2013 Kia Sorento
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 981 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 23 Sorento model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 23 involved a crash and 44 involved a fire. 33 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideSep 25, 2023
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Campaign 23V652000 on NHTSA.gov
EngineDec 2, 2020
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
Campaign 20V750000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsDec 19, 2018
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
Campaign 18V907000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engineMar 31, 2017
Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.
Campaign 17V224000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionOct 6, 2015
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured October 19, 2009, to January 31, 2013. In the affected vehicles, if excessive force is applied to the gear shift lever, the brake-shift interlock mechanism may chip or crack allowing the transmission being able to be shifted out of "Park" without the brakes being depressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."
Without requiring the brake to be pressed, the vehicle may be unintentionally shifted out of Park, allowing it to roll, which may result in a crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake-shift interlock mechanism, free of charge. The recall began on November 9, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC124.
Campaign 15V626000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
60 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Aug 1, 2016
TOOK MY VEHICLE - 2013 KIA SORENTO - TO HAVE A DIAGNOSIS TEST DONE AT A KIA DEALERSHIP ON WHY MY AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON BECAUSE I RECEIVED A LETTER ABOUT A CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY. THE DIAGNOSIS SAID CODE B1764 WHICH IS A PASSENGER OCS MAT DEF ECT AND WANTS TO CHARGE ME 2100.00 TO FIX. THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND I AM OVER THE 60,000 MILE WARRANTY. I DO MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING ALONE IN THE VEHICLE AND ONLY 5% OF THE TIME SOMEONE IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS TO ME SOUNDS LIKE A DEFECT AND SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF MY KIA. FROM WHAT I AM SEEING ON NHTSA WEB SITE THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE
Air bags, Seat belts, Service brakes, Mar 28, 2016, crash
I'VE HAD MY 2013 KIA SORENTO FOR JUST OVER 3 YEARS. I WAS IN A ONE CAR ACCIDENT AND MY SEATBELT DIDN'T RETRACT AND MY AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. I BROKE MY STERNUM AND HAVE BACK PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEMS I'VE HAD WITH MY SORENTO ARE REPLACING HEADLIGHTS, I HAD TO GET A NEW BATTERY AND BRAKES AFTER ONE YEAR. MY AIRBAG LIGHT DOESN'T GO OFF RIGHT AWAY. BEFORE MY ACCIDENT IT WAS IN THE SHOP BECAUSE MY AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ON. NOW I HAVE NO POWER ALL MY LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. WHEN I PUT THE TRUCK IN DRIVE AND TURN IT OFF, I CAN'T TAKE THE KEY OUT I HAVE TO PUT IT BACK IN PARK AGAIN. MY SORENTO WAS SHAKING AND MAKING NOISE WHEN THE LIGJTS STOPPED WORKING. I HAVE NO TEMP GAGE AT ALL.
Air bags, Mar 8, 2016
MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR HAS ILLUMINATED. WHEN RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ONLINE, IT CAME TO MY ATTENTION THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT MOSTLY OCCURS IN VEHICLES THAT, LIKE MINE, HAVE JUST SURPASSED THE WARRANTY PERIOD. IF HUNDREDS OF CAR OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME SAFETY ISSUE, WHY IS IT NOT A PROBLEM COVERED UNDER A RECALL?
Air bags, Feb 10, 2016
DEAR NHTSA, I WRITING TO INFORM YOU OF A FAILURE TO THE AIRBAG SYSTEM OF MY 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE INITIAL SYMPTOM OF THE FAILURE WAS AN INTERMITTENT RED AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT THAT WOULD APPEAR ON THE DRIVER'S INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE DRIVING. WITHIN A WEEK, THE WARNING LIGHT WAS ACTIVATED ALL THE TIME WHILE DRIVING, INDICATING THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS NOT FUNCTIONAL. THE KIA DEALER RETRIEVED ERROR CODES B1763 AND B1764 DURING THEIR INSPECTION. THEY DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE TO BE THE "ELECTRIC FIELD OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SENSOR" WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE FRONT-PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION. THE SENSOR IS NOT SOLD INDIVIDUALLY, BUT ONLY AS PART OF THE ENTIRE LOWER SEAT ASSEMBLY. THE DEALER QUOTED OVER $1,600 AS THE RETAIL PURCHASE PRICE. THIS INCLUDED THE SEAT COVER, CUSHION, ADJUSTABLE SEAT RAILS, AND THE ONE PART I NEEDED, THE ELECTRIC FIELD OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SENSOR. THE ASSEMBLY PART NUMBER WAS 88200-1U210SAL AFTER TEARING DOWN MY OLD SEAT ASSEMBLY I FOUND THE FOLLOWING PART NUMBERS ON THE FAILED ELECTRIC FIELD OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SENSOR. KIA: 88950-1U500 AUTOLIV: 611166600C IEE: 31-004117-28-10 BODYSENSE: 31-723107-15-00 MAT TEST S/N: 0400640222 THANK YOU FOR LOOKING INTO THIS FAILURE. *TR
Air bags, Jan 13, 2016
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON MONDAY (JANUARY 11, 2016) MORNING UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. IT DID NOT TURN OFF. IT REMAINS ON AT ALL TIMES INDICATING THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAGS IN THE VEHICLE. TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF DOES NOT RESET HE PROBLEM AS IT STILL PERSIST. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ON IF VEHICLE IS IN PARK OR DRIVE OR ANY GEAR. ALSO THE AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS ON AT ALL SPEEDS FROM STANDING TO 65MPH. AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ON AT THE TIME OF FILING THIS COMPLAINT WEDNESDAY JANUARY 13 2016 APPROXIMATELY 9:00AM EST I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH PARKSIDE KIA OF KNOXVILLE TN AND HAVE A SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THIS INVESTIGATED ON THURSDAY JANUARY 14, 2016. I HAVE HAD TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE SINCE THIS ISSUE AROSE AND AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED AS THERE IS NO WAY FOR ME TO KNOW IF IN FACT THE AIRBAGS WILL WORK IF I AM IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS VERY SERIOUS TO ME AS I HAVE 4 CHILDREN ONE OF WHOM HAS A LOT OF MEDICAL NEEDS, A WIFE AND A NURSE WHO ARE OFTEN TIMES IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME. I STRONGLY URGE AN INVESTIGATION IN TO THIS BEFORE SOME ONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR WORSE.
