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, Jun 12, 2019
PAINT PEELING OFF. DEALERSHIP WILL NOT HELP ME
Structure, May 29, 2019
THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF ABOVE THE FRONT WINDOW
Air bags, Structure, Jan 2, 2019
TAKATA RECALL ON BACK LOCKS. LOCK JAMMED ON BACK DOOR. DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM INSIDE OR OUT.. HAVING PROBLEMS WITH KIA DEALERSHIP HONORING A RECALL THAT I THIN SHOULD INCLUDE MY VEHICLE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR FRONT LOCKS A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO THAT WAS REPAIRED. NOW THE BACK LOCKS ON THE BACK DOOR IS DOING THE SAME THING. THIS IS A DANGER TO MY GRANDCHILDREN WHO SITS IN THE BACK OF MY CAR. THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ALSO MALFUNCTIONING. I HAVE ASKED KIA CHECK THE AIR BAG, BUT TOLD MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT ON THE LIST. AND THAT MY LOCKS ARE NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. THESE ARE ALL MANUFACTURING PROBLEMS AND SHOULD BE TREATED AS SUCH.. THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION MOST OF THE TIME WHEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT "OFF" APPEARS.. THE VEHICLE WAS /IS STATIONARY WHEN THE BACK DOOR LOCK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK, ALTHOUGH RESONDS TO KEY PAD SOUND AS THOUGH UNLOCKED, THE DOOR REMAINS LOCK. ALSO, WHEN DOOR IS UNLOCKED ON THE INSIDE, DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. CAR IS STATIONARY.
Structure, Dec 26, 2018
APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO I PAID DEALER TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR HANDLE. TODAY PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF IN HAND WHILE OPENING DOOR (SAME AS PREVIOUS). NOW UNABLE TO OPEN REAR DOOR FROM OUTSIDE OF CAR
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.
Structure, Sep 15, 2017
THE REAR HATCH IS SOMEHOW RELEASING (NOT TO THE POINT WHERE IT OPENS) WHICH MAKES THE 'OPEN DOOR' INDICATOR & DOME LIGHTS FLICKER. IT HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES, AND THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I THOUGHT THAT MAYBE I HAD NOT CLOSED IT ALL THE WAY. I DO NOT KNOW EXACTLY HOW MANY TIMES IT HAS HAPPENED, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED ENOUGH TIMES FOR ME TO BE CONCERNED THAT ONE DAY IT WILL JUST FLY OPEN; SPILLING ITEMS INTO THE ROADWAY, AND CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. IN THE LAST WEEK IT HAS OCCURRED TWICE, AND IT IS NEVER NOTICEABLE UNTIL AFTER I START DRIVING. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS INITIALLY STARTED THE 'DOOR OPEN' INDICATOR IS NOT ILLUMINATED. IT'S NOT UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION THAT IT HAS COME ON. THE LIGHT DOES NOT ALWAYS COME ON BUT I CAN HERE THE HATCH RATTLING AS THOUGH IT IS NOT CLOSED ALL THE WAY. IT IS VERY IRRITATING AND CAUSES GREAT CONCERN BECAUSE I WOULD HATE FOR IT TO CAUSE SOMETHING TO HAPPEN IN THE EVENT THE IT JUST COMPLETELY RELEASES.
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.
Structure, Jul 14, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
Structure, Oct 9, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,800.
Steering, Structure, Engine, Sep 19, 2014, crash
MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY WHEN I HIT A PERSON IN THE REAR AFTER SEVERELY DAMAGED FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE AND PARTS BEING SHOVED INTO THE MOTOR AND THE MOTOR RECEIVED A CRACK IN THE BLOCK. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Jul 3, 2014
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY #20 EAST IN QUEBEC CANADA THE FRONT PART OF THE PANORAMIC ROOF SHATTERED IN MILLIONS OF PIECES.. UPDATED 08-20-14 *BF UPDATED 09/3/2014 *JS *TR
Visibility, Structure, Mar 17, 2014
DRIVING DOWN ROUTE 62 IN ALLIANCE OHIO 44601 ONLY GOING ABOUT 30 35 MPH IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT AND LOOK BACK AND SEEN THE PANORAMIC WINDOW WAS SHATTERED NO SIGNS OF ANYTHING HITTING IT LIGHT TRAFFIC. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Nov 22, 2013
WE WERE WESTBOUND ON US 60 IN TEMPE AZ. WHEN THE SUNROOF IMPLODED SCATTERING GLASS ON VEHICLES BEHIND US. LUCKY FOR US THE INSIDE SHADE WAS CLOSED PREVENTING THE GLASS FROM COMING INSIDE. THE OUTSIDE TEMP. WAS 73 THE A/C WAS SET AT 70 SPEED WAS 65 MPH.I CONTACTED THE KIA DEALER WHO SAID THEY WERE UNAWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS THAT KIA WAS HAVING WITH THE SUNROOFS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Structure, Sep 16, 2013
WHEN I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE I DID NOT REALIZE THAT IT WOULD HAVE SO MANY ISSUES. I THINK IT STARTED IN MARCH OF 2013. I STARTED SMELLING A BAD ODOR WHEN I START MY TRUCK UP AND REALIZED IT WAS COMING FROM THE AC UNIT. HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS THE CABIN FILTER AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. LATER WENT BACK FOR ANOTHER MATER AND WAS TOLD AT FIRST THAT IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT ONCE I GOT TO THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD IT COULD NOT BE FIXED. EVERY SINCE I HAD THIS TRUCK MY DRIVERS SEAT GOES DOWN BY IT SELF AND I JUST DON'T SEE WHAT THE POINT IN TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THEY NEVER FIX ANYTHING. I FEEL THAT PURCHASING A KIA FROM RICK CAS KIA WAS A VERY BIG MISTAKE. I WILL NEVER RECOMMEND THIS DEALERSHIP TO ANYONE.......... *TR
Structure, Jul 5, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S DOOR WOULD STRIKE HIM IN THE FOREHEAD WHENEVER ENTERING THE VEHICLE .THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE EDGES AROUND THE DOOR WERE SHARP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. *TR
Structure, May 29, 2013
REAR RIGHT DOOR HANDLE ASSEMBLY FELL APART WHEN MY WIFE WAS OPENING THE DOOR TO PLACE GROCERIES ON REAR SEAT. THIS INCIDENT HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO ME ON THE DIFFERENT CARS I HAVE OWNED. *TR