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: exterior lighting
70 reports, newest first. Show all
Exterior lighting, Oct 13, 2018
ONE OF MY TAIL LIGHTS WENT OUT. RIGHT AFTER I CHANGED IT, MY DRIVER SIDE HEAD LIGHT WENT OUT. I CHANGED THE BULB AND IT WORKED FOR A SHORT TIME. I DID THIS 2 MORE TIMES IN 2 MONTHS.THEN I HAD A REPAIR SHOP CHANGE THE BULB AND THEY SAID THE CONNECTOR WAS MELTED AND IT WAS UNSAFE. THEY INSTALLED A NEW CONNECTOR AND BULB. WITHIN 2 WEEKS THE PASSENGER SIDE WENT OUT. THE CONNECTOR WAS ALSO MELTED ON THAT SIDE. THIS WENT ON WITH THE TAIL LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS FOR MONTHS. I FINALLY HAD TO GET A NEW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER SIDE. WITHIN 2 WEEKS THE PASSENGER SIDE WENT OUT AGAIN, AND IS STILL OUT AT THIS TIME BECAUSE THE CONNECTOR IS MELTED AND NO ONE WANTS TO FIX IT SINCE IT'S A FIRE HAZARD.
Exterior lighting, Jul 24, 2018
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS QUIT WORKING. THE CONNECTION PLUGS COMPLETELY CORRODED. HAPPENED TO BOTH SIDES.
Exterior lighting, Jul 18, 2018
THE DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT CONTINUOUSLY MALFUNCTIONS. I HAVE HAD THE HEADLAMP SOCKET AND CONNECTOR REPLACED TWICE - AUGUST 2017 (61,785 MILES) AND JANUARY 2018 (69,938 MILES). I HAVE REPLACED THE BULB ONLY TWICE, ALSO - JULY 2017 AND DECEMBER 2017. THE PROBLEM HAS RE-OCCURRED A THIRD TIME AND APPEARS TO BE SIMILAR TO MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT VARIOUS KIA MODEL VEHICLES. THE ISSUE WITH MY 2013 KIA SORENTO OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AT FIRST, EACH TIME WHILE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. IT HAS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON CITY SURFACE STREETS AND WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS. EVENTUALLY THE HEADLIGHT JUST QUITS WORKING COMPLETELY AND I AM FORCED TO HAVE SERVICE PERFORMED. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO OCCUR ABOUT EVERY 4 MONTHS AND CREATES UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION DURING RAINY, LOW-LIGHT OR NIGHTTIME CONDITIONS.
Exterior lighting, May 14, 2018
THERE IS A SHORT IN MY HEAD LIGHT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE .
Exterior lighting, Apr 17, 2018
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT I LOST BOTH HEAD LIGHTS. TOOK TO DEALER IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THEY HAVE A BURNT WIRE HARNESS. SPOKE TO KIA, KIA SAYS NO RECALL LISTED FOR MY VEHICLE YEAR.
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.
Exterior lighting, Jan 28, 2018
PASSENGER HEADLIGHT FAILED. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP. THEY STATE THE WIRING HARNESS IS "MELTED" AND "THERE'S NO REPAIR OR PIGTAIL REPLACEMENT, YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY." ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES FROM KIA ARE $600. THE VEHICLE JUST HIT 61K MILES. MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY WOULDN'T COVER THIS ISSUE. SO I TOOK IT HOME AND TOOK IT APART. THERE IS VOLTAGE TO THE HEADLIGHT, AND THERE IS VOLTAGE TO THE HEADLIGHT PLUG. THE GROUND SIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT PLUG LOOKS OVERHEATED, THE PLASTIC MOLEX CONNECTOR IS BORED OUT AND SHOWS CORROSION. WHEN THE BULB IS PLUGGED IN, IT WORKS SOMETIMES. I HAVE TO MESS WITH IT. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT. I SEE LOTS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS.
Exterior lighting, Structure, May 10, 2017, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR, THE DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HEADLAMP AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENT MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE HEADLAMP WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE DEALER DECLINED TO REPAIR THE DOOR HANDLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
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.
Exterior lighting, Mar 27, 2017
HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKELIGHTS. KEEP SHORTING OUT. HAD INSPECTED BY MECHANIC. HE STATED THAT IT WAS ARCING AND CAUSING THE LIGHTS TO MALFUNCTION. CONSTANT REPLACING OF HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS. WENT TO REPLACE HEADLIGHT AGAIN AND THE WIRE HARNESS THAT HOLDS THE BULB WAS COMPLETELY BURNED. PUT ELECTRICAL TAPE AROUND IT. BOTH HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT 100%. THE REMAINING HEADLIGHT IS HIT OR MISS OPERATIONALLY. DRIVING HOME ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN I REALIZED THAT MY HEADLIGHTS WEREN'T WORKING. HAD TO USE HIBEAMS FOR THE REST OF THE TRIP.
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
Exterior lighting, Jan 25, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE HEADLIGHT COVERS MELTED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE CODE, BUT DETERMINED THAT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
Exterior lighting, Jan 20, 2017
UPON NOTICING A HEADLIGHT OUT AND THE CAR PARKED AND OFF IN MY DRIVEWAY, I WENT TO CHANGE THE BULB AND NOTED THAT THE WIRE TO THE LAMP HAD MELTED AND STARTED TO MELT THE LAMP ITSELF. I HAD THE OTHER HEADLIGHT ON THIS SAME CAR DO THE SAME THING. THE FIRST TIME THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 45,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS ABOUT 2 YEARS OLD.
Exterior lighting, Jan 14, 2017
HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS NEED TO BE REPLACED REGULARLY. MOST RECENTLY THE HEADLIGHT WOULD GO ON AND OFF. WHEN GOING TO REPLACE THE BULB THE LIGHT HARNESS AND BULB WERE MELTED TOGETHER.
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, 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.
Exterior lighting, Engine, Jan 9, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHTS FAILED TO TURN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 19, 2012
DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT NIGHT AT 65 MPH LIGHTS FLICKER INSIDE AND HEADLIGHTS. BATTERY WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAS ALSO HAD HARD SHIFTING AROUND 20 TO 30 MPH, ALMOST LIKE APPLYING BRAKES ON SLOW DOWN AND AN ENGINE REV WHEN SPEEDING UP. NEXT NIGHT (SUNDAY) VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER WITH NO WARNING WHILE DRIVING ON TWO LANE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT. MADE IT OFF TO A SIDE ROAD, BUT ENGINE STILL RUNNING ROUGH, NO RESPONSE TO GAS PEDAL, COULD NOT SHIFT VEHICLE TO PARK, HAD TO HOLD STOP BUTTON FOR LONG TIME TO FINALLY STOP ENGINE, LIGHTS CAME BACK ON, BUT WOULD NOT START, FINALLY COULD PUT IN PARK. HAULED BACK TO DEALER. SERVICE REPLIES WASN'T ON SCHEDULE WILL MAYBE GET TO IT TODAY. DEFECTIVE ALTERNATOR ON "E" ORDER WILL FIX ALL THE PROBLEMS. WIFE REFUSES TO DRIVE UNSAFE, DEATH TRAP AND THAT SHE WOULD NOT HAD BEEN ABLE TO MANAGE SAFELY IF SHE WOULD OF BEEN DRIVING WHEN PROBLEMS SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE. *TR