2003 Kia Sorento Suspension Problems

Your rear axle bracket and trailing arm mount have developed rust and corrosion, and the bracket broke while driving at highway speeds. This is a serious structural issue that affects your vehicle's stability and handling. The repair will likely involve replacing the corroded rear axle bracket and trailing arm mount components.

Your 2003 Kia Sorento may experience severe frame rusting that can cause suspension components to detach from the frame, creating a serious safety hazard. Some owners have also needed gas tank replacement due to rust-related damage. Kia has refused to address these issues under warranty. Fixing this will likely require frame repair or replacement, suspension reattachment, and possibly a new fuel tank.

Your Sorento's rear suspension components are prone to rust and corrosion, and the rear sub-frame structure can deteriorate over time. This is a known issue covered under a Takata recall for your model year. You should have this inspected and repaired according to the recall service bulletin, as a compromised rear suspension can affect vehicle handling and safety.

TAKATA RECALL REAR FRAME CROSS MEMBER RUSTED OUT.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 35 MILES PER HOUR AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SWERVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE SUPPORT TOWERS ON THE TOP OF THE REAR AXLE THAT HOLD THE LINKS THAT KEEP THE REAR AXLE FROM FALLING OUT OF THE CAR HAVE COMPLETELY RUSTED. WITHOUT THESE LINKS THE REAR AXLE CAN TWIST AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL. WITHOUT THESE LINKS THE ENTIRE REAR AXLE COULD BREAK AWAY FROM THE CAR AND COULD BECOME A 200 LB. PROJECTILE CAUSING DEATH TO ANY PERSONS IN ITS PATH. THE REAR AXLE MOVES IN THE CAR RIGHT NOW A MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE STRAIGHT DOWN THE STREET.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT BOTH REAR AXLES WERE FRACTURED DUE RUST CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THE REAR AXLE HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THE DEFECT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE SERVICE WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 05/11/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE AXLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 05/21/12

TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE UPPER CONTROL ARM BOLT HAD BROKEN AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO WOBBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE BOLT AT THE OWNER EXPENSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 53,000. UPDATED 11/16/10. *LJ

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS A NOISE AND A VIBRATION WAS NOTICED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, UNUSUAL WEAR ON THE INNER TREAD OF THE FRONT TIRES WAS ALSO NOTICED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 9/11/2006 - THE LEFT FRONT STRUT WAS NOISY DUE TO LOOSE BOTTOM STRUT BOLT. THE DEALER TIGHTENED END AND SECURED BOLT. THE CONSUMER FELT VIBRATION IN BRAKE PEDAL WHEN REVERSING AND MAKING TURNS. THE DEALER RESURFACED THE BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS. THE VIBRATION RETURNED. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND REPLACED THEM. THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE MADE NOISE. THE DEALER ADJUSTED ALL THE BELTS. THE CD PLAYER WOULD NOT EJECT PROPERLY. *NM

VIBRATION AT 70+ MPH. *JB

DT: FRONT AXLE CAUSES TIRES TO WEAR FASTER ON THE INSIDE. SIGNIFICANT WEAR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE TIRES. FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE IT IS APPARENT THAT THE TIRES ARE NOT IN LINE VERTICALLY. VEHICLE IS REGULARLY SERVICED WITH RECORDS AVAILABLE. IN APRIL, CONTACT WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT THE TIRES NEEDED ALIGNED AND THEY WERE ALIGNED. AT THIS TIME THE TIRES ARE SIGNIFICANTLY WORN ON THE INSIDE AND NEED REPLACED. TIRES WERE REPLACED ON 5/11/05. TIRES HAVE 26,000 MILES ON THEM. *NM

WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE BLEW OUT THE FIRST TIME ON 10-04-04. IT WAS REPLACED AND IT BLEW AGAIN ON 01-21-05. THE VEHICLE IS ON ITS THIRD ENGINE. *AK THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAS HAD TRANSMISSIONS AND ENGINE PROBLEMS SINCE HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE DAMAGED. THE FOG LIGHT WAS INOPERATIVE. *JB

2003 KAY SORENTO EX: VEHICLE VIBRATES EXCESSIVELY ONLY BETWEEN APPROX. 68 -78 MPH. REAR-VIEW MIRROR (AND IMAGE) SHAKES. DIFFICULT TO SEE CARS IN REAR-VIEW MIRROR CLEARLY. VIBRATION CAN BE HEARD AND FELT. *JB

VEHICLE DISPLAYS RUMBLING VIBRATION AND NOISE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. DEALER HAS REMOVED UNDERCOATING FROM DRIVELINE AND ROTATED AND BALANCED TIRES TO IMPROVE PROBLEM. THIS INITIALLY SEEMED TO HELP, HOWEVER, RUMBLING HAS RETURNED AND IS JUST AS BAD AS BEFORE. DEALER HAS NO IDEA WHAT ELSE TO DO. KIA DENIES THERE ARE ANY REPORTED ISSUES AND HAVE NO INPUT. WILL BE RETURNING TO DEALER AGAIN FOR #3 REPAIR THIS WEEK. *LA

VEHICLE VIBRATES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. TOOK TO DEALER THEY SAID WHEELS WERE UNBALANCED. DEALER BALANCED WHEELS AND STILL NO CHANGE. *NLM