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: other or unspecified
89 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Nov 1, 2018
AT 37,342 MILES THE RIGHT SPRING COIL BROKE AND SHREDDED MY TIRE WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. I AM GRATEFUL THIS DID NOT OCCUR ON A FREEWAY. THE COST TO REPLACE THE COIL, STRUT , AND TIRE WAS ALMOST $1,000. I CALLED KIA CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS AND WAS OFFERED NO RELIEF BECAUSE I WAS PAST THE BASIC WARRANTY PERIOD OF 5 YEARS.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 13, 2018
TAKATA RECALL, 2014 KIA SORENTO LISTS POWER WHEN I ACCELLERATE. SORENTO IS VERY SLUGGISH WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IT SEEMS TO JERK AND LOSE POWER. THIS SLUGGISH FEELING HAPPENS ALMOST DAILY, EVEN IF I HAVE A TUNE UP COMPLETED AND ALL NEW FILTERS. I HAVE ALSO TRIED DIFFERENT BRANDS OF GASOLINE TO TRY AND HELP WITH THIS ISSUE. NOTHING SEEMS TO HELP. I AM VERY CONCERNED ALSO ABOUT THE MOUNT OF HEAT THE ENGINE GIVES OFF. THE HEAT COMING FROM THE ENGINE IS SO HOT YOU CAN BARELY STAND BY THE CAR.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 12, 2018, fire
DRIVING AUTO ON I-75 SOUTH NEAR FT. MYERS, FL, CAR ENGINE SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE. ENTIRE AUTO BURNED TO NOTHING BUT METAL. BOTH MYSELF AND MY WIFE WERE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS AND GET OUT ALTHOUGH ALL POWER WAS LOST AS WE WERE PULLING OVER THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. WITHIN FOUR MINUTES THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FIRE.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jul 2, 2018
WHEN I PUT MY CAR INTO REVERSE IT MAKES THIS BARING GRIND NOISE EVEN WHEN I AM GOING INTO REVERSE. IT CONTINUES TO MAKE THIS NOISE AS I AM DRIVING. ALSO SOMETIMES IT WILL STOP BUT THEN START AGAIN WHEN I MAKE A TURN AND CONTINUE MAKING THE GRIND OR BARING NOISE. ALSO IF I AM AT A STOP LIGHT AND I PRESS THE GAS PADDLE IT MAKES THIS GRIND NOISE. WHEN I LOOKED UP RECALL FOR THIS I HAD FOUND EXACTLY WHAT IT COULD BE AND MY VIN NUMBER SAID IT WASNT FOR RECALL. ALSO. I NOTICED WHEN I WOULD PUT MY PARK IN THE PARK GEAR POSITION IT WONT SOMETIMES LOCK ALL THE WAY. AS I HAD READ ALSO FOR MY CAR. IT DEPENDS ON THE WEATHER HOW LOUD IT MAKES THE NOISE . WHEN IT'S HOT ITS LOUD THEN COLD ITS OFF AND ON. THIS HAPPENS ON STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. MY DATE OF HAPPENING IS AN EDUCATIONAL GUESS. I KNOW IT WAS ALREADY HAPPENING WHEN I GOT A RECALL FOR THE OIL PANEL THING AND SOMETHING ELSE.
Power train, Other or unspecified, May 27, 2018
I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM THE KIA MANUFACTURING CORP. ONLY TO HERE ABOUT THEM ON THE TV NEWS.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Apr 11, 2018
WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ONE DAY AND A LARGE METAL PIECE HIT THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR IN WHICH KNOCK THE PLASTIC SHELL COVERING THE FUEL LINE'S OFF I CALLED KIA THEY SAID SO TOLD KIA THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE KIA SAID SO WE HAVE NOT BEEN TOLD ABOUT IT KIA WAS LIKE WHO CARES. ANOTHER THING IS THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH HAVE BEEN COMING ON EVEN AFTER FIXING THIS STILL COME ON AGAIN KIA WANTED TO CHARGE A HIGH PRICE TO FIX ONE PART THE UNDER PINNING SHOULD BE REPLACE WITH A PLATE NOT PLASTIC PART
Other or unspecified, Jun 29, 2017, crash
CAR THRUSTED FORWARD, BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING UNCONTROLLED MINOR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE!! WAS STOPPED AT MY MAILBOX WHEN THIS HAPPENED!! $3000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY KIA SORENTO
Other or unspecified, Jun 19, 2017
THE VEHICLE HAS A RECALL THAT I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF. I AM STATIONED OVERSEAS WITH THE US ARMY. HOW DO I VERFIY IF THE DEFINCIENCY WAS CORRECTED PRIOR TO BUYING THE VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Apr 4, 2017
THE KIA WAS PARKED ON A SLOPING DRIVEWAY, IN PARK AND WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON. BUT THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN ABOUT 10 FEET. BOTH TRANSMISSION AND EMERGENCY BRAKE WERE STILL ENGAGED.
Other or unspecified, Mar 22, 2016, crash
MY WAS REMOVING GROCERIES FROM HER NEW KIA WHEN IT STARTED TO ROLL AWAY WHILE THE CAR WAS IN PARK. WE CHECK KIA DEALER WE WERE ALL WAS ON WITH THE CAR THE PROBLEM HAD TO BE DIVER ERROR. THEN ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 20, 2015 WE RECEIVED A RECALLED FOR A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM THAT ALLOW THE KIA TO SLIDE OUT OF PARK AND INTO REVERSE WITH THE BREAK PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED.
Other or unspecified, Aug 28, 2015
WE WERE DRIVING DOWN A PAVED ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN WE HEARD A LOUD NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A SHOTGUN. UPON PULLING OVER AND INSPECTING THE CAR, WE FOUND THAT THE REAR SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED AND WAS IN TINY PIECES. THE COVER HAD BEEN PULLED SHUT SO ONLY A RELATIVELY SMALL AMOUNT OF GLASS FELL THROUGH INTO THE CAR, BUT HAD THE COVER BEEN OPEN THE GLASS PIECES WOULD HAVE FALLEN IN ON OUR TWO YEAR OLD SON IN THE BACK SEAT. TO OUR KNOWLEDGE NOTHING FELL ON TOP OF THE CAR, AND WE DID NOT HIT A BUMP OR ANYTHING IN THE ROAD WHEN THIS HAPPENED.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 22, 2015
MY 2013 KIA SORRENTO'S PARKING LIGHTS WERE ON THIS AFTERNOON ON SATURDAY AUGUST 22, 2015 AT APPROXIMATELY 2:30 PM EST. I WENT OUTSIDE TO PLACE SOMETHING IN MY VEHICLE WHEN I NOTICED THE PARKING LIGHTS WERE ON. I HAD PARKED MY VEHICLE AT 1:00 AM WHEN I RETURNED FROM RUNNING AN ERRAND. I PARKED, MADE SURE ALL THE LIGHTS WERE TURNED OFF, ARMED THE SECURITY SYSTEM AND WENT INSIDE. BEFORE MY WIFE AND I WENT TO BED I WENT OUT TO MAKE SURE THAT I TURNED ALL LIGHTS OFF WHICH THEY WERE. THIS WAS AT 2:00 AM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TOUCHED SINCE THAT TIME. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. I HAVE HAD IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE ALREADY WHERE THEY CLAIM THEY CANNOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE HAD TO HAVE OUR VEHICLE JUMPED AT LEAST 12 TIMES DUE TO A DEAD BATTERY CAUSED BY THIS PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE FALLS WELL WITHIN IT'S WARRANTY SO IT WILL BE COVERED HOWEVER THE ISSUE IS SERIOUS ENOUGH THAT IT WARRANTS ATTENTION WHICH I BELIEVE WILL BE IGNORED IF NOT BROUGHT TO LIGHT AND MAY RESULT IN INJURIES OR COST TO OTHERS WHEN NO COST SHOULD BE INCURRED. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. I FEEL THIS COULD LEAD TO PROBLEMS WITH STEERING, BRAKING SYSTEM, ENGINE MALFUNCTION AS WELL AS POSSIBLE RISKS OF FIRE DUE TO A FAULTY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, May 21, 2015
THE DASHBOARD REFLECTS ONTO THE WINDSHIELD REDUCING VISIBILTY AS THE REFLECTIONS CAUSE DISTORTED VISION THRU THE WINDSHIELD. THIS IS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS ON SUNNY DAYS AS THE REFLECTIONS INCREASE DEPENDING ON THE ANGLE OF THE SUN REFLECTING OFF THE SHINY DASHBOARD ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. MAYBE THE DASHBOARD SHOULD NOT BE COATED WITH SUCH A REFLECTIVE AND SHINY MATERIAL TO AVOID THIS ISSUE. IN ADDITION, THE SPEED PANEL HAS DETAILED METALLIC PAINT AROUND THE SPEEDOMETER AND PANEL INFO WHICH REFLECTS BEAMS OF BLINDING LIGHT FROM THE SUN AND BRIGHT LIGHTS INTO THE DRIVERS FACE WHILE DRIVING. AGAIN, MAYBE THE METALLIC PAINT AND SHINY REFLECTIVE DESIGN SHOULD BE CHANGED TO NON-REFLECTIVE OPTIONS TO AVOID BLINDING THE DRIVER. ANNOYING FEATURES WHICH CAUSE THE DRIVER TO ADJUST POSITION WHILE DRIVING OR TRY TO BLOCK THE BLINDING LIGHTS AND VISUAL DISTRACTIONS WHILE IN MOTION ARE DANGEROUS AND COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENTS. KIA PLEASE CONSIDER REDESIGNING THESE DANGEROUS DESIGN DETAILS AND INCREASE THE SAFETY FOR EVERYONE. IF CHANGES ARE NOT MADE ON NEWER MODELS, I WILL NEVER AGAIN PURCHASE ANY KIA PRODUCTS AND WILL WARN OTHERS OF THESE DANGERS ON THIS VEHICLE BRAND. SAFETY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN DESIGN SO PLEASE REMOVE THE METALLIC PAINT FROM THE SPEEDOMETER PANEL AND FIND A NON-REFLECTIVE MATERIAL TO COVER THE DASHBOARD. THANK YOU.
Other or unspecified, Jun 10, 2013
THE VEHICLE IS A FEW MONTHS OLD. TODAY 6/9/13 TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT IS SPUTTERING AND SHUTTING OFF. KIA IN CHARLOTTE, NC PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER AND SAID THEY CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG? A VEHICLE A FEW MONTHS OLD THAT SPUTTERS AND SHUTS OFF HAS A PROBLEM! I DO NOT CARE WHAT THE COMPUTER SAYS! *TR