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: electrical system
116 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Structure, Engine, Aug 13, 2018, fire
SPONTANEOUS VEHICLE FIRE. TRAVELING ON US-27 IN FLORIDA, STOPPED AT RED LIGHT AND SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD, PROCEEDED THROUGH THE LIGHT ONCE IT TURNED GREEN TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY WHEN SMOKE STARTED THROUGH THE VENTS AND FLAMES CAME OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AS WELL. CAR BECAME DISABLED AND 3 OF US JUMPED OUT AND RAN DOWN THE ROAD, AWAY FROM THE CAR. THE ENTIRE CAR WENT UP IN FLAMES IN A MATTER OF SECONDS FROM EXITING.
Electrical system, May 13, 2018
ALL THE ODOMETER AND ALL THE PANEL LIGHT ARE OUT. YOU CANNOT TRACK THE MILES, GAS AMOUNT, THE HEADLIGHT AND SIGNAL LIGHT ARE OUT AND SPEED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Apr 11, 2018
WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ONE DAY AND A LARGE METAL PIECE HIT THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR IN WHICH KNOCK THE PLASTIC SHELL COVERING THE FUEL LINE'S OFF I CALLED KIA THEY SAID SO TOLD KIA THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE KIA SAID SO WE HAVE NOT BEEN TOLD ABOUT IT KIA WAS LIKE WHO CARES. ANOTHER THING IS THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH HAVE BEEN COMING ON EVEN AFTER FIXING THIS STILL COME ON AGAIN KIA WANTED TO CHARGE A HIGH PRICE TO FIX ONE PART THE UNDER PINNING SHOULD BE REPLACE WITH A PLATE NOT PLASTIC PART
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 7, 2018
I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADLIGHT PASSENGER SIDE THAT WIRE ALWAYS BURN AND I HAD TO REPLACE EVERY MONTH
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Feb 23, 2018
I STARTED MY CAR AND TURNED MY HEADLIGHTS ON SINCE IT WAS NIGHT TIME. MY HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK. ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FLICKERED ON AND OFF. THE NEXT DAY, WE REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT, BELIEVING IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ONCE THE REPLACEMENT BULB WAS PLACED, THE CONNECTOR AND WIRES BEGAN TO SMOKE. ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WOULD NOT WORK. WE REMOVED THE BULB FROM THE CONNECTOR AND ALL LIGHTS WORKED. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT DUE TO THE CONNECTOR MELTING. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD. I HAVE SEEN MANY PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS NOT A RECALL.
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 5, 2017, crash, fire
KIA REPLACED MY ENGINE TWICE, DUE TO OIL CONSUMPTION. A MONTH AFTER THE FIRST ENGINE REPLACEMENT, I HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS.. SMOKE COMING OUT OF EXHAUST, LOSS OF POWER, STALLING AND OIL CONSUMPTION. I WAS IN AND OUT OF KIA'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG! I MOVED FROM CO TO NE, MY HUSBAND AND I HAD TO ADD OIL EVERY 100 MILES, WITH SMOKE COMING OUT OF EXHAUST AND STALLING. LINCOLN NE KIA FOUND AN OIL LEAK AT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD RIGHT AWAY! KIA INSTRUCTS THEN TO REPLACE MY ENGINE AGAIN! ONCE THEY REPLACED ENGINE, THEY STILL SAW THE LEAK AT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WITH RESULTED IN MORE GUESSING AND PARTS. THE DAY AFTER I PICKED IT UP, MY HUSBAND AND I WENT OUT TO DINNER AND MY SORENTO DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. RIGHT AWAY CALLED AND GOT IT BACK IN. AT FIRST THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE, HOWEVER AFTER TAKING IT 50 MILES, IT DIED 3 TIMES. THEY STILL CAN'T FIND ANYTHING, BUT FEEL IT MAY BE THE THROTTLE BODY. THEY PUT A USED ONE ON AND HAVE ME DRIVE IT A FEW WEEKS, IT DIDN'T DIE DURING THAT TIME, SO THEY ORDERED A NEW ONE AND INSTALLED. A MONTH LATER I DRIVE TO CO, I BREAK DOWN, IT'S TOWED BACK AND KIA CAN'T FIND ANYTHING. I DRIVE IT AND IT DIES 1/2 DOZEN MORE TIMES, EACH TIME I TAKE IT RIGHT IN, BUT THE CODE HAS CLEARED AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING! FINALLY, IT DOES AND THE LIGHT STAYS ON, IT SHOWS IT'S THE MAP SENSOR. KIA HAS A SPECIALIST COME OUT TO INSTALL THAT AND INSPECT MY CAR. THEY SAY IT'S FIXED AND SAFE. I DRIVE TO CO ON 9/22/17, 2 MONTHS LATER AND MY ENGINE CATCHES ON FIRE. I LOSS MY BRAKES, CAN'T PUT IT IN PARK AND EMERGENCY BRAKE WON'T WORK. FLAMES ARE EVERYWHERE, SMOKE FILLING MY CAR. I JUMP OUT OF MY BURNING, MOVING CAR AND SECONDS LATER THE WHOLE THING ENGULFS IN FLAMES! MOST HORRIFIC, AWFUL THING EVER! I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE MINOR INJURIES. MY MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL STATE ARE A MESS! KIA WON'T DO ANYTHING!
