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: service brakes
88 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Apr 6, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED BEFORE OR AFTER THE FAILURE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
Service brakes, Oct 10, 2017
WHEN BRAKING THERE IS A LOUD GROANING SOUND, VERY UNUSUAL FOR BRAKES. THE BRAKES ARE NOT EXTREMELY WORN AND THE BRAKE FLUID IS FULL. ALSO, I HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED A COUPLE MONTHS AGO AND BRAKES WERE IN GOOD CONDITION
Service brakes, Engine, Aug 21, 2017, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE WAS DRIVING 7 MPH, THE ENGINE INADVERTENTLY REVVED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE SUSTAINED BRUISING TO HER CHEST, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. UPDATED 10/12/17*LJ UPDATED 10/12/2017*JS
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.
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.
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.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Dec 20, 2015, crash
HIT MY BRAKES GOING ROUGHLY 30MPG (I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON THE TOLLWAY WITH LOTS OF BRAKING AND GOING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES ALREADY), THE ABS WAS TRIGGERED AS THE CAR WAS MAKING THE JERKING/THUMPING (HOWEVER YOU DESCRIBE FEEL OF ABS), I SHOULD HAVE HAD ENOUGH SPACE TO STOP, BUT MY CAR WAS ACCELERATING IT SEEMED AT THE SAME TIME, I HIT A CAR IN FRONT OF ME, AND IT CONTINUED, LURCHED FORWARD AND HIT THE CAR A SECOND TIME ALL WHILE THE BRAKE (ONLY) WAS BEING DEPRESSED. THAT FINALLY STOPPED THE CAR. THE OTHER DRIVER THOUGHT I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND TOO SINCE THERE WERE TWO HITS...BUT I FELT THE LURCHING AND ALSO THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO THE BACK OF MY CAR, PROVING IT WAS MY CAR. THIS IS DANGEROUS!!! AFTER READING ONLINE I SEE MANY COMPLAINTS OF KIA'S LURCHING AND ACCELERATING WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. MANY ACCIDENTS REPORTED WHILE PARKING AND THE CAR ACCELERATES SO QUICKLY IT JUMPS A CURB, HITS A TREE, OR ANOTHER CAR OR OTHER SUCH INCIDENTS. IT IS CLEAR AFTER SEARCHING "KIA SORENTO 2013 ACCELERATING WHILE BRAKING AT THE SAME TIME", THERE ARE LOTS OF REPORTS ON CAR GURUS.COM OF THIS DANGEROUS DEFECT.
Service brakes, Nov 29, 2015
WHEN I TOOK MY 2013 KIA SORENTO TO RICK CASE KIA (DULUTH GA) FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE IN DEC 2014, I WAS ADVISED THAT THE CAR NEEDED ALIGNMENT AND BRAKE FLUID FLUSHING. I DECLINED BOTH SERVICES AND HAD ONLY THE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE WORK DONE. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE SAME DEALER ON 10/12/15, I WAS TOLD I NO LONGER NEEDED THE PREVIOUSLY RECOMMENDED ALIGNMENT AND THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS OKAY. WHILE I WAS INITIALLY RELIEVED THAT I WAS LONGER HAD TO PAY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS IN UNNECESSARY EXPENSES, I AM CURRENTLY WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY IMPLICATIONS OF THE ACCURACY OF YOUR CAR INSPECTION AND RECOMMENDED FIXES. I REALLY DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS THE INITIAL, OR THE LAST EVALUATION THAT WAS ACCURATE. MOREOVER, I AM YET TO GET ANY REPLY TO ALL MY NUMEROUS EMAILS, MESSAGES AND LETTERS TO RICK CASE KIA AND KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER.
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Oct 17, 2014
ENGINE SIMPLY STOPPED WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKING AND STEERING CONTROL. ALL INDICATOR LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD CAME ON WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. COASTED TO A STOP, PUT TRANSMISSION IN PARK AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. TOOK THE CAR TO KIA DEALER WHO SAID IT NEEDED A SOFTWARE UPDATE WHICH WAS PERFORMED. THE SAME PROBLEM OF THE ENGINE SHUTTING OFF HAPPENED THE VERY NEXT DAY. TAKING THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER TODAY. *TR
Steering, Power train, Service brakes, Engine, May 31, 2014
I HAVE A 2013 KIA SORENTO V-6. APPROX. 6 MTHS INTO OWNING THE VEHICLE, WHILE ACCELERATING TO TURN RIGHT AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN, THE ENGINE DIED AND CAR LOST ALL POWER. THE CAR WAS STUCK AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE 1/2 WAY INTO THE LANE OF TRAFFIC. I WAS LUCKY THAT NO-ONE WAS COMING OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN T-BONED. THE CAR DASH WAS COMPLETELY DARK WITH NO LIGHTS WHATSOEVER, NO BRAKES AND NO STEERING (SINCE BOTH ARE POWER). I HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED AND HAD A LOT OF TROUBLE GETTING THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL TO ATTEMPT RE-START. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, IT FINALLY DID RE-START. TOOK IT TO KIA WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. SECOND TIME (11 MTHS), I WAS ACCELERATING FROM STOPPING AT A STOP LIGHT - ENGINE DIED AND CAR LOST ALL POWER, NO STEERING OR BRAKES - NO DASH LIGHTS. CARS HAD TO GO AROUND ME AND I WAS PRAYING I DIDN'T GET REAR-ENDED. AGAIN, CAR STARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THIRD TIME (12 MTHS), WAS AT THE BOTTOM OF A FREEWAY OFF-RAMP. ATTEMPTED TO GO AFTER LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND ENGINE DIED - AGAIN LOST ALL POWER - NO DASH LIGHTS, STEERING OR BRAKES - CARS HAD TO GO AROUND ME. FOURTH TIME (17 MTHS) STALLED IN PARKING LOT WHEN I STOPPED AT INTERSECTION TO TURN LEFT - SAME SYMPTOMS. THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS! KIA NEEDS TO RECALL AND CORRECT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OCCURS AND SOMEONE DIES. I'M AFRAID EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT. HUGE SAFETY ISSUE! NHTSA, PLEASE DO SOMETHING. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Engine, Jan 17, 2014
DRIVING THROUGH NEIGHBORHOOD APPROXIMATELY 25 TO 30 MPH, VEHICLE SUDDENLY SCREECHED TO HALT (I DID NOT DEPRESS THE BRAKES), ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ALL PARTS OF VEHICLE WERE DISABLED (UNABLE TO STEER, START, ETC.) I WAS THROWN FORWARD DESPITE SEAT BELT ON DUE TO SUDDEN AND COMPLETE STOP. THANKFULLY, I WAS THE ONLY VEHICLE IN THE ROADWAY AT THE MOMENT. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF NO RESPONSE FROM VEHICLE WITH IGNITION ISSUES, I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO RESTART AND CONTINUE MY DRIVE, AS WELL AS CONTACT DEALER FOR APPOINTMENT TO 'REPAIR' THIS RAMPANTLY UNSAFE 2013 KIA SORRENTO ENGINE ISSUE. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW IN FEBRUARY 2013 WITH THE NOTION THAT KIA HAS A 5 STAR SAFETY RATING. AFTER THIS INCIDENT AND AFTER REVIEWING OTHER EERILY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, I VEHEMENTLY DISAGREE WITH THE RATING. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD. I DRIVE TO AND FROM PATIENT'S HOMES FOR A LIVING, OFTEN TRAVELING FREEWAYS AND IN REMOTE AREAS. I DID NOT NOTICE ANY ISSUES WITH MOTOR PRIOR TO 'COMPUTER UPGRADE' REQUESTED AT LAST VISIT TO DEALER. I AM HOPING THAT KIA RESOLVES THIS OBVIOUSLY RAMPANT ISSUE BEFORE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH RESULTS FROM THIS PROBLEM. I WILL NO LONGER TRANSPORT MY CHILDREN IN THIS VEHICLE UNTIL KIA CAN REMEDY THIS SITUATION. I AM TAKING IN TO THE SAME DEALER WHO DID 'UPGRADE' TODAY TO 'REPAIR' IF POSSIBLE. I WILL ALSO BE CONTACTING KIA VIA PHONE AND EMAIL CONTACT AS WELL AS THE DEALER FROM WHOM I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE. ALL NEED TO KNOW THAT THIS ENGINE FAILURE ISSUE IS SERIOUS AND COULD BE FATAL IF NOT DEALT WITH SOON. *TR
Service brakes, Jul 1, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN EXPLOSIVE SOUND FROM THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE BRAKES AND ROTORS. THE REPAIR LASTED FOR FOUR MONTHS BEFORE THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,600. *TR
Service brakes, Feb 17, 2013, crash
I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND TURNING SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT, I ATTEMPTED TO STOP MY 2013 KIA SORENTO BY PRESSING THE BRAKES BUT IT WOULD NOT STOP. IT CONTINUED TO COAST BACKWARDS WITHOUT STOPPING EVEN THOUGH I CONTINUED TO PRESS BRAKES NUMEROUS TIMES.. THE BRAKE PEDAL ITSELF WOULD NOT GO ALL THE WAY DOWN WHILE I PRESSED DOWN. THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN AND THE BACKUP SENSOR DID NOT SOUND AS IT CONTINUED TO BACK INTO MY NEIGHBORS FENCE. NOTE THAT I COULD SEE THE BACKUP CAMERA WAS WORKING BUT HAD NO CONTROL OF CAR STOPPING, ALSO THE CAR WAS PURCHASED ONLY 5 MONTHS AGO. *TR