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: structure
91 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Sep 1, 2026
The paint is peeling really bad .It's been peeling and rusting horribly.
Structure, Aug 18, 2026
The paint on the car is peeling off down to the metal of the car.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Feb 24, 2026
My car paint is peeling very bad the color is snow white pear the hole car
Structure, Dec 16, 2025
Purchased the car in 2020 paint above windshield was beginning to peel, within months the a-pillars were peeling off, the hood is peeling off and now the section above the windshield is beginning to rust due to the peeling. Additional Cases Snow White Pearl paint! Complaint #11700960, 11663682, 11636915, 11630983, 11521467, 11498038.
Electrical system, Structure, Seats, Mar 1, 2025
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The paint all over the car had begun to delaminate and its only a 2013. The entire front of the hood, the side bar of the windshield on both the passenger and driver sides, and the roof along the windshield are flaking off manufacturers paint in large sheets. The back side has begun to develop small chips that will eventually match the front. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Because the loss of the protective paint on my car can and has been leading to rust issues on the metal underneath the paint. This is known to weaken the vehicle's body structure. This is especially problematic in potential areas of the car that are prone to collision, thereby compromising the vehicles safety over time, if allowed to continue to delaminate. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? All across the internet people are posting their pictures of their white Kia Sorento having the exact issue mine has. Also in the small town I live in there are at least 10 people who drive a white Kia Sorento like mine and each one is losing their paint to peeling and delamination. Just driving across California you can see that this is a manufacturing issue that has effected most all their customers who bought a white Kia from 2013 - 2018. After reading this question I am making an appointment to go into an Official Kia dealership to address this issue and get their feedback and hopefully a resolution on their end. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? I have not had anyone inspect it to date, but intend on getting an appointment with Kia at their next available opening. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? There were no precursors. Car was perfect when I purchased.
Structure, Jan 1, 2025
I have a 2013 Kia Sorento with severe paint delamination. The paint is chipping across multiple areas of the vehicle, and I need assistance resolving this issue with Kia to secure coverage for a complete repaint.
Structure, Dec 2, 2024
Delamination of paint
Structure, Oct 23, 2024
The snow white pearl paint on my 2013 Kia Sorento is chipping and peeling off due to a latent effect .. starting at the front bumper .. grill assembly..a pillars .. hood ..roof and is now starting to chip on back latch.
Structure, Jul 19, 2024
Kia sorento pearl white paint peeling off the car leading to rust and corrosion. Started around May of 2021 at about 120000 miles has continued to progress around the vehicle.
Structure, Jan 19, 2024
Color pearl white. Abnormal peeling of paint despite not having any damage to initiate. Along the front and all edges where the doors curve to meet the windows. When there is damage from a rock from the road whole sheets will lift and peel off. This was a defective paint job and should be remedied by Kia.
Structure, Jan 7, 2024
Kia Sorrento 2013 white paint peeling off all over my car. At first I thought it was my fault, but I take great care of my car and this has never happened before. Large sections of the paint are peeling off on the drivers side door as of most recent (11/23) and the top began peeling off around (10/21)and only solution is to strip and repaint the entire car which is extremely costly. According to my research many Kia owners with this paint have the same issue and it should not be ignored.
Structure, Dec 28, 2023
Pearl White Paint is chipping and peeling all over my car.
Structure, Oct 21, 2023
The paint has peeled and I see every white 2013 Kia sorrento with the same problem. The paint is defective and should be compensated for it. There are many blogs with people having the same issue.
Structure, Oct 10, 2023
White paint is peeling off on hood and roof.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Sep 23, 2023
Exterior paint is rapidly falling off the car, to the degree that the outer paint will completely delaminate. It appears to be a serious manufacturing defect, as the car has been properly cared for, and the peeling has nothing to do with scratches, dents or other abrasions. The peeling paint is accessible to children, including my own, who could easily get it on their hands and ingest, making it a major hazard. I've taken it to two auto body shops, who refuse to touch up the peeling areas, because they insist that the only fix is a complete paint strip and repainting of the entire car.
Structure, Sep 20, 2023
I took my Sorento to an automotive center because the paint is peeling off on 2 areas and I wanted to have it painted. I was told there’s a problem with the primer that was used by Kia. They said the same problem is happening with other manufacturers such as Toyota and possibly Hyundai and those companies have a recall on their vehicles. He told me to check for a recall but I see there isn’t one yet. I checked some Kia Sorento reviews and there are several Kia owners who are having the same issue. So I wanted to make you aware of the problem and hopefully with enough vehicles with the same problem a recall will be issued. I attached photos. Thank you!
Structure, Aug 29, 2023
Around June 11, 2023, I took my car to the dealership for a recall item. They washed the car and a large section of the paint came off around the windshield. The Kia dealership said that Kia Corporate is aware of the problem but is not paying to have it fixed. I had to pay the dealership to have it repainted. I now see other small areas on the hood that are starting to chip as well.
Structure, Jun 26, 2023
The inside paneling on the driver side rear door is detaching from the frame and catching on the rubber seal. It is causing the door to be inoperable and unable to open from the inside causing a safety concern in the event of an immediate need to evacuate.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Apr 24, 2023
One month after purchasing(11-29-15) used car from Kia dealer, the paint started peeling on front panel above the windshield. It was repaired(12-28-15) by the dealer. It was brought to their attention when other areas started peeling shortly after but they didn’t care and didn’t say anything was wrong. Now there are four areas that are peeling on my car. It has been parked in garage since purchased. The auto body place said that it looks like it was not painted correctly.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Feb 9, 2023
The paint started peeling from the hood in my field of vision.
Structure, Feb 7, 2023
Rapid Delamination and paint peeling.
Structure, Dec 28, 2022
When driving on the highway, paint unexpectedly peels off in large (hand size or larger) sections mainly from the roof. Although it doesn't hurt cars behind you, the shock of being hit and/or the obstruction of view for drivers behind you can lead to a pile up if the driver swerves or freaks out. (Similar risk to a sheet of paper suddenly covering the wind shield on the driver's side)
Structure, Dec 9, 2022
the door Handel broke off and the backup camera, radio system stop working no viewing for rear camera
Structure, Other or unspecified, Nov 22, 2022
Yesterday I drove home from work and this morning when leaving I notice paint missing from my car near the passenger side of the windshield. There is no reason this should be happening. My car is kept in a garage. This is a paint defect and I would like this taken care of. I will be calling Kia in the morning and will be getting a lawyer.
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Oct 21, 2022
Car shuts down in the middle of driving and cannot idle. Had transmission 1x lat year and battery replaced 2x. Even after repairs car randomly does this. I have taken it to shops several times but no one knows what the problem is.... When it randomly chooses to do it, I cannot accelerate, and the car power will go out in the middle of driving decreasing the speed dramatically. Right after it does it the car will stop and turn off like it has a dead battery, except it turns right back on. All of the check engine lights on the inside start to going on.... check engine, battery, oil, tire traction etc....