At a glance

Reported mileage152,406 mi

LocationCa, USA

ColorGray

Last listed price$2,000

Open recalls1

Vehicle identity & specifications

Make

Kia

Model

Sorento

Year

2003

Trim

LX

Body style

Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]

Vehicle type

MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV)

Engine

3.5L

Fuel type

Gasoline

Drivetrain

4x2

Doors

4

Assembly plant

WHASUNG, SOUTH KOREA

Manufacturer

KIA CORPORATION

What's a 2003 Kia Sorento worth?

What comparable 2003 Kia Sorento vehicles are listed for — a quick gut-check before you negotiate.

Low

$700

Typical price

$2,189

High

$3,700

Most 2003 Kia Sorento listings fall between $700 and $3,700, from 49 comparable cars.

Is the seller's price fair? Get this exact VIN's current market value — retail, trade-in & loan value — in the full report.

See this car's exact value →

Full vehicle history report

$14.99 USD · one-time

What a full report checks for VIN KNDJD733835123303

⚠️ 1 open safety recall — shown above, free 🔒 Title & brand records 🔒 Accident & damage history 🔒 Salvage, total-loss & theft 🔒 Odometer & owner count 🔒 Liens & market valuation

A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.

📜 Title status Clean, salvage, rebuilt, junk, flood or lemon

🏷️ Title brand history Every brand ever applied, by state

🧾 Number of owners How many registrations on record

🛞 Odometer readings Reported mileage over time

🔎 Rollback check Mileage inconsistency / tamper flags

💥 Accident & damage Reported collisions and damage events

🚧 Total-loss records Insurance total-loss declarations

♻️ Salvage & auction Salvage-yard and auction history

🚓 Theft records Reported / recovered theft events

🏦 Liens & impounds Outstanding liens or impound records

🏷️ Sale & listing history Past marketplace and dealer listings

💰 Market valuation Estimated value for this exact spec

Unlock full report — $14.99 → or get up to 20 reports a month for $19.99/mo → One-time purchase · permanent access · VIN KNDJD733835123303

Safety recalls 1

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A FUEL LEAK FROM FUEL TUBES NEAR THE FUEL TANK DUE TO AN INTERFERENCE FIT WITH THE VEHICLE FLOOR PANEL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE A SECTION OF THE FUEL LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 10, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

NHTSA Campaign #05V353000 · 04/08/2005

Get free recall alerts for this vehicle

We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.

Common problems & what to inspect

Based on 308 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Kia Sorento, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.

💥 1 involved a crash 🚑 1 reported injury

Engine 6 reports

🔍 Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.

Fuel/propulsion System 4 reports

🔍 Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.

Air Bags 2 reports

🔍 Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.

Power Train 2 reports

🔍 Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

Suspension 2 reports

🔍 Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.

Steering 1 report

🔍 Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.

Pre-purchase checklist

Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.

Owner complaints 308

Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 2003 Kia Sorento.

AIR BAGS

For some reason, KIA has halted production of the Air Bag Clock Spring mechanism for 2003 Kia Sorento's EX with cruise control. In my opinion, this was a vital component of the Air Bag safety system for any vehicle. So why the halt in the production of this vital part. Kia part #93490-3E160. Maybe the NHTSA can get an answer to this. I'm sure I not the …

NHTSA ODI #11649598

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST MOTIVE POWER WHILE DRIVING THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY WHEN THE VEHICLE STALL THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT IT WAS RELATED TO THE FUEL SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE SPUTTERED AND STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHIC…

NHTSA ODI #11265349

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE CAME FROM OUT OF THE VENTS. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER ON THE SHOULDER AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE SPARKS COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TOWED A…

Crash · NHTSA ODI #11252485

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORRENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT A 'SNOW' WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MAD…

NHTSA ODI #11207192

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RPMS WOULD NOT GO OVER 4,000 AND SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEED WOULD NOT EXCEED 40 MPH AND THE ENGINE WAS DRAINING THE OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PEAK KIA (5077 S WADSWORTH BLVD, LITTLETON, CO 80123, (303) 904-7800) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHI…

NHTSA ODI #11203928

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHEN PUMPING GAS THERE IS A SUDDEN SPEWING OF GASOLINE OUT OF THE TANK AND ALL OVER ME. I MANAGED SEVERAL TIMES TO GET A FEW GALLONS IN BY PUMPING SLOWLY BUT THE NEXT DAY THE GAS GAGE READS EMPTY AND HAS ACTUALLY RUN OUT OF GAS SEVERAL TIMES! SO NOT ONLY AM I HAVING A PROBLEM PUTTING GAS IN, IT IS IMMEDIATELY DRAINING OR LEAKING OUT!

NHTSA ODI #11149624

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

AFTER PURCHASING CAR FROM PRIVATE SELLER I DISCOVERED THAT WHEN TRYING TO PUMP GAS, MY FUEL SPRAYS BACK OUT ALL OVER MYSELF, MY VEHICLE, AND THE GROUND. HAVE EVEN HAD IT SPRAY INTO MY EYES. DID RESEARCH AND SAW THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR THIS YEAR/MAKE/MODEL. I BELIEVE ITS A FIRE AND SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED YEARS AGO!

1 injured · NHTSA ODI #11094097

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL. MY CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH ONE OF THE AIRBAGS. THE CAR HASN'T BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BUT THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND I'M TOLD IT WILL NOT INFLATE. I WAS TOLD TO CHECK FOR RECALLS.

NHTSA ODI #11065655

+ 300 more complaints on record.