2003 Kia Sorento Steering Problems

NHTSA component category: STEERING · data through 07/12/2026

24Steering complaints

7.9%Of all 305 complaints

#5Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How steering ranks on this vehicle

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING46 · 15.1%

ENGINE43 · 14.1%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM34 · 11.1%

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE33 · 10.8%

STEERING24 · 7.9%

Share of the 305 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2003 Kia Sorento overview page.

What owners report

“WHILE DRIVING ON SATURDAY, 7/15/06, I NOTICED A HIGH PITCHED NOISE WHILE STEERING. I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LOW…”NHTSA complaint 10163120 — filed 07/21/2006

“I PURCHASED THE SORENTO 5/31/03, WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY WENT OUT; I ALMOST HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE REGAINING CONTROL. CONTACTED…”NHTSA complaint 10070423 — filed 01/15/2004

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Steering complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Kia Sorento have steering problems?

Steering is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 2003 Kia Sorento: 24 of 305 complaints on file (7.9%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2003 Kia Sorento have in total?

305 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 10 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, 12 reported injuries, and 1 reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's steering category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the STEERING category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.