2003 Kia Sorento vs 2005 Kia Sorento
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2003 Kia Sorento | 2005 Kia Sorento |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 305 | 307 |
| Recall campaigns | 1 | 0 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 30 | 27 |
| Investigations | 1 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 10 | 17 |
| Fire reports | 3 | 5 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 15 | 15–16 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 78,000 mi | 85,242 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Kia Sorento | Kia Sorento |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 81 | 44 |
| Engine | 43 | 63 |
| Electrical System | 29 | 49 |
| Air Bags | 30 | 43 |
| Steering | 31 | 39 |
| Exterior Lighting | 16 | 53 |
| Power Train | 22 | 38 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 34 | 12 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Vibration / shaking | 28 | 11 |
| Stalling | 26 | 16 |
| Airbag warning light | 18 | 14 |
| Rust / corrosion | 18 | 21 |
| Loss of power | 14 | 16 |
| Check engine light | 13 | 9 |
| Steering problems | 13 | 13 |
| Overheating | 13 | 0 |
2003 Kia Sorento
2005 Kia Sorento
Compare all Kia Sorento vs Kia Sorento years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.