Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Kia Sorento owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 only one driving a 2003 with the Air Bag light illuminated.
My daughter was driving a 2003 Kia sorrento and fell a sleep at the wheel after college exams. She drove into the rear of a tractor trailer tanker at approximately 40 MPH. None of the air bags deployed as a result of the accident. She had a concussion and a cracked sternum. State farm insurance declared the car a total loss due to a bent frame, engine mount failure and a totaled front end. After contacting Kia, their response to the accident was that the angle the car hit the trailer, was such that none of the sensors was compromised , there for the air bags did not deploy. Basically is was not their problem with their equipment of the car.
On Saturday, April 3, 2004, my 2003 Kia sorrento was parked in the middle of my driveway while I moved the lawn. After returning my lawn mower to the garage, I got into the sorrento to move it back into the garage. After I started the vehicle and put it into drive, it accelerated rapidly, pulled me through the garage and through the back wall, which is solid brick. I went through my front yard, and the only reason I stopped was because the vehicle went over some boulders and down an incline, causing the back wheels to come off the ground. I also hit a tree in my front yard. The air bags did not deploy.
All lights come on, horn blows, but will not start at all, this Kia Sorento is junk, its falling apart, I got a disable mother, now can't take her to her doctor appointments, every since I had it, its been nothing but junk, we live on fixed income, can't afford to get another vehicle, and this 2003 Kia Sorento should not be on the road, all Kia Sorento vehicles are junk, clock is messed up, comes off and on, airbag light is on, now won't even start at all, something needs to be done about Kia dealerships selling junk vehicles, will complain again and again, they are junk!
When go to shift truck in drive it makes a clank sound and when driving at a speed between 65-70 the truck starts vibrating, and when in reverse it squeaks when back up,at first my wife it was the u joints so we had it replaced but it all started happing again. Next our battery die had it replaced with a new one now the air bag indicator light stays on all the best time and at times it feels like the accelerator peddle gets stuck at times.
Engine light is on, airbag light is on, clock can't keep right time, now won't start at all, I wished I never bought this 2003 Kia Sorento, they are nothing but junk. Please anybody who reads this do not buy a Kia vehicle. I hate Kia vehicles, I will never own one again, I would not take a Kia vehicle, even if they give me one. To many problems, since I bought it, haven't been anywhere in two weeks, because Kia vehicle is junk.
In September, 2006, at approximately 55200 miles, the airbag failure light came on. Diagnosis by the dealer on 5 sept 2006 (invoice 107484) revealed "ordered drivers air bag, fault b1346, 1st stage resistance to [sic] high." on 25 sept 2006, after first ordering the wrong part(invoice 107945), the dealer replaced the driver-side air bag (invoice 108174). On 31 July 2007, at approximately 59200 miles, the air bag warning light came on. The car was brought to the dealer on 1 August, and on 2 August the dealer replaced the air bag. The dealer invoice indicates "56910r00 replaced drivers side air bag. Resistance to [sic] high." (invoice 119075). On the morning of 3 August 2007, at approximately 59220 miles, the airbag warning light came on. This car has never been involved in a collision. The air bags have never been deployed. …
I was driving my vehicle to work. For the past 2 to 3 days, I noticed some noise from my engine that sounded like a loose belt. No problem, I could replace it on the weekend. On the way to work, my power steering went and the engine light flickered on and off. I didn't want to be stuck on a backroad in maine with no cell service so I continued, slowly, to work. After reaching work, I had the 24 hour service tow my Kia Sorento to the nearest dealer. This vehicle is 18 months old and they tell me the bolt holding the crankshaft to the pulley has sheared off. They cannot remove the bolt pieces from the crankshaft and have to replace it. To top it off, the airbag light was on, for the second time, and the radio has been replace twice.
1. (11/03/03 1st incident) "air bag" system light came on. Vehicle was taken to jeffery Kia for repair. I was called to pickup vehicle two days later. (unaware at the time that the air bag system had been disabled) week later received call that air bag was in and to return vehicle for air bag replacement. Repair completed and vehicle returned next day. 2.) (2nd incident) on vacation in starke, fa., December 24, 2003 "air bag" system light came on. Told to return to dealer (Kia hotline) drove 16 hours 12/25/03 to get vehicle to jeffery Kia and delivered to dealer 12/26/03. I am disturbed that vehicle was initially returned to me in unsafe condition and unsatisfactorily repaired and placed my grand children in jeopardy.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving on a paved street at 35 MPH, the drivers side-impact and both frontal air bags deployed. There were no indicator lights illuminated prior to the incident and the vehicle did not impact anything to cause the deployment. The vehicle was driven to the side of the road without incident. No injuries were sustained and seat belts were in use. The vehicle was towed to dealer. Upon inspection, the computer diagnostic test indicated the vehicle had been in a major collision. The dealer is awaiting approval from the manufacturer before repairs are made. Updated 5/22/2006 -
Airbag complaints in other Sorento years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2003 Kia Sorento?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Kia Sorento, 10% of the model year's 305 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Kia Sorento airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2003 Kia Sorento, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Kia Sorento airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.