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
981 reports, newest first.
Engine, Jun 3, 2021
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic however, the cause of the failure was not determined. The contact stated that on one occasion while driving 55 mph, she heard an abnormal sound prior to the vehicle stalling. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was parked on the side of the road. The contact then towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The VIN was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Engine, May 28, 2021
On May 5, 2021 our Sorento started smoking/steaming so we had it towed to our Kia service center who told us we needed a new engine due to bolts being stripped and warping the cylinder head. The vehicle is currently at our local mechanic and can be made available for inspections. I believe the engine could have done a lot more damage to us and others around if the engine had caused the vehicle to seize and cause an accident. The vehicle has only been seen by the Kia service center and my local mechanic. No other personnel has inspected the vehicle. The vehicle started to overheat about a week or two prior to the final incident. We took it to a mechanic (not my local mechanic) stating the vehicle was overheating, though they were unable to recreate the overheating. It is unknown why they couldn't replicate the issue.
Engine, May 26, 2021
in 2019 our car's engine was replaced due to a engine recall. The recall pertained to engines seizing, locking up, catching fire all due to excessive oil consumption and connecting rod bearings. In the fall of 2020, early 2021, we noticed that the newly replaced engine was using excessive oil. On one instance, the dash oil light came on after having oil changed and drove 200 miles. Checking dipstick, no oil was registering. We put 5 qts oil in car. We then took the car to the dealership. The dealership informed us to perform a factory certified oil change, do a diagnostic testing for 1000 miles, bring back to dealership for further evaluation. we reluctantly did this test as we were concerned that the engine would lock up, catch fire, leave us stranded. Upon returning to dealership, further testing showed excessive oil consumption of this newly replaced engine and that it needed to be replaced yet again.
Engine, May 21, 2021, fire
The contact owned a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while the vehicle was stopped at a red light, she saw smoke emerging from the hood and the dashboard. Upon exiting the vehicle, the contact stated that the engine had caught on fire. There were no crash or injuries due to the fire. The air bags did not deploy. The fire department was contacted and was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle towed to a impound lot. The contact had not notified a local dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 20V750000 (Engine). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and the contact filed a complaint with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 150,000.
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.
Other or unspecified, May 17, 2021, crash
Abs break
Engine, May 14, 2021
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V750000 (ENGINE). THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER SON WAS DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED AND REMAINED AT THE DEALER, AWAITING APPROVAL FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO AUTHORIZE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Engine, May 13, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V750000 (ENGINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. JENKINS KIA OF OCALA (2305 SW COLLEGE RD, OCALA, FL 34471, (352) 414-4553) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
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.
Engine, Apr 15, 2021
IN APPROXIMATELY NOVEMBER 2020, MY 2013 KIA SORENTO STARTED USING LARGE AMOUNTS OF OIL IN EXCESS OF 1 QT PER WEEK, WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 150- 200 MILES' PER WEEK. SHORTLY AFTER, I BEGAN SMELLING BURNING OIL UNDER THE HOOD. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP TO FIND A LEAK, BUT NONE WAS FOUND. ONE TECHNICIAN FELT IT COULD BE A BAD GASKET, ALLOWING EXCESSIVE OIL TO ENTER THE INTAKE AND BURN THERE.
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.
Engine, Apr 10, 2021, fire
ON DECEMBER 18, 2020 WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY (IN MOTION), WITHOUT WARNING, AN ENGINE FIRE ERUPTED IN THE VEHICLE. THE FLAMES WERE SO PRONOUNCED THAT ONLOOKERS CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REGULARLY SERVICED AND HAD NO KNOWN MECHANICAL PROBLEMS AT THAT POINT IN TIME.
Engine, Apr 9, 2021
THERE IS SOME KIND OF FLUID LEAK, POSSIBLY OIL, IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I DID HAVE VEHICLE CHECKED IN 2020 FOR A RECALL BUT THEY DID NOTHING ABOUT THE LEAK. NOW THE LEAK IS CAUSING ENGINE TO SMOKE AFTER BEING DRIVEN. I KNOW THERE IS AN ENGINE RECALL ON MY VEHICLE BUT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP CHOSE NOT TO ADDRESS IT ON MY LAST VISIT. I NOW HAVE LEFT A MESSAGE TO GET VEHICLE CHECKED AGAIN AND NO ONE HAS CALLED BACK. I CALLED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SPOKE WITH RYAN IN CALIFORNIA AND HE SAID THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE. SHOULD MY VEHICLE BE CHECKED UNDER SC200? MY VEHICLE HAS ALL THE SYMPTOMS THAT FALL UNDER THAT RECALL. I AM GREATLY CONCERNED ABOUT ENGINE FIRE/FAILURE.
