2003 KIA Sportage
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › KIA › Sportage › 2003
These records cover every 2003 KIA Sportage. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
4 complaints
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Fuel system, gasoline
TL* the contact owns a 2003 KIA sorrento EX (na). While the contact dispensed fuel into the fuel tank, fuel would spray out onto the ground and clothing. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis and repair. The failure continued to occur after the repair. The dealer was…
TL* the contact owns a 2003 KIA sorrento EX (na). While the contact dispensed fuel into the fuel tank, fuel would spray out onto the ground and clothing. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis and repair. The failure continued to occur after the repair. The dealer was notified and recommended the vehicle be diagnosed to determine the cause of failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
- Fuel system, gasoline
April 11, 2011 to whom it may concern, this letter IS to officially submit a complaint about the safety of our 2003 KIA sorento with mileage of 109209 my husband and I purchased this vehicle before the birth of our baby back in may 2010, because we needed the extra space. unfortunately, we…
April 11, 2011 to whom it may concern, this letter IS to officially submit a complaint about the safety of our 2003 KIA sorento with mileage of 109209 my husband and I purchased this vehicle before the birth of our baby back in may 2010, because we needed the extra space. unfortunately, we have some concerns about the safety of the vehicle. After much research we found that this particular complaint along with other fuel pump complaints are common among other KIA owners. I am asking the person or department in charged to please look into this matter and take the proper action. our complaints are as follows. the main problem and concern IS with the fuel tank, every time we pump gas the gas shoots back and sprays me or my husband and it runs down the side of the car. We have to constantly stop pumping gas every 10 seconds to prevent the spraying of gas. On numerous occasions the gas has almost sprayed me on my eyes, and just recently it sprayed me in both arms, and burned my skin. I have to be very careful every time I pump gas, I'm afraid this IS going to spray me in my face or worst yet harm my child! our second complaint IS that the KIA needs constant anti-freeze because the heat thermometer shows the vehicle overheats about every 3 months. We have taken our vehicle to various mechanics, and twice to the KIA dealerships, however they can not find a problem, on both of the issues listed above. The KIA IS the main vehicle we use to get around, however lately I have been very concern about the safety of the car. Please take this letter as our official complaint, and we look forward to having an official response back. I?m concern about our safety, but also the safety of other drivers with the same KIA model. Please look into the matter, and I trust the right thing will be done to solve this problem. thank you in advance. *tr
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 KIA sportage. the contact stated that a couple of years ago, the blades on his cooling fan began to come off, causing the vehicle to overheat. the dealer could not find anything wrong with the vehicle. the contact stated that he recently received recall notice #…
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 KIA sportage. the contact stated that a couple of years ago, the blades on his cooling fan began to come off, causing the vehicle to overheat. the dealer could not find anything wrong with the vehicle. the contact stated that he recently received recall notice # 07v161000 (engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan). the purchase date and failure mileage were unknown. the current mileage IS 93,314.
- Unknown or other
Problems with 2002 KIA sportage/ lemon vehicle..*mr the consumer was requesting that KIA of america inc purchase the defective vehicle immediately. please respond promptly in resolving matters* cb
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10201529TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to some Kia models that may exhibit fogging, condensation, and/or moisture inside a headlamp assembly. Generally, a fogging condition is considered normal and can be eliminated by turning on the headlamps with the engine running for up to 30 minutes or during normal driving conditions. Headlamp assembly replacement WILL NOT be necessary in most cases.
- 10183431TSB - USE OF AFTERMARKET USB CHARGING CABLES IN USB/12V PORTS - This article provides information regarding the use of USB ports and 12V power outlets to connect/charge mobile phones. Customers may experience issues with their head units that may be related to the use of aftermarket USB charging cables, including; * Electrical interference and limited or no functionality when attempting to play music, or when charging a device through the USB port * Excessive static or noise when listening to the audio source * Malfunctions and screen freeze of the head unit screen * Slow down of the system response while device is plugged in * Music will not play from iPhone 5 or 6 with Kia iPod cable and aftermarket adapter * No or limited functionality when trying to play music from an Apple device
- 10109812TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners, which are designed to lock into place once fully attached, are utilized in various Kia models and are strictly intended for ?one time use.? Some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other similar hardware, including threaded fasteners with pre-applied ?thread-locking adhesives.? It is critical for technicians to be aware that ALL such locking fasteners, regardless of type, are for ?one time use? only.
- 10109777TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners utilized in various Kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. Though not limited to the following, some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other similar hardware, including threaded fasteners with pre-applied ?thread-locking adhesives.?
- 10055496Some KIA sportage models vehicles are affected by corrosion which needs anti corrosion protection. 06/04/14*Lj
- 10026726KIA: all models. Article provides information relating to the improved durability of bulb life for rear combination bulb; rear stop lamp/tail lamp bulb utilized on multiple KIA models.
Every KIA Sportage model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.