTER FOR THE CHARCOAL CHAMBER WHICH HAD NO PROBLEM TO BEGIN WITH. I STILL HAVE A 2003 KIA SORENTO THAT SPITS FUEL BACK ON TO ME AND I"M WAITING FOR THE DAY SOMEONE THROWS A CIGARETTE BUTT AT ME AND I CATCH FIRE< BECAUSE I WILL OWN KIA OF AMERICA AND A WEALTHY LAWSUIT AGAINST THE NATIONAL TRAFIC SAFETY PANEL. DO YOU KNOW I HAD A SHORT ACCESS TO A KIA SITE RECENTLY AND SEEN OVER 100 SERVICE BULLETINS, NOT JUST 8 THAT ARE ON THIS SITE I GUESS YOU PEOPLE FORGOT WHO YOU WORK FOR THE UNITED STSTES PEOPLE/NOT KIA MOTORS AND YOU CAN BET YOUR ASS I'M NOT DONE UNTIL EVERYONE OF MY SERVICE BULLETINS IS ADDRESSED SO YOU BEAN COUNTERS BETTER START FIGURING BLAME BECAUSE AS I SAID WHEN I'M DONE YOU'LL SEE THIS IS BULLSHIT IF THIS WERE FORD, CHEVY OR CHRYSLER YOU WOULD HAVE DRAGGED THEY'RE ASS ACROSS THE COALS WELL YOU BETTER START WITH THE SLANTY EYE KOREANS TOO. I KNEW THEIR WAS A REASON MY MOTHER DIDN'T WANT ME GOING INTO THEIR BOSTON STORES WHEN I WAS A KID. GOT HELP YOU IF THIS THING CATCHES FIRE WITH MY KIDS IN IT, BECAUSE MY 2 YEAR OLD IS STRAPPED RIGHT ABOVE YOUR NO PROBLEM WHATSOEVER I MADE BETTER GO KARTS WHEN I WAS 10 YEARS OLD I DONT KNOW WHAT THE GOVERNMENTS PROBLEM IS BUT IT BETTER BE TAKEN CARE OF OR YOU MAY FIND IT ON YOUR LAWN ON FIRE !!! *TR

Mileage: 146,000

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

Mileage: 118,892

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 SMITH KIA, TOLD THEM ABOUT RECALL SCREW REPLACEMENT , TELL ME OUT OF WARRANTY, NEITHER WILL REALLY ANSWER BACK...NO MONEY, NO NEW CAR....KIA MOTORS IS A CROOK,...TELL ME CAR OUT OF WARRANTY, THAT WHAT DO I WANT WITH OLD CAR...CAN NOT FIND ANY OTHER PRIOR COMPLAINTS I MADE WITH CAR, SINCE FIRST YEAR I BOUGHT IT... *TR

Mileage: 150,000

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.

Mileage: 26,000

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

WHEN PUTTING GAS IN THE TANK, THE GAS BLEW BACK OUT WITH A FORCE LIKE SHAKING A SODA CAN AND OPENING IT. TODAY WAS THE 3RD AND WORST TIME. IT STARTED ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO WITH THE FUEL JUST SPILLING OUT, BUT TONIGHT IT BLEW BACK OUT AT ME WITH SUCH A FORCE AS TO SPRAY GAS ALL OVER THE FRONT OF ME UP TO MY NECK. MY SHIRT WAS SOAKED, THE GAS WAS ALL OVER MY PANTS AND SHOES. BY THE TIME I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME AND SHOWER, BURNS FROM THE GAS ON MY SKIN STARTED APPEARING ON MY CHEST. *TR

2003 KIA SORENTO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO GASOLINE TANK DEFECT. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE RECEIVED A VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN LETTER FROM KIA MOTORS REGARDING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL TANK AI FILTER. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE IN SEPTEMBER 2011. HOWEVER, WHEN SHE CONTACTED KIA REGARDING REIMBURSEMENT, SHE WAS INFORMED THERE WAS NO RECALL OF THAT NATURE. KIA INFORMED THE CONSUMER SHE WOULD NOT BE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE DEFECT. THE CONSUMER STATED HER VEHICLE WAS NOT OPERABLE, DUE TO THE FACT, SHE COULD NOT GET MORE THAN ONE GALLON OF GASOLINE INTO THE TANK WITHOUT IT SPRAYING BACK OUT OF THE TANK. THE MECHANIC FOUND THE CHARCOAL CANISTER FALLING APART AND BLOCKING THE AIR FLOW IN CLOSE VALVE, VENT FILTER AND ROLL OVER VALVE. THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY WAS REMOVED AND THE CHARCOAL CLEANED OUT OF THE FUEL TANK AND ROLL OVER VALVE. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO EX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING,THE INJECTOR WOULD LEAK FUEL AT ANY TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,333 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,433.