Air bags, Dec 15, 2015
2013 VEHICLE WITH 60,939 MILES HAS AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT ON IMMEDIATELY AFTER RECALL SC 124 PERFORMED. DEALER INDICATES CODES B1764 AND 1765 OCS DEFECT. DEALER STATES SENSOR DOES NOT RECOGNIZE WHEN PASSENGER IS IN SEAT, MAKING THIS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT NO ONE SHOULD SIT IN THIS SEAT BECAUSE A COLLISION COULD RESULT IN "TRAGEDY." KIA SAYS VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY (BY 939 MILES) AND I AM SECOND OWNER (PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WITH 12K MIKES AS CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED) THEREFORE, KIA WILL SPLIT THE REPAIR COST 3 WAYS-KIA, DEALER, ME ($2,200.00 REPAIR AND ONLY FACTORY PARTS CAN BE USED, RESULTING IN OVER $700.00 FOR ME TO PAY IF I WANT MY KIDS TO BE SAFE IN THE CAR) THERE ARE 42 OTHER REPORTS OF THIS EXACT DEFECT AT HTTP://REPAIRPAL.COM/AIR-BAG-LIGHT-INDICATOR-691 SIMILAR MILEAGE AND SAME SEAT LOCATION ON MANY OF THOSE REPORTS. DEALER CLAIMS TO HAVE SEEN THIS ISSUE ON OTHER VEHICLES AS WELL. NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE, AS AIRBAGS SAVE LIVES, AND KIA'S AIRBAG SENSORS ARE DEFECTIVE. NO CONSUMER SHOULD HAVE TO BEAR THIS UNREASONABLE FINANCIAL BURDEN ON A THREE YEAR OLD CAR FOR AN AIRBAG SENSOR THAT GOES OUT AT A FEW MILES OVER 60,000. SENSOR REMAINS ON CONSTANTLY. SHAME ON YOU, KIA. THIS WAS MY THIRD KIA BECAUSE I TRUSTED KIA'S COMMITMENT TO SAFETY. I WILL NOT MAKE THIS MISTAKE AGAIN.
Air bags, Engine, Jul 28, 2015
AT 60,800 MILE MY KIA SORENTOS ENGINE BLEW. I TOOK IT TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT BELIEVING IT WOULD BE UNDER WARRANTY ONLY TO FIND OUT THEY VOIDED MY WARRANTY STATING I HAD EXCESSIVE SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. FOR MORE THAN A MONTH PRIOR TO THAT INCIDENT WE ALSO HAD A AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATE AND STAY ON. AT THE TIME OF ENGINE FAILURE WE THOUGHT THAT WE COULD FIX THAT ISSUE AS WELL ONLY TO FIND THAT MY ELECTRICAL WARRANTY WENT OUT AT 60,000 MILES. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THESE ITEMS ONLINE ONLY TO FIND THAT THERE IS MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS OF BOTH ENGINE FAILURE AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATING WHICH IS SAID TO BE A CONTROL MODULE. WITH THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS OUT THERE WHY IS THERE NO RECALL.
Air bags, May 21, 2015, crash
DRIVER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY RIGHT SOME THING TORE THRU RIGHT SIDE CAUSING 2ED BURNS ON RIGHT REST AND CUT ON RIGHT FOREARM
Air bags, Seat belts, Mar 10, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A METAL POLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CRACKED STERNUM, NECK AND BACK PAINS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BACK INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT FOUR ADDITIONAL PASSENGERS SUSTAINED MINOR ABRASIONS THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. UPDATED 09/01/2015*LJ MA 09/03/15 UPDATED 12/7/2015 *JS
Air bags, Sep 12, 2014
UPON STARTUP OF VEHICLE OR SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE S IRISH WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS REMAINED ON SINCE. *TR