Power train, Electrical system, Sep 30, 2017
MY 2013 SORRENTO HAS STALLED 2 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 WEEKSON THE FREEWAY. WHEN BRINGING IT TO THE DEALER THERE ARE NO EBNGINE CODES. I SEE THAT FROM 2011 TO 2013 THERE HAS BEEN A PCM UPDATE FOR THIS ISSUE SC106. AND DEALER STATES MY VIN IS NOT ON THE LIST EVEN THO IT FALLS INTO THE YEAR CATAGORY. I WILL CONTINUE TO GO TO THE DEALER.THIS IS UNSAFE WHEN YOU LOSE BRAKES AND STEERING WHILE ON THE FREEWAY.
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Jun 14, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, BUT THEY FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER, BUT THE STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AND WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER THE SECOND ATTEMPT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (KIA WEST COUNTY), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 7, 2017
RADIO CUTS ON AND OFF AT WILL. MOSTLY OFF. HEADLIGHTS GO OUT OFTEN. BOTH OF THESE THINGS HAPPEN WHILE MOVING AND WHILE SITTING STILL. IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AND SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 1, 2017
PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT, WHEN I WENT TO REPLACE IT THE PLASTIC PLUG WAS MELTED! BOUGHT A NEW PLUG AND WIRED IT IN.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Mar 6, 2017
THE ELECTRICAL WIRE TO THE LIGHTS BURNED AS WELL AS THE CONNECTOR THE BATTERY WILL NOT STAY CHARGED NOTHING IS ON AT THE TIME THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON CONTINUOUSLY THE CAR IS UNSAFE AND NEEDS TO BE CHANGED. THE DOORS RANDOMLY LOCK BATTERY WILL NOT HOLD A CHARGE AND THERE'S A SHORT SOMEWHERE IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS IT A HAZARD TO DRIVE
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Engine, Oct 13, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR AND TWO OTHER WARNING INDICATORS RANDOMLY FLASHED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS AN ABNORMALLY LOUD KNOCKING NOISE THAT OCCURRED RANDOMLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TWO REAR WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY FAILURE. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR A DAY AND TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, BUT PROVIDED NO SOLUTION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE AND THERE WERE SEVERAL TSB ALERTS. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT PROVIDED A REPAIR SOLUTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,178.
Electrical system, Jan 25, 2016
VEHICLE WILL NOT START AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT. REPLACED BATTERY & AFTER APROX 1 MONTH ISSUE HAS OCCURRED AGAIN. NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE, THE ONLY ANSWER I GET IS TO REPLACE THE BATTERY (WHICH I DID). THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE WAS JAN 2016 & I HAVE KEPT BATTERY ON A SLOW DRIP CHARGER AS I CANNOT WAIT ON JUMP/TOW DAILY.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 20, 2015
I BOUGHT A 2013 KIA SORENTO LAST NIGHT SATURDAY 12/19/2015 AND THE PAPERWORK DID NOT GET COMPLETE UNTIL AFTER 10:30PM. THE SALESMAN STATED THAT ALL COMPONENTS HAD BEEN CHECKED AND THAT ALL WAS GOOD. I LIVE A HOUR AWAY FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND WHEN I WAS ON 290 HEADING EAST AT ABOUT 70 MPH, WHEN I NOTICED THAT MY DASH AND RADIO PANEL LIGHTS START FLICKERING, MY MOTOR FELT LIKE IT IDLED DOWN A LITTLE BUT THEN IT WAS OK, BUT THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND ALL THE LIGHTS IN THE RADIO AREA, STEERING WHEEL AND SPEEDOMETER AREA TURNED OFF AND IT LOST A LITTLE POWER BUT THEN THEY ALL CAME BACK ON AND I MADE IT HOME, THEN ON 12/20/15 I WAS DRIVING INTO TOWN AND AFTER ABOUT 10 MILES AT 75 MPH MY INSIDE LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING AGAIN, AND THEN WENT TOTALLY DARK. I DIDN'T LOSE ANY POWER THIS TIME BUT I'M STARTING TO FEEL PRETTY RIPPED OFF. I ALSO NOTICED TODAY THAT WHILE DRIVING ON HWY THAT WHEN YOU COME UP TO A CURVE TO THE RIGHT, THE VEHICLE JERKS TO FAR AND I ENDED UP IN THE OTHER LANE. THANK GOD THAT NO CAR WAS THERE. *DT
Electrical system, Dec 4, 2015, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT MERGED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLES OCCUPANTS WERE EVACUATED. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DEEMED TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,307.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Nov 2, 2015, fire
I TOOK T\HE VEHICLE TO A NON DEALER LOCATION TO BE INSPECTED AFTER HAVING MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY BEING FAULTY. UPON INSPECTION I WAS NOTIFIED BY THE MECHANIC ON DUTY THAT THE WIRING ASSEMBLY WAS ACTUALLY MELTING , A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. BECAUSE THIS BEING A FIRE HAZARD HE WAS UNABLE TO REPLACE THE BULBS FOR ME AND SAID HE FELT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE IT WOULD PLACE MYSELF, MY FAMILY AND OTHERS ON THE HIGHWAY AT RISK. HE PROCEEDED TO SHOW ME THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM HAS RESULTED IN MY HAVING TO REPLACE THE BULBS FIVE TIMES IN THE PAST ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND AT LEAST TWICE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE WIRING ASSEMBLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DUE TO THE SAME PROBLEM. HAVE ALSO PROVIDED A PICTURE OF THE REPAIR NOTE OF THE PROBLEM ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO PROVIDING A CLIP SHOWING THAT ACCORDING TO THEIR INSPECTION MY LIGHTS WERE IN WORKING ORDER WHEN IN ACTUALITY THEY WERE NOT. LASTLY NOTING SEVERAL ELECTRICAL ISSUES REMAIN IN ADDITION TO HAVING TO REPLACE THE BATTERY AS IT IS BEING CONTINUALLY DRAWN FROM DUE TO THESE ISSUES.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 22, 2015
MY 2013 KIA SORRENTO'S PARKING LIGHTS WERE ON THIS AFTERNOON ON SATURDAY AUGUST 22, 2015 AT APPROXIMATELY 2:30 PM EST. I WENT OUTSIDE TO PLACE SOMETHING IN MY VEHICLE WHEN I NOTICED THE PARKING LIGHTS WERE ON. I HAD PARKED MY VEHICLE AT 1:00 AM WHEN I RETURNED FROM RUNNING AN ERRAND. I PARKED, MADE SURE ALL THE LIGHTS WERE TURNED OFF, ARMED THE SECURITY SYSTEM AND WENT INSIDE. BEFORE MY WIFE AND I WENT TO BED I WENT OUT TO MAKE SURE THAT I TURNED ALL LIGHTS OFF WHICH THEY WERE. THIS WAS AT 2:00 AM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TOUCHED SINCE THAT TIME. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. I HAVE HAD IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE ALREADY WHERE THEY CLAIM THEY CANNOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE HAD TO HAVE OUR VEHICLE JUMPED AT LEAST 12 TIMES DUE TO A DEAD BATTERY CAUSED BY THIS PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE FALLS WELL WITHIN IT'S WARRANTY SO IT WILL BE COVERED HOWEVER THE ISSUE IS SERIOUS ENOUGH THAT IT WARRANTS ATTENTION WHICH I BELIEVE WILL BE IGNORED IF NOT BROUGHT TO LIGHT AND MAY RESULT IN INJURIES OR COST TO OTHERS WHEN NO COST SHOULD BE INCURRED. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. I FEEL THIS COULD LEAD TO PROBLEMS WITH STEERING, BRAKING SYSTEM, ENGINE MALFUNCTION AS WELL AS POSSIBLE RISKS OF FIRE DUE TO A FAULTY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Seats, Aug 14, 2015, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS AFTER THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, SHE BEGAN SMELLING TAR. THE VEHICLE WS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE HEADLIGHTS BURNED OUT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE ANY RECALL NOTICE. APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS AGO, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE DRIVER SEAT BEGAN TO BURN, JAMMING THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VIN AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jun 1, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL, AND FLIPPED OVER. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LACERATIONS AND CONTUSIONS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 27, 2014
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED MY WIFE WITH 7 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN CAR HAD ALL THE DASH LIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATE AND THE CAR BECAME SLUGGISH AND WAS HARD TO DRIVE. I ADVISED HE VIA MOBILE PHONE TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER AND TURN THE CAR OFF. I TOLD HE TO WAIT A MINUTE AND TRY TO RESTART IT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS. ALL DASH LIGHTS LIT UP AGAIN AND THE CAR MADE A CLICK, CLICK, CLICK SOUND OVER AND OVER AGAIN. SHE TRIED THIS 5 TIMES AND SHE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR FOR $946.14 ON 12/23/2014 AT DULLES KIA IN LEESBURG, VA. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 3, 2014
THIS "GLITCH" HAPPENED TWICE IN ONE WEEK. FIRST, DRIVING OFF FROM A STOP LIGHT AT ABOUT 15-20 MPH THE CAR SEEMED TO BRAKE ITSELF FOR ABOUT A SECOND, LUNGED ME FORWARD AND 30 SECONDS LATER DIED. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. CAR RESTARTED FINE AFTER 3RD TRY. THEN AGAIN I HAD LET GO OF THE ACCELERATOR AND WAS CRUISING BEFORE BRAKING AT A LIGHT, THE CAR DID THE SAME THING AT ABOUT 25-30 MPH BUT HARDER AND A LOUD CLUNK CAME FROM IT. EVEN THE TIRES SCREECHED WHEN IT "BRAKED" ITSELF FOR A SECOND. THIS SECOND TIME THE CAR DIED 2 SECONDS LATER WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES. TOOK IT STRAIGHT TO THE DEALER, THE CAR DIED AGAIN IN FRONT OF THEM WHEN THEY SWITCHED ON THE A/C TO CHECK IF IT WAS WORKING (COULD BE COINCIDENCE SINCE I WASN'T FOOLING AROUND WITH THE A/C THE FIRST TWO TIMES). THEY CALLED ME BACK ON SECOND DAY AND ASKED ME TO TAKE MY CAR BACK SINCE THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THE COMPUTER HADN'T REGISTERED IT. I'VE USED IT EXCLUSIVELY ON HIGHWAYS FOR 2 DAYS NOW AND NO PROBLEM. I'VE DONE LESS THAN 10 MILES OF CITY DRIVING SINCE I GOT MY CAR BACK. I'VE HEARD OF OTHER PEOPLE GETTING AN UPGRADE FOR THE ECU AND SOLVING THE ISSUE, BUT THAT UPGRADE WAS ALREADY APPLIED OVER A YEAR AGO TO MINE AND ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THERE IS NO NEWER VERSION. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 17, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE SENSOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 18, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND WENT INTO IDLE MODE. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION ONCE IT WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE DEALER CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY AND UPDATED THE SOFTWARE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,804.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 15, 2014
ON TWO OCCASIONS ONE MONTH A PART, WHILE DRIVING MY 2013 KIA SORENTO LX3 THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND THE CAR WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT RPM'S AND COULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 15/20 MPH. THE CAR WENT INTO "LIMP HOME" OR SAFETY MODE WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AND MERGE ONTO A 40MPH AND 50 MPH HIGHWAY. THE CAR COULD NOT SPEED UP TO FLOW OF TRAFFIC AND WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED BY RUSH HOUR COMMUTER BUS WITH TWO SMALL CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT IN CHICAGO, IL. KIA SERVICE SAID CAR "FIXED" TWICE. CONCERNED ABOUT REPEAT PROBLEMS AND POTENTIAL FATAL ACCIDENTS AS RESULT OF SOME MALFUNCTION. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 16, 2014
CAR STALLS AT LOW SPEEDS, REFUSES TO GO OVER 60 MPG AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. LOSE POWER AT SPEED (ON FREEWAY) AND TACHOMETER GOES TO ZERO. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES AND IS GETTING TO BECOME A SAFETY CONCERN. HAVE TAKEN IT INTO DEALER WHO CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH IT, BUT I HAVE TWO TEENAGE DAUGHTERS AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE WITH THEM DRIVING IT. TWICE WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY THE VEHICLE HAD A BRAKING RESPONSE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED. MY DAUGHTER ONCE HAD TO HUSSLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER IN HEAVY TRAFFIC TO TURN THE CAR ALL THE WAY OFF AND BACK ON TO RESET IT. MANY TIMES IT STALLS WHILE SITTING AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS.