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, Jul 5, 2021
I was sitting in my car before work as I always do. It was running but it was parked. All of a sudden I hear a huge bang that sounds like a shotgun blast. I jump and duck thinking someone is shooting a gun at my car. I then see little shards of glass all over my windshield. I exit my vehicle and see that my sunroof is completely shattered. In the pictures it’s clear it wasn’t from a point of impact (nothing hit my car). Luckily my shield was pulled so no glass got on me and I wasn’t driving. This could have caused me to crash with how loud the boom was. I see online that there’s been several instances of this happening with no recall.
Structure, Jun 10, 2021
paint started pealing in 2020 and progressed to many other areas including hatchback and roof
Structure, May 19, 2021
When attempting to open the driver's side passenger door, the door handle came completely off the car. I therefore could not get my grandchild out of the car from that side and had to crawl over through the passenger side rear door to get her out. Apparently, this is a common problem because when I called a repair shop to ask what it would cost to replace, they told me they do these all the time and yes, it's a common problem. Found many complaints on line also. This is a dangerous situation. If there was an emergency to get someone out of a car on that side quickly you could not do it. Very disappointed in this cheap plastic handle.
Structure, May 3, 2021
PAINT HAS BEEN PEELING ON THE EXTERIOR ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE PILLARS; ON THE SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE DELAMINATION LIKE DAMAGE WAS NOT DUE TO PHYSICAL IMPACT.
Structure, May 2, 2021
I BOUGHT MY CAR IN 2014 USED AND BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS TO THE HEADLIGHTS ABOUT 6-8 MONTHS LATER. AT THIS POINT I HAD NOTICED THE BACK OF MY CAR HAD DISCOLORATION SPOTTED ACROSS IT. I WAS TOLD "THIS HAPPENS A LOT WITH PEARL CARS AND YOUR OUT OF WARRANTY SO THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT". SINCE THEN THE PROBLEM HAS GROWN IMMENSLEY AND NOW THE PAINT IS FLAKING OFF OF BOTH SIDES OF MY CAR AROUND MY WINDSHIELD AND HAS SCATTERED RUST THROUGHOUT. I RECENTLY HAD TO GET A SPOT FIXED AND THE COLLISION SHOP CALLED ME AND EXPLAINED THAT THE PAINT WAS NOT STICKING TO THE PRIMER THEREFORE I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE ALMOST THE WHOLE ROOF REPAINTED. THEY SAID THAT THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT GOES BACK TO THE ORIGINAL PAINT. THIS IS WHEN I REALLY STARTED LOOKING INTO EVERYTHING.
Structure, May 1, 2021
BETWEEN 2018 AND NOW MY SNOW WHITE PEARL PAINT HAS BEEN CHIPPING IN NUMEROUS SPOTS. THESE SPOTS INCLUDE A PIECE BETWEEN THE SUNROOF AND WINDSHIELD, THE BUMPER AND THE HOOD. THE CAR IS ALWAYS PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY OR GARAGE. THE PICTURE PROVIDED ARE FROM NOVEMBER 2020. THE PAINT CHIPPING HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE AND BEEN ATTEMPTED TO COVER.
Structure, Apr 25, 2021
PAINT CHIPPING DEFECTIVE PAINT BOTH SIDES OF FRONT WINDSHIELD ALSO HAD THE TOP OF THE CAR PAINT CHIPPED DEALER FIXED THAT PATCH WHEN BOUGHT THE CAR THEN BOTH SIDES OF THE WINDSHIELD STARTED TO CHIP GOING ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE HOOD OF THE CAR
Structure, Apr 23, 2021
I BOUGHT MY USED 2013 SORENTO IN PEARL WHITE IN 2016 WITH NO PAINT CHIPPING. BY 2017, MY PAINT STARTED CHIPPING ABOVE THE TOP OF MY WINDSHIELD. OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS UP UNTIL NOW THE PAINT HAS BEEN CONTINUOUSLY CHIPPING ALL AROUND MY WINDSHIELD AND SOME ON MY HOOD AS WELL. I KNOW THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER KIAS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW IT IS NOT A RECALL. IT IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE PAINT IS SO BADLY CHIPPED IT'S WORSE THAN ALL OF MY PREVIOUS CARS THAT WERE MANY YEARS OLDER. SUCH A DISAPPOINTMENT WITH THE FIRST NEW CAR I EVER BOUGHT.
Structure, Apr 13, 2021
THE PEARL WHITE PAINT ASSOCIATED WITH MY 2013 KIA SORENTO STARTED TO PEEL, ON SEVERAL LOCATIONS INCLUDING THE FRONT 'A' PILLARS, THE CAR ROOF (WHERE THE ROOF MEETS THE WINDSHIELD) AS WELL AS THE ROOF ITSELF. THE PEELING PAINT HAS EXPOSED THE BODY OF THE CAR WHICH IS NOW STARTING TO SHOW SIGNS OF RUST AT SOME OF THESE LOCATIONS. THE PEELING PAINT ISSUE IS THE SIMILAR, IF NOT THE SAME, AS THAT SEEN ONLINE WITH OWNERS REPORTING THE SAME ISSUE. IN ADDITION, THERE ARE MANY LOCATIONS WHERE THE PAINT HAS NOT FULLY DELAMINATED BUT IS INSTEAD BUBBLING UP, AND SEPARATING, FROM THE CAR'S BASE PAINT COAT. I APPROACHED KIA WITH THIS WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS 'WEAR AND TEAR' AND NOT A PAINT DEFECT.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Apr 5, 2021
PEELING PAINT, ENTIRELY DOWN TO BASE ON HOOD AND NEXT TO WINDSHIELD BOTH SIDES.
Structure, Mar 25, 2021
I HAVE PAINT PEELING FROM JUST ABOVE MY WINDSHIELD AND ALONG THE SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD.
Structure, Feb 6, 2021
AT ROUGHLY 60,000 MILES WE STARTED NOTICING PAINT CHIPPING ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD ON OUR 2013 KIA SORENTO. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO PIECES OF PAINT 2 INCHES LONG FLAKED OFF THE PASSENGER POST BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND DOOR. I REPORTED THIS TO KIA AND THEY STATED REPAIRS ARE NOT COVERED. I HAD AN ESTIMATE DONE AT A KIA DEALER THAT CAME BACK $2500.00 +.
Structure, Feb 3, 2021
THE COLOR OF THE CAR IS SNOW WHITE PEARL. AND OUT OF NOWHERE, THE PAINT STARTED TO PEEL OFF. FIRST, IT WAS ON THE HOOD, AND NOW THE A-PILLAR. THE CAR DOESN'T HAVE ANY ACCIDENTS AND IT'S THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER'S PAINT. THE PAINT SHOP GUY TOLD ME IT'S JUST GOING TO GET WORTH WHEN PEELING STARTS.
Structure, Dec 23, 2020
PAINT IS PEELING OFF BONY. WHITE PEARL. THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH HYUNDAI AND KIA AUTOMOBILES AS THERE ARE PEOPLE ESTABLISHING CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS ON THIS ISSUE.
Structure, Dec 8, 2020
PEARL WHITE PAINT IS PEELING, CHIPPING, AND DELAMINATING. DEFECTIVE PEARL WHITE PAINT . RUST APPEARING DUE TO DELAMINTION INSIDE DRIVE SIDE DOOR CAUSING DOOR TO DETORIATE AND SAFETY CONCERNS FOR DOOR DETERIORATING. ALSO MAJOR RUST DUE TO PAINT DELIMATIING AROUND FRONT WIND SHIELD. VERY CONCERNED FOR SAFETY OF WINDSHIELD DUE TO PAINT/RUST/PEEL/CHIP. THERE IS A MAJOR DEFECT IN MILLIONS OF KIA VEHICLES DUE TO PEARL WHITE PAINT.
Structure, Dec 1, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENO. THE CONTACT STATED THE PAINT ON THE ROOF AND HOOD HAD CHIPPED. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WERE SEVERAL SPOTS THAT HAD DETERIOTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ALL STAR KIA OF BATON ROUGE 5740 SIEGEN LN, BATON ROUGE, LA 70809 (225) 490-7604 BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Nov 21, 2020
SINCE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN 2015 WITH AROUND 45,000 MILES, I NOTICED PAINT CHIPPING OFF THE ROOF WHERE IT MEETS WITH THE WINDSHIELD. NOW, I HAVE LARGE CHUNKS OF PAINT CHIPPING AWAY ON THE HOOD AND ON THE PANEL BETWEEN THE DOOR AND WINDSHIELD, EXPOSING METAL FRAME. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE, I NOTICED MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR KIA SORENTO; SAME YEAR AND SAME PEARL WHITE COLOR. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A PAINT SHOP, AND THEY SAID IT'S A "DELAMINATION" PROBLEM, AND IT'S A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURER'S PAINT. IT WILL ONLY CONTINUE TO WORSEN. I TOOK IT TO KIA (AFTER HAVING MY ENGINE REPLACED DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE AND SEIZING ON THE HIGHWAY), AND I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO COVER ALL EXPENSES TO FIX IT. NOT ONLY ARE LARGE CHUNKS OF PAINT CHIPPING OFF, BUT ALL THE AREAS ARE BECOMING SEVERELY RUSTED. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN!! NOT ONLY IS IT A PAINT DEFECT THAT KIA SHOULD COVER, BUT IT CAN BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN IT BEGINS TO WEAKEN AROUND THE WINDSHIELD! I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY ENGINE REPLACED (WHICH I HAD TO FIGHT FOR AS WELL BEFORE ALMOST CAUSING A MAJOR ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY ONCE MY CAR SEIZED AT 70 MPH) AND MY PAINT IS COMING OFF IN LARGE QUANTITIES AND RUSTING, DEPRECIATING THE VALUE AND SAFETY OF MY CAR, AND IT'S NOT EVEN 10 YEARS OLD!!! I'VE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE I STARTED FINANCING MY CAR. KIA KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM, YET WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I WANT SOMETHING DONE! A RECALL SHOULD BE SET IN PLACE, ESPECIALLY AFTER HUNDREDS OF CONSUMERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM!!