Mileage: 109,333

WITHOUT NOTICE THIS VEHICLE STOPPED ACCEPTING FUEL PROPERLY. WHEN YOU ATTEMPT TO REFUEL, GASOLINE DOESN'T LEAK OUT, IT SPRAYS AS IF UNDER PRESSURE. MY WIFE, DAUGHTER AND I HAVE EACH BEEN SPRAYED ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. EVEN FILLING VERY SLOWLY CAUSES FUEL TO SPRAY FROM VEHICLE. I WOULD BE GLAD TO VIDEO IT AS IT OCCURS. IT OCCURS EVERY TIME AND CREATES A VERY SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD FOR MY FAMILY AS WELL AS OTHER CUSTOMERS AT THE FILLING STATION. I RECENTLY HAD AN ASE CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN EVALUATE THE VEHICLE AND NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. THIS WAS GOING TO BE MY DAUGHTERS FIRST CAR BUT I DON'T FEEL ITS SAFE FOR HER AND WOULDN'T WANT TO TRADE IT TO SOMEONE AND ENDANGER THEM. *TR

WAS DRIVING APPROX 60 MILES PER HOUR AND FUEL PRESSURE DROPPED; ENGINE SHUT OFF. WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND DRIVE BUT FOR ONLY A FEW MILES AT THE TIME. THIS HAPPENED OVER COURSE OF COUPLE OF DAYS. HAD FUEL PUMPED REPLACED. AFTER FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED I HAD PROBLEMS FUELING VEHICLE. GAS WOULD BUBBLE UP AND SPRAY OUT OF GAS TANK. HAD TO PUMP SLOWLY. GAS WOULD GET ALL OVER ME, VEHICLE AND GROUND. RETURNED VEHICLE BACK TO REPAIR SHOP SIX TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF SIX WEEKS; HAD OTHER PART REPLACED. VEHICLE STILL LOSING FUEL PRESSURE, SHUTTING OFF AND NOT ABLE TO PUMP GAS WITHOUT IT SPURTING OUT OF TANK. VEHICLE PARKED AS I FEEL IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE FOR ME OR DAUGHTER. OUT OF 600 DOLLARS AND NOT VEHICLE TO DRIVE. SOMETHING FROM MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE DONE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I AM AFRAID OF VEHICLE STARTING A FIRE WITH ME IN IT. *TR

Mileage: 140,000

WHENEVER I ATTEMPT TO PUT GAS IN MY TRUCK, THE GAS ALWAYS COMES BACK OUT. I TRIED TO HAVE IT FIXED BUT NO ONE EVER HEARD OF A GAS TANK DOING THIS UNLESS IT'S FULL ALL READY WHICH I KNOW. I MEAN THE GAS WOULD JUST FLOW OUT REALLY BAD. SOME GAS STATIONS WON'T EVEN ALLOW ME TO USE THEIR STATION IN FEAR OF A FIRE. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SMELL OF FUEL WAS EMITTED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY CONFIRMED A FUEL LEAK FROM THE FUELTANK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,700.

Mileage: 102,500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING, FUEL BEGAN TO SPILL OUT FROM THE FUEL FILLER NECK. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED. THE FUEL LIGHT ALSO BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FUEL CAP WAS REPLACED; YET, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FUEL LIGHT WAS RESET; HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000. UPDATED 08/11/11*LJ UPDATED 08/12/11*JB

Mileage: 145,000

APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AGO, I NOTICED THAT I CANNOT FILL UP MY FUEL TANK IN MY 2003 KIA SORENTO WITHOUT THE FUEL BACKING UP AND KICKING BACK OUT THE TANK. I HAVE TO FILL THE TANK VERY SLOWLY AND IT TAKES A LONG TIME. IT JUST STARTED TO OCCUR ONE DAY AND HAPPENS EVERY TIME I REFILL. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

