| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2003 Kia Sorento repairs by problem area
Engine (43%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (17%)
Brakes and Traction Control (2%)
Suspension and Steering (15%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (19%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (3%)
Other (2%)
Select a problem area
- Engine
- Transmission and Drivetrain
- Brakes and Traction Control
- Suspension and Steering
- Electrical and Air Conditioning
- Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim
- Other
Chart based on 112 repairs.
2003 Kia Sorento transmission repair cost distribution
$2500+ (11%)
$1000 - $2499 (17%)
$500 - $999 (6%)
$100 - $499 (33%)
< $100 (33%)
Chart based on 18 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2003 Kia Sorento
Engine not specified
| 102000 mi US $800 |
The universal joint went out and there is no replacement offered by Kia so I was forced to have the entire driveshaft replaced. This is rediculous to have to replace the entire driveshaft due to a small universal joint. |
2003 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
turbocharged 138hp 2.5L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range
| 40920 mi | Clutch master cylinder becomes stiff when engine gets hot (3 hours highway, one hour city). Mechanic recommended replacing. Instead I wrapped it with double aluminum sided insulation foam, about 10 mm thick, at least about 3/4 of it is wrapped. |
| 48560 mi | The clutch master cylinder has malfunctioned lately. I had it fixed with a new repair gasket kit. When in heavy idling conditions in mid-day traffic, the engine heat affects the gaskets or something in the fluid perhaps. |
| 70680 mi $5000 |
clutch master cylinder leak, despite replacement of rubber cups. |
2003 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
192-horsepower 3.5L V6 4-speed automatic RWD
| 107900 mi US $409 |
overhaul and balance drive shaft |
| 118000 mi US $454 |
back u-joint needed to be replaced - was in bad shape |
2003 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
192-horsepower 3.5L V6 4-speed automatic AWD w/low range
| 172980 mi C $350 |
Faulty TCCU (transfer case control module), ground open EMC (electro-magnetic clutch). $1,500 + $1,600 to fix at dealer, not worth it given age and miles. |
| 115000 mi | Front transfer case replacement, estimate for repair $4K....and coolant leak....est for repair $500 didnt repair due to cost, needed new front transfer case, part $3200 plus labor, also needed a coolant connector replace, labor 5 hours, again didnt repair due to cost, vehicle donated |
| 115000 mi US $1500 |
front differential rebuilt, two new tires and battery required to pass state inspection |
| 178000 mi | Front differential no longer engaging. |
| 31000 mi US $1550 |
Front axle (AWD)bind up when cornering. Axle lubed - seemed to fix problem. 60K service performed at same time also new timing belt.2 weeks after the visit noticed they had drained the AC (both caps missing) - $200 to refill AC - I'm pissed with dealer. |
| 85560 mi C $2700 |
Transfer case went bad, i have the TOD 4x4 and it would not come out of 4x4 so they removed front driveshaft because repair would have been $4,500. Found used transfer case for $2000 plus $700 labour |
| 100500 mi £3100 |
Shop also said the transmission needed work, but when I told them to do nothing else it was suddenly ready. |
| 65000 mi US $140 |
Over drive switch replaced. |
2003 Kia Sorento 4dr SUV
192-horsepower 3.5L V6 4-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range
| 35000 mi | Warranty replacement of front differential. Symptom was small oil leak and hot oil odor from oil hitting exhaust pipe. Could not get info about cause or frequency of this problem from dealer. Have since reached over 88K miles with no other problems. |
| 144000 mi US $250 |
Front driveshaft shot |
| 152900 mi US $1100 |
replaced the part that tells the transmission when to shift. |
See TrueDelta's information for all SUVs
See TrueDelta's information for all Kia models.