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.
Engine, Mar 16, 2021
MY 2013 SORENTO STALLS RANDOMLY FOR NO REASON FOR ABOUT HALF SECOND LIKE ENGINE SKIPPING POWER FOR A MICRO MOMENT AND THAN KEEPS RUNNING. THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST 3-4 TIME A WEEK BUT THERE IS NO OPEN RECALL ON MY VIN. LAST TIME IT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WITH 60 MILES/HOUR AND IT STALLED AND RPM NEEDLE WENT TO 0 BUT CAR KEEPS RUNNING. I TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY STARTED INVESTINGATING. THERE IS NOT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ERROR CODE. DEALER DUPLICATED PROBLEM ONCE BUT THEN NOTHING. THEY OPENED TECHNICAL CASE WITH KIA WITH NO RESULT. THERE IS A PCM RECALL ON STALLING FOR PCM UPDATE FROM KIA BACK IN 2014 BUT MY VIN DOESN'T FALL UNDER IT SO THEY ARE NOT READY TO PERFORM ANY RECALL PROCESS ON IT. NO HELP FROM KIA AT ALL. FINALLY AFTER ALMOST 3 WEEKS I BROUGHT MY SORENTO BACK FROM DEALER SAYING "IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN BRING IT BACK AND WE WILL CHECK AGAIN". DEALER KEEPS CHARGING DIAGNOSTIC FEE EVERY TIME I GO. I THINK KIA DOESN'T FOR CUSTOMER SAFETY AND DON;T THINK WHAT HAPPENS IF VEHICLE STALLS AND STOPS ON HIGHWAY WHAT HAPPENS TO THE PEOPLE. THEY ARE PLAYING WITH PEOPLE'S LIVES. I SEE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ON VARIOUS FORUM FOR THE SAME ISSUE BUT AGAIN SAME THING THEIR VIN DOESN'T FALL UNDER RECALL THOUGH IT IS A SAME PROBLEM.
Engine, Mar 16, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE WHEN AN ABNORMAL NOISE APPEARED AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT UNDRIVEABLE. CENTURY KIA OF TAMPA (4340 W. HILLSBOROUGH AVE, TAMPA, FL 33614 (844) 757-2536) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.
Engine, Back over prevention, Mar 12, 2021
MY CAR WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE WHOLE THING JUST CUT OUT. I'VE NEVER HAD A A PROBLEM WITH IT. AND I HAD TO GET IT TOWED JUST TO BE TOLD I NEED A NEW ENGINE.
Engine, Mar 11, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE BEARINGS WERE WORN, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Engine, Mar 10, 2021
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM (SCAN 0001.PDF) NOTED BELOW. DIAGNOSTIC COMPRESSION TEST (SCAN 0002.PDF) BY KIA DEALER NOTED BELOW.
Exterior lighting, Mar 10, 2021
I AM HAVING A CONSTANT ISSUE WITH MY HEADLIGHTS MAINLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. ALL THREE LIGHTS (HIGH BEAM, LOW BEAM AND FOG LIGHT) ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ARE DIM. WHEN I DISCONNECT THE LOW BEAM BULB THE THE OTHER TWO BULBS LIGHT UP FULLY. WHEN I CONNECT THE LOW BEAM BULB BACK THERE IS A HUMMING SOUND THAT STARTS AND ALL PASSENGER SIDE BULBS GO DIM AGAIN. MY KIA SORENTO HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR GOING ON SIX YEARS NOW. USUALLY WE COULD CUT THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND THE LIGHTS WOULD TURN BACK BRIGHT. THE PAST COUPLE OF TIME WE HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE BULBS. NOW NOTHING SEEMS TO HELP. WHEN CHANGING THE BULBS THEY ALL STAY DIM UNLESS I DISCONNECT THE LOW BEAM BULB WHICH I CAN'T DO FOR SAFETY REASONS. AND TO AVOID GETTING A TICKET I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE DIM. NEXT STEP IS TO TRY AND REPLACE THE HEAD LIGHT WIRING HARNESS OR TAKE IT TO THE KIA SERVICE DEAPARTMENT.