I HAVE A 2003 KIA SORENTO,BOUGHT IN JANUARY,2003. DURING THE SUMMER OF 2009 I FOUND EVERYTIME I FILLED THE GAS TANK,FUEL WOULD "BLOW-BACK" AT FIRST I COULD SOMETIME REMOVE THE NOZZLE AND RE-START THE FILL AND IT WOULD STOP. I ALSO I HAD TO DELIVER THE GAS VERY SLOWLY. SINCE LAST YEAR I FIND I CAN NEVER FILL WITHOUT "BLOW-BACK" AND IT SEEMS I MUST LISTEN FOR THE RUSH OF FUEL TO SPIT BACK. I USUALLY FIND I AM COVERED WITH FUEL AND THE PAINT ON THE REAR PANEL IS BEGINNING TO SHOW DAMAGE FROM THE FUEL. I HAVE NOT BEEN TO THE DEALER AS JUST AS THIS PROBLEM BEGAN, THE KIA DEALER IN DAYTONA BEACH CLOSED. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 KIA SORENTO AND ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO WHEN I WENT TO PUT GAS IN MY CAR THE GAS WAS SPEWING OUT ON MY CAR, THE GROUND, AND ON ME. AND IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME I PUT GAS IN IT NOW. I HAVE TO PUMP VERY SLOWLY SO IT DON'T SHOOT OUT AT ME. BUT THAT TAKES TWENTY MIN TO PUMP HALF A TANK OF GAS. THE KIA DEALERSHIP SAYS THEIR NOT SURE WHAT'S WRONG BUT WILL COST AROUND $600.00-%$800.00 TO FIX IT. *TR

Mileage: 105,000

SINCE THE FUEL PUMP OF MY KIA SORENTO 2003 WAS CHANGED ON JUNE 2010, EVERY TIME I FILLED UP THE TANK WITH GAS, IT COMES BACK, VOMITING ALL THE GAS AT THAT MOMENT. I HAVE TO SLOWLY FILL IT UP AND TAKES ME ABOUT 20 MINUTES TO FILL UP THE TANK. NONE OF THE MECHANICS CONSULTED CAN FIND A SOLUTION. *TR

WHEN FUELING THE VEHICLE FUEL HAS BEEN SPRAYING BACK OUT OF THE FUEL FILLER NECK IF THE FUEL IS PUMPED AT A NORMAL RATE. THIS HAS OCCURRED SINCE WELL BEFORE THE 1ST INCIDENT DATE. THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP THE FUEL FROM SPRAYING OUT IS TO PUMP THE FUEL VERY SLOWLY AND STOP. FUEL WOULD SPRAY ALL OVER ME, MY WIFE AND THE VEHICLE. WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE FUEL GAUGE REGISTERS 3/4 FULL AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS GOING UPHILL THE VEHICLE RPM'S WILL DROP, THE THROTTLE BECOMES UNRESPONSIVE AND THE VEHICLE LOSSES SPEED. THE VEHICLE WILL RECOVER AFTER REACHING LEVEL GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA AND NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. AGAIN WHILE TRAVELING FOR THE HOLIDAYS ON 11/24/10 AND 11/28/10 THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED AGAIN WHEN THE FUEL GAUGE REGISTERED 3/4 FULL AND IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON I-65 ALMOST CAUSING VEHICLES TO RUN OVER ME DUE TO MY SPEED DROPPING ABRUPTLY. I REACHED THE NEAREST FUEL STATION AND FILLED THE TANK UP. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ABOVE 3/4 FULL. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING AROUND TOWN. THE PROBLEM WITH FUELING THE VEHICLE IS ALL THE TIME.

Mileage: 87,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS DISPENSING THE GASOLINE BACK OUT TOWARDS HER AS SHE ADDED GASOLINE. WHEN THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE THE FUEL GAUGE READS FULL WHEN IT WAS NOT COMPLETELY FULL. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HER THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS IN REFERENCE TO THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,500.

Mileage: 107,500

I BOUGHT A 2003 KIA SORENTO ABOUT 6 YEARS AGO AND I'VE HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS. THE WORST AND MOST RECENT PROBLEM IS THE GAS SPEWS OUT OF THE TANK EVERY TIME I TRY TO FILL IT. IT RUNS DOWN THE SIDE OF THE CAR AND ON MY WHEEL. SOMETIMES IT GETS ON ME. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW. IF YOU PUMP VERY SLOW AND STOP EVERY .80 CENTS IT LESSENS THE AMOUNT OF TIMES IT SPEWS OUT, BUT THIS IS SO VERY TIMELY. THE GAS GAUGE PERIODICALLY GOES OUT. THE HORN HAS NEVER WORKED. THE POWER STEERING PERIODICALLY GOES OUT. WHEN USING CRUISE CONTROL IT WILL PERIODICALLY GO OFF ON IT'S OWN. THE PAINT LOOKS HORRIBLE AND HAS PEELED OFF ON THE SIDE MIRRORS. THE LEATHER SEATS HAVE NOT HELD UP WELL. THE DOME LIGHT WILL NOT WORK WHEN YOU OPEN THE DOOR, BUT IF YOU PRESS THE DOME LIGHT BUTTON IT WILL COME ON. PERIODICALLY THE DASH LIGHTS HAVE FLICKERED AND I'M WONDERING IF THEY ARE ABOUT TO GO OUT. I'VE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE AC COMPRESSOR AND THE DRIVE SHAFT, BOTH OF WHICH HAVE REALLY SET ME BACK FINANCIALLY. I REALLY WANT TO GET THE GAS TANK ISSUE FIXED AS IT IS THE WORST ISSUE AT HAND AND I FEAR IT COULD BE DANGEROUS. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 KIA SORENTO AND LAST YEAR IT STARTED TO SPRAY GAS OUT AT ME EVERYTIME I WENT TO FILL IT UP. I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING. MY KIA IS STILL DOING THIS AND I AM GETTING TIRED OF GETTING SPRAYED WITH GAS EVERYTIME I TRY TO PUT GAS IN THE THING. IT NEEDS FIXED AND KIA SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. THIS IS A HAZARD AND SOMEBODY WILL EVENTUALLY GET HURT. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS SITUATION. *TR

Mileage: 95,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE THE DRIVER COULD SMELL AN ODOR OF GASOLINE. UPON EXAMINATION GASOLINE COULD BE SEEN LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V353000, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 104,000.

Mileage: 104,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO FILL THE FUEL TANK, THERE WAS A RESTRICTION THAT ONLY ALLOWED THE FUEL TO ENTER THE FILLER NECK SLOWLY. THE FUEL WOULD ALSO COME BACK OUT (FUEL EXPULSION). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 69,000.

Mileage: 69,000

WHEN FUELING MY 2003 KIA SORENTO THE GAS WILL SPEW BACK OUT (AS IF UNDER PRESSURE) ONTO ME, THE VEHICLE AND THE SURROUNDING AREA. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I TRY TO PUT GAS INTO THE SORENTO. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM WITHOUT A COSTLY DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THEY DID 'LOOK' AT THE FUEL LINE AND COULD NOT SEE A PROBLEM. THE ONLY WAY TO PREVENT THE GAS FROM SPEWING IS TO PUT THE GAS IN EXTREMELY SLOWLY. FILLING IT SLOWLY SEEMS TO PREVENT THE PRESSURE BUILD UP THAT CAUSES THE GAS TO SPEW. THE SPEWING GAS IS CAUSING THE PAINT ON MY VEHICLE TO PEEL. *TR

Mileage: 82,000

2003 KIA SORENTO GAS TANK DOES NOT REGISTER CORRECTLY. AFTER ABOUT 3/4 FULL, IT DROPS TO READ "EMPTY". THIS STARTED HAPPENING AFTER THE CAR WAS ONLY A YEAR OLD. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX IT AND TO JUST TRY TO GAUGE WHEN THE CAR WAS GETTING CLOSE TO EMPTY. I TRAVEL QUITE A BIT FOR MY JOB AND HAVE BEEN STRANDED ABOUT 4-5 TIMES AT NIGHT WITH AN EMPTY GAS TANK....NOT THE SAFEST OF SITUATIONS. *TR

Mileage: 25,000

2003 KIA SORENTO HAS FUEL TANK THAT DOES NOT READ GAS RIGHT. IT WILL TELL YOU EMPTY WHEN IT IS NOT EMPTY THIS GAGE HAS NEVER WORKED RIGHT AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED TO FIX THIS THING BEFORE SOME ONE GET HURT BADLY.

Mileage: 17,000

THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED. DURING THIS LAST TIME, THE GAS GAUGE SHOWED THAT THE TANK HAVE LESS THAN 1/8 FULL. WHEN I STARTED TO PUMP GASOLINE TO THE VEHICLE'S TANK, THE GAS PUMP ABRUPTLY STOPPED AS IF THE VEHICLE'S GAS TANK IS ALREADY FULL AND GASOLINE SPLASHED BACK OUT OF THE TANK. GASOLINE SPRAYED ALL OVER INCLUDING MYSELF. I CAUTIOUSLY STARTED TO PUMP GAS TO THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I SMELLED LIKE GASOLINE AND RUINED MY CLOTHES. *TR

Mileage: 36,495

MY 2003 KIA SORENTO, MADE 10/12/02, DOES NOT TAKE GAS WELL. WHEN YOU FILL IT, IT PRESSURIZED AND BLOWS GAS BACK AT YOU. THIS IS AN ONGOING FAILURE AND SAFETY ISSUE. A MECHANIC SAYS THIS NEEDS A DIFFERENT FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY AND VALVE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR

WHEN I ATTEMPT TO FILL THE GAS TANK IN MY 2003 KIA SORENTO, THE GASOLINE BLOWS BACK AT ME. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I ADD GAS. IF I AM NOT CAREFUL IT GETS ON MY CLOTHING, SHOES, OUTSIDE OF MY VEHICLE AND ON THE GROUND. THE DEALERSHIP HAS QUOTED THAT A REPAIR WOULD COST BETWEEN $650.00 AND $850.00 TO FIX IT ALTHOUGH THEY CANNOT TELL ME FOR SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

MY 2003 KIA SORENTO KEPT LOSING ANTIFREEZE AND TO FIND OUT THE RESERVOIR HAD A CRACK IN IT. ALSO, AFTER I PURCHASE BRIDGESTONE FIRE DESTINATION TIRES A YEAR LATER THEY WERE WORN AFTER SPENDING $600.00 I HAD TO HAVE TWO OF THEM REPLACED WITHIN A YEAR. P245/70R16. ALSO 2 DEFECTS RECALLS WHEN MY CAR WAS PUT IN THE SHOP ONE FROM 2007 SC073 AND SC072 WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT WAS STILL ON AFTER THE CAR WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED BY QUIRK KIA IN BRAINTREE. WHEN I WAS DRIVING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON. I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS FINE AND IT WAS JUST A SENSOR AND TO FIX IT THE COST WOULD BE OVER $200. A YEAR LATER, I BROUGHT IT TO GET A STICKER, THEY REJECTED MY FOR ANOTHER RECALL THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN LAST YEAR. THE RECALL WAS FROM 2005. NOW I AM TRYING TO CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF THE INCONVENIENCE OF ME GOING TO GET THIS FIXED WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF LAST YEAR. I WILL NEVER BUY A KIA AGAIN, THE DEALERSHIP DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THEIR CARS OR CUSTOMERS. *TR

Mileage: 60,980

GAS SPEWS OUT WHILE TRYING TO REFUEL, DOESN'T MATTER IF IT'S ALMOST EMPTY OR HALF FULL,GETS ALL OVER CAR,GROUND AND ME. HAVE TO DRIBBLE FUEL IN TANK AND TAKES 15 MIN. JUST TO PUT A 1\4 TANK IN. I DON'T LIKE SMELLING OF GAS AND BEING A WALKING FIRE HAZARD. *TR

Mileage: 78,000

PURCHASED VEHICLE USED IN NOVEMBER 2008 - KIA SORENTO 2003. I NOTICED A GASOLINE SMELL SHORTLY AFTER THE PURCHASE, BUT DIDN'T THINK IT WAS FROM MY VEHICLE. LAST WEEK NOTICED A DAMP SPOT UNDER MY CAR, CHECKED IT, FOUND GASOLINE LEAKING FROM MY TANK. TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. THEY FOUND A CRACK ALONG A SEAM IN THE GAS TANK AND REPLACED IT. *TR

Mileage: 63,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. WHILE PLACING FUEL INTO THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL SPEWED BACK OUT FROM THE GAS PUMP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WOULD TAKE TEN MINUTES TO PLACE $20 WORTH OF GAS INTO THE VEHICLE. HE HAD TO PLACE SMALL QUANTITIES OF FUEL INTO THE VEHICLE AT A TIME TO PREVENT IT FROM SPEWING BACK OUT. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE AT THE COST OF $191; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 10/16/08 *BF UPDATED 10/20/08.*JB

Mileage: 82,000

2003 KIA SORENTO. GAS TANK WILL NOT FILL AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO FILL THE CAR WILL SPEW GAS ONTO THE CONSUMER AND ALL OVER THE CAR AND SURROUNDING AREA CREATING A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. ACCORDING TO KIA I HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE GAS TANK ASSEMBLY BECAUSE IT'S DEFECTIVE. FOR NOW I HAVE TO PUMP THE GAS IN EXTREMELY SLOWLY AND IT TAKES APPROXIMATELY 12 TIMES LONGER THAN NORMAL. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 KIA SORENTO ON AUGUST 14, 2007, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE NOISES, LOOSE POWER AND SLOW DOWN RAPIDLY. TWO BELTS POPPED COMPLETELY OFF AND THE CAR LOST ALL ITS POWER AND SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. I TOWED THE CAR TO THE KIA DEALER AT ARBOR PLACE IN DOUGLASVILLE, GEORGIA FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT WAS BROKEN AND DID DAMAGE THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY AND SPROCKET. THE DEALER MADE THE REPAIRS BUT AFTER DRIVING THE CAR A FEW DAYS LATER ON AUGUST 22, 2007 IT BEGAN LOOSING POWER AGAIN. I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES AND TRIED TO START IT UP AGAIN BUT IT WOULD NOT START AT ALL. I AGAIN TOWED IT TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP AT ARBOR PLACE. IN SHORT, THEY SAID THAT THE CAR WAS DUMPING GASOLINE INTO THE CYLINDERS AND THAT WHEN THEY TEST DROVE IT, THE CAR LOOSES GASOLINE RAPIDLY. THE CAR CLEARLY HAS MAJOR MANUFACTURER DEFECTS THAT SHOULD BE FIXED BY KIA AT NO COST TO ME. *TR

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. ALTHOUGH KIA KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE OVERFLOW TANK IN MOST IF NOT ALL 2003 KIA SORENTO'S AND HAS SENT OUT A TSB TO THEIR MECHANICS OVER HOW TO REPLACE IT. AS SOON AS MY CAR HAD OVERHEATED DUE TO THE LEAK, I HAD TO PAY AROUND $100 TO BUY A NEW TANK FROM THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP BUT ALAS AFTER OVER HEATING MY CAR DEVELOPED MORE PROBLEMS AND ENGINE HAVING TO BE THROWN OUT. THIS HAS COST ME OVER $4300 IN REPAIRS SO FAR, AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR I AM STILL MAKING MONTHLY PAYMENTS ON IN NINE MONTHS. NONE OF WHICH ARE COVERED TO THE WARRANTY DUE TO THEIR "10 YEAR 100,000 MILE" POWERTRAIN WARRANTY NOT BEING TRANSFERABLE TO THOSE WHO BUY THE CAR USED. *TR

1) UPON PURCHASE, EXHAUST SMELL WAS STRONG INSIDE SUV, LEADING TO HEADACHES AND QUEASINESS. 2) TOOK IT IN WITHIN WEEKS (?) 3) A CORRECTION WAS MADE, PART REPLACED. SINCE THEN, THE EXHAUST SMELL IS INTERMITTENT, AND NOT AS STRONG. SERVICE DOES NOT SEE FURTHER ISSUE. *JB

Mileage: 11

DT: CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A GAS LEAK IN VEHICLE. SHE FIRST NOTICED GAS COMING OUT OF THE VEHICLE ON JULY 5, 2005. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS FIXED, BUT THEY DID NOT TELL HER WHY IT WAS LEAKING. DEALERSHIP STATED IT WAS THEIR FAULT, AND IT WAS THE THIRD ONE IN THE SHOP TO FIX. SHE HAS BEEN SMELLING GAS FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS.*AK

Mileage: 13,315

VEHICLE TAKES A LONG TIME TO START. SOMETIMES AS LONG AS TEN SECONDS. THE ENGINE CRANKS AND CRANKS AND THEN FINALLY TURNS OVER. HAVE BEEN TOLD IT MAY BE THE FUEL PRESSURE RISER SWITCH. HAS NOT BEEN FIXED YET. *NLM

Mileage: 300

I PURCHASED A 2003 KIA SORENTO IN FEB 2003, VEHICLE SPINS OVER FOR QUITE SOMETIME AND THEN SLOWLY FINALLY TURNS OVER, I HAVE TAKEN IT INTO THE DEALER 2 TIMES NOW AND THEY HAVE SAID IT WAS THE FUEL RELAY SWITCH AND VEHICLE STILL HAS THE PROBLEM SO I AM TAKING IT INTO THE DEALER FOR THE 3RD TIME AND THEY SWEAR IT IS A FUEL PROBLEM SO WE'LL SEE IF IT'S GOING TO GET FIXED.*JB

Mileage: 150

CONSUMER PURCHASED VEHICLE ON 11/25/02. VEHICLE TURNS OVER, BUT WILL NOT START. CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE 3 TIMES. PROBLEM IS THE FUEL INJECTION PUMP, BUT DEALER CAN NOT REPAIR. TS