Structure, Nov 16, 2020
PAINT IS PEELING AT DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE VEHICLE
Structure, Nov 6, 2020
PEARL WHITE PAINT PEELING CHIPPING AND DELAMINATION
Structure, Oct 29, 2020
I HAVE A 2013 KIA SORENTO WITH PAINT ISSUES. THE PAINT STARTED CHIPPING AFTER A FEW YEARS, NOT FADING BUT CHIPPING OFF. THE AREAS AFFECTED ARE THE FRONT DOOR PANELS, HOOD AND ROOF. MY DAUGHTER HAS A NEWER KIA SORENTO AND THE PAINT ON HER VEHICLE IS CHIPPING IN THE SAME AREAS.
Structure, Engine, Sep 20, 2020
MY ENGINE IS BURNING A LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL. I TAKE IT IN TO DO REGULAR CHANGES. I HAVE A 2013 KIA SORENTO. IT HAS 136000 MILES JUST RECENTLY THE OIL LIGHT STARTED COMING ON, CHECKED THE DIP STICK AND IT REGISTERS NONE. ITS BEEN TAKEN FOR REGULAR OIL CHANGES BUT BURNS UP THE OIL BEFORE ITS TIME FOR A CHSNGE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND. ALSO IVE SEEN NUMEROUS WHITE SORENTOS ON THE ROAD AND MOST OF THEM HAVE THE SAME PAINT PROBLEM ON THE ROOF RIGHT ABOVE WINDSHIELD. ITS PEELING OFF AND GETTING WORSE. ALSO CRACKING AROUND KIA SYMBOL ON REAR HATCH. IT STARTED WITH RUST SPOTS THEN, CRACKING THEN PAINT PEELING. THE ENGINE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEMS WITH KIA OWNERS AND THE PAINT OBVIOUSLY IS A DEFECT FROM THE FACTORY. LOVE MY SORENTO BUT NEED THESE ISSUES FIXED.
Structure, Sep 18, 2020
THE PAINT CHIPPED OFF THE ROOF OF MY PEARL WHITE 2013 KIA SORENTO AND NOW IT IS DELAMINATING FROM THE PRIMER. THIS IS CAUSING RUST. WHEN I DRIVE THE PAINT IS COMING OFF.
Structure, Seats, Jan 6, 2020
MY CHILD WHO IS CURRENTLY 13, HAS MANAGED TO PULL THE REAR PASSENGER HANDLE OFF THE VEHICLE TWICE IN THE 6 YEARS WE HAVE OWNED IT REQUIRING REPLACEMENT BOTH TIMES AS THE PIECE HOLDING THE HANDLE IN IS PLASTIC AND HAS SHATTERED. THE FIRST TIME HE WAS ONLY 7. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR A DOOR HANDLE TO BE ABLE TO BE DESTROYED BY A CHILD MULTIPLE TIMES. ALSO, THE HANDLE WHICH ALLOWS THE SECOND ROW SEAT TO FOLD FORWARD FOR PASSENGERS TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE THIRD ROW DOES NOT WORK. WE HAVE ASKED FOR THIS TO BE FIXED AT THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET IT TO WORK PROPERLY EITHER. OBVIOUSLY BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS OCCUR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY.
Structure, Dec 15, 2019
THE BACK DOOR ON PASSENGER SIDE HANDLE FELL OFF, TAKING TO KIA TOMORROW BUT GETTING SENSE THERE CLAIMING NO ISSUE
Structure, Jun 18, 2019
MY CAR HAS 2 DOOR HANDLES THAT HAVE FALLEN OFF. ONE RIGHT AFTER ANOTHER. THIS IS ALSO SOMETHING I SEE FREQUENTLY ON OTHER KIA SORENTOS I PASS ON THE ROAD SO OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AND IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED. I DID NOT PAY FOR A CAR TO HAVE TO STICK MY ARM THROUGH AND AROUND TO THE OTHER DOOR TO OPEN IT, THAT'S RIDICULOUS. ALSO, THE CAR WAS IN PARK IN THE DRIVE WAY AT MY PARENTS HOUSE, IT WASN'T EVEN TURNED ON, THE KEYS WEREN'T EVEN IN